Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own the Harry Potter series. All I own is the clothes on my back, and I really don't own those either as my parents bought them.

Thank you everyone for your reviews. I never expected this much of a positive reaction. :D There was a question on how to pronounce Septimus' last name. It's CAR like a motor vehicle and the end is like the beginning of the word SEE. Don't pronounce the E's though. Carce. lol. I hope that was good enough to explain how to say it. I'm not good at explaining things, I don't think.

10 points to the first person that can find the Monty Python quote. It's not really hard to find it you've seen the movie. I love that movie...

Chapter Eight

"Don't you dare, Miss Granger!" Madam Polinski's voice rang out harshly, and I flinched. I had been reaching for my clothes that were hanging on the back of the door. Madam Polinski took sadistic pleasure in keeping me in these ugly and unflattering hospital gowns. So far I hadn't been able to get within five feet of my clothes without Polinski warning me. She must have put a spell on the floor to alert her when I move. Damn women. Where're my friends when I need them? Septimus said he'd stay the night two nights ago but he never did, now he's not visiting...when I get out, he will pay!

"MUAHAHAHAHAHA!" Just the thought of what I could do to him made me cackle madly. Yes, he will pay! "MUAHAHAHAHA!"

"Having fun, Miss Granger?" I whipped around to find Dumbledore and his entourage in the doorway. They were surveying me with varying looks of amusement, disdain, and suspicion. I refused to blush at what I must have sounded like, laughing like a maniac standing in the middle of the hospital floor. Instead, I blew a wet raspberry at them and sat down cross-legged on the floor. I entertained the brief idea that I could flash them, but decided that not even the looks on their faces would be worth it.

"I'm having loads of fun. I just enjoy being locked up in a hospital room. 'Tis so much fun. I can't wait to get attacked again just so I can wake up and have to take potions and do nothing. Oh, I'm sorry. Forgive me for being rude. How are you!" I snarled. My head was pounding; I was tired, bored, and lonely. The last thing I wanted was these people treating me like I was diseased. I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead. I sighed. Septimus may not like these people, but he'd be disappointed that I was so rude.

"I'm sorry." These two words seemed to have a profound effect on the people. They seemed taken aback. I forced myself not to smirk. "I'm having a terrible week." I refused to explain myself to them any farther, although judging by the looks on their faces they expected me to elaborate. I blinked at them and turned my attention towards the window. I wish I could run outside and just lay in the sun, the wind blowing my hair...totally relaxed. Instead, I'm stuck in the hospital wing with the Hogwarts staff staring at me, and a horrible headache.

I heard a knock at the door and jumped at the chance to be able to talk to someone who didn't hate my very being.

"Come in!" Septimus stepped through the doorway, a goofy grin on his face. I rolled my eyes and continued staring out the window. Septimus must have been with Fields. He only looks deliriously happy when he's just been with her. He won't be much company. I sighed, suddenly wishing I had been allowed to choose a school in America, where it was rumored that students could leave the grounds when they wanted to and party all the time. I could use a little excitement right now.

"Hello Miss Granger. How are you this fine morning?" I gritted my teeth and mentally cursed Fields. I need a friend right now and all I have is a lovesick professor. I grimaced at him but didn't answer. I turned my attention back towards the window and watched a bird fly by. Dumbledore cleared his throat and I turned my eyes towards him. I kept my face blank and my eyes on his nose.

"We have come, child, to set a time for reviewing your memories. If you want to do them now..."

"No. Not right now, please. I want to wait until a couple days after I leave the hospital." Dumbledore nodded in agreement but Snape interrupted.

"That's all fine and well for you, Granger, but what about us? We have duties we must perform. What if we are not available a couple of days from now?" I turned my eyes slowly towards Snape and met his eyes.

"Well, that's too fucking bad, now isn't it?" With that said, I turned back towards the window. Dumbledore once again cleared his throat. Must be a nervous habit. The idea of Dumbledore being nervous almost made me want to smile. Almost.

"Well, we'll just clear out. It seems that Professor Carce has something to say. We bid you good day." Dumbledore turned and walked out the door, the rest following. Snape looked back, a curious expression on his face before sweeping out the door. I turned back towards Septimus. He was still standing there looking like a dumbass.

"Whatever it is, spit it out." The haze in his eyes cleared and he looked at me seriously.

