Before we go any further I would just like to say a big thank you to everyone who has reviewed this story, sorry I didn't get back to all of you it's just that my life is really busy. Right then shall we continue?

XXXX

"Malfoy, Zabini, did all go well?" he said scanning the room before his eyes rested on me "Did De'lore co-operate?"

Zabini lifted himself from the table smirking, "Yes sir all went very well"

His lips twitched slightly "Good...good" he spoke slowly "Ok De'lore you can go."

I quickly got to my feet "But sir, don't you wish to ask me something...you know just to be sure"

"And why would I want to do that?" he said raising an eye.

"Well I don't know that's why I'm asking you Sir"

Snape smirked slightly "You see De'lore I really don't need to question you, as it so happens I trust Malfoy and Zabini and their ability in potion making...unlike some people I could mention" he stood watching me with a stupid smug look on his face, so clearly pleased with his pathetic excuse of an insult.

I chuckled inwardly knowing that, that stupid superior look would soon be wiped off that not so pretty face of his. "Are you implying Sir that I am not to be trusted and that my potion making is rubbish"

He smiled wickedly "Yes De'lore, yes I suppose I am. That is exactly what I'm saying. Do you have a problem with that?"

A question already, oh this was just too easy! I really hadn't expected it to be this quick but there it was, handed to me on a plate and how could I possibly pass that up.

"Well as a matter of fact yes...yes I do"

His beady eyes narrowed, his face flashed with rage as he spoke in a slow but deadly manner "What did you say girl? You dare to answer me back? Have you not learned your lesson?"

Shaking my head I smiled cheekily "Only one question at a time sir, please...now to answer in order...yes, yes and no."

He frowned with clear distaste "Yes, yes and no. What in Merlin's name are you rattling on about now you stupid girl?"

"Work it out yourself and by the way there is only one stupid person in this room Sir and I'm looking at him." the words were out even before I had a chance to think about it and I couldn't help but wonder if this was such a good idea after all.

Malfoy and Zabini stood slightly behind Snape with looks of total amusement; I on the other hand wasn't feeling quite so gleeful. Just one look at Snape's face I could clearly see just how seething he was. His facial muscles pulled tightly across his gaunt face, his eyes were now two, dark pools of fury and his lips so thin I thought they may even disappear.

"How dare you. How dare you" he hissed dangerously, taking small steps towards me.

Feeling more than anxious I tried to smile sweetly, but too late he was having none of it "Really Sir it's not my fault I was jus..."

"Silence" he spat taking a rather rough hold on my upper arm "you just don't know when to quit do you?"

"No"

He pulled at my arm forcefully dragging my body closer into his, bending down slightly to my level his face was inches away from mine " That wasn't a question you fool"

"Yes it was Sir. And I'm not a fool, that job belongs to you alone."

I saw his eyes grow darker "Oh you think you're so cleaver don't you De'lore?"

"Well as a matter of fact, yes." I noticed how his jaw clenched so tightly together I thought he may explode. Oh boy, he really was going to kill me!

"You think you're so smart De'lore but you're not, you're nothing more than an insolent mouthy little bitc..."

I cut him off "Now, now sir. That really isn't appropriate language for a teacher to be using now is it?" I said hoping he'd let me go but he didn't, instead his grip got firmer and then suddenly from out of nowhere I spoke my next words "Oh and Sir if you wouldn't mind letting go of my arm and stepping back, you see my other robe is in the laundry and I really don't wish this one getting dirty and covered in grease stains, if you don't mind."

I heard muffled snorts from Malfoy and Zabini, from the corner of my eye I could see them shaking with soundless laughter.

I gave my full attention back to Snape and knew I had said far too much. I really couldn't help it though, the words just rolled off my tongue without a second thought and there was nothing I could do to stop it. Snape however looked that livid I actually thought he may spontaneously combust at any moment.

I started to panic and worry for my own safety. His grip on my arm was so tight I was surprised he hadn't cut off my blood flow, and it was getting firmer "That is it De'lore, I have had it with you're insolence"

"But..."

"Silence"

"But..."

"WILL YOU SHUT UP?" he bellowed

"But Sir, it's not my fault I swear" I said quickly before he could cut me off again "how can you act like this when it was you're idea in the first place? I didn't ask to take truth potion Sir, you and them two buffoons were the ones that forced me to take it, and yet when I answer you're questions truthfully or say what I think you go mad, manhandle me and near enough break my arm. A little unfair don't you think? In fact I think shall put in a offical complaint to the Headmaster then see how you like it."

"For once will you just shut up" Snape snapped as his grip on my arm eased and he slowly turned his head towards Zabini and Malfoy with a rather curious look "You made veritaserum?"

