Severus paced in his quarters. Potter had only been in the castle a week and already he was seeing a change in the MediWitch. She was always smiling, her meals spent eating next to Pretty-boy Potter, and they were always laughing! What on earth did he say that made her laugh like that?

Hermione was bustling around her Medical Wing treating students. One Ravenclaw whose arm had been broken in two places by a bludger – she was keeping him there for observation - and another had been bitten by something in greenhouse ten, which was off-limits to all but seventh year students. Professor Sprout wasn't exactly sure what had bitten the girl and was doing an inventory of the greenhouse for Hermione.

She had noted that in the last two weeks she barely saw Professor Snape. 'Guess he's not such a klutz after all,' she sighed. She'd gotten used to having him around, his biting sarcasm and witty rhetoric made better conversation that she'd probably ever enjoyed. On the other hand, it was nice to have Harry back. They'd spent precious little time together since Ron's death; without him they'd drifted apart, following their own paths…

Hermione stopped suddenly, sitting down on a chair and allowing herself a few tears. She hadn't thought about Ron in months. She'd been so busy. It wasn't that she was trying to forget him, just that she'd promised him when he died, that she wouldn't linger. She'd go on with her life. It was a promise she intended to keep.

Harry was asleep in his quarters, snoring


Dumbledore watched at the head table, his eyes scanning his teachers. This wouldn't do at all. He knew that bringing Harry Potter to the castle would change certain things, but he really did need a new professor and Potter was likely to stick around for several years. He'd thought that Hermione and Severus would be good enough friends by now to ignore the fact that he was there. Obviously this was not so.

Minerva noted the twinkle in his eye, "Albus, what are you scheming?"

He placed a long, crooked finger to his lips and winked, "Ask me no questions, Minerva."

Her laugh echoed through the hall. Many of the older Gryffindors smiled up at her. It was good to hear their Head of House sound happy. She was usually so dour!

After their career advice in Fifth year, students tended to forget all about it and just return to school as usual. Most even forgot they'd gone by the time they finished Sixth year. It wasn't as if they were about to leave school or anything! Therefore, it was usually a surprise when part-way through Seventh year they were called to meet with their Head of House.

Severus Snape stood before the Slytherin Seventh Years, "By now you ought to have chosen the profession you wish to pursue after leaving Hogwarts School." He looked around them coldly, happy to know that there would be no Dark Marks distributed among these students, "Postings will be made on the common room message board to inform you when certain extra classes and seminars will be held in your particular area of interest. Attendance is mandatory as there will be an N.E.W.T. held as a preliminary placement exam for your vocation at the end of the year. This is the exam that potential employers will be looking at so Don't. Fuck. Up." He rarely swore. The seventh years knew this was serious.

The other houses were given a similar speech (although more encouraging and less crude in the case of Minerva McGonagall). Two days later the schedules went up. Classes included career advice and training:

Professor Potter:Auror Training, Magical Defense and Offence; particularly for use in the ministry.
Professor Flitwick: Advanced Charming for construction, exploration, and protection.
Professor Snape: Potions for Magical Defense and Medicinal Purposes (Taught with Madam Granger)

That was where Severus' eyes stopped. Sure there were more classes and seminars to be had. The Weasley boys (Bill and Charlie) were coming in to talk about Goblins and Dragons and there was a Diplomat from Sweden to talk about Magical Cooperation, but nobody had informed him that he'd be teaching a seminar with Hermione!

Hermione, however, had been asked if she would be willing to teach a seminar on the Medical Profession, giving the students pointers and walking them through some basic healing. She had been told that she would work with Professor Snape to offer a seminar in Medical Potions making as a way to introduce students to a vocation they may not have originally thought about.

Two days later they were standing in the Med Wing. Severus was setting up work stations for the students and Hermione was bringing out her special medical stores of ingredients, provided happily by Professor Sprout.

"Look, Professor, would you please stop sneering? This is my infirmary and I refuse to have you being gloomy during this seminar! St. Mungo's always needs more Healers and this is a very good opportunity for me to sing the praises of the medical profession!"

He was slightly taken aback, "My apologies, Madam Granger." His voice was cold but his eyes were sad.

What had she done? What happened? In an attempt to clear the air, Hermione looked around and noted, "You know, I really hate this place. It's so damn white! Don't know how Poppy put up with it for all those years."

"It's a Medical Wing, Granger, what did you expect?"

"It's not conducive to comfort at all! I really want to paint it. Some colour on the walls, in the bed sheets. You know, interhouse unity and all that. Light green walls, dark gold rugs, pale yellow sheets and blue curtains around the beds." She smiled, looking around. "It would be perfect!"

