Hermione sat on her bed. She too was just as restless as Professor McGonagall. But instead of questioning Snape, what had kept her awake were the butterflies fluttering in her stomach. She had trouble breathing when she visualized what had happened earlier that evening, when Snape had held her close to him and endured the pain she was supposed to receive. He had saved her twice in a row, and both times didn't seem like a coincidence. Snape's actions caused Hermione to wonder greatly again. If he belonged on Voldemort's side, he would've allowed Voldemort's spell to hit her; the thing was, he didn't. Not only did he go against Voldemort, he even sacrificed himself and was severely injured.

Hermione couldn't think straight; it was the first time she felt this way for someone. She was no longer a know-it-all, for the feelings she has now were completely alien. Hermione didn't feel like staying in her dorm, for the darkness in the room was too much for her. She silently got out of bed, grabbed her wand, and walked down to the common room. She found Harry and Ginny sitting together on a big armchair, cuddled against each other. Somehow, Hermione felt a wave of admiration for the couple.

"Hey." Hermione tried to speak softly so she wouldn't intrude their privacy.

"Can't sleep?" Ginny said as she moved her head away from Harry's chest.

"Mm hmm," Hermione nodded. "I'm not disturbing the two of you, am I?"

Harry laughed. "Of course not."

Hermione had the urge to ask her two friends about the obscure feelings she suddenly had for the Potions Master. There were no books to explain this feeling she has, nor is there a solid definition. Since her friends were here, and they've talked to her about similar feelings before, she could only rely on them to relieve her stress. Hermione sat down on a sofa across from her two friends, took a deep breath, and spoke.

"I think I like someone."

Harry's eyes widened, but he soon gave Hermione a comforting smile. "Really?"

"We both have a hint of who it might be." Ginny said as she looked at Harry, grinning with him.

"Am I making it obvious? But… I didn't feel this way until tonight."

"You should say your feelings weren't confirmed until tonight," Harry reassured her. "I suppose you didn't pay much attention to the feelings before, eh?"

Hermione frowned. "How would you know?"

"Well, aren't you paying more attention to whether you've been doing a good job compensating?"

"…..and the advantage you have for your N.E.W.Ts?" Ginny added.

Hermione looked at the couple incredulously.

"You're falling for Snape, aren't you?" Harry said softly.

"I…."

"It's not a crime, Hermione." Ginny said as she walked over and put an arm around Hermione's shoulder.

"But… it's Snape! He killed Dumbledore, people hate him…. How could I possibly l—"

"Do you hate him?" Harry interrupted, his green eyes reflecting the flames from the fireplace.

Hermione's heart pounded hard against her chest. "No, I-I…. don't"

"That's it."

"What about you Harry? Do you hate him?" Hermione stared back into Harry's green eyes. "Your best friend likes the person who has been causing you so much agony for years!"

"Voldemort is the one who's causing agony." Harry said sternly. "And no, I don't hate Snape, at least not anymore. What you've told me during the summer fully persuaded me to feel neutral about him."

Hermione couldn't believe her ears, Harry had stopped loathing Snape? After all those years of despising him, Harry let all of it go just because of her absurd theory?

"You can't fully depend on what I said, Harry."

"But it's logical, isn't it?" Ginny asked.

Hermione never expected them to thoroughly believe what she had said. And now Harry was actually depending on it.

"I know it is, but… what if I'm wrong?"

"You never were, Hermione." Harry's answer was definite.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The piercing light of the winter sun woke Severus up. By the smell of various medicines in the air, he knew that he had been sent to the hospital wing. He groggily opened his eyes and tried to get up, but the pain shot at him when he merely lifted his head few inches away from his pillow.

"Professor, you should lie still." A soft voice said.

Severus slowly turned his head; Hermione was standing next to his bed with Harry behind her.

"Miss Granger is right, Severus." Madam Pomfrey said as she came out of her office holding a bottle and a new roll of gauze. "Your wound will take a long time to heal. Third degree burn on your back…." She let out a sigh.

Severus scowled. "Third degree? The spell Voldemort used was only supposed to cause a first degree burn…." His voice trailed off when he remembered what had happened the other night.

Hermione winced at the thought, if it wasn't because of me, Snape wouldn't have gotten hurt like this. I'm the one who deserves that wound…. It would ONLY be first degree if it hit me anyway.

Madam Pomfrey hustled as she clapped her hands. "Professor Snape needs to change his bandage now. If you two came here to tell him something, please hurry."

Hermione's throat felt dry, she wasn't able to speak with a huge lump throbbing at her neck. She opened her mouth, but closed it when Harry opened his mouth to speak.

"I don't know how I can thank you for saving Hermione like that the other night." Harry said.

"You don't need to." Severus said curtly.

