Chapter Thirteen

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

Disclaimer: Not Mine

A.N. This one's a bit longer, so it took me a while to update. I hope you like. Here goes.

Severus spent the entire weekend locked in his room, lying on his bed, and listening to various muggle rock music at full volume. Dennis brought him all of his meals along with a barrage of worried questions. This made Severus think of a time not so long ago when an oddly similar situation involving a group of Gryffindors who called themselves the marauders, a girl, and a werewolf. This situation had also landed him locked in his room, except that time it had been his father interrogating him at the door and he hadn't sounded the least bit worried.

Dennis was hard pressed to discover the reason behind his master's melancholy, but his suspicion rested with the girl: Hermione. Dennis wondered what horrible act his master had done to receive her ill favor.

Severus almost didn't go back to school on Monday, but he decided that he would only raise suspicion if he took the week off. Besides, the Halloween Ball would be coming up on Friday and all of the teachers would be needed.

Hermione chose not to attend Potion on Monday morning. She didn't want to get into trouble for skipping , but she doubted Severus would have the guts to mark her absent. The fact of the matter was that she really couldn't stand to have to deal with him that early in the morning.

Hermione decided to fall back on her safety zone and just go up to the library instead. Madam Pince gave her dirty looks every time she was within sight, but never said anything.

Hermione picked up a book on defensive and offensive magic, hoping that she'd be able to find a good curse to use on Severus when he wasn't looking.

Hermione was going to sit down at an empty table, but she really couldn't bear to be all by herself. She looked around for someone to sit by, but didn't see anyone else. She was about to give up when she realized that most of the people who skip probably didn't go to the library, but then she spotted a girl in Gryffindor robes facing the wall at a corner table all by herself. Hermione didn't recognize the girl, she was in a younger year to be sure, she extraordinarily long silky black hair that was in a messy bun and half hidden under a shiny black vinyl muggle hat. The girl had her nose buried in a book on beauty charms.

Hermione really wasn't looking forward to sitting next to some conceited first year who only cared about how she looked, but she dreaded sitting all alone.

Hermione threw her bag down on the floor next to the chair opposite the girl and sat down. 'You don't mind if I sit here do you? There wasn't anyone else in the library and I wanted a witness if Madam Pince decided to hex me for skipping .' Hermione laughed nervously and suddenly fell silent as a very familiar pair of deep blue eyes, lined in black and masked in a cloud of light blue eyeshadow, peered at her over the top of the book. 'Shawn!' she exclaimed and fell backward off of her chair.

Shawn's eyes widened, 'Shhh!' He put a finger to his lips and glanced furtively around the library to make sure no one was watching.

Hermione climbed back onto her chair and straightened her robes. 'Corso, what the hell? You're wearing makeup and what's with the hair?'

Shawn blushed, 'Do you promise not to laugh?'

Hermione frowned and nodded, 'This aught to be good.'

Shawn sighed, 'Well this morning I woke up really early and I couldn't get back to sleep so I decided to go down to the library and look up some charms. I wanted to make my hair long for the concert, so I'd look like a rock star. So I found the book and I charmed my hair, and that looked really cool, so I decided I should do makeup for my eyes too. So I did them in blue because Ginny said that it would compliment my eye , but then my eyes looked really funny with my light brown hair so I decided to charm it so it would be really deep black, but then I still wasn't satisfied and I wanted it to be glittery, not glam rock glittery just sort of shiny, and that's when something went wrong I think. Because I was looking at myself in the mirror, looking mighty fine mind you, and I noticed that my hair had gotten longer.'

Hermione gave him a pitying look, 'But you wanted your hair longer, remember, you charmed it.'

Shawn sighed, 'Well yeah, but it had grown like two feet since I'd shaded my eyes and had used the mirror last. And now it won't stop growing, so I'm trying to find a charm to make it stop, because I can't go to the infirmary because I'll get in trouble.'

'Madam Pompfrey won't turn you in. She might reprimand you a little for using cosmetic charms that are too advanced, but she won't give you detention.'

'But what if someone recognizes me, I'll be the laughing stock of the whole school. A rock concert is one thing, but they're not going to let me get away with it today. What if Snape sees me?'

