I know it has been forever since I've updated, things have been getting busy so hiatuses like this will be more frequent but I promise not to be one of those people who take months to update.

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Severus raised a brow in disbelief, why would this girl reject the popular Marauders for friendship with him? Friendship that Severus still was a little uncomfortable with when he actually thought about it. Maybe it was just because coincidence had put them together so often this past week that she felt some sort of connection. And then he couldn't help but list every similarity between Hermione and Lily in his head: intelligent, temperamental, skilled Gryffindor witches willing to take a stand against bullying. At least until the victim upset them. Severus wondered if history would repeat itself, would he end up hurting Hermione like Lily claimed? Would she leave him? The answers to both questions were very likely yes given Severus' temperament and luck.

But neither of these were the biggest question on his mind. No, that was would he let her close. His natural answer was no but over the week he found that it would be hard to keep her completely out. She was one of the very few people on his level of intelligence and it was nice to have an intelligent, genuine conversation every once in a while. If anyone could become close to him, or at least as close as his natural defenses allowed, it would be her.

Severus' thoughts were interrupted by Slughorn and Sprout. "Good evening, sorry for the delay I hope that everyone is ready for our little adventure," the large potions professor greeted. The students nodded and an enthusiastic Sprout stepped forward.

"Here is a list of the ingredients we are gathering today, mostly certain types of fungi, moss, and bark. Remember that these woods are dangerous and there will be look-alike fungi and such that could be harmful so double check before you touch anything." The pieces of parchment were handed out as the group began to walk towards the forest.

"Ah yes, do be sure to avoid those. Wouldn't want a nasty rash before slug club dinner would we Miss Evans and Mr. Snape? Which reminds me, Miss Jean I would very much like to talk to you about joining our little club. It's for outstanding students to have little get togethers and get to know each other. Sometimes I even have some of my former students come to visit us. Your ability in potions and your other subjects—the number of classes alone would do the trick—suggest that you'd be right at home in my club. Just ask your friends." Hermione went to look at Severus whose facial expression changed just slightly to show that he was not a fan. Slughorn did not notice this and continued, "We'll be having a dinner soon and I hope you'll join us."

"I'll think about it, thank you for the invitation sir." Hermione then walked a little faster in order to catch up with the younger Slytherin who had strode to the front of the pack. She leaned in a little to whisper, "So what exactly is this…?"

"It's a horribly boring obligation to entertain him then later do him favors when you've made it big. He collects students with connections or the ability to form connections that will benefit him."

"So I shouldn't join?"

"Ha! You don't have a choice, he'll pester you until you join," Severus said. "All you can do is except and suffer though it, do you really think I would want to 'get to know' my fellow classmates?"

Hermione shook her head, a little amused at the image that now appeared in her mind, "No, it's not exactly your thing is it?"

"No it is not," he said simply. They stayed quiet for a while as the large group inevitably broke up into smaller groups during their search. Hermione and Severus remained near each other as they both gathered their finds. Eventually they found a large tree covered in a thick coating of a dark blue-black moss that they needed. Harvesting it was rather simple, scrap it off with a knife, so as Hermione completed her task she allowed her mind to wonder and ponder the last week. In the end, her mind settled upon some rumors that were being circulated about her. Most of them were ridiculous and put an amused smile on her face but some piqued her curiosity. One in particular had been nagging her from the back of her mind and she decided that it was time to cure herself of this query.

"Severus?" The addressed merely raised his head a centimeter in acknowledgment from where he was kneeling. "I've been hearing some rumors…"

"That tends to happen here," he remarked dryly.

"Yes, well," Hermione continued, "There were some rumors concerning 'You-Know-Who,'" Severus stiffened a fraction, "Do you know who they are talking about?"

"Why are you asking me this?"

"Because I have a feeling that you would tell me the truth," Hermione answered.

"Any other reasons?" the young man asked suspiciously, narrowing his black eyes.

