Chapter 13

Hermione slowly opened her eyes. She was still lying there in Severus's arms, she didn't want to move, but knew she had to go back to Ginny's room. It was probably near morning or already morning. She rolled over and looked at the clock sitting on the end table beside the bed. It read 4:42. She stood up and yawned. She leaned over and kissed Severus on the forehead, and then crept back to her room. Ginny was asleep, thank god. She crawled into bed and went back to sleep.

"Breakfast!" yelled Mrs. Weasley up the stairs.

Hermione sat up. Ginny's bed was already made. She got dressed and went downstairs. It was only the Weasleys', Harry, and Sirius sitting at the breakfast table.

"Where is everybody?" she asked.

"They left. Didn't want to risk being stuck here tonight again," said Mr.Weasley with a smile.

During breakfast they planned their last day at Grimmauld Place. Ron, Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Fred and George spent their morning outside, playing in the snow. They came in at lunchtime, soaking wet and freezing. Mrs. Weasley fixed them lunch while they changed into dry clothes- soup and hot chocolate. After lunch, they sat in the living room, talking and drinking eggnog. Soon the whole house was filled with laughter, from both Harry's jokes and too much eggnog. Hermione thought it was great that she was able to spend time with her friends this holiday, and she didn't want it to end.

Before dinner, Mrs. Weasley told them that there would be an Order meeting, and that they were leaving before dinner, as to not get caught in another snowstorm.

"Just a short one, Dumbledore won't be able to make it," said Mrs. Weasley.

"Why have there been so many Order meetings lately?" asked Ron.

"Don't know, mate. Maybe their planning something," said Harry "Or…"

"Maybe they're having an orgy," said Fred. "

Ginny smacked her brother on the head and giggled.

"Come on Hermione, lets go pack," said Ginny.

The thought of leaving made Hermione slightly sad, but she followed Ginny up the stairs anyways

"So….where were you last night?" Ginny teased.

"Over in Severus's room…we didn't do anything!" she said.

"Yea.. Sure!" joked Ginny.

"Really!" said Hermione.

"Alright. I guess I believe you. I didn't hear any noises like I did the other night," said Ginny.

Hermione gasped.

"But…But.. He cast a spell on the room to soundproof it!" said Hermione, terrified.

"I'm kidding!" said Ginny.

Hermione sighed with relief, then laughed along with Ginny. She opened her suitcase and began to fold her shirts.

Minutes later, she heard the doorbell.

"Order's here," said Ginny.

"GINNY!" yelled Mrs.Weasley from downstairs.

"Be right back," said Ginny.

" 'Kay," said Hermione, folding a skirt and putting it neatly in her suitcase.

Moments later, she heard a knock on the door. She turned around to see Ron standing there.

"Hey," he said.

"Hi," said Hermione.

Ron walked into the room and sat on the foot of the bed.

"So.. how have you been," asked Ron.

"Fine.. I guess," said Hermione.

He stood up and put his hand on her shoulder.

"Ron…" she said. "Maybe you should leave.. I think you've too much eggnog..to much to drink…Please…

"Shh…" he said.

He pushed her against the wall. To her horror, he leaned in to kiss her.

"NO!" she said, trying to push him off.

To her surprise, a hand grabbed his shoulder and pulled him off of her. It was Severus. Ginny was standing in the doorway, hand over her mouth. He threw Ron against the wall, and looked like he wanted to punch him.

"NO!" said Hermione to Snape.

He looked at her in surprise, as Ginny walked over and pulled Ron up and lead him out of the room. In the distance, she heard a door slam, and then yelling.

Severus turned his attention to Hermione.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine," she said.

Ginny came back and Severus left them alone. Ginny walked over and hugged her.

"I'm so sorry," said Ginny.

"It's alright," said Hermione "He didn't know what he was doing."

"Well, i've had a talk with him," said Ginny. "But he kinda passed out before I could finish."

They finished packing, and then went downstairs. They meeting had ended and the Order had gone home. They went into the kitchen where dinner was being served. Mrs. Weasley put a bowl of potatoes on the table and sat down.

"Where's Ron?" asked Mr. Weasley.

"He.. uh..," Hermione stuttered.

"He went to bed early," said Ginny.

"Oh," said Mrs. Weasley.

Hermione sat down and began to eat. I can't believe what happened! What could have happened…if Severus hadn't come. I guess I'll talk to him in the morning. I can't stay mad at him, he wasn't thinking right and he is on of my best friends, even if he is crazy about me.

After dinner everybody went upstairs to either finish packing or head off to bed. Ginny and Hermione had already finished packing, so they sat on Hermione's bed, talking and laughing. Before going to bed, Hermione got up and locked the door. She walked over to her bed, pulled back the covers, and found a note.

If you ever need to see me

Or talk to me, you can always

Come to my office. Happy Holidays!

Love, Severus

Hermione smiled and crawled into bed.

The next morning, Hermione woke up with a feeling of dread. She didn't want to leave.

She got dressed and unlocked the door, remembering what , or who had caused her to lock the door. She opened the door to see Ron standing there. Anger swept over her.

"Hello," she said coldly.

Ron looked up at Hermione, and Hermione saw that he was crying. She softened and the wave of anger passed.

"I'm so sorry, Hermione," said Ron.

Hermione sighed.

"It's fine," she said. " You weren't exactly in a right state of mind.

"No," he said. "Don't make excuses."

"Ron, I can't stay mad at you," said Hermione. "You're one of my best friends."

He smiled.

"Forgive me?" he asked.

"Yea," said Hermione, hugging him.

"So, I guess there really is no chance for us?" he asked, sadly.

"No," she said. "But you'll find someone."

"Yea," he said. "Hopefully she wont be like Harry's girlfriend. Can you say bitch. But he is my best mate, so i've gotta at least pretend to like her."

Hermione laughed.

"Come on Ron, " said Hermione. "Let's go eat breakfast."