DISCLAIMER: All characters and settings are the property of JK Rowling. I'm just the girl who likes to play in her world.

Chapter Seven: School boy fights

She knew she must have looked somewhat deranged from the ugly sneer he was giving her. So forgetting about the panic, and rearranging her face she managed to gather back some degree of composure. She would have to think on her feet, and fast.

"I was actually just um doing some research for um... personal interests" Good one Hermione, do you rely think a mind like his is going to believed that half arsed string of words. She gave herself a mental slap on the head, which would have left a red mark, was it real.

"Yes. I can see how one would want to look up time travel for a different reason other than wanting to peruse it." He replied sarcastically. He seemed to let the subject drop as he suddenly became totally engrossed with his work again. Hermione paused for a moment out of shock but before she could take advantage and thank the heavens for Snapes unusual mercy her mouth seemed to be moving.

"If you must know Snape, the reason I was looking at these is because I want to be a Mediwitch when I graduate. To specialise in rare cases would be quite fascinating, and what more so than somebody from the future or the past. I mean image the strain it would cause on your body; it would have to adjust to unfamiliar sights, people and surroundings. Losing the ones you hold dear must cause some kind of trauma to the mind as well as body." Okay it wasn't a complete lie she did want to be a Mediwitch when she graduated, just not for them reasons. After the words has stopped pouring from her mouth her mind seemed to just pick at what she'd just said and she froze with the revelation of the truth. She was in shock; that's why she couldn't eat and seemed to change her feelings about things in a snap. That's why her brain seemed to be permanently stuck on 'stupid' mode. She gave a little groan, she really couldn't handle this. She wasn't strong enough.

She felt sad all of a sudden and when her eyes meet his she felt even worse. There was no friendly twinkle in his eye and he didn't look like he would hug her anytime soon. Why did she even sit with him? She realised that she'd been trying to replace her friends with him without even realising it. He was familiar to her in some defaced sort of way, but she really had no right to think they'd be friends. She felt her eyes prickle with hot tears. She really did miss her friends she missed seeing the flash of red hair running towards her when he had found out she'd stolen the daily profit before he could look at the Quiditch scores. She missed being next to Harry while they trained endlessly to become all that they could in combat. She even missed being scared and worried about the way Harrys temper rose and fell all the time. They all knew it was from use of dark magic, but who were they to deny a boy something that could save his life?

Most of all she missed her own mind and balance.

"I feel sorry for the unfortunate soul that will ever be placed under your care. Maybe you should worry about your own state of mind Granger, you look a mess." Snape spat at her harshly through his crooked teeth. He got up in one fluid motion and walked out of the library, leaving her there to the silent tear that he knew was running down her left cheek. But he couldn't have anything to do with the girl, the mark burned onto his left arm made sure of that.

She swiped at the tear. She refused to cry herself for her own stupidity at being landed in this world. She picked her bad off the floor and stoop up, she looked around her and for the second time in her life she was disgusted at the sight of books all around her. She hated them for being so tempting, and for making her open them before she knew what they would contain. Turning swiftly on her heel Hermione stormed out of the dreadful place, she left behind the very knowledge that she would need in the near future. Not even bothering to look around her she shoved her way 

through the people that were on the way back from their meals. She didn't even stop when she knocked down a first year who fell to the floor and cried out in pain.

The next thing she knew she was standing in the Gryffindor common room with 5 pairs of eye on her. From the second she looked into lily's eyes she knew what was to come. This bunch of misfits was her friends now, friends were meant to protect each other, but she couldn't protect hers. Her entire resolve broke; dropping her bag on the floor she just stood there and cried. She cried for their deaths, for their lives and the life's they would give. She cried for what they would lose and for what she would lose. Most of all she cried because she couldn't do anything about it, she was the one who was sentencing them to their deaths and to their broken souls. Voldemort would be proud, she thought bitterly to herself.

She felt strong arms wrap around her and she knew immediately that it was Sirius, her arms clutched around his torso from instinct. She would never forget how he felt pressed to her body, providing her with the security that she desperately needed. Never.

"Shhhh, you're okay here, I told you I'd look after you and I will." She smiled into in shoulder.

"I'm not the one who needs protecting though." She whispered to herself; though she was certain he heard her he made no inclination of it. The tears finally stopped and she drew back from him. She must look a mess, she guessed her face was red, her eyes puffy and her hair had grown at least two inches wider. It always did when she cried.

