Severus Snape walked through the corridors of Hogwarts. How he hated night duty! But still, it gave him a time to think without being interrupted by students (Except for the defiant few who ventured out of bed at night.). Most of his thoughts were of simple things. Which potion to make with the third years, who he wanted in his N.E.W.T level class, that sort of thing. But some nights... Some nights he let himself remember.

This particular night, he was thinking of making a simple sleeping draught with the first years, when his thoughts drifted back, to days when Lord Voldemort returned. He was defeated by Harry Potter, but we payed dearly. Neville Longbottom, a fool though he was, he fought bravely and died in battle. Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, they died the night he attacked the school. And the teachers! McGonnagal, Sprout, Flitwick and Hagrid, all died, along with countless others.

He sighed. Those times reminded him of something else. He remembered Number 12 Grimmauld Place and smiled. He gave in to his thoughts. Hermione Granger, meddlesome, smart, pretty and somewhat shy. How he loved her. She had helped him when he was hurt, she had listened to him speak of his past, and yet, when he asked her not to pity him, she didn't. She seemed to understand, when no one else could.

It was silly, he thought, to think of things that could never happen. Yet hee sometimes thought about the possibility... What if he hadn't turned and left, that night, at the ball? But it was absurd! He had to go! She ws young, she didn't know what she wanted, they would both get hurt.

Still... He wondered.

He shook his head fiercely, as though trying to shake her out. It didn't do well to dwell on the past. He would never see her again.

He turned a corner and saw her, trying to get into the Headmasters Office. He swiftly moved himself backwards, where she couldn't see him if she turned, and watched her go through a series of guessed passwords. He didn't know what to do, should he talk to her? No! He couldn't! At least, not yet.

"Severus," said the voice of Albus Dumbledore.

"Headmaster," he said, surprised, "Er, Sir, there's someone here to see you," he lowered his eyes to the floor, as Dumbledore's blue eyes were boring into him.

"Really?" he said in mild amusement, and he looked around the corner, "Oh! Hermione Granger, how lovely!"

Snape mumbled something incomprehensible. He was really just making a noise.

"Severus," said Dumbledore, in a gentle, serious tone. "Go talk to her. I know you love her."

Snape looked up, his eyes wide with shock. He moved his mouth up and down a few times, but no sound came out. Then he pulled himself together.

"Headmaster, I can't talk to her." he almost pleaded, "Just give me some time, and I will talk to her I swear."

Dumbledore surveyed him, then said: "Fine. I will talk to her now. You sleep well tonight, and be ready to talk to her tomorrow. Goodnight."

Snape watched him go to Ms. Granger, and give her quite a fright, then he hurried to his room.

!Back to Hermione!

"Proffessor Dumbledore!" she said, smiling at him. He smiled back at her. She was obviously restraining herself from throwing her arms around the old man.

"I think we should go into my office and talk, don't you Ms. Granger?" he said, his eyes twinkling, as they usually did.

"Yes, right, Proffessor," she grinned sheepishly at him.

"Coconut Cactus," he said, and the gargoyle sprung to life to let them pass. "It's a new sweet, and quite delicious." he said to Hermione, in reference to the 'Coconut Cactus'.

They took seats in his office. Hermione looked around. Still looked the same, except for one or two new additions. The tiny magical clock on his desk, the round mirror on the opposite wall that was completely blank, these things hse did not recognise. Fawkes the phoenix was, of course, still there.

"So, Hermione," he said gently, "What brings you to Hogwarts?" He knew already of course. Hermione knew he knew, but he would still make her tell him, in her own terms.

"I came to see Proffessor Snape, sir," she said, and then she looked at the ground, waiting for him to say more.

A/N: Ok, sorry, it's a bit cliff-hanger-y, but I have to shower, i'm going to town, so I'll update soon, ok? Enjoy!