Disclaimer:

So one day, I says to the lawyers,

'Tis not mine I say.'

And they turned to me and I continued my plea,

'Please don't sue me, please don't sue'.

For their reply, was a relief, and I sighed,

'We know you're not she,

the creator of these,

for it's fan fiction you write and you claimed it just right'.

A/N: Sorry about the horrible poem above… please don't be cruel to me because of it. I'll just go and hide my head in shame now.

Also, sorry for the delay, but my writing muse has abandoned me. The only muse hanging around here is the evil one that is making me do all the horrible house remodeling work. Perhaps if I finish…. I'll be allowed to write again. One can only hope.


Face to face, toe to toe
Where we'll stop, heaven knows
Arm in arm, cheek to cheek, who's to blame
Hand in hand, heart to heart
We never should have let it start
But its too late, we've shared it all
Now it's time to share the blame

-- The One and Only Mr. Cole


sssSSSHHHhhh


"You, my dear, are positively glowing." Minerva noted to Hermione as the younger woman took a seat next to her at the table in the staff room.

"I am?" Hermione asked, the color in her cheeks reddening a little more.

"You are." Minerva watched as Hermione dug through the side bag she was carrying with her and brought out some parchment and a traveling quill. "What is it that has you, a woman with lead in her feet, walking around with her head in the clouds?"

Hermione gave a soft sigh and smiled. "Severus of course."

"Of course," Minerva chuckled.

"I had the most wonderful time with him on Friday." Hermione said, clearly excited about the fact that he had even bothered to play chess with her at all. "We even played two more games after you left and had the most wonderful discussion about the modernization of potion making."

"Modernization?" Minerva questioned, one of her eyebrows rising in speculation. This is what they chose to talk about when they were alone? Potion making? No wonder these two kids were having such a hard time getting together. It was a miracle they didn't bore each other to tears. Thankfully no one had been around to hear said discussion; there would have been a lot of crying in the faculty room that evening. "Sounds lovely," Minerva finished, plastering on a fake smile, hoping that Hermione wouldn't torture her with details.

"After we had a rather serious debate on the matter, I believe he'll be willing to test out a few ideas."

"This is a good thing?" Minerva ventured.

"This is a great thing," Hermione exclaimed. "I'll be able to work with him. Alone." Hermione grinned at the older woman.

"Why, you Slytherin you," Minerva chuckled. "I swear the sorting hat made a mistake when it comes to you."

Minerva wouldn't have thought it to be physically possible for her smile to get any larger, but it did the second Severus came into the room. Hermione was practically undressing the man with her eyes; no doubt the rest of the faculty was aware of her infatuation if the face of complete adoration she was giving Severus was any clue. To bad the boy didn't realize it when a woman looked at him like that.

"Honestly girl. No matter how hard you stare, you'll never be able to see through his robes," Minerva whispered, causing Hermione to duck her head away from Severus' direction. Hermione then proceeded to blush straight up to her hairline.

"I can't help it." Hermione replied, in an equally low whisper.

"He is looking healthier, if I do say so myself. Some rest and relaxation has done him some good," Minerva said, watching as Severus took his customary seat across the table from them. "The children will be happy to have him back, especially after having to deal with you for a week teachings potions."

"I thought I did just fine, considering."

"Considering you took on some of Severus' not so pleasant teaching habits."

"I thought they worked just fine," Hermione replied with a huff, but then remember the incident that involved her hair. "At least for the most part, not including some of the more free willed Slytherins that didn't take to my teaching methods one bit."

They both grew silent as Albus started the meeting.

At least an hour into Albus' endless talking, he glanced up again at Professor Granger; only to see her dart her eyes back towards her notes. Several times he had caught her looking in his direction during the meeting, but there was nothing in her thoughts that would lead him to why she had such a fascination in his person this evening. Instead, her thoughts were full of cutting remarks about the topics that Albus was discussing. There was no way that he would admit it out loud, but he found her mental commentary as Albus spoke to be much like his own, especially as Albus talked about the preparations for the next Hogsmeade weekend.