"I'm sorry." Was all it took for rest of them to come over to her and give her hugs; she even managed to give peter a quick hand shake. After all her loathing for him was nothing compared to the loathing she directed at herself. They didn't press her for the reason behind her tears; she knew she would have to tell Sirius tomorrow, but tonight was a time to just be, and for that she was thankful. She spent the evening playing chess, exploding snap and just talking about silly things. This is how things should always be she thought to herself, and then smiled at the knight who fell off his horse to the chess boards' floor.

She felt the couch sink down from the weight of another person there. Without looking she knew it was lily, it was strange that she'd known her in such a little space of time and yet she could easily recognise her scent. She supposed it was a product of living in war and having to know what surrounded you.

"Hey Hermione are you hungry? The boys have an insatiable appetite and we're going to get some food. Would you like anything?"

"I think I'm actually going to go to bed in a little while, if that's ok. It's been a long day and I'm really not all that hungry, but thank you Lily."

"Oh okay, well have a good night sleep. I'll be up later; I'll try not to wake you." The red head gave her a friendly smile. Hermione managed to give her a weak one in return.

"Before I forget Hermione, don't worry about the other girls. They probably won't even talk to you unless it's about boys, make up, nail polish or anything stupid like that. If they give you hassle just ignore them, they tend to lose interest quickly." Reminds me of some other girl I used to know. Hermione doubted if she would ever be able to let go of her old life while she was stuck here. She'd never really fit in here and even though she was in Hogwarts; it wasn't her home.

"That's a good thing then, because I'm not one for the latest fashion trends. Goodnight boys, I'll see you in the morning" with a little wave of her hand and a fake glitter of happiness in her eyes she turned from them and made her way upstairs.

True to lily's words the other girls hadn't even tried to speak with her, but the looks that they shot towards her hadn't gone unnoticed. To them she was probably a freak, she was smart, had made friends with the most popular boys in the school and had made a brilliant spectacle of one of the most dangerous boys in the school, and that was only today. Merlin knew what tomorrow hold but she'd give anything to just go by unnoticed.

Even when she was asleep she couldn't escape the sadistic dreams that plagued her every night since fifth year.

-.-.-.-

As Sirius watched the girl wonder up the stairs he had an overwhelming feeling that he needed to be there for her, to shelter her and protect her from his world and the enemies within it. When she had broken down into fits of tears hugging her was the only thought that shot through his entire body. He felt some kind of kinship towards her, like the kind of way an older brother felt for his younger sister. He wanted to know what happened, but knew it would have to wait till the morrow.

"Sirius Black, do you fancy Hermione? You're staring after her like you want to go up there with her." James voice brought him away from his thoughts.

"Shut up prongs mate, I don't fancy her, she's a friend. Now how about this food I'm wasting away over here." He pushed himself up off of the floor and waited for the others to slowly get up, he really was hungry. And a hungry Sirius made an impatient Sirius.

-Break-

Hermione woke from fitful sleep; she didn't know or just couldn't remember what had made her scared enough to wake up in a snap. Turning her head she saw it was still dark out and the clock read four forty in the morning. This is how things had been going for the entire week. No matter how late or early she went to bed she woke up in this state at exactly the same time. It would have panicked her if she wasn't already panicked about everything else going on. Losing sleep was hardly at the top of her list.

There had been no more incidents with the likes of Snape or Malfoy but she guessed it was only a matter of time before something happened, not that it bothered her. When Sirius had asked her about what had made her so upset she told him that it was just home sickness. He knew there something more to it so he had tried to keep an eye on her, but if she could outsmart a death eater then she'd be damned if she couldn't outsmart the likes of Sirius Black.

Her lessons were going smoothly as well and now that she had settled into a routine she managed to butter up most of the teachers so that they would give her the same wok as everybody else, instead of just catch up work. Professor Levesque was still proving a hard nut to crack; Hermione reckoned that she wouldn't be able to crack her by the time she went home, if she even went home that was. Hermione hadn't really had all that much spare time on her hands to research time travel, sure she had early mornings and late nights but it was so difficult to concentrate when you could feel eyes burning into the back of your head. She knew exactly who it was but she never gave into the temptation to throw him an evil look and tell him to get the hell away from her. To Hermione it had become part of her built in routine to ignore Snape at those times.

When she had finally managed to tear herself away from staring at the library door, in her currently asleep but mostly awake state, she pushed it open and she felt relieved by the smell of old paper pages and the musty smell that she presumed came from the dust and tables. Just like magic, she loved it. Though she had tried to keep away from places that would haunt her, the library was the one place she couldn't live without even if he was there as a constant reminder.

