Great Hall. Morning. Ron enters the Hall, eyes lowered, knuckles taped for Quidditch, flexing his fingers anxiously as he makes for the Gryffindor table.

A few turns, snigger. Ron averts his eyes and... almost runs into Cormac, who eyes him with disdain as he passes.

Frowning, Ron drops down opposite Harry and Hermione. Harry eyes him briefly, knowingly, pushes a plate across. Ron takes a fork, pokes at it glumly.

"So. How was it?"

Hermione continues to read the Prophet, unaware of Ron's mood. "How was what?"

"Your dinner party".

"Dead boring. Though I think Harry enjoyed dessert". Harry's eyes shift, and finds Hermione smiling faintly from behind the Prophet. "Ol' Sluggy's having a Christmas do, you know. And we're meant to bring someone..."

"I expect you'll be going with McLaggen. Isn't he a member of the Slug Club?"

She buried her face on the Daily Prophet. "Actually, I was going to ask you but never mind".

"Really?" Ron smiles feebly, looks back down at his plate. Hermione stares daggers. "I'm resigning. After today's match. McLaggen can have my spot".

Hearing this, Hermione turns back. Harry catches her eye, extends a shaking hand to indicate Ron's mental state.

"Have it your way. Juice?" Hermione blinks, surprised by Harry's callousness. Ron is surprised as well and mildly put out.

"Sure..." As Harry pours, Luna arrives at the table wearing a hat that bears an uncanny resemblance to a real lion.

"Hello, everyone. You look dreadful, Ron". Ron nods grimly, lifts his glass. Luna turns to Harry. "Is that why you just put something in his cup? Is it a tonic?"

The tiny vial of Felix Felicis glints in Harry's palm. "Don't drink that, Ron!" But Ron's frozen in mid-sip, looking at Harry's palm too. Quickly, he gulps down the rest. "You could be expelled for that".

"Dunno what you're talking about". Harry pockets the vial, winks at Luna. Ron rises.

"C'mon, Harry. We've got a game to win".

Later. Secret corridor. Before the Quidditch game began. Hermione and Snape spend their time a bit. She sits between Snape legs on the stairs, he hugs her from behind.

He loves how she smells everyday. He was lucky to have Hermione in his arms. Through Snape, he kisses the side of her head.

"Good luck with your Gryffindor house".

Hermione chuckles. "Same as yours. Ron looks dreadful, worried about the games".

"All the Weasley had the same experience like him. I know. I was there. But not Miss Weasley. She had the courage to beat my own house, Slytherin".

She nods agree. Snape spoke back, his finger under her chin, making her look up at him in the eyes.

"After your graduation.. will you.. I mean.. will you get married and have a child?"

She looked confused. "I didn't mean you married me, I was like that you will marry someone else beside me".

"Why do you say that, Professor?"

"Just in case you stop loving me and meet the good man". he sighs, she pushes him a bit. "My love.. I know young girls like you deserve a better man than me. If you found someone who deserves to be with you.. I understand. Follow your heart. As I say.. I will never stop loving you".

This time, Hermione really pushed him away. She stood up about to walk. Snape caught her arm, making her sit back as he hugged her tights. Cried, she pushed him again and again.

"Stop!"

"I give my heart to you and this is how you treat me.. let GO!"

He couldn't let her go. I'm sorry.. my love.. forgive me... he muttered on the side of her head. Both her and Snape cry.

Gryffindor Common Room. Night. The room teems with students celebrating Gryffindor's victory. It feels like Mardi Gras. Or a mosh pit. Or riot. And Ron is right smack in the middle of it.

Weasley! Weasley! Weasley!

Harry takes his back slaps on the periphery, smiling as he sips a Butterbeer and enjoys Ron's turn in the spotlight.

"Ron seems to be enjoying himself".

"Yep. Apparently it's his lucky day".

"You shouldn't have done it, Harry".

"Yeah. I suppose I could've just used, I dunno... a Confundus charm?"

Hermione got caught. "That was different. It was a tryout. This was an actual match.." She stops. Harry dangles the vial. The sealing wax is unbroken, the bottle full. "You didn't put it in?" as he shakes his head. "Ron only thought you did?"

He nods. She pops him playfully on the arm when whistles and catcalls rise. They turn to see what the commotion is about and find, smack dab in the center of the room... Ron and Lavender.

