A/N- Woot! FINALLY finished this chapter. Writer's Block is evil! And, er, I'm evil as well. Read to the end, THEN flame me! I won't apologise, though. It had to happen for the good of the fic. You may not believe me just yet…or ever…but don't abandon me after this one. I promise it'll get better….

One day.

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The holidays came to an end at an almost superhuman speed, and, for the first time in her life, Hermione was not looking forward to returning to school. Certainly, she was anxious to learn new spells and so forth, but she was reluctant to hide her blossoming relationship with the Potions Master. More than that, though, she was afraid of being caught before she held her diploma in hand.

"Knut for your thoughts?" Harry's voice broke into her reverie. He and Ron had been staying at Snape Manor for the last few days of the holidays at Dumbledore's 'request'. Hermione supposed the old man was proud of that particular stroke of genius. After all, it looked as though he cared enough to allow her some enjoyment with her friends, while having the added benefit of forcing Severus to spend his precious holiday time with the bane of his existence; the infamous Golden Trio.

The bushy haired girl offered her friend a soft smile. "I'm fine." She sighed. "Just don't want to head back to school so soon."

From his position on the floor -under a pile of toddlers- Ron squawked in mock-horror. "Someone fire-call The Prophet! Hermione Granger doesn't want to go back to school! Hell has frozen over!" He laughed as a cushion flew past him. "No wonder you never tried out for Quidditch, if that's the best you can aim."

Poking her tongue out at him, Hermione summoned the cushion back. "Just be thankful I didn't hex you, Ronald."

"You wouldn't do that to me."

Harry laughed. "Want to bet, mate? 'Mione doesn't discriminate between friend or foe." He was, of course, referring to a recent incident whereupon he'd snuck up behind her, earning himself a nasty Bat Bogey hex.

She sniffed indignantly. "Serves you right for startling me."

"Mummy, what's a kwitish?" Sophia asked, pulling away from the mass of bodies on the floor and climbing into Hermione's lap.

"A what?"

"Kwitish." The little girl repeated confidently. "What's a kwitish?"

"You mean 'Quidditch?'" Harry asked. Sophia nodded enthusiastically. The two young men grinned.

"Only the best thing in the world!" Ron answered, very much aware of the looks of awe the boys in his lap were giving him. "It's a sport. We fly on broomsticks-"

"Flying!" Matthew cut in, his eyes wide as saucers. He turned to his 'father'. "I wanna fly!"

Harry sighed and shot his best mate an exasperated look that clearly said 'Now look what you've done'. "You're still too small, Matty…It's very dangerous…"

All three teenagers could sense the temper tantrum building as dark green eyes narrowed. "But I wanna!"

"Matthew…" Harry's tone of warning did nothing to prevent the little boy's outburst.

"I WANNA FLY!"

Hermione hid a grin. The child, like Sophia, had problems pronouncing his 'L's, so it sounded very much as though he wanted to 'fwy'.

"I don't wanna fly." Whispered the little girl in her lap, as though admitting such a thing was scandalous. And, according to Matthew, it was. His tears stopped almost immediately and he stared at his friend in abject horror.

"Why not?" He asked. "Papa says it's exshil…" he paused, trying to think of the word his Papa always said, "Exshy…er…exhil…umm..." He frowned in concentration. "He says it's fun."

Sophia shook her head. "Mummy says it scary." She looked up at her 'mother' for affirmation. "Readin's more fun, innit?"

Hermione nodded. "Most definitely."

"Nuh-uh. Papa's always right. Flyin's more fun."

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

"Is not!"

Hermione sighed. This was going to be a long day.

-?-

Severus finished the last of his packing and rubbed his face wearily. The return to Hogwarts would be bitter-sweet for him. After all, while it had been his place of employment for the last sixteen years or so, he'd considered the castle his home from the day he'd first crossed its threshold. Knowing that this would be his last semester there was terrifying in its own way.

He snorted derisively at the thought. Here he was, an out-of-use double agent for two of the most powerful wizards in history; a man with a sadistic reputation that preceded him, and he found the thought of finally being out in the big wide world on his own terrifying.

And then there was Hermione. He found his situation with her to be just as daunting.

