Some things never change, no matter how many times you wish they would; double Potions Class with Slytherins was one such thing. Hermione sighed as she stopped at the dungeon's door, wishing that she had brought an extra cloak. Despite the fact that the green leaves were just beginning to take on a red hue in the October air, the dungeons got pretty frigid. Thinking fast, she raised her wand and cast a warming spell that slowly oozed over her, instantly granting heat. Satisfied, she reached for the doorknob and pulled it open to face what she dreaded most…

"Miss. Granger, you're late." As Snape uttered this, the bell rang signifying tardiness.

"I am not." Walking past the potions professor, Hermione took her seat next to Harry. Her bewildered friend looked at her in shock; she had just disregarded Snape completely. "The bell rang after I had entered."

Snape looked down his long obtrusive nose at her, scandalized by her audacity. "You were not in your seat though, were you?"

"Look, Professor, this is my seventh and last year in Hogwarts and I have kept up outstanding grades. Theses said outstanding grades, mean that you may give me detention," She rose slowly as she spoke pointing accusingly at Snape, "or take house points, or even fail me, but I am safe in my future and I don't have to put up with your crap. If you don't like me just say it, but don't patronize me for the fact."

"Miss. Granger!" Snape's mouth hung open, a dark, gapping hole in his head. His usual relentless demeanor now spilt open, to reveal the husk of a broken man that was Severus Snape.

Hermione couldn't move, she hadn't meant to take it so far. The adrenalin that was rage had enticed her beyond reason, and now she could only stand- her finger pointed at the Professor- and watch with horror.

It seemed like he was having a seizure, his hands flitting at his sides uncontrollably. All of a sudden he whipped around, his robes flying out around him, and left through the door Hermione had just entered. As the doors closed behind the professor there was silence and then…

Someone clapped. The cheers spread through the students, who all jeered wholeheartedly at the events that had just taken place.

Hermione groaned sinking into her seat, dismayed. "Holy shit Harry what did I just do!"

"I was about to ask you the same thing." His emerald eyes bulged incredulously, and then he busted out laughing.

Ron flew from across the room and patted Hermione on the back, "Whoo hoo, Hermione! I didn't know you had it in you." The breast spell had worn off in his sleep so he was back to normal, and Hermione had a load of male input to put in her project.

Groaning again, Hermione slapped her head on the desk, relishing in the numbing pain that seemed to clear her head; if only for a second. The two boys instantly sobered, suddenly concerned for their friend's safety.

"What is it Hermione?" Harry stopped her from slamming her head again, by swiveling her around to face him.

"Yeah 'Mione, what's with you?"

"I'm screwed!" She smacked herself in the forehead repeatedly until Harry took her hands away. "I'm so screwed."

"What do you mean 'Mione? Like you said your future is secured. Even if he does fail you, you have enough good grades to back you up." Ron beamed at her, trying to help out anyway he could. He had not mentioned last night's kiss, and he seemed like he had forgotten all about it.
Hermione was less at ease about the 'confrontation', so when he looked at her now she shivered. "It's just- it's just… awwwww. I dead. Yeah I have good grades but what if they expel me. What then?"

"Dumbledore won't expel you." Harry stated, rubbing her back trying to calm her.

Hermione was fascinated by Harry's belief in Dumbledore, it was almost creepy, but after all the things Harry got mixed-up in he had never been sent to jail let alone expelled, so he was more than likely right. The obnoxious roaring had finally reached her ears, and as she looked around in awe at the partying going on, she caught Draco eyeing her. "Guys, can we get out of here? I just really need sometime to think."

"Yeah sure. We can head back to your place, 'Mione." Ron suggested picking up her bag and slinging it over his shoulder with his own.

"No!" She said this all too sudden, she feared that just by being in the place where the 'event' happened Harry would find out. The two boys stared at her strangely; unaware of the conflict she was having in her head. "I'd just rather go outside, fresh air you know?" Chuckling nervously she got to her feet and headed out the door, leaving the boys to follow.

(Break)

"Blue forty-two, blue forty-two, HIKE!"

Ron passed the makeshift football to Hermione, and Hermione barrels to the "hundred-yard line" for a touch down. Harry goes to interfere, Hermione fakes left, fakes right and owww… Hermione is down for the count- tackled by Harry.

Over the summer Hermione had introduced Harry and Ron to the game, they didn't take to it immediately; it was an American game with no magic, the worst. However, they could play it in their free time, just the three of them, so they gave up their wands (and robes) for a while to join in on the fun.

"Harry, get off me, get off." Struggling out from under the boy, Hermione held the ball up in the air triumphantly. Harry looked at her then at the ball, before lunging at her mid-section to tickle her widely. Laughter burst from her, filling the air like a melodious cry, her sides heaved as she tried to regain control and the ball rolled away forgotten. "Ron… (gasps and laughter)… Ron help!"

"Dunadundun… Ronald the Magnificent, to the rescue!" Ron dove at Harry, knocking him off Hermione, with just enough force so that she could get free.

Now Ron had Harry by a few inches in height, but Harry made up for it in muscle. So soon Harry had the upper hand, putting Ron in a mock headlock and giving him the noogie of a lifetime. "Whose magnificent now, Rono?"

Ron's face was as red as his hair as he struggled, and succeeded, in knocking Harry onto his back. Squirming free, he grabbed Hermione's hand and the both made a run for it, screaming behind them, "Oh no, it is the Horrible Harry. Ahhhh!"

Harry began chasseing them, but before they got for the school's announcement system clicked on. All around Dumbledore's voice resounded saying in his normal cheery tone, "Would Head Girl Hermione Granger report to my office immediately. Thank you and have a nice day."

The three friends were frozen in mid-play; Hermione was the first to recover. She put on her robe and grabbed her wand, waving a mute goodbye to the boys. As she left it Harry and Ron were so somber that one would think they were attending a funeral. And to them it seemed they were.