Chapter Eight

"Professor Snape!" Malfoy yelled without even closing the door of the Potions classroom behind him, "I thought you should know that Gin—"

"Mister Malfoy!" the professor shouted as he leapt to his feet. His stool clattered to the stone floor. "Can you not see that I am busy?"

"Only with Granger, sir," the boy said with disdain.

"Yes, well, Miss Granger's incompetence in the field of Potions apparently knows no bounds. Just now she dropped the lionfish spine into the Purus Doleo too soon—"

"I did not!" Hermione began to protest, but Professor Snape cut her off.

"—and splashed it onto her face, rendering her incapable of finishing the potion once again. Your foolish plan to get out of doing your extra work once more, Miss Granger, was successful, but tomorrow night at eight you shall return and finally finish the potion no matter what. Do I make myself clear?" As he spoke, Malfoy's grin got wider and wider. "Now get to the hospital wing and let Madam Pomfrey tend to your stupidly self-inflicted wound."

Hermione's eyes filled with tears of shock and confusion. She gathered her things and brushed roughly past Snape and Malfoy, who shut the door behind her. Only a moment ago Snape had been so… tender. They had shared something. What would have happened if Malfoy hadn't burst in? What did she want to have happened? Hermione, you stupid girl. To think he cared anything about you. You should know better. He's been a perfect prig for the last, oh, forty years of his life; you expect him to change now? Stupid, stupid, stupid!

As she strode quickly down the corridors to the hospital wing, she continued to berate herself. And you! You thought you cared for him. You thought he was attractive. Well, you know better now. He's ugly, disgusting, inside and out. He probably only touched my lips on accident. There is nothing tender in that horrid man.

Upon arrival at the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey ushered her in and sat her on the edge of a cot. The entire room was empty; apparently the students of Hogwarts had either been very safe or very lucky lately. "You used water to clean it out right away, didn't you?" the concerned nurse asked after Hermione explained what had happened.

"Yes. Professor Snape," Hermione tried not to cringe at his name, "used his handkerchief."

"His handkerchief?" asked Madam Pomfrey, appalled.

"It was clean," Hermione said meekly.

"Well you never know. You could have an infection. He should have used a magically disinfected cotton swab. Infections in potions-induced wounds are very dangerous. I'll have to keep you here overnight. If you're fine in the morning, you may go to breakfast. For now, take off your shoes and lie down. No, I won't hear any protesting, just do as I say." She walked off to her office muttering something about germs and hankies. When she came back, she gave Hermione something to drink that tasted of strawberries. She said it would help kill any bacteria that were already in her system.

Although it was only a quarter to nine, Hermione felt tired. She figured Madam Pomfrey had put something else in the medicine to make her sleep soundly. She crawled under the covers of her cot and the curtains around her closed automatically. She fell asleep trying not to think of how nice Snape's hand felt on her cheek, how his thumb felt as it grazed her lips, how gentle his eyes had been.

x.x.x

When Draco entered his classroom, Severus was furious. He knew he shouldn't have touched Hermione—Miss Granger—like that, shouldn't even be thinking of her like that, but… what would have happened if Draco hadn't burst in? What did he want to have happened?

Clearing these thoughts from his mind, he made himself speak coldly enough to Miss Granger to make her despise him; no longer would he imagine there could be a chance that she might like him or enjoy being around him. After saying those things to her, how could she? When she left, he turned his attention back to Draco.

"What is so important, Mister Malfoy, that you had to explode into my classroom in such a disruptive manner to tell me?"

"I overheard Ginny Weasley tell Granger at supper that she was responsible for putting Crabbe and Goyle in the hospital wing last week. Apparently they were teasing Longbottom in the corridor and she hexed them."

"And I should care about this why?" He was still livid at the boy for interrupting… well nothing, really, but he was furious at himself for his idiotic thoughts and actions that evening and had to take out his anger on someone.

Draco looked dumbstruck. "Well…" he stuttered, "she cast spells in the hallways. That's against the rules."

"She is not my student and I see no need to punish her myself. You may inform Professor McGonagall of the incident tomorrow." He honestly did not want to deal with that right now.

Jaw hanging open, a very disappointed Draco muttered, "Yes, sir," and left quietly.