Having lived the majority of his life in solitude (save for the occasional one night stand), he feared that he would completely balls this 'relationship' thing up; something he couldn't afford to do. For the first time in his life he was genuinely happy, and he couldn't fathom what he'd do, should he manage to ruin it all for himself. There would be no dungeon to hide in; no terrified children upon which to take out his rage and frustration. It would just be him, left all alone in a weathered old mansion. Which, essentially, brought him back to his initial fear of the unknown world.

As a Death Eater turned Spy for the Light, he'd gone about his ways always acting upon someone's orders. Never once had he really governed his own existence. Certainly, his demeanour had always suggested that he was his own person and that he alone dictated the terms upon which he performed any act…but, really, without being under Albus' or, Merlin help him, even Voldemort's command, his life had no purpose. He had no direction. And that was unnerving.

What was he to do once he left Hogwarts? Merlin only knew!

A knock at the door startled him from his reverie, and he barked a quick "Enter!" to cover himself. After all, he couldn't afford to appear too soft towards Potter or Weasley should his intruder be either of them, and, if it did turn out to be Hermione, he was certain she'd pay no heed to the bite in his tone.

"Severus?" A mane of bushy hair emerged from behind the door. "Can I come in?"

His features softened at once. "Of course."

Beaming at him, Hermione entered. "All done packing, I see." She observed. "I'm all set as well, though I really don't want to leave..." Gazing fondly around the bedroom she smothered a sigh. "I know it's not for eternity, but…"

"It's still daunting." He supplied, leaning forward for a chaste kiss. "I agree."

"The boys have enjoyed their stay, too. Though, I daresay Harry's dying to see Greg again. Matty's been driving him absolutely stir crazy these last couple of days."

"Oh, poor Potter. Staying here without having to lift a bloody finger for the last few days must have been so trying for him."

"Now, really," Severus wasn't exactly sure whether Hermione sounded exasperated or amused, "Harry's company has been quite pleasant, and you know it."

Exasperated it was, then.

He frowned. "Though it would have been even more pleasant if we had been left well enough alone."

"Which is exactly how Albus wanted you to feel."

Unfortunately, he knew she was right. Wretched know-it-all. He rolled his eyes. "Fine. I'll admit that Potter's-" Hermione scowled. "-Blast it all! Harry's presence has been tolerable." Her hands flew to her hips. He sighed. "Alright, his presence has been vaguely enjoyable. Does that satisfy you?"

The Head Girl's eyes glimmered with mirth. "It'll suffice…for now."

-?-

"Mudblood!" The cry rang out across the Great Hall as a speeding blond mass wrapped itself around Hermione's neck. "Don't ever leave me again."

"Oh, really Malfoy!" She sighed and pulled away, fighting the urge to laugh. "Watch your language around the impressionable youth." Once he looked suitably chastised, she smiled. "So, why so happy to see me?"

Draco pulled a face. "My so-called 'holidays' were awful. Between listening to my aunt's drivel and taking care of a not entirely real -and yet, entirely irritating- three year old, I'm glad to be back in the company of relatively intelligent beings."

"Relatively intelligent?" Harry cut in, bringing up the rear of their little group, "You flatter me, Draco."

The Slytherin batted his lashes coquettishly and opened his mouth to respond but snapped it shut upon spying the redheads in the newly arrived band of students. He looked to Hermione questioningly. "I've missed something here, haven 't I?" he asked, gesturing towards Ron and the mini-Weasley.

She smiled gently. "Be nice, Draco. We've worked through a lot these hols." As if to illustrate her point, she slung her arm across Ron's shoulders protectively. "You're both to behave, you hear me?" Her tone was playful, but there was a steely resolve behind her gaze that told the boys that it would definitely be in their interest to do as she said.

"Loud and clear, Professor." Draco replied cheekily.

She rolled her eyes and took a seat at the nearest table, encouraging the others to follow suit. A plate of bread rolls appeared in front of her, and she took one and began buttering it for Sophia. "So," she started, directing the question at Draco, "how long did you have a toddler to contend with on your own?"

"The entire sodding hols!" he replied, attacking a bread roll to vent his obvious displeasure. "Bloody Patil woman refused to take the brat at all. Reckoned that it'd look 'weird' in the Muggle world." He snorted derisively. "Funny how her sister took hers."

