A/N: Hello all my lovely readers. I glad to see so many people loving my story. Thank you everyone that has left me reviews or added me to their faves/alerts. I tried to get to them all, but again a few people weren't logged in and I couldn't find you. I do have to stop and answer one that I couldn't find simply because it made me giggle.

To Ot76: Wibbly wobbly timey wimey. Ha ha. I so love Doctor Who. David Tennant Rocks.

Special Thanks to Kristine Thorne, my lovely Beta. You have immense patience and I thank you for it. I swear, I will stop procrastinating and get you the final chapters soon.

Disclaimer, since I haven't left one in a while: I do not own anything pertaining to the HP universe. I simply play with with the characters for fun and to drive people crazy waiting to find out what happens next. Yes, I'm a bit perverse in that way. Ha ha.

Take care everyone and as always, Please Read and Review. I love reading everyone's thoughts and idea's on what they've read or may be coming.

Chapter 9

Christmas break was upon them. Hermione had gotten through her chat with Lily and it hadn't been as bad as she had expected. Mainly, Lily was just curious as to why Hermione had been flirting. There wasn't any censure on Lily's part over it, just curiosity. After assuring her new friend that she had not been flirting at all, merely trying to show Snape that they were still friends, that had been the end of it. Though Lily had smirked of course, and gave an odd humming noise, but that was it.

Hermione didn't have anywhere to go for Christmas and was a little sad about it. Dumbledore had told her it would be best if she stayed close during the holiday break, just in case. Lily was going home to see her family, while the Marauders all decided to go to James' home for Christmas.

They didn't know she didn't have anywhere to go. She didn't want them to ask questions about why she didn't go home. So she pretended to pack up and said she was apparating home since she had her license already so she didn't need to bring her trunk down yet.

They all hugged her goodbye and didn't question it. It made her wonder what Ron or Harry would do if she tried saying that to them. They'd know she was lying in an instant. Or at least Harry would. Ron was sometimes very oblivious.

When they left, she went back inside. She was sad again. Sad and alone. Feeling that same harsh tension building in her as before, she took off for the Room of Requirement.

She missed a dark gaze seeing her go by in surprise at seeing her upset. He felt his heart clench at her sorrowful expression.

He had thought she was going home for the holidays. Had something happened? He went to follow but she was zipping quickly through the halls that he almost had a hard time catching up.

He watched her reach the Room of Requirement and flicked his wand to stop her wards. He didn't want to get locked out again after the door closed behind her. He paused outside the door, wondering if he was breaking some friendship boundaries by going inside without her permission, but he didn't know. Other than Lily, he had never had a real friend before.

He didn't know how long he stood there before he moved to the door handle and paused again. Taking a deep breath he opened the door and stepped inside. The scene he saw inside made him freeze in total shock.

When Hermione had gotten near the room, she again asked for attack dummies and set it for an intense battle from the very beginning. She wanted the adrenaline that would pour through her body from the hard fight.

She asked the room to have them attack her and it started. She was ducking and shooting spells back and forth quickly. Using the few small things the room had given her for cover to keep from getting hit.

She was only ten minutes into her attack, but she was so focused she didn't hear the door to the room open. Nor did she hear it softly click shut as she dodged each masked foe that came at her. Each dummy again wearing Death Eater masks.

She had blocked one stinging jinx wandlessly as she fired a shot that made it explode, all while rolling across the floor. She pivoted and alternated her wand with the physical fighting training she had learned since the war.

Punching or grabbing one dummy and turning its body to make it take the hit of a spell meant for her. Throwing kicks that knocked the dummies back as she went in for the kill shot.

Snape watched with his lips parted in shock at the tiny girl fighting so many dummies and fighting them well. He never thought to use this room to practice fighting like this. He watched her moving, admiring her skill and grace when he noticed what the dummies were wearing.

Death Eater masks. She was fighting against dummy Death Eaters. The knowledge made his heart race and his palms start to sweat.

Hermione noticed that the room was seeing her skill and countering it. She flung off her long sweater she had been wearing due to the chill in the castle. Leaving her only in her t-shirt, tank top that she had on underneath, her jeans, and her sneakers.

