Hey sorry I didn't update yesterday! I'm on vacation and internet is kind of touch and go... But I hope you like this chapter!

It was daylight before Severus finally gave in to his exhaustion. He had spent the entire night brewing, unable to sleep, and he would have to wake soon anyway, but he knew a little rest could go a long way. Staggering into his bedroom, he stripped with a sweep of his hand and collapsed on the bed.

Hermione woke in a fog. It seemed as if she had slept for ages, yet still a blanket of weariness dragged her down to the couch. She remembered her dream from the night before with a groan. Back to reality, where the truth was hard and cold and painful.

She really needed the loo, but was fairly certain the only one in his quarters was in his bedroom. Do I dare? It was likely that he was not there and that it was warded against her, but she would have to attempt entry soon. Standing, she moved to stand in front of the door. What if he's in there? It certainly wouldn't do to walk in on the Potion Master in his bedroom. She already knew that he slept in the nude. And yet, it seemed far too late in the morning for him to still be sleeping. But she really didn't know how late he slept.

Should I knock? she wondered. If he was in there, she certainly ought to. But then, they didn't exactly have a polite relationship right now. Of course, she sure didn't want to provoke his temper either. But she really did need to use the loo.

She decided she would try the door and only knock if it was warded against her. After all, if Severus Snape didn't want her going somewhere, he would certainly ward it against her.

The door opened and she felt a rush of fear like a child not wanting to be caught in the act. Just a few more inches and she could slip inside. But then, she heard it: deep breathing. He's in there. At least it sounded like he was asleep, rather than… well… like last time…

But she couldn't hold it. Tiptoeing through his room, she was even too afraid to glance over at him, not breathing until she was safely inside the bathroom with the door closed behind her.

After relieving herself, Hermione was starting to feel a bit bold. Severus Snape wanted a Gryffindor girl imprisoned in his quarters? Well, she would just have to show him how wrong he was about that. Assuring that the bathroom door was locked, Hermione started a bath in his luxurious bathtub. She let the hot water fill the tub before she stripped and slid down into it. The water overflowed a bit, but she didn't mind. In fact, her lips twisted in a mischievous grin.

Snape's soap just would not do. It appeared the man used only a bar of unscented soap for everything. Summoning her little, beaded bag, Hermione began pulling out every different kind of soap or shampoo she had and set them out beside the tub. Oh, yes. This would do very well indeed.

When she left the bathroom, however, the professor was gone. Struck with sudden inspiration, Hermione leapt into his bed, purposefully letting her damp hair soak perfumed water into his pillows and bedclothes. The sweet, feminine fragrance was sure to drive her straight-laced professor mad. It was nothing a bit of magic couldn't undo, but it was the principle of the thing, and she was determined to make his life hell in any way that she possibly could.

Hermione's stomach grumbled and she idly wondered if the house elves would bring her food here. Surely her professor did not expect her to starve. "Dobby?" she whispered timidly. The elf immediately appeared at the foot of the bed.

"Yes Miss Harry Potter's Friend?"

"Dobby, I was wondering if you could bring me something to eat…" she said.

"Oh yes, Miss Harry Potter's Friend, Dobby can bring anything Miss Harry Potter's Friend is wanting to eat," the elf responded. Hermione could feel the malicious grin spreading across her face.

Hermione didn't bother to be careful about crumbs in her professor's bed. Nor did she worry about leaving the plates of food she had not finished laying all around his room and by his pillows. Stretching out, she admired her handiwork and allowed herself to nestle into the soft sheets.

Severus returned much earlier than he usually would have. He told himself very firmly that it was not because he wanted to check on Granger. However, when a quick glance around his living room revealed that she was not there, he felt a sudden pang of worry that she had somehow escaped. Upon entering his bedroom, he was relieved to note that that was not the case. No, the stubborn chit was sprawled across his bed, snuggled into his covers, and she had clearly done her best to dirty up his room. Was this her way of rebelling against him? He didn't even care. The fact was, she was in his bed. Her hair was wet from the bath she had been taking when he had woken up earlier, and her sweet lips were parted in restful slumber.

Two can play that game, Miss Granger, he thought. Besides, he could afford a little nap. As silently as he could manage, Severus Snape cleared the trash with a flick of his wand and crawled into bed with Hermione.

Hermione startled awake at the sensation of an arm being wrapped around her waist. She almost cried out in fear before realizing that her professor was asleep next to her. When did he get back? Apparently Snape had returned and decided to take a nap with her still in his bed. She wasn't sure if she had played right into his hand or if he was manipulating the situation to teach her a lesson. Either way, he was breathing deeply into her ear and holding her body tight against his.