Hermione frowned, 'You don't have to worry about Snape I don't think.'

'Couldn't you just fix it? It would only take you a second.' Shawn begged.

'But where would the lesson be in that?' Hermione asked sagely.

'I hate to remind you, Hermione dear, but you are in no position to lecture me when you yourself are skipping .' Shawn frowned, 'Wait a tic, why are you skipping ? I didn't know that you were capable of skipping .'

Hermione's eyes widened. 'Fine, I'll fix your hair just drop it.' She grabbed the book out of Shawn's hands.

Shawn smirked, 'Seems I've stumbled upon something. Hmm.' Shawn scratched his head. 'What in the name of Merlin could Hermione Granger skip ? Gasp,' Shawn made a little shocked gesture and covered his mouth with his hand, 'What would your study group think?'

Shawn thought she was going to curse him when a beam of silver light shot out of her wand, but then he relaxed when she began to fondle his hair.

'Is this length okay?'

Shawn felt up to his hair, which fell just below his chin. 'Perfect,' he smiled. 'But now I want an explanation, 'Mione. Why are you skipping ?'

Hermione sighed, 'Needy little bugger aren't you?' Shawn nodded. 'Yes well, I hardly think it's anything you can help me with. Men troubles you know...'

Shawn sighed and mumbled, 'Boy do I ever.'

'But I'm not going to put up with this from a boy who's hiding out in the library because he looks like a girl.' Hermione interjected. 'So I'll be off now,' and with that she left the library feeling considerably better than she had on arrival.

Hermione was walking to lunch after Arithmancy when Harry suddenly pounced into the hallway in front of her.

'Hermione dearest, I need to talk to you.' His voice was full of false kindness.

'So talk,' Hermione said walking towards the Great Hall.

Harry jogged to keep up. 'Hermione it's about Snape.'

Hermione grimaced and quickened her pace. 'Yeah, what about Snape?'

Harry grabbed Hermione's shoulder, stopping her and spinning her around. 'Tell me that I'm wrong about Snape.' Harry's eyes were pleading.

Hermione frowned, 'You're wrong about Snape.' She started off towards the Great Hall again.

Harry ran after Hermione, 'Am I really?'

'I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about.'

'Don't you?' Harry was having trouble keeping up with her now, and they were nearly to the Great Hall.

Hermione stopped abruptly and spun around to face him once more. 'Could we discuss this later please.'

Harry's eyes widened. 'I'm right aren't I?'

'That depends.' Hermione looked at him searchingly and realized that he wasn't going to be satisfied until he knew the truth, or at least a lie that was eighty percent truth.

'On what?'

'On what you're talking about.'

Harry grimaced. 'I'm not completely stupid Hermione. All the late night potion sessions, the happy little smile on your lips, and then skipping today I know something is going on.'

Hermione sighed. 'That doesn't mean anything Harry and you know it. I skipped today because I needed to help Shawn with a personal problem that he was having, and you know that I've been working on that potion for the order.'

Harry nodded, with a smile that was more of a grimace. 'You're right, none of that means anything. But last Saturday you were wearing his shirt. I thought that it was Viktor Krum's at first because I know he comes to visit you when he's touring in England, but then I saw Snape wearing it at our midnight potions on Tuesday.'

Hermione was shocked, but she covered it well, 'I just borrowed his shirt because mine got all muddy in the forest when we were working on the potion.'

Harry rolled his eyes, 'That might have worked with Neville, Hermione, but I'm not that thick. I know you could have fixed it with your wand. Besides, you never came to the dormitories on Friday night.'

Hermione bit her lip, feeling less and less self-assured by the minute. 'I told you that I went down to the kitchens to talk to the house elves that morning.'

Harry shook his head.

Hermione sighed, defeated. 'How much of this have you told Ron?'

'Nothing. How much am I correct about?' Harry searched his face.

'Oh all of it I imagine,' Hermione said in a blithe sarcastic tone.

Harry looked like he was going to collapse onto the floor and go into convulsions. 'Oh, yew. Yuck, Hermione, that's so wrong. No. Ah, no. Hermione, no. With Snape? I'm not going to be able to look at you ever again, you know that?'

