Hermione entered the bedroom that she was sharing with Ginny and was promptly cornered by the red headed girl. "What happened?" Ginny asked breathlessly, her eyes bright with excitement.

Hermione looked stunned for a moment before giving Ginny a stern look. "What did you do?" Hermione demanded in irritation.

Ginny shifted her gaze to the floor. Her expression was sheepish when she met Hermione's eyes. "I just thought I'd help out a bit," Ginny murmured. "I talked Fred and George into helping me." Hermione's face paled, so she quickly added, "I led the twins to believe that we were going to get Ron to kiss you. We levitated the mistletoe and made it stick to the ceiling. They went back upstairs and I was supposed to lure Ron into the room. However, I asked McGonagall about those sticking charms. I cast the charm on all the mistletoe and then sealed the door until the two of you... you know." Ginny smiled slightly while Hermione blushed. "So, I know I shouldn't have 'helped', but please share the details."

Hermione rolled her eyes at Ginny's pleading, but decided that she might as well tell her friend what happened. "Well, Snape was really angry at first," Hermione said with a sigh. "Then, he looked as if he had no idea what to do. He sat down next to me and kissed me. I thought he'd pull away, but he moved closer and deepened it instead. It was so sweet and yet, passionate that I wasn't sure I'd be able to walk straight afterwards. I was so shaky." Hermione laughed nervously and Ginny was looking thrilled.

"This is bloody fantastic!" Ginny squealed lying down on her back and kicking her feet in the air childishly.

Hermione wrinkled her nose in distaste. "Ginny, you're starting to sound and act like Ron."

Ginny pulled a face of mock horror. "Well, we certainly don't want that," she said smirking. "The stupid git. He's going to make a right prat of himself if he finds out that you and Snape were snogging downstairs. Not that you had much choice. That charm wouldn't have released you if you had just done a quick little kiss."

"Yes, I figured that out," Hermione said glaring at the red head. "Don't you think that was a little too much?"

"Well, I didn't want to take any chances," Ginny replied slyly. "He wasn't going to get away with just a little peck. And he didn't. You're not going to tell me that you didn't enjoy that luscious lip lock with him, are you?" Ginny raised an eyebrow at the older girl. She nodded her head in satisfaction when Hermione blushed and didn't comment. "I didn't think so," Ginny said smugly.

In the dining room, Severus Snape was sitting at the table drinking tea and pointedly ignoring the curious looks being cast in his direction by Albus and Minerva. He was furious with himself for allowing himself to kiss Hermione. He was in no mood to chat with Albus and Minerva and had no intention of initiating a conversation. If they insisted upon gawking at him, he would ignore them.

It was Albus who finally broke the silence. "Severus my boy, you seem agitated," he said kindly.

Severus glanced up at the headmaster with a look of disdain. "I was locked in a room full of mistletoe with Miss Granger," he said coldly. "I don't know why you would expect me to be anything but agitated."

Minerva let out an unladylike snort and said "Moody was under the impression that you were quite enjoying yourself under the mistletoe. You're just too stubborn to admit it. That's what I think."

"Well, look what you've got to think with," Snape growled. His frown deepened when Albus chuckled in amusement.

"My goodness," Albus said cheerfully. "That is funny. 'Look what you've got to think with.' I shall have to remember that one." Minerva shot a stern gaze at Albus, causing his delighted expression to fade abruptly. Albus folded his hands in his lap and cleared his throat. He turned to Severus and said "Severus, I wanted to speak with you because I'm concerned about what Voldemort may be planning. Miss Granger may be in serious danger."

"Albus, I am well aware of that," Severus drawled settling back in his chair tiredly. "I assure you that I will be listening for clues as to what they want to do with her. Obviously, they'd want to use her to get to Mr. Potter, but we must find out how before we can take measures to protect her." Severus frowned thoughtfully, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose. "I will tell you that young Mr. Malfoy is sharing information with his father. The fact that she is my apprentice did come up at the last meeting, but I doubt they'd use that to get their hands on her."

Dumbledore sighed heavily. "I know you'll keep me posted," he said to the potions master. "For now, I need you to stay on agreeable terms with Miss Granger. We don't know what Voldemort is plotting, and I think it is best that we are certain that she trusts you completely. I want you to keep an eye on her Severus." Albus smiled, suddenly looking mischievous once more.

"Albus, I will not be a victim of your ridiculous match-making schemes," Severus said angrily.

Albus and Minerva exchanged smiles and rose from their chairs to leave for the night. "Severus, I wouldn't dream of playing match-maker with you and Miss Granger," Albus said with a grin. "Minerva won't let me. Not to mention the fact that you're doing splendidly on your own." Before Severus could reply, Minerva and Albus quickly left the room to go back to Hogwarts.

Severus sighed and stood up to go to his room. "Why must I constantly be surrounded by people that are determined to drive me mad?" he thought irritably as he climbed the stairs. He avoided looking at the door to the room that he knew Hermione was in. He slipped into his bedroom silently and took a dreamless sleep potion before climbing into bed. He didn't want to have any dreams about a certain young Gryffindor.

