Random beginning intro note: I saw some pictures of young Alan Rickman, dang he was cute. Wish he had a son (or maybe grandson) who looked remarkably like him that I could randomly meet.

As of right now I will never have homework again! Until college starts :( oh and I know the Zabinis were neutral during the war but as a teen I think Zabini may have been more outspoken.

Disclaimer: I do not own

The crisp October breeze rustled the leaves outside of the library window. Halloween was fast approaching and all of the students third year and up were in Hogsmeade buying sweets and other various things for the holiday. Hermione however was in the back corner of the library and for once it was not merely because of her love of learning. She did not have permission from a guardian or any money to spend. Surely the rules could have been bent and money loaned from the school but she hated feeling like a charity case especially when her support came from Dumbledore.

While it was not quite hate, Hermione had developed some strong, negative feelings towards the Headmaster after the werewolf incident. How could he do that? Treat herself and Severus as if they were in the wrong. Remus may be innocent of his actions during the full moon but he was no less dangerous. The brunette felt horrible thinking this about her friend, her only friend other than Severus. Despite being here for a little over a month the Gryffindor hadn't made anymore friends. The other Gryffindors followed Lily and her marauders, Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs were nice but none became more than acquaintances, and the Slytherins all hated her for her presumed heritage. It was only a matter of time before someone started looking at the wizarding family trees to find her name. Sure enough the name Hermione Jean was not found in any records and taunts of being a mudblood began.

Every time she heard that word as she trekked through the hallways, Hermione became ultra aware of the scar on her left forearm and felt the overwhelming need to scratch at it. After the first day, which was the worst day, Hermione went to her dorm wondering if she could scratch the word out of her skin. That was the beginning of October and every day since she ended the day crying on Remus' shoulder. Her days were spent studying in back of the library where Severus would eventually join her. When their concentration was not on their homework one hundred percent Hermione would mumble and complain about prejudiced pure bloods and gossiping teens while Severus agreed and occasionally added scathing remarks about certain classmates.

Right now Hermione was immersing herself in Edgar Alan Poe to distract herself from what was said just that morning. A Slytherin girl, fiercely beautiful in every sense of the word despite her cold demeanor, shared her opinion of Hermione's appearance with her friends. She knew Hermione was there and made sure the Gryffindor heard every word about her frizzy hair, girlish figure, and plain face. She declared that the rumors about Hermione and Severus were ridiculous as Hermione wouldn't be able to capture any boy's attention. Severus obviously must want her to do his homework or something. When Hermione defiantly walked past, the girl—Adelina Zabini—laughed and said, "Did you hear me? I'm sorry though it really shouldn't surprise you. Your mirror should tell you as much, not that you had a chance with any boy in the first place being a mudblood and all."

Hermione walked away calmly then hide herself in a little nook in the library, scratching at her arm while trying to force her mind not to examine Zabini's words.

Zabini seemed to be of the minority with the opinion that Severus had no interest in Hermione. By everyone else it was said that Severus and Hermione were hopelessly in love and inseparable despite the fact that they really didn't spend that much time together. For example, if he didn't see where she was sitting he would sit somewhere on his own but the fact that he continued to associate with Hermione fueled the rumor mill's hungry flames. Continuing the relationship instead of joining the other Slytherins in their taunts logically, in a teenager's mind, meant Severus had possessed a great undying devotion for the Gryffindor.

But now Severus was doing something he hadn't before, something that could be considered a step in their relationship. Severus was supposed to go see Lucius in Hogsmeade while the older wizard was there for business. He still would go see his friend later that afternoon but he would have to walk to the magically village instead of riding in the horseless carriages. An inconvenience and Severus never inconvenienced himself for anyone except for Lily. And that only happened after some convincing on her part, he never chose to inconvenience himself before. Yet here he was, walking to the library, actually looking for Hermione.

He refused to let himself question his actions; he wanted to see her so he would. There was no particular reason why except that a conversation with her would be more enjoyable than spending the morning in Hogsmeade either alone or listening to idiots tease him about his preference for 'Gryffindor mudbloods' as he waited for his meeting.