During this discussion, Severus found himself transfixed on the witch sitting across from him at the table. Professor Granger was watching Albus as he spoke, one hand busily taking notes on what needed to be done before Saturday, while the other hand found a stray lock of hair that had escaped from her bun and she began winding it between her fingers. Severus watched, transfixed as the chestnut lock of hair wound its way through her fingers. He continued to watch as she tucked the stray lock of hair behind her ear. Those same, delicate fingers, traveled across her ear, trailed down her neck, and rested slowly back on the table top beside its mate.

At that moment, Severus' mind once again pointed out the fact that she was pretty. His mouth began to water, wondering what it would be like to taste the path her fingers had just traveled. Not only his mind went into overdrive about Professor Granger, but his body this time as well. All the woman had done was tuck a stray piece of hair behind her ear and he was reacting like a bloody hormonal teenager.

Severus shifted uncomfortably in his chair and prayed that no one noticed his compromised state.

He began to ponder the possibility of courting Professor Granger as Albus began to go over the list of students that didn't have permission slips signed in order to be allowed freedom from the castle the coming weekend. He couldn't deny the fact that he heard Professor Granger mentally voice her attraction for him while they were playing chess, leading him to believe he at least had some chance of receiving a positive response from her. She did, after all, wonder what he looked like naked. What man wouldn't want to fulfill a female's query on such a subject?

Severus drummed his fingers on the table, wondering what step he should take first in the delicate process of courting Professor Granger. More importantly though, would be when should he take the first step? She seemed to have enjoyed their time together Friday evening playing chess; perhaps he could propose another night of chess playing? Severus wondered if he should invite Professor Granger to his quarters, or if he should propose another game in the lounge? Would she even go to his quarters? Would such an offer scare her off more than attract her? If she did agree to come to his quarters, he'd definitely have more proof that she was interested in him, and not just the idea of playing chess. Perhaps she would be up to playing other games besides just chess? The fantasy of playing more adult orientated games with Professor Granger had him shifting in his chair yet again.

Now there was only the problem of asking said woman to a night of chess playing in his private quarters. A room that no other staff member, save for Poppy and Albus, had ever seen before.

Severus looked back up at Professor Granger again. Her head was resting, propped up in her hand as she listened to Albus. Her eyes were only open in tiny slats and they would slowly close and open again, her lashes almost touching her cheeks. He couldn't help but ease drop on her inner commentary.

"If I have to hear one more time of how Mr. Anderson has a problem getting lost in Hogsmeade, I'm going to scream. Why do we even let that boy come along? It took me three hours and a locating spell to find him last time. Honestly." Severus couldn't help but agree with Professor Granger's assessment of Mr. Anderson. The boy really did require being put on a leash.

It amazed him though how she was so suddenly animated once Albus dismissed everyone for the evening. The prospect of finally being done with the meeting had everyone in the room jumping to their feet and hurrying away.

Now that everyone was either gone or in the process of leaving made this a perfect time for Severus to corner Albus so that he could ask him a quick question. Hopefully the old man would be able to help him out with his little request.

"Albus," Severus began, ushering Albus towards a quite corner of the room. He glanced around quickly, making sure that no one was close enough to overhear their conversation.

"What is it my boy?" Albus questioned, giving Severus his undivided attention.

"I have a favor to ask you." Severus began. For some reason, Albus' eyes began to sparkle. "It is about the Virgin's Blood that you are able to get. I was wondering if your private donor would be able to increase their donations so that I can work on a series of healing potions. The revenue from their sales alone—"

"I understand," Albus said with a smile, waving the younger man off for he wasn't going to be tempted with the prospects of revenues from those potions. "I will talk with the young lady as soon as possible. If she agrees, I'll have her set up extra times with Poppy." Albus knew he would have to see if his donator would be able to up the ante so to speak, for he didn't know how long she would be able to continue donating as it was.