She fought for another twenty minutes and was getting overheated more, but couldn't find a break in the dummies to do anything about it. She could have called for a break, but didn't want to.

Seeing her moving still, not showing the littlest bit of fatigue was impressive. She had been fighting for at least a good thirty to forty-five minutes now Snape noticed.

She had three dummies coming towards her from different directions and he waited. He knew they were throwing spells, but knew she wasn't dumb enough to let them use anything dangerous.

They all three threw a spell at the same time. She dodged one and blocked the other two with magic, wanded and wandless. Seeing her fighting three foes at once was even more impressive than what he had seen so far.

She blew another round of three dummies to tiny bits and in that moment before the room sent her more, she ripped off her t-shirt and tossed it away. Leaving her in her tank top as her only clothing on her upper body.

It wasn't long before the room gave her a forth opponent and he saw she was not only outnumbered, but she was not going to win. He shifted a bit closer, paying more attention to her fighting than anything else.

The movement catching her eye long enough for one to lunge and knock her wand away while the other three fired and hit not only her, but it's own dummy friend as well.

She yelped as the two spells hit her, knocking her to the stone floor onto her side. One spell hit her in the chest, the other spell hit her in the knee. Snape winced and called for the room to stop. He was glad when the room did as he said.

"I can't believe you'd have them use spells that actually caused pain. I thought you were smart." He growled at her while coming over to see if she was okay.

Her eyes met his and he saw many things flicker into her eyes at once. Annoyance, embarrassment, and fear. It was the fear that made him pause briefly before coming towards her again. Is she afraid of me?

Her eyes shifted and the fear was gone but he had a feeling it was still there, but she was hiding it. Instead she gave him a smile he saw was fake. She has never given me a fake smile before. Does she not want me here?

Hermione's mind was racing. How will I explain what I was doing? How will I explain how I have the skills to do all the things I'm sure he saw?

She sat up, wincing a bit from the stinging in her knee and just below her right breast. She met his gaze again. "What are you doing here? How did you know I was here?" She drew a breath and frowned a bit. "How did you even get in? I set the wards like I did last time."

He raised an eyebrow at her as he came closer to her. So this is what she did the last time she was in here. No wonder she was wincing before too. "I followed you when you ran right past me in the halls. I set the wards before you could, which allowed us both inside."

He was already a spy before he joined Dumbledore, even as a teenager. She thought. "Oh, I didn't see you. Sorry. I just needed to burn off some…energy."

He squatted down next to her. "Are you alright? What did you have them shooting at you?"

She nodded. "I'm fine, it'll wear off soon. I had them shooting stinging jinxes. Though I may have had them shooting them a bit too hard. I don't remember them feeling that bad before."

He frowned at her. "Why would you have them shooting a stinging hex? Why have them shoot at all?"

She shrugged and it made her wince again at the movement in her chest. "If I don't feel it, I don't know where I'm dropping my guard. Besides, the small amount of pain helps me learn faster since I don't want to get hit again." She smiled when she finished.

Snape shook his head. "I said it before. You're an odd one. I thought you were leaving with your friends for Christmas."

She looked down at her lap. "I didn't want them to feel bad for leaving me here, so I told them I was going home. I didn't tell you…because I needed everyone to believe it so they didn't catch wind of the lie. I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

He frowned slightly. She's apologizing to me? She hadn't told him she was staying directly, he had only overheard that she was going home when she was talking to her friends a few days back.

He gave her a very small smile, a slight curving of his lips to show he wasn't angry with her. "Would you like some help up?"

She nodded. Relieved to see he wasn't angry. "Yeah, my knee is a bit sore now."

His eyes raked over her and he suddenly noticed several faint marks on her skin. He frowned and looked closer. Scars? "What have you done to yourself?"

Hermione looked at her shoulder that he was staring at. Saw the other marks on her upper arm too. She met his eyes and forced out a grin. "I guess I just played too hard as a kid is all."