Hermione frowned. "But...Your grades!"

"Not this again!" Ron moaned, covering his face with his hands. "'Mione, this isn't a NEWT course. A pass is all we need."

Surprisingly, Draco nodded in agreement. "Weasley's right; there're more important matters than getting an 'O' in a subject that has absolutely bugger all to do with our career paths."

"But-"

"No, no 'but's ." This time it was Harry who spoke. "It's all well and good if you are aiming for 'O's in all subjects, but the rest of us are free to aim however high…or low… we like." His expression softened. "Let us worry about ourselves, 'Mione. It's sweet that you care and all, but..."

"You're big boys now, I know."

Draco smirked, but Hermione prevented him from commenting by adding, "And I can do without any lewd remarks about just how big you are."

The boys snorted almost simultaneously. Hermione rolled her eyes.

Children.

-?-

The remainder of the holidaying students returned to Hogwarts over the weekend, arriving in a steady trickle. Some returned accompanied by parents, others by portkey or floo, and a select few arrived in thestral drawn carriages from Hogsmeade.

Harry's impatience for Goyle's arrival had at first been endearing to his friends, but had lost its charm by noon on Sunday.

"For Mordred's sake, Potter, stop pacing; it's making me dizzy."

From his position by the fireplace in the Head's commons, the raven-haired youth spun to glower at the blond on the couch. "If you don't like it, Malfoy, you can go back to your own room. I won't bother you there."

"Harry, really!" Hermione chastised, folding her arms across her chest. "These aren't your quarters, either, despite the amount of time you spend here. Draco has the same right to be as you or Ron."

The blond nodded with an air of smug superiority. "You heard the Head Girl, Potter. If I go, you go."

"But I'm waiting for Greg!"

"And the fact that he was my best friend before you started seeing him has escaped your insipid little brain why?"

There was a pained sigh. "Listen, Malfoy, you're a…tolerable guy and all, but I haven't seen Greg for over a week and-"

"-Oh, you poor thing! And here was I thinking that my lack of any companion over the holidays was a perfectly reasonable justification for staying to greet my best friend…"

Hermione had had just about enough of the bickering and tossed her book aside with a sigh. "Come on, Soph," she said, interrupting the four children on the floor, "let's go see what Daddy's up to."

As they exited the rooms, she could hear Harry accusing Draco of chasing her away. She rolled her eyes. Some things would never change.

Arriving at Severus' rooms, she spoke the password without a second thought and made herself comfortable on her lover's couch, not possessing the energy (nor the patience) to search for him. He'd discover her sooner or later, and, in the mean time, she was going to enjoy the peace and quiet of his quarters.

Sophia, on the other hand, was intent on causing some form of mischief. After all, it felt like an age since the last time she'd been in her Daddy's home. Waiting until her Mummy had closed her eyes, she wandered about, picking up random objects and playing with the ones that interested her the most. She was half-way through forcing a strange looking rock into a (unbeknownst to her) priceless vase when she caught a movement out of the corner of her eye. Forgetting all about the 'toys' on the floor, she went into her Daddy's bedroom to investigate, then cried out in surprise when she stumbled upon a stranger.

"Who you?" She demanded, folding her arms across her chest like she had seen the blonde girl her Mummy had forced her to play with that afternoon do when she was cranky.

The stranger turned around, startled, before a wicked grin spread across her features. "Well, now, aren't you just a little sweetheart?" She cooed, drawing her kimono tightly around her slight frame. "You look just like your Daddy."

Sophia took a step forward in surprised awe. "Daddy?" She looked around, half expecting the man himself to appear.

Siobhan Matthews nodded and crouched down to meet the child's level. "That's right, your Daddy and I are very good friends."

The little girl beamed. If this lady was a friend of her Daddy's, then she wanted to be friends with the nice lady too. "You be my friend?" She asked, her eyes wide like her Uncle Ron had taught her. He said it always made her look cute, and that people would love her most when she did it. Then her Mummy had smacked him. She still couldn't understand why…But then, grown-ups were very silly people.

But, before the nice lady could answer, a booming voice behind her demanded: "What in Merlin's name are you doing here?"

