The afternoon passed peacefully enough as the members of the Order of the Phoenix met in a room downstairs and the others were left to their own devices. Hermione and Ginny sat side by side on a bed while Harry and Ron played exploding snap. The twins were sitting on the other side of the bedroom, talking in low voices. Hermione kept looking at them suspiciously. They were probably busy plotting their next prank.

"Snape was in a terrible mood today," Harry said suddenly. He jumped when the deck of cards suddenly exploded. "Bloody hell," he said laughing. "I hate it when that happens. Anyway, Snape was looking like someone had forced to drink stink sap instead of coffee."

"You never know with that git," Ron said dusting off his robes. "I can't imagine why Dumbledore would want him to stay at headquarters. He obviously didn't want to and I must say that I'm not particularly thrilled to have him sleeping just down the hall." He shuddered slightly.

"I'm with you," Fred said, suddenly entering the conversation. "Although, I think it's bloody hilarious that old McGonagall is taking every opportunity to drive him batty."

Hermione and Ginny glanced at each other and grinned. Hermione had told Ginny about the headmasters comments about her and the professor no longer being stuck together. They, of course, had no intention of telling the guys about it.

"I wonder what's going on in that meeting?" Harry said thoughtfully.

"Just status reports and such," said a voice from the doorway. Remus was standing there, smiling at them. "We did, however, discuss the fact that Miss Granger needs to pay a visit to her family. We had decided a two weeks ago that she'd need to escorted, so we had to choose one."

"And who is it?" Ron asked before Hermione had the chance to. She frowned at him in irritation.

"Professor Snape," Remus replied simply. All of the boys in the room had looks of horror on their faces. "It was Dumbledore's decision. He thought it was best. Snape's a bit angry. He looked like he knew what was going to happen before Dumbledore even gave him the job."

Hermione got off the bed and mumbled some excuse as she left the room. She walked down the stairs to the dining room where she could hear voices. Ginny, who had followed her, came up beside her and they entered the dining room together. Snape was looking irritated. "I have better things to do," he snapped at Dumbledore, ignoring the presence of the two young Gryffindors.

"Severus, it will do you good. She is your apprentice afterall," Dumbledore said with a small smile. "You'll have the opportunity to meet her parents."

"Headmaster," Snape growled, "I have been teaching Miss Granger for over six years. Why on earth would I want to meet the, no doubt, ridiculous people that spawned the little know-it-all?"

"I'm still in the room, Professor," Hermione said furiously through clenched teeth.

"Well, I wasn't really trying to keep my feelings on the matter a secret," he retorted haughtily.

"You horrible man," Hermione sputtered angrily. The two were glaring at each other while Ginny looked on, smirking. Dumbledore didn't seem in the least bit concerned about the furious glaring. McGonagall, however looked ready to take matters into her own hands.

Snape turned his head to comment to McGonagall about her irritating Gryffindors, when he saw her lift her wand. She exchanged a quick look with Dumbledore who nodded. She mumbled something that nobody heard and a spell shot out of her wand at the angry professor. Snape just stared at her for a moment in shock and confusion. What did that spell do? Suddenly, he felt something slam into his chest and he closed his eyes for a moment in exasperation. He then looked down to see Hermione up against his chest, looking up at him in horror. "BLOODY TEMPORARY STICKING CHARMS!" Snape bellowed furiously.

Dumbledore smiled. "Ah, yes. Thank you Minerva. That should help."

"What?" Hermione and Snape said in confusion. Ginny merely smiled.

"Sticking charms seem to help you two get along better," McGonagall said with a smirk in Snape's direction. "Miss Granger, I know he started it, but he is a professor."

"Tomorrow, the two of you will apparate to a location near the Granger home," Dumbledore said calmly, ignoring the fact that Snape was clearly wishing that looks could kill. "You will be on your best behavior. After your visit, you will come back here. Miss Granger, your parents know that you are coming and have requested that the two of you stay for dinner."

Hermione nodded, but said nothing. "Well," McGonagall said with a smile, "You two should probably have dinner upstairs. This could be hard to explain to Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley."

Hermione and Snape glanced at each other and trudged up the stairs together silently. Hermione smiled slightly when she heard Ginny say "I really don't know which one I should feel sorry for." Dumbledore and McGonagall chuckled. Hermione shook her head and allowed Snape to lead her into his room.

A house elf soon brought Hermione and Snape dinner and left without commenting on their situation. After eating in silence, Hermione and Snape sat down on the small couch in Snape's bedroom. It was getting late and they'd need to sleep some time. "Did you want to read before going to bed?" Snape asked stiffly, wincing slightly at his choice of words. Hermione nodded and walked with Snape as he retrieved a book for her, along with one for himself.

They read in silence until Hermione's eyelids started to droop. Snape set their books on the floor silently and moved to sit side ways across the couch, setting Hermione between his thighs. He got himself into a relaxed position and allowed Hermione to lean back against his chest. "Sleep," he commanded sharply. Hermione found that sleeping was a difficult thing to do in her current position, but she eventually managed to fall asleep.

The sleeping pair didn't notice when Dumbledore peeked into the room to check on them. Hermione was against the potions master's chest and her head was laying on his shoulder. Snape seemed to be quite comfortable with his arms around Hermione's body. The headmaster smiled and silently left the room. "Yes, indeed," Dumbldore said softly. "That sticking charm comes in handy."