Snape just nodded and looked away, watching the first few students walk into the infirmary.

The seminar was quiet after that. Hermione, of course, was excitable and walked among the students, assisting them with their potions, and offering hints; proving that when it came to medical brewing it was less of an exact art.

"There's more feeling in this type of potion making. Not every case is the same, so you need to really understand how a potion works before you begin. For instance, if I have a potion to cure burns-" Severus snorted "- then I need to know how strong to make it. A book can't tell me the strength of the potion or the depth of a person's burn. That comes with time. That's why every healer goes through an apprenticeship at a hospital before becoming officially registered as a Ministry recognized Healer." She pointed again to the badge she was wearing.

Several of the students she noticed seemed particularly interested and she made arrangements to meet again later to talk. She intended to explain how a person went about applying for an apprenticeship and what kind of skills and test scores were needed.
Severus, not completely understanding why he was there, stood to the side, not sure how to correct potions without insulting the brewer. This was not how he taught. He cleaned up the empty cauldrons as the students filed out, shrinking them down and putting them in a velvet bag in his pocket.

Hermione, sitting in a chair at the front of the room, was watching him. "Severus?"

It was now his turn to take note. She'd never called him that before and it sounded so beautiful in her soft, husky voice, floating through the room. Almost like a kiss – 'When did you get so bloody saccharine?' "What do you want, Hermione?" He sounded tired. Why was he so tired all of a sudden?

That voice hurt. "Did I do something? Why are you avoiding me all of a sudden? I thought... I thought we were friends."

"We are."

For some reason she couldn't explain, Hermione felt like crying that evening as he swept out of the hospital wing, robes flaring out behind him.

Severus was interrupted in his stalk by happy little Professor Flitwick. "Professor Snape!" He had literally bumped into the man, "Might I have a word, please?"

Severus grouched but agreed, moving into an unused classroom with the little charms teacher. He watched him close, lock, and soundproof the room. "Is that really necessary, Flitwick?"

When the little man turned back around, he was no longer jolly and smiling, he had his wand drawn and was advancing on the potions professor menacingly.

Snape was appalled, but never one to just stand and be cursed (years serving Voldemort will do that to a person) he too drew his wand along with his breath and prepared to defend himself.

He was not fast enough.

"EXPELLIARMUS! WINGARDIUM LEVIOSA!"

Flitwick's wand moved with surprising rapidity for a man of his stature and age. In a split second, Snape was unarmed. His wand clattered to the floor at Flitwick's feet as he was pinned to the ceiling.

'Damn. Not good.'

"Now," Flitwick summoned a chair and sat down, looking up at Severus. "Pay attention, Snape. I have a certain amount of respect for you. You are a master with potions and a clever man, but if you do not pull your greasy head out of your arse I swear to Merlin I will let Potter curse you."

Severus was stunned. What in the name of magic was this all about?

"You will stop flitting about the medical wing with self-inflicted cuts and burns. You will stop pretending that you're as clueless as we all like to think. You will be a man and make a decision about Hermione Granger! Either you are in love with her or you are a ponce! Grow a pair, Severus!" He tossed Snape his wand and departed, leaving him to find his own way down.

'Could've at least put me back on the floor. Git.' Snape thought as he found his own way down, thinking that the scolding might have been a bit more effective if Flitwick did not have such a high, squeaky voice.

Severus did not show up for dinner that night. Instead he had it brought to his chambers, giving him time to think about from her. Plus he really didn't want to run into Flitwick again for a few days. I mean, Who Knew?

Back in the Great Hall, however, Harry and Dumbledore exchanged significant looks in the direction of Hermione who was, for once, not sitting and laughing happily with Professor Potter. Harry leaned over and whispered into her ear, "Hermione, can I talk to you later this evening?"

She nodded and got up, "Just come by my quarters after dinner."

Harry watched her leave. This was not the 'living life' that she'd promised their friend. He sighed and shook his head and looked up at Dumbledore whose eyes were twinkling again as he talked quietly with Professor Flitwick. Both of them were laughing lightly. What on earth had happened?

About an hour later, Hermione answered the door to find Harry on the other side. She hugged him lightly and he walked in, smiling down at his friend, "Hermione, what's the matter? What happened?"

"I don't know, Harry."

He raised an eyebrow to look at her, "I'm not buying it, love."

She laughed, "You remember what Ron made up promise when he died?"

His eyes darkened, but he nodded. He never completely stopped blaming himself for Ron's death. They'd been Aurors together and they were supposed to be watching each others' backs... better not to think about it. "Yes. I remember."