"Thank you Albus." Severus sighed, amazed that Albus agreed so quickly. Now he just had to pray that Albus' donor would agree quickly as well, if they agreed at all. He wondered for a second if he would be able to convince Albus of having his donor go out and collect ingredients from the unicorn herd in the forest. Perhaps in time he would be able to make his wishes known, but for now he would settle on the blood.

"Anytime." Albus patted the younger man on the shoulder. He wondered for a second how Severus would take the news about whom the mystery donor really was. After all, after witnessing them playing chess together the other night, it was apparent that the ball was already rolling, so to speak. He didn't know if Severus would put a stop to furthering their relationship if he knew what Hermione was up to on the side. Albus really didn't want to take that chance. He figured that if the two kids ever got that far in their relationship, then Hermione would have to be the one to tell Severus.

Severus turned and left the lounge, giving one last glance towards Professor Granger. Yes, he decided, he would ask her for a game of chess and hopefully she would agree to play again.


sssSSSHHHhhh


Hermione watched as Severus left the room, the ever-present sigh escaping her lips.

"There's not a potion out there that can allow the user to see through clothing, is there?" Hermione questioned off handedly to Minerva as she gathered her notes from the table.

Minerva almost chocked on her own laugh after hearing such a blunt question come from such a once pristine young woman. Hermione though waited patiently for an answer, believing that there was one.

"No." Minerva coughed out. "Even if there was something that would allow you to do that, no doubt it would be illegal because of people like you that would use it for nefarious reasons." Minerva shivered as an image of a naked Severus crossed her mind.

"I'm just curious, that's all." Hermione replied with a large smile.

"Curiosity killed the cat, don't forget."

The women broke up their little private conversation as Albus honed in on Hermione.

"Ah, Hermione dear, may I have a moment of your time?" Albus questioned with a large smile of his own.

"Of course."

"I was hoping that you would agree to making more donations to Poppy."

Hermione watched as his eyebrows bounced with every word, making it hard not to laugh seeing as how he was trying to be subtle with his request considering that Minerva was standing right beside her.

"How many more?" Hermione asked, earning a raised eyebrow as well from Minerva.

"Once a week perhaps?" Albus asked with an innocent smile.

"Once a week?" Hermione blanched.

"It is possible, especially with the usage of certain potions." Albus waited for a response, seeing Hermione's face wrinkle up in thought.

Albus waited for a finite answer.

"I'll talk with Poppy tomorrow." Hermione finished, cursing silently to herself for never being able to refuse the old man. It wasn't bad that she gave donations about every other month, but now he wanted her donate on a weekly basis. Her only thought was that she would have to eat more spinach. She hated spinach.

"Thank you my dear." Albus leaned in and gave her a fatherly hug. "If for any reason, you are no longer able to make said donations, there's no harm done," Albus whispered to her before releasing her.

Hermione couldn't stop the beat red blush that covered her cheeks. "Albus," Hermione scolded. "Honestly. You should be ashamed of yourself." The scolding though did not have its desired effect, but only made the old Headmaster chuckle softly.

Minerva looked on, watching the two talk about something that she had no idea about. She didn't like not knowing. Seeing as how she didn't know, that meant that Albus never told her, and Albus always told her everything. Albus was going to be in some deep trouble once she got a hold of his ear later that night. Not to mention Hermione. She would have to question the young woman about their secret little conversation.

With her face still red from the not so subtle innuendo from Albus, Hermione quickly ushered Minerva out of the lounge and into the hall.

"What was that all about?" Minerva asked.

"Oh, nothing," Hermione replied.

"Nothing?" Minerva questioned skeptically. "Nothing wouldn't change you three different shades of red."

"Fine," Hermione huffed, looking around the hallway to make sure that they were alone. It was about time that she let Minerva in on the little secret anyway. She then grabbed Minerva by the arm and pulled her to sit on one of the stone windowsills. "I do Albus a favor, roughly about once a month." Hermione began, looking around the hallway once more before continuing. "I donate blood." She finished in a whisper.

