Sorry that this has taken so long to be posted. My laptop died just last week and I haven't been able to get a new one yet. Hopefully I'll have one in another two weeks or so. Until then, My postings will be fewer and farther between. Sorry about that, guys!

For the first time in her life, Hermione Granger didn't have the answer to a question.

Normally, she was the shining pupil in any class, hand constantly raised in an effort to provide the instructor with the right information. She spent most of her time in the library or in her room, going over her notes and homework so that the material would stick with her. Now, however, as she laid on top of her lover's chest, her tongue stuck in her mouth and no answer came to mind.

Severus smiled and reached up to touch her hair again. He repeated the question in the quietest, gentlest voice he could muster. "How did I get so lucky?" His smile was sincere and clearly he wasn't aware of the turmoil going through her mind at something innocent to him.

Being the top of her class wasn't everything that people saw it for. Hermione worked hard to be recognized for her intelligence to make up for her shortcomings in physical looks. Never one to call herself "beautiful" or even "pretty", she used her brains to make herself feel adequate as a human being.

Instead of speaking any of this out loud, she laid her head down on his chest and didn't look at him.

Severus felt the way that her body seemed to stiffen and he acknowledged that she broke eye contact with him as well. Conflict raged in his head. Obviously, he had somehow come across a sensitive topic but it was one that he wanted to pursue. How could such an obvious compliment suddenly upset her?

Women… he thought to himself… such complicated creatures…

"Hermione? Did I say something wrong?" His voice was probing but soft as he tried the unobtrusive approach with her. "I'm sorry if I've upset you. I assure you that that wasn't my intention."

She remained silent, staring off into the darkness of his bedchamber. Even though she was under a thick blanket and on top of a warm blanket, she felt chilled and a little cornered. Not wanting to lie to him couldn't overrule the feeling of avoidance on the topic. With that thought, she rolled off of him and slid out of the bed with a strained smile.

"You didn't upset me. Don't worry. But I should be returning to my dormitory. It's late." She looked around her. "Um… where did my robes go?"

With a lazy wave of his wand, her garments flew to her body, dressing her instantly. "You shouldn't leave my chamber at this time. The corridors are being patrolled. Should you be caught by Mr. Filch, you risk getting a detention or lost points for your House."

She was using her wand to smooth her hair in a mirror on the wall. "I'll move quickly and quietly. I can silence my footsteps if need be." Hermione didn't see him get out of the bed until he was standing right behind her, clothed in black silk pajamas.

"Please stay. I'm offering you polite invitation to spend the night."

Hermione pursed her lips and shook her head. "I'm sorry, Severus, but I can't. I mustn't be seen leaving the dungeons in the early morning."

He was frowning now at her blatant refusal. "It's early in the morning already. It would look worse to leave now and be caught."

"I'm sorry." Her tone was quiet and final-sounding. She stood on her toes to peck him on the cheek and then quickly headed towards the door to his quarters. Getting there, she grabbed the handle and pulled, expecting it to come open. When it didn't, she paused and then tried to unlock it by using Alohamora.

Spinning on her heel, she saw him leaning in the doorway to his bedroom with a grim smile on his face. "Another old Death Eater trick. You can't leave until you have my permission. The door won't open."

Believing him, she let go of the handle and stomped her foot in a childish display of frustration. "Severus, let me out! This is NOT fair."

"You're right."

She froze and looked at him strangely. "What do you mean?"

"You locked me in your bedchamber, demanding answers to questions that I hadn't considered in a long time. You took me off guard and expected me to just open up myself to you." His voice held a certain venom and she suddenly felt like she was in the classroom, being stared down by malevolent Potions Master.

He continued on with "I asked you one question that was meant to be a compliment, yet it clearly put you in some sort of distress. Now I'm asking you why and I demand an answer. When you open up, the door will, too."

She regarded him in annoyance though she wouldn't deny that he had a point. She had done the very same thing to him not too long ago but then, he had the luxury of escaping through the bathroom window. Here, in the dungeons, there were no windows. Scowling, she spoke through gritted teeth. "For an innocent man in this time, you sure use a lot of your old Master's tricks."

The comment did what she meant it to. If possible, his eyes narrowed into smaller slits. Her words had been biting and annoyed. He knew this and worked to press down the peculiar feeling that was creeping up in his chest. The girl really had the innate ability to press his buttons. Being the older, more mature one, he didn't rise to the occasion.

With a huff, she flopped onto his couch and crossed her arms. That only lasted a few seconds before she said "Accio book", concentrating on a single one on the massive shelf with a flick of her wand. It flew to her outstretched hand. She began to flip through it. "The silent treatment. Yeah. Real mature."

"What would be an appropriate response to such a caustic statement?" His tone was a little annoyed and sounded like he was forcing himself to stay calm. "You've planted the catalyst to an argument."

This time, it was her turn to remain silent. After nearly three minutes of no talking, Severus snapped his fingers and the book she was flipping through disappeared. "I am speaking to you. You should pay attention."

Hermione looked at him in amazement at first, then in anger. "Oh, wandless magick. Another brilliant trick from Voldemort, no? Well, I don't think it appropriate to use."

"Actually," he said coolly, taking a seat next to her, "Albus taught me that." He reached for her hand and she didn't pull away. "Now tell me, what's wrong with the question I asked you earlier? Why did it upset you?"

"Everything is wrong with it. You're mistaken on how you see me."

Severus just raised his eyebrows.