He entered the library swiftly earning a sharp look from the startled Madam Pince. He swept past her before she could begin to reprimand him and thus Hermione was still unaware that a third person was in the library before Severus was right next to her. It took him a bit to find her hidden away and when he did he saw her scratching her arm as he had seen her do before, engrossed in a book. He announced his presence by sitting in the chair next to hers with much less grace than usual in order to rip her attention from the novel she was reading.

Surprised chocolate brown eyes met cold black ones when she looked up from her book. "I thought you were going to Hogsmeade?"

"I will later," he answered curtly. "May I ask what has ensnared your senses to the point of being completely unaware of your surroundings? You are normally much more alert."

"Oh, I was reading."

"Obviously," he drawled with a roll of his eyes.

"The Fall of the House of Usher by Poe, have you ever read it?" Hermione inquired.

"No but it must be good, you realizing you are scratching again?" he asked raising a brow as he tends to do.

Hermione blushed and tucked her left arm behind her back, "You- you noticed that?"

"It is hard not to. You do it whenever you are upset so tell me, who am I to help you insult today?"

Hermione looked back down at her book, "I would rather not talk about it."

Severus didn't pressure her, he could understand keeping things hidden and actually preferred it. As much fun as it could be making fun of her attackers he was still a male, an antisocial one at that, and didn't want to hear people's problems.

Severus found a book of his own to read and they sat in companionable silence. As they started reading, Hermione had pulled her arm out from behind her back. When she finished reading the short story she lifted her head to look out the window and caught sight of her reflection in the glass pane. She observed herself as Zabini's critiques ran through her head. Her hair was frizzier than most and completely unmanageable some days. Her face wasn't ugly but it held no beauty, her normal face would never stand out in a crowd.

Then there was her body. She wasn't girlish but she wasn't nearly as curvy as some of the girls here. Then she began to see what no one else did: her scars. Most of them were well hidden by glamours but she knew where each one was. And there were those that could not be hidden by magic, simply under her clothes. One in particular bothered her greatly, the large gash like scar crossing her torso. Whatever spell wrought it was very dark and refused to be hidden. That and the vile word carved into her arm were her worst, the most marring and hideous. If Adelina Zabini saw those what would she say? If any man saw those surely they would be disgusted.

Severus watched Hermione out of the corner of his eye as she examined her reflection. He ignored it as she got up and went to grab some more reading material but he was curious when she returned. In her arms she carried a spell book of glamours and beauty enhancement. Hermione wasn't a girly girl and she definitely did not put that much effort into her appearance. That wasn't a bad thing in his mind; in fact it was very practical. So what does she want with a book like that? Does she have a crush on one of the idiots here?

"You are not going to turn into a brainless dimbo on me, are you?"

Hermione's head snapped up from the page she had begun to read, "What are you talking about?"

Severus ripped the book from her hands and waved it in front of her face. "I am, quite obviously, talking about this."

Hermione snatched it back with a glare, "It is not impossible to be smart and pretty you know."

"Don't give me some lecture about men oppressing women. I'm merely wondering since you've never cared about being pretty before."

Hermione's eyes began to water as she interpreted his words. She didn't think of Severus like that but it would have been nice to hear him say something that could be taken as a compliment like "It's not necessary" perhaps.

Severus rubbed his temples and ran a hand through his black lank locks. "What did I say wrong?"

"Noth-nothing. But what exactly is wrong with me wanting to be pretty for once?" she asked holding back sniffles.

"Who said you weren't pretty?"

"You just…"

"I said that you didn't care not that you were unattractive. Pay attention to word choice, now who said you weren't pretty and made you all upset?"

Hermione wiped away the moisture in her eyes. "Well apparently you didn't so…"

"I meant earlier, who caused you to go find that book? And don't lie to me, it'll just be annoying."

Hermione hesitated before answering with a mumble, "Adelina Zabini."

Severus raised his brow again, "Her? The girl who will grow up to be nothing more than a gold digger? You actually took what she said to heart? Honestly Hermione, there are times when you possess no sense at all."

"Well some of what she said was true."

Severus snorted, "I doubt it. I won't lie, you are no great beauty but you are not unappealing." The Slytherin turned to le a curtain of black hide his face and the faintest of blushes that could be seen there.

"Maybe…" Hermione