In a clinch. Kissing. Harry stares, blinks, then turns back... to no one. His eyes shift, tracking Hermione as she bumps through the crowd toward the portrait hole.

Harry leaves the roar of the party for the quiet of the corridor. Ahead, a door stands ajar. Chirping can be heard.

Hermione sits atop a desk, a small ring of twittering birds circling her head. The birds change color as they or bit, from sunny yellow to a dark, angry scarlet.

"Charms spell. Just practicing".

"Ah. Well... they're really good".

She is studying her wand. "How does it feel, Harry? When will you see Dean with Ginny?" she took off his look. "I know, Harry. You're my best friend. I see how you look at her".

"Are you crying because of Ron with Lavender or just..." Hermione looked down at him. "I mean, your eyes.. swollen like you were crying before. And I don't think it was Ron and Lavender kissing that what you cry for, something else you didn't tell me".

Just then the door bursts wide and Ron rushes in, pulling a giggling Lavender by the hand. They stop. Take inventory.

"Oops. I think this room's taken".

As Lavender pulls Iron out, he cuts his voice low to Harry. "What's with the birds?"

"Practicing". said Harry. Ron nods, who flees, slamming shut the door.

Harry watches Ron, then he turns back to Hermione. "Well?"

"I'm not supposed to say anything to Harry. This is a secret. It's hurt when someone you love tries to betray you.. I don't know what I'm saying".

Harry nods understanding, he smiles at her.

"You mean Snape?" she jolted a bit, her mouth hanging open and blinked. "I know, Hermione. Even though you didn't say, I still got the maps, remember? And you were there with him. Wonder why.. you've been clinging on him like.. a day".

"I forgot you have the maps". She reached his arm. "Harry please.. I snogged Snape".

Harry is about to laugh, but he can't. Shakes his head unbelievable. "I know since. You were missing and we couldn't find you. Maps never lie, Hermione. And here is the proof".

"How many times have you lied to us? Still can get away".

He pointed at her. "So, what is like snogging Snape?" chuckles. "Is it greasy or just oiling".

"You have to promise me not to tell, even Ron, especially Ginny. Not all of them. It's brilliant. Snape has good kisses. Though his kiss was lame, or boring. I was wrong. It was... lust and just amazing like I never kissed someone before. I wanted more than a kiss. Snape is my first".

Harry frowned. "You mean.. you try to think about having a.. you know.. on bed?"

"I thought of that. It is like having that moment".

"Hermione, you're just a seventeen year old girl. Well, I'm not suggesting but.. you deserve to be.. maybe.. perhaps. Are you sure you want to do it.. with Snape".

Hermione shakes her head. "I didn't say anything about it. Not in front of him. But Harry..? What if I did.. will you hate me for that".

"Hermione, as long as you are happy. I'm happy. At least you found your true love, so did Snape. Which part should I hate you if you did. Can't imagine why.. beside. He wasn't old enough just by his appearance".

"He never tries to figure out how he is always wearing those robes, like everyday".

Harry nodded. "I can't believe you try to have a s*x with him in your possession. I'm proud. Just let you know, Hermione. You're still seventeen".

"Could be worse. I can't not yet. I have my reputation. I can't just get pregnant in school, what they will see in me". chuckles, she spoke back. "Carried Snape's baby around the castle. It's weird, Harry".

"I don't think so. Kinda cute to see you pregnant at seventeen. Which you need your parents approval and Snape''.

Hermione sighs out loud. Why didn't she think that before? "I suddenly forgot who I am".

"You're not. Because how deeply your love toward Snape, so does his love for you. He may have hated me since my first year but not you.."

Later at midnight. Harry, in bed, studied the maps under his possession. Dumbledore was still awake, Snape in his dungeons and suddenly he saw another footsteps approaching toward the dungeons.

Those footsteps belong to Hermione Granger. He giggles, how can she sneak out middle of the midnight to see Snape in his private dungeons.

He folded the maps and put them aside on his bed. "What have you done, Mione". he smiled.

Snape swung the door open, shocking to see Hermione in her pajamas standing in front of his door. He looked around the castle.. she was alone.

He let her enter his private chamber. Shut the door behind, Hermione pounced on top of him, their kisses hungrily. Until Snape had to break their kiss, he breathed for air a bit.

"I know what you think. I can read your mind my love but are you sure? You're just seventeen".

She smiles, whispers in his ears. "I'm ready.. just take me already, Professor..."