Give me something for the Pain.

Sweet November rain trailed down Hermione's bedroom window mid week. Nothing interesting had occurred between her and Snape since Vanessa left. What was the point in taking up her offer to see Severus being killed. Hermione had missed dinner. Again. Deep in thoughts as to the polyjuice potion, she had ignored her stomach until it was much too late. No book could tell her if a person could sustain excessive use. A knock at her door disturbed her. Dressed in flowing autumn coloured robes she open the portrait.

"Professor!" Hermione smiled at her head of house who held a tray of food and a flask of fire whisky. Hermione raised an eyebrow at the flask.

"I trust you Hermione. It's just a tickle after all." She looked like a school girl in the need of a good gossip. Hermione led her to the living room pulled out two glasses. Professor McGonagall subsequently filled each to the brim. "A trick I learnt from you Miss Granger." She winked. "Now tell me what is troubling you my dear child. You seem like you need to ask me something!" She settled back into the deep red cushion on the couch. "No doubt this is about Severus and his hussy!" Hermione genuinely giggled at this.

"You've seen her?!" Hermione asked retrieving a sandwich from the tray. She then cuddled herself up on the chair. McGonagall snorted. "Then you've seen the resemblance?" McGonagall nodded. "She is not the Countess. And I believe she's the one who has her claws into Dumbledore. The thing I wanted to ask is. Can you use polyjuice for an extended length of time?"

"No!" McGonagall thought. "Most certainly not! It's a quick fix. Nothing more. Is that what you think she is doing? Impersonating you?"

"Yes. I believe she is a woman named Rebecca Lovelace. She... We met her in New York. She was a bit obsessive about Severus. He said he was worried she'd kill me if she found out he loved me-"

"He said he loved you?" McGonagall's mouth hung open. "Severus? The man with no soul said he loved you?"

"Yes!" Hermione smiled. It soon faded. "He'd found his redemption in me. For someone like me to love him back, regardless of his past mistakes, freed him. And for someone like him to be prepared to protect and love me, the world seem much more manageable." Hermione let a tear flutter down her face. "Professor. If he gets married-" McGonagall pulled the girl to the couch.

"Hush." McGonagall whispered, Hermione sensed there was something she wanted to tell her.

"What is it Professor?" Hermione asked. "Why are you here. It's nothing to do with me and how I feel."

"He's turned. Or turning. I think Vanessa is a Death eater. If they marry we'll loose him completely. Albus had made the biggest mistake. I'm not saying I totally approve of you two. However....."

"I understand, that explains him calling me a mudblood." Hermione sighed. She had never thought she would have heard it from his lips. "You haven't heard about him proposing have you?" Hermione questioned. McGonagall looked grave. "When?"

"Christmas day. I know what Albus said. But you have to get him back! Don't let her win." McGonagall explained. "You haven't heard half the things he did when he was a death eater. He's tortured himself for years for what he's done. I don't want the poor boy to go through it again."

"Then how do I get this Rebecca person to change back?" Hermione asked. She then thought. "What did Dumbledore do with his memories?"

"Honestly I don't know. But I'll look for them. This has gone on long enough." McGonagall hissed. Hermione thought about what she was about to ask.

"Will you lend me a dagger from weaponry?" Hermione had plans for it. "A small one!"

"Why?" McGonagall asked sharply. "What have you got planned?"

"Practice! I know who raped my mother!" Hermione answered, She saw the look on the older woman's face. "I'm going to kill them. There's nothing you can do to stop me. If you don't give me one. I'll steal one. Or better yet, I'll make one." McGonagall nodded gravely. There was nothing else she could do. "Thank you."

"We have a Christmas Ball coming up at our house." Draco smiled. Back in there usual meeting place at the beginning of December. All evidence of scars had faded "You can speak to my father there."

"A ball?!" Hermione mocked. "How will I get in? You're father's cronies will recognise me. I'd never get close enough. Besides, your father would kill you if ever found out it was you who let me in."

"It's a masked ball!" Draco added. "I'll say you're my date from Slytherin." Draco smiled weakly.

"But he'll still end up finding out it's me. He know it was you who got me in." Hermione worried. "This is too big a risk. What if I'm wrong. He will kill you. We know he has no problem in that department." She pointed to his still deformed nose. Although it did give him more of a roguish look about him. Hermione reprimanded herself. She could not be thinking that her best friends crush looked sexy. However, his popularity among the other houses had dramatically risen since his return. He should be thanking Hermione.

"Let me worry about that. You're not gonna get another perfect chance like this!" Draco was torn. Hermione had become a close friend but his father was blood. However if he had commited this unforgivable act he would have to be punished. Killed? Draco was still unsure if it warrented his fathers murder. Draco thought of his own mother. How would he act?

"It is perfect!" Hermione mused. "Big gathering?" She sat down on the bench. It was only now Draco realised how thin and fragile the girl had become. She didn't stand a chance with his father. Draco nodded. Hermione laughed. "Going to be hard getting him alone."

"Let me sort that. We have this main ball room. But there are small rooms the lead off. Like alcoves. But Hermione- Hear him out first. I'm only doing this because I'm certain he hasn't done this." There was no way she was killing him. The truth was about to brake her. Whether it was him or not. It would brake her.

"I will." Hermione sighed. "I want my revenge Draco." She explained as if she knew what he was thinking. She did. Somehow. She just did.

"You'll get it. Soon." Draco went to walk away. "Oh, and wear green. Not red! Slytherin's never. Ever. Wear red!"

