Authors Notes: Hey guys. Sorry I've just been really busy and had a bit of a writers block, then all these ideas just hit me. Now its just a matter of getting them on the Computer. Anyways here's another chapter, hope you like it. Please keep the reviews coming, they help a lot and keep me going!!

Disclaimer: None of the characters are mine. They all belong to J.K. Rowling. No wait...not all of them belong to her...just the ones from her book...there are a few that belong to me...I think...I hope...lol

Tap…tap…taptap….tap…tap…taptaptap… sounded the echo of Ginny's impatient foot tapping in Severus Snape's office. She looked at the round clock on the wall next to the bookshelf. She had been waiting for 6…no wait 7 minutes for Severus to come back from his quarters. She let out a low growl; he had dragged her away from an amusing breakfast because he had something he just had to give her. Behind her Ginny heard students filling into class.

"This better be worth the bloody wait" she muttered to herself as she scanned the names of the books on the bookshelf on her right.

"Tsk…Tsk…Tsk... Clarisse, Patience is a Virtue"

"Yea one, we established a long time ago, I lack greatly" She turned around to find him smirking at her with a hint of humor in his eyes. If there was anything Ginny was good at it was reading peoples body language, and seeing as Snape was constantly on guard she learn to read the expression in his eyes. In his hand he held a small silver-green rectangular box. "Is that what I've been 'patiently' waiting for?"

Severus looked down at the box and smirking looked back at her. "Maybe, maybe not…..I can't seem to remember."

"Severus…" she said letting out a low frustrated growl, not even the twins dared taunt her like this. He was deliberately getting on her nerves.

Snape let out a bark of laughter; to him she looked extremely funny when annoyed. He had learned while training her that Ginny could be quite amusing when annoyed….not pissed, then she's deadly. So anytime he saw the opportunity to annoy her he did. The friendship and bond they had developed over the years has been that of a father and daughter between them.

Ginny smiled, it's not everyday that Severus was so calm and unguarded. Seeing as the noise on the other room had seized she figured the other students must've heard the laugh and are probably wondering what the heck was going on. She was glad he was laughing, even if it was at her expense.

"Well if you're done mocking me, Sevvy, I'd like to get to class….today…next door….the one you teach!" she said pointing to the door that led to his classroom.

"You know at times you can be very bratty Miss Weasley." He responded walking towards her and handing her the box. Rolling her eyes she took the box and opened it. Inside where small vials with two different color liquids, one clear the other green.

"What are these for?" She asked pulling out a green liquid one and taking a close look at it.

"Well Dumbledore mentioned to me that he had spoken with Molly and she was concerned about you. She said that over the break you hadn't been sleeping much. Very rare the nights you slept all night long. Mostly you would be up way past midnight watching the telly or something. She's worried that you were having nightmares, and that it might be linked to your first year."

Ginny sighed, "I didn't want to worry her. I knew I should've stayed in my room, mums such a light sleeper."

"Claire," started Severus putting an arm on her shoulder and using the nickname he always calls her by. She looked up, tears beginning to form in her eyes, "She's your mother, and she'll always worry. Were they dreams again?" She nodded her head looking away.

"I don't understand why…" she started in a low soft voice looking down at the box in her hand, "Harry finished him off last year. I shouldn't be having them. They're horrible, the dreams that is. I wake up drenched in sweat, my heart pumping so fast I'm surprised it hadn't broke out of my chest. I also ache all over as if I had done a full work out without stretching. I can never go back to sleep. It's also harder to block them out and try and forget them. It's like they've been imprinted on my mind."

"We, meaning Albus and myself, don't understand why you are having them. Potter's no longer experiencing them, ever since that day. We are looking into it." He pulled her face up and wiped away a tear that had rolled down her cheek, "These vials contain a strong potion that'll help you sleep at night. The green's to block out the dreams and the clear is to make you sleep, also ensuring you won't experience them the next day. They're pretty strong so if you take them once a week you should be good for an entire week. At least until we figure out what's causing them." Ginny nodded and he pulled her into a hug.

