Well here it is. Chapter 14....I will do my best to get chapters out as I can.

Severus - December 25, 1997

I HATE CHRISTMAS! I sat drinking a large glass of absinthe. Christmas was the worst day ever. I knew the only reason I believed this was the fact that my heart had forever sealed itself this day twenty years ago and the fact that millions of people celebrate the day I was most pained pisses me off. All the noise and merrymaking made my heart heavy. I want them to be unhappy this day as well. I want them to know what it feels like to loose everything on Christmas. Thankfully Albus had never insisted that I be present at the festivities. He allowed me to remain in my quarters and get inebriated. I swirled the liquid in the glass and sneered at the warm fire.

I fingered the bracelet that my love had given me and the charm. H.J.G. Why had the letters been moved around?

December 26, 1997

I am sober for the first time since Winter Break started. Today I was informed that Miss Granger was able to return to the common room that she shares with Potter. She has, with little doubt, fully recovered from the follies of Longbottom's ignorance.

I grabbed a brown quill as I seated myself at my desk. I wrote a small note to her informing her of my need to speak with her in regard to her make-up. My owl, a rather large monster of a bird with ebony colored feathers and dark green eyes, fluttered down and held out his leg.

"I think I'll take this note personally, Cairas," I said slowly transforming into my animagus form, a black cat that looked like a smaller version of the one my love had transfigured me into all those years ago. I took the note in my mouth and began to make my way to the head-boy/head-girl common room.

Hermione

I was sitting with Harry and Remus in the common room that Harry and I shared enjoying a cup of hot chocolate while working on my make-up work for Arithmancy and Ancient Runes. McGonagall had excused me from make-up work and said she would give me the same grades I had received in the past.

"Remus," I called as I finished my last essay from Ancient Runes.

"Yeah," Remus called looking up from the game of Exploding Snap he was playing with Harry.

"What Charms work do I have to make up?" I asked just as the cards exploded and Remus had his face covered in soot.

"None, Hermione, I figure you know how to do everything as you helped me through color changing charms," Remus said grinning at me.

Harry grinned and was apparently trying to fig up any dirt to tease Professor Snape about, after he and I were back together that is, "Did you help Snape as well?"

"Of course not Harry," I said. "Professor Snape is quite dexterous, both in a Potions lab and outside of it. He was as much of a know-it-all in 1977 as I was and am."

A scratching sound met our ears. It came from the painting that guarded the entrance to our common room.

Harry walked over and pushed it open, "Hello?"

A medium sized black cat slipped through and came walking toward me. Crookshanks hissed at the intruder. The other cat gave him a very nasty glare and Crookshanks hissed again. The black cat then slipped over and climbed up to sit on the armrest of the chair I was sitting in.

"What a darling cat," I cooed and reached out and touched the cat's back stroking the soft silky fur with just the pads of my fingertips. He purred deeply and began to arch his back into the stroking. "Would you like some milk or a cookie?" I picked up a butter cookie and offered it to him.

Gingerly the cat deposited a note in my lap and took the proffered cookie. He leapt gracefully to the table and sniffed at an empty bowl. He gave me a reproachful look and sat down staring with yellowish-green cat eyes.

"Just a moment," I said and I took my glass of milk and poured half into the bowl for him. He lapped the milk softly.

I carefully broke the seal and unfolded the note.

Dear Miss Granger,

You need to come and brew three potions due to all the time you have been gone from my class. Please send a note back stating the time you will be available to come and I will let you know if that time will work.

Professor Snape

I quickly grabbed my quill and a spare bit of parchment.
Dear Professor Snape,

I'll come by at 3:30 this afternoon if that is agreeable with you sir.

Love,
Hermione Granger

The cat gracefully leapt over landing on my lap and moved gently to sit next to me. His tail oscillated and every so often it whapped my arm. I rolled up the parchment and handed it to him. I kissed the top of his head softly before he hopped down and made his way to the painting. Crookshanks hissed at him again.

