A/N: Hey folks, a slighter shorter chapter than has been the norm lately, and perhaps not what many of you were expecting to come next but there were a few questions that needed to be asnwered (such as how Severus found Hermione in the Forbidden Forest), and I thought that she needed a brief respite from the dungeons and to put some people at ease, so there you have it. A slightly more comical and light-hearted chapter, I hope you guys like it :)

decadentserenity: I am glad you enjoyed it my dear, I was sure you would :) Now, just don't stain anything while you go melting all over the place! And thank you, I am very glad it is over.

KGDiva: Ha ha, but my dear, haven't you learnt yet that I am all but famous for my sexual tension (or at least putting it into my fics :D ) I'm sorry you thought Severus was being an ass, I did try to make him play nice, though granted yes, he is a bit of a git at the end. And I'm glad you liked the shower scene, I must say I am rather proud of it myself, mmm yummy wet Severus.

that-girl-over-there: Well, it seems you started reading this tonight seeing as I've recieved several reviews from you in the past few hours :) I'm glad you're enjoying it so far, please stay tuned as more will be coming soon. As for where it all comes from? Hmm, well just from my imagination, my love of writing and my need to express my creativity one way or another. Anyway, I'm not sure I would say that Severus "loves" Hermione, not yet at least, I believe it is still too soon for that, remember so far this fic has only taken the course of a few days for them. He definitely has feelings for her, and I think he's expressed some of those already and is continuing to do so with more frequency now, but don't worry eventually he will make a confession of his own, what it will be though, even I am not certain yet.

Well that seems to be everyone, once again it seems that I am updating before many of you can submit reviews. Mwaaahahaaaa... aren't you guys proud? Anyway, I do believe that it is time for me to head off to bed. I will start chapter 24 tomorrow and I promise the party will happen soon (I plan on this next chapter) and there will be lots of evil Lucious Lucius to entertain and titilate you and make you scowl and curse too no doubt, as well as a lot more delicious Severus and Hermione tension and maybe even some more of Severus actually gasp! being nice to her. Anyway, stayed tuned, more to come... Hope you all like this lastest update (short as it is). Enjoy!

As Severus exited the bathroom leaving a soaking wet and rather deliciously scowling Hermione standing in the shower he heard her yell after him,

"I'm not quivering you great git, I'm shivering!" Chuckling richly under his breath he gave a subtle wave of his hand, his smirk deepening as he heard her yelp in surprise as the water turned suddenly quite hot. Pausing in the doorway to the sitting room he bowed his head and with a smile curling the edges of his mouth he waved his hand once more, setting the water to a pleasant temperature before sauntering over to the fireplace smugly. Scooping up a handful of floo powder from a small stone bowl atop the mantle he threw it into the empty fireplace and started clearly "Hogswarts Kitchens," taking a small step back as the grate was instantly filled with dancing green flames. Leaning his head into the flames he waited a moment for a small and squeaking voice to say,

"What can I be getting for you Master Snape?"

"Please send up a breakfast tray for two" Severus replied simply before withdrawing his head from the flames, his lips still pursed in a small smile of amusement and triumph. Sinking into one of the chairs before the once more cold hearth he rested his head upon one curled fist, musing over the woman in his shower and the events that had transpired that morning. Loosing track of time while consumed with his reverie Severus was surprised when the fireplace was once again filled with flickering green flames.

"That was quick" he murmured to himself as he rose to his feet expecting to retrieve a tray laden with food. Instead he emitted a harsh hiss as he took a step backwards, a small envelope flying out of the flames and fluttering to land at his feet. Immediately the smile was erased from his face to be replaced by a bitter sneer of contempt and resignation. A frustrated growl emanated from his throat as he stooped and withdrawing his wand from his robes flicked the envelope over to lay face down revealing the Malfoy seal inscribed upon the back. Sighing in irritation and a sudden feeling of weariness he cast a Revealing Charm upon the foul object before him, priding himself on at least having enough sense to check for traps or hexes from his dear friend, even if he did not have enough to refrain from tormenting himself with the delectable woman in the other room. Ascertaining that there was no danger, or at least no immediate danger, concealed within the envelope he scooped it up and sank back into his chair with a sneer.

Several silent and tense moments passed in which Severus simply stared unmoving at the envelope clasped in his lap, he had yet to open it, a part of him wanting to delay the painful inevitable as long as possible, while another wanted to cast the offending parchment into the fire, and yet another desired nothing more than to floo to Malfoy Manor instantaneously and hex the living daylights out of Lucius.

"Insufferable man" he grumbled solemnly as he threw a dangerous look at the object in his hands as though his gaze alone could cause it to blink out of existence.

"Professor?" came the softly spoken query that interrupted his train of thought and begrudgingly drew his gaze to settle upon the figure standing in the doorway to his bedchamber. Barely holding back the snort of mingled amusement and disgust he narrowed his eyes at her coolly, his lips pulling back in a sneer.

"Miss Granger, what on earth are you wearing?" Severus asked while his eyes swept over her with a disapproving glance. Heat flooded Hermione's checks as she bowed her head and hesitantly fingered the large bright red sweater emblazoned with a large gold H.

