AN: Sorry for the long delay but I went on holiday, I hope you will enjoy the reading.

5. 27th of May

Hermione woke up with a new spirit. These next two days were going to be great. She was going to see Severus Snape again and maybe discover some new sides of his character.

This time, she was not going to discover Ron's betrayal. It was her turn to be the betrayer. She shuddered a bit, what would Severus think about this?

She was scared that he would think badly of her, that he would despise her, and never show any niceness. Well, at least there was still June to change his opinion of her.

She had stubbornly refused to be cheating Ron with Malfoy. She had chosen Zabini; the selected Slytherin had been a bit surprised, but accepted his role.

Draco had thrown a tantrum at her choice. He had offended her by saying that she wasn't brave enough to face a real relationship; that she would be alone for the rest of her life if she did not give a chance to anyone.

Hermione had tried to explain to him that she wasn't attracted to him; however, she could consider someone else. But the git had insisted that no one was better than a Malfoy.

Blaise had been enjoying Draco's outburst, and did nothing to calm him down. Actually, he had fuelled him by saying that she had chosen a Zabini over a Malfoy.

Hermione sighed, and maybe, regretted her choice, was it possible that all the Slytherins were gits?

She repressed a smile; she would not mind a certain Slytherin Head of House and git extraordinaire taking notice of her.

When they reached the classroom everything was staged like the other time, the only difference was that she was the cheater.

When they heard Snape's footsteps Ron started the show.

He shouted, "So Hermione how long have you been cheating on me with Zabini?"

Hermione feigned surprise at the accusation but "guilty" was written all over her face. "Ron really, it's not true, who told you that?"

Hermione then saw the Professor from the corner of her eyes and she was unprepared when Ron slapped her. "I will never forgive you! Never!" And he ran away looking very upset.

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

Hermione entered the classroom, and sat in her usual chair. The side of her face, where Ron had slapped her, was aching, but she could not do anything at the moment.

Severus watched the girl and her cheek. He was tempted to send her to see Madam Pomfrey, but it would look too nice for the scary aura that he instilled into his students.

The lesson went on very slowly with Hermione wondering if Ron had gotten over their break up, and was really happy with Lavender. She had seen his eyes before he had slapped her, and he had probably noted the dreamy look she had gotten when she saw Snape. Was he still jealous?

The bell signalled the end of the lesson, but she was stopped from exiting the room by Severus' silky voice. "Miss Granger, stay."

Hermione sighed, she tried not to look too scared or not to show how much her cheek hurt.

Severus eyed the pretty witch and something was nagging at him. Why was he feeling something akin to attraction for her? Had they ever talked with each other before?

Strange flashes of her tears and her smiles came through his head, then disappeared.

He stood up and motioned to the witch to follow him. They entered his private store and he said, "You should be familiar with this place. I believe that you broke into it in your second year."

Hermione felt herself blushing. "I am sorry sir, but at that time it had been important to gather all the ingredients. We needed to brew that potion!"

Severus eyed the girl and seemed satisfied with what he saw in her eyes. He nodded and retrieved a small jar.

Hermione watched him while he opened it and took out a green cream, and motioned to her to come closer.

He used his hand to spread it on her swollen cheek.

She was too shocked to move, and then, the now usual fuzzy feeling started to creep into her stomach.

Severus watched the girl's reaction and said, "If you went to see Madam Pomfrey she would have just given you something mild for the pain. However, tomorrow there is the Ball, and I guess that you wanted to be presentable."

Hermione was touched by his thought, and felt tears forming in her eyes. He was so sensitive, but he never let anyone near enough to know it.

Severus was slightly embarrassed at voicing his concern, and when he saw her teary eyes he did not know what to say.

She wiped her eyes with the sleeve of the robes and apologetically said, "Sorry sir, I didn't want to break down in front of you. It's just that … it has been a long morning."

Severus studied the woman in front of him, and something flashed in his mind, a garden and her smile directed towards him.

Hermione was studying him as well, could it be that he was remembering something?

Severus saw her inquisitive look, and for fear that she could read his heart's desire, he put up his usual mask. "You may go now. The cream should take effect in one hour, if you need more, just send me an owl."

Hermione nodded and left the room thanking him profusely.

Severus shook his head, what was it about her that intrigued him so much? He was curious to know if the allegation that she had been cheating on Weasley with one of his Slytherins was true.

Zabini? Well, at least it was not Malfoy. He grimaced; Hermione Granger together with Draco Malfoy would be just a waste of a wonderful mind.

Hermione was walking slowly toward the Great Hall, and was surprised when she saw Draco Malfoy leaning against a wall.

She sighed, she was hoping that he was not there for her, but she knew that it was just wishful thinking.

"Well, well, well. What have we got here? A slapped Gryffindor." His eyes were gleaming with malice. "I believe that Weasley did not fake that slap, what can you say about it Granger?"

"Leave me alone Malfoy." She tried to pass him, but he blocked her way.

"Not so fast Granger. I want to know why you chose Zabini over me." He was looming over her, and she was starting to get worried, he had technically been a Death Eater after all.

A voice boomed from behind her. "Draco! Let Miss Granger go." Severus' voice was cold and dangerous.

Draco paled considerably, and let the passage free for Hermione, still he managed to whisper, "I will get you sooner or later. Snape won't save the day every time."

Hermione gulped and then ran away as fast as she could. Things were getting much worse around there. She hoped that the next night Malfoy was not going to try anything wicked against her.