I own nothing! Just playing in J. K. Rowling's amazing universe!

Thank you all for reviews, follows and favs! Every single one makes my day better :) So thank you :D

Seems like people agree with my decision about the ending of last chapter. I'm pleased :)

I had a moment where I realized I had totally forgotten about Crookshank! I won't go back and edit him in, but he will appear from now on :)
If you hate Star Trek & Star Wars, ignore a couple of the paragraphs, and try to forgive me. Did you know you can translate Klingon with Google Translate? This amuses me. xD

~o~

Hermione's POV
Hermione had crashed on the sofa and fallen asleep more or less instantly when they got home. She woke up the next day feeling hung over, before Severus came to her rescue, and gave her a potion that cleared her headache and made her feel like herself again. He seemed a bit different, but she figured he was a bit hung over himself.

Then again, the day before had been different. Between calling her beautiful, and removing her hair pins with gentle motions, it was no wonder he acted a bit out of character. She blamed it on the wine and martinis, though.

After taking the potion, she ate a quick meal before heading down the tunnel to her new bedroom. She opened the door and stepped in. Placing her hands on her hips, she took in the state of her new bedroom. It was quite chaotic at the moment, furniture more or less at random, and piles of stuff everywhere. At least the bed was where she wanted it. When purchasing it, she had given detailed instructions on where it was to be delivered, what room, and exact placing in said room. She was relieved that she didn't have to try to move the bed. It was standing in the corner, just as she had pictured it.

The bed was a big, four poster bed, with a roof and curtains. She was so used to the dormitory beds with the curtains that she wanted to keep it that way. With curtains and silencing spells, you could achieve pretty much total privacy in there. She had this whole room to herself now though, but suspected that she would use the curtains from time to time anyway. She liked the solitude of it.

She took in the beauty of the bed, quite surprised that she had ended up buying this bed. It wasn't even remotely close to what she had planned buying. But the instant she saw it she knew she was going to buy it.

The bed itself was a Victorian inspired king size bed, with beautiful carvings and exquisite details. What she found most curious though, was the colors. She had expected to go for something more Gryffindor-ish, but this was nothing like it. The bed itself was black. Pitch black even. The drapes and curtains were heavy, violet silk with black Victorian-inspired embroidery. She had also bought several matching silk bed clothes and linens. She had four big, fluffy pillows, and her bed cover was over two meter in length, and a little under two meter wide. And the mattress was amazing. She had actually bought the most expensive one, letting herself go all out for once. Even if I'd bought five more beds, my vault in Gringotts wouldn't suffer from it, she thought. She was pleased.

Hermione turned away from the bed, and got to work. Gathering all the random piles of books, clothes, pictures, and new items for the room, she put everything next to the bed. The next step was moving furniture to where it was supposed to be. She pulled out her wand, before changing her mind. She wanted to test if she could manage some of it without a wand.

After a few faulty waves with her hand, she got the hang of it. Half an hour later she was able to move a bookshelf with her hand. Oh my God! I'm a Jedi Knight! Hermione loved Star Wars. She giggled. "Use the force, Hermione." She felt positively cheerful, chatting with Crookshank while moving bookshelves and chairs around to where she wanted them. "Yoda could pull a whole X-wing out of the water." She sighed dramatically. "But then again, I'm just a padawan without a Master. No X-wing levitating for me." Crookshank looked at her like she was losing her mind, and she giggled at him.

Severus' POV
Severus had spent time reading. He had finished Pride and Prejudice, spending most of the book displeased with Hermione comparing him with this Mr. Darcy. But then came the discovery of Mr. Darcy's true persona; they had thought him cold and unkind, but then realized he was anything but cold and unkind. He had of course been helping and saving everyone from behind the scenes. Severus could see why she compared them. He knew all about being the villain until people discovered the truth. This Mr. Darcy turned out to be somewhat of a saint, though. And former Death Eaters did not fill the saint-requirements. Still, it was a compliment, and he really appreciated it. Mr. Darcy even got the girl in the end. Got the girl, indeed. I wonder what Hermione is doing?

Severus walked down the dungeon tunnel towards Hermione's room. He saw her door was slightly open, and he could hear her voice. Who is she talking to? Crookshank, most likely. Curious, he walked silently towards the door. Realizing he was able to hear what she was saying, he stopped for a moment. He heard her shuffling with something before she spoke again. "Hah! If I just had a lightsaber I would totally be a Jedi Knight now! Padawan my arse!" She proceeded to hum a melody, and he felt himself fill with mirth. She is humming the Imperial March. The Imperial March!

