I told you that I'd update soon.

Here's chapter Seven.

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Hermione walked into the library and smiled; refuge alas.

Greeting the librarian, she made her way to the back corner of the library and found a table to put her stuff down. Making her way to the shelves she began searching for the potions section. Too engrossed in reading the titles of the books, she turned the corner not paying attention to who might be around and found herself colliding with another student, his books falling at his feet.

"I'm so sorry!" she squeaked. "Let me help you with that," Hermione stated as he bent down to pick up his books.

Hermione kneeled down beside him, gathering a few of the scattered books. Holding them out to the boy he looked up at her, "you're the new girl, right?"

"Um, yeah," Hermione stated, holding out her hand. "Hermione Granger."

He looked at her hand for a moment before shaking it. "Severus Snape."

Hermione froze. She was face to face with the 15 year old version of her future potions professor. Studying his face, she couldn't believe that she hadn't recognized him right away. The crooked nose, piercing eyes, pale complexion, greasy hair.

Trying to hide her surprise she quickly regrouped. "I have potions with you, right?"

Severus nodded. "I was watching you, you're pretty talented in potions."

Laughing, Hermione shook her head. "Not really, I just follow instructions well."

He smiled at her and Hermione almost lost her balance, still squatting on the floor. Severus Snape just smiled at her.

"That's about 90 of potions making right there," he states standing up, books in his left hand.

He holds out his free hand to her and she takes it, him helping pull her to her feet. "Thanks," she says, following him to the table where she had placed her own belongings. Hermione couldn't get over this version of the man she knows in the future. He seemed so happy. What must have happened to have changed his demeanor so much?

"Severus," Hermione states as he places his books down on the table. When he looks back up at her she continues. "I was wondering if maybe you could help me out?"

He studies her for a second. "With what?"

"Well after potions today I realized that the book that we're using is quite different than the one I am used to. I was hoping to maybe find some books here to help me out, but I'm not even quite sure what to look for."

"Do you know what book you were using?"

Hermione shakes her head. She knew full well what book she was using, but seeing as it hadn't been written yet it's not as if she could name it.

She watches Severus think for a moment before he shakes his head. "I don't think that there's anything here that could really help you. However, if you'd like I suppose I could tutor you if you needed it."

Hermione studied him closely. She knew that she wouldn't need a tutor but just needed to learn a new way of potion making, But still, the prospect of getting to know her future potions professor at her age, was quite intriguing.

"Okay," she replied. "I'd really appreciate that."

Severus smiles. "Okay then, from now on you can call me 'Professor Snape'"

Hermione laughs at the irony.

"I'm only joking," he states, sitting down and gesturing for her to do the same. "But seriously, do you have any particular questions as of right now?"

"You're not busy?" Hermione asks, gesturing towards the six books beside him.

He shakes his head. "These are for my spare time."

"It's nice to know that there's someone around who seems to read just as much as I do. My friends back home used to make fun of me for reading so much."

"Well they obviously don't know what they were missing."

Hermione takes out her potions book and turns to the first chapter, turning it towards Severus. "I don't understand this."

Severus looks at her confused. "What about it?"

"Well, it's Greek!"

He raises his eyebrows at her. "And?"

"Well why isn't it in English, or Latin?"

Hermione frown as he laughs at her. "Please tell me this isn't your only problem."

"Well no, but it's a major one. Are you telling me you can read Greek?"

He shakes his head." No, not much. But are you a witch or not?"

"What do you mean?"

Severus smirks and gestures for her to move her chair towards him so the can both look upon the book. Watching her face, he waves his wand over the page and it instantly turns to English.

Hermione stares at him dumfounded, resting her head down on the table. "I cannot believe that I was that dense."

He starts laughing and pats her on the back. "I'm sure you just over looked it being so busy with getting adjusted to here."

She lifts her head back up and looks at him, studying his face.

"What is it?" he asks her.

Hermione shakes her head. "You just remind me of someone I know from back home."

"Is that bad?"

"Comforting, actually."

Severus is about to respond when a voice is head from the right.

"What is this, Sev?" The voice rang out. "Fraternizing with a Gryffindor? What would Lucius say if he saw you?"

Severus rolled his eyes as the boy approached them. With dark long hair he was almost the spitting image of Sirius, but where Sirius had brown eyes this boy had bright green ones. He also looked to be a bit younger.

"Reg," Severus states. "This is Hermione Granger, she's the new girl Dumbledore was talking about."

"Oh yes," he states, taking her hand and placing a kiss on it. "Regulus Black. A pleasure to meet you."

Hermione smiles at him. That would certainly explain it. "There aren't more of you, are there?"

He stands there confused for a moment before understanding her statement. "Right, Sirius." He frowns. "Nope, just the two of us. A few cousins though, you'd do well to stay clear of them though. Being in Gryffindor is one thing, hanging around my brother is another."

"Blood traitor, right?"

Severus looks surprised but Regulus smiles at her. A smile identical to that of Sirius'. "You're a smart one. I doubt he would have mentioned that at all."

Hermione shrugs. "You're family isn't exactly unheard of."

