A/N: Hello everyone. Yes, another update so soon. I'm trying to make up for leaving you all for so long. Thank you everyone who reviewed my last chapter. Thanks too for everyone still adding me to their alerts. As always, Please Read and Review.

Special Thanks to my very awesome Beta, Kristine Thorne. I swear I'll send you more chapters very soon.

Chapter 14

Hermione didn't seek Severus out the next day at all, even taking a tray in her room to keep from having to see him in the Great Hall. It was Friday and then the weekend was on them. Her friends kept her busy, Peter joining them for once.

The Marauders had been wondering why he had been so busy and not spending time with them this year. She knew why. He was already a Death Eater and was serving his Dark Lord.

During her meals, she sat with her back to Severus' table, and felt him staring at her. Felt his probes at her mind, but didn't let him into her thoughts, nor did she turn to look at him.

She knew she wouldn't get away with avoiding him for long, but she hadn't figured out how to explain that they needed to back off from each other. Besides, she was embarrassed too. He had touched and kissed parts of her no one else ever had. She didn't normally act like she had with him with anyone.

Monday dawned and she needed to make a trip to the library. She had read all the books Minerva had bought for her and needed something new to read.

Thinking that since it was still early, maybe she wouldn't bump into Severus yet, so she dressed in her uniform and made her way down the hall. Keeping a close eye out in case he was around.

She felt her heart racing and knew she was being silly. He wouldn't do anything to her, at least not in this time. In her own time…well that was different.

She might be able to beat him magically now, but she doubted even if she faced him now with him as an adult, that even with all her knowledge that she would be able to beat him.

She was almost to the library when a pair of hands clamped down on hers and shoved her into a shadowed niche in the castle wall. She spun around, her back against the stone wall and found a pair of angry black eyes looking down at her.

She swallowed nervously. These were the eyes she had feared. The ones he had later in life. Full of anger and promise of retribution. But taking in the whole face, she remembered that she wasn't facing that man later in his life.

Severus glared down at her. "Why have you been avoiding me?" He growled at her.

His question mirroring her own from only a few months ago so much and it made her smile a little. Her smile made his eyes blaze even more and his lip to curl in annoyance. She quickly got rid of the smile at seeing his reaction to it.

She tried to look away but he wouldn't let her, and she felt heat filling her cheeks. "I…" She still didn't have a good way to answer him, even after these last few days. So she decided to go with a partial truth. "I was embarrassed." Feeling more so with admitting it, feeling heat rush to her cheeks with her words. Praying he didn't remember this conversation later or at least didn't realize it was her.

His anger receded some and he sighed. His grip on her hands loosened as well. "You're beautiful, why were you embarrassed?" He asked her softly.

Her cheeks turned a brighter shade of red at his question. How can I explain that I'm twenty-two and haven't gotten past first base with anyone?

"I…I've never…" She found she couldn't spit it out with his eyes locked on hers.

His gaze softened as the rest of his anger left him. His hand came up to stroke her cheek in the small cramped space. "You don't have to be embarrassed. It's actually a good thing. You wouldn't believe the amount of girls that sleep around in this school."

She smiled softly. Probably less than those running around my school. "Actually I would."

His lips curved. He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers softly, making her respond instinctively. He pulled back with a small smile. "I've missed you these last few days." Brushing a strand of hair off her cheek.

Hermione had missed him too, but knew why this couldn't keep happening. Suddenly her mouth went crazy and spilled out her thoughts without her meaning for them to. "I've missed you too, but Severus maybe we should back off a bit. This is…not what I planned on and…I don't even know how long I'll be here. Plus…"

His hand covered her mouth, and she silently thanked him for it. She didn't know where that babbling stream of words had come from and was glad that he didn't let her embarrass herself more.

His eyes were still on hers. "You talk way too much sometimes." He said softly.

She frowned and her eyes flashed, having heard that from him her whole life. He chuckled and went on. "You think too much at times too. But if you missed me anywhere near how much I've missed you, then I don't think we should back off at all. If you're not ready for more, then that's fine. I won't push you for something you're not ready for, Hermione. Just don't hide from me either."

Her eyes softened. Damn him. Why can't he be that snarly bastard I know him to be? She wondered, but then her brain answered it for her. Because he hasn't had a couple of decades to build up to it.

He removed his hand from her mouth and waited, but she found she couldn't argue with him. Against her better judgment, she leaned up and kissed him again.

His hand cupped her hip, pulling her away from the wall, so his arms could slip around her, while her own crept up around his neck. She opened for him, but he kept it gentle. Her tongue gliding along his as her stomach fluttered again, and her heart started to race along with it.

He pulled her tighter against him, when she heard someone clear his throat. They froze and slowly broke apart, though they still held each other. Hermione glanced past Severus and saw Dumbledore standing with his back to them.

Maybe he doesn't know we're here. She thought, trying not to make a sound. But then she heard Dumbledore speak.

"Ms. Brown…I was wondering if you had a moment before your classes started up today." He said with his back still facing away from them.