He was close to bursting out in laughter, and he hurried towards the door so she wouldn't find out he had been creepily listening outside her door. When he poked his head inside, he almost gasped. He saw Hermione with her arm stretched towards a heavy bookshelf, palm away from her, like she was pushing an invisible surface. She raised her arm, and the bookshelf lifted in the air. She moved her arm to the right, and the shelf followed suit. She then put it down again, and putting her hands on her hips. Cocking her head, he heard her say; "Do, or do not. There is no try."

He couldn't hold back his laughter anymore, and she spun around on the spot, glaring at him. He swallowed a chuckle, and gave her a genuine smile. "You really are something. What's next? You speak fluent Klingon perhaps?" Her angry expression turned to a surprised one before she gave him a humorous smile. As her smile broadened, she lifted her hand parallel with her head, palm flat towards him. She made a Y with her hand, index finger and middle finger at one side, and pinkie and ring finger to the other side. Her smile turned extremely smug as she said. "Chep 'ej qaStaHvIS yIn."

He stared at her in shock for a moment, before he shook his head and grinned. "You have got to be kidding me!" The smile she gave him now was warm. "Yes, a little bit. That is as far as my Klingon goes. Live Long and Prosper seemed like the right thing to learn."

She lit up, and gave a twirl around with her arms outstretched. "So, what do you think? I'm pretty pleased with the result so far! Still have some more work to do though. But so far, so good."

Hermione's POV
Hermione watched Severus looking around the room with an odd expression. He gazed suspiciously at her. "Have you been in my bedroom?" She gave him a frown. "Why would you think that? No I have never been in your bedroom." He looked lost in thought for a moment before giving her a come hither motion with his hand and left the room. She went after him and reached him as he was opening the door that led to his bedroom. Door open, he just stepped back and stretched his arm out in a gesture for her to go inside.

She went into the room, and pretty much copied his former odd expression when she looked around. She turned to him and raised her eyebrows. "Curious." Severus was leaning on the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest. He raised an eyebrow back at her. "Indeed."

Severus' POV
Their rooms were furnished in an almost identical fashion. The coloring was different, but the placing of the different furniture were almost exactly the same. Even the general style was the same. Severus had thought about it when they were in London, that other than the choice of colors, she picked out the same pieces he would. He did however not know what this meant. It was… curious. He didn't know what else to think.

Hermione's POV
Hermione spent the rest of the day working on her room, only taking breaks to eat. She spoke with Severus a few times, but he seemed busy, sitting at his desk with a lot of books and parchments around him. She could see they were related to potions, so she didn't ask him.

Later in the evening she was getting tired and decided to go to bed. She wanted to talk to Severus first, wondering about how their living arrangements were going to be, how he wanted them to be. She went into the sitting room, finding Severus in the sofa, reading a book. He looked up as she entered.

"Severus, can I ask you something?" He raised an eyebrow. "If I said no, would it stop you?" She smiled. "No, I don't think it would." He smirked, but nodded at her. "Then ask." She went over to him and sat down in the sofa. "Well, I want to ask you about the living arrangements. I have my own room now, and I will start working on the other rooms tomorrow. What I want to ask is; when I have finished the rooms, I will obviously spend more time there, but will I be excluded from here? I know you are a private person, and I do not wish to intrude on you." He raised an eyebrow at her and she rolled her eyes. "I don't want to intrude on you too much. Better? Anyway, I know I have to pass through your office and sitting room to get to my-" He interrupted her. "Actually, you don't. There is a tunnel from the apprentice chambers that ends in the dungeon corridors, it's just hidden. I'll show you." Hermione felt the disappointment rise in her. "Oh," she said with a small voice, not knowing what to say anymore. Severus put the book in his lap, and studied her for a moment. "I have set up new, stronger wards here. On your quarters and rooms, my rooms and my office. They recognize me, and you. You may come and go as you please. Just don't pester me too much." Then he nonchalantly picked up the book again and started to read. Or pretended to read Hermione suspected.