"Good riddance," Severus muttered as he began cleaning up the unfinished potion. Once that was done he went back to his rooms and sat in front of the fire for quite some time. He knew Miss Granger would be fine—Poppy Pomfrey was the best mediwitch he'd ever known—but still he worried. Had he been too harsh with her? Not any more than she was used to from him. But he couldn't stand the thought that the only student he cared for (and it took some effort for him to admit even to himself that he did, indeed, care for her) despised him like all his other students. He was tired of being hated. But what could he do about it? She was a Gryffindor; he was supposed to abhor all non-Slytherin students. She was so pure; he had been a Death Eater. He couldn't allow himself to taint such a beautiful, innocent girl with that darkness.

But Merlin, how he cared for her! It wasn't love, not yet at least, but he would be absolutely distraught if anything bad happened to her. This evening when the caustic potion splashed her smooth white cheek his heart had leapt to his throat at the sight of her blood. He didn't know what he'd do if anything worse happened.

Around and around his mind went, and before he knew it he was pacing. Should I shut her out, treat her as I would any other Gryffindor? Or should I give in just this once, allow this small ray of light into my dark life? I wish I could see her again tonight… But I know she's perfectly well. But what if she's not? Around and around and around.

It was nearly midnight before he came to a decision. Before he could change his mind, he took a deep breath, grasped his wand and closed his eyes. When he opened them he was standing next to Hermione's bed in the hospital wing. She slept peacefully on her back. She's so beautiful, he thought. The moon shone in through the window above her and drenched her in silver light. Severus stood for several minutes entranced by the shadow in the hollow of her throat, the gleam of moonlight on her hair, the sound of her breathing. The gash on her cheek was shallow and seemed less dramatic in the peace of the night.

If only things were different, Severus mused. We're so well-matched in wit and intelligence, if not looks and manner. We could accomplish so much together. Maybe someday, after the Dark Lord and all his allies are defeated… His thoughts trailed off as she stirred slightly. She breathed deeply once, moved her arm, then settled back into the pillows. Severus smoothed her hair without even thinking, then he bent and kissed her forehead. The now almost familiar scent of apple shampoo overwhelmed him and he closed his eyes. When he opened them again, his face still mere inches from hers, all he could see was that perfect pink mouth. He remembered the feel of her lips beneath his thumb earlier that night. How he wanted to feel them again! Before he could think twice, he closed his eyes again and touched his lips to hers. Sleepily she murmured "Severus?" against his mouth. He began to pull away, but her hand was on his cheek and she was leaning up into his kiss.

Stop, you idiot, she doesn't know what she's doing! But he couldn't have stopped if the Dark Lord himself had appeared just then. The white curtain around them rippled slightly as he braced one hand on the edge of her bed and put everything he had into that sweet, dreamlike kiss. It had been so long since he had been shown any sort of tenderness, and he drank it up now like honey, like delicate nectar. He couldn't stop.

x.x.x

In the middle of the night, Hermione felt someone touch her forehead. Madam Pomfrey checking on me, she thought. A moment later she felt pressure on her mouth, and realized it was another pair of lips. That's definitely not Madam Pomfrey. Severus? It was her dream again. Soon his arms would be around her and he would be whispering in her ear. You're here now, I'm not afraid, she thought. I'm safe. Severus? She said it out loud, her lips brushing his. "Severus?" Feeling warm and safe and comforted, she put her hand on his cheek, rough with the slightest bit of stubble, and leaned up into his kiss. She felt so… safe.

Finally he pulled away and stood. Hermione opened her eyes to see Severus Snape standing over her. His mouth was open, his eyes wide. He looked like he was trying to say something, but he didn't know what. In a second he was gone.

Hermione sat straight up in her bed, her blood full of adrenaline, her heart racing. Was that real? Was I dreaming? Am I still? She groped for the table she knew to be by her bed; it felt real enough. She pinched her arm, hard. That definitely felt real. How did he get in here? The door's locked. Madam Pomfrey wouldn't let anyone in this late. It's impossible to apparate in Hogwarts. What's going on?

As hard as she fought it, she was falling back asleep. Whatever Madam Pomfrey gave me was strong. She lay down. But… that was impossible. I didn't just kiss… She was asleep.

She woke Sunday morning to the sounds of Madam Pomfrey bustling around the hospital wing. Hermione sat up and pulled the curtain back. "Oh, you're up, dear. How are you feeling?" the nurse asked.

"Just fine," Hermione lied. Her cheek didn't hurt, but her mind was whirling. She was sure that what happened last night was real, but logically it couldn't have been. She didn't know what to think.