Siobhan straightened up at once, trying her very best to strike a 'sexy' pose. "I dropped by to surprise you, Severus." She purred. "You never replied to me at Christmas, and I was hoping that we might put the gift to some use."

Sophia was now standing between the two adults, and had realised that her Daddy was very angry. She looked up at the man and hoped that he wasn't angry at her again. "Daddy?" She asked quietly, tears threatening to spill down her cheeks.

He softened when he looked down at her, and, scowling once more at his unwelcome intruder, reached down and hoisted her onto his hip, whereupon she immediately snuggled into his chest. He spun angrily back to face the other Professor. "Get out of my rooms, Woman, before I have you thrown out."

"Now, Severus…"

"You are trespassing in my private chambers."

"But I had hoped-"

"You'd best hope I don't hex you into the next dimension!" He snapped. "Get OUT!"

"What's going on?" Hermione had entered the fray, and stopped short at the sight of her Potions Professor wearing nothing but a satin dressing-gown.

The other woman seemed just as surprised –if not more so- to see the Head Girl in Snape's chambers. "I should ask the same bloody thing!"

Hermione drew herself up in indignation. "I am here because of my assignment." She gestured at the toddler clutching desperately at Severus' robes. "Professor Dumbledore requires that I see Severus in my own time."

The other woman's expression became feral. "Ah, Severus is it?" Hermione tried her very best not to blush at the slip of the tongue, while Matthews continued; "When you play your little pretend games, do you do all the things that a real couple do?" She sneered, before answering her own question. "Of course not. A bookworm such as yourself wouldn't have the foggiest-"

"Professor Matthews, I suggest you stop before you say something you'll really regret." Hermione's tone was steely. "I consider myself lucky that Professor Snape has been so upstanding and helpful throughout this entire ordeal. For you to even imply that he has been anything but a proper gentleman and Professor shows not only how very little you know of him, but also highlights the sort of character you are."

"You forget, little girl, that I can rob you of your title and make certain that you don't graduate with your peers."

Severus snorted. "Please, Siobhan, spare us the melodrama. For that very threat I should report you to the Board of Governors."

The other Potions Professor paused to consider this, then shot them both a dirty look. "I'll be watching the both of you." She informed them as she brushed past and took her leave.

Hermione rolled her eyes at the woman's retreating form, and turned back to Severus, who, she was surprised to find, was glowering at her.

"What?" She asked.

"That was a foolish thing for you to do." He snapped.

The Head Girl blinked. "I beg your pardon?"

"Letting yourself into my quarters. Just what were you thinking? Or were you not thinking at all?"

She was now on the defensive. "Oh, I don't know…Perhaps I was thinking that, as it is the last day of the holidays, I should come down and spend some time with the man I love?"

He was unmoved by the reminder of their relationship and all that it meant. "Perhaps," he echoed snidely, "You should have been thinking that, as it is the last day of the holidays, other staff returning to the castle might catch you taking such liberties and begin to put two and two together!"

"I just wanted to spend some time with you before we had to put on a show!"

"Well, it was most certainly the wrong way to go about it!"

She blinked. "Severus-"

"Damn it, Girl, have you no idea of the trouble you might have caused!"

"Might have, Severus. Might have." Hermione countered, trying her best to reign in her temper. "Nothing terrible has happened. Nothing terrible will happen."

Ignoring Sophia's whimpers, Severus flared back up. "Oh?" He asked, gesturing towards the door with his free hand. "And that scene with Siobhan? What exactly do you think is going to happen there, hmm? Do you think she'll conveniently forget this entire ordeal?" When she averted her gaze in defeat, he sneered; "And you are the brightest witch of the age? Our society is doomed."

Eyes brimming with tears, the Head Girl turned on her heel and fled his rooms, leaving him to deal with the now howling toddler in his arms.

-?-

"Granger?" Greg asked as the bushy haired girl stumbled through the portrait and raced past him and onwards into her room. "Granger?" He called again, pushing himself up from the couch. There was still no response, and he was relatively certain he could hear sobs emanating from the general vicinity of her room. He should have known, after the epic battle to get his 'son' to sleep, that the peace and quiet of their quarters wouldn't last very long. With a sigh he knocked on her door. "'Ermione? Open up."

