A/N:

So I just finished a fanfic that said it was completed only to find that the author had lost interest and just kind of ended it with no real ending. This inspired me to write another chapter. I promise to all of you out there reading this that I WONT do that!

Also to Eirann4ever – Yes I do know how this story is going to end, and I am so glad that you are enjoying it so far!

Read/Review

Chapter 14: The Bet

HPOV

It had to have been Draco. There was no other explanation for it. Who else would have tried such a dangerous plan? Hermione was now making her way to the dungeons. She had to talk to Severus, she needed to know if her suspicions were correct. When she thought about it he might not even be down there, Dumbledore might have asked him to examine the necklace for curses. When she entered his lounge she looked around to see that the room was empty. Not having anything else to do she decided that she would wait for him to come back, that way he could tell her how Katie Bell was doing. She got goose pimples just thinking about what she had witnessed earlier today. It had been horrible, she had never heard anyone scream like that before. And then the way her limp body just fell to the ground, Hermione just hoped that Katie would be okay. From what McGonagall had said it looked like she would be alright.

About an hour later Hermione heard the door open to see Severus walking through looking tired and stressed. Hermione then realized that she hadn't even thought about how he must be feeling at the moment. It was after all his responsibility to keep an eye on Draco. Knowing him he was probably blaming himself for what had happened to Katie. Without saying a word he sat down on the couch instead of his usual chair by the fire. Minutes passed and still they said nothing. Finally Hermione decided that he needed a drink, she got up and went over to where she knew he kept his supply of fire whiskey. She poured him a generous glass and went over and sat down next to him on the couch. She held the drink out in front of him in offering. "It's not your fault Severus."

"Of course it's my fault!" he said as he downed the glass in one gulp. "It was my responsibility to watch him, to make sure he didn't do something like this! And today he almost killed someone!"

Hermione took the glass out of his hand and put it down on the coffee table. "Severus it wasn't your fault. You cannot live like this always blaming yourself for other people's actions." She said slowly in a soothing tone. "Severus. Look at me." She said putting her hand on his forearm. He looked up and into her eyes. "This is the Dark Lord's fault. It is NOT your fault." They were both silent for a moment until Hermione said, "So will Katie be alright I was so worried…. it was horrible…..I've never seen anything like that in my life."

"Yes, I spoke to Madame Pomfrey on the best course of action to heal Miss Bell. She will be fine but it will be a lengthy process."

Hermione let out a relieved sigh. "Well that's good to hear." She said with a reassuring smile. She wanted so badly to ask Severus whom Draco was trying to kill, but knew that he wouldn't be able to give her the answer anyway so she decided to just let it go. "Did you want to work in the lab this evening?"

"I suppose we should."

"Okay." She said getting off the couch. "Let's get started then." He still didn't move. "Come on Severus working will help take your mind off things." He must have agreed with her last statement because he finally got up and walked over to where she was standing. "What are we going to work on this evening?"

"We need to start researching the best catalyst for the potion. So tonight we will be experimenting with different materials."

"Sounds like fun to me!" She said as they walked into the lab.

Luckily Hermione had been right. It seemed that working in the lab did take his mind off of what had happened to Katie Bell. Seeing Severus like that had really affected Hermione she had never seen him so beaten before. There was no way she could mention it to him. It would be like pointing out a weakness to him, she just wished that she could help in some way to make his day a little better. That's when it came to her. She didn't know how yet, but her new goal was to make Severus Snape's life better in some way. Maybe by telling a joke that he thinks is funny, or by buying him some sweets the next time she went to Honeydukes. She looked over at him and smiled. It was crazy, even just looking at his elegant hands drove her mad!

It had now been a few weeks since Hermione (or Ginny) had discovered her feelings for Severus. At first she had been worried that he would see right through her, but thankfully she had been able to hide it relatively well. But every once in a while she would slip up and get caught staring at him. Realizing that she was staring at him right now she went back to looking at the ingredients that she was supposed to be cleaning up.

"Severus I'm done for the night. I've cleaned everything up, is there anything else you wanted me to do before I head upstairs?"

"No I will be finishing up very soon myself. You may leave."

