Main Street. Hogsmeade village. Students lean into a bitter wind, trudging through deep snow. The trio on view.
"For weeks you carry around this book, practically sleep with it... and you have no desire to find out who The Half-Blood Prince is?"
"I didn't say I wasn't curious. And, by the way, I don't sleep with it".
"Well, it's true. I like a nice chat before I go to bed. Now you're always reading that bloody book. It's like being with Hermione".
This time it's Hermione's turn to glare. "Well, I was curious. So I went to -"
"The library. And?" said Harry and Ron together.
"And... nothing. There's no reference to the Half-Blood Prince anywhere".
"Good. That settles it then".
Three Broomsticks. Moments later. As the trio enter, Harry glances round, locates Slughorn at the bar, planted plumply on a stool.
Hermione and Ron, in the midst of seating themselves at a perfectly acceptable and clean table, see Harry seat himself at one strewn with the detritus of a previous customer but which puts him in direct view of Slughorn.
They exchange a glance, shrug, and join Harry. Ron starts to take the chair directly opposite Harry blocking his view.
"No, no. Sit next to me".
Ron stops, exchanges another glance with Hermione.
"O-kay".
A skinny kid in an apron appears, tosses a filthy rag upon the table which begins to wipe the surface on its own.
Harry cranes his neck around the kid to keep Slughorn in view. "What'll we have?"
"Three Butterbeers. Splash of ginger in mine, please".
The kid whistles and the rag leaps back into his pocket. Harry continues to eye Slughorn, when he sees Draco. They lock eyes briefly, then Draco exits.
"Aw, bloody hell..." Harry turns, sees Ron glowering at Ginny, who sits in a dark corner with Dean, their faces lit by a guttering candle.
"Oh, honestly, Ronald. They're just holding hands..." as Dean kisses Ginny. "And snogging".
Ron feels uncomfortable. "I'd like to leave".
"Leave? You can't be serious".
"That happens to be my sister".
Hermione chuckles. "So? What if you looked over here and saw Snape snogging me? Would you expect to get up and leave?"
Harry and Ron's eyes shoot up at her. Snape? did she just said - Snape.
"Yes. I mean what if it is true that Snape snogged me. Both of you".
"Brilliant, Hermione. Is that a joke?"
Ron blinks, utterly speechless. "Never mind both of you. I'd just say - if". She didn't dare to tell Harry and Ron about her relationship with Snape.
It happened so fast. Totally in love, herself can't believe that she will fall in love with an old man like Severus Snape.
Dungeons. Snape's office. He leaned on a chair and read the Daily Prophet. He knew where Hermione had gone today. Hogsmeade village with Potter and Weasley.
Her best friend.
Snape thought twice about having a relationship with a student like Hermione Granger. He loves her so much. As he loved Lily's.. but he didn't see Lily in Hermione.
Hermione is Hermione. Lily is Lily. He looks at her as Hermione. Not Lily.
He looked up. "Merlin.. Dumbledore!" Snape curse. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to congratulate both of you. You and Miss Granger". Dumbledore smiles. "Didn't I tell you my boy.. slow but effective".
"Of course you hear the news". Snape folded the Daily Prophet. Laid it on top of his desk. "I never thought she would accept me for who I was".
"Just leave the problem behind, Severus. I'd just like to see you and Miss Granger happy. You deserve it. Although not from Lily... Miss Granger loves you as you are my boy".
Snape pushed the chair. He walked towards the window. "That's what I'm afraid of, Headmaster. If she finds out the truth.."
"Everyone makes mistakes, Severus". Dumbledore laid his hand on Snape's shoulder. "Cherish this moment with her while you can.. and that one day. She'll understand to whom you are doing this".
Later. The snow falls heavily now. Ron and Harry walk together, while Hermione trails several yards behind, pirouetting happily, letting snowflakes fall on her tongue.
Up ahead, Katie Bell and Leanne stand in the drifting snow, arguing. Katie holds a slender package.
Hermione comes bumping up, drapes her arms over the boys. "Are you alright, Mione? Since you drag about snogging Snape you look weird".
"Oh, Ron. I'd say - if".
"Well, it's like a truth confession to me. Did you two really -"
They hear Leanne scream up ahead. They rushed up. "I warned her! I warned her not to touch it!"
At that very instant, Katie Bell rises six feet into the air. Hair dancing violently in the wind, her face remains eerily placid. Then she... Screams. The trio couldn't do anything as they watched in panic.
Hermione looks. Suddenly, a massive figure lurches out of the white. Hagrid.
"Get back! All o' yeh!"
He says this so forcefully the others instantly obey. Effortlessly, he scoops up Katie's thrashing body and then, as if calming a terrified animal, presses his face close to hers and whispers with great tenderness.
"Now, now. Now, now..." Over and over he repeats this, soothingly, the words like a mantra, until Katie's lids flutter and her body goes limp. "Don't' go touchin' tha' but by the wrappings. Understand'?"
Hagrid nods darkly to the package in the snow. Harry kneels. Poking through the paper is an Ornate Opal Necklace.