"Go 'way."

If he weren't so concerned as to what had the bint's knickers in a twist, he would have found her plaintive mewl amusing.

"Not likely, Granger. Now open the bloody door before I knock it down."

There was a brief pause –marked by a number of hiccups- while she considered this. Just as he was about to knock again, the door swung open. He smirked. "That's more like it." His expression faded as his gaze landed upon her tear-stained face. "Go on then," he prodded, sitting on the edge of her bed, "what's wrong?"

Across the room, in her position against the wall, Hermione hugged her knees tighter in an effort to avoid another onslaught of tears. "I don't want to talk about it."

Goyle rolled his eyes. "Honestly, Granger, you know you'll end up tellin' me, so let's skip the drama, okay?" He summoned a wad of tissues and levitated them towards her. "So, go on, clean yerself up and then start talkin'."

With a deep, shaky sigh, Hermione blew her nose and took a moment to calm herself, then proceeded to explain the entire ordeal as she'd seen it.

"…So I turned and came back here with every intention to curl up in my room and feel sorry for myself." She finished, feeling emotionally drained. Snorting half-heartedly, she added; "But you put paid to that plan."

"You know, Granger," the young man pondered aloud, "Snape had a point…"

"Oh, go on then; take his side." She sniffled. "Bloody Slytherins."

He shook his head. "Don't get snippy with me, 'Ermione. I'm just callin' it as I see it. And when you calm down properly and untwist yer knickers, you'll agree with me."

She huffed and folded her arms over her chest like a petulant child. "I know, Greg. But that doesn't mean that I don't want to behave like a normal hormonal teenage girl every once in a while. So, unless you're prepared to humour me while I moan about my woes and wallow in my misery, I suggest you leave me be."

Instead of leaving as he wanted to, the Head Boy summoned a house-elf and requested a mound of chocolate large enough to satisfy a troll. Hermione smiled gratefully, once again humbled by how lucky she was to have such thoughtful friends.

"Oh, Merlin," she moaned popping the first piece into her mouth, closing her eyes to enjoy the sensation. "Gods I needed this." She reopened her eyes and fixed her gaze upon him. "Thank you…"

"Don't mention it," he chuckled, reaching for his own piece, " S'what friends are for, innit?"

Instead of replying, Hermione simply popped another piece of chocolate into her mouth with a smile. She would have to make this up to him at some point. In the mean time, though, there was chocolate to eat!

-?-

Severus was not impressed. Didn't the silly girl realise how close they'd come to discovery? And it was so incredibly typical that she would still find a way to make him feel terrible about the entire ordeal! Then, to top it all off, she left him with the toddler. The very upset toddler, whose entire supply of toys, clothes and nappies were, incidentally, still in Hermione's trunk.

Well, he supposed, there was nothing for it. He'd have to go and retrieve Sophia's things, as her crying was beginning to try his nerves.

-?-

"Professor Snape!" Goyle exclaimed in surprise, having hauled himself up from Hermione's bed to answer the incessant knocking at their common room portrait. He recovered quickly; "How can I help you tonight, Sir?"

"Is Miss Granger available?"

To the Potion Master's consternation, the teenager before him grinned knowingly. "Yes, Sir. Come on in. She's in her room. Take a seat and I'll go get her."

Crossing to the Head Girl's door, the younger man knocked and opened the door widely enough to poke his head into the room. "Oi, 'Ermione, Professor Snape's here for you."

Hermione stared back in shock. "What? Why?"

He shrugged. "Dunno. He didn't say and I wasn't about to ask."

She ran a hand through her unruly locks in frustration. "Thanks," she sighed sarcastically. "Tell him I'll be right out."

Goyle nodded and shut the door, before turning around to face his impatient Head of House. "She says she'll be right out."

"Thank you, Mr. Goyle," Severus replied dryly. "I'll have you know that, despite the fact that I'm your senior, I am not yet deaf. I heard her quite well enough on my own."

"Yes, Sir. Sorry, Sir." Goyle mentally rolled his eyes. The man was so melodramatic.

Severus wasn't certain he approved of the Head Boy's tone, but, before he could say anything, Hermione emerged from her bedroom, Sophia's things in hand.

