AN: Thanks to the reviewers and to Adrielle my fantastic beta. I would like to say that when Draco speaks I often have him say "me or I" first even though sometimes it is not correct... it's just that it seems in his character to put himself first...

3. 27th of April

Hermione's alarm went off at exactly 7 o'clock. She sighed; once again she was going to Hogwarts, yet this time there was a difference, and she did not know whether she should feel excited that something was going to change in their routine or to be totally scared.

She recalled the letter that she had received a week ago.

Dear Hermione,

Could you please meet me at the Three Broomsticks tonight?

Please use a Disillusionment Charm, discretion is required.

Thank you,

Albus.

She had been very curious at the invitation, and when she arrived she was ushered into a room where she met Albus and Malfoy.

"What is he doing here?" she asked.

Draco smirked. "And good evening to you too, Granger."

She sat without replying to him.

Albus smiled warmly. "I wanted you both here tonight to discuss a theory of mine. I don't know if you have noticed that something had been different last month." When they both nodded, he went on, "Severus has, shall we say, shown an interest in you two dancing together. I thought that maybe we could change a few things in the next month's charade so that he would wish to go on with his life."

Hermione and Draco watched him; both seeming puzzled by his last sentence.

"I will explain to you as best as I can. I believe that part of the problem afflicting Severus derives from the fact that he did not have any reason to look forward. The day that Voldemort was killed, he lost his main objectives: not being killed by Voldemort and spying for the Order. I believe he felt somehow useless. Now I thought that we can try a new strategy to help him out. What do you say?"

Draco smirked. "You are telling us that we should shake his mind by pretending something is going on between me and Granger?"

Hermione shot him a deady glare, but then turned her attention back to the Headmaster.

Albus answered, "Yes, Draco. I thought that even you, Hermione, are tired of pretending to be Ronald's girlfriend."

Hermione nodded, but then said strongly, "You are not asking me to break up with Ron, and, and, and fake an involvement with this git!"

Albus was serious. "I am asking exactly that. Beside, aren't you both tired of this charade? If this is the way to break the curse, wouldn't you want to help?"

Hermione stood up. "You may have been fooling with me when I was younger, but you can't meddle in my life in this way anymore! What if he thinks that I fancy him? Then, what will we do? Tell him "Sorry Severus, she faked it only to break the curse". I don't want to be any part of it!"

Draco cleared his throat. "Granger, me and you will pretend to fancy each other, not you and Severus. Beside, if we break the curse, and he tells you something, you can always say that you are in love with me."

"Silly Slytherin logic!" She mumbled, considering her options. She found that she didn't have another choice.

"Ok, we will try this thing out, but if it doesn't work I will personally hex both of you into oblivion." Both wizards nodded. "And wipe that smug expression from your face Malfoy, there won't be any kissing and stuff involved."

Draco faked a hurt expression. "Really Granger, what do you think I am?"

She massaged her forehead, the situation was making her uneasy. "Malfoy, I swear that if you dare to do something silly, I will personally kick your butt."

After that, the meeting went on, and they discussed their strategy. Hermione was going to inform the Gryffindors, Draco the Slytherins, and Albus the remaining students and professors.

Hermione sighed when she found herself in front of the Potions classroom just before their "last" lesson. When she heard Snape's footsteps she motioned everybody to take their place.

She shouted, "So Ron, how long have you been cheating on me with Lavender?"

Ron's face was priceless, he was feigning surprise and guilt. "Hermione, really, it's not true, whoever told you that was lying!"

Hermione then saw the Professor from the corner of her eyes, and slapped him. "I will never forgive you! Never!" And she ran away crying.

Everybody was stunned, including the Professor, who suddenly regained his senses. "Well, what are you doing outside? Quick, let's start the lesson."

Hermione run up to the Astronomy Tower, and sat in one of the many rooms. She laughed a bit, she would have to apologise to Ron, and the slap must have hurt badly. Part of her felt relieved, she had wanted to do it so many times, and now it was kind of liberating.

She sighed, maybe she didn't put her relationship with him away as she thought. The fact that he had found solace in Lavender so soon had hurt deeper than expected.

She was called out of her reverie when a voice said, "You were not excused from my lesson, Miss Granger. Ten points from Gryffindor."

Hermione watched the dark haired Professor. He was behind the threshold of the door, and was watching her carefully.

She had been crying, and tears were still running down her face.

Severus walked into the room and after a moment of hesitation sat near her, leaned his back on the wall and said, "Life is hard with everyone. Sooner or later, we have to face experiences that we do not like. Miss Granger," he turned to look at the girl, "Mister Weasley is very young and highly hormonal. I believe that he did a wrong thing to you, still, I suggest you to put it behind you. The final confrontation is near and Potter needs all the support he can get."

Hermione felt a twinge of guilt, he did not know that the war was over. He was here to give her strength, and to ask her to help Harry. Fresh tears ran down her cheeks.

She was startled when she found a grey handkerchief pressed on her eyes. "Now, now Miss Granger, really 'One man's loss is another man's gain.' You will soon find someone better suited to you," he said gruffly, and then rose, nodded at her, and quickly left the room.

Hermione was so surprised. The Greasy Git had really tried to help her out, and from the way he acted it didn't look like he was used to being nice. Strangely, she was feeling a warm fuzzy feeling in her stomach, and when she smelled his cologne on the handkerchief, she blushed.

Since when her Potions Professor made her feel this way? Was Ginny right in believing that she had taken an interest in him?

She shook her head, tomorrow was going to be a long day. The Ball was what she dreaded most. She was going to provoke quite a reaction when she entered on the arm of Draco Malfoy. She sniggered; she couldn't wait to see everyone's face.