At this confession, Minerva looked at her with a questionable face. "Why ever would you do that?"

"It was by accident really." Hermione continued. "It was a year ago in the summer. I was visiting Ginny, and it so happened that we had far too much alcohol one evening. Seeing as how Albus has a knack for being in the right place at an embarrassing time, he joined in with some of our drinking and even some of our male bashing."

Minerva chuckled. "It was that lovely summer get together that Molly held?" Minerva asked.

"Exactly." Hermione grinned.

"It was a great party," Minerva said, with a wistful smile of her own on her face.

"Too great if you ask me." Hermione replied with a roll of her eyes. "Continuing with my story, there I was with Ginny and Albus having some of the finest Firewhiskey I have had in a long time. Ginny proceeds in the time honored tradition of male bashing, and then asked my opinion on the subject." At this Hermione's face began to get redder. "Seeing as how I had far to much alcohol in my system at them time, I answered in the most truthful way possible, admitting to the fact that I couldn't give my opinion seeing as how I didn't have the experience to back it up."

"You're still young child," Minerva said, patting Hermione's hand, completely missing the root of the true confession. "They'll be plenty of men that you can tell stories about while out with the ladies."

"That's just it." Hermione sighed. "I didn't have any stories. Not a one. I am completely, utterly, inexperienced when it comes to telling stories." Hermione's eyebrows rose in the same fashion as Albus' had only moments before. She only hoped that Minerva would be able to pick up on the clues without her having to actually spell it out for her.

"Completely?" Minerva asked, a hint of shock in her voice.

"Completely." Hermione reaffirmed. "This is so embarrassing," she grumbled, hiding her face in her hands.

"Oh, you sweet child," Minerva sighed, collecting the young woman in her arms. "It is nothing to be embarrassed about."

"Then why do I feel like there's a sign above my head that reads, 'Virgin'?"

"Because you are clearly very concerned about the matter," Minerva said holding Hermione at arms length so that she could get a good look at the young woman. "Most likely it's on your mind a lot, seeing as how there is a wizard that has caught your fancy enough that you would consider being more than friends with."

Minerva rose, taking Hermione with her and continued walking down the hall. Truth be told, she was rather relieved that this was the big secret that Hermione and Albus were keeping from her. It still didn't mean that Albus wasn't going to get a talking to that evening.

"Do not worry on this," Minerva said, patting Hermione's hand some more. "You will know when and with whom you would want to give that gift to."

"I'll know? Everyone says that I'll know. How will I know?" Hermione grumbled.

"You will, trust me on this."


sssSSSHHHhhh


Severus looked up at the class, then back down at his watch. They had been sitting quietly for over five minutes now, the only voices that he heard were those of the girls in his class, all of which were wondering what he was up to. True, this class was not the root problem of last week's circus, but if he was lenient enough to have allowed that class through, Merlin only knew how rotten this current class really was.

Severus couldn't deny the fact that he was surprised that his classes turned out to be quite problematic for Professor Granger and Madame Sprout. If they had gotten Madame Sprout's feathers ruffled enough for her to even complain to him, then he knew it was bad. It didn't help either that she had taken on the task of teaching the lower level Potion classes.

Severus rubbed his forehead, trying to ease the stress headache that was forming. As things stood now, he could only see one course of action that would hopefully drag his students back on track.

It wasn't going to be pretty.

Severus rose suddenly, causing several students to gasp out loud, and several girls to gasp all at once in his head. He made a mental note to work on blocking unwanted thoughts. If he wouldn't be able to, he didn't know how he would be able to survive in a school where the majority of students were of the female persuasion. Not to mention meal times where they were all in the same room.

Again, Severus rubbed at his growing headache.

He stood at his podium, leaned his forearms on the top, and laced his fingers together.

"Oh gods," One girl cried out in his head. "Here it comes. He doesn't look happy. But then again, does he ever look happy?" Severus scanned the room, wondering who was making a mental commentary about his mood. "We're in so much trouble."

