Severus was thinking through the rest of the night until he went to bed on how to make sure that his potion turned out better than Hermione's tomorrow, looking forward to their little contest. It wouldn't be hard if they kept the original potion simple. He'd done that kind of work before without worrying about messing up just because he hated the texture of somethings. It also kept him out of the Hospital Wing more often than not, and thus out of Madame Pomfrey's watchful eye. She always wanted to know what had been going on when he came in with bruises or a broken finger. At least he had always been a decent liar.

The next day came in a hurry for both of Hermione and Severus, the idea of a friendly competition between them sticking in their minds. They were becoming fast friends, and in a way Hermione was not used to.

In his time, Severus had friends that were as bright as him and putting as much work into their studies as he was. Hermione,on the other hands, was more used to hanging around Ron and Harry that were used to using her to do better in classes. Neither of the boys were stupid by any means, but they didn't put in the same kind of effort she did into her studies. Severus had matched that passion in her to learn, and she loved knowing that she wasn't the only one that had such a burning passion to learn.

The next morning after breakfast, they met like usual to continue their work. However, this time there was a bit more of a spark in the air. A will to prove the other wrong.

Hermione smiled slightly as they both spit balled ideas for what potion they could work on.

"What about the Pepper-Up Potion? Ron always says it wakes him up just because it tastes so bad, and I'm inclined to agree with him," she offered after several minutes of them bouncing ideas off of each other. It was something she had learned and mastered back in third year. That would be perfect for them now. Especially since all of the other things that they had suggested either tasted good or were too hard for her to do comfortably. That would be a good idea.

Severus rolled his eyes in amusement. "I know what you mean. It has simply horrid taste. Lucius always ask me to make him one if I can make it taste better," he agreed. "That would work well. Now the question is, do we want to wager on this?"

Hermione smirked. "Definitely."

Back at Hogwarts, Severus sighed as he leaned back in his chair, tired of looking over first year students' awful papers. Did they not have any education on how to right? Some of them were spelling like a group of dunderheaded two-year-olds. He closed his eyes as he tried to relax for a moment, wondering what his younger self was up to at this point. He remembered everything that had happened twenty years ago, but at this point, it was rather difficult to remember the exact dates. His younger self hadn't kept strict track of the date while he was in the future, and it made it difficult for him to put what was happening to him with what was happening to him in the present.

It was difficult to think about the fact that his younger self was in the process of falling in love with the know-it-all. It had been difficult enough to watch the girl slowly grow up without even noticing him except for the fact that he was her extremely difficult teacher. And he doubted the fact that it would get better when he finally went back... At least the boy would have something pleasant to remember before he went back and went through everything with the Dark Lord. He'd even get a kiss out of the deal... That had been a little bit of brightness to keep his younger self going through the years of darkness.

However, finding out about Lily's d-

He cursed as his arm started burn, leaning over slightly for a moment as he closed his eyes and tried to take a deep breath. That never hurt any less than it had when he first got it.

He carefully got to his feet as he sent a patronus to Dumbledore, rubbing his arm as he waited for the return message saying he knew. He could always use the excuse that he was in a meeting if the Dark Lord questioned him. A few minutes later, he apparated away, entering the building quietly and politely bowed to the other man that controlled his life for a moment before standing to full height and looking at him as calmly as ever, his face a mask of indifference. "And how may I be of service to you, tonight?" he asked quietly.

There was a light probing along the edges of his mind as usual while the Dark Lord watched him quietly before finally decided to speak. "Severus... When were you going to tell me about your young self arrive here? I heard from Lucius the other day," he said softly, voice testing his most loyal servant.

"I had not thought it important, my lord. I join you shortly after the beginning of my seventh year. I do not wish to mess with my own timeline too much as it could result in a completely different out come," Severus answered politely, head held high as he watched the other. Even if he knew how this ended compared to if they were not talking about himself.

Voldemort's lips twitched slightly in amusement and shook his head, twirling his wand on his fingertips quietly. "I remember you joining me... As loyal as ever, you were," he said softly, voice sounding nearly like the hisses of Nagini. "But I would like to see him all the same. He could be a great help."

Severus resisted the urge to let his annoyance show at his master's command and instead bowed slightly to him. "Of course, my lord. I will do my best to get a hold of him before he returns home," he said quietly. He glanced back up to see Voldemort flick his hand at him, signalling that he could leave. He disapparated within the moment to report back to Hogwarts and in turn, Dumbledore.

Little did he know, tonight was the night that Severus claimed his prize of being right about their potions.

What would be their first kiss.

(I know it has been forever since I update! *is a bad person for that* Anyways, hope you enjoy!)