"I'm going to perform a charm on your wound," Madam Pomfrey explained as she brought out her wand. "If the sparks turn purple, you need to stay here today and let me work on the infection. If they stay white, you are free to go after I patch you up." The sparks that shot from her wand and circled around Hermione's cheek stayed white, so Madam Pomfrey performed another spell to seal up the skin and sent her on her way.

Hermione went to her dorm to shower and change, then down to the Great Hall for a light breakfast. She explained what had happened with the potion to Harry and Ron, who were sympathetic, then returned to her room. Once she got there she gathered up all her school books and papers, took them to the Head Girl's private rooms, and began to study.

She went from one subject to the next, not leaving a bit of time in between to think about… anything. She wouldn't let herself even think his name. She skipped lunch but made herself stop for a quick supper. Immediately afterwards she returned to her school work. When the grandfather clock in the corner chimed a quarter to eight, she sighed shakily, collected her things and went through the picture back to her dorm room. She put her robe on over her usual weekend outfit of a sweater and jeans and started down to the dungeons.

Professor Snape didn't call her in when she arrived in front of his door so she had to knock. She heard a crash, then he called, "Come in!" She opened the door and stood in shock. Four cauldrons stood over fires on the four back tables. Ingredients were scattered everywhere. Professor Snape had tied his hair back out of his face, something she had never seen in all her years at Hogwarts. Since it was uncomfortably hot in the classroom due to all the fires, he had removed his robe (another first) and was only in slacks and a white button-up shirt open at the neck with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

"Go… go ahead and start," he said without looking at her.

Astonished at the state of the classroom, Hermione shut the door behind her and walked to her usual desk at the front. There was an empty cauldron on it, but nothing else. The professor was apparently ignoring her, so she assumed she should get her own ingredients and tools for the potion. Shaking her head, she walked through the most bewildering scene she'd witnessed for quite a while to the ingredients cabinet at the side of the room and gathered what she would need for the evening.

x.x.x

Severus had returned from the hospital wing sweaty and shaking. He started to think about what had just happened, but thought the better of it. If he didn't think about it, it wouldn't be real. Normally he wasn't one to ignore and run away from his problems, but he'd never had a problem quite like this.

He decided the best thing to occupy his mind was, of course, potions. He began brewing one, but that wasn't keeping him busy enough. He started another, but soon was up to four at a time. He brewed potions to replace the ones that were almost depleted from his stores, potions he knew Madam Pomfrey wanted for the infirmary, even one he'd overheard Professor Sprout say she needed. When all those were done, he cleaned out every cauldron in the classroom, dusted every bottle on every shelf by hand and did inventory on the ingredients in the storage closet. It was nearly noon by that time and he collapsed at his desk. He was awoken three hours later by noisy students outside his door. Lacking the energy and motivation to yell at them, he instead got up and began brewing potions he'd forgotten he needed. By supper time he was feeling fatigued and extremely hungry, but he continued his busy work. When a knock sounded on the door just before eight o'clock, he jumped, overturning a tray of tools. "Come in!" he yelled, realizing it must be Miss Granger.

He saw her enter out of the corner of his eye; he couldn't look at her directly. "Go… go ahead and start," he managed to get out. He added an ingredient to one cauldron, turned down the flame on another, charmed a spoon to stir the third and strained the fourth. Once that was done he realized how he must look: long hair tied back with a piece of string, strands coming out and hanging in his face; his robe off and his shirt half unbuttoned; very unprofessional. He grabbed his robe from the back of his desk chair and went through the secret corridor from his office to his rooms. After changing into a fresh shirt (his old one was soaked in sweat) and untying his hair, he put his robe back on, buttoned it all the way up and returned to the classroom. He hoped she hadn't seen his Dark Mark when his shirt sleeves were rolled up.

When he arrived he noticed Miss Granger had removed her robe; it was still stiflingly hot. He waved his wand at the narrow windows near the ceiling and the glass disappeared and was replaced with metal screens. With another flick of his wrist a ceiling fan appeared and began to spin rapidly, whisking the old, stale air out through the windows. He quickly finished up one potion and after extinguishing its fire he noticed the room had cooled considerably.

Miss Granger was steadfastly working on the Purus Doleo and hadn't even looked up when he made the modifications to the classroom. Now they worked with their backs to each other, the silence only broken by the occasional clink of tools or bubbling of a potion. Before he knew it, the clock struck nine and Miss Granger was ladling her potion into bottles and labeling them. He turned from his spot at the rear of the room and saw her place them on his desk. He knew he had to say something to her, but didn't know what he possibly could say. To stall, he said, "Miss Granger, stay and help me finish these up." She set down her bag and came over to the table next to his. After he briefly explained what potion he was brewing and how far along he was, she started right in.