"I-am-disappointed," Severus began, pausing long enough before continuing so that his students would have a long enough period of time to properly sweat through their clothes. Hopefully they were smart enough to know his moods by now, he had been teaching them for five years now, to know that what ever would come next would not be pretty.

"To think, when I was gone, my students didn't take it as an opportunity to show the other Professors how mature and responsible they are when it comes to Potion making. Now I must stand here with the realization that I have been lenient with my classes." There was a wave of grumbles through the classroom and a couple of his students squeaked like mice. "This little problem will be rectified today," Severus said with a slight snarl.

He swept out from behind the podium and began to walk through the lab benches. "Take out your books and turn to page seventy-nine." He paused for a moment to allow them to scurry about pulling their books out. "You will write out the directions for the potion itself. I then want you to list out all of the ingredients, stating each of their basic properties, where they are harvested and when," he glanced around the room, and noted that most of their heads were leaning over their papers taking notes on what he wanted. Some though looked positively sick. "I then want you to give me at least five possible hazardous reactions that could happen during each step of making this potion while in this classroom."

Severus finished his little patrol around the classroom and ended up back at his desk. "Your papers will be, at the minimum, five feet in length. If not" he raised his eyebrows, and tried not to smile at his own cruelty. "You will receive a failing grade and twenty points will be taken from your house, not to mention a detention, with me."

He took a seat right back where he started, noting that only ten minutes had passed. Wondering why he didn't hear the busy scratching of quills on parchment, he looked up and noted that all of his students were frozen in shock.

"This assignment is due Wednesday." Severus said, flipping open a book on his desk to read. "If I were you, I'd get started."

Several students jumped in their seats and began on the lengthy assignment. He heard several voices grumbling in his head calling him many names that he had heard before, and a couple that he would have to ask another Professor about. He was about to go back to reading his book in peace when there was a loud 'thud' followed by several gasps and a couple giggles.

With an exasperated groan, Severus looked up from his book and saw the source of his interruption, one that he would have to deal with, which meant getting up once again from his desk.

"Ten points from Hufflepuff," Severus stated, rounding his desk and going to the Hufflepuff by the name of Martin McAllister, who had taken that moment to pass out cold and land on the Potion classroom floor. "Anyone else who displays such disregard for the safety of this classroom will not only loose points, but also receive detention." Severus rounded on Mr. McAllister's bench partner. "Take him to Madame Pomfrey," he snapped.

"Yes, Sir," the frightened Hufflepuff replied.

Again, Severus rounded his desk and took his seat. This time though, all of the students were bent over their parchments busily writing out the assignment. Severus knew that the task he set was near impossible. Out of all the students during the week that would receive similar assignments, only a small handful would be able to complete the assignment in full. Perhaps he could find it in himself to award them points for doing so, seeing as how the rest of the school would be failing miserably after this week.

Little did his students know though that he would really stick to the punishments that would follow if they didn't finish in time. Never again did he want to hear from fellow Professors how his students behaved in such a childish manner. Hopefully this assignment would have the desired effect and keep them in line from now on.

Severus tried reading the book before him, but no matter how hard he tried concentrating on the words on the pages, his thoughts kept trailing back to his failure at breakfast that morning. He had watched Professor Granger take her customary seat beside Minerva, only two seats away from him. Only two seats away, but it felt like a mile. The women had started up their customary morning chitchat, and when Minerva excused herself he froze up. There she was, only two seats away from him, and all he could muster up was a simple head nod and a mumbled good morning. Hell, the woman had more guts than him when she had asked him to come to the lounge last Friday, so why couldn't he, the Head of Slytherin House, ask a woman to a game of chess?

It's because his head kept chanting over and over that she was pretty, especially in the moss green robe set she was wearing that morning. It didn't help either that she had worn her hair in a looser style, causing several rouge curls to escape and trail down her neck. Half of his time at breakfast had been wasted wondering what her neck would taste like, and what it would be like to place his mark on her pale white skin.