Ginny was more than a student to Severus. Those years of training her, of seeing her grow from a scared vulnerable child to the strong young woman before him, had brought him closer to her. Being the one to help her grow into the person she is now, the smart, witty, powerful, confident, loving excellent young witch she had turned into. He felt as if he was seeing his own daughter grow.

The daughter that he once had, but lost. The daughter he had created out of love with his wife, the woman who completed him. The woman that died because of him… for him. Because of his foolish mistake, his decision to join the Dark Lord he lost his family. His wife was a strong-willed witch who did not approve of the Dark Lord and she let him know. Voldemort saw her as a threat; she would undo his greatest follower. So he took care of her, her and the little girl… his little girl, his baby girl the apple of his eyes. Little did Voldemort know that this selfish act is what drove Severus to open his eyes, to turn against him. Unfortunately it was too late, he had lost everything that meant something to him, and he was void, empty.

But then Ginny came along, and she showed him that not all is lost. That he couldn't keep living in the past and because of her, through her Severus felt he was getting a second chance. He felt loved and he loved as well, something that died within him on that tragic night. He would be damned if he lost her too, he will do everything in his power to ensure Ginny's safety, even if it meant giving his own life.

"Shrink the box and put it away. We have a class to attend or pretty soon the students will begin to wonder if I killed you and am currently cooking you for dinner" said Snape giving Ginny a tight squeeze before letting go of her. Ginny giggled and did as she was told, she also did a quick glamour charm to hide the fact that she had been crying. Not many people ever saw Ginny weak, just Severus and those close to her like Sarah and Colin. Since her first year she was determine to never let anyone know that she had a weakness, they'd use it against her just like Tom. She looked up at Severus and smiled.

"Thanks Sevvy, it means a lot to me"

"Anytime Claire, you know you are like a daughter to me" she saw the brief expression of sorrow cross his features the moment he said that. She grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze.

"It wasn't your fault, remember that. I'm pretty sure if they were both here they'd say the same thing. Plus you've got me now so stop beating yourself up. I'm sure they're looking down and smiling at how proud you've made them by taking me in and helping me." Severus smiled, an actual smile and nodded at her, letting her know that they should head out and she looked fine.

Ginny turned around and started heading towards the door, "I hope you've let Mr. Creevy and Ms. Belgiante know about the dreams. They're your friends Claire, they have a right to know and believe me it'll take a load off you. Stop being stubborn and trying to protect them from worrying, leave that role to Potter, he's done a wonderful job at playing the part." Ginny nodded and smiled before turning the doorknob and heading out, leave it to Snape to give advise and throw in a remark about Potter's stupidity.

Severus sighed, "I don't like this one bit, something doesn't feel right" he said to himself before putting on his robe and heading out to face his favorite 7th year potions class, Slytherin's and Gryffindor's plus an extra hotheaded Weasley. 'Oh joy..' he thought sarcastically.

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"You know Gin, if you don't stop bouncing your leg and tapping your fingers on the desk I'm going to have to put a binding spell on you" whispered Michael to Ginny who was sitting on his left between him and Pansy. Ginny was steaming and this was her way of containing her anger, however it distracted him because her leg kept rubbing against his and well he was a guy and she was a very sexy girl, put two and two together.

Class had started and Ron, as always, had something to say about Ginny being in that class and deciding to sit with Michael, a 'Slytherin scum' as he so politely put it. Pissing Ginny off, instead of being proud his sister was in an advance class he was scolding her like a child. If Snape hadn't interfered, Michael was sure Ronald would've been the one Weasley unable to use his reproductive organs. He smirked at the thought and immediately stopped the moment he saw the glare Ginny sent him.

Pansy sensing the tension decided she should do something to prevent her fellow classmate from suffering a painful death due to the famous 'Female Weasley Temper'. "Uh, Ginny did you get the last part of the notes Snape gave… I missed that last part on Dragon Scales and their usefulness for the Protection Potion?" She asked as cautiously as possible. Ginny looked at her and she knew Pansy didn't need her help. Then she realized this girl was just trying to be helpful, hells even friendly, Salazar Slytherin must be turning in his grave. She smiled cooling down and passed Pansy her notes. Michael sighed and gave Pansy a grateful look.