"Madam Polinski has informed me that you are being released from the hospital after classes are done for the day. You may gather your things and wait until she comes to get you. You may only leave when Polinski comes to get you, nobody else." Happiness soared up inside me and I couldn't keep a smile from appearing on my face. I jumped up and gave Septimus a hug.

"Yes! I can't wait!"

"Unfortunately, Mia, you have to wait another half hour. When classes are over, please adjourn to my classroom. We need to catch up on your apprentice lessons." My smile, if possible, grew even wider. Working with Septimus was great fun and the potions part just made it even better.

"Mia, we're going to have a spectator with us from now on. Severus needs to create some potion for the Dark Lord and he needs some private space to do it in. They already know we're friends, so it won't change much." Darn. Snape always ruins everything! Oh well. Nothing I can do. I nodded my head.

"Great. See you in a half hour." He walked out of the room and I began to gather my things. Toothbrush...clothes... ..I made the bed and set all my stuff on the chair next to the door. I then put on the extra pair of clothes I had left unpacked and waited. The next half hour passed quickly as I thought of all the things I was going to do when I got out. Party...quidditch...reading...talking! Oh gods, how I miss someone to talk to...and classes! I'll be going back to my classes! I was so in thought that I was startled when Polinski spoke from behind me.

"Miss Granger, you can leave now." Before Polinski could say another thing I was grabbing my stuff and out the door. As I ran down the corridor, past the library, past the DADA classroom, I let out a yell.

"FREEEEEDOOOOOOOMMMM! HAHAHAHAHAHA!" I was running so fast that I passed the Hogwarts people as they walked down a corridor that lead to the Great Hall. They looked startled at my laughing. I gave another mad cackle as I ran past, then let out another yet.

"FRRRRRRREEEEEEEDDDDDOOOOOOMMMMM!" I wasn't sure, but I thought I heard them calling my name. I ignored them and ran into the Great Hall. I pushed open the doors hard enough for them to bang against the walls. Quieting, everyone turned towards me and the noise level rose as everyone began to whisper to each other. And why not? I've been missing for unexplained reasons for the past couple of days. I mean, it's not like Tubby's going to announce I was attacked. And they've got to know I was in the hospital wing. I waited until the whispers died down. I spotted Tabby, Jon, and the rest sitting at our usual seats. I grinned at them and waved a little.

"FREEDOM! YOU SHALL NEVER GET ME AGAIN, DR. EVIL!" A titter swept through the room as everyone realized that 'Dr. Evil' was Madam Polinski. I cackled one more time for good measure and ran out of the room feeling much better than I had before (if that was possible). Jogging towards my common room, I made sure to take a back way so I wouldn't run into anybody from Hogwarts. I took a corridor they most likely didn't know about, coming out behind a huge statue next to the common room entrance. I said the password and climbed through. Dumping my stuff in my room and nodding in greeting to those still in the common room as I passed, I swept out the door and down the hall. My footsteps quickened as I neared the dungeon.

Snape's going to be there, Septimus might not be exactly as open as he usually is. So I'm not in for a completely awesome time, but it'll still be good. I just hope Snape doesn't piss Septimus off. He's so damn grumpy and inconsolable when he's grumpy or depressed. Still, it'll be nice to relax and just hang out instead of just laying around.

I entered Septimus' classroom to find it empty. This wasn't a cause for alarm as Septimus usually waited inside his private workspace for me. There was a feeling in the air...it seemed almost like tension. Ah, Snape must already be in there. I walked across the room to the office and stood before the small bookcase behind the desk. I pulled out my wand tapped the red books on the bottom shelf.

"Ineo." I spoke the password and the bookshelf shimmered. It wavered just like heated air did above a blazing fire. The bookcase finally disappeared, leaving a doorway just big enough for a full-grown man to fit into. I stepped into the room and instantly noticed Septimus and Snape, wands drawn, standing inches from each other. They were snarling words at each other so fast that I couldn't understand what they were saying.

What do I do? Do I interrupt? Won't that make them turn their anger towards me? Do I just let them go at it? But then they could end up killing each other and I don't really want to explain to Tubby why he's one potion's master short. I settled for staying where I was and trying to catch their attention discreetly.

