Disclaimer: I still don't own Harry Potter… although I do have a snow globe with Harry catching the snitch…

Chapter Three: Dreaming of You

That night Hermione dreamt. It started out normal enough. She and Harry were together. Picnicking at a quiet park, tangled in sheets, cuddled on the couch watching television; all of which Hermione saw as an observer. Soon there were subtle changes about Hermione, barely noticeable at first. Her hair began to lighten, she became a few inches shorter, until instead of Hermione the girl from Harry's office was there.

Hermione felt a surge of hatred. Then without warning a hand was on her shoulder. She turned around to find Severus standing there. He gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze and linked elbows with her. Gently he began to steer her away from the scene.

As they walked their surroundings began to fade and were soon replaced by the Hogwarts grounds. When they reached the lake Hermione saw that almost everybody was there. Ron was standing next to Ginny. Draco, whom Hermione still felt was a spoiled brat but had long ago began to consider as a friend, stood beside Lupin. Dumbledore was smiling at her from his position next to Molly and Arthur Weasley. Friends from school years crowed around as well.

Snape gestured to the crowd at large. "Your safe here Hermione, I'll always bring you to safety."

Hermione woke with a feeling of peace. Smiling and humming she went about her morning ritual, revolving mainly around a warm shower and a hot cup of tea.

Severus had learned quickly to wake early and sleep lightly, a product of a frightful childhood and an even more frightening time as a deatheater. Even with the knowledge that his father and Voldemort were dead he maintained this habit. This morning had been the first since early childhood that Severus had not woken up searching the shadows for someone. He still rose with the dawn, but was rested and for some reason, which he couldn't quite remember without his morning dose of caffeine saturated tea, he was looking very forward to today.

He took a shower and washed his hair, although he knew that leaning over a cauldron would only make it greasy again. With a steaming cup in hand he went to check on his project.

After a few moments of checking results and a few sips of tea the memories from the night before finally reached his brain.

Hermione was back! He wasn't sure what had happened between her and the waste of oxygen that she had been dating but it seemed rather like Potter had screwed up royally. He felt badly that Hermione had to hurt, but he was secretly very pleased that she was done wasting her time and talents on the likes of the boy who-needed-a-swift-kick-in-the-ass.

As he headed back into his living room (Severus had his personal lab attached to his quarters which were otherwise unremarkable; having the same basic set-up as all the teachers quarters. A living room, bed room, bathroom, small kitchen, and a study/library.) he paused at the door that led to the hallway. He had always been an intensely private man but… well what if he left the door shut and got caught up in his work and didn't hear Hermione? Not of course that he would miss just one visit… she could offer insight (Severus heaved a mental sigh of relief), he would leave the door open so she wouldn't go away, but only because she could offer valuable insight.

Even in the privacy of his own thoughts he didn't believe it.

Hermione checked her watch. It was a quarter past eight.

Was that too early for a visit? It was the summer holidays, what if he didn't want to be up and going over his project with her yet? But no matter the time of year, he was still Severus Snape and she doubted very much that he was still asleep.

Hermione flipped a mental coin and decided to head down there anyway.

She had let her thoughts run free as she walked down the halls, and was surprised when she found herself down Severus's hall. She was even more surprised to find his door open. In all the time she'd known him, Severus had never done something like that.

At first Hermione's breath caught and she thought that somebody had broken into the school to exact revenge on the ex-spy. As soon as she stepped into the room however she saw that his potions door was also opened and he was alternating his gaze between a parchment and a slightly smoking cauldron.

Making as much noise as possible so that she wouldn't startle the man Hermione walked up beside him and looked into the cauldron as well. They stood in silence for a few moments, until quite unexpectedly Severus threw the quill down and swore loudly.

"Problems, Severus?" Hermione asked mildly.

"Yes there are problems, most of them revolving around the fact that the damn potion isn't cooperating."

Hermione took a long look at the greenish sludge. Abruptly she grabbed Severus's empty tea cup and headed for the door. She looked behind her and saw that he wasn't following. "Come on." She gave him a motherly look and gestured toward the door. "We'll get some nice soothing tea and sit down and discuss this so we can find out what the problem is."

Severus suddenly felt very embarrassed. "I can do it on my own… and I can make my own tea you know."

Hermione gave him a warm smile. "I have no doubts. Everyone needs a bit of soothing now and then."

Severus followed her out the door, wondering why he couldn't think of anything scathing to say.

A/N: O.K. I know that I'm the author and should know what I'm doing but advice is good. Therefore I want… no NEED to know what you guys think about some possible plot points.

1) My favorite couple is Hermione and Severus, but I also am a huge fan of Draco and Hermione, or Draco and Severus, (or anything with Draco because book or movie or fanfiction he's hot) and I found one story that just left me breathless (Be Careful What You Wish For by Zephyr) with all three of them. Now currently I am headed for the tentative beginnings for Severus and Hermione's relationship. But what do you people think about adding a little Draco to the mix. I'll probably end up writing about all of them eventually, I just want to know if this is the story …

2) I realize, of course, that Hermione will have enough to deal with, starting a relationship (even if she doesn't know it yet) and preparing for the all to close school year… but what's a story without issues? To clarify, I do not like the character Harry Potter, it was no coincidence that it was him I had Hermione with in the beginning. I find that he has the worst case that I've yet encountered of Leading Man Syndrome. That being said I wonder what you think of having him show a more… villainous side. I'm thinking kidnapping, or if the story calls for emotion maybe even rape. That would be emotional, and if Severus and Hermione were denying feelings it would be a serious icebreaker. Hmmm… maybe a drunken rage… a case of serious stalker… I sense opportunities, please let me know what you all think.