"Okay then, goodnight!"

"Goodnight."

SPOV

"Damn!" Severus was in the middle of making himself some dreamless sleep when he realized he was out of the murtlap essence in his personal store cupboard. It was his fault really, he couldn't really blame Hermione. She had given him enough time to go get some but he had just been too busy to go to Hogsmeade to get any. The store was closed now; there was no way of him being able to buy any now. But he really needed the dreamless sleep, his nightmares had been getting worse lately and without the dreamless sleep it was almost impossible for him to have a full five hours rest. There had to be someone else in this bloody school that would have some. He groaned inwardly when he realized who would have some. "Slughorn." He said out loud. He left his ingredients where they were on the counter and started to make his way through the murky dungeon corridors.

Coming to a halt outside Slughorn's door he knocked on the door a few times, praying that he would not be dragged into a lengthy conversation. He frowned as he waited outside the door obviously nobody had heard him. Somebody had to be there, there was after all a light on in the room. Deciding that he better just open the door instead of standing there like a fool, he walked in and was surprised to find the room positively crowded. Many he knew to be current students here, but some were closer to his age. Then it hit him. He remembered that tonight was one of the Slug Club meetings. How could he possibly forget, that was the reason that Hermione was not in his lab right now, she had told him yesterday that she would be here.

"Severus m'boy! Good to see you! I didn't take you as the party going type." Slughorn said jovially slapping him on the back.

"I'm not I merely came to borrow some murtlap essence. Somehow I forgot about your party this evening." He said in his most dour voice.

"Ah yes that does seem to make more sense. I will get some for you. How much will you be needing?"

"One vile should do it."

Slughorn nodded his head and turned to start making his way through the crowd of people. As soon as Severus had finished his conversation with Horace he started searching the crowd for the familiar bushy head that belonged to his potions assistant. He finally spotted her across the room. She seemed to be enjoying herself enough she was in the middle of a conversation with some boy whomever it was he seemed to be making her laugh quite a lot. Suddenly the boy turned around to grab an appetizer passing by on a floating tray, Severus' blood boiled as he saw just whom this hilarious boy was. It was McLaggen! If he had not been a spy for almost half his life he might have had trouble controlling himself, thankfully he had been able to school his expression to his usual disgruntled appearance. Just then, as if she could hear him calling her name she looked over at him and made eye contact. Her expression changed to one of delight at seeing him. She quickly excused herself from a bemused Cormac and made her way over to the surly potions professor.

"Hello Professor!"

"Good evening Miss Granger."

"What brings you to the party tonight? Where you eager to meet Gwenog Jones?"

She was teasing him now he was sure of it. He knew that she was aware that he could care less about meeting Gwenog Jones or anyone for that matter from the Holyhead Harpies!

"Shockingly no. I am merely out of murtlap essence I was hoping that Professor Slughorn would be willing to lend me some."

"You ran out of murtlap essence? You should have some kind of inventory system so things like that don't happen."

"Funny enough I do actually take inventory. I even have my assistant inform me of when I'm running low on ingredients."

"Then how did this happen? You would never hire an assistant that couldn't do inventory correctly.' He could see her biting her lip to stop from laughing at him.

"Oh stop with this nonsense! I am a very busy person and did not have enough time to go to Hogsmeade to refill the store cupboard! Besides I should be the one teasing you for even being here!"

"It's not that bad. They can be quite fun actually."

"Yes I saw just how much fun you were having with McLaggen a moment ago."

"Oh please!"

"I shouldn't even be talking to you we have already attracted a few people's attention."

"Have we?" Hermione said surprised looking around to see whom he was talking about. She finally saw that both Ginny and Cormac were looking at them. Cormac looking suspicious while Ginny looked at her knowingly. "Yes I suppose you're right, we have been talking for too long and I think at one point I might have even smiled. Sorry I wasn't thinking."

