Here is the full complete chapter! Sorry guys, been a bit hectic lately. With college stating updates will be last frequent – probably once a week or even once every two weeks. Hope you guys like this chapter; keep reviewing and let me know what you think! (Please :P) This is probably my favourite chapter so far, many cute things happen :3

Chapter eleven – Just Like You?

It was drawing to that time of the year, which Severus hated. Many people got excited and celebrated this day – well most people do, but not Severus. January the ninth was an annual date he despised; it was his birthday. His previous birthdays had always been something he dreaded when he was growing up, too many bad memories from them. No one seemed to bother or care, so why should he? In the last decade he had not been even wished happy birthday once, Lily had always remembered to write him a card out, Madam Pomfrey knew his birthday date but did not think Severus want her to make a big deal out of it; so she did not. Severus just dreaded the day.

'What was so great about getting a year older? No one should celebrate that!' Severus thought to himself as he sat himself up in bed.

"I am thirty six this today – and what have I got to show for it?" Severus mumbled to himself as he dragged his limbs to hit contact with the flagged stone flooring. It was the usual time he woke up, five am. His bare feet came into contact with the harsh coldness of the stone flooring, his mouth twisted into an unpleasant scowl as a result of this. His hands fled into his long, black, limp hair. His fingers began combing their way through the knotted mess, and brushing it away from his face. He had tossed and turned that night, having a horrible nightmare – it had been a meeting with the Dark Lord. He got to his feet finally, he tried to cut off thinking about his nightmare; he decided that he needed caffeine in his system to ensure he was fully awake. Walking over to the kitchenette his index finger flicked a button for the kettle to switch on, it soon brewed. With a flick of his wand the boiling water was poured into his mug; which is where the black coffee powder was sat. He gave the black steaming liquid a quick stir with a teaspoon before, taking a few sips from the cup. He soon had drunk the coffee and it was all gone, leaving an empty cup. It was around half an hour since Severus had woke up, he then approached his wardrobe it was a Cherry wood colour; it matched most of the furniture within his private quarters. He pulled out his usual attire: black buttoned up frock coat, a white shirt, black trousers, combat boots and black flowing robes. Placing his clothes neatly over his bed, he then reached back in the wardrobe pulling out grey jogging suit. He quickly dressed himself in it and headed out in to the cold.

Severus was planning to jog his usual path around the castle; the snow was not too heavy so he set on a steady paced speed. He had jogged a steady pace half way round his usual route by now; he was approaching the school gates – the entrance to Hogwarts castle. He felt as if he was being watched from a distance, he scanned his eyes around his surroundings and saw nothing – at first glance though – when he began to look deeper he saw a few small-ish footprints in-printed into the snow's surface. Moving closer to where the footprints lie, he was taking a closer look at them. His lips twinged into a slight half smile, half smirk.

"Breaking school rules again Miss. Granger, this is becoming a habit of yours," Severus' face was elite with humour, he saw Hermione pull Harry's invisibility cloak and fold it away neatly into her robe pocket. Hermione had to suppress a giggle; she was nervously biting her lip. She had not expected anyone to be awake for another yet, she had trekked down to Hogsmeade to buy a few things; she clutched the bag tightly in her left hand.

"I err... erm went to err... I went-"Hermione began to stutter but was interrupted by Snape lifting his hand to signal her to stop talking.

"Miss. Granger as much as it is against school rules to be out of the grounds, it is none of my business where you have been. Plus I am not bothered. As long as you are fine then that is all I am concerned about; are you fine?" Severus asked his face was as if it was constructed by stone; he was giving nothing away. Hermione breathed out a sigh of relief, she had thought she would of been frog marched to Professor Dumbledore it had been any other teacher that had found her.

"Me? Oh, yes, yes I am fine sir. Just rather tired, I have had trouble sleeping lately... but apart from that I am well," She answered a little nervously, looking down to the ground.

"Oh, well I have a potion that can help with that. Dreamless sleep, sure you have heard of that? Any way it will give you a decent night's sleep," Severus mentioned in a dry tone.

"Thank you sir, I appreciate it – and how are you?" She asked.

"Well, as great a man can feel stood talking to a know-it-all student, at five am," Severus sarcastically replied in his usual bitter tone.

"Well, that is good to hear," Hermione laughed lightly then added: "So, do you not feel any different sir?"

Severus looked completely confused at Hermione, had she been referring to when he had kissed her on the cheek. 'Oh God... please let that lie, it was just an impulse' Severus thought to himself; he was feeling his cheeks blushing. Since when did Severus Snape blush? He was glad it was still slightly dark so hopefully she would not see. "Erm... Sorry Granger but what exactly are you referring to here? I have no idea what you are sputtering on about?" He grunted. Hermione laughed slightly then spoke:

"Well, you being a year older," She shot him a large splitting grin. Severus' scowled turned into a small smile; it had been a long, long, time since anyone had acknowledged his birthday. The fact that Miss. Granger knew was even stranger; why was Granger caring so much? How did she even know it was his birthday? 'Insurable know-it-all, Hermione Jean beautiful Granger... wait? Beautiful' Severus thought to himself. He used Occlumency to hide his current thoughts and smiled lightly.