-.-.-.-

The day after their 'argument', if that is what you'd call it, he had been surprised to see her bushy head stick through the door. She made no effort to sit near him again; he was somewhat happy about it but more regretful than anything. He couldn't count the number of times he had just sat and stared at her thinking about going over there to apologize, but because of the coward he was, he never did. He had half expected to be jumped in the middle of the corridor by those Marauders; they never missed a chance to torment him, especially Black. He supposed it was possible that she hadn't said anything to them as no such attack had commenced yet.

He saw her eyes linger to find his for a moment but then like lightning she turned her back on him to pick out a few books from the section she always got her things from. He had looked there after she's gone and found nothing but travel books and the effects of travelling volumes. At least she was consistent; he'd like to be as stable with his life that his only worry was how to get around faster. When she made a move to sit down at what was rapidly becoming known as 'Her table' by everyone who entered the library, he made a move to get up and walk over there. His hands started to sweat and his mind was screaming at him to go back, he would do this if it killed him. He looked ahead to her and if his legs weren't on automatic then he would have stopped dead in his tracks. Although she had her back to him he had still never seen something as capturing in his eyes. The morning rays that were pouring in through the window were settling around her hair and made it look as though every curl was on fire. The sun disappeared when he reached her. Typical, he thought to himself, you're taking away the light from her life just like you do everything else you come into contact with.

Hermione Had felt him get up from his chair all the way over the other side of the room. She shuffled slightly in her chair she felt so uncomfortable with the light shining around her; she wished it would go away as she couldn't see a thing. So when Snape got there she gave a small sigh, happy to not be blind anymore. He must have thought she was sighing regretfully because of him because he started to move away as soon as it had left her lips.

"What did you want Snape? If you've got something to say then I suggest you get it over with. I'll have to leave in a minute." He stopped and seemed to be having a mental argument with himself whether he should do it or not.

"If you're looking for books about travel you should check the Ministry law books, they have some interesting ideas in there." She noticed how stiff and tense his body had become and she realized they both must be thinking the same thing.

Coward.

"I'm fine thank you but you could help me if you wanted to." She didn't want to be his friend, and he'd made it plain that he didn't want to be hers, but she didn't want him to be alone; as she knew him to be. He raised an eyebrow at her and turned straight on his heel. She felt disappointed, not because he didn't accept her offer, but because he was rejecting it for the wrong reasons.

"Boys'" she whispered to herself and gathered her stuff back in her bag ready to set off to breakfast.

o.o.o.o

Stupid wench, don't even know why I went over there in the first place! How dare she pity me? He didn't even need to be a master in Legilimency to be able to see her thoughts, it was written all over her face. You fool, you should have just kept away, and you knew it would have been easier to just ignore her. As far as Snape was concerned she could keep her pity-ship he didn't need it, he didn't need anyone. He may only be a half blood but he was a powerful one, and the dark lord would make him more so. Then you'll see who will pity who Granger. He didn't mean it but he felt 

the need to convince himself that he was better than her.

"Well well if it isn't little Snivellus, it's always a pleasure." Oh god here it comes, Black in all his shining glory. He rely wasn't in the mood, especially because the corridor was going to be packed with students any minute now.

"Piss off Black; I've got better things to waste my time on than you." Snape took in Black's attire and found it somewhat amusing; he had obviously not spent the night in his own room. "Maybe you should go wash the stench of your latest whore off, you look disgusting." He curled his lip up and gave him a disgusted smirk.

"I'm surprised you even know the smell of a woman Snape. Even your own mother didn't want you!"

"You've got room to talk Black. You're the one whose whole family has disowned him." They could both feel the electrical waves of magic radiating off of the other.

"Go on Black just try and draw your wand, I swear you'll regret it." He watched Blacks hand move towards his belt but he was too quick.

"Aguamentis" Snape whispered and watched as The Water shot from his wand all over Black. Black stood there in shock, Snape had deliberately made the water freezing cold. "I told you to get a shower, now I guess you don't have to. " That seemed to bring Sirius back out of his shock

"Incarcerous" He could see that one coming a mile away so he simply put up a blocking charm. The ropes fell motionless to the floor.

"You can do better than that Black, I'm sure you've picked up better than that lame excuse for a spell round that place you used to call home." They were both now standing poised for a duel. Severus only just realised that they were starting to accumulate a crowd.

"Serpensortia" Severus was pleased with himself when he saw the crowd move out and a few first years run away from fear of the great green scaled yellow eyed snake now slithering around on the floor towards Black. He felt proud. "Deal with that Black."

"Snape don't be ridiculous you could hurt one of our many spectators. Call it back, NOW!" Sirius wasn't exactly afraid of snakes; he just didn't deal with them well. Snape had obviously used this bit of information to his advantage. A new round of insults had just formed on the tip of each boy's tongues when a voice cut through the space in-between.

