A/N: Hey Everyone here's the next chapter hope you enjoy. It gets very interesting. Oh and for everyone to know I update every 2 weeks so here's Chapter 3.

Chapter 3 Decisions

Flashback:

"Okay Severus calm down," Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling as he watched the man in front of him pace the room back and forth. "You're making me dizzy."

Snape stopped his pacing looking at the Headmaster before finally taking a seat in one of the armchairs. "Well then what are we supposed to do?" Snape sighed laying his arms on the armrests slouching further into the chair. "We can't just sit back and do nothing Dumbledore Miss Granger is in danger," Snape finished loudly. He looked at the Headmaster who had his hands pressed together in front of him, calmly staring back. If yelling was the only way to get through to him that Miss Granger was in grave danger, then so be it.

"Severus, she is in no more danger than she is when she's accompanying Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley on their escapades." A smile crossed Dumbledore's face before he continued. "But if you don't min me asking, why do you care?" Dumbledore leaned forward his spectacles falling lower, awaiting an answer.

Whatever Snape was preparing for, this wasn't it. "I don't," he faltered in a whisper. "It's just the school doesn't need another death on its shoulders," he finished lamely.

Albus nodded his head, eyes lighting up. "I thought as much. But rest assured Miss Granger is quite capable of taking care of herself. But if you insist I have a rather interesting proposition," Dumbledore mentioned, reaching into one of his many desk drawers. A moment later a sound of triumph reached Severus's ears as a purple vial was placed on top of Dumbledore's desk. Staring at him, mocking him for what Albus had in store for him. "You could protect Miss Granger."

Snape looked up confusedly, meeting the Headmaster's gaze. "How the hell could I do that?"

"Easily…"

Hermione awoke the next morning, lying in the same hospital bed she had inhabited the past few days. She had no idea why she was still there. There was nothing wrong with her except for a few cuts and bruises, but they had already healed. So the only other way she was there was because of Dumbledore's orders. But still things had their limitations and this was one of them.

Hermione rolled onto her side to only find the lunatic nurse heading her way. 'Duck,' Hermione thought before burrowing her head within the pillow. "Oh stop your fussing," she heard Madam Pomfrey sigh. "The Headmaster says you are free to go." The nurse put her hands on her hips as she watched Hermione leap out of the bed, changing as fast as humanly possible, before exiting the infirmary altogether. Madam Pomfrey huffed before strutting back to her office.

The students scurried through the corridors anxiously heading toward the Great Hall for breakfast as Hermione made her way up to her Head Girl room. Seeing as it was Sunday. Hermione was fully prepared to do her homework before she would do anything else, except for a shower. She desperately needed a shower, bath, or something. Being cooped up in that Hospital Wing didn't do anyone any good.

A few minutes later Hermione entered the common room she shared with the Head Boy and made her way into her room. She took one look around and jumped on her bed, thankful for being in her own room again. Her head was facing the ceiling, just breathing in the scent of her room, before she sighed getting off the bed ready for a bath.

She gathered her clothes and opened the door to the bathroom. She set her clothes down before taking off her clothes, but as she reached up, she caught something from the corner of her eyes. Eyebrows wrinkling together she made her way into the other part of the bathroom. But as soon as Hermione entered she screamed and turned around. "Oh my God… I'm so sorry… so sorry," she repeated her face bright red. She put her head in her hands shaking her head back and forth before bringing it back up biting her lip. "I'll… I'll just leave," she finished making her way back through the bathroom into her room closing the door forgetting her clothes.

As soon as the door closed, Hermione turned around and laid her back against the door. "Stupid, stupid, stupid," she said repeatedly each time banging her head against the door before sliding down the length of the door. She brought her knees inward before putting her head on top sighing along the way.

Later that night, Hermione brought her head up from the book she was reading, hearing a faint knock on her door. 'This must be the new Head Boy,' she thought embarrassedly from that day's earlier events and headed toward the door.

A moment later she threw, open the door to reveal the hottest she had ever seen, before fainting. He pushed his way into her room catching her before she hit the ground. "Well that went well," he said sarcastically looking down at Hermione. Her hair cascaded down her shoulders hiding the slight blush present on her cheeks.

The Head Boy laughed to himself at the predicament he was now in. He took his attention off Hermione and looked around her room for a place to put her. Well he couldn't just stay holding her there forever, he didn't want her to fall. So before he could drop her, he quickly scooped her in his arms and padded across her room depositing her ceremoniously on the bed. He then proceeded into the bathroom looking for a cold washcloth. Finding one, he reentered her room to find her awake looking around confusedly. "Will you lay down?" he snapped softly.

Hermione obeyed still looking at him. He was indeed hot. He had the blackest hair that came just above his shoulders, with obsidian black eyes, with grey streaks apparent in it. His body looked to be even better. Muscles were outlined through the black shirt he was currently wearing. 'Okay get a hold of yourself girl it's just a guy,' she told herself. She looked up at him, "I'm sorry."

