A/N: hey Guys!

I just want to give a big thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter!

I can't believe I'm almost done with HBP, only a few more chapters to go!

Please keep reviewing it makes my day! This was also the largest amount of views I have EVER gotten for one chapter alone, 9000! I really cant believe it! And its only been two days!

Sectumsempra

It was now mid-May which meant two things, end of the year exams were coming up, and of course the last Quidditch match of the season, between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, which would determine the order of the House cup. Naturally, it was all the school could talk about, including Hermione's friends. She had become utterly sick of all the Quidditch talk going on around her and found solace in Severus' private quarters whenever she could.

Yes ,it was true that only a few weeks ago Hermione and Severus had had a row over crossed wires, but neither seemed to want to address the subject and were perfectly happy to pretend that nothing had happened.

"Did you hear that Ravenclaw tried to change the practice schedule?" Ron said to Harry as he, Harry and Hermione made their way down the south east corridor on the sixth floor.

"Really? What were they trying to change?" Harry asked.

"They wanted to get the pitch for the day before the match, even though we signed up for it two weeks ago!" Ron said in a indignant tone.

Hermione tuned out the conversation for a more interesting subject, at the opposite end of the hall, walking towards them, was Severus Snape. He did not look his usual self, she wasn't sure exactly what it was, but she could see something in his eyes as they made eye contact. She could tell that he wanted to speak with her, but refrained because of present company. The boys were too wrapped up in their Quidditch talk to even notice their least favourite Professor walking by. Hermione rolled her eyes at her unobservant friends. Thinking quick she said, "You boys go ahead, I just have to go ask Professor Vector about a mistake on an Arithmancy essay that I handed in recently."

"You sure?" Ron asked, looking like he was willing to go with her.

"It's fine, I'll meet up with you in a bit," Hermione said looking at the both of them.

"All right, see you later then," Harry smiled before he and Ron picked up their conversation where they'd left off.

Hermione, not wanting to lose Severus, quickly began running down the hall, trying to catch up with her dour friend. "Severus," she whispered. He turned around at the sound of his name. Looking at her he had a questioning looking in his gaze. Motioning to an empty classroom, he opened the door for her.

"What is it?" he asked when the door was shut and he had cast silencing spells on the room.

"It just looked like you could use a chat." Hermione said shrugging her shoulder's.

"It's nothing, I'm just in a bad mood." Severus answered, looking at the ground.

"What about?" Hermione inquired.

"I just had a meeting with Dumbledore," Severus began reluctantly.

"Enough said." Hermione said with a smirk. "The man while brilliant, can be utterly frustrating."

Severus snorted, "You don't know the half of it."

"So you're okay?" Hermione said becoming serious once more.

"I'm fine Hermione! Must you always be so dramat-" Severus suddenly stopped talking, panic on his face for the first time in many years. Unable to breath Severus started clutching at his throat.

"Severus! What's wrong! Tell me!" Hermione yelled, panicked and unsure of what to do.

"Dra-co." Was all Severus was able to get out. He spun quickly away and out the door, walking with purpose, as if he was being drawn somewhere. Hermione could barely keep up with him, he was walking so fast. When he entered the boys lavatory she heard raised voices, afraid that it might be Malfoy she kept her distance, not wanting him to ask questions. No more than five minutes later Severus came out carrying a limp and very bloody Draco Malfoy.

"What happened! Did you- did you do this to him?" Hermione asked nervously.

Severus spun to look at her square in the face, "Oh yes, because it couldn't have been anyone else, only Severus Snape is capable of such evil!"

"Fine! If it wasn't you then who was it?" Hermione demanded.

"Believe it or not Miss Granger but it was your precious Potter who is responsible." Severus said starting to walk in a brisk pace towards the Hospital Wing. "I'm quite surprised, really. I can't imagine how he knew such a dark spell."

"Its that stupid book! I've been telling him all year that that book was dangerous and he didn't listen!" Hermione said beginning to rant.

"What book?" Severus said, stopping mid stride and turning to look at her, his eyes burning holes into hers. "Hermione what book!" He yelled.

"It's this potions book that he found in the lab. It was used and someone had written all over it. They called themselves the Half-Blood Prince."

