Thanks so much for the reviews! )
Oh, and maybe it was a little silly with Hermione singing in Chap. 16, but I couldn't resist from writing it. I love the Phantom of the Opera, the music, the movie and the musical! ) It's just wonderful, so I had to write it.

I'm sorry that I don't update very often but I don't have time for it these days.. Sorry.. /

Also, I know there probably are loads of grammatic wrongs in the the story, my English isn't very good. I'm just 14, after all, and English isn't my native language...

Anyway, enjoy the chapter! )

Chapter 17 – Bad signs

"Oh look! Someone's swimming! That must be cold!" Hermione exclaimed and raised her hand in front of her eyes to avoid the sunrays. Although it was September, it was still very warm outside and she wished she hadn't taken the warm cloak. After many "begs", she'd finally managed to get Severus out for a walk.
"No, I don't think so. When I went to Hogwarts as a student, I enjoyed taking baths in the lake at this time of the day, at this time of the year." Severus glanced at the swimmer for a few seconds, and then continued striding towards a big tree at the end of the lake.

"Where are we going?" She was almost running to catch up to his pace.

"To a place which not many people know about." He answered without looking at her.

"Okay…" She nodded confused.

Not a single word was said until they reached the big tree.
"Just follow me." Severus hissed and led the way into a small glade.

"It's beautiful!" Hermione smiled at him.

"Just like you." He pulled her into a hug and swept his robes around her.

'Gods, did I say that? I'm turning into some bloody romantic dork!' he thought, astonished.

Hermione interrupted his thoughts with a smooth kiss. For a moment he just pulled her tighter and enjoyed her presence until he remembered where they were.

"Miss Granger, we better finish this here." He took a step back, eyeing her carefully.

"Right… Sorry."

"Let's go back. The breakfast is probably ready by now." He turned around and walked out of the glade.

"You know, if someone told me one week ago that I'd be kissing my Potions master a week later, I'd probably hit that person. I never thought this could happen… I never even imagined that you could be like this." She said thoughtfully.

"Indeed." He said dryly.

"Don't use that voice…" She complained. "What I meant was that I never thought you'd loosen up in four days…!"
"Me neither. And, don't tell me what to do or what not to do, Miss Granger. You are not in a position to tell me that." He muttered stubbornly.

"So what am I in a position to ask then?" Hermione raised her eyebrows sarcastically.

"Shut it. Now let's get have something proper to eat." He shrugged.

"Good Morning, Severus. There was quite a while since you had Saturday breakfast with us, wasn't it?" Albus greeted Severus as he sat down next to him in the Great Hall.

"Morning, Albus. Yes, it was." Severus scowled.
"I was looking for you earlier, but you weren't in your quarters."
"I know." He mumbled and served himself porridge.

"So where were you?" Albus smiled at him cunningly.

"I was just out for a walk, Headmaster, if that's so important to you." Severus retorted.

"Oh right. I assume Miss Granger accompanied you."
"Yes, she did."

"Severus, there are a few matters I need to discuss with you about that student."

"Yes, Albus?" He swallowed nervously inside but hid his feelings very well on the outside.

"See me in my office after breakfast; I'm sure Minerva can take care of her for a while. At least, she's her head of house." Albus decided.

"She's not a child, Albus." Severus added. "But if you insist, I'll take her to Minerva."

One hour later, Severus was in the Headmaster's office discussing, according to him, very unpleasant matters. After listening to the Headmaster for a couple of minutes, Severus finally decided to speak.

"So you think I'm having an affair with a student? For God's sake, Albus, do you think that I would seduce a student? I would never sink that low!" Without noticing Severus raised his voice notable. His hands grabbed the arm rests harder and it was quite obvious that he disliked the topic Albus had brought up.
"Severus, I didn't accuse you for anything. All I said was that I've been noticing your glances at her and I don't want it to go too far. I don't want to be the one who has to split you when you've hooked up. Severus, I don't want to see you hurt. That's all." Albus explained. "I do think it's great that you've found a friend in her, but I can't allow it to develop into something more than a very friendly student-teacher-relationship." He added as he saw the other man frowning. Albus put his hand over Severus' friendly but the young man jerked his hand away like he'd been burned.

"It seems like I've lost your trust." Severus muttered. "I assure you, there's nothing more than a simple kind of friendship between Miss Granger and me. Also, you were talking about glances. I am the one who's supposed to be her guardian, right? Then I have to watch her. I am just doing my duty, Albus." He continued curtly.

"Why do you think I chose you to be her guardian, Severus? Do you seriously think that I would have chosen you if I didn't trust you?" Albus smiled gently at him.
"Headmaster, I…" Severus began.

"No, I wouldn't." Albus interrupted. "Severus, I'm just warning you. That's all. I am sorry if you thought I didn't trust you. That wasn't my intention at all."

"Good. I see." Severus nodded jerkily.
"You may go, just keep my words in your mind, okay?" He smiled at the younger man.
"Yes. Good day, Headmaster." Severus rose and headed towards the door.

"Good day, Severus." Albus said, amused and closed the door after Severus.

"Hello, Minerva. I suppose I shall take care of Miss Granger now." Severus sighed tiredly.

"Hi, Severus. Yes, that's right." Minerva answered and let him into her office where Hermione was sitting in a chair, reading.

"Miss Granger." He nodded to her and waited for her to rise.

"Oh Hi, Se…Professor." She blushed and stood up. "Thank you, Professor McGonagall."
"No problem, Miss Granger. Good day, Severus." Minerva smiled as she opened the door.
Severus nodded shortly to Minerva and then walked along the corridor with his robes billowing around his legs.

"Did you have a pleasant meeting with the Headmaster?" Hermione asked as they entered the dungeons' corridor.

"It was nothing special." Severus lied and mumbled the password into his office.

He handed her the bottle of floo-powder and then entered his quarters, where he sat down in the sofa, waiting for Hermione to do the same.

"Did you have a pleasant time with Minerva?" He sneered.

"Yes, why?" She eyed him questioningly.

"Nothing." His lips curled at little. "So what do you want to do today?"

"This?" She asked and leaned over and kissed him.

"Yes…" He wrapped his arms around her and pressed her against his own body. Suddenly he just let her go and grimaced. He rolled up his left sleeve and found the mark burning red. To Hermione dissatisfaction, she saw that he was in pain. "Please tell the Headmaster that I've been summoned by the Dark Lord." He said and swept out of the room. "I'll be back later."