Rather than ask each other to pass an ingredient or instrument, they walked around and got it themselves. Not a word was spoken or a touch exchanged. They worked side by side for another half hour. Severus' remaining two cauldrons both had to simmer for an hour longer and Miss Granger was almost finished with hers. Severus went to the side of the room to wash his hands while she emptied her cauldron into three large jars. He left the sink just as she brought the cauldron over to scrub it out. Taking a seat at his desk, he waited for her to finish. What am I going to say to her? he wondered as he put the glass back in the windows and vanished the fan. Sorry, I know I'm supposed to hate you, but somehow I feel the need to snog you every time you're around? I apologize for interrupting your sleep last night? Why did you call me Severus? Let's run off to America and never look back? Stop it. Here she comes.

She slung her book bag over her shoulder and folded her robe over one arm, looking at the ground the whole time. After a moment she came and stood in front of his desk. "Sir?" she began, eyes on the floor. Suddenly she looked up into his face and their eyes locked. He could see dozens of questions flitting around in her mind, but finally she settled on one. "Did… did you apparate into the hospital wing last night?"

Thank Merlin she asked something I could actually answer. "Yes, I did."

"But that's not possible!" She sounded slightly hysterical at his confirmation and her eyes were moist.

"Obviously, Miss Granger, it is." The characteristic coldness was back in his voice. He was comfortable with his return to the role of condescending professor. He knew how to do that.

"But—"

"Miss Granger," he said, trying not to revel in the feel of her name on his lips, "quote for me the passage from Hogwarts, a History, concerning apparition on the grounds." Their eyes were still locked, glittering black with amber-flecked brown.

"'It is impossible to apparate to or from Hogwarts grounds'," she recited.

"Yes, that is correct. However, it says nothing of apparating within the grounds of the school." He paused and let the new knowledge sink in. All these years she thought she had been absolutely right. The revelation for a girl like her must come as quite a shock.

"I see." She shifted her bag and her eyes darted around the room almost frantically. Severus could see so many more questions swimming in her head, but all she said was, "I'll see you Tuesday night then." She turned to go and her hand was on the doorknob when Severus called after her.

"Hermione!" They were both shocked at the use of her first name. He'd never said it out loud before. "Well done on your potions."

He could see her profile from his seat at the desk. Without looking back she gave a small smile and said, "Thank you, sir." Then she left, closing the door quietly behind her.

x.x.x

So it really happened, Hermione thought. He admitted that he apparated into the infirmary last night—I still can't believe that all these years I never figured out one could apparate within school grounds!—so the rest of it must've happened as well. She wasn't sure how to feel about that just then, so she put it in the back of her mind to go over later, maybe in her journal.

It was nearly ten o'clock when she arrived in the Gryffindor common room. Harry and Ron knew well the preoccupied look on Hermione's face, so after a distracted "goodnight" they let her go up to bed unquestioned. Once she'd changed into her sleep shirt and crawled under the covers she lay stroking Crookshanks for quite a while, not thinking about anything in particular. At eleven she still wasn't asleep so she summoned her journal, quill and ink pot from the bottom drawer of her dresser. After some consideration, she decided this was a time for serious chocolate and summoned the block of Honeydukes finest dark chocolate to her as well.

Not one to beat around the bush, she began writing out the facts in her journal.

Last night during my potions work I sneezed and dropped the lionfish spine into the Purus Doleo potion. It splashed up and hit my cheek, making a painful gash. Professor Snape told me to sit down, then wet his handkerchief and wiped out my wound. He then examined it as I thought about his somewhat pleasing physical appearance. He brushed his thumb over the corner of my mouth very tenderly. Then Malfoy showed up. After Snape insulted me and kicked me out of his classroom (again) I went to the infirmary. Madam Pomfrey made me stay overnight in case the gash was infected. Around midnight, Snape appeared by my bed. He touched (kissed?) my forehead. I thought he was Madam Pomfrey until he kissed my lips. Still half asleep I kissed him back. The same feeling of security I had in my dream about him came back. When we broke the kiss (I don't know whether I did it or he did) he stood over me, a horrified expression on his face. He looked as if he were about to say something, then vanished.

Tonight Professor Snape told me it is possible to apparate within the grounds of Hogwarts, which is what he did last night. On my way out of the Potions classroom after I finished my work, he called my name. "Hermione! Well done on your potions." I thanked him and left.