Severus Snape

I slipped carefully down to my office before transforming into my human form. I changed with a pop as I jumped into my leather chair. The inkbottle on my desk was empty. I growled in frustration.

Dear Miss Granger,

3:30 will be just fine. I'll expect you then. Please go to the library and borrow the most current copies of Moste Potente Potions and Potions for Magical Creatures. Be sure to carefully look over the Polyjuice Potion and the Wolfsbane Potion. The other potion you will be assisting me with. I will explain it as we go. It is easier if two people work on it together. Also it will provide make-up for the tests and essays you missed.

Professor Snape

I paused after signing the note for a moment of reflection. I could hardly believe Hermione had kissed my head even when I was in my animagus form. Her lips felt familiar but I suppose subconsciously I remember them from the night she took care of me but it felt like more than that.

I was proud that Hermione had called me a darling cat though I feel sure had she known it was her professor she would not have been so inclined to say such complimentary things. I had adored the way she stroked my back, softly and gently not pressing very hard at all and just with the pads of her fingers. I had also been surprised when she offered me a cookie and gave me milk.

I transformed with a pop and took the note in my mouth and trotted off to deliver it. They left the painting open just enough so that I could slip through. That dratted beast of Miss Granger's hissed at me again. I just gently climbed up and sat on her lap. I glared superciliously at the beast which hissed and clawed his way up to Miss Granger's lap as well.

"Hello again," she said and she stroked my back again.

I purred and continued giving her beast an evil look. It hissed at me.

"Crookshanks, stop being rude," Hermione said and she shoved the kneazle/cat mix off her lap. "If you can't be nice you can't sit with me."

I smirked at the cat and rubbed my head on the underside of her chin and purred. Oh...that monster of her's knew I was not a cat. I placed the note in her hand gently.

"Would you like another cookie?" she asked and she kissed the top of my head again.

I accepted the cookie and lay down on Miss Granger's lap crunching my cookie. She scratched my ears absent mindedly as she read the note.

"Hi Kitty Cat," Lupin said softly reaching out to touch me.

I hissed and flattened my ears. Lupin, who apparently was too dumb to take the hint, still reached forward to pet my head. I hissed again and my paw shot out like a flash claws out and gored Lupin's hand. Remus howled and jerked back worsening the gashes on his hand. As if I'd allow the werewolf/simpleton mix to touch me! I promptly rubbed my head under Miss Granger's chin affectionately.

"That cat is as cantankerous and spiteful as Severus! I think the cat just reflects the behavior that has been shown to him," Remus said glaring distrustfully at me with tears in his eyes as he cradled his hand. I carefully recorded the image in my memory. It was sad that I didn't have a camera with me.

"Do not insult Professor Snape or this lovely cat of his. He has suffered a lot and none of us have tried to help," Hermione said vehemently and she began to scratch my ears again.

I frowned. What did this chit know of my pain and how dare she speak of what she knew naught? Still I swelled with pride at the fact that she'd stood up for me. I never had known a student or anyone, but my Jane Hermione Grant, who'd stand up for me.

Remus had tried after the tragedy but I'd wanted none of it. I didn't want or need the pity that was offered to me at that time. I knew she would be coming back and I needed only Jane, the only girl who'd love me.

I peered over Hermione's shoulder as she composed her answer.

Dear Professor Snape,

I'll be sure to get those books before I come. I look forward to getting caught up as well as brewing the potion I will be working on with you. I also look forward to brewing the Wolfsbane Potion.

Love,
Hermione Granger

I grinned internally. I might have known the Wolfsbane Potion would excite her. I was also astonished that she was looking forward to brewing a potion with me. I enjoyed her passion for learning though I would never and could never admit it anywhere but in the safety of my own mind. I enjoyed just having her in my class in a way I had never enjoyed the presence of any other person but my Jane. I pray for her return.
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