The next morning Hermione sat at her desk in the potions class, yawning every minute trying not to fall back asleep. She was stuck in the storeroom until nearly two A.M. Snape wouldn't let her leave despite her protests going as far as to magically lock the door preventing her from walking out. She was sure that was illegal, but after what had happened earlier in the evening, she didn't think he cared too much about rules.

She couldn't even fall asleep once she finally made it back to the common room. The whole thing kept playing out in her mind as she tried to decipher any meaning behind it. He was just trying to scare her. He would have done more. No, he was her professor, he was just making a point.

The class room door burst open and Snape stalked into the room, his robes billowing behind him. Hermione's stomach clenched and her muscles stiffened automatically. "Silence!" His voice boomed and the classroom fell to a hushed quiet. "Open your textbooks to page 359. Willow root properties. Split into pairs of two and complete the brew at the bottom of the page. I want 250 words by the end of class on the common uses for willow root and a labelled vial of potion on my desk." His stopped beside Hermione's table and she tried to hide a deep yawn in her sleeve. "Or, if Miss Granger so desires, we could all takes naps."

The hairs on her neck prickled, she wasn't in the mood for this. "Sorry Professor, I was up absurdly late last night." Her tone of voice has a slight edge to it, and the class stared at the pair bewildered that Hermione would speak back to a professor.

"Well perhaps you should leave my class and go back to bed," he smirked for a mere second, not long enough for anybody but Hermione to see. He was trying to mess with her, in front of the whole class, but here she was his student.

Before she had a chance to think about her words she replied, "Well maybe I should."

The class whispered to each other and everybody watched. Severus pursed his lips in what seemed like disgust, but Hermione felt as though he was hiding a bigger smirk. "10 points from Gryffindor and detention Miss Granger. See me after class." He turned to the front of the class so quickly his robes almost hit her in the face. She rolled her eyes when he couldn't see and put her head into her arms on her desk. "Now get to work class!"

Much to Hermione's surprise, she made it to the end of class without falling asleep or spilling the potion. She was so tired, she didn't know how she would make it through the day. As she class collected their books and made their way out of the potions class, Hermione remained seated, head in her hands holding back her biggest yawn yet.

"Miss Granger, to my desk," Snape called to her as the last students exited and the closed closed shut.

Hermione lifted herself from her desk and trudged to the front of her professor's. "I'm sorry for talking back to you," she searched his eyes for some sign of his intent, but he merely grabbed a piece of parchment made a small scribbled and handed it to her.

"It's fine Hermione. Take this note to Professor McGonagall. It will get you out of your classes for the day. Go and get some sleep."

She took the note but eyed him with suspicion. Just yesterday he was so angry, so aggressive, and wouldn't even speak to her. Today he was being kind, and collected. She didn't understand. He was always so back and forth, emotional whiplash.

"Thank you," she nodded and made her way to the door.

"7:00 Miss Granger."

"Pardon?"

"Your detention is at 7:00." She turned to protest but his smile caught her off guard. It was genuine, kind smile.

She returned it with a smile and nodded again. "Yes sir."