Harry nodded in acknowledgement and waited for Hermione to talk.

"I think you'll need me more in your office now, Professor?" Hermione couldn't think of anything else to say.

"I'd be grateful of you're willing to help."

Hermione tried to smile the best she can. "I'll see you in a few days then."

At that, the two of them left the hospital wing.

By the time they reached the foot of the stairs leading them back to school, Harry held out his hand to Hermione. She looked at him, puzzled.

"Oh come on Hermione," Harry rolled his eyes. "Can't I offer you some physical comfort once in a while?"

Hermione giggled. "I wonder what Ginny will think."

"She asked me to do this."

"What?"

"Justlemmeholdyourhand." Harry said as Hermione giggled louder.

"Oh alright…" Hermione took hold of Harry's outstretched hand.

Harry grinned as they walked up the stairs.

"I can tell you're really starting to like him."

"What do you mean 'really liking' him?"

"You can't even think of the right thing to say." He said teasingly.

"That doesn't prove anything, you dunderhead." Hermione gave Harry a swift glare.

"Look at you, you're shivering." Harry exerted a bit more force on Hermione's hand and laughed. "Ginny was right."

"Ginny right about what?" Hermione asked as she tried to suppress her body from shivering.

"You shiver when someone mentions your crush. A common symptom people have when they like a person." Harry paused.

"Although it seems weird to see you with him… but, it's the first time I've heard Hermione Granger admit she likes someone." He said after a moment of silence.

"Is that supposed to be good or something?"

"What do you think?"

"Come off it Harry, I've only started realizing I liked Snape this Wednesday." Hermione rolled her eyes.

"I'm still really happy for you."

"What are the two of you doing, holding hands like that?"

Harry and Hermione looked up. Ron was standing at the top of the stairs, his face slightly red from the sight.

"It's nothing Ron. Hermione was just feeling a little dizzy…. So I helped her up." Harry didn't let go of Hermione's hand.

Ron gave Harry a look of suspicion. "Then you should be supporting her shoulders and her back."

"Now that we're older, we should act more like gentleman." Harry said. "Besides, we've been friends for nearly 7 years. I don't find anything wrong with holding hands."

"Fine." Ron crossed his arms. "I hope Ginny doesn't misinterpret this."

Of course she wouldn't. Harry said to himself.

Ron gave them another look as he entered the portrait hole and left them outside.

"Why did you lie to him?" Hermione eyed Harry carefully as she tightened her grip on Harry's hand.

"Sooner or later, you'll understand why." Harry replied.

"Harry."

"I don't want to ruin it for Ron."

"Ruin it for Ron?"

"I'm talking too much. Hermione, just…. You'll know soon, okay?" Harry released Hermione's hand and disappeared behind the portrait of the Fat Lady.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Severus was allowed to go back to his dungeons after staying at the hospital for four whole days. The first thing he found when he entered his room to change into new clothes; was the maroon letter stuck right under the small crack of his open window. He panicked again as he swiftly pulled the letter out and opened it.

I've seen on the Daily Prophet that Voldemort went to Hogwarts to kill Harry again, am I correct? Remember, keep Hogwarts open no matter what happens. The war will be over, Harry will defeat Voldemort soon. Continue to help them as much as you possibly can, I'm sorry for not being there to help.


P.S. Someone has broken our secret. But do not worry, she belongs to our side.

Severus stared at the last statement. Someone has broken the secret? Who? Minerva? But, according to Minerva's personality, she would ask him right away… if it's not her, then who was it? Perhaps it was—? The chiming of the clock on the wall smacked Severus out of his thoughts.

How wonderful, very first Potions class of the day with a wounded shoulder. Severus let out a big sigh. He walked up to one of his shelves full of books and put the letter behind a pile of books after casting an invisible spell on it. He walked over to the other shelf and reached for the first letter he hid. However, Severus felt nothing. He knew well enough he would never make such a foolish mistake, especially not when it comes to something as important as the maroon letter. Cussing loudly and hating himself for being so careless, Severus was aware and discovered instantly-

The first letter was gone.

Disclaimer: Look at chapter 3.

A/N: eek. This one took me a long time too…. I finally got a beta reader, Julia. (Millions of hugs to her for helping!) So I hope it makes my writing a little bit better without grammar mistakes. I don't want to give too much a away, but in the next chapter Hermione will cry. As for why? I'm not going to tell! I'd love to post chapter 8 soon, but my final exams are coming up in about another week, so I might not be able to write until a little later. I want to write, but…. GRADES!

It sucks, I know.

Please continue to review! I got a bit discouraged when I wrote this chapter, since I felt bad that no one really gave me feedback. I really like to have feedback from readers! I also like constructive criticism too.