"Well, as you know I am a happy soul and love joyous occasions. I feel happy that I am a year older," He said dryly then added: "Thank you though," Severus had been rather taken back at Hermione knowing it was his birthday, he had a small smile on his face. Knowing that someone had made the effort to wish him happy birthday filled him with glee – inside.

"Do not be so surprised sir. It is a matter of public record when your birthday is. Anyone could know it if they chose to look for it," Hermione said matter-of-faculty. Severus laughed lightly as his response.

"Yet again, showing you are a know-it-all," He teased lightly.

"Of course sir, I think it is becoming a habit of mine. So, what are your plans for celebrating your birthday sir?"

"Well Hermione, knowing my luck. I am going to have a party with the Dark Lord and his companions... might even have a tea party," Severus said sarcastically.

"What? He will... he will summon you on your birthday?" Hermione said in shock.

"Hmmm," Severus said. Hermione's heart leaped from her chest, she felt sympathetic for the man stood in front of her (she was not about to tell him that though). Her large brown eyes, met his cold distanced glare. 'The poor man, he risks his life everyday can he not just have an ounce of happiness?' Hermione thought to herself. Hermione cautiously took a step closer to Severus; she was overcome by emotion and close to tears. The man stood before her was nothing but: courageous, clever, loyal and caring. Yet, all his life he has suffered. It is just not fair. A small tear treacled onto Hermione's delicate face, she reached her arms forward to wrap them around Severus. The man stood rigidly up-right, he was not used to any human contact, he was rather much in shock. Hermione pulled him closer to her chest and now fully wrapped her arms around his waist, her head lay against his stomach; all the muscles in his body were tense. He then began to feel as if everything around him was calming, his thoughts in his mind had stopped racing – the whole world seem to just stop. In that very moment Severus forgot about everything and relaxed his body. His arms snaked around Hermione's waist; he was now hugging her back. After what seemed like a life time – which in theory was only two minutes – Severus himself away from Hermione's warm grasp. Hermione did not look up; she kept her eyes transfixed on the ground. She was trying to collect her thoughts had she really just shared a hug with Severus Snape? He does not even look like the hugging type. When she hugged Harry or Ron it felt normal, they were her friends, but so was Severus – she considered him to be any way – so why did it not feel normal? It had felt... magical.

Severus was the first to break the silence: "Right, erm Granger we had better get you back to Gryffindor Tower. Allow me escort you back Gryffindor Tower?" Snape drawled in his usual blunt tone. His hand pointed in the direction of the castle – and they began to head in that direction. They walked in back in a comfortable silence, neither of them knowing what to say.

"Not one for small talk are you?" Hermione whispered her observations, of course she was right. Severus hated small talk; he viewed as a waste of breath.

"No, I am certainly am not. I am shocked that it has taken you five years to work that Granger," He snapped, but there was a hint of humour in his tone. They now reached the base of Gryffindor Tower.

"I will see you at breakfast?" Hermione asked giving him a small smile.

"Well..." Severus thought about making a sarcastic comment but stopped himself; he could see how happy Hermione currently was. He just gave her his little-crooked half smiled and nodded. "Of course I will see you," He smiled then quickly turned on his heal rushing to the safety of his cold dungeon.

XXX

Hermione was sat at the breakfast table waffling down a plate full of: an egg, two pieces of bacon, two pieces of toast and a sausage. She was still exhausted from getting up at four am to visit Hogsmeade , she had went to buy Severus a birthday present; she planned to give it to him later that night.

"So, it is Dumbledore's Armey starts tonight," Muttered Harry's voice in sheer excitement.

"Yeah I know mate, I am a little nervous... what if I am the worse out of the lot? I am nowhere near as good as you or Hermione..." Ron spoke with a nervous tone, he was red in the face; a tomato shade near his hair colour. Hermione meanwhile was total zoned out of what Ron and Harry were speaking about, she had transfixed her gaze on Snape – not that he had noticed yet – Severus was too busy resting his head in his hands. Umbridge was muttering on in his ear about her latest thoughts on the Muggles' society. Hermione began to chuckle lightly as she saw Severus: look up, roll his eyes at Umbridge and then his gaze finally locked with Hermione's. A faint smile traced his lips, his eyes were not hid behind power of Occlumency, and they were lit up.

"Why you lookin' at greasy git 'Mione? You know we are meeting in The Room of Requirement, you know... for you-know," Ron asked tearing Hermione's attention to him, her mind was going at a thousand miles.