"He made us promise to go on. We weren't supposed to stop living. He made us all promise, family, friends, everyone. But you and I both know that that night he was talking to us. He was talking about us."

Harry nodded. It had been obvious to them both, as Ron stared fixedly at Hermione, that he was really only worried about the two of them. Hermione had to continue her life. He threatened to haunt her forever if she didn't. Harry was not allowed to feel sorry for himself. Well, see how well that worked out.

They sat down on the couch together, Hermione close to tears again, not wanting to think about Ron but knowing they should. They were together again and they needed to talk about him. She leaned her head on Harry's shoulder and smiled gently, "Have you talked to Ginny lately?"

Harry chuckled and settled in for a very long talk. This was why he'd come back to Hogwarts. He needed his friend back. He couldn't stand to be by himself any longer.

They curled up in front of her dying fire, wrapped in Molly's quilt, still talking about school and things to come and people who'd touched them. "So... Professor Snape?"

Hermione smiled and looked down at a piece of Ron's dress robes that had made its way into her quilt. "We're just friends, Harry, as clichéd as that may sound. I like being friends with him. He keeps me on my toes."


Harry smiled to himself. She was different, that much was sure. He'd had letters from friends who were at St. Mungo's, Aurors on sick-leave, telling him how his friend was doing. She was quiet, friendly, but always a little sad. She didn't look like that when he got there. She was glowing and alive. She was what Ron had wanted her to be. So what happened?

A knock on her door woke them up, "Oh bloody hell!" She glanced at her watch, hair fluffier than usual from sleeping on the couch. "We're late!" She jumped up and ran to the door, fully expecting to find Minerva on the other side, berating her. She threw open the door, speaking hurriedly "I'm sorry I'm late I -- Severus?" She looked from the Potions Master in front of her to the half dozen daisies in his hand.

He smiled; it was obvious he'd woken her. "Hermione. I was wondering if-" He saw past her to the couch where Harry was yawning and getting up, scratching his shoulder.

She was confused as his face turned wooden and he dropped the flowers at her feet. "Congratulations on your excellent seminar last evening, Madam Granger." He turned and left, a speechless Healer still standing in her doorway.

"Harry..." She walked back to him, flowers in hand, "What just happened?"

Her friend looked up at her from the couch, his face a picture of annoyance, "Idiocy. I've got to go, Hermione." He stood, straightened his robes, and jogged out of her quarters back down the hallway towards Snape's rooms.

Severus was pacing in his rooms when he heard a knock. "Come in." He was also expecting to see Minerva telling him that he was an idiot. Not quite sure why, but she always knew when he was being an idiot.

Harry, however, walked in the door and strode meaningfully towards his former Professor, who did his best to sneer disdainfully at the boy, "What do you-"

Shaking his head, Harry cut the man short by punching him in the nose. "Snape, you're an idiot. She doesn't want me and the feeling is mutual." And he strode back out, leaving Snape alone, confused, and bleeding.


"Aright then, Severus, what did you do to yourself this time?" Hermione was standing across the hospital wing from him, looking for a bottle of Exsanguis lotion for his nose to stem the bleeding.

Sitting on one of the many white beds, Severus sighed, "I dibn' do emythig."

"Sure." She walked back to the teacher, slowly spreading the ointment on his nose until the bleeding stopped. She easily charmed the fracture back into place, "Now. If you didn't do anything, what broke your nose?"

"The cauldron on my top shelf."

She looked askance at him, "The cauldron? On your Top shelf?"

He nodded, "I'm not the best with charm work and it fell in the middle of my levitation charm." She is Not buying this!

"Yes. Not buying it, Severus. What happened?"

"If you will not believe me," He assumed a hurt expression, "I will thank you for your assistance." He stalked out of the room, his mind moving a mile a minute. First Flitwick and now Potter. Had he really been that obvious? Must have. Well, now he had some work ahead of him if he wanted to avoid further encounters that inevitably left his bruised or bleeding.


"Professor Dumbledore?" She peeked into his room, smiling.

"Yes, Madam Granger! Please, come in!" The old man was playing mini-golf on one of those roll out mats. Dumbledore's mat, however, included a pop up windmill and Muggle lawn gnomes.

Hermione giggled, "St. Mungo's owled me this morning with a request that I return for a week to help with an influx of patients they've had from the All England Experimental Charms Contest." She was shaking her head and smiling.

"Of course you may have the week off. The students will, of course, be in exams and I'm sure I can get Poppy back for a week's worth of work." His eyes were twinkling again. Something was up. Damn him.

"Thank you, Professor." She smiled and turned from the door, heading to her rooms to send the hospital an acceptance letter with Pig.

