Even before the first bite of Russian wind could touch his face, Snape had Apparated back to Hogsmeade. It had been impossible to Apparate with Malevich along because of the potions he had been taking. Now he needed to report to Dumbledore immediately.

"Ah, Severus. I trust you have completed your mission?" Dumbledore's clear eyes rested on Snape's pensive form.

"Of course, Headmaster."

"How did his family receive him."

"They were—his family was dead. It looked as if there had been a fire."

"I see. And you left him there alone? I'm surprised, Severus." Dumbledore's gaze was penetrating.

"During our journey Malevich underwent a remarkable transformation. He had quite recovered when we arrived and seemed able to take care of himself. Apparently there was little love between his family and himself."

"Love, Severus? The Maleviches were insane. They were incapable of love. Yet, I think I understand. Thank you Severus."

Dumbledore seems to know everything thought Snape. But does he know how I feel about Hermione? "Headmaster, I would prefer if this matter stayed between us."

"Of course, Severus," replied Dumbledore, with a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Snape returned to his office. He knew that he should not spend his Christmas in the castle: it held too many memories for him. Yet—she had never been to his office; it couldn't hurt to stay here. It's not as if being in Spinner's End would be any more pleasant, but somehow merely being in the castle reminded him of her.

He sniffed the air. With his Potions-trained nose, he could almost smell her, the honey-ginger of her hair, so fresh, then the more subtle, darker smell of her body, an rose in full bloom mixed with the spiciness of cinnamon. The scent excited him while it lulled him. He reached into the empty air, imaging the touch of her silky curls against his long fingers.

He opened his eyes to see only blackness. She was not his. She would never be his. He would have to reconcile himself with that fact.

The next morning Dumbledore was in his office when he felt someone approach his office. Even before the knock, Dumbledore said, "You may enter." He looked up to see a small figure with bushy hair in front of him

"Miss Granger! Of all the people I was expecting this morning, you were not among them." Dumbledore had to confess some surprise. He knew Hermione had stayed in the castle over the holiday. She had said that she it would be quieter and more restful here than with either her own parents or with the Weasleys. He saw that it had not helped: there were still deep shadows under her eyes. He rather feared that the isolation was hurting Hermione. He had resolved to ask Molly Weasley to bring Harry and Ron back to the castle early to be with Hermione a few days ago. He estimated that they should be arriving that morning.

"I am sorry to disturb you, Professor, but I need to talk to you."

Dumbledore, always willing to be of assistance, assured her that he was all not occupied.

"It's about Malevich, sir. Why did you allow him to come to Hogwarts?"

"Miss Granger, if this is in reference to Mr. Malevich's mental condition, I assure you that I was fully aware. I had rather hoped that under the influence of people exactly like you, he would improve."

Hermione looked up in wonder.

"You see, Miss Granger, I have long known that Mr. Malevich has the appearance of being a good person. Unforunately, he has an unpleasant reputation at Durmstrang, but I thought he would be able to reform himself at a school like Hogwarts."

Hermione nodded. "But he couldn't."

"That depends on how you look at it, Miss Granger. Perhaps not here, but I can assure you that Mr. Malevich has become a new person since he returned home. Neither he nor his family will threaten anyone again."

Catching on quickly, Hermione said, "The family emergency Snape had to go to wasn't his own, was it? He took Malevich back to his family."

"Professor Snape. And as to that, Miss Granger, I cannot say. What Professor Snape chooses to do with his personal time is his own affair. In any case, he has probably returned to his home for the holidays."

Hermione stood up suddenly. "Thank you, Professor. I feel much better now." Indeed she looked better. The ghostly pallor had disappeared from her skin. She still looked thin and pale, but she stood upright, as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

"Of course, Miss Granger. Let me know if there is anything else I can do for you. Good day." Dumbledore knew that Hermione would want to go to Snape and confront him with the details of the story, but Snape probably had returned to Spinner's End by now. He had arrived back last night, but he had had plenty of time to Apparate out of Hogsmeade. Dumbledore knew that the castle held little attraction for Snape during the holidays.

Hermione flew out of Dumbledore's office. Even if Snape wasn't in Hogwarts, she had plenty to think over. In fact, it was probably better that he wasn't; she still wasn't sure how he would react to her, much less the fact that she had stayed at Hogwarts during the holidays.

She was so wrapped up in her own thoughts that she barely heard her name being called.

"Hermione! Hermione!" It barely registered.

"Oi, Hermione!" That she recognized.

"Ron?" She turned around and saw her best friends behind her. "Harry? What are you two doing here?"

"Dumbledore wrote to Mum, asking us to come back early. He said that you were lonely."

To be honest, Hermione had felt a little lonely. She hadn't been up for the noise of The Burrow or the ceaseless questions of her parents, but that hadn't meant that she wanted to be alone. She had missed her friends.

As they walked back to Gryffindor Tower, Hermione began to tell them of her meeting with Dumbledore. No sooner had they rounded the corner than they came face to face with Snape.

Hermione turned white. The faintest blush could be found on Snape's cheeks.

He recovered first. "Good morning Miss Granger, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley."

Hermione could barely speak. "Good morning Professor." The other two looked on in disgust.

"I am surprised to see you three at Hogwarts over Christmas. I would have thought you would have been at the Burrow." Snape was unusually pleasant.

"We—I stayed to take advantage of the library to study. Harry and Ron are keeping me company. I thought there would be fewer distractions here." Hermione struggled to lift her eyes to Snape.

"I see. Well, I hope that you enjoy the rest of your break. Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, ensure that Miss Granger does not make herself sick again. Happy Christmas." Snape nodded to them and continued down the corridor.

"Blimey, that was weird. What's gotten into Snape?" Ron asked.

"I dunno. D'you think he actually enjoys the holidays?" Harry didn't know what to say.

Hermione remained silent. He had never called her friends Mr. Potter or Mr. Weasley before. It had always been "Potter" or "Weasley" at least, if not in a thoroughly disgust, angry, or condescending tone. Could he have actually listened to her that night? Were these changes out of respect, perhaps even love for her?