"Do I need another reason?" She could have mentioned that Death Eater comment by Lily but that would no doubt upset Severus. She didn't know if he believed her but he answered anyway:

"He is a dark wizard whose name is not said, he has been gaining influence in the wizarding community particularly with dark, pure-blooded wizards. He and his followers are ruthless, that's all that needs to be known."

"Is there a reason people think I'm his daughter sent to spy on Dumbledore?"

Severus laughed, not a full laugh or even all that genuine but more of a laugh at the expense of his gossip mongering school mates. "Interesting, I think I have heard that one. You did show up rather suddenly, but that is completely impossible. He has to be almost sixty years old and from what I can tell he hates kids."

"I wonder what is the most creative rumor you heard?"

"About you? Let me think…" Severus looked thoughtful for a moment as he continued to scrap off the moss, "I guess the international spy and time traveling ones were pretty good."

Hermione froze for a moment. Did Remus betray her secret? Did someone overhear her conversation with Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall? Or was it just coincidence? She regained her composure before Severus looked at her again, "Time traveler?"

"Yeah they think you were experimenting with a time turner or some artifact from the Department of Mysteries and got lost in time. Ridiculous what some people come up with."

Hermione forced a laugh, "I know right, I guess it doesn't really matter though. I don't remember anything and therefore won't be able to go back to my home country with all of the UK's secrets."

Severus stood up and looked at her, "How did you lose your memory anyway?"

"The accident, remember? The headmaster announced it to the whole school."

"I recall, but what was the accident?"

"I don't know. I can't remember anything before waking up in the infirmary. I know things, facts about magic and history and such but I don't have any memories." Hermione was getting a little upset and her eyes began to water, why couldn't people leave her alone?

Severus backed off at the signs of her distress. "No need to cry, I'll refrain from asking anymore questions."

Hermione sniffed, "thanks." The pair walked back the way they came and stumbled upon Pettigrew who had gotten himself lost. Severus reflexively sneered while Hermione inched away from the other Gryffindor, unknowingly inching into Severus' personal space. Pettigrew noticed this and began taunting the Slytherin.

"What's the matter, Snivellus? Can't go into the forest without your girlfriend's protection?" Severus choose to ignore the most insignificant member of the Marauders and continued on his way to the rendezvous point. The portly boy then turned his attention to Hermione, "Honestly why would you want to be with this git? Are you that desperate?"

That seemed to flair Severus' temper who turned to send a hex at Pettigrew only to be stopped by Hermione defending herself. "Shut up Pettigrew. One my personal life is none of your business, two neither want to hear you speak, and three we are not together nor am I in any way shape or form 'desperate.'" Just then the teachers and Lily arrived, the later received some whispered comments from Pettigrew which caused the redhead to shoot a look of disapproval at Hermione. Guessing Pettigrew's message, Hermione groaned "And here begins even more rumors."

XXXXXXX

Later that night Severus entered his dorm in the dungeons and was greeted by a regal looking owl waiting on his bed with a letter. He instantly recognized it as belonging to a good friend who had graduated about four years before. He was perhaps Severus only real friend despite the age difference but was also the largest source of pressure to join the Dark Lord. His arguments were convincing and his reasoning sound but Severus was not yet ready to sell his soul to anyone.

He removed the letter from the owl's foot and gave him a treat before opening his post to read. All of his dorm mates were already asleep so he had no worries about anyone reading over his shoulder.

It was a typical letter talking and asking about life in general, his new wife, inquiries about the DADA teacher of the year, and of course hints about joining the Dark Lord. The end however caught his attention.

There are rumors about a mysterious new girl at Hogwarts and I must ask for your opinion about it. I have heard that you have been spending time with her, perhaps too much. I must remind you of your blood status and your need to associate with the right people. A Gryffindor who is most likely a mudblood does not fall into that category.

I look forward to your reply

~Lucius Malfoy

Again I am sorry I hope the longer than usual length makes me forgiven. No it doesn't? :(

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