"Here you go, Professor. I assume that this is what you're after."

He narrowed his eyes. "Thank you, but I would also like a word in private about your behaviour earlier."

Predictably, she flared up at once. "My behaviour? Severus-"

"SILENCE!" he bellowed, gesturing towards the Head Boy. "Yet again you call me by name in the presence of another's company! Don't you ever think!"

"It's just Goyle!" She responded tartly. "My best friend's boyfriend, and my room-mate. Do you think I'd lie about what's going on between us to him?" She fought back bitter tears. "I need a confidante in this, Severus, and Greg's it."

For the briefest moment, Severus Snape felt pang of jealous but brushed it away. He'd have time to brood later. For now, he was too caught up in the argument to allow his emotions to sway him. "And you can't see, even vaguely, that the more people you divulge the information too, the more dangerous for the both of us it will be to carry on with whatever it is you choose to think we have?"

"Whatever it is I choose to think…?" Hermione took a step backwards, stung by the flippant way he spoke of their relationship. "I thought it was love, but clearly I was deluded!" She spat, folding her arms across her chest. "For all your grand sweeping statements about 'never wanting to give me up once you had me', you certainly had me fooled, Professor." The bag filled with Sophia's things was thrown at him to punctuate her final word as she stormed back into her room, slamming the door behind her.

Gregory Goyle fidgeted for a moment, before excusing himself and following in her wake. After all, Snape could find his own way out. He wasn't completely stupid.

-?-

The next few days passed in a bit of a blur for both the Head Girl and the Potions Master. The former had tried her best to avoid the latter at all costs, while the latter himself spent most of his time brooding over his own crass behaviour, or morphing back into the dreaded Professor the students all knew and loathed. It was more than obvious, to anyone who cared to observe, that the two individuals had had a major falling out, and that neither one of them could be pleased anymore.

This, naturally, pleased Albus Dumbledore greatly. To him it seemed as though his plan was finally working.

-?-

"Come on, Greg…We haven't got all day!" Harry was bouncing on the balls of his feet with excitement; it was the annual Valentine's Hogsmeade weekend and Hermione had offered to look after their charge so that her friends might actually get a chance to enjoy some private time together. After all, there was nothing better for her to do. Schoolwork had lost its charm and she clearly wasn't spending her spare time with her so-called 'lover' anymore. There was a void to fill, and looking after toddlers seemed to be the best option with which to fill it. She didn't have the compulsion to go to Hogsmeade with her peers, either. She had everything she needed in the castle, and feared that looking upon all of the hand-holding and kissing would make her physically ill.

So it had been settled, then, (with little argument from Harry and Goyle) that she would take Matty off their hands while they went off to Hogsmeade without her.

Meanwhile, Harry was getting impatient. "Gre-e-eg!" He whined, drawing out his boyfriend's name in a childish sing-song. "Let's go-o-o."

The near behemoth emerged from his bedroom looking thoroughly harassed. "Has anyone ever told you, Potter, that you're a pain in the arse?" At Harry's wicked grin, he groaned. "On second thoughts, don't answer that."

"Oh, go on, get going!" Hermione interrupted, "If I have to listen to you flirt any longer I'm going to go absolutely bonkers!" She ushered them towards the portrait hole. "Out, out, out!"

Once they were gone, she shut the portrait and turned back to her small charges, who were both looking up at her as though she were already bonkers. "Right," she chirped, "What do you two want to do today?"

-?-

"Do you think it was fair to leave her alone up there?" Greg wondered aloud as he and Harry strolled along the main street of Hogsmeade.

A Quidditch display caught the other boy's eye, and he pulled his lover towards the shop window. "But she's not alone," he responded distractedly. "Ooh, look at the new Firebolt!"

The Head Boy sighed and gave Harry's hand a tender squeeze. "Fake toddlers don't count as proper company, Potter."

Green eyes met brown. "I know, but she's so stubborn. There's no point worrying about her…She'd only tell us the same thing."

"I know, but she's now quite…vacant. Not that I blame 'er. You should have seen them at it…Snape was a real git. Hurt 'er terribly."