Hermione blushed, 'Shut up Harry. Oh, and don't tell Ron. Don't tell anyone, because if you do I'll have to curse you into the next millennium.'

Harry had no doubts that she would do just that. 'Fine, but you owe me one. And if I have to hear anything about it I'll probably projectile vomit all over you.'

Hermione shook her head, 'Can we just go to lunch then?'

'Alright,' Harry said and followed her into the Great Hall.

'Oh my god, about damn time,' Ginny Weasley was squealing over her costume for the Halloween Ball concert.

Hermione looked up at Shawn who handed her a black garment bag. He smiled down at her through a sheet of shimmering black hair.

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him, 'What are you smiling about?'

'I didn't have anything to do with it, I swear,' Shawn said beaming.

Hermione raised her eyebrow, 'Anything to do with what?'

'Oh my god, I am so not wearing this!' Hermione turned to look at Ginny who had turned bright red all over. She was holding up her band costume. It comprised of a very short black vinyl skirt and a scarlet and gold vinyl top that looked more like a bra. She spun the skirt around, to reveal 'The Lionhearts,' across the back in scarlet letters edged in gold stitching. 'Is this a costume or a swimsuit?' Ginny asked skeptically.

Hermione frowned, 'Well, I think I'll wear something else. Who was in charge of the costumes anyway?'

Shawn smiled, 'Why Sir Nicholas of course. He may be dead, but he's not about to let that stop him from having fun.'

Hermione groaned, 'Now that is disgusting.' She turned to Ginny. 'I have a sewing machine up in my room, come on up and we'll see what we can do to alter them. If all else fails, we can sneak out to Hogsmede and buy something.'

Shawn smirked and started laughing as the Hermione and Ginny left the common room and went up the stairs to the girl's dormitories.

Hermione went down to the dungeons for the final potion session feeling rather miffed. The very last thing that she wanted to do at the moment was to see Severus. If she was being completely honest with herself she had to admit that she really wasn't that mad at him. She was actually planning on forgiving him, but she'd decided to wait until she was in a better mood.

However, when she arrived in Severus' office, she was surprised to see Professor Dumbledore sitting behind the desk.

'I hope you don't mind my subbing in for Severus tonight.' Dumbledore said kindly.

Hermione smiled, 'No, not at all, I'm a bit relieved actually.'

'I see,' Dumbledore raised his fluffy eyebrows. 'Severus went home early tonight, because he wasn't feeling well. I do hope that things resolve themselves, he's been a bit of a mess as of late.'

'Really?' A look of concern came over Hermione's face.

Dumbledore nodded gravely and handed Hermione dragon scales, a bowl, and a pestle.

Hermione groaned, starting to wish that Severus was there instead. At least that way she wouldn't have to grind up the dragon scales, as small a consolation as it was.

Dumbledore sighed. 'I know what's going on between the two of you Hermione.'

Hermione looked up, surprised. 'I...' She sarted but Dumbledore cut her off.

'Hermione, I don't approve, but I'm not going to take action against it. However, I am worried about Severus. He's been through quite a lot, and I do not want him to do anything stupid. Do you understand, Hermione?'

Hermione nodded, feeling horrible.

'Do you think that you could find it in your heart of heart's to forgive him, he was only protecting you after all.'

Hermione smiled, 'Yeah, I think I know just how to make it up to him.'

Dumbledore smiled blithely. 'I think I'll pretend that I didn't hear that last bit.' He plugged his ears and began to wistle loudly.

Hermione blushed. She'd had something else in mind, but they would be done with the potion after all.

A.N. Yeah I know that I said it would be long, and it kind of was, but I decided to give the Halloween Ball it's own chapter.

Thanks: I'm going on vacation in like ten minutes, so the bul of these are going to have to wait until the next update...should be next week some time.

I want to give special thanks to Sam though, because she's always reading these and I never give her a thank you, even though her reviews are the most important. So... thanks for curing my writers block, and keeping me from making the fic far too coincidental...even if it did work for Charles Dickens. Snaps for Samma.