Snape was about to give a scathing retort when Slughorn slapped him on the back again. "Ah Severus it's good to see you talking with the students, I hope that you will stay awhile, what do you say? Hmm?" As Slughorn asked the question Severus saw in his peripheral vision that Cormac had now made his way across the room to Hermione's side. He also noticed that Cormac had put his hand at the small of Hermione's back as if it was the most natural of things, something that he had done a thousand times. What made it even worse was that Hermione didn't push his arm away in fact she just let it rest there as if it belonged there!

"Severus?" Slughorn asked concerned when he still hadn't answered the question.

"Sorry Horace but I must be going I still have a few potions to brew before I can turn in for the evening. I really must be going." He nodded at Slughorn and just before turning made eye contact with Hermione, which might have been a mistake, because judging by her reaction she had obviously seen how angry he was.

HPOV

What had just happened? They had had a nice conversation and then just as he was leaving he shot her a truly nasty glare! Honestly, she had never met someone that could change their moods so fast! She then realized that Cormac was talking to her and that she hadn't been listening at all. "Umm sorry Cormac but I must be going I am suddenly quite tired."

"Oh come on Hermione stay a little longer. We were having such a nice chat, besides the night is still young I thought perhaps-"

"No I'm sorry I really must be going."

"Oh alright then would you like me to walk you back to the common room?"

"No, that's really not necessary you stay here and enjoy yourself."

"No please, I insist." He said guiding her towards the door. Hermione started to panic. In truth she hadn't planned on going back to Gryffindor tower just yet. She had wanted to go visit Severus and see what was the mater with him. But it now seemed that she wasn't going to have that option this evening. If only there was some way to stop Cormac from walking her back to her dormitory. Her prayers were suddenly answered in the form of Ginny Weasley running up to the pair. "Hey Hermione I was just on my way back to Gryffindor Tower I'll walk back with you!"

"Oh thanks Ginny! See Cormac, there is no reason you can't stay now. I have Ginny to walk me back, enjoy the party. Honestly I would feel bad for making you leave so early on my account."

"Errr are you sure because I did actually want to stay a tad longer." He said hesitantly scratching his head.

"Yes! Yes it's fine have fun!" She said trying not to sound too eager.

"Okay, see you tomorrow then." He then turned and a moment later was lost in the crowd. Hermione finally let out a sigh of relief and turned to her savior. "Oh god Ginny thank you!"

"No problem. I could see that you were in need of some assistance. Besides this party was getting a bit tired anyways. Hey so what was that with you and Snape? Earlier I saw him give you an angry look."

"Well that's what I was on my way to find out actually."

"Oh then why are you walking up with me?"

"I thought I would walk you back." Hermione said lying guiltily.

"Oh how gallant of you." Ginny said sarcastically.

Hermione rolled her eyes at Ginny's comment.

"So what were you guys talking about before? I could have sworn I saw you laughing at him."

"Well I was actually, but we were just talking about inventory." She smiled thinking about their conversation fondly.

"Well I'm not so sure what is so funny about inventory but maybe that just means that you two are made for each other."

"Ginny please be quiet." She said looking around making sure nobody was near them.

"Hermione please the hallway is empty no one heard me!" She said stopping outside the portrait.

"Sorry Gin I know you're right I just get a little over cautious that's all."

"It's alright I understand. So see you tomorrow I guess?"

"I'm not sure how long I'll be in the lab so yeah see you tomorrow!"

Hermione waited until Ginny had gone into the common room and shut the portrait before she made her way down the unoccupied corridor where the painting of the sleeping lion hung.

Hermione was now standing with her arms crossed over her chest tapping her shoe in an annoyed manner looking at the surly potions professor. At the moment he was making what looked to be dreamless sleep, she knew that it was almost complete so she just stood there silently, waiting. Finally he bottled the potion and put it on the shelf to cool. Instead of looking up and giving her his attention he completely ignored her and started cleaning up his workstation.

Hermione let out an annoyed groan. "Severus! Look at me! What have I done to offend you this time?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Yes you bloody well do know what I'm talking about! You gave me a horrible glare before you left the party, after we had a perfectly nice conversation and you haven't looked at me once since I entered this lab twenty minutes ago!"

At that Severus looked up into her eyes but they still looked cold and distant. "Really Hermione you are just imagining things."

"Really is that the truth?"