"Well that's certainly not my doing," he says with a slight scowl. "So what are you doing spending time with a Slytherin?" he asks, gesturing towards Severus. "You know, my brother would probably hex us if he saw you with us."

"You too?"

Regulus starts to laugh. "Especially me. Let's just say he wasn't too pleased at my sorting."

"But you're brothers!"

"There you have it Hermione. My dear brother hates the dark arts and to him, the Slytherin house represents the dark arts, ergo, I represent the dark arts."

"That's ridiculous."

"As is my brother. We get along fine at home, but here- well that's a different story."

Regulus turns towards Severus. "I came here to tell you that Lucius is looking for you. It's a good thing I found you before he did, too. You wouldn't want to been seen with Hermione right now."

Severus nods and stands up with a sigh, shrinking his books and placing them into his bag. "Where is he?"

"Last time I saw him he was in the common room with Avery and Nott, but it's about dinner time so he might be in the hall already."

He looks down at Hermione and gestures towards her potions book. "We'll pick up sometime later then?"

She couldn't help but smile at him. "Yes Severus, thank you very much."

He nods and takes a deep breath, walking out of the library and leaving Hermione alone with Regulus.

"Typically," he states. "Gryffindors stay away from the Slytherins. I know that you're new here, so I'll warn you. If you get close to anyone in Slytherin chances are you'll lose some friends in your house."

"Thank you Regulus," Hermione replies, "But I can't say I have any real friends yet, and I could care less about anyone who refuses to be friendly to me because of who I befriend."

"You're different," he states. "I like that."

"Thanks. You warned Severus about being around me, aren't you afraid of being caught?"

Regulus shakes his head. "I'm a pureblood, I won't be questioned and even if I am I won't be expected to reply. If anything, my housemates will think that I'm using you for something."

Hermione shakes her head.

"Walk you to dinner? We should be going."

"Sure," she replies, placing her book in her bag and throwing the bag over her shoulder.

They take a left out of the library and turn down a large corridor. "So what year are you in?" Hermione asks.

"Third," Regulus replies. "I take it you're in your fifth?"

"Yeah."

"In that case I feel inclined to warn you about any romantic encounters with my brother or his friend Potter. I'd say this to anyone, about anyone. I do not have a vendetta against Sirius. We might not get along too well most of the time, but I still love him. He- just doesn't know how to treat a girl and you're new here. Just- don't jump into anything, I hear he can be rather charming."

Hermione laughs. "I've noticed. Thank you Regulus."

Entering the hall Regulus tenses. "Uh oh, we've been spotted."

Hermione looks to the Gryffindor table where James and Sirius look livid. "Oh, fuck."

Regulus smiles. "Nice language."

Hermione rolls her eyes. "I should get to my table then. It was nice meeting you."

"And you as well. See you around," he replies, making his way to the Slytherin table.

Hermione takes a deep breath and sits down next to Remus, across from James and Sirius.

"What do you think you are doing?" Sirius immediately demands.

She chooses to act as if she doesn't know why he's upset. "Sitting down next to Remus for dinner?"

"I meant," Sirius says through gritted teeth. "Talking with him."

"Regulus?" Hermione asks, helping herself to some potatoes.

"Bloody right Regulus!"

"Is there a problem Sirius?" Hermione asks as Remus catches her eye, frowning slightly.

"Fucking right there's a problem," Sirius states, his voice rising, catching the attention of a few students further down at the table.

Hermione raises her eyebrows. "What would that be?"

"He's a Slytherin. The people in that house come from families dripping with dark arts. They're all evil gits and will hex anyone who's not affiliated with the dark arts."

"That's funny," Hermione states slowly. "I don't see you hexing anyone, Black."

Immediately she knew she had gone too far. It took all of James' strength to stop Sirius from pulling his wand on her.

"Hmm, guess I was wrong," Hermione states, beginning to eat her food, ignoring Sirius who storms away from the table with James quickly following him.

"That wasn't wise, Hermione."

She sighs, putting her fork down and looking up at Remus. "Well someone needs to put him in his place. And I'm surprised that you haven't, I mean, I saw you nod at Severus before potions- you obviously don't share the same ignorant view that all Slytherins are evil."

Remus shrugs. "James and Sirius are my best friends. They were there for me when I thought no one would be. Somehow, that overrides their ignorance in my view."

"He hate me now?"

"He'll get over it. However, I do recommend not bringing up his ancestry any more."

Hermione nods. "Yeah, the Sirius I knew didn't like to be reminded of where he came from either."

"Knew?"

"Hmm?"

"Well, you said 'knew,'" Remus states. "Like past tense."

"Oh," Hermione states, thinking quickly. "Know, I meant know."

Remus didn't look too convinced but left it alone. "What do you say, back to the common room?"

Hermione sighs. "I suppose I'll have to go back there sometime."

"Come on," Remus says standing up, holding out his hand.

She takes it and follows him upstairs.

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This might possibly be my last chapter that I post before Holiday Break.

I certainly hope you all can live a month or so without me.

Please leave reviews so I have something to look forward to reading