"Expelliarmus" Both boys were disarmed simultaneously their wands flying into Hermione's palm. She had been watching the exchange since it started and she could plainly see it was about to grow from a school boy fight to a duel. She wasn't about to let that happen while she had just began to get used to the idea of seeing them both every day. It would break her heart if she had to lose them again.

"Awww Hermione I was just about to kick his arse! You spoil sport." Sirius whined like the spoilt little child he was. She rolled her eyes to the heavens thinking Azkaban actually grounded him somewhat, not that she would actually wish him to go there.

"Sirius I hate to be the one to tell you this but you were sorely losing. You had a dirty great snake in front of you and were just standing there like a wet mop, literally." She looked down at him and the puddle that was surrounding his feet.

"Siccusaer" She pointed her own wand at Sirius and he wasn't dripping any more, he was still wet but at least he wasn't making a mess on the floor. "I think you should go to your bedroom and clean up Sirius." She walked up to him and placed his Wand back in his hand. He grabbed her hand before she could turn around and whispered in her ear; his voice low.

"What are you doing? Are you actually sticking up for that git? He started it anyway." She scoffed at that.

"You know full well that he didn't Sirius and no I'm not sticking up for him I'm saving your arse from detention." She gave him a sweetly smile and he just laughed out loud and proclaiming to everyone around him.

"Show's over! Get to breakfast, maybe if you're lucky me and old Snapey will resume this somewhere where the missus won't show up." The crowd moaned and slowly disappeared into the great hall. Hermione turned around to see a very angry looking Snape. She was starting to regret taking his wand off of him.

"Granger just give me my wand back and be on your way."

"In case you haven't noticed Severus" she put emphasis on his name just annoy him and it worked because she saw a vein in his partially cover up neck beat. "You're in no position to order me about, but I'll give you your wand back if you do something for me first." His 'neck vein' started to jump about more; he was getting more aggravated by the minute.

"I don't think so." She gave him a sweetly smile and brought the hand containing his wand up and gave it a little shake then turned around and began to walk away

3 ... 2 ... 1 ...

"wait?"

Bingo. She smiled to herself and turned around he was walking towards her. She stood her ground and when he was merely inches away from her she still had her head high. He was trying to intimidate her, but it wasn't working. With 6 years of Professor Snape under your belt his teenage self was a breeze.

"You're different. Most people would have run a mile by now."

"I had a teacher at my old school that was far worse than you; I've told you before I'm no fairy princess." She saw him crease his eyebrows together as though he was confused, she noticed him step back and inch or two. She creased her own brows at that, what had she done now? Whatever it was he seemed to have gotten over it.

"I want my wand back so just tell me what it is that you want? I don't do love potions." She nearly burst out laughing. He thought she needed him to brew a potion, and a love one at that. She reached out her hand to place it on his shoulder to support her. Her entire body was shaking with silent fits of giggles. He jumped in the air at the sudden contact.

"I... don't need... a potion... I'm quite capable of... making my own" she said in between breaths.

"Please remove yourself from my person Granger." His voice cut through them both as cold as ice. So she did, her hand automatically went to her side.

"I just wanted to know if you'll be my partner in Potions next week. I don't think I'll be able to survive if I fail this project because of Frank. He's lovely, but between me and you, he's such a 

dolt." She finished with a little nervous laugh. Now that she had asked him this didn't seem like such a good idea. She waited for an answer but he didn't even twitch. So she held out his wand to him and he reached out and took it with eyebrows up to his forehead.

"Forget it, it was silly. See you later" She walked away from him.

It's not that he didn't want to be her partner, he just wasn't sure if he was allowed. He was meant to hate anything that stood for the other side and she defiantly stood for the light. Maybe he could talk to Professor Levesque and ask her to make it look like she had randomly placed them together. He smiled to himself; this was going to be interesting. The smile slid off his face as he looked down at the wand clutched in his hand. He was sure that earlier she had said '... a teacher at her old school' but that couldn't be because she had told everyone else that she had been home schooled. He pocketed his wand and turned his back and headed down to the dungeons.

Yes this would definitely be interesting.

Authors' Notes– Right, so yeah I know it's really confusing at the moment but it would make more sense if I updated quicker so you could get the information. But I don't so bah!

Umm in case you haven't noticed I'm a crappy speller, so please don't point it out lol, I know already!!

'Siccusaer' (Siccus- Latin meaning 'Dry') (-aer Latin meaning 'air') – I made up this spell because I didn't know if there was one for drying clothes. If there is could somebody please let me know?? Maybe?? ... P.M. me or put it on the reviews

Anyways review if you would be so kind

Thank you ... lots of loves xx.xx.xx