I'm spooning with Professor Snape, she couldn't help but think. What are you doing, you twit?! He's the enemy! At this thought, Hermione tried to pull away, but he just groaned deep in his throat, in a way that made Hermione blush crimson, and pulled her tighter against him. What is that?! Hermione suddenly realized that Snape had an erection and it was pressing against her bum. Her face was burning, but from embarrassment or arousal she could not tell. She hated herself for being turned on by this man. Hadn't he proved yesterday that he really was the horrid bastard she had always hoped he wasn't?

Hermione once again tried to pry his arm from around her, but he just moaned against her ear, pressed harder against her back, and stuck his nose in her hair, obviously enjoying the fragrance. That was so not the point. Every one of her devious plans had apparently backfired. At this point, she was too embarrassed to have him wake up and realize that she knew he had snuggled up to her. Perhaps she could just pretend to be asleep and wait for him to wake up on his own.

Hermione awakened a little while later, surprised to see that she had even fallen asleep. Snape's grip had relaxed and she tried to slip out while she could. Unfortunately, this was enough to wake the sleeping man, who, in his half-asleep state, then pulled the girl to him again, lazily sliding his hand up to massage her breasts as he yawned into her ear. Suddenly, he froze, and she knew he had finally remembered where he was. Ripping away from her, the professor was out of the bed and all the way to the bathroom before Hermione had a chance to turn around.

The Potion Master did not return to his quarters until late that night. Meanwhile, Hermione had tested the limits of her confinement. She had initially been very surprised that she had access to his lab. Severus Snape was a very meticulous man. She was surprised to find that he had committed such an oversight. If she didn't know better, she might have imagined that he had left it accessibly to her on purpose. As if he had wanted her to brew Lupin's potion.

Once again, she was reminded of that day months ago when her professor had told her that one day he would be incapable of providing the Wolfsbane and that she would need to do it herself. Don't be a fool, Hermione. He was only playing a part. But try as she might, she just couldn't suppress that little ball of hope deep inside of her that wanted to think he might have been innocent of his alleged crimes.

Oh no, she realized with a jolt, there's no wolf's blood! That was a vital ingredient. She wouldn't be able to make the potion without it! For the next half an hour, Hermione tore through the supply closet and lab looking for some, but to no avail. Fuck!

It wasn't until hours later, pacing in his living room for ideas, that Hermione finally struck gold. The floo! If she were able to use the floo, she would be able to floo to Hogsmeade and use her position there as Snape's "assistant" to purchase the necessary ingredient. She could barely contain her excitement as she grabbed her little, beaded bag and ran to the fireplace. There was floo powder on the mantle. How did I not think of this earlier. She tried to remember if there had been a fireplace at the apothecary's but decided it was worth a try.

A moment later she was on the floor of the apothecary's shop with such a rush of adrenaline bursting through her veins that she thought she might explode with excitement. Suddenly, the owner was helping her to her feet. It took him a moment to recognize her, but when he did, he was very enthusiastic about her visit. She remembered the last time she had been in this shop with a bitter twinge of longing. Those days had been so much simpler.

Hermione assembled an array of potions ingredients that she thought might come in handy, including a good number to replace the ones she had sent off with Harry and Ron, and told the man to put it on the Hogwarts account. She found herself holding her breath until he nodded his acceptance and waved her on her way. Stepping into the floo, she called out her destination. And didn't move. Oh no! Of course it wouldn't be set up so that just anyway could floo straight into the Headmaster's private quarters! Fuck! She tried a couple of different floos within Hogwarts before conceding defeat. Oh well. I guess I escaped confinement. Hermione couldn't help a giggle at her predicament before heading off to Honeydukes to use the secret passageway that led back into the castle.

It was late when Severus finally reentered his chambers. The girl was not in the living room and he dreaded the confrontation that would surely take place in his bedroom, but he would have to put her in her place sooner or later. She couldn't continue to think that she had power in this situation. She was his prisoner for Merlin's sake!

But she wasn't in his bedroom, either. A sneak peak into the lab revealed that she wasn't brewing or in the supply closet. She was gone. Fuck. He returned to his living room.

"Where did she go?" he demanded of Phineas. The old portrait looked down at Severus disdainfully.

"You're losing your touch, Severus. You're usually so thorough."

"Just tell me where she went!"

"She flooed to the apothecary, if you must know. Only, I imagine she expected she could come back the same way…"

"How long ago was that?"

"Oh… hours…" Phineas replied. Severus growled in frustration. He would find her. Oh, yes. And when he did, she would pay.

How do you like where I'm going with this?