At hearing the name he had long abandoned, his eyes widened. Instead of explaining himself he started walking again. So that's where the book had gotten to. He had just assumed that Horace, being the blubbering fool that he was had misplaced it somewhere. That explained a lot really. That's why the boy had been excelling in potions. Bile rose up in his throat as Severus realized he had essentially been helping Potter get better marks the entire year.

"Professor wait, I can hardly keep up!" Hermione called desperately.

"Go, I can't talk now, we'll talk later. Return to Gryffindor Tower. That's an order." Severus said in his most commanding tone.

"Yes sir." Hermione said turning right back around, following his instructions. She could tell that Severus was in no mood to argue, plus what could they really say to each other in public any ways. She would just have to wait until this evening down in his chambers.

…...

"He gave me detention every Saturday for the rest of the year! Can you believe that?" Harry whinged later that evening after supper, while he explained to Ginny, Ron and Hermione exactly what had happened in the boys bathroom.

"You cant be serious Harry! You almost killed someone. Don't you understand how serious that is? If it had been up to me you would have gotten a lot worse than just some detentions." Hermione snapped back.

"So that means that you won't be at the match this Saturday." Ron said, his face now as white as a sheet.

"I know." Harry said looking down at the ground, ashamed of himself. "Ginny I've decided that you'll be seeker and we'll have to bring Dean back to fill your spot. Is that all right?" Harry asked.

"It's fine Harry, don't worry about it." Ginny said giving him a sympathetic look.

Hermione who was beyond furious at the scene, stood up. "Right, well I think I better go, I have work to do." That was the only explanation she gave for her sudden departure.

…...

Stepping into the library she saw the man of her thoughts seated by the fire, reading as usual. "Saturday detentions for the rest of the year Severus!" Hermione said angrily, hands on her hips.

Severus turned to look at her. "My decision is final. I'm sorry if I've displeased you," he said quietly.

"You're bloody well right you've displeased me!"

"What did you expect me to do! He almost killed Draco!" Severus spat, getting up from his chair, to stand in front of her.

"I know!" Hermione screamed back at him, just as furious.

"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, you are after all a Gryffindor and a third of the Golden Trio," Severus said with contempt.

"What are you talking about! What does that have to do with anything?"

"You are just like the rest of them, bowing down to the Hero Harry Potter, who cares if he kills a few wizards along the way." Severus said flippantly.

"Severus!" Hermione yelled. "I'm telling you that I don't think you punished him enough!" Hermione said with a sigh, realizing the misunderstanding.

Severus' shoulders slacked at the last sentence, "Oh."

"Yes, oh indeed." Hermione said with a smirk. "Why don't we start over?"

"So Severus how was the rest of your evening?" Hermione said a smile plastered across her face.

"Quite enjoyable, I've been making a list of different detentions the boy will serve." Severus answered with an evil smirk, going along with the game.

"That sounds lovely, may I assist?" Hermione said walking over to her chair.

"I highly doubt your mind would be able to come up with gruesome enough tasks." Severus said sitting back down.

"You underestimate me Severus, I assure you I am can be quite creative if I want to be." Hermione said a hint of a challenge in her tone.

Severus replied with two words, "Prove it."

A half hour later, Hermione and Severus were no closer figuring out what the perfect detention would be. "Severus?" Hermione asked.

"Yes?"

"What happened earlier today when you were talking to me in that classroom? You never did explain."

"I'm not entirely sure. It had something to do with the unbreakable vow. Perhaps that is what happens when you are about to break one, I promised to keep Draco safe, and alive, among other things. Draco surly would have died if I hadn't been so close, and able to reach him in time. As I began walking, I can't explain it properly, but somehow I just knew where to go."

"So Draco will be okay?"

"He will be in the hospital wing for a few days, but he should be fine." Severus said with a weary sigh.

"Saturday should be an interesting match." Hermione said, grasping for a new subject.

Severus chuckled then, "Do my ears deceive me? Is Hermione Granger starting a conversation about Quidditch?"

"Oh shut up!" Hermione said blushing, and embarrassed. "I think I shall take my leave if all you are going to do is tease me." Hermione said with a sniff standing up, and making her way to the door. "Good night then," she said tenderly.

"Good night Hermione."