Hermione tried to decrypt what Severus just said. Or more like what it meant. He had placed new wards that recognized her. On his rooms. The thought made her warm inside. What does that mean, exactly? She reckoned it meant quite a lot. He rarely let anyone into his life. But he had let her in. He had changed quite a lot from the professor she had known over the years. He was much more relaxed; he actually laughed with her, and even teased her. Not being a double agent anymore has probably helped though. No wonder he has acted the way he has for years. Constantly not knowing if you will survive the day must do serious damage on the soul. Not to forget being tortured on a regular basis. He was a very different man now, and she could understand why. But the way he treated her these days was so very different; she was a bit bemused. He is letting me come and go as I please, in his rooms. I must have grown on him.

The thought made her smile, and she realized she sat there, smiling like an idiot. She had to say something.

"Really? That's great, thank you!" He looked at her over the book. She smiled at him. "I enjoy being here. I enjoy your company. Don't worry; I will do my absolute best to not pester you too much." She gave him a playful smile. He looked a bit disturbed when she told him she enjoyed his company, but quickly recovered and raised an eyebrow at her. "I bet you will, Miss Granger."

She wasn't completely satisfied with his answer; yes, it said a lot that she could come and go as she pleased, but at the same time it was a very vague answer. She wanted to know if he would allow her to come here just to spend time with him, if he wanted her to come spend time with him. Could she do her homework here? Eat here? She almost wished the apprentice rooms weren't there, except for the bedroom and bathroom. That would be the definition of living together, she thought. She realized the idea of living with Professor Severus Snape did not put her off at all; in fact it was quite the opposite. The realization surprised her. What the hell does that mean then? She had no idea. She almost jumped when he spoke.

"I can almost hear your brain working. What is it you are overthinking this time? If it involves asking me more questions, just get it over with and ask. Your thinking almost makes me get a headache."

She had no intention of telling him what she was thinking about. Feeling heat rising on her cheeks, she decided now was a good time to leave. "Um, I was not thinking. Or of course I was thinking, but I didn't plan to ask anything. I'm going to bed, good night!" Jumping up from the sofa, she hurried out of the room and went to bed.

Hermione worked on the apprentice quarters the next two days, with help from Honey, Severus or some house elves from time to time. Everything was now clean, and she had thrown out most of the furniture due to it being broken, or just plain hideous. She wanted to redecorate like she had her bedroom; she was going to live here for at least half a year and she wanted to feel like it was hers. And she could certainly afford it. She also felt like leaving something behind. For the next apprentice perhaps, if that ever happened, or maybe Severus could use it for something. Of course she would need to actually acquire the furniture to achieve this, so she went to see Severus.

Severus' POV
Severus was just about to go see how Hermione was doing when she entered the room. He rolled his eyes at her determined expression. "What?" She jolted to a stop when he spoke, raising her eyebrows in a confused expression. "I didn't say anything." He raised an eyebrow at her. "Not yet. But I have a strong feeling you are about to." He leaned back on the chair, folded his hands over his stomach, cocked his head and looked at her, waiting for her to confirm his suspicions. She looked annoyed at him at first, but gave up after about two seconds and came to sit down at the table with him.

"That's very annoying you know." She gave him a look. "Oh, don't look so smug just because you're right." He couldn't help himself, giving her an even smugger smile. She narrowed her eyes at him. "If you don't wipe that smug smile off your face I will make my light orbs cling to your hair for a week when the new term starts." He chuckled, "very well, Miss Granger. But do remember that if anything like that should ever happen, the retaliation would not be enjoyable for you." He smirked at her, and she laughed. "I will be sure to remember that, Professor Snape." He sat up and propped his elbows on the table before leaning his chin on his folded hands. "Now, pray tell, what was it that you wanted to discuss? I'm guessing from your expression when you entered that you need something from me, and you aren't sure how I will feel about it." She leaned back on her chair and sighed. "Oh my God, can you really read me that easily? I know I'm easy to read, but that was disconcerting." He gave her a half smile. "You are not easy to read all the time, Hermione. But facing your stubborn determination quite often lately has lead me to notice a few things. You do not have one, but several levels of I-require-something-and-you-are-involved-expressions. It all depends on the severity of the question, and how you think I will feel about it. Now ask and get it over with." She shrugged.

"Very well, I admit defeat. I want to go to London. And you need to come with me. The apprentice quarters needs to be furnished. And I would rather it happened yesterday. Will you come with me?" She looked pleadingly at him when he didn't answer right away. She folded her hands in prayer and leaned over the table towards him. "Please. I'll do anything. I'll buy you dinner. Or anything you want." She put her forehead down on her folded hands. "I will call you master for a week, write you love poems; um, never mind that, I'm an atrocious poet. I will read you love poems. Did I mention dinner? And expensive wine. And-" He interrupted her with a chuckle, even though he'd almost fallen off his chair at the mention of reading of love poems.