"As you've told me again and again and again…" Harry smiled. "It's sweet, though, how much you care about her. I'm glad you're so close." He hugged Goyle closer. "Remind me to thank that hat…"

-?-

Hermione sighed and dropped down onto the couch wearily. Looking after toddlers on one's own was no picnic. Cleaning up after them on one's own was even worse. Thankfully they'd gone down for their afternoon naps without a fight, otherwise she was certain homicide would have been on the cards.

Closing her eyes, she decided that a short nap of her own was most definitely deserved.

"Oi, sleeping on the job are we?"

"Wha?" The Head Girl mumbled incoherently, opening her bleary eyes. A shock of white-blond hair came into focus, followed by laughing grey eyes and smirking pink lips. "Malfoy?" She asked, sitting up and clearing a space to her right. "What on earth are you doing here."

He plonked himself down beside her. "Heard you were up here with only the rugrats for company and decided to join you while Patil finally takes little what's-her-name."

"Pia?"

"That's the one!" He shrugged. "She had some sort of reason for it. All I know is I didn't choose it."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Uh-huh. So you decided to spend your free time with me?" She placed her hand to her heart melodramatically. "I'm touched, really." She punctuated the statement with a roll of her eyes.

He chuckled and propped his feet up on the coffee table. "Seriously though, Granger, you can't just lock yourself in your room when you're having a bad run of things."

"And you'd be an expert on this how?"

He arched an eyebrow. "I'm going to let that moment of utter stupidity pass as a woman's emotions interfering with her intelligence." At her look of irritation he sighed. "Granger, my entire childhood was 'a bad run of things'. Son of Death Eaters. Having to pretend that I, too, wanted to rid the world of all things remotely Muggle. Having to watch my back from attacks from both sides…Need I go on?"

Averting her gaze, the Gryffindor shook her head. "Sorry, Draco…I'm not thinking clearly. I'm really not the best company at the moment. Why don't you go find a pretty little sixth year and enjoy yourself like the rest of our class?"

"Why bother when I can enjoy myself with you?" His arm snaked across her shoulders and drew her flush against his side.

She rolled her eyes. "Charming, Malfoy. Charming."

"Naturally," came the drawled response, "I am a Malfoy."

They sat in silence for a few minutes, neither certain what to say next. It was awkward, though neither could pinpoint why. They'd flirted before, often relying on crude humour to keep themselves entertained. But it had only ever been in jest, and never had they sat in an awkward silence following any such encounter. So what was so different now? Their session hadn't even bordered on crude!

"Granger, I-"

"Draco-"

They spoke at the same time, before fading into sheepish chuckles. The Slytherin motioned for her to speak first.

She blushed under his gaze. "You really should be off in Hogsmeade terrorising the sixth years…"

"And if I really don't want to be?"

She shrugged. "It's your prerogative, then."

"Good."

"Good." She echoed.

He smirked. "Fine."

"Fine."

Somehow, she noticed, they'd gotten rather…snug there on the couch. She attempted to avert her gaze from his inviting lips. "Draco-" she started, but was silenced by a slender finger to her lips.

"Hermione," her name sounded so foreign from his lips, but she remained silent. Something inside her screamed for her to move, but another part compelled her to stay. She was frozen as he moved in closer. "Don't fight it." He whispered.

Fight it? FIGHT IT? She couldn't even think straight. Fighting it was damn near impossible. But she really should, shouldn't she? What would Severus think?

As soft, inviting lips landed upon hers, all thoughts of Severus Snape flew out the window. She'd needed this, she reasoned. She needed to feel wanted. And, right now, Draco Malfoy was filling that particular void quite nicely.

As his tongue slipped past her lips she stifled a moan of satisfaction.

Yes, she thought, quite nicely indeed.

-?-

"I reckon 'Mione will be more than happy with this stash." Harry grinned as he walked, holding up a bulging paper bag. "Her teeth won't know what hit 'em."

Gregory laughed, but then sobered. "I'm bettin' she'll need a sugar high right about now." He reconsidered the statement, then added; "If she didn't already need one, that is."

The Gryffindor boy nodded. "Somehow I doubt sugar will fix everything, though."