Severus turned to the next page in his book none to gently and scowled down at the book. He had to ask Professor Granger to a game of chess, there was no way getting around that objective. He even had the upper hand in the situation by being privy to her more personal thoughts. So what was he afraid of, he asked himself while drumming his fingers on his desk. Rejection was at the top of his list and made any other worry pale in comparison. The image of Professor Granger laughing at him after asking her to a game of chess in his quarters was not one that he wanted to personally witness.

Severus cursed silently at himself and his cowardice as he rubbed at his headache yet again. He could do it. He was a Slytherin after all.


sssSSSHHHhhh


That evening, after a hardy meal of spinach puffs, Hermione forced herself to go and visit Poppy. To her utter dismay, the old matron fussed and fluttered around her while she never let her forget what a wonderful contribution she was making to the advancement of potion making. Hermione in response had only grumbled and tried not to linger on the fact that although it was the Wizarding World, they still saw it fit to use rather large needles in order to get the blood.

She hated needles.

"This really isn't necessary," Hermione said, as Poppy fluffed yet another pillow and stuffed it behind her back.

"Yes it is," Poppy, replied, checking the tubing that flowed from the needle in Hermione's arm to a large glass jar next to the bed. "You'll need all the rest you can get. Are you eating well by the way?"

"Yes." Hermione grumbled. Poppy only gave her a look, asking her with out words to elaborate on her one worded answer. "I had enough spinach today to choke a horse. Happy?"

"Hmm," Poppy tapped her fingers on her lips. "I'll talk with Severus and see if he can make you a Vitamin Potion."

"No," Hermione exclaimed. Severus was the last person that she wanted to have more involved than he apparently already was.

"Why ever not?"

"Because, Severus doesn't know who is doing the donating. I don't want him to know. Ever." Hermione pleaded.

"I can still ask him, and you can come to me to get it," Poppy replied, giving the younger witch a knowing wink. "You will drink it. Once a day like a good girl."

"Yes Madam," Hermione replied, knowing that the old matron wouldn't budge either way on the matter. Instead, she settled back into the pillows and tried to pretend that she didn't have a large needle stuck in her arm.

"It's been busy here today," Poppy sighed, taking a seat beside Hermione's bed.

"Did flying lessons not go well?" Hermione questioned, closing her eyes so that she wouldn't have to see her blood flowing through the tubing.

It sent shivers down her spine being able to feel the warmth of the blood in the tubing since Poppy had stuck a good three inches of it to her arm before it went down into the jar at the side of her bed. It was not right, feeling what she was feeling. It made the whole situation all that more uncomfortable.

All she could think of was how much Albus would owe her for doing this.

"It was actually Potions." Poppy replied with a soft laugh.

"Did someone have an exploding cauldron?" Hermione questioned.

"Nope," Poppy chuckled. "It appears that Severus, even after all these years, still hasn't lost his touch at terrifying the students." At this worrying comment, Hermione peeked her eyes open and looked at Poppy.

"What did he do?"

"He made five students faint out of sheer panic today. Five." Poppy exclaimed, never having to sedate so many students before in her life. Once they had all woken up, the panic began to set back in and two had fainted again right out. "Two more fainted again before I could treat them," Poppy continued.

"What would get them so worked up?" Hermione questioned.

"I asked my first patient of the morning, Mr. McAllister the exact same question. He then detailed out the longest homework assignment I had ever heard in the history of Hogwarts, all of which is due on Wednesday."

"Really?"

"Not only that, but he threatened them with House points and detentions." Poppy tisked several times and shook her head. "I don't know what's gotten into that boy. If he keeps this up, Albus is going to have a few choice words with him."

"He's clearly upset about something," Hermione replied. "No doubt their behavior over all last week was not to his liking."

"But to discipline them so drastically?"

"Have you ever known Severus to be subtle when it comes to discipline?"