"I will admit that I am mad about something completely different. It has nothing to do with anything you did."

Hermione's anger deflated at this. "Oh well is it something that I can help with? Do you want to talk about it?"

"No I don't want to talk about it! Have I ever come off as the sort to confide to you in my problems?"

Hermione brushed off the scorn in his voice like it was nothing, he had to admire how resilient she was to him. Many people would have run away at the way he was acting. But she just put up with all of it as if it was nothing.

"I guess that's true you do like to keep to yourself don't you?" She laughed at her own joke.

"I hope you did not leave the party on my account."

"Well that was the reason I eventually left but in all honesty I wasn't having a good time until you showed up. And when you left I really didn't see the point in staying any longer."

"I have to admit that I am quite surprised to hear you say that, you seemed to be having a pleasant enough time with McLaggen." He said bitingly.

"Cormac?" She said confusedly. "Oh god no I couldn't get away from him fast enough!"

"What are you talking about I saw you laughing with him."

"Well I was just being polite I wasn't about to just stand there not laughing at his tasteless joke was I?"

"You didn't seem to mind him groping you later in the evening." He said bitterly.

"I just didn't see the point in making a big deal about it. He wasn't doing anything and he is actually a nice person. I have learned not to be bothered by him anymore."

"I think you are being a bit naïve."

"And I don't think you are giving him enough credit."

"We'll see." He mumbled under his breath.

SPOV

It had been a few weeks since Slughorn's party, Severus and Hermione had been spending every spare moment in the lab working on the anti-venom. They had come a long way since this summer, but they still had a long way to go until they would be finished. He knew that he wouldn't be able to relax until they had finished it. Unfortunately there were other things that were taxing his mind at the moment, his relationship with Hermione was becoming too much for him. It was getting to the point that when he wasn't with her he was thinking about her. Perhaps it was because he wasn't used to having a friend in his life but whatever it was it wasn't good. Also there was the situation with Malfoy to think about, one of the many reasons that he might not live to see the end of the war. He was thinking of all these things when the object of his thoughts bumped right into him.

"Ahh Mr. Malfoy how convenient. I was just on my way to find you." He said in his most foreboding dungeon master voice. However this didn't really seem to have its usual effect on Malfoy.

"What do you want!"

"Do not think that you can speak to me like that Draco I am your Professor! Treat me as such!"

"Ha! My professor! Like I care what my teachers think of me!"

"So please enlighten me Draco, why have you been unable to come to my office? I must have sent you as many as ten requests to come to my office in the last month. Yet you have come to none."

"I told you, I don't need your help I can do this all on my own!"

"You are a child you can't possibly expect to achieve such a goal!"

"That's what you think."

Snape was about to go on when he saw a crowd of students approaching them. Not wanting to bring attention to them he said, "If that is how you feel I guess we will have to agree to disagree won't we?" With that he turned from the blonde boy towards his quarters.

Insolent little brat he thought to himself. It was almost time for dinner but there was no way he was going to the Great Hall this evening. He glided swiftly through the secret corridor after entering his lounge he slammed the door and screamed, and kicked over a small table where he usually kept the latest issues of Potions Monthly (which were now scattered all over the floor). He had his hands covering his face so he didn't see her approach. He jumped violently when he felt a tender hand touch his forearm. He let out an annoyed sigh when he realized that it was only Hermione. He silently berated himself for not checking to see if he was alone. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be up in the Great Hall!"

"I lost track of time." She said soothingly, she was looking at his face trying to figure out why he was so upset.

"Get out! It's rude not to alert someone to your presence in their own quarters." He said scathingly.

"Like I had time to alert you!" She said frustrated. "Severus, what's wrong?"

"It's none of your business!"

"I know it's not, I'm just worried about you I thought it might help if you just talked about it. Now calm down I will go make some tea."

"I don't want tea!"

"Tea will help you calm down. While I'm in the kitchen you clean this mess up." She said bossily as she turned to make her way to the kitchen.

When she came back he was sitting on the couch in a very grumpy mood. She came over and handed him a cup of tea and sat down next to him, curling her feet underneath herself. "So would you like to talk about it?" She said in a calm understanding tone.