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"Ginny please stop this. I'm not there as Draco's date. I'm going to kill his father, it's not really a task I'm enjoying. Doesn't help that Severus is going to be there with his fiancée-" Hermione shouted two days before the ball. Standing upon a stool getting the sulky Ginny to do the best she could with the train wreck of a dress she was wearing. She was to blend. Not stick out like a sore thumb. Not that Hermione doubted Ginny's sewing abilities. Hermione just thought the dress was beyond hope. Well at least it had gotten Ginny talking to her again. It had been fourteen days and three hours since she had told Ginny about attending the masked ball, and until an hour ago it had been fourteen days and about two hours since Ginny had spoken to her.

"He proposed?" Ginny was hemming Hermione's pale blue ball gown. It really was hideous. Her sulk had completely faded at the mention of Snape and she-who-must-not-be-named.

"He will be! Christmas day!" Hermione looked at the dress through the full length mirror. "This dress will not do!" Hermione stepped down from the stool. It was a ball of fluff. There was no other way to describe it. "I can't buy another one either."

"So I guess you want to be dressed to kill?!" Ginny laughed softly. "See what that new wand of yours will do?" Ginny handed it to Hermione unscathed. Hermione trusted Ginny. Although the present day Hermione was wondering if that was still true. With a flick of her wand and a muttered incantation the dress was transformed. Hermione looked into the mirror as Ginny stood to get a better look. A simple deep green strapless ball gown that fell elegantly to the floor. "It's perfect!" Hermione smiled twirling her hair up on top of her head. Realising the power she had in her wand she put her hair up into a interact nest of curls, black and green feathers.

"Turn round. Look at the back." Ginny turned her friend around. It was sticking out in a ruffled fashion. ivory lace poking through the hemmed ends. It was perfect. "Get the truth and knock him dead kid!" Ginny knocked Hermione's jaw lightly with have light fist.

"Snape or Lucius?!" Hermione was asking herself as well as Ginny.

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A/N: Hope you like this chapter. One more and we'll be back in present time. I was just going have Snape explain everything in an Epilogue kind of thing. But I have an idea... (See the bunnies won't leave me alone.) It's going to (I think) deal with a little prophecy that's going to come up next chapter.

punkrock pixie: Millions of chocolate frogs are leaping their way to you now. Although a few might get lost. *ooopsie* Little Mermaid is my all time Disney. Many because I haven't seen many of the others lol.

bunnyrabbit228: shucks *blushes* One of your faves?! You really can review again lol... Yep... sense filled Snape is coming up (I think)

NeopianClayniac: you love it???? wow you can fry an egg on my face! lol Hope you like this chapter and will review again even if it just to say you're still loving it. lol

strega-in-progress: Unfortunately all I can say is... Patience is a virtue. But you'll find out soon enough.

Crimson Regret177: Sense and sensibility. Mmmmmm, why would you pick what's-his-name over Alan? He is hilarious in a film called the January Man. (If you ain't seen it, watch it. My other passion is in it- Kevin Kline! *blushes with shame*) but my all time favourite Alan is Dogma. swoooooon. I'm 18, I'm pretty sure he's 58. Is this really bad????? I unfortunately don't like the character he plays in Love Actually. Mainly cos I spent the whole film wanting to rip those stupid glasses from his face.

Slim Shady: great writer... I've always wanted to be called that. Present time is coming up soon.

Kelcey2007: Thank you, thank you, a thousand times thank you

QueenBonnie: Hope this chapter has cleared up some of your questions. I didn't even realise I was blocking anon reviews. I feel so ignorant... I'm an Ignoramus. (I'm pretty sure that's a word! lol) Yes your right about the villain... Safer than the `quiet ones` lol

SiruisBlacksgirl4eva: Unfortunately, or fortunately I'm in denial about my school work. I have this story and peach tea to keep me company. Who cares if I don't get into uni. (Ok... so I do! I will get my act together. Soon! lol) As for the questions, all will be revealed.

ivre: Well his Vanessa wasn't there in person. She was there in his wallet! Big pain! Ouch. Still not over that one. Expecting her to be a supermodel so I'd have no chance with him. Turned out she was just human. Nothing superficial about why he loves her. New York, yes. Brooklyn Bridge. Yes, although he didn't kiss me. But he did buy me a bagel and soft cheese and the dinner next to our hotel. Although there was two other people with us, it was still romantic for me. We walked in silence, it was perfect. Just hope he felt the same. Something else that did happen, me getting stuck in a lift within my first hour of being in New York! And hour and a Half. In march, should have been cold. But a heat wave hit. I don't mind you asking at all. If you do get to personal I will tell you. Until then, ask away.

revel-in-me: Did you like this chapter? Want more????? That's what the review is there for!! (Was that too cheeky, or am I being the cute writer. Or have all these reviews gone to my head?)

LiL AcE ViLLa: Not only did you have to wait for the chapter. You had to wait to find your response to your review. All your answers will be answered in the next two chapters! lol Please continue reading and reviewing.

^.^(): Last but by no means least my first anon reviewer. I'm sorry if you've been trying to review before now. I didn't realise you couldn't. I'm sure it's not the best. It's mediocre but never the best. I'm glad you are enjoying it all the same. And will continue reading. Thank You.

Should have the next story to you all by the end of the week. I'm going to spend an hour each night on it so I can do my studying. Hope that everyone can keep there nails from bleeding with anticipation.

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