He didn't quite buy that, but obviously she didn't want to talk about it. He nodded and let it go. He would find out eventually. She was bound to tell him or let her wall slip enough for him to see.

He stood up and reached down to help her stand. Once on her feet, the fatigue from using the wandless magic so much, finally hit her. Compiled with the hex to her knee, she almost fell again as her leg buckled on her.

He caught her by wrapping his arm around her waist and bringing her hard against his chest. It was the feeling of her almost bare breasts rubbing against him that made him realize how little she was really wearing.

He swallowed as her eyes met his, having felt the brush of his chest against her nipples. The tiny nubs instantly hardened against him making her eyes grow wide. What the hell? She thought as she felt an odd fluttering in her belly again.

Feeling her nipples tighten while pressed against him, his brain shut down as desire flared inside him. He did something, that had he been capable and thought about it, he wouldn't have probably done. He leaned down and kissed her.

Hermione felt her heart start beating erratically as her mind screamed that this was Professor Snape. This was the man who hated her immensely. This was the same man that couldn't stand to be in her presence for more than a few minutes at a time either.

When his tongue glided over her closed lower lip, something inside her argued back. This isn't that Snape. This is a different one. This one does like me. This one likes my presence. Just before her eyes closed and she felt herself melt against him, she opened her mouth to him.

Their tongues met and glided together tentatively for one stroke, then two. It wasn't long before he was molding her already crushed body even harder against him. His mouth slanted over hers, as his tongue no longer glided, but warred with hers instead. His desire rising with her responding so well to him.

A moan escaped her as his hands slid down to cup her bottom as he pulled her even tighter against him. Her hands moved up to dive into his long black hair, sifting her fingers through it. Surprised at how soft it felt. She knew in that moment that his hair was shiny due to how soft and silky it was, it wasn't oily like she and her friends always thought as his students.

It was feeling his growing erection against her thigh that brought her back to her senses. She quickly pulled away, blushing at having felt that part of him pressing against her. Her eyes shot to the floor and she couldn't bring herself to look at him.

Snape wanted to pull her back and kiss her again, but seeing the heat burning her cheeks as she looked away, he knew she wouldn't let him. When she didn't lift her head and look at him, he tried to lift her chin, but she quickly ducked her head again.

Licking his lips, he bit back a groan at finding her sweet taste still on them. Instead he focused on the witch in front of him that still wouldn't look at him. "Hermione." He said softly, almost willing her to look at him.

But she still wouldn't meet his eyes. So he did the only thing he could think of to get her to look at him. He probed into her mind with a whisper. He was expecting to find a wall like he always did, and then give it a gentle push to get her to look up. But this time when he looked, he saw her thoughts racing through her mind.

Oh god. Oh god. I kissed him. I kissed Snape. What have I done? The thoughts making him back up a step as horror filled him at seeing her thoughts.

Hermione's thoughts went on. What am I thinking? I'm not even sure how long I'll be here. What am I even doing here with him like this? This could change so many things.

Snape was about to back out of her thoughts and leave the room in defeat when one last thought broke through her mind. I can't like Snape like this. Sure, he's a good kisser. Yes, he tastes good. Yes, I want to kiss him again, but this is such a bad idea. What am I going to tell him? What can I say that wouldn't be a lie?

He paused, shocked at what he was seeing in her mind and listened to more of her thoughts. What can I say? That I don't want to kiss him again? That's a lie. That I think we should stay as friends only? That's a lie too. That I don't want to say to hell with all of it and take whatever I can? That's a lie. Wait. What? Hermione's thoughts froze as her eyes grew even wider and Snape took that moment to get out of her mind.

"Hermione, look at me." He said softly, doing his best not to show any reaction to her thoughts.

Hermione pulled out of her thoughts and looked at him. "Look, Snape…" He raised his hand and covered her lips with his fingers so she couldn't speak.

When her still wide eyes met his again, he gave her a small smile and spoke. "It was just a kiss Hermione. Calm down. I know you liked it. You know I liked it too. Just stop panicking. Your eyes look like they're about to pop out of your head."

She gave him a small smile against his fingers and he dropped his hand when he saw her relax. The sight of both her smile and her relaxing made him sigh in relief.