"Do stop before you accidentally sell me your soul, Miss Granger. I will come with you." She made a small scream and clapped her hands, but instantly stopped when he leaned over and pointed a finger at her. "I will however take you up on the offer of dinner and expensive wine. That is, if we go tomorrow." When she looked confused, he sighed. "You do realize tomorrow is New Year's Eve?" Hermione's eyes widened in shock and her mouth shaped into an o. "Oh my God! No I did not realize that!" Her expression went from shock to delight. "You want to celebrate New Year's Eve with me?"

Severus had been hoping for her not to make that connection, not really wanting to admit to it. Yes, he wanted to celebrate New Year's Eve with her. Especially with her. Very much so. He hadn't really celebrated anything for more than 10 years, especially not New Year's Eve. To him, a new year only meant the end of another year where they had failed to defeat the Dark Lord. And that meant he faced another year of pain and misery, not knowing if he would survive the day.

This was the first time in probably twenty years he actually looked forward to start a new year. He never thought he would survive the war. So he had no idea what to do with himself when the war was over, and he was still alive. He had mostly continued in the same pattern, even though the Dark Lord was dead, and he could do whatever he wanted. But he hadn't been able to break the habit. Not until Hermione threw herself in his arms the day she arrived at Hogwarts. Not that everything changed at that instant. But he had slowly changed since that day. And since the Christmas holidays begun, everything had turned upside-down. She had turned everything upside-down. With her, he did things he never thought he would do again. He laughed, teased, drank fine wine until he was beyond tipsy, sat on the floor to read, and even hugged. The thing he found most absurd about it though, was that he positively loved it. He had no intention whatsoever on telling her any of this of course.

"Well first of all, Miss Granger, it would only be appropriate, don't you think? Of all the years, this year should be celebrated." He grinned at her. "And second, I would be a fool to turn down an offer of New Year's Eve in London with dinner and expensive wine." His smile was teasing when he continued with a flirty voice. "Evenif I have to spend it in the company of an insufferable know-it-all."

He could see the annoyance on her face as she sprang up from her chair and went for him. He wondered for a moment if she was actually angry, but saw the mirth in her eyes when she landed on him. He braced for the impact, but she came at him from the side, and he was unable to stop her from knocking him off the chair. Thank God I have a thing for soft carpets, he thought when his back hit the floor and he gave an oomph-sound. He was yet again in one of those absurd situations he never would have believed if someone came to him a year ago and told him it would happen. He was on his back on the soft carpet, with Hermione Granger on top of him, clutching the front of his robe in her fists. In theory he should be furious, but he couldn't even conjure a trace of irritation.

"Admit it! You infuriating man! Admit it! You, Professor-I-hate-everything-and-everyone-Severus Snape, want to celebrate New Year's Eve with me, Hermione-insufferable-know-it-all-Granger!" She clutched his robe tighter and shook him a bit while giving him a death-stare. Severus said in his most bored, nonchalant voice. "If only looks could kill, Miss Granger. Then again, if that was true, I would be long gone from this world. And a mass-murderer." She made a furious sound through her nose, and her voice turned deadly. "Severus Snape. I swear I will go all Darth Vader on that lovely backside of yours if you don't start behaving! You have seen the movies, yes?" He almost exploded with laughter, but miraculously managed to hold back. He couldn't stop the tone in his voice from being extremely close to flirtatious when he responded though. "Well, Miss Granger, I thought I had, but it seems I've missed the part where Darth Vader does anything at all to anyone's lovely backside." Severus had a clear view of Hermione's reaction since her face was hovering about three inches from his. Her eyes widened drastically and she froze on spot. She was clutching onto his robe like it was a life line, and just stared at him. He was curious to see what she would do next, so he just stayed still, returning her piercing stare with a more relaxed gaze filled with humor.