Severus always marveled at her composure at a time like this she was always able to calm him down with that soothing voice.

"I just had an argument with Draco." He said letting out a disheartened sigh. "He is being completely uncooperative and it is starting to take it's toll on me. When I came in here earlier I didn't think to check if I was alone. I just lost it. I am sorry I am so used to doing everything on my own I forgot for a moment that you even had access to my wards."

"It's alright. I understand. In all fairness I am down here too much and I should have been on my way to dinner at that point in the day. Besides this is your lounge, there is no need to apologize."

"I can't imagine how hard it is to have to do all the things that you have to do. I try to think about Draco and how he must feel in his situation. Imagine if your life as well as your family's life was at stake. Plus he doesn't know if he can trust you, for all he knows you might have the dark lords' interest at heart. I don't blame him for not wanting your help in all honesty."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence." He said sarcastically.

"Well I'm just trying to make you understand that's all. Maybe seeing it from his point of view can help you think of a new angle."

"Perhaps." In actuality he didn't think that it helped at all but he wasn't about to discourage her for thinking the way she did. That was one of the things he loved about her. How she always found something redeemable in everyone, even people who wanted her kind not to exist. They sat in silence for a while longer.

"So did you hear about Slughorn's Christmas party?"

"No I did not. But I am not surprised he had them every year when I was a student so I just assumed that he would have it again this year."

"Yes well I think it will be fun. We are aloud to bring guests so that will make it a great deal better." She said hopefully. "At least now I wont be stuck talking to McLaggen all night."

"Who are you going with?" He said pretending to feign disinterest.

"I asked Ron to go with me. I know that he has been feeling left out what with myself, Harry and Ginny all being invited to the Slug Club. I'm excited, it should be a lot of fun! Will you be there?"

"Hardly. I have much better things to be doing with my time."

"Yes I suppose you do. I can't believe how fast the semester is going. We only have a few weeks left until Christmas break."

"Yes I can hardly contain my excitement."

"Oh Severus cheer up it's not the end of the world you know. There must be something that you are looking forward to."

"Well yes there is something but it has nothing to do with Christmas." He said with an evil glint on his face.

"I know I am going to regret this but, what are you looking forward to Severus?" She said in mock excitement.

"Well since you asked, I am quite looking forward to watching Slytherin beat Gryffindor on Saturday. It should be highly entertaining watching Weasley fumble around the Quidditch pitch."

"Severus that's terrible!" She said hitting him on the arm. "Besides it is you who should be worried. I have complete confidence in Ronald. He won't fumble around the Quidditch pitch. He will do brilliantly, you watch!"

"I find your Gryffindor spirit laughable." He said chuckling.

"Okay if you are so sure that Slytherin will win on Saturday, care to bet on it?" She said mischievously.

"What are the terms?"

"Well how about if you win I will grade all of those first year papers that you have been avoiding for the past week."

"And if I loose?"

"And if you loose…." She obviously hadn't thought it through and was trying to think of something good. "If you loose you have to be nice to Neville Longbottom for a whole week!"

"Impossible."

"It's not impossible! I'm not asking you to change yourself. I'm just saying that for a week don't yell at him or hurt his feelings OR take points away from him."

"That is so typical Gryffindor."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that only a Gryffindor would choose terms that would help someone else and not themselves."

Hermione laughed at that. "Yes you are probably right about that. So? Is this you agreeing to the bet?"

He thought for a moment. It would be extremely hard to be nice to Longbottom for a week but he really didn't want to grade those first year's term papers. "I guess it is."

"Good it's settled then!"

The oddity of this moment finally hit him. Only twenty minutes ago he had come in here in a fiery rage and somehow this little know-it-all had calmed him down, gotten him to talk to her about his problems and forced him into a bet where one of the outcomes involved him being nice to Neville Longbottom.

"Hermione?" He said curiously.

"Hmm?" She said raising her eyebrows.

"What did you put in my tea?" He said looking down at his cup warily.

At this Hermione smiled mischievously. "Nothing you should worry about."

"That was very Slytherin of you."

"I learned from the best."