Chapter 22

"Lead the way." Hermione flashed a broad smile and turned towards the door. Severus followed her, aware of the heaviness in his chest. He also was aware, as she walked in front of him, that Ms. Granger was a very attractive witch.

Hermione entered the lobby from the back door and looked around the room. There was no sign of Ginny. Hermione turned towards Severus and gave him a rather frightened look. They closed the door and were heading back to the labs when they heard voices.

"Oh yes…indeed. I think so too." came Elmer's voice.

"But I wonder why Elmer? I can't see that it would be good for both of them."

"Oh contraire my red headed little vixen. You should hear the things she says in her sleep."

Hermione opened the door to the sitting room and found Ginny sitting casually in an armchair that she had turned to face Elmer. Hermione walked in the room and put her hands on her hips.

"Ginny, we need to talk."

"I can see that."

"Oh, the misses has a bee in her bonnet. Perhaps, she doesn't like so many…witnesses?" Laughter from Ginny and Elmer filled the room. Severus stepped from behind Hermione and flicked his wand in an intricate pattern towards Elmer. He was silent.

He turned towards Ginny and locked eyes with her. Ginny was sitting completely relaxed. Hermione could see that she still sported the effects from their afternoon binge. She had the look of someone who just found the answer to a long sought after riddle.

"Professor Snape! It's brilliant to see you again. Really it is brilliant. Really Hermione, I wish you would have told me that the brilliant Professor Snape was the brilliant assistant of yours." Hermione's cheeks flushed as she felt everyone in the room turn to look at her.

"That's what we need to talk about Ginny." Severus stepped forward, closer to Ginny and stared down at her smirking face.

"Ms. Weasley. Tell me, how is Mr. Potter these day?" Hermione cringed at the look of pain that was on Ginny's face. "I thought you would know. You don't? My, my how things do change. I once thought he cared for you. Well, bygones. It seems that we have come to an impasse. I and Ms. Granger, need my presence here to remain a well guarded secret. I am afraid that your mouth is too big and your lips too…loose. Ms. Granger, shall I Obliviate her?" Ginny jumped up as did Hermione, who put a hand on his wand arm.

"No, professor. I think what Ginny needs to understand is that this is very important. Life or death important. You can not tell anyone. Not your brothers, not your parents or even…Harry." Ginny looked from Hermione to Severus and quietly noticed that Hermione's hand still rested on the Professor's arm.

"Ms. Weasley, my work here is temporary and delicate. Nothing is to be said about me being here or working here at all. Is that understood?"

Ginny let out an audible growl as she stared down her former Professor.

"Ginny, please?" Ginny looked at her friend and her face softened. She sat back on the chair and crossed her slim legs. Her foot began flipping up and down.

"So let me get this straight. You two work here, alone, on evenings and weekends on some secret project. No one is allowed to know that you Mr. Snarkypants, is working here? Do I have that right? What is this Elmer was telling me about you dreaming of him?" here she pointed to her former Prfessor. "What did he mean that you lo-"

"Ms. Weasley, either you agree or no. If you do then good day to you. If you do not, then…well…I dare you to find out." Severus eyes were glittering and his wand was still in his hand. Ginny looked as if she was considering dueling the professor but she sighed and stood up.

"Don't worry Professor. I shall not say anything to anyone. But I can't promise that we won't be seeing each other again. I will be stopping in from time to time to check on my friend. Hermione, is that alright?" Hermione smiled and nodded . A part of her really enjoyed seeing Severus get goaded by his former pupil.

"Oh and Snape, you do anything to her, anything, I will be sure to take you up on that dare. Good day to you both. Thanks Hermione. See you later Elmer! Keep me informed!" With those last words, Hermione saw her friend walk from the room and shut the door behind her. She turned to see Severus' profile. He was seething.

"Professor, what did you do to Elmer?"

"No less than he deserves. But he will be fine. I just froze him."

"What did he say to you? I mean, when Ginny and I came in, you were talking to him." Severus gave her a strange look. He looked down at her and raised his eyebrows. A quiet moment passed between them again as he glanced towards the mirror and them back at the beautiful young witch before him.

"He has no manners, that mirror. Did you enchant him with an insulting spell?"

"No! Did he insult you? Oh well, he insults me everyday." Hermione shrugged her shoulders and they left the sitting room together.