"Oh heavens," Poppy gasped. "Those poor little, dears." She placed a hand on her chest above her heart, her sympathy going out to any poor soul that had a lesson with Severus that week. "I'll no doubt have even more patients tomorrow."

"I wouldn't doubt it. In fact, I'd count on having more, since the Advance Potions class is tomorrow morning. It's in my professional opinion that they were by far the worst behaved class I have ever had the misfortune of teaching." Hermione wondered idly if Severus could actually inflict harm on the students, considering the short temper that he had. "Severus isn't allowed to hex students is he?"

"No." Poppy replied. "Though I doubt a law that was passed over a hundred years ago would hold back the hand of the Potions Master."

"We should talk to Albus," Hermione said, not wanting to see Severus snap on any students tomorrow, even though a majority of them thoroughly deserved it.

"But you have to admit, it would be interesting to see what would happen if Severus ever did snap. It's been an event that has only been hypothesized. We could be witness to one of the greatest events in all of history."

Hermione mouth hung open in shock after hearing those words come out of Poppy's mouth.

"Oh, please," Poppy huffed. "That man has too much passion built up, you can't tell me you wouldn't want to know what it would be like if he finally did snap." She stood from her chair and checked the bottle at Hermione's bedside. "No wonder you fancy him so much. Just imagine the things he could do if he took those passions out on a woman," Poppy questioned, humming to herself.

"Poppy," Hermione exclaimed. "You are an evil woman."

"Don't act so scandalized, Hermione," Poppy chided. "It's not like you've never wondered the same thing." Poppy got her answer in the shade of red that Hermione turned. "Seeing as how your face is as red as a rose, I'll take that as a definite yes, that you have allowed your thoughts to avidly wander down that road." Poppy grinned from ear to ear. "That's a good, healthy train of thought of a woman like you. Nothing better to get the blood flowing, I say."

"Poppy, please stop, I think I may die of embarrassment here," Hermione cried.

"Nonsense." Poppy chuckled. "No one has ever died of embarrassment. It's fates way of not allowing you an easy out I."

Twenty agonizing and embarrassing minutes later and a pint of blood lighter, Hermione was allowed to leave the infirmary.

"Don't forget to take it easy now this evening, and come see me for a few potions tomorrow some time." Poppy called, as Hermione made her way out of the infirmary.

"I will." Hermione called back.

As she reached for the door handle, the door flew open on it's own and Severus came storming into the infirmary. Severus paused for a moment and looked at her strangely before continuing on. Hermione gave a soft sigh, and made her way back to her quarters.

The last person Severus would have expected to almost physically run into that evening was Professor Granger. Why ever she was hanging around the infirmary at such an hour was beyond him, no doubt gossiping with Poppy. If so, then she no doubt heard about the spectacle in his classes that day already.

"Your potion Madame," Severus grumbled, pulling a large bottle out of his robe pocket. "Albus asked me to bring it to you as soon as possible."

"Aren't we in a pleasant mood this evening," Poppy hummed, grabbing the bottle and placing it on her desk.

"It's been a long day," Severus replied.

"I bet."

Severus snarled at the woman's audacity to grin at him. It's not like he was beating his students. How was he supposed to control if they fainted in his class or not? All that it proved to him was that they were weak, and this gave them a good lesson in life to harden them up.

Severus turned on his heel and stormed back out of the infirmary. He had no desire to spend more time in Poppy's presence than what was truly necessary. Even her overly chipper attitude would be failing if she had to deal with all of the students on a daily basis. She only had them when they were sick or injured, and even then she could use and easy out and sedate them. It would be a little hard for him to teach if the entire class was happily sedated. Though it wasn't a bad idea, really.

Severus rounded the first corner and almost ran right into Professor Granger for the second time that evening.

"Oh," she gasped, taking a set closer to the wall. He could hear her fear of him mowing her down, but it was also plastered on her face as clear as day. "Hello again Professor."

"Professor Granger," Severus replied with a nod of his head.

