AN: Thanks to my beta Adrielle for the fantastic job she is doing :) and many thanks to everyone who reviewed!

4. 28th of April

Severus had been pacing his private quarters since the day before. What had gotten into him to go, and look for Hermione Granger?

He had found her in a room, alone and crying. He had taken off points from her blasted House, yet when she had watched him with her teary eyes, he had felt something strange in his heart.

The girl had something special … Well if he had really to be sincere with himself she was a woman. He threw his glass in the fire. What did it matter if she was a girl or a woman?

He had nothing to spare with the know-it-all witch. However, he had entered the room yesterday, and he had sympathised with her. He knew how lonely it could be when no one understood who you really were.

That Weasley prat had really stepped over the line. To cheat Hermione Granger! The most talented, smart and pretty woman he knew! And with that silly girl, Lavender Brown.

He snorted. The Brown girl was good at just one thing, and that was probably what interested the young dunderhead.

His thoughts were interrupted by Albus' head in the fireplace announcing for him to go to the Great Hall for the beginning of the Ball.

Severus sighed. He wondered if Hermione, Miss Granger for you, whispered his traitorous mind, would be showing up at all.

Hermione and Draco waited until everybody had joined the Ball to make their shocking entrance. She was tense and the palms of her hands were sweating.

Draco smirked. "Relax, Granger. Tonight is our night. I just want to see the faces of Potter and Weasley. Let's not forget our dear Severus."

At the mentioning of his name, Hermione felt that her heart had beaten a bit faster. She took a calming breath and entered the Great Hall.

The room that was before full of chatting and laughter fell into silence.

Severus watched the scene unfold and could not believe his eyes. Hermione Granger had come to the Ball with Draco Malfoy. The smug expression on Draco's face made Severus' blood boil. As if she was so stupid to fall for the blond Slytherin!

But doubt crept into his mind when he saw her dancing and smiling at him.

The Gryffindors were outraged, and their scowls almost rivalled his own.

He knew that Hermione was just doing it out of revenge. Or wasn't she? The nagging voice in his head was starting to annoy him. After all, Draco is on her side, even if she still does not know. He is rich and handsome, why couldn't she fancy him?

But Severus was convinced that good looks and money were not what she was looking for. Not that he cared. Didn't he?

The chatters started again after a while, the first shock had been overcome. After all, the year was over, and everyone wanted to just leave with nice memories.

Hermione was dancing with Malfoy, and thinking about a brooding man that had caught her attention.

"Granger," her name whispered Malfoy, gaining her attention. "I mean Hermione. I was just thinking, would you like to go out with me?"

Hermione looked at the boy, well man really, who was dancing with her. He had grown up and his grey eyes had softened since the end of the war. He was smart, and obviously, he had beliefs similar to hers or he would not have joined Harry's side, yet, she still did not feel anything in his arms.

"Well Mal-Draco, I am flattered by your invitation, but I will have to refuse. I don't like you in that way." She tried to find words that could not offend him. "I mean, let's be sincere, you are not my type as much as I am not yours."

Draco seemed to think about what she said and then replied, "I beg to differ. Hermione, we are both intelligent, young, and beautiful what would you want more from a relationship?"

Hermione sighed, the guy was hopeless. "I would want love, respect, companionship, and passion. I don't think I could feel any of these things for you."

Draco was going to object, but he was interrupted by Severus who asked a dance with the Head Girl.

Hermione smiled warmly at her Professor. She had been rescued, at least for this month.

Severus watched the relief that was so evident all over her face and smirked. "Do you already regret coming with him?"

Hermione smiled. "More or less. The guy doesn't understand much more than Ron about what a woman wants."

Severus raised an eyebrow. "Really? I thought that he was quite skilled with the ladies."

Hermione giggled. "Sir, you have such a way with words. I believe he may be "skilled with the ladies" but not in the area I am interested in." And she blushed.

Severus felt the side of his mouth curling up and he managed to control the smile that was threatening to show up. "And what is the area you are interested in?"

Hermione was surprised that he was so talkative, and even more, that he wanted to know something about her.

Severus sensing her confusion said, "I believe, Miss Granger, that "the first step is the hardest", I have already done that yesterday in the Astronomy Tower."

Hermione's smile shone on her pretty face. "I am interested in people who want to talk. I mean, I would like to go out with a man that can hold a conversation not about Quidditch or sex."

Severus eyed the girl. She really had grown up. She is so beautiful and she does not look for money or fame… She is not looking for a greasy bat either though…

Severus sighed and Hermione sensed that she had lost his attention. When the song ended he asked, "To whom shall I take you? Mister Malfoy?"

Hermione repulsed face made him understand that she did not want to see the Slytherin.

"Shall we walk into the enchanted garden, then? I am sure he would not follow us there." Especially because I will block the doors from outside, he thought

Hermione nodded, and took his arm.

They walked for a while in silence, and then the Professor said, "What are your plans for the future?"

Hermione, finding something "easy" to talk about with this complicate man, proceeded to tell him about the combined degree in Charms and Potions.

They spent one hour discussing Potions, and then he took her back in. Before they entered she stopped and shyly said, "It has been one of the most beautiful nights of my life, Sir. Thank you."

He nodded. "I had a good time too." Kiss her, she won't reject you! He squashed that thought as soon as it came, and after opening the doors, he left her.

Hermione was feeling so happy, she had really enjoyed his company and she had seen a side of him that she didn't know. She liked what she saw, and she really wanted to know more of him.

She was brought back to reality when she realised that the next day he will have forgotten everything that happened. Hermione was now determined, he had to regain his bloody memory, and to remember that he liked her!

She left Hogwarts with lots of plans in her mind. He was going to remember her even if it was the last thing that she was going to do.

'I won't give up on you, Severus,' that were the last words that echoed through her mind before she fell asleep.