He walked over to her putting the cold washcloth on her head. "For what?" he asked.

Hermione looked away. "For walking in on you earlier," she blushed thankful he couldn't see.

"Oh that's okay," he brushed off smiling. 'I didn't think I could still do that.' "By the way the names Severus." He held out his hand expecting her to shake it.

"Wait," Hermione exclaimed sitting up, "are you related to Professor Snape?"

He nodded not sure what to say next. "I'm his…" 'think, think,' … nephew." 'That's believable.' "Why is that so hard to believe," he smirked.

"Well… yeah," she said shyly, not wanting to hurt his feelings.

"Don't worry I get that a lot," he smiled. "Anyway, by any chance do you have a name?"

"Oh sorry," she said sheepishly holding out her hand, "Hermione, Hermione Granger."

He brought her hand up to his mouth kissing it lightly, "Nice to meet you Hermione."

Hermione watched Severus plant a kiss on her hand, her eyes widening, but when he looked up at her she couldn't but be saddened. As soon as they went down to the Great Hall every girl in school would be after him and she would be forgotten just like everything else.

Severus watched as a saddened look came across Hermione's face and wondered what could be bothering her. He let her hand down and looked around playing dumb. "I'm guessing your in Gryffindor," stated.

"What?" she said coming back into reality.

"You. Gryffindor."

"Oh yeah. How about you?" she asked curiously. 'He's probably in Slytherin.'

"Gryffindor."

Hermione gasped, "Really and you're Head Boy?" 'He's perfect.' He nodded maybe this wouldn't be so hard after all.

The next morning proved to be just that for Snape. Trying to be a totally different person but not at the same time was interesting. Very interesting indeed.

Hermione restlessly awoke the next morning from a night full of dreams involving the new student currently sharing a dorm with her. 'It was so weird,' she thought sitting up. The sheets slowly fell down her body, 'It's as though I already know him.' Hermione laughed at her stupidity, "That's impossible." She then proceeded to dress herself quickly and then gathering her books together, putting them into her bag, before looking down at her watch. "Oh shit!" she blurted out the door running down skipping 2 steps at a time.

She expected Severus was probably already heading to his first class of the day, since she always managed to sleep in missing breakfast completely sometimes. But what she didn't expect as she stopped on the bottom step was Severus sitting on the couch casually eating a muffin staring off into oblivion. 'God he's hot,' her mind echoed. 'Oh stop it,' she scolded herself. 'Now just run by him and head out the portrait like you were going to do a moment ago,' Hermione told herself taking a deep breath. She then took off running by him like he wasn't even there.

Severus sat on the couch mindlessly eating a muffin thinking about how he was going to pull off his first day of classes. He hadn't been in school in over 20 years. But his thoughts were interrupted as a blur ran by him. Realizing it was Hermione he called, "Where are you going?"

"Classes," she threw back not stopping to answer, causing Severus to look at his watch. He muttered a few obscene curses under his breath, before taking off after Hermione. "Wait up," he yelled.

Hermione smiled before continuing faster than before. She could just see the potions classroom just ahead, and she didn't want another detention. So when she entered the potions classroom a moment later, Severus right behind her, she quickly took her seat ignoring the curious glances sent her way.

Severus not looking around, sat down next to Hermione, completely unaware of all the girls watching him, wistful stares present on their faces.

Hermione turned to look behind her and scoffed at what she saw. "I knew it," she mumbled watching as 5 girls headed toward Severus.

"Knew what?" Severus queried, fidgeting anxiously awaiting his substitute for the remainder of the year.

"Nothing," she shrugged turning back around. Severus stopped his fidgeting and directed his attention toward Hermione. Something was definitely wrong and he was determined to find out. But just as he opened his mouth, one of the doors leading into the potions classroom creaked opened.

The chatter died down immediately in the classroom all eyes directed at the door. Expecting to see Professor Snape the students gasped as someone else strolled through the door. 'That's my replacement,' Severus groaned earning a withering look from Hermione. 'This years going to be hell.'

"Welcome," he started his gaze moving from one student to another. "It's so good to see you all again," Lupin smiled, his eyes landing on Severus. "And who might you be?" he questioned. Professor Lupin's tattered gray robes billowed around as he made his way towards Severus stopping just before him.

"Severus Snape," he stated blandly, sending a glare at Lupin, making him chuckle to himself.

The class gasped noting the similar appearance of the man in front of them to the Potions Professor. "I'm guessing you're related to Professor Snape?"

Severus nodded, "Yes I'm his nephew."

"Alright then welcome Mr. Snape to Hogwarts and we'll see if you're as good as our Potions Master," he smiled walking behind Severus. "I don't remember you quite the ladies man back at school," Lupin whispered in his ear, before strolling back to the front of the classroom.

'He's never going to let me live this down… hey wait what does he mean?'

'Now I know what he means,' Severus sighed sitting down next to Hermione at the Gryffindor Table. He was doing fine being a 17 year old, until all the girls started flocking, talking and flirting with him. By the time, he got stopped in the hallway for the 10th time he had remembered why he had given up on girls.