"Mmm," Goyle mused, "But it 'elps a little. Particularly chocolate." A smile worked its way back across his features. "An' doesn't that woman love 'er chocolate."

"Funny how the daughter of Muggle Dentists could develop such a sweet tooth…"

They were approaching the portrait to the Heads' Quarters as Greg replied, "It's probably a result of not really knowin' sweets 'til she got 'ere. A bit of rebellion in 'er freedom."

He spoke the password, and continued onwards. "Merlin knows we all have somethin' to rebel against…" His sentence faded into a shocked silence as he took in the scene in front of him and came to a standstill.

The Head Girl and the self-proclaimed Prince of Slytherin were engaged in a rather steamy embrace -their hands down one another's underwear (though, technically, their underwear was on the floor…)- and totally oblivious to the entrance of the other students as they ravished each other's mouths.

To Gregory's left, Harry stared aghast.

The Head Boy recovered from the shock first. "Just what is goin' on here?" He demanded, not bothering to respect their privacy. Nor did he care that the two on the couch had their nether-regions exposed for all the world to see. What he did care about was discovering just why they were in such an intimate position to begin with.

Hermione shrieked and smoothed down her skirt poste-haste, while Draco rose and slowly slipped back into his underwear and trousers, shooting his supposed 'best friend' a glare worthy of Snape himself.

"Not that it's any of your business…" the blond drawled, but was cut off (rather rudely in his opinion).

"Not my business?" The near behemoth all but roared. "You're practically shagging in my common room! Not to mention the fact that we trusted Matty to you, 'Ermione! What if he were to 'ave wandered out 'ere an' seen…that?"

She was bright red, teary and looking for an escape route. "I…I wasn't thinking." She stammered.

"Oi!" Draco cut in, "What about the fact that it's her common room as much as it is yours?"

"I respect her enough to not shag in the bloody middle of it!"

Using the blond Slytherin's interruption as a distraction, the Head Girl made a move towards her room. Unfortunately, Gregory was having none of it.

"You stay right where you are; I'm not done with you yet."

She sniffled but decided it best not to cross him while he was in such a state. After all, the logical part of her brain (which had resumed functioning when Goyle made his presence known) told her that he had every right to be upset with her.

Turning back on Draco, he gestured towards the open portrait. "Leave. I'll talk to you later."

The blond left in a huff, not even bothering to spare Hermione a glance on his way out.

Erecting a series of charms, including a Silencing and Locking charm, Goyle turned back to his room-mate. Instead of yelling at her, though, he softened and asked; "Why?"

Instead of crying like she wanted to, Hermione merely shrugged. "Honestly? I don't know…I just…He wanted me, you know? It felt so good to be wanted again."

Harry was astounded to see his Hermione –his strong, independent Hermione- in such a state. "But, 'Mione…Meaningless sex with Draco?"

Eyes flashing dangerously, she snapped in return; "Stupid, I know. Now, should I whistle for you the next time I'm in dire need of a conscience?"

Floundering, the Boy Who Lived looked to his boyfriend. Gregory shook his head.

"Easy, 'Mione…Harry's only tryin' to make sense of what we just witnessed." He sighed. "Did you even stop to think about Snape?"

The Head Girl tried to swallow the lump that had suddenly sprung up in her throat. She shook her head, not trusting herself to speak. What would Severus say? Or, more importantly, what would he do? He'd made himself perfectly clear about how highly he valued loyalty and trust…and she'd just blown it. Almost literally. Thank every deity above that the others had arrived before that could have taken place!

Suddenly, with all the brute force of a rogue bludger, the reality of what she'd done struck her and she felt her knees buckle under the weight of her guilty conscience.

"Oh, Gods…" She moaned, falling to her knees, clutching at the nearest wall to steady herself. "Oh, Merlin…What have I done?"

Sadly, neither one of the boys in her presence knew how to make the situation any better, and all three of them knew that, when Severus Snape eventually found out (and there was no mistaking the fact that he would), things would only get worse.

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A/N- Go on...press the little 'review' button...Tell me why you hate me...

Thanks to Lone Butterfly for pointing out my MAJOR mistake. It is most definitely Valentine's and NOT Halloween. Sorry again for the confusion. 50 Points to Lone Butterfly for pointing it out.