"It was gift from Mrs. Weasley last Christmas" she replied softly, her voice tinged with embarrassment.

"Hmm indeed" was Severus' snarky reply as he turned away from her to once again scowl at the piece of parchment in his hands. Cautiously she took several steps towards him, hesitantly peering down into his face as she muttered,

"Is that…"

"Yes" he growled sullenly in response without looking at her, his features deeply creased with a frown of foreboding and dread.

A moment later the fireplace once again sprang to life, a fresh volley of nauseating green flames licking at the stones causing Severus to rise swiftly to his feet and exclaim in a bitter growl,

"What now?" A tray virtually bowing beneath the weight of enough food and fresh tea to feed the entire Weasley rabble hovered in the flames for a moment before bobbing along merrily on the air, passing between Severus and Hermione to settle upon the coffee table before the settee. Again the fireplace grew empty and dark leaving them in an uncomfortable and tense silence, Severus' stiffened shoulders finally relaxing an inch as he thrust the envelope into his trouser pocket and moved towards the coffee table.

"I suggest you eat something Miss Granger" he said with a cool tone to his voice though it held a softness that was not usually there. Moving to perch herself on the edge of the settee Hermione began pulling on her socks and trainers, intently avoiding Severus' gaze as she muttered under her breath,

"Actually Professor I am going to have breakfast in the Great Hall this morning…" quickly her eyes rose to his face and then fell to the floor again when she saw the pinched expression there. "If you don't mind, Sir" she added for good measure, figuring that a little politeness might at least get her somewhere with the spiteful man. Turning his back to her and resting an elbow upon the mantle Severus bowed his head and sighing heavily said flatly,

"Very well Miss Granger, you may go…" the rest of his words cut off by the exuberant squeal that she emitted followed by her deliciously warm arms encircling his chest from behind as she rested her cheek against his shoulder and in a rush of breath said,

"Thank you Professor!"

"However," he growled testily, "do not expect me to be as social as yourself, and do not breathe one word about tonight or Mr. Malfoy, understood?" He felt her fervent nod against his back and shuddered at the warm flow of her breath against his neck and cheek as she rose up on tiptoe and pressed soft lips against his skin.

"I understand, and thank you again Professor" she said softly, her smile adding an extra touch of warmth and tenderness to her voice, and then she was gone, bounding away happily. The sound of the door slamming shut behind her sounded too much like the sound of doom as dejectedly Severus turned from the fireplace and sank onto the settee, the food before him suddenly smelling rotten, the sight of it causing his stomach to lurch painfully.

"Bloody Gryffindors" he muttered in exasperation as he leant forward to pour himself a cup of tea.

The dungeon corridors reverberated with the sound of Hermione's quick and happy footsteps as she jogged merrily towards the Great Hall, the air seeming to grow fresher and sweeter as she grew ever closer. Ascending the steps two at a time she burst into the Great Hall with a large smile plastered across her face, her sudden entrance causing the few people gathered in the room to look up at her quickly. Once more, gathered around the otherwise almost empty table sat Madam Pomfrey, Professor Sprout and Madam Pince, their faces brightening at the sight of Hermione crossing the Great Hall with a spring in her step.

"Well, well, well…" clucked Professor Sprout as Hermione slid into the empty seat beside her. "I see that Snape has finally released you from your prison" she continued with a soft laugh, while Hermione's cheeks flushed slightly. If only you knew she thought while smiling and giving a soft nod.

"Seriously though my dear, what have you been doing down there? We haven't seen you for days!" exclaimed Madam Pomfrey with a small shadow of concern creeping into her perpetually somewhat stern looking face.

"Oh I have been…" Hermione began, her voice quavering slightly while her mind said sternly think fast Granger! "I have been working on some potions with Professor Snape" she said after a moments pause, giving a brief nod of her head, rather proud of herself for coming up with a hopefully believable excuse so quickly.

"Really?" mused Madam Pomfrey with a hint of suspicion lingering in her voice as she let her eyes sweep over Hermione appraisingly. "He is feeding you well? Attending to your needs? You look a little peekish my dear" she continued, her eyes narrowed in the beginnings of accusation. Attending to my needs? Hermione snorted mentally, if only he were attending to the needs he keeps stirring up within me she thought with a barely hidden smirk.

"No, no I am fine Madam Pomfrey, I promise" she replied as she leaned forward and began piling food onto her plate, her mouth watering and her stomach giving a small growl.

"Hmm" Madam Pomfrey simply grumbled as she turned back to her own breakfast, the other women present oblivious of the dark look that she flashed Hermione before focusing back on the food before her.

"Well, I am glad to see you out and about again Miss Granger" Professor Sprout said jovially, her warm face stretching in a broad smile as she waved a sausage laden fork at Hermione. "I must say, we were beginning to grow more than a little concerned about you, especially after the last time I ran into Severus" she raved on all the while waving her fork back and forth for emphasis, causing the others present to lean back in their chairs, praying to Merlin that they would not suddenly be on the receiving end of a sausage in flight.