"Ahem." Nope. Didn't work. They still looked like dogs fighting over a juicy bone. Now what? Um...well making Septimus laugh usually makes him calm down. But what should I sing? After a few moments reflection, I hit upon the perfect song. A grin spread across my face as I began to sing.

"Your mean one, Mr. Grinch

You really are a heel

You're as cuddly as a cactus

Your as charming as an eel

Mr. Grinch

You're a bad banana with a greasy black peel

Your monster, Mr. Grinch

Your heart's an empty hole

Your brain is full of spiders

You've got garlic in your soul

Mr. Grinch

I wouldn't touch you with a 39 and a half foot pole

You're a vile one, Mr. Grinch

You've got termites in your smile

You have all the tender sweetness of a seasick crocodile

Mr. Grinch

Given the choice between the both of you I'd take the a seasick crocodile

You're a foul one, Mr. Grinch

You're a nasty wasty skunk

Your heart is full of unwashed socks

Your sole is full of gunk

Mr. Grinch

The 3 words that best describe you are as follows, and I quote

Stink, Stank, Stunk

You're a rotter, Mr. Grinch

You're the king of sinful sots

Your hearts a dead tomato squashed with moldy purple spots

Mr. Grinch

Your sole is an appalling dump heap

Overflowing with the most disgraceful

Assortment of deplorable rubbish

Imaginable, mangled up in tangled up knots

You nauseate me, Mr. Grinch

With a nauseous super "naus"

You're a crooked dirty jockey and,

You drive a crooked hoss

Mr. Grinch

You're a 3 Decker sauerkraut and toadstool sandwich

With arsenic sauce!" By the time I was finished both men were looking at me in bewilderment. They're wands were still pointed at each other, but they no longer looked like they were going to rip each other apart. I grinned and curtsied. Septimus burst into laughter and let his arm drop. He clapped his hands and whistled.

"Bravo! Bravo!" I grinned again and curtsied once more. I cautiously walked forward. While Septimus no longer looked fit to kill, Snape still did. There was an unpleasant glimmer in his eyes, and one eye was even twitching.

"Didn't you like my performance, Professor? I sung in especially for you. I thought it fitting." Snape's lips curled and his twitch became more pronounced. I'd seen him worse only once before--in third year when we were in the Shrieking shack. Taunting him might not be the wisest course, but it sure was fun.

"Nothing on this Earth could have made me enjoy your scratchy voice, Granger. I advise you to avoid singing at all costs, public and private." Instead of being offended, I simply smiled more.

"Next time I'll give you an encore." I turned my back towards Snape and gave Septimus the puppy dog eyes. He immediately became suspicious.

"Septimus, you know you love me, right?" He raised an eyebrow in response.

"Say, 'yes Hermione'."

"Yes, Hermione." He replied dutifully. I smiled happily.

"Good boy! Do you think you could get me a headache potion?" I fluttered my eyes at him for good measure. He laughed at my antics and shook his head. "All you had to do was ask." He grabbed the potion and handed it to me.

"More fun this way," I replied, giving him a cheeky wink before knocking back the potion. He took the glass and set it in the sink.

"Hermione, I need to gather some ingredients from the forest behind the school. Severus will watch your progress on your potion for me. Please don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"Which isn't much." I snorted. He shrugged good-naturedly. He nodded to Snape and gave him a warning look before walking out of the room. I turned towards Snape and watched as he walked to a cauldron in the farthest corner of the room.

"Well? Get moving girl! Don't tell me you don't know how to figure out which potion Septimus set for you to do and brew it." He sneered. I sighed and rolled my eyes.

"Of course, Professor. I was just..." Here I trailed off as I checked him out. Not bad for a bastard. Great hands. "Enjoying the view." I finished. Snape turned a faint pink color and narrowed his eyes. I gave him my best 'I'm-so-innocent' look, which wasn't very innocent at all. and walked towards the only table with another cauldron on it. I quickly reviewed the notes and started in immediately. We were making basic healing potions for Madam Polinski, as there had been an 'incident' while I was incapacitated. I quickly lost myself in the preparation and brewing. It was only until I felt like someone was staring that I was jerked back to Earth.

"Is there something you need, Professor?" I asked without turning around. The feeling persisted, so I turned around. Snape was watching me with an opaque look on his face. I raised an eyebrow at him. He continued to stare. I sighed and returned to my work. Nothing I say will make him stop. He'd only watch more just to spite me. Evil git.