Now what?

She stopped writing and sat back against the headboard. When she reached for more chocolate she noticed over half the block was gone already! (It had made her feel a little better, though.) She wrapped it up and levitated it back into a drawer. She heard Lavender and Parvati come in and dimmed the light on the end of her wand. She wanted them to think she was asleep. When she heard them both breathing deeply, Hermione turned her mind back to "The Issue."

I don't know what to call what's happened (is happening?) between Professor Snape and me. It's more than just a student-teacher relationship, but certainly less than anything romantic. He's probably just as confused as I am. I'm sure he never expected to kiss a Gryffindor student. But I wonder what started it on his part? I began thinking of him as more than a cranky Potions Master the night he grabbed my arm so roughly… the first time he touched me, I think. Although it felt weird to think of him like that, it didn't hurt anything. I thought he was attractive… still do, I guess… But now I'm just confused. Nothing could happen between us… but do I even want anything to happen? Does he?

Obviously I'm not getting anywhere. I'll make a list. It's helped me before.

Having a Relationship with Prof. Snape (after I graduate)

Con

he is a former prof.

he is a Slytherin

ridicule from everyone I know

he is twice my age

he seems to hate me most of the time

he would be too hard to get along with

I don't know what I'll be doing after

graduation—distance issue

he hates my friends

Pro

we are both very intelligent

weapparently find each other attractive

I guess that settles it, then.

She snuck out of bed and put her journal and writing materials in the bottom drawer. After a moment's thought, she sealed the drawer magically; now it would only open to her. Then she got back under the covers and ordered herself to stop thinking about Professor Snape and go to sleep.

Monday passed. She didn't see Snape in the Great Hall at any meals; she wasn't sure if this was good or not. After supper on Tuesday she went to the Prefects' Lounge for a meeting. Her meeting with just the Head Boy, Ernie, was last Tuesday, so tonight it was with all the fifth- and sixth-year prefects as well.

She arrived a bit early, but almost everyone was already there. At precisely seven o'clock she called the meeting to order. "How is everyone this evening?" she asked.

The sixteen prefects sat around a circular table and all either nodded or muttered "fine." Next to her Ernie, who was nice but had always been a bit pompous, said "Very well, Hermione, how are you?"

"I'm doing all right." Except that my Potions professor snogged me Sunday night and I can't get it out of my head. Turning her attention to the others, she read off a list of announcements Dumbledore had given her that morning and then asked if anyone had anything to report.

"The chimney in our common room is blocked up," said a sixth-year Hufflepuff girl.

"All right," Hermione said, making a note of it on the pad of paper in front of her. "I shall inform Mr. Filch and he should take care of it soon. What else?" There was a long lull in which the ticking of the clock on the wall seemed to get louder and louder. She became impatient. Why couldn't anyone just speak up and say what was on their mind? "If that's all, you are dismissed," she sighed. She stood and nodded to Ernie, then bustled out the door, wandering aimlessly down a mostly empty corridor.

The past two days had dragged by for Hermione. She hadn't seen Severus since they'd parted Sunday night, and he had been in her thoughts constantly. That kiss… Viktor had never kissed her like that, so tenderly and sweetly. He had always been well-meaning, but awkward. And awkward didn't begin to describe the kiss Ron had given her last year. Ugh.

But Severus… His mouth had been so gentle on hers, his lips just slightly parted, eyes closed, his cheek rough under her fingertips. She had relived that kiss a thousand times, conveniently forgetting the fact that it was her Potions professor who had given it to her. Amazing.

And it wasn't just that kiss. He had kissed her forehead too, she was almost sure of it. He had shown such gentleness, such care. To kiss her forehead, as if checking for a fever with his lips. And the way he braced one hand on the bed, his arm across her body, not touching, but very close as their mouths met. She remembered murmuring his name, then drawing him closer. And she had felt safe, content.

Hermione turned another corner and realized she was in an unfamiliar part of the castle. All the classrooms here were empty, and most of the doorknobs were covered in a thin layer of dust. This section hadn't been used for years. She peered through a window in one of the doors and saw only desks and chairs stacked at one end of the room, a cracked chalkboard at the other. The next room was much the same, and the next. Before she could look inside a fourth, someone appeared in the hallway ahead of her. Wondering if she had accidentally wandered into a forbidden area, she pressed herself against the wall, hoping the person would pass by without noticing her. But no, the figure turned down her corridor. There was nowhere to hide, so she decided to stride on as though she knew where she was going, hoping it wasn't a professor in case she did get in trouble.