"Very well class that will be all for today. I expect three rolls on the necessary ingredients to make a strong Protection Potion as we will be brewing it during tomorrow's double period." Said Snape dismissing the class. Everybody got up and started heading out, everybody but Ginny. She had no intentions of running into her brother and knowing how stubborn he was she knew he'd be waiting outside until it was almost to late to go to his next class. Ginny looked at her schedule "Damn I have Transfiguration next, with him again!"

"Hey that's not too bad, we're in it as well" said Pansy smiling at her. 'Yup, Salazar Slytherin is definitely turning in his grave now' thought Ginny.

"Come on Ginger you can walk with us." Said Michael grabbing her hand and pulling her out of her seat.

"Fine" she sighed grabbing her bag and heading out with the two Slytherin. Draco and Blaise were waiting outside the classroom and raised a questioning eyebrow when they saw Pansy walking with Ginny.

"What, now we're fraternizing with this…" started Draco.

"Oh shut it, Drake. That's getting kind of old you know" said Pansy cutting him off. Draco narrowed his eyes at her he hated being interrupted, specially when he was going to make a point. Ginny smirked at him and kept walking with Pansy and Michael at each side.

Transfiguration as it turns out wasn't that bad. McGonagall decided to just lecture on the necessary attention to Transfigure inanimate objects into animals. The next class they would be putting the lesson into action which meant she had another three rolls to write by the next day. She had a feeling by the end of the day she'd be stuck with so much homework she wouldn't sleep even if she had wanted to.

She thank Pansy and Michael for sitting with her, and they agreed that should be there arrangement from now on. As she rushed out, in effort to avoid her brother, she bumped into none other than Draco Malfoy, except this time he actually caught her grabbing her by the waist. She looked up and their eyes locked.

"Uhh, sorry about that I just don't wanna run into Ron before Dinner. I'd like to enjoy the rest of my day without killing" she said, shocking herself. Why the heck was she being polite!? This is Malfoy? She really needs to get a goodnights rest.

Draco shrugged, "No prob, just looked where your running to next time, I might let you fall." He smirked although he had not let go of her, something Ginny had noticed as well as Blaise, Pansy and Michael that had come up behind her blocking this exchange from outsiders. They looked at each other and smirked, there was definitely chemistry here.

Ginny rolled her eyes and composed herself pulling away from Draco, "Yeah, I'll keep that in mind next time, Malfoy" She said his last name with less disdain as their previous encounters. Draco looked thoughtful for a moment then extending his hand out to her he said, "Draco". Ginny looked at his hand wearily then his eyes. Just like Snape she couldn't read him based on body language, but his eyes said it all. He was being sincere, he actually wanted to call a truce. 'Salazar Slytherin has resurrected and commited suicide' she thought smiling. She took his hand, "Ginevra, but call me Ginny or Gin." As soon as their hands touched it glowed and they all looked at it.

"What happened?" asked Pansy.

"They called a truce. The long Weasley/Malfoy feud has been ended. Oh boy, wait until word gets out." Explained Michael, smirking.

"Well I better go" said Ginny taking her hand and walking out of the circle, "See you guys at lunch, you're not as bad as I thought, and believe me that's saying a lot"

"Ouch you wound me love" Exclaimed Michael, dramatically putting a hand over his heart. Ginny laughed and kept walking. She was definitely going to like this school year, no matter how dark her dreams were.

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Hey its me againg...so what did you guys think? You like?? Any suggestions?? - I had to throw in a little of weak Ginny and explain her relationship with Snape. I really think he's just misunderstood. As you've all figured out by know HBP neva happened in this story...I have a twist of my own...(laughs evilly).

I hope to post soon, just keep those reviews and suggestions coming. LUV YA!!!!!