Hermione watched Severus shake his head rubbing his eyes. Something was bothering him. "So Severus how did you like your classes so far?" she chatted aimlessly dishing herself a decent size lunch.

He shrugged, "Fine I guess. It wasn't what I thought it would be." 'That's for sure.' Severus brought his head up and filled his own plate with food, before looking around the Great Hall. The view was definitely different from where he sat at the Head Table. But now his eat was currently occupied by none other than Lupin. Who decided to look that way at that exact moment and winked before turning away.

'The nerve,' Severus seethed increasing his grip on the fork he was currently holding.

"Severus," Hermione chuckled, earning his attention, "are you trying to eat your lunch or turn into soup?"

Snape looked down at his plate and smirked sheepishly. "No…" but he never finished that sentence as a tap on the shoulder interrupted him.

They both turned around to find another girl obviously waiting to introduce herself and probably flirt like all the others. Hermione took one look at the beautiful girl standing behind him. "I think I'll go," she responded sadly, gathering her books, "I'll see you back in the common room."

Severus nodded and turned toward the girl. This was going to be harder than he thought.

Hermione wistfully glanced behind her back watching Severus talk to another girl before heading out of the Great Hall, unaware of someone following her. Making sure she had everything, she headed back to her common room.

The hallways were unusually quiet for that time of day, but didn't press the matter anymore. Until she heard footsteps behind her. Hermione stopped and so did the footsteps. 'It's probably just my imagination,' she thought continuing on her way except for the prospect of the footsteps picking up again faster. But before she knew what happened she was up against the wall, a hand against her throat, and she was staring into the blue-gray eyes of Malfoy junior.

"Well hello Mudblood," he snarled, "nice seeing you here."

Severus had finally gotten rid of another girl and deserted the Great hall in search for Hermione.

Draco slapped Hermione, "Why so silent?"

"Maybe because I want to," seethed Hermione as Malfoy tightened his grip around her neck and brought her up off the ground, her toes grazing the ground.

"You're lucky Professor Snape was around last time," he whispered in her ear. Hermione involuntary shuddered as Draco's hands started roaming her body.

Snape stopped short in the corridor as he heard sounds vibrating off a hallway to his right. It almost sounded like whimpering. 'No it couldn't. Could it? Yes it could,' thought Snape taking off running down the corridor, robes billowing around him.

Hermione was quickly losing air as she felt the bruises forming along her neck. But something happened. Hermione's eyes glowed red. 'Oh no,' she thought.

But at that exact moment Draco stopped as the sound of footsteps could be heard approaching. He took one last look at Hermione. "This isn't over Mudblood," he said before running off in the opposite direction.

As soon as Draco's grip was gone from Hermione's neck, she slid down the wall onto the floor, before Severus appeared around the corner out of breath. He stopped in his tracks as he saw Hermione cowering against the wall a few lone tears cascading down her face. Looking around he found no on. So what could have possibly happened?

Hermione wiped the tears from her eyes and proc4eeded to take a mirror out of her bag. The mirror was brought up to her face as she closely examined her eyes. 'Oh good they're not red anymore,' she thought relieved. But she couldn't quite get that feeling from the pit of her stomach that something was going to happen and soon. So before Hermione could do anything else, she gathered her books and headed to class, leaving a very perplexed person lurking in the shadows.

Later that night, Hermione sat on her bed finishing her homework, while Severus pondered, pacing his room back and forth. He had survived his first day, but at what cost? How long could he keep this up? He was a 37-year-old man that was now a 17 year old all over again. Could his life get any worse? But what puzzled him even more was Miss Granger. Especially what had happened to her this afternoon? This and many more questions filled his head into the night, as the moon came out.

So when Snape finally fell asleep. It was around midnight. But as one fell asleep another awoke.

Her red eyes pierced the darkness of her room as she sat up in her bed panic filling her. She needed to speak to Dumbledore and now; she decided getting up out of bed, gathering her cloak, heading downstairs.

The Tower she shared now looked as deserted as it was now covered in darkness, she thought padding quickly across the room and out of the portrait looking behind her every so often.

Stepping into the corridor Hermione journeyed to Dumbledore's office all the while trying not to get caught but at the same time getting there as fast as she could.

The hallways were dead silent except for the soft 'thump' of her shoes every so often, which echoed off the walls. But every sound deceased as she approached the statue of the gargoyle, who looked at her confusedly.

"Lemon drops," Hermione whispered and headed up the moving staircases. Not bothering to knock, she pressed the handle and opened the door. The Headmaster was sitting at his desk obviously waiting for her. Hermione ran up to Dumbledore's desk out o breath, "They're coming!"

A/N: Hey everyone did you like? Well I want you guys to surprise me with how many reviewsI can get until the next chapter. Make me happy please. Adn one last thing, if you have any ideas for this story please let me know I alwaysneed ideas and I'd love to hear them. So until the next chapter, Ciao!