Worse. It was Snape. "Miss Granger," he said after a moment of stunned silence. He stopped a few feet away from her, and she stopped as well. "I've been looking for you."

"You… you have?" His face had a strange expression – something between apprehension and anger, with a bit of confusion thrown in.

"Yes. May I speak to you for a moment?" He gestured to one of the empty classrooms on his left and she nodded. After using Alohomora on the lock, he held the door open for her, then followed her in. She watched as he placed a soundproof charm on the door, then he turned to face her. "Miss Granger…" he began, unsure. He was actually fidgeting with his wand, though when he saw her looking, he stuck it back in his robe pocket.

"Yes?" She clasped her hands in front of her, hoping not to fidget as well. Her heart was booming so loudly it nearly hurt her ears. Have I done something? she wondered. Does he want something of me? I hope he doesn't talk about Saturday night. Please don't let him talk about Saturday night.

x.x.x

"About Saturday night," he said softly, a slight frown on his face.

"My cheek is just fine," she interjected, a bit too eagerly, he thought.

"I can see that!" he snapped, but then his look turned penitent. "I'm sorry. I'm glad to see you have healed." How smooth her white cheek looked, how sparkling her eyes, how petal-like her lips. He hadn't been able to stop thinking of her for two days.

"If you hadn't helped to clean it, I might still be in the hospital wing," she said softly, eyes on the floor.

"Yes. Well. About that. I…" Merlin, this was harder thangetting the peel off of a poisonous apple in one long strand. "I wanted to apologise for my actions. What I did in the infirmary was completely inappropriate and uncalled for. It should not have happened and I hope you can forgive me." He fell silent, wondering if she would explode about just how inappropriate it had been; or if she would tell him that it wasn't uncalled for at all, that she had liked it; or if she would kiss him again. He didn't know which reaction to hope for.

"Oh." She glanced up at his face, then back down to the floor. "Oh," she said again. "Well, yes. I accept your apology. I hope you can accept mine as well. My actions also were, um, inappropriate. I'm sorry."

He was both relieved and terribly disappointed. "Apology accepted." He looked out the small window in the door. "I, ah… should get back. To my classroom."

"Right," she said, looking up at last, but not directly at him. "I have my work tonight."

"Yes, you do." He took the soundproof charm off the door and moved to open the door. She stepped up beside him and rested her hand on the knob the same moment he touched it. Their fingers brushed together, and both jerked their hands back as if they had been burned. Severus paused for a moment, then put his hand on the doorknob more slowly, so she could see it. "After you," he said when he had pulled the door open.

She nodded silently and walked through. "See you in a bit," she said, not looking back. Her shoulders were hunched and her head hung.

"Yes," he said softly, but he didn't think she heard him. All the way back to the dungeons, he felt her fingertips on his.

x.x.x

Author's Notes: Sorry this is up a day late, I was up until 12:45 in the morning trying to finish the chapter, and I was just too tired to do all my notes at the end and post it.

References:

None as far as I know.

Review Replies:

Fujutsu: Who wouldn't hate Malfoy for doing that? Haha! But yes, it was a necessary diversion.

Natsuyori: Thank you thank you!

ProfessorJaySnape: Evil, am I? Muahahahahahaa:D Thank you! Feel better now?

SemiCharmed: Hmm…. Maaaaaybe… -Mysterious smile-

Cithara: Thanks very much! I might be interested in being a Beta reader, but I don't think your email came through in the review. Mine can be found on my info page if you'd like to send me a sample (i.e. the first chapter or two).

Lovethelab: Dang it, Malfoy! LOL. Thanks!

Devilangel05: Thank you! Good luck with your own writing as well.

Hunter0309: Yay Severus and Hermione! Yay Ginny! Thank you. As for the book, it will most likely come into play later, I'm just not sure what I'm doing with it yet. And ICK, standardized testing! That sucks! I only had to do the ACTs at my high school, and I hear the SATs are worse. I'm sure you did well, though!

Courtney: Hahaha! I enjoy cliffhangers! Thank you!

Amster: Wow, thank you so much! Sorry for the slightly late update, but as I said, I was REALLY tired. Hope you enjoyed this new chapter!

Dusa Wilde: Sweet! I'm evil again! Painfully slowly is fun, I think. Drags out the torture, and since we're not going through it, we can enjoy it instead of being in agony.

See you (hopefully) next Monday night!