A staff meeting was held that night after Hermione had left.

"And, finally, as a last order of business I need to inform you that our Healer will be gone for the next week to help with an influx of patients at St. Mungo's."

Snape's head whipped up. She hadn't said anything to him that morning. "What will happen with the Medical Wing while she's gone?"

"It will be shut down. I wouldn't dream of interrupting Poppy in the same week as her granddaughter Amber's fourth birthday. You all know some basic medical procedure and I have come to understand that there are some seventh year students who would also be willing to help out."

Minerva nodded, taking a note on the parchment in front of her. "Well then, Albus, that would seem to be the end of tonight's meeting."

"Indeed. If there are no objections you are dismissed!"

Severus quietly approached Dumbledore, "Professor, when was this decided?"

Albus' eyes danced, "Not long after I asked a friend at St. Mungo's to request her help there for the week."

"You asked them to…" Severus trailed off, confusion painted on his face.

"You need time to figure things out, Severus." He became suddenly serious, "Do not waste the time I have given you."

Severus nodded and reached out, grabbing the back of Flitwick's robes as Albus left, "Filius." He smiled a little toothily.

Flitwick swished his wand back and forth, a malevolent smiles on his usually kindly face, "Yes, Severus?"

"I need your help. I've heard you can do a wicked levitation charm."

They both smiled and Minerva laughed. "You wouldn't be doing this without me, would you, boys?"

Flitwick laughed his high, bubbly laugh, "Of course not! A master Transfigurationist is exactly what we need!"

The three of them spent the next two hours in the teacher's lounge discussing the logistics of the plan. None of them noticed the Auror standing in the corner, smiling from beneath his father's cloak.


"Minerva! Are you almost done over there?"

"Have you ever actually tried this spell, Severus? I've had precious little use for it. Just hold your hippogriffs and give me some time!"

"Filius, you missed a spot." He pointed in the direction.

"Yes, Severus! Did you pick this or did she?"

He smirked and looked at everything. It was perfect.

"Severus." Minerva motioned for him. "Is this what you had in mind?"

"Exactly so."

They smiled. She'd be home tomorrow and things were nearly completed.


"Oh god, Harry, you try doing that some time! I swear it was more of an endurance test than when Fleur gave birth to their twins. I swear that Bill almost crushed me in that hug after her fourteen hour labour!" She was smiling. Being a MediWitch had been the very best option for her. She loved being a part of life.

"Well, I know it was a trying visit, but do you have one more call in you?" He looked at her with a sympathy he didn't really feel. He'd spent the last week beneath his invisibility cloak, eavesdropping.

"I suppose so. Who needed to see me?" She dropped the large carpet bag onto the couch.

"Professor Snape wanted to speak with you about your medicinal stores."

She nodded and headed down the hall, leaving Harry in her chambers.

Snape was pacing in his room. He'd sent Potter to get her. Stupid prat had been spying on them all week. Knock!Knock! He ran to the door and opened it, "Madam Granger." His face was set in the flawlessly indifferent mask he'd perfected when working for Voldemort.

"Is there something you needed, Professor? I'm very tired."

"Yes. I needed to do a log of your medicinal stores before tomorrow. I'll be ordering my potions ingredients for the summer and Poppy always did her own ordering with me."

From reading Poppy's files, Hermione knew this to be true, "Alright."

The two of them walked to the hospital wing, Snape's billowing figure several paces ahead of her.

He strode into the room and turned back to look at her face as she stood silently in the entrance to the infirmary.

"Severus…" She said rather breathlessly, "did you do this?"

The walls and vaulted ceiling were now a beautiful shade of pale mint green; there were deep, plushy, dark gold rugs spread out across the expanse of white tile floor; the beds were curtained in sapphire blue drapes and the linens were the perfect shade of light, butter yellow. It was everything she'd wanted it to be and, for once, she was struck completely speechless.

Severus was wearing a brilliant smile, the one she loved to see so much (if she'd actually noticed). "Minerva and Filius helped. Filius has…" he searched for the word "perfected the art of levitation charms." He pointed toward the walls and ceiling, "And Minerva was able to transfigure the old rugs into the ones you see here. As Potions Master it was my job to dye the curtains and linens."

She ran to him, suddenly crying, and threw her arms around his neck. Tears soaked his shoulder as she shuddered. "Thank you, Severus, thank you!"

He looked down at her, "I'm sorry I was git, Hermione."

She smiled up at him, her eyes shining with the remnants of her tears. "I wouldn't fancy you so much if you weren't."

Smiling, he leaned down into her kiss.