Severus' eyes met hers as she groaned softly and heat filled her cheeks once again. His lips curved into a smirk at her embarrassment.

Crap. She thought as she tried to find a good excuse for being in the small hidden crevice. Hoping the Headmaster didn't know she was with anyone.

"Ms. Brown…I hope you forgive the interruption, but I wouldn't have bothered you both if it wasn't pressing." Dumbledore said again.

Hermione sighed in even further embarrassment since the Headmaster obviously knew she wasn't alone. Severus bit back a laugh at the look on her face. Hermione glared at him, which only made his urge to laugh increase.

"I'll be out in a moment sir. I'll meet you in your office, if that's okay?" She asked, hoping to get a little dignity back by him not knowing who was with her. He knew that Severus was her professor in the future and she didn't even want to think about what he might say about it.

Dumbledore nodded and moved off. She sighed in relief, and then heard his voice again. "Incidentally…Mr. Snape, Madame Pince said you left a book in the library. You might want to retrieve it before your first class."

Hermione turned beet red, biting back several curses at getting caught, though she swore she heard Dumbledore chuckle softly before she heard him walk away. Severus couldn't hold it back any longer and let a snort of laughter escape.

Hermione glared a moment before he kissed her again. "Don't be embarrassed. I have to go get my book and you have…" He smirked again. "You have a meeting to get to."

Hermione growled, annoyed that he found this funny. But she knew he had no clue just how embarrassing this really was. "Fine, go get your book." She said, stepping back, or at least she tried to but he held her still.

"Are you done avoiding me?" He asked her, his smirk gone.

Her lips curved, even though she knew this was still a bad idea. "Yes. I'm done avoiding you. I still think we should back off a bit."

He gave her a small smile in return. "I still don't. I'll see you later in class. I'll save you and your…" he sighed, "…friends a seat."

She gave him a full smile this time. This was the first time he had willingly sat with her and her friends. The few times she had gotten him to do it, she had to all but drag him with her.

"Thank you." She said as the red tint faded from her cheeks. She reached up and kissed him again quickly. "Now go."

He let her go and slipped back out of the niche in the wall. Hermione sighed. This might be a bigger problem than she thought.

She quickly made her way to the gargoyle statue and said the password Dumbledore had put on it just for her use. He had explained that since he changed it so often, he wanted her to always be able to see him if she needed to.

She made her way up the stairs, telling herself over and over again that she had nothing to be embarrassed about. Stopping at the door to Dumbledore's office to say it once more in her mind, resolved to not show an ounce of anything.

She knocked and he called her to enter. She walked inside and walked towards his desk. He wasn't facing her, so she took a seat.

He turned and when his eyes met hers, she blushed beet red again. Cursing in her mind for blushing after she told herself she wasn't going to do it.

Dumbledore smiled and his eyes twinkled at her obvious distress. "Ms. Granger…what you do with any student while you are here…is none of my business."

His statement didn't help, in fact it just made it worse. Sensing this he tried again. "You're both adults and…he's not your professor right now anyway."

Hermione inhaled sharply and she quickly looked at the floor. Wishing it would just swallow her so she didn't have to do this.

Dumbledore chuckled softly. "Hermione, here is how I see this. You can't help who you are attracted to and besides as long as you know what you're getting into then I don't see a problem. Though, it might be interesting to see his reaction to all of this once you get back."

Hermione's eyes jumped to his, tears stinging her eyes and making them glisten. Dumbledore saw this and instantly knew. It looked like she wouldn't have to worry about his reaction when she got back to her own time.

"Hermione, I'm sorry. I don't mean to make you cry my dear. That's…that's too bad. I like Severus. I suppose you do too." He said gently.

Hermione nodded. "I need to stop this. I know better than to get involved with anyone from your time."

Dumbledore frowned. "My dear, you can't help who your heart chooses sometimes."

She shook her head. "No, it's not like that. My heart isn't involved, sir. That's why I need to stop this."

Dumbledore doubted that was the case, but kept his thoughts to himself. "Well, just keep in mind that while yours might not be involved, his might be. Just think about it. Now, I called you in here to let you know I have owled an old friend of mine about a book he has. It might contain what we need to get you home."

Hermione smiled, though it didn't meet her eyes. "That's wonderful sir. How soon till you get it?"

"I'm not sure yet. I'm just hoping he still has it. Now in the mean time, I wanted to let you know a few things. I'm sure you know about the anti-apparating charms around the school."

Hermione nodded. "Yes sir, only a select few that you give permission to, can apparate inside the grounds." She knew Severus, later on, was one of the few he let do it since he was a professor and a double agent.

