A/N: Hello everyone!

Here is another short chapter, I had a lot of fun writing this one. Hope you like it!

Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter!

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Chapter 30

Ron looked over at Hermione for assistance. Hermione just sent him a, She's your girlfriend, you fix it, look.

"We weren't doing anything I swear.!" Ron said holding up his hands, as if he was being held at wandpoint.

"Lies! It's all lies with you! I know you've been seeing her behind my back!" Lavender screamed, pointing at Hermione. "Ever since you almost died, she has barely left your side! Don't think I haven't noticed that you two have become friends again! You even went to the appirition exam together! You're even trying to hide it!" Lavender screamed, red faced.

Hermione's attention was then captured by another couple in a row as well. She sighed as she watched Ginny and Dean. Hermione was hardly surprised to see them fighting, just the other day Ginny had been complaining about Dean. And it seemed very clear now that the relationship was over. Deciding to avoid the drama, Hermione left the common room, heading for the portrait of the lion. She would have just escaped to her room, but decided it best to avoid an enraged Lavender Brown for the time being.

Knowing that Severus would be on his rounds, Hermione went straight to her chair, picking up the latest Potion's Monthly. She remembered then that she was probably in trouble with Severus. She had after all yelled at him in front of Ron, the last time she'd seen him. Would she really be in that much trouble? Hermione wondered. It needed to be dealt with either way. A Severus left to think things over for too long was a dangerous thing indeed.

It wasn't until two hours later that the door to Severus' office opened to let the surly Professor in. Rolling his eyes at the sight of her, he said, "What are you doing here."

"I-" Hermione was about to apologize when Severus cut her off.

"I would think you'd be up in Gryffindor Tower." Severus spat. "You should go, I have work to do in the lab," he said, not giving her another moment of his time as he walked into the lab.

Hermione didn't know what to say, she hadn't thought he'd be this cross. Never had Severus not wanted to argue with her. At least not before they had even started. Walking into the lab she saw him already hard at work over the cauldron. A headache cure? That was what was so important? She thought to herself. Severus, I'm sorry about earlier today all right? I shouldn't have yelled at you in front of Ron. It was irresponsible of me."

"Oh yes we wouldn't want your precious Weasley to be embarrassed now would we!"

"Well you have to admit you were being quite rude!" Hermione said hotly, putting her hands on her hips.

"It was no different to how I usually treat him!" Severus answered. "Why is it all of the sudden so unbearablefor you to watch!" he yelled.

Hermione was, by now, utterly confused, What was he even talking about? "Severus you were beyond your usual terrible self, you were being downright nasty, with no audience but me, in sight, completely unprovoked. Surly you can see the difference between that, and when you berate us in front of an entire class, after we have disobeyed you.

"My usual terrible self? So that is what you think of me. I see." Severus said, hurt flashing across his face.

"Severus, that's not what I meant." Hermione began.

"I have rounds to do. Do not come tomorrow, or for the rest of the week, I shall owl you if I am in need of your assistance." He said clearing his workspace with a swipe of his wand. "Good evening." He said bowing his head stiffly, leaving her alone to mull over what had just happened.

But he just went on his rounds, he's only been back ten minutes. Hermione thought to herself. No! I won't let him push me away again! Marching out of the lab she followed the path her Professor had taken, chancing being seen by a Slytherin, as she exited through his office door. Not sure exactly where to go, she chanced it by turning to the left, and up the stairs, towards the main part of the castle, he couldn't be that far behind.

After ten minutes, she finally heard the telltale sign of his billowing robes. Turning the corner she whispered his name. He whipped around at the sound of her voice, "What do you think you're doing! Go back to your precious Weasley, I'm sure he's beginning to wonder where you are."

"Severus what are you talking about?" Hermione asked desperatly.

"Don't play coy with me! I know." Severus said, putting emphasis on the last word.

"You know what!" Hermione practically yelled, stomping her foot in frustration.

"News travels fast here, I hardly think you would have forgotten that."