They both looked a little confused "Yes sir...from the instructions on the parchment you gave us"

"I did not give instructions for veritaserum" letting go of my arm he walked toward the table and picked up the parchment.

"You did sir," said Malfoy in a tone that suggested Snape had clearly gone crazy.

"NO" he snapped agitated "No I left out instructions for something entirely different" he paused, looking at me suspiciously "Someone has been snooping in my office and putting their nose where it does not belong"

I held my hands up innocently "Don't look at me, not guilty"

"Then who was it De'lore?" he demanded viciously

"How should I know?" I said resentfully.

Snape eyes narrowed as I smiled at him smugly, folded my arms and gave him a knowing look "Under the influence of truth potion remember." Ha, he had no choice but to believe me this time.

His eyes stayed firmly on me until Malfoy spoke"What difference does it make anyway Sir? I mean you did say we would be making veritaserum soon so I really don't see the problem."

"The problem is Malfoy" he sneered "that veritaserum is strictly forbidden to be used on students."

I couldn't help the look of delight that formed on my face "Oops...someones in trouble" I pretty much sang with joy "You see sir, did I or did I not mention earlier that appropriate supervision was needed? Maybe you should have listened."

Snape snapped his head back in my direction "Shut up De'lore. You shall not breath a word of this to anyone do you understand?"

I placed a finger on my chin and looked at him thoughtfully. Maybe I was pushing my luck here but it was worth a try, after all if you didn't ask you didn't get.

Tapping my foot lightly on the floor I shrugged "Hmm...you know Sir I'm not quite sure I do understand...maybe just maybe if I didn't have so much on my plate at the moment I'm sure that would help greatly. Hmm, I don't know, lets say for instance that I didn't have another detention tomorrow night, I'm absolutely positive that would do the trick. I could leave this room and conveniently forget anything that ever happened here tonight...but of course that would all depend on whether my oh so kind teacher was willing to let it slide just this once." Silence followed as I awaited Snape's wrath; there was no way in a million years I'd get away with that one!

Malfoy and Zabini looked on with slightly impressed expressions, Snape however didn't "Fine" he said through extremely gritted teeth, clearly killing him. I stood there a little aghast really not expecting Snape of all people to give in to the likes of my childish little games.

"But be warned De'lore, I shall not make a habit of this. The next detention I give you, you shall serve do I make myself clear?"

"Most defiantly sir...thank you"

"Don't thank me De'lore, I have not done this for you're benefit. Malfoy and Zabini are my brightest students and I will not see it wasted by some fools who cannot keep there grubby little hand to themselves and think snooping around my office and messing up my files funny" he spat "Now get out of my sight"

Not needing to be told twice, I quickly turned and headed for the door but paused as a thought hit me.

"Sir" I said turning back to them

"What now" he snapped

"I was just wondering, how long exactly does this last for?"

He looked at me highly annoyed "Does what last for?"

I rolled my eyes at him "The truth potion Sir. You see I only took it about twenty minuets ago"

"And your point is?"

I rolled my eyes again, for the love of Merlin "My point is sir I'm about to go back to my common room, to my friends, who ask questions...you know like how was your detention, what did you do, that type of thing."

He turned to Malfoy "How many drops did she have?"

He shrugged "Three or four"

Snape sighed heavily and his jaw tightened "Then you better take a seat"

I flopped onto the door and gave a low growl of frustration before slowly mading my way back towards them. Boy was this going to be a long night.

XXXX

I walked down to the Great Hall next morning very groggily indeed. Everyone had already left for breakfast and so when I finally got out of bed and ready, I made my way to join them. I had never been one for dolling myself up like other girls, usually I wore very little makeup and tied my long, dark hair neatly back. This morning however I hadn't even bothered with that. I rolled out of bed an hour later than normal, washed, dressed then left, barley running a brush through my extremely messy hair. Basically I looked like crap, but in truth I couldn't give a damn.

I entered the Great Hall, spotted Harry and the others and made my merry way over to them.

"There she is look," said George cheerfully as I sat down beside Ron "All bright eyed and bushy tailed."

"M-morning guys" I said through a yarn and grabbed a piece of toast,

"Late night then?" Ron asked sympathetically,

"Yeah you could say that" I answered lethargically.

It was way passed twelve before I was allowed to leave and make my way back to the common room last night. The fat lady really didn't take too kindly to being woken up at that hour, I tried to explain I'd had detention but she was having none of it and lectured me for a good quarter of an hour before she would let me in. By that time it was gone one and I still had things to take care of before I could think of going to sleep. By the time I finally climbed into bed it was getting on for 2 o'clock. No wonder I didn't look my best.

