Severus saw her smile at him, not realizing that he had shown some sort emotion through his eyes for once. That was usually the most guarded part of his face because eyes could give away anything. "Should we get back to work?" he asked, feeling a little too exposed after all that. He didn't open up to most people, and he realized he didn't know her that well. Though, she was a better friend then most of his Slytherin friends were.

Hermione rolled her eyes at him but let him change the subject. "Sure. Maybe you can teach me to brew a bit better. Merlin knows that I could certainly use it," she said, smirking slightly. She paused, seeming to realize something. "I wonder why do you make a better teacher than your older self."

"You aren't as bad as you make yourself sound," he said simply, shaking his head. He shrugged, not quite sure either. Though, he had noticed, his older self seemed to have a dislike for Hermione. That probably had something to do with it. He couldn't imagine what had happened to make him dislike the girl so much when she had been decent to him.

Severus got up, walking over to where they had set up their school equipment. "Well, might as well get started," he said. They continued to work on Potions, and whatever else they felt was needed, until dinner was called. They stopped to eat and then relaxed for a while by the fire in the living room, both with a book in hand. It was comfortable, and neither had to talk.

As he finished a chapter, Severus got distracted by his thoughts and just started looking into the fire as he thought. His mind was going back to his own time. His own life before all this. This was better than being at home, or having to deal with the Marauders. Home was the worst because then it was his family that didn't like him. He missed Hogwarts though.

Hermione glanced over and caught him staring into space. "Severus?" she asked quietly, snapping him out of his revery. "Are you ok? You were just staring into the fire. That isn't good for your eyes, you know."

Severus looked at her in surprise. "Oh. Yeah," he said simply, shrugging. Should he tell her? He wasn't quite sure... "I was thinking about home." That was a safe thing to say, since he meant his own time. He could be thinking about anything, as far as she knew.

"I can't imagine what it must be like. Wrenched from your own time and thrown ahead twenty years," she said softly. "It has to be quite a nerve wracking experience. And confusing."

Severus snorted and rolled his eyes. "Of course you can't imagine. It didn't happen to you," he said shortly.

Hermione frowned slightly. "I know it didn't happen to me. I am trying to make it easier for you, so don't get short tempered with me," she told him. "I am trying to be your friend, despite the fact that you seem quite determined for us to not get along sometimes."

He was brought up short at her words. Few people ever tried to be his friend, especially those outside of his house, because he wasn't the most approachable person, and he knew it. Merlin, he used it to his advantage sometimes. Taking a deep breath, he looked at her. "I... Apologize then," he said quietly. Those words had hardly ever left his mouth, but she really seemed to be genuine in her trying for his friendship. Which was surprising, considering how prickly he could be.

"That's fine," Hermione said, giving a small smile at his apology. It obviously had taken a bit from him to get the words out. "What were you thinking about home?"

Sighing, Severus was glad she had changed the subject and accepted his apology. That wasn't something he was used to doing. "Just that I miss Hogwarts. Mostly the common room and Slughorn's room. I spent a lot of time in his classroom, brewing."

Hermione nodded. "I guess so. It would explain why you're so good at it. It sounds like Hogwarts was more your home than anywhere else," she said, watching him curiously.

"Sometimes, it was, but isn't it that way for all of us?" he asked simply. He didn't want to explain how abusive his father could be to her. It was true. When one went to Hogwarts, they would spend seventy-five percent of the next seven years there. It became like at least a second home to every kid.

Hermione nodded. "I guess so," she said softly then yawned. She glanced at a clock and noticed the time in surprise. "Wow. It's late. I'm going to head to bed. Good night, Severus. I'll see you in the morning." She stood, picking up her own book and giving him a small smile. It was 11:30. The time had just slipped away after dinner when they had started reading. She headed upstairs as he got up.

"Good night, Hermione," Severus said simply, grabbing his own book and marking his spot before following her up. He went to his respective room and changed before going to bed, trying to relax. He closed his eyes, trying to clear his mind.

He slowly fell asleep in the middle of a thought about Hermione actually being a decent Gryffindor. Hopefully, it wouldn't end the same as it had with Lily. He didn't think he could lose another friend like he had Lily, even if he didn't know Hermione very well.

A few hours later, he awoke with a gasp and sitting up. "Bloody nightmares," he said softly, rubbing at his eyes. His worst memory. Lily. Mudblood. It still ran through his head as he tried to send the bad dream away so he could go back to sleep. It was his fault she was gone. He had made her leave. It was his fault. He took a deep breath. He couldn't think about that right now. He'd break down like he had after that in fifth year. Here, he didn't have the privacy to break down. He took a shaky breath, slowly trying to clear his thoughts.

He was almost tempted to wake Hermione to talk to her.

However, he couldn't do that. She might know what happened, but he didn't want her to know that he had nightmares. It would make him look weak.

He didn't want to look weak to her.

(I know this chapter took a little longer than usual. I'm very sorry. School started again and I got busy. I hope you enjoyed it, though! Let me know how I'm doing! Thanks guys!)