"Oh?" Hermione asked, her own fork half way to her mouth heaped with bacon that practically oozed grease, her interest suddenly aroused.

"Oh yes" Pomona crooned giving a bobbing nod of her head, "was in a foul mood that day, he was. In fact that was the last day we saw you. Came flying out of the dungeons like the hounds of hell were at his heels, demanding to know where you were and what you were up to. I tell you, that man needs to learn to control his temper or one of these days he is going to yell at the wrong person and they are going to put him in his place" she raved on passionately, her brow furrowing.

"And I suppose you're going to be the one to give him a piece of your mind Pomona?" Madam Pince snorted into her cup of tea, shooting the somewhat rotund woman a shifty glance. Pomona's cheeks darkened a little with her blush as she suddenly became a little flustered,

"Yes well, Merlin knows the man could use a good talking to, but I don't see you volunteering to do it either Irma" she scowled giving the stick-thin woman an overenthusiastic elbow in the ribs causing her to all but topple out of her chair. "Anyway, as I was saying, he was in a right huff he was, screaming and yelling at me, calling me all manner of nasty names, quite unacceptable for a member of staff to use such language if you ask me…" she rambled on only to be cut off by the other two women at the table chuckling into their tea while Madam Pomfrey muttered under her breath,

"This coming from the woman that swears like a sailor in Knockturn Alley when she's got a couple of drinks in her!" Clearing her throat loudly and casting the other women a withering glance, Professor Sprout turned back to Hermione and gave her a warm and motherly smile.

"Anyway, I told him you had gone for a walk, to get out and enjoy the fresh air like every young person should, well that just set him off even worse! Started flapping his arms around like a great big bat, his face all red while he was standing there screaming at me. I told him I had better things to do than be yelled at by the likes of him and walked away" she finished a little breathlessly as she proceeded to shove the sausage that was now dangling precariously from the end of her fork into her mouth.

"Pomona Sprout you liar!" exclaimed Irma Pince, "you told him where she was and then you tucked your tail between your legs and fled to the greenhouses. That man scares you and you know it!" Well that explains how he found me Hermione thought as she tuned out the small argument that had broken out between the members of staff about who was more scared of the wretched Potions Master, and began to contentedly dig into her own breakfast, her mind wandering over the man in question.

While Madam Pomfrey, Professor Sprout and Madam Pince finally agreed that they were all completely terrified though a little intrigued by the dark and brooding man that resided in the dungeons, Hermione sat staring off into space over a now empty plate, her mind filled with tantalizing thoughts of the current topic of discussion. If only these gossiping women knew the truth about him, about the tenderness you can find in his eyes if only you look deep enough, knew the way his touch causes my flesh to tingle and ache to feel him close to me. They have no idea of what he is really like beneath his bitter and cold exterior, they have no idea… Suddenly her thoughts trailed away, her back stiffened, her mouth grew dry and her eyelashes fluttered against her flushed cheeks as she felt the hot breath rushing over her neck.

"Miss Granger, a moment if you please?" he purred against her ear, his voice tinged with the smirk that clung to his lips as he surveyed the suddenly silent women at the table, each of them instantly finding their empty teacups immensely fascinating.

Rising back up to his full height Severus took a step backwards to allow Hermione to push her chair back and rise to her own feet, her cheeks holding a delightful blush that made his smirk of pleasure deepen a degree or two. Laying a hand upon Hermione's back he guided her away from the table, turning her towards the door as he glanced back over his shoulder and cast a sneering glare at each of the women present, each of whom in turn quickly lowered her eyes back to the cup grasped in her hands. Snorting in amusement he guided Hermione out into the Entrance Hall that much to his dismay was festooned with a sickening variety of Christmas decorations, the garish clash of all the red and green causing his stomach to clench.

"Thank you Professor" Hermione whispered as she ran a hand through her hair, pointedly looking at the toes of her trainers rather than his face.

"For what Miss Granger?" he asked as he adopted his customary pose of ramrod straight spine, squared shoulders and crossed arms.

"For rescuing me" she chuckled while casting him a hesitant and sheepish glance. She watched with a warmth growing in her chest as his lips tugged back momentarily in a ghost of a smile, his dark eyes glittering with amusement, even when he schooled his features back into a stern expression as he spoke teasingly,

"I thought you wanted to escape the dungeons Miss Granger. Were you not growing restless there, or perhaps it was simply my company you sought to flee from?" The smile threatened to return as he watched her bow her head in embarrassment and flounder before him, desperately grasping for words that would neither offend him nor reveal her true feelings. "Come we have much to discuss" he said, his voice once more regaining its serious tone as his smile vanished to be replaced by an expression of resignation. Dipping her head in acquiescence Hermione released a soft sigh as she turned and followed him back down to the dungeons feeling much as if she were taking the last few steps towards the gallows. Casting one last glance over her shoulder at the dizzying array of bright colors, twinkling lights and shimmering tinsel in the Entrance Hall, Hermione wondered if after that night she would ever see its welcoming sight again.