Hermione sat lazily in the soapy waters of her bathtub, closing her eyes as the warm water caressed her skin. She had just finished talking with Ginny and the details of the Plan were finally worked out. Although Ginny was somewhat hesitant about the idea, Hermione had come up with the idea of creating a system of diaries that would be connected to each other. Hermione was quick to point out the differences between these diaries and the diary Ginny had encountered in her first year at Hogwarts. These diaries would keep track of each girl's progress towards ensnaring their young man. They would then in turn be connected to a larger book, which would grade each girl's progress as well as give certain weekly goals and tasks. This larger book would be the ledger that would ultimately decide the winner. And for the final prize, since the girls interested were not all from Gryffindor, a more neutral prize needed to be agreed upon than 'Bravest Gryffindor.' Both Hermione and Ginny came up with the idea that the final prize would be a date, each girl contributing a certain element to the victor.

Sighing, Hermione piled her hair on the top of her head, securing it with a few pins, and sunk deeper into the warm water. She really couldn't say what had persuaded her to join such a silly plan. I'm lying to myself… her eyes closed against her thoughts, but unbidden they came faster. She knew why her heart secretly raced with excitement, for the first time since she had first looked up into those dark eyes and felt in her heart a stab of longing, she had hope. She couldn't quite say why she thought gathering together with a group of girls would help her, but she knew one thing. Hermione Jane Granger hated to fail anything, and if it took a silly game to help her go after her long sought after goal, then she wouldn't criticize it.

Pushing away the thoughts of the work she would have to do to complete the final details of the Plan, her thoughts instead turned to matters of the heart. She had a secret that only one other person knew, and she trusted Ginny would never tell a single soul. And that secret was that she had long felt more than friendly feelings towards one Severus Snape, Hogwarts Potions Master and bastard extraordinaire. A soft smile touched her lips, she could pinpoint the exact moment when her heart had given its first little leap. Although seemingly so trite, her emotions for the dark haired potions professor had changed in an instant. She remembered the night perfectly, to its stormy weather to the slight stain she had on her blouse from an overturned inkwell. She had gone to his office to ask his advice, ironically she couldn't remember on what, although she could remember ever other small detail. Knocking on that thick heavy wooden door, she remembered feeling that slight shiver of panic. What if he had been called to a meeting… what if he had died? But she had quickly shaken those thoughts away and opened the door, calling softly and cautiously. She really had needed to speak with him, but did she dare risk his ultimate anger by entering his domain? After a moment or two of contemplation, she stepped over the threshold…

2 years earlier…

Hermione shivered slightly, pulling her robes tighter across her as she stepped into the cold dungeon classroom. "Professor?" She called again, hoping against hope that the sarcastic man wouldn't take points, or worse yet, give her what would be her first detention, for coming into his classroom uninvited. However, she supposed as she nibbled on her lip and ventured further in, the classroom wasn't his private room and he couldn't quite be justified in punishing a student for being in her classroom. Plus, curfew was far away so he couldn't reprimand her for that. Steeling herself and drawing on her reserves of courage, she made her way over to the side entrance she had seen Snape use. Somewhat surprised to find it open, she peeked into the revealed room, and that was when her heart gave a slight leap.

At his ruthlessly organized desk, Severus Snape sat with his head in one hand, the other rubbing the bridge of his nose tiredly. Gone was the strict rigid pose and arrogant air. Instead, for the first time, Hermione saw the man underneath. A man who had, from what Harry had told her, a horrible childhood, only to be surpassed by the torments of his adolescence (although Harry had obviously sided with his father and his friends, Hermione could in no form condone the merciless teasing of anyone, even if it was the oft cruel Professor Snape). Obviously the man's actions couldn't totally be blamed on everyone else, but Hermione quickly wondered how having one true friend would have changed his ultimate decision to join Voldemort. But no matter what his past actions, he had spent the next half of his life paying for one youthful transgression, desperately trying to make up for his failures. Hermione had been privy a few times to a broken Snape returning to Grimmauld Place after a particularly devastating Death Eater meeting. She might have previously felt as much distaste for his teaching methods as Harry, but she certainly felt a great deal of respect and admiration for the man.

But the man before her was different from any of the roles she had seen Snape play over the years. He wasn't the cruel nasty Potions Professor that had told her he saw no difference in her enlarged teeth. He wasn't the cold and devious spy that had spoken quietly and confidently at Order meetings. He also wasn't the frighteningly angry man who had first made his appearance in the Shrieking Shack. She wondered if all those personas were simply masks a desperate man had to juggle to survive his dangerous role as a spy. Her chest ached, a painful feeling underneath her breastbone. My God, her mind realized suddenly, how we have all so unfairly judged him. And that was the moment.

Although others might have disregarded her sudden wave of feeling, she was the girl after all who had the tendency to feel for the underdog, S.P.E.W and Crookshanks only two examples, a more than adolescent feeling was growing in her chest. Although she wouldn't recognize what is was until some time later. Moving more in the shadows, she stood silently where she was, hardly daring to breath. Wishing she could some how offer some support to the man who had given so much so people like her could live in the wizarding world. A sudden rush of guilt overwhelmed her however, she was invading his privacy while watching him when he was so unguarded. And in her youth, she honestly was some what disturbed by seeing a man who was always so imperturbable so obviously downtrodden.

Stepping further away from the door and back closer to the center of the room, she called out in a stronger voice. "Professor, are you here?"

She heard a flurry of movement and Snape walked in, his face set in his familiar and now somewhat comforting scowl. "What is it now, Miss Granger, that you feel the need to interrupt me in my private hours?"

"I'm sorry sir, I just wanted to ask you…"

Stepping from her bath, Hermione murmured a soft drying spell and slipped into a pair of comfortable pajamas, and wondered again what had happened to the enigmatic man to make him look so sad that night. Pulling the pins from her hair, she shook it down and moved into her bedroom. Allowing herself on last moment of contemplation of the dark haired man, she sat down at her desk and focused on a few hours of study before she would retire to bed.

AN: A few notes actually….

If anyone has any specific pairings they would like to see in this story (not involving Hermione, Snape, Ginny and Harry of course) feel free to leave a review (for the sake of what I'm comfortable writing, please make it m/f).

Next, I though it would take the time to thank every one who has reviewed so far, you've really made this a fun experience so far. I hope I can keep you happy!

Lastly of course, please read and review, they are very much appreciated (it keeps my muse from wandering off).