The next morning, Hermione and Ginny got dressed went downstairs for breakfast. Surprisingly, Harry and Ron were already in the dining room. The boys looked up from their plates and smiled as the girls entered. "My goodness," Hermione said with a smile. "I thought you two would still be unconscious at this time of morning." She sat down next to Ron and Ginny took the seat next to her.

A few moments later, Professor Snape entered the room followed by Remus Lupin. Remus smiled in greeting while Snape acted as if there was no one else in the room. Hermione and Ginny exchanged a quick glances and then went back to their breakfasts. To Ginny's horror, the twins walked in next wearing amused smirks. They didn't even notice Professor Snape and Remus sitting there.

"Have fun last night Ron?" Fred asked, raising his eyebrows.

Ron looked up and swallowed the food in his mouth. "What?" he said, perplexed.

"Did you have fun last night?" Fred repeated a little more slowly. He looked at George. "Apparently snogging has a poor effect on your brain." Severus Snape looked up quickly at that comment and Hermione nearly choked on her pumpkin juice.

"Snogging?" Ron asked in utter confusion, his face turned slightly red. "What the bloody hell are you talking about?"

Fred and George looked at each other for a moment. "Ron, the mistletoe in the sitting room," George said impatiently. "Weren't you in there with Hermione?" At Ron's surprised look, George turned his gaze to his sister. "What happened Gin?" he asked. "You were supposed to get him to go in there."

By this time, Remus was watching with interest. He knew about what happened in the sitting room because he had encountered Moody as he was leaving. Snape was shifting uncomfortably in his seat and listening to the conversation while trying to seem completely uninterested.

Ginny swallowed her food and then said "I tried to find Ron. I couldn't find him right away and then the meeting ended, so I gave up."

"But, the mistletoe is gone," Fred said. "Someone went in there. Who was it Hermione?"

Hermione groaned inwardly when Ron turned quickly to look at her. Remus thought quickly and spoke up for her. "I was the one who went into the room with Hermione," he said, seeing Snape throw a surprised look in his direction. "Miss Granger and I talked for a few moments and when we attempted to leave, we noticed all the mistletoe. So, I gave her a little kiss."

Ginny, Hermione and Snape looked relieved. Harry noted their expressions and wondered if Remus was telling the truth. Ron appeared to be unsure of how he felt about the situation. He felt jealous and a little angry that Remus had kissed Hermione. He was relieved that it only Remus and embarrassed that the prank had been for him in the first place. The twins looked a bit frustrated. "Just a little kiss?" Fred asked, sounding disappointed. "That's strange. All that mistletoe was supposed to have a stronger effect then that to encourage snogging." He shook his head sadly.

"Sorry to disappoint you," Remus said with a chuckle. Harry rolled his eyes and then looked over to observe the girls and Snape. Ginny was avoiding eye contact with anyone. Hermione and Snape's eyes met for a moment before they went back to eating. Harry looked on curiously. "I'm sure there's nothing going on," he thought uncertainly. "Snape probably just walked in on it and said something nasty to her."

"Now that was a close call," Hermione thought in relief.

The next few days went by quickly and Hermione soon found herself back at Hogwarts. She hadn't seen much of Professor Snape. He'd nod curtly in her direction at meals and then hide himself away in his room. Hermione suspected that Snape feared another prank from Ginny. He had, however, taken the time to cast a sticking charm on Fred and George when no one, except for Hermione, was watching. He had rushed away before anyone else could spot him throwing a satisfied smirk in Hermione's direction. The twins had no idea what had happened and found themselves stuck together for the rest of the day. That afternoon at dinner, Hermione cast a little smile over at a very smug looking Professor Snape, who smirked in response. Hermione smiled slightly at the memory.

"Hermione?" Ginny said waving a hand in her face. "Are you there?"

Hermione blinked once and looked at Ginny. "Sorry," she said with a smile. "I zoned out for a moment there."

"Obviously," Ginny said laughing. "Dumbledore was making some announcements and you were daydreaming." She leaned forward in excitement. "Dumbledore just announced that there's going to be a ball on Valentine's Day for every in fifth year and above. There's not really a reason for it. He said he just thought it'd be fun."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "That man," she muttered shaking her head with a smile. "Well, that should be a lot of fun. Kind of a strange to do in the middle of second term."

"Maybe this will be a good opportunity," Ginny said quietly with a mischievous smile. "You could go with Snape."

Hermione laughed nervously, looking to see that the boys weren't listening. "I don't think he would, Ginny," she said quietly.

"I don't know," Ginny said with a grin. "I wouldn't put it past Dumbledore to make certain that you two were there together. Wouldn't that be great? And we already know that Snape just loves your dress robes." Hermione blushed causing Ginny to giggle. Harry looked at the girls in curiosity then turned his gaze to Ron. Ron merely shrugged and started eating.