"This is a bad idea." She said softly.

He shrugged. "Bad ideas are not always wrong though, are they?"

She laughed softly. "I need to think about this. What this could mean if I let this go on."

He reached up and brushed a stray lock of hair out of her face. "Do you want this to go on?"

She frowned. "I don't know. Part of me does, but…"

He pressed his finger to her lips again. "No buts. We'll just see…what happens. No pressure, still just friends. But who knows what else later on."

She sighed and nodded. "Okay. Still friends."

She was surprised to see a real and full smile grace his lips. She had never seen one before. He had only given her tiny ones before.

He took her hand, surprising her once again. "Come on. I think it's time for dinner." He said, pulling her along with him after she had pulled her other tops back on.

She realized a few moments later that the stinging was gone in her chest and knee. She didn't know how long they had been snogging…oh god, I snogged Snape. She thought before she pushed it away.

They moved down the halls when suddenly she felt him tense, heard a slight hiss escape him. She saw he reached for his arm a second before he stopped himself. It was the arm that was holding her hand.

She knew what it was. She had seen what was on that arm while she was still a student in her time. He obviously already had his dark mark and it was calling to him.

He quickly looked at her, she saw the slight panic in his eyes that he didn't hide fast enough as he searched for an excuse to leave her. Knowing this had to happen, she quickly spoke to keep him from having to lie to her.

"Hey, I'm still kind of tired and sore from all that working out with the dummies. I think I'm going to skip dinner and just go lie down. Do you mind?" She asked him.

She saw him visibly relax as he forced a smile over the burning pain in his arm. "No, you go on ahead. I'll see you tomorrow."

She gave him a tiny smile and squeezed his hand gently before leaving him. She knew that she had to let him go. She knew too that this could change things for him. Would he try to leave the Dark Lord if he actually has something to look forward to in his life? Now that he has a friend?

She didn't know. So she kept walking to her dorm. Telling the fat lady the password, she went inside her dorm and sat on the couch in the empty room. She was hungry but didn't want to risk someone mentioning her being down in the Great Hall later.

She had an idea and decided to give it a shot. Most of the house elves stayed for decades somewhere. She knew the names of a few of them too.

She called to one. Happy to see it appear rather quickly with a pop. "Yes miss?" The tiny female elf asked.

Hermione gave her a small smile. "I don't feel up to going down to dinner tonight. Girl problems, you know?" At the elf's blank look, she went on. "Is it possible to get a tray in here instead, please."

The elf happily nodded. "We are allowed to bring trays for the sick students, but Headmaster Dumbledore already told us to get you whatever you wanted, whenever you asked. Sick or not."

Hermione was surprised to hear this, but was thankful too. "Thanks. I'll have whatever you want to bring me that isn't to big of a bother for you. I'm not picky."

The elf smiled, happy to get to choose for the miss and was gone with a small pop. Only a few minutes later, the elf popped back with a tray of food. Hermione thanked the elf profusely, making the tiny female elf look down in embarrassment before popping off again.

Snape got back to his dorm room and quickly got out his Death Eater robes and mask, shrinking and hiding them in his pocket. He had been lucky so far since he had met Hermione. He had only been called a few times and they had been at night after everyone was asleep.

If Hermione hadn't suddenly felt too tired to go to eat, he might have had to lie to her. He didn't want to do that to her if he could help it. But after seeing her fighting all the Death Eater dummies, he didn't know what to do.

It was obvious which side she was on. She was against Death Eaters and he was one of them. He had taken his mark before coming back this year since he thought he had nothing else in his life. Now…now he had her. The possibility of something with her. Even if it's just friendship.

How could he have anything with her if he was what she was against? He pushed it away. He didn't have to decide right now. Assuming he decided anything about it at all.

He wasn't dumb enough to think he could simply walk up to the Dark Lord and say he had changed his mind. He would be killed. Hermione too, if they found out about her being the reason for his change of heart.

He quickly made a run for the doors, and ran to the edge of the grounds so he could apparate away. He was gone with a crack and arrived at his destination with a faint pop. Slipping his robes and mask in place, he headed inside.

He didn't see any of his fellow Death Eaters and started to get nervous. He knew he had to keep his thoughts blocked about Hermione and his indecision over his role as a Death Eater. The Dark Lord was a master at Legilimency, but Snape was good at Occlomency.

He knew in that moment he would have to make sure he became a master at both. If the Dark Lord knew he had a weakness he would use it against him. Hermione was becoming a weakness and he didn't know if it was one he could really afford. But he couldn't walk away from her. She was slowly becoming very important to him.

Walking into the throne room, he saw his Lord sitting in a high backed chair. He went to him and kneeled as was expected. Waiting until he was given permission to rise again before moving off his knees.

He prayed his walls stayed in place. Prayed his face didn't betray him, or his eyes for that matter. He forced his face and eyes to show nothing at all. A mask of indifference settling in place.

"Severus, my faithful servant. You may remove your mask since we are alone here. I only called you to see if there is any news at Hogwarts. Anything new that I need to be aware of." The Dark Lord said.

Snape slipped his silver mask from his face, praying to whoever was listening to keep his thoughts safe. "My Lord, I have no news. Dumbledore has shown no change in anything, nor have any of the others we already know of."

Voldemort stared hard at Severus, and not finding anything amiss, he nodded. "You are quickly proving your worth to me. I have need of someone like you. Someone of stealth and cunning. You will continue to be my eyes and ears at that blasted school. When we show our power to the blood traitors and Mudbloods of our world, we will be the ones in control. You will stand at my side as my faithful servant and reap the rewards along with me."

Severus gave a low bow. "Thank you my Lord. I look forward to it."

Voldemort gave a small snake like grin. "Tell me. Are those blood traitors still harassing you? Black and Potter?"

Severus gave a small incline of his head. "They are, but not like they have in the past. Its nothing I can't handle my Lord."

The Dark Lord nodded thoughtfully. "I will see to it that they get their just desserts. Make no mistake of that. They will suffer for what they do. Not only for their traitorous ways, but for what they do to one of my loyal followers."

Severus swallowed. Keeping his thoughts blank. Voldemort looked over at him, searching his eyes and searching his mind, but finding both blank of anything. He didn't see a wall that blocked him out, instead he only saw indifference on the matter.

"If you have no news for me, you may go. I have no reason to believe you are hiding things from me. I know of your hatred for those that abuse you. Those that have forsaken you. I will ensure those that have, pay dearly for it. Leave me." The Dark Lord gave a wave of his hand in dismissal.

Severus bowed again. "Yes, my Lord."

He forced himself to walk and not run out of the room. Forced himself to walk to where he could apparate away. Once he was back at Hogwarts, he again shrank his robes and mask.

Hermione's friends. The Dark Lord would do something to them. How would he face her knowing he had caused her friends, people she cared for, no matter how he felt about them, such pain and possibly death? Would Lily be caught in the crossfire? How would he live with himself if Lily were harmed too?

His sweet Lily. A girl he had loved. A girl he had lost. A girl that no longer ruled his thoughts regularly anymore. Another had taken her place. Hermione now was the one he thought of constantly.

He didn't know Hermione's blood status, but having seen her power he would swear she was a pure blood. She was too strong magically to be anything but. But what if she wasn't? He knew he didn't truly care about such things. He was only a half blood himself. But the Dark Lord did. The Dark Lord cared.

No. She has to be a pure blood. He had never truly seen anyone fight as well as she had only be half or even muggle born. She would be safe with her status.

A/N: Okay, I hope everyone liked that chapter. I know Snape is now very concerned over what he saw, as well as the kiss they shared. Hermione too for that matter. I have never written a scene with Voldemort before, so I hope I got it right. More coming soon, I promise. Please leave me your thoughts. Take Care everyone.

PS....Since everyone commented on Lily's Chat with Hermione, I added what little bit I did for all of you. I didn't plan on it and honestly, I had forgotten about it until so many people mentioned it. So I hope you all are happy with the brief little paragraph I typed for you to let you know how it went down.