AN: I would like to thank:

Caeria: whoever you are I liked your reviews and I will ask my beta about the double quotes, regarding the line you quote ... I liked it very much too, I just thought that he had done many things in his life and some of them weren't really good so he does not feel that he is the best choice for a young girl

Natsuyori, EvenstArwen, Watergoddesskasey, danradcliffe6656, babyruth15, Smiles28, LadyMoofin (I agree with you LOL) thanks for your support and for liking my fic

Lise Girardi: I like Draco very much and usually he is the good guy but in this one i need him to be a bit bad :) you will see why at the end

Sallene: Severus cannot die because of the curse if you read in chapter it says : The article was saying that in 879 BC, a witch wanted to protect her husband from his enemies and she performed this spell. The result was to link the two of them, to unite their souls. While one of them was alive the other could not die and they could not be separated for more than a day, else the spell would take the two back to the last place they had been together.>>

MagikAlianne: I agree with you, he should treat her right ... but we know how Severus is ;) well I'm happy that you like my fic and thanks for reviewing

And the wonderful snarkyroxy that betaed this chapter and made it good.

6. How to understand a Snape

Around midday, a rested Severus emerged from his room wearing a fresh set of black clothes. He saw Hermione having breakfast and while pouring himself a cup of coffee he sat in front of her.

She feigned disinterest in him and went on buttering her slice of bread.

He smirked; the little Gryffindor wanted to play. How very Slytherin of her! It was very unfortunate that he knew how to play better than her.

Hermione resisted for another five minutes and then cleared her throat. Severus raised an eyebrow but did not say anything.

Hermione was fuming. She put down her piece of bread and said, 'All right. You win, Severus. Now please do tell me what happened when you were summoned.'

His smirk widened. 'I'm glad you finally gave up that silly act, dear Hermione.' His voice, when pronouncing the endearment, was dripping with sarcasm. 'I am afraid I cannot reveal anything to you. Suffice to say that soon you will know.'

Hermione glared at him.

Severus had always thought that he was good at diverting attention and therefore he told her something that he knew would at least give him a short reprieve from her incessant questioning. 'Shall we walk along the beach? There are some herbs that I want to show you.'

Hermione, though still glaring at him, nodded, and took his arm to go for a walk.

While they were walking, she noticed that this was the first time he had let her touch him, if the almost kiss incident was not taken into account. She was wondering what it would be like to spend the rest of her life with him.

Severus was watching her and after a while he asked, 'What are you thinking?'

She blushed a bit and then sincerely replied, 'I was just thinking that this is the first time you've offered your arm to me.'

Severus was slightly taken aback. He had not realised that they had been walking arm in arm, as a real couple would do, for a while. The girl must be growing on me, he pondered.

'Well, if you remember I told you that we could not have any physical approach until your graduation, but after that we are going to have around four month before the year finishes. I thought that we could gradually become acquainted with each other.'

She smiled. 'I agree. I quite like to walk this way.' And then, the awkward moment was dissolved when he started to show her the herbs.

Hermione insisted in taking some of them home and they had an interesting afternoon discussing the different uses of some of the herbs in potions.

That night Severus kindled the fire and they sat comfortably on the sofa, each reading a book. Around ten, Hermione yawned and stood up from the sofa.

'I am off to bed. I wish you a good night,' said Hermione and quickly, before losing courage, she kissed his cheek and ran from the room.

Everything had happened very fast and by the time Severus' brain registered what had happened, he found himself sitting alone on the sofa, with only the memory of Hermione's kiss lingering on his cheek.

He started to think about the whole situation but then, too worried about the outcome of his reflections, decided instead to retire for the night.

Hermione was lying in her bed at one o'clock. She was tossing and turning but could not fall asleep. She had kissed him! How was she going to face him tomorrow? He was still her teacher.

Severus, who had been trying to sleep as well, was annoyed that he could feel her distress. She was probably regretting the kiss. Honestly! Like it was a big thing! But then another thought entered his mind. Has she ever kissed anyone with a purpose other than pure friendship?

Knowing the girl, she had been spending far too much time in the library and with her two friends to have kissed anyone in that way.

He sighed, rose from the bed and walked out of his room. He proceeded to knock at her door. 'Hermione, can I come in?'

Hermione jumped almost out of bed but then replied, 'Yes.' She took her blanket and covered herself up to her nose.

He stepped near to the bed and sat on it. 'Why can't you sleep?'

She remained silent.

He tried not to be intimidating but it was hard for a man that was a master of intimidation. 'Hermione, I am not angry with you for the kiss.'

'Really?' came a muffled reply.

He almost smiled at the timid girl who was looking at him with mingled shame and hope in her eyes.

'Yes, really. Actually, I'm a bit cross that you didn't let me give you a good night kiss as well,' he said, watching her reaction.

She lowered the blanket and very timidly she offered her cheek.

He took her chin and placed a light kiss on her mouth. 'Sleep well.'

Hermione was left speechless. He watched her and smiled. 'See you tomorrow.' Severus stood up and left the room.

Hermione touched her mouth. He had really kissed her! She smiled, it was not that bad for a first kiss after all.

Severus was now wondering what made him do such a thing. Deep down he knew that he was starting to care for the girl, but it was very dangerous for him to feel anything for Hermione.

He had survived as a spy because he did not have anything to lose. He knew that nobody was waiting for him, that no one would ever miss him. But now, he had something to live for and that was a scary thought. It could distract him from his mission. He knew on that account, he was doomed; the girl was in his life for good. He could only adjust to this strange new life quickly, and hope for the best.

Hermione and Severus spent the last day on the beach, she sunbathing and he reading.

When they got back to Hogwarts, they once again were absorbed with their own lives.

Hermione had to study for her NEWTs and Severus was organizing the defence of Hogwarts with the Headmaster and the Order.

The Dark Lord was planning to attack the day of the graduation. He was counting on the fact that the seventh year Slytherins would join forces with the Death Eaters to finally destroy Dumbledore and Potter.

…NEWTs and Graduation…

Hermione, Ron, Harry and the rest of the school started their exams on a beautiful morning of June.

The week was very long, with exams taking places both in the mornings and afternoons.

Severus and Hermione managed to see each other only during the meals. They were both very tense, for different reasons, but they could not find a minute to meet in private.

The night before the graduation ceremony, the Head of Houses of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw reunited their seventh year students and informed them of what was going to happen the following day. They were offered a way out. If they did not want to stay and fight they could leave that night with the other students.

No one left. Obviously the Slytherins were not informed. Severus had fought with Albus about this decision but in the end he had accepted that they should not be informed. He knew that the majority already knew of the attack through other means, and were going to side with Voldemort.

That night, after McGonagall informed the Gryffindors, Hermione ran to see Severus.

He opened the door of his private quarters and let her in.

She looked at him. 'So, was it this information you withheld from me that morning?'

Severus nodded. 'I had to let you concentrate on your studies. Hermione, I want you to know that no matter what is going to happen tomorrow, I will do my best to protect you.'

She shook her head. 'I don't need your protection. I just want you to promise me that you will try to remain alive. If we both die there is not going to be any tomorrow for us but if one of us keeps living then so will the other.'

He opened his arms and she went to him. He hugged her for a long time, neither of them wanting to be the first to let go. Finally, he said, 'You should get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be a difficult day.'

She nodded and was about to leave when he took her again in his arms and kissed her.

Hermione kissed him back.

She left him after a few more minutes and spent the rest of the night with Ron and Harry planning the demise of Voldemort.