"You startled me." She said with a smile, and continued her leisurely stroll down the hallway. "I heard about your classes today from Poppy." Hermione began, seeing if she could start a conversation with the man beside her. "I never knew what a handful teaching Potions can be."

"A life choice that I come to regret from time to time," Severus replied.

Severus clasped his hands behind himself as they continued to walk in a moment of silence.

"He's so close," Hermione's inner voice said in but a whisper. "He smells so good." Again the hairs on his back stood at attention as a soft purr came from the woman beside him.

With his ego properly stroked, Severus ventured to ask the witch next to him out on what his mind kept categorizing as a date all day. He had tried denying the fact that it could be considered a date, but had failed miserably for he knew deep down the intentions he had were not platonic.

"I enjoyed our game of chess on Friday. I was wondering if you would consider another evening playing opposite me."

Hermione dared a glance up at the man beside her. It took all of her self-control to not jump with joy.

"He asked me! He really asked me!" Severus had to look away from her s that she wouldn't be able to see him wince at hearing her yell so loudly in his head. "How should I take this? Is this just a simple game between friends? Or is this more like a date? I could go and find out. He is the man after all. If he wants things to progress further than friends, I'm sure he'll give me signs. I hope he gives me signs. I want some signs."

Severus felt the tight knot in his stomach finally ease away after hearing her excitement. All day he had feared the worst, but instead he got the exact opposite.

"I would love to play again. When and where?"

This was it for Severus, the key factors that had caused most of his worries all day long. "Tomorrow evening would be acceptable. Since I would like to enjoy the art of chess playing, may I suggest my quarters? The chairs are far more comfortable than those in the lounge."

Hermione didn't miss the most important detail, and that being that he invited her to his quarters.

"His quarters," she gasped. "I've never been there, neither has anyone else for that matter. This is serious." Her inner train of thought went on. "This could be considered as a sign. What man would invite a woman to his quarters if he didn't at least have the slightest amount of interest in her?"

"I would like that very much."

Severus looked down at Professor Granger as she walked beside him. To his surprise she was smiling.

"After dinner perhaps? I would like to get in as many games as possible."

"That would be perfect." Hermione said, stopping at the staircase that would lead her up to her quarters. "Prepare yourself to loose tomorrow evening, Professor."

"I never loose." Severus replied with an evil grin.

"We'll see about that." She turned and started up the stairs. "Goodnight Professor."

"Goodnight." Severus replied.

He stayed, rooted to his spot until Professor Granger disappeared from sight. He even stayed several moments longer, lingering on the images of her smiling up at him as they walked through the hallways.

"Oh boy, you've got it bad for the girl." A portrait of an overly plump old man chuckled next to him.

"Shut it you old bugger," Severus snarled. He didn't need the portraits gossiping about his infatuation of another Professor. "You say one word, and I'll dip you in turpentine."

The portrait gave him a mighty humph, and then stormed off.

Severus didn't have time to worry about the activities of portraits. He was going to have a woman by his quarters tomorrow, so that meant that he was going to have to make sure everything was in proper order. He wanted to woo her properly, even if that meant cleaning his quarters like a house elf.

He began the walk back to his own quarters, and worked on a list in his head of things that he would need in the room to make it more appealing to Professor Granger. Flowers certainly would earn him a smile. He would have to get several vases of flowers to place around the room. Food and drinks were mandatory. He would have to make sure there was a low fire burning as she came in. They could play in front of the fire. What could be a bigger sign than drinking wine and playing chess in front of a fire?

Severus quickened his pace. He had a lot of things to do before tomorrow evening.


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A/N: Thanks for reading. Also thanks to everyone who has and will review. It really is a good motivation device finding emails in your mailbox from people encouraging you to continue with the story.

Where this story is heading: As it lies now, I'm thinking of five or six chapters. Maybe seven at the most. So please hang in there, for the ride is almost half over.

Clues to the next Chapter: The next chapter is bound to have a lot more action in it… as you could have assumed, so don't be a stranger. I'll try to get the fun chapter out as quickly as possible.