"Severus, either tell me what the bloody hell you're talking about or I'm going to scream!"

"I know about you and Weasley!" Severus spat.

Me and Ron? What on earth is he talking about? Suddenly the shrill voice of Lavender Brown floated to the surface of Hermione's mind.

" Lies! It's all lies with you! I know you've been seeing her behind my back!"

Realization spread across her face. He must have heard something earlier tonight while patrolling. And after she had stood up to him for teasing Ron no wonder he thought it was true. But why was he so upset about it? Before she could open her mouth to tell him the truth they turned their heads to the sound of someone approaching.

Without a moments hesitation Severus grabbed Hermione, pulling the both of them into one of his hidden nooks, pinning her to the wall and covering them both with his cloak. Seconds felt like hours, while Hermione and Severus waited. They could hear glass bottles clanking together and someone humming. Finall,y Horace Slughorn came into view, obviously on his way to his chambers, and more than slightly tipsy by the way he was walking. They both breathed a sigh of relief as an oblivious Slughorn walked by them.

It was then, once the danger had passed, that she realized that Severus' body was flush up against hers. Hesitantly she looked up, their eyes locked, it would have been impossible to look away with the intensity that they were both experiencing. Finally she whispered, "I'm not with Ron. I never was." He seemed to come out of whatever reverie he had been in for at that moment he shook his head slightly and withdrew his body from the wall where he had been leaning suggestivelyagainst her.

Hermione saw something unreadable pass through Severus' eyes as he said, "But I heard-"

Hermione shook her head, "Lies made up by a jealous Lavender Brown." Severus seemed to realize then that he was still pinning Hermione to the wall and released her. "They split up this evening."

"I see." Severus said nothing else as he returned to the hallway. "I will bid you good night then."

He's certainly acting strange, Hermione thought. "Good night Professor." She thought she saw him wince then at the mention of his title. Dipping his head slightly, he swept away down the opposite corridor.

What on earth just happened? Hermione thought to herself.

…...

"Horcruxes? Horcruxes? Are you sure you're remembering it right Harry?" Hermione asked, stumped.

"Yes I'm sure!" Harry said for the fifth time this morning.

"I've never heard of them, what on earth could they be?" Hermione began listing titles and key words she could use to find out more information on these Horcruxes. She knew that Severus' library would be the most helpful, but didnt darn't try not wanting him to figure out what she was looking for.

They were in charms class now, and had broken up into groups for the current assignment, giving the trio plenty of time to discuss Harry's night. "Oh I almost forgot!" Harry started. "After I showed Dumbledore the memory, he told me that he would be willing to take me with him, the next time he destroys one."

"Wow! Really, he said you could go with him!" Ron said in an envious tone.

"He must really think you're good enough to come with him, its not like he'd want someone completely worthless coming with him."

"Ron, you're making it snow." Hermione laughed as he looked over at her to see the white flecks on her shoulders. He brushed some of the flakes off of her shoulder's giving her an apologetic looke. Just then they heard someone break out into blubbering tears, looking behind them they saw Pavarti comforting a sobbing Lavender, who was sending them death stares.

"What's with her?" Harry asked.

"We split up last night. She saw Hermione and I coming down from the boys dormitory with you, but you were invisible, so she thought we had been up there all alone." Ron explained.

"It's about time too! Honestly you have been dragging it out for weeks!" Hermione said in her usually bossy tone.

"At least I didnt have to do it!" Ron said a satisfed grin crossing his face.

"It was a bad night for relationships all around, Ginny and Dean split up as well." Hermione said giving a pointed look to Harry, who looked very happy indeed.

"Really, why'd they split up?" Harry asked.

"Something silly, Ginny was cross at Dean for always helping her through the portrait hole, like she couldn't do it herself." Hermione shrugged. "In all honesty, it was only a matter of time, she was always complaining about him. Hermione hid a smile as she watched Harry battle with his inner emotions, it was quite fun actually, I wonder how long it will be until he does something about it.