Taking off his scarf he carefully enfolds the package and rises. Then, along with the others, he watches Hagrid lumber off, Katie cradled in his arms.
In seconds they are swallowed by the snow. The only sound is the roar of the wind.
Hogwarts. Moments later. Dumbledore has already left his office. Snape now studied his collection jar. Headboy from Ravenclaw house knocking at the door. The door swung half open.
"Professor Snape?" he looked over his shoulder. "Professor McGonagall would like to see you in her office".
"Doesn't she see I'm busy". Snape snarled.
"Professor McGonagall knows you will say that. But this is important.. she interrogates Potter, Weasley and Granger in her office, after they walk back in here from the village".
Snape sharply turns to the Headboy. "What happened?" he asked.
"It's not my expertise to know, Professor Snape. As I say.. Professor McGonagall wants to see you immediately".
He rushed. Snape pushed the Headboy away from blocking his path. The headboy leaned on the wall. Shocked.
McGonagall's Office. Later in the afternoon. The necklace lies green and glittering upon McGonagall's desk. She turns to Leanne.
"You're sure Katie did not have this in her possession when she entered the Three Broomsticks, Leanne?"
"It's like I said. She went to the loo and when she came back she had the package with her. She said it was important that she deliver it".
Minerva nods. "Did she say to whom?" Leanne shakes her head. "All right, Leanne. You may go". as Leanne exits, her eyes on Harry, Ron and Hermione.
"Why is it always you three? When something happens?"
Ron gulped, confused. "Believe me, Professor, I've been asking myself the same question for six years".
Just then, Snape appears at the door, eyes the trio. "Severus".
"Is this it?"
McGonagall nods. Snape takes his wand, lifts the necklace like a dead snake. Eyes it with fascination. "What do you think?"
"I think Miss Bell is lucky to be alive".
"She was cursed, wasn't she?" Harry opened up a question. "I know Katie. Off the Quidditch pitch she wouldn't hurt a fly. If she was bringing that to someone, she wasn't doing it knowingly".
Snape eyes Harry levelly. "Yes. She was cursed". said McGonagall.
"It was Malfoy". Harry suggested.
"That's a very serious accusation, Potter".
Snape nods. "Indeed. Your evidence?"
"I... just... know".
His eyes on Hermione then back to Harry.
"You... just... know. Once again you are astonished with your gifts, Potter, gifts mere mortals could only dream of possessing. How grand it must be to be the Chosen One".
Ron and Hermione avert their eyes uncomfortably. "I suggest you return to your dormitory. All of you".
Hermione glanced up to Snape, knowing what he wanted from her. McGonagall stared suspiciously between her and Snape.
The trio exits. McGonagall sees Snape eyes shoot on Hermione, even though she left. His eyes lock on hers.
"Severus. Is there something you want to tell me about you and Miss Granger? Clearly. I can see your eyes when you see her. Lust. You know a student and a professor can't be something or the worst of a relationship".
"I know Minerva". Snape eyes on her. "I know my place. Miss Granger wasn't a fool nor a silly girl for liking an old man like me".
He walked out from the McGonagall office.
Corridor. Same time. Hermione stops and pacing the boys. "You two go ahead. I suddenly got an idea to know why Malfoy cursed Katie".
She lied. She actually wants to go to Snape's office.
"Sure you'll do. Tell us after you find out why. Harry sort of knows about Malfoy's weird behavior since we saw him and his mummy in Borgin and Burkes".
Hermione nods. Harry and Ron walk to the Great Hall. Hermione makes her steps to the dungeons.
As she arrived at the dark corridor, Snape grabbed her arm which she did not scream nor in pain. Just shocked. Snape closes the door behind, locked and casts a silent charm.
Snape hugged her tightly. Thought he was gonna lose her. Hermione calms him down.
"I'm fine".
Snape learned to kiss her on the lips. Eyes meet. "I was afraid to lose you my love. Sure you're fine?" she nods her head. "Never touch anything that isn't peculiar nor belongs to you".
"I know. But Katie..."
"She is lucky to be alive. Pomfrey will tend her in the Hospital wing until she recovers. I'm worried about my love". he kissed her button nose, leaned his forehead to her. "I've been preparing something for you".
He walked to his collection jar. Between the jar, there is a small vial. Snape pulled it out. He showed her.
"I want you to drink this. I spend my time brewing this draught. For your protection. It is also possible it also helps you get your strength out of tiredness while you are in class".
Hermione walks closer to him, eyes on that tiny vial. "Powerful isn't it? What is the consequence after I drink this".
"You're not going to be expelled after you drink this".
Without question, hesitation. She trusts Snape completely, not trying to poison her. Hermione reaches the vial from his hand and drinks it. Then she handed the empty bottle back to him.
"I taste strawberries in it". as she licked her lips with seduction. Snape growled hunger and kissed her again.
My witch... he muttered between their kisses.
"You act coldly toward Harry today". she chuckles.
"I had too.."