Severus had no idea how long they stayed like that, but it felt like forever. He found it increasingly difficult to keep from laughing. Her face was priceless. Then finally, Hermione started to thaw from her frozen state, blinking a few times before the death grip she had on his robe started to ease a bit. It seemed like she was going to release him at first, but suddenly she tightened her grip even harder than before. He could see embarrassment overruling the shock, but he also noticed the humor in her eyes. Her cheeks increased in color, and she shut her eyes for a moment before looking at him again. "Severus?" He knew that if he opened his mouth, the dam he had built to keep the laughter in would burst, so he just gave her a nod along with a mhm-sound. "Did I really just wrestle you to the floor and admit I think you have a lovely backside?" Now he could really see the humor in her eyes, she looked like she was going to burst with laughter at any second. He repeated his motion and mhm-sound, but a grin was slowly making its way on to his face without him being able to stop it. Hermione was now strawberry-red, and she grinned back at him. "And there is absolutely no chance that you would let me obliviate the last five minutes from your mind?" He shook his head, trying to keep a straight face.

Hermione was the first of them to lose it. The first bubbles of laughter started to emerge as she exclaimed; "Oh my God!" And then she put her head down on his chest, burying head and hands in his robes and laughed.

Severus was shaking with silent laughter under Hermione, whom was having a laughing fit on the edge to being hysterical. The situation had progressed in an unexpected direction; he thought she would tell him that she didn't mean it, that it was just an expression, and he would have believed her. He did not, however, expect her to tell him she meant it. He couldn't help feeling pleased.

Hermione's laughing fit was starting to slowly fade, and she lifted her head to look at him, teary-eyed from laughing. "Severus? Why are you still letting me pin you to the floor? I would have expected being thrown off and yelled at a long time ago." His laughter had also faded enough for him to be able to speak normally again. "To be honest? Because I find it more interesting to observe your reactions. You rarely respond to situations the way I expect you to. But now that you mention it.." He grabbed her hips and she squealed. "Severus! No! No, I didn't mean it!" He flipped her over on her back, and hovered over her with a smirk. "Imagine how many house points I would have deducted for such appalling behavior in former years, Miss Granger. It's curious how time changes things, wouldn't you agree?" She winced at his words, and he gave her a wicked grin before getting to his feet in a quite graceful fashion.

Hermione's POV
Hermione stayed on her back on the soft carpet a bit longer, thinking about what had just happened. The fact that she had just told Professor Severus Snape that she found his behind appealing was one thing; she had considered to deny everything and say she didn't mean it like that. But then again she did find his behind pretty lovely, and he deserved a compliment. She guessed he didn't get many of those.

The second thing that went through her head was more surprising to her though. He had teased her, and how had she reacted? She attacked him and wrestled him to the ground like she was a fourteen year old girl play-fighting with her boyfriend. She didn't do that. She had never been that type of person. But something about Severus made her this person. It felt good though. She felt more relaxed and sort of free than she had in a very long time. She suddenly remembered what the reason for her attack had been.

"Hey!" She knew he was sitting in the sofa, but didn't check if he looked at her. She knew he could hear her. She heard him sigh in a way she just knew came with an eye roll. She couldn't help herself. "Don't you roll your eyes at me." He went dead silent for a moment. "So, have you finally grown eyes in the back of your head?" She chuckled. She had been right. "Not yet, no. But I'm starting to know you a little bit as well. Anyway, you dodged my question. Tell me you want to go with me tomorrow, or I won't go." Oh God, I really act like a fourteen year old girl. "I have no intention on celebrating New Year's Eve with someone that would rather be somewhere else. It's a depressing thought. And I do not wish to enter a new year with depressing thoughts." She could hear some shuffling and then he stood over her, hand outstretched to help her up. She took his hand, and he pulled her to her feet like she weighed nothing.

"Hermione, don't be a fool." She winced at his words. He noticed, and shook his head. "No, not like that. You're a fool to think I wouldn't want to go with you. Do I make myself clear?" She nodded, a bit mixed between being startled by his harsh tone but yet delighted from what he actually was saying. "Good. I'm going to bed. Good night, Miss Granger." And with that, he let go of her hand, turned from her and swept out of the room. It was only after he left, she realized he had not let go of her hand after helping her up. He had been stroking her palm, making small circles in it with his thumb. Hermione was utterly confused as she went to bed.

That night, Hermione had no nightmares. Her dreams, however, contain several scenarios with a black-haired man, and her new bed.

~o~

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Just wanted to let you know that I will come back to the subject of Hermione's magic soon. But I figured she needed a break after the whole forest-ordeal, and I wanted to continue building Severus' and hers relationship. But the next term is about to begin, and there will be less playtime xD And you will learn more of what is going on in the world outside Hogwarts.

I would positively love some opinions, what would you like to see more of? Leave me a review, or a pm :) Please :D