Malfoy the dope had given me double the amount of potion than was actually needed, therefore resulting in double the amount of time it took wear off. It didn't go by too dully though, I did manage to keep myself amused by continuing to annoying the hell out of them, that was until Snape put a stop to all my fun and threatend that if I didn't shut my large insolent trap, he would, with the greatest of pleasure might he add, interrogate me to find out every single, last thing I had ever done that I shouldn't have, while attending Hogwarts. Needles to say I was silent from then on.

"So what gruesome task were you forced to do then?" asked Harry with a small smile "Clean out the hundreds of jars full of gunk, or made to scrub the cauldrons until they sparkled?"

"Oh nothing like that" I said slyly and raising an eye at them "Infact it was something completely different," my tone causing Fred and George to watch me keenly. They knew me far to well and instinctively recognized that all was not as it appeared.

"So..." asked Fred slowly "What happened?"

I smile merrily in spite of my tired state and cautiously looked all around to make sure there were no prying ears. The coast was clear "Well..." I began and retold them the events of last night.

"You mean Snape actually let you get away with it?" Ron asked in a hushed voice looking extremely impressed

I nodded then shrugged "I know, I couldn't believe it either...never in a million years would I have thought Snape to given in like that but he did, and now I don't have detention tonight" I said with a smile looking over at George who looked back at me with delight.

"You have to promise me though not to tell a soul, and especially not Hermione. She'll only go on and on about how wrong it was of me to blackmail a teacher like that and really I cannot be doing with the hassle."

Everyone agreed that it would be kept between the five of us. I knew Hermione would be wondering why I wasn't going to detention tonight and I would no doubt make something up to tell her later, but for now all I wanted was to get lessons over with and catch up on some much needed sleep. It was a shame really I no loner took History Of Magic, there was no better place for a catnap. Instead I had Defence Against The Dark Arts, so there no chance of a snooze but after that however I had the rest of the afternoon to do as I liked. Free period!

XXXX

If I thought for one second I could have had a relaxing afternoon and take a little snooze, I had been completely wrong. Instead I found myself being dragged to the library by a rather excited Hermione. We had been put into pairs in DADA, and had been practicing defensive spells non-verbally. Hermione as always got the hang of it straight away, I on the other hand took just a tad longer. Anyway, we were given home work to do as pairs and Hermione being Hermione had to do it now!

Once again and as usual, I had my head slumped in my hand and stared blankly at whatever lay in front of me while Hermione scribbled frantically on her parchment.

"Come on Anna, you've hardly done anything" she said firmly "You really should get a move on, otherwise you'll only be rushing the night before to get it done. Now, this is a joint effort and if you get a poor mark it reflects upon me too."

Keeping my head still I moved my eyes in her direction and gave her a stern glare before sighing heavily, "Hermione, I am not exactly in the mood for homework right now, all I want to do is go to sleep. I'm tired ok, so can we please save the lecture for another time?"

She responded with an eye roll and an irritable shake of the head but new me well enough by now to drop it and let me carry on with my little daydreams. I carried on staring in front of me, chewing the end of my quill when I spotted Zabini at the far side of the room. I studied him for a while, then unable to prevent the tiny smile that played on my lips at the naughty little thoughts that suddenly materialised from out of nowhere and were now floating around in my head. I had never really noticed before but he really was quite the looker and, I could clearly see why girls would swoon over him, pity really he was a Slytherin and an evil bastard but still, there was no harm in looking! I was just thankful that I had never noticed this until now and that the subject never arouse last night otherwise I'd never have heard the end of it.

"Anna" came Hermione voice bringing me back to reality "Anna,"

"Hmm" I said blinking several times and straightening myself up.

"If you're not going to do any work could you at least do me a favour? Could you go and find me another book on defensive non-verbal spells...this one doesn't have everything in here that I'm looking for...you'll find them in that row there" she said pointing across the library "near the end, right at the back, between the fourth shelf from the bottom and the seventh shelf from the top, on your left hand side"

I just looked at her completely perplexed; only Hermione could know something like that! I got to my feet and dragged myself in the direction I had been pointed.

"Defensive non-verbal" spells I muttered to myself gliding my finger across the spines of books that sat neatly on the shelves.

"Defensive non-verbal spells" I said stepping backwards a few paces.

"Defensive..." I stopped abruptly as my back firmly collided with a solid object. Spinning around to see what, or whom I had hit; I gave a small smirk at the sight stood before me.

"You really should be careful there De'lore," he said smoothly "You could have seriously hurt yourself, or more importantly me for that matter."

"I didn't know you cared," I said playfully as I tilted my head a little to the side.

He simply nodded a fraction and smirked right back at me.