Part 4 TO BE ONESELF IS ALWAYS THE BEST THING

impudent and caustic, I'll jeer to superfluity.

Snape was standing behind Neville, a few steps away from the door, but he wasn't even taking points. He glared down at the boy, his thoughts elsewhere.

She looks exactly like Cynthia. But she isn't. She isn't

Uncalled and perfectly unwelcomed , the memory of Cynthia's body laying in his bed, her empty eyes staring up at him, invaded his mind.

Not now. Not bloody now.

The door opened with a soft click.

« Miss Granger. How good to see you, » he sneered, without turning to look at her.

« Good morning, sir. »

Hermione made her way slowly to her place, trying to ignore the sharp gasps of her classmates.

« What did she do? » she heard Lavender whisper.

« 'Dunno. She looks gorgeous, » replied Parvati.

Hermione hid a smile and sat down, Harry and Ron closing protectively on either side of her.

While Snape was sweeping around them, checking their cauldrons and glaring at their chopped ingredients, nobody actually dared to say anything. But once the bell rang, and Snape bellowed,

« Class dismissed! »

– everyone started to talk at the same time.

Hermione just sat there, feeling in the centre of a storm, while wild comments about her new look flew in every direction. These last three days she had been far too worried about what had actually happened and how she could reverse it, but the sight of Snape had made her realize that everything was, in the end, his fault.

She had sat quietly during the double period, stirring her potion and stealing glances at him moving in the classroom, but now that the lesson was over she fully intended to ask for some explanation.

« Hermione? You coming? » she heard Harry ask.

« I need a word with Professor Snape, » she mumbled. « I'll join you later. »

Harry looked worried and Ron downright scared, but both of them followed the chattering crowd out of the room.

Snape was sitting at his desk, grading papers. She was pretty sure he knew she was there, yet he ignored her.

She sat at her place without speaking, playing nervously with a loose lock of her blond hair. She hoped he would speak first, but apparently he was firmly determined not to.

« Professor? » she said eventually.

He didn't look up.

« Professor Snape, I was just wondering- »

« For once in your life, don't, » he answered softly without raising his eyes.

« It's just that Madam Pomfrey didn't find any counter-curse, and as the book was in your library- »

He interrupted her again.

« Book? What book would that be? »

Hermione bit her lip. His voice was softer and softer, but he still wasn't looking at her.

« The red one, sir, » she said.

She had been thinking about that, and had come to the conclusion that one of the books was cursed. She couldn't see any other explanation. She was pretty sure her hair and eyes had changed after she had touched the little red volume next to the 1546 edition of Hogwarts: A History.

« What book would that be? » he repeated dangerously.

« I don't know, sir, » she answered truthfully. « It wasn't the one I was looking for. It just fell down from its shelf. »

He didn't say anything, and his quill started moving again on the papers in front of him.

« I would-I would like to know, » she said eventually, « what could reverse the spell, sir. »

« Why would you in the first place? » he muttered. « If anything, it's an improvement. »

She gaped at him. How dare he?

« Being myself again would be a better improvement, » she said dryly, closing her fingers nervously on her tights. « To be oneself is always the best thing. »

The quill stopped dead and for the first time he raised his eyes and looked at her. The expression in his eyes was beyond what she had ever seen before. He looked as dangerous as he had been in the Shrieking Shack, but this time he was perfectly calm – and that made Hermione even more nervous.

« 'To be oneself is always the best thing'? You silly girl, do you really think you know? »

His voice was barely more than a whisper, but it went through the empty classroom like a strong and cold rain.

« And anyway, you have no choice, » he continued, matter-of-fact, the murderous shadow gone from his eyes. « There is no counter-spell. Now get out. »

Hermione would have objected, but the look on his face had been so scary that she started gathering her things without another word. When he had that softness in his voice and that sparkle in his eyes, she was always reminded of what Dumbledore had said to Harry…

Severus Snape was indeed a Death Eater.

She didn't want to think about that alone in a classroom with him.

« Good evening, sir, » she muttered under her breath, fleeing the room.

He knew something, though, that much was clear. She couldn't force him to tell her anything, but someone had to. She really had to go and see Professor McGonagall.

A/N First of all, OOOOPS! It had completely slipped from my mind to thank my beta thus far, Fayth (it's because of her that you didn't find any English mistakes so far…but that won't last, be warned…). It is also because I found her challenge on WIKTT, which matched this story, that I decided to publish it – so, thanks Fayth. For non-members, challenge was called Voldermort's Bargain. Terms were:

Voldemort has a sneaking suspiscion that Severus Snape isnt 100 loyal to him (duh!)

But the sneaky Professor has more Skills than Voldemort wasnts to lose. so he makes a bargain with Snape.

In appreciation for his loyalty and to ensure that Snape stays that way.

If he'll betray the Order Voldemort offers Snape the thing that he wants most in the whole world- Hermione Granger.

Next, thank you everyone who reviewed, it's really nice to know you're going on.

duj – you're far too perceptive, but the truth is simpler: Ron is half-asleep, and 'yellow' is the best term he can come up with. Oh, and I've seen your profile and I'm awed at your determination and bravery…these are the real life's battles against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named…

Pathatlon – well, I won't tell you, why should I? ;)) And Dumbledore will be in the next chapter, and try to sort this mess out…but I won't let him :D

insipidangst – didn't really understand if you were talking about my writing or Majakovsky…I'm flattered, but he deserves praise far more than I do…

Next update: February the 9th