"This is the song that never ends...it just goes on and on my friends...someone started singing it not knowing what it was...and they'll continue singing it forever just because...this is the song that never ends...it just goes on and on my-"

"Miss Granger! Kindly desist in singing that ridiculous song."

"Alright, sir. I'll stop singing that song." He grunted in approval and continued to create whatever potion it was he was making. I waited until Snape was deep in his work before I started again.

"I know a song that gets on everyone's nerves...everyone's nerves, everyone's nerves...Oh I know a song that gets on everyone's nerves and this is how it goes: I know a song that get's on everyone's nerve's, everyone's nerves, everyone's nerves and this is-"

"Miss Granger! Do SHUT UP!"

I stared at him silently.

"Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?" My only response was a glare. I shrugged and turned back towards my potion. I grinned evilly. Oh yes, you will pay.

"Where is thumpkin? Where is thumpkin? Here I am. Here I am. How are you this morning? Very well; I thank you. Run away. Run away." I paused in my singing to add clover, and then started a new song.

"A tisket. A tasket. A green and yellow basket. I wrote a letter to my love, but on the way I dropped it. I dropped it, I dropped it, and on the way I dropped it. A little boy picked it up, and put it in his pocket." I was just about to start another song when I was (rudely) interrupted.

"AAAAAAAAAGGGHHHH! MISS GRANGER!" I turned and again smiled innocently at Snape.

"I'm sorry, sir. Was that bothering you?" He made a strangling sound deep in his throat. I blinked several times. Snape stalked forward and stopped inches from my face. He looked extremely annoyed and pissed off.

"Granger, you are without a doubt the most annoying and idiotic child I have ever met." His lips were inches from mine, and I could feel his breath on my face. I fought not to lean forward and kiss him. What the hell is wrong with me? Am I sick? I have Zac Renoylds in love with me and I want to kiss the most annoying, bastardish, standoffish, git of them all and he's a professor to boot! A voice added. He smelled of potions, herb, and some scent that smelled wonderful. I moved my gaze from his lips to his eyes. His eyes were a beautiful. They weren't dark brown, but black. Obsidian. His eyes were like tunnels...I could almost feel myself falling into them. I leaned forward slightly and I heard Snape's breathing hitch. My gaze slid from his eyes back down to his lips. Merlin. I want to kiss him so bad...NO! Nononononono! Bad, bad Hermione! Down girl! Get a hold of yourself!

Luckily, at that moment, the classroom door slammed shut. Snape and I jumped away from each other guiltily. I slammed into the table, nearly tipping over the cauldron. Snape stumbled over an uneven stone on the floor but managed to catch himself. Septimus ran in, looking wild. His eyes were wide and glazed. His hair was everywhere and his clothes were all askew.

"What is it? What's happened?" I sounded calm, but inside my heart was pounding. Was I actually going to kiss Snape? Later. Think about Snape later. Something's definitely wrong. I darted forward and grabbed Septimus. He gazed down at me. I snapped my fingers in front of his face and that seemed to snap him out of whatever daze he'd been in.

"We need to report to the Great Hall, now. Everybody's supposed to. If you know of anybody who's not in the common rooms, classrooms, or the Great Hall let me know."

"Why? What's happening?" My grip on his arm was so tight my fingers were turning white. I glanced towards Snape and felt a jolt go down into my stomach. He looked so alone...No. No, Snape doesn't need anybody, and certainly not you. I turned my attention back to Septimus. He swallowed once. I now noticed his face was a pale color, almost sickly. My heart started to pound and I felt light-headed.

"Aries...Aries is..."

"Yes?" I asked at the same moment Snape snapped, "Spit it out already."

"Aries is under attack."

No, this is not nearthe end of the story. I still plan on writing quite a bit more. I know, cliffhangers are evil. I was having trouble with this chapter, but thanks to my beta it all worked out. She had some great suggestions for Writer's Block, so give a big thanks to Apryl. Next chapter: A fight between Voldemort's evil forces and the two schools. In the next chapter we'll be introduced to Club Zone. Woo-hoo! Finally...lol. There will be Snapes POV in the next chapter as well. Well, enjoy and don't forget to review please!