"You can be so horrible at times Ronald Weasley! It may have slipped your attention but, Professor Snape is a human-being. You know, just like me or yourself! You can be such... such a nasty pig!" Hermione snapped at Ron, her face was a scarlet colour with rage.

"Won, Won," Shrieked a high pitched girly noise; one Hermione was familiar too well with; she hated sharing a dorm with Lavender Brown. She was everything that Hermione was not, now that she was in total rage mode she could not put up with Lavender and her 'Won, Won' being all over one another. Getting to her feet she decided to stomp out of the Great Hall in a foul mood. Harry had followed Hermione out into the corridor, they had a study period first so were heading to the common room.

"Why is he such a pig?" Hermione blurted out seeing Harry out the corner of her eye. Harry sighed as a response.

"Hey, come on 'Mione, Snape is not anyone's favourite person is he? Ron did not really..." Harry stopped himself from continuing knowing how awful Hermione's temper can be. He then added: "Sorry 'Mione. You know I wanted to speak to you about something..." Harry mentioned feeling a little nervous, himself and Hermione were now sat right beside the roaring fire in squishy brown leather chairs; in Gryffindor Tower.

"What is it Harry, you seem nervous," Hermione had observed the obvious.

"I... erm, the erm. The thing is I cannot talk to Ron about this, I do usual but it would be weird... Hermione, I think I like Ginny..." Harry finally confessed – he looked embarrassed and felt totally uncomfortable.

"I knew it, you can hardly keep your eyes from her lately..." Hermione smiled with utter delight, she felt happy for Harry right now. Harry turned crimson in the face; he had a broad smile on his face. They began to discuss further into Harry's feelings towards Ginny.

XXX

Night had fallen over Hogwarts castle, the shadows had illumed with the eerie silver moonlight beating down. Hogwarts was a stunning sight at night: the angular triangle shapes of the castle seemed soft and less pointed, the glass windows allowing the odd spot of light to break-out onto a spot of grass. Breaking over the dark shadows was dark hooded figure, it was approaching the gates to Hogwarts; the hooded figure was limping and clutching hold of his arm. The pace he walked at was slow; like he was dragging his feet along the ground. The only sound that could be heard was feet being dragged against the gravel. The figure collapsed on the floor keeling over in pain, his arms clutching hold of his stomach. The Cruciatus Curse had taken its full affects on its victim. The cloaked figure shook in pain – holding tighter onto himself. His limp black hair stuck to his face, simply because he was sweating ferociously. He tried uttering a few magic spells to ease the pain, but, nothing was working. He decided to try casting a Patronus Charm to deliver a message to Madam Pomfrey. He quietly muttered:

"Expecto Patronum," He quiet husky voice murmured, a strange animal image was cast in front of his eyes, one he had not seen before, His Patronus had formally been a doe (exactly like Lily's). Now it was German shepherd, known for its: loyalty, protectiveness and its intelligence – everything that Severus' character traits are. Severus was not sure what to think but muttered a message that the Patronus would deliver to Poppy Pomfrey.

Meanwhile, at the hospital wing only Hermione was up there. Madam Pomfrey had gone to St. Mungo's for a call out; as they were under staffed. Hermione saw the image of the German shepherd appear before her it spoke:

"Cruciatus Curse has had an awful affect on me Poppy, I am outside ... Hogwarts' grounds," Muttered Severus's voice quietly. Hermione quickly sprang to her feet, running down the steps to get outside to be beside Severus. Running down all the corridors of the castle – she finally reached the outside of the grounds seeing Severus on the floor. She ran towards him kneeling in front of his head, she pulled his head onto her lap. She gently raised her hand to brush off the hair sprawled over his face, his eyes were shut, and his lips clamped tight turning white.

"Severus..." Hermione blurted out in shock, she herself was panicking, not certain on what to do. She paused for a moment just letting her hand run through his hair; in aid to sooth him somehow. She finally had calmed down enough to whisper a few cooling charms to allow the pain to ease a little. Severus had kept his eyes closed; he did not want to show Hermione the pain he was currently feeling.

"Sir, please could you open your eyes for me?" Hermione asked very gently, her hand still stroking through his hair. His eyes flicked open, they were closed to tearing. Hermione looked back at his gaze nearly in tears also. She sighed lightly and decided to put her arms around his neck, to sort-of hug him.

"It will be okay," She soothed then added: "Sir, I need to get you up to the hospital wing," Severus nodded as his response. She pulled out a silvery cloth from her robe's pocket; it was nothing other then Harry's invisibility cloak. She slipped it around Severus and herself and went up to the hospital wing with him.

XXX

Hope you all like this chapter, certainly jammed packed with lots of stuff happening. Please review =)