Dumbledore smiled. "Excellent, so I don't have to explain it all. Now Minerva and I have been doing some talking about this. She feels I should allow you the needed permissions to do it. Just in case. I've thought about it and decided to grant you permission to do so. Some rooms are off limits of course and wont allow you inside. All classrooms and offices for example. No other house but your own. Only hallways, and anywhere you are allowed access at all times. No library either, I'm afraid. But the grounds are open, and you can apparate out of the forbidden forest, but not inside to it. You can go to Hogsmead by apparation too. I think that covers it all. Oh, and please be discrete about who sees you do it. We don't need students or staff wondering why you can apparate when no one else can."

Hermione sat staring at him. "You are allowing me to apparate around the school?"

Dumbledore nodded. "That's right. Now you best get some breakfast before your classes start."

She nodded and stood. Walking to the door his voice stopped her. "Hermione, if anyone asks why I needed to see you…tell them I got a letter from your old school about your upcoming N.E.W.T.S. Which my dear, are you going to take them here if you're not back home in time?"

Hermione frowned. "I guess I'll have to. If I can't get back I'll need them." Dumbledore nodded and told her to go eat without saying anything else.

Hermione grabbed her bag of books from her room and made her way into the Great Hall. Her thoughts on what Dumbledore had told her while her walls were up to keep her thoughts private.

She heard Lily call to her and made her way over, still lost in her thoughts. Hermione took her seat and slowly filled up her plate. She was only picking at it, while staring at the pile of eggs.

If I can't get back then…what would happen? Will I just have to stay hidden from the world? Get a job and keep away from Hogwarts and my friends in my own time? Maybe send them an owl after enough time had passed to meet up with them? Give them the shock of their life when they see I've aged twenty years in a matter of a few months? How will I explain to all my new friends why I don't have any friends or family to go home to after graduation if I stay?

Hermione's brain was so full, she didn't feel the slight probe she normally did. It wasn't until Lily nudged her elbow for the second time that she came out of them.

"Hmm?" She asked looking at the faces of her friends surrounding her and staring at her. She frowned slightly. "What?"

Lily frowned too. "Hermione, what's wrong? You looked like you were trying to solve the world's problems all by yourself."

Hermione sighed and gave them a small smile. "Sorry, just trying to figure out what I'm going to do after graduation is all. I haven't a clue. It's only four months away you know." That was true and it bugged her to think about it.

They saw her slipping back into her thoughts and let her be. I guess I could see if Dumbledore has any ideas, but I don't want to live through the war again. I'm not sure I can do it a second time.

She frowned even harder the more she thought about it. It was the hard push at her mind that snapped her out of her thoughts again. She had felt a crack in her wall, and startled, she looked up at Severus.

Did you just breach my walls? She asked in her mind after her other walls were back up, making sure to reinforce them.

He looked a bit sheepish before replying back to her in her mind. Sorry, I didn't mean to. I was trying to get your attention but you wouldn't look up. I saw your friends trying to get your attention again before giving up and knew you were busy thinking.

Hermione swallowed. What did you see? She asked, forcing her other thoughts to wait for fear of him seeing her panic.

Severus frowned slightly. He wasn't sure what he heard, because several thoughts were all running together. All he was sure of was her thinking she couldn't do it a second time, though he didn't know what that meant.

I'm…not sure. He projected to her.

Crap. The thought slipped out and she prayed her second wall held so he didn't see it. When he didn't seem to react she breathed a sigh of relief. Letting him see her next thoughts. What did you want my attention about?

I was curious why Dumbledore wanted to see you. Especially after seeing you so deep in thought afterward. He told her.

Hermione swallowed. It was about a letter from my old school about taking my N.E.W.T.S. So he wanted to talk to me about it. I've been thinking about what I might do afterward.

So what have you decided? He asked her.

Hermione glanced down at her plate, picking at the now cold eggs for a moment. She met his eyes again. I don't know. I haven't really decided anything. I'll have to wait and see, I guess.

He nodded and then Lily was nudging Hermione again. Hermione looked back up at her friend. "What's up?" She asked as the others stood around her.

Lily smiled. "It's time to get to class silly." She took Hermione's hand and pulled her out of her seat.

Hermione didn't get a chance to look back before she was whisked out of the room. Lily was on one side of her and Remus on the other. James and Sirius were talking to Peter ahead of them.

On a whim, she scanned Peter's thoughts and gasped at what she saw. Remus looked down at her. "What's up Hermione?"

Hermione met his eyes, forcing a sheepish grin. "I forgot to pack my quills and should probably go get them." Pulling the first thought she could come up with.

Remus smiled. "Don't be ridiculous, I'm sure I have plenty to keep us all covered."

She gave him a weak smile and kept walking as she thought about what she had seen in the rat's head. The whole time that the two young men in front of her had been laughing and joking with Peter. Peter had been thinking about ways to hurt them.

She thought he had only betrayed his friends to the Dark Lord later. But he hated them, even now. He only claimed to be their friend to keep an eye on things and so he could blend in better. He was passing information to Voldemort on everyone at Hogwarts.

A/N: Okay, I know this isnt the best place to leave things, but it couldn't be helped. Hope everyone liked the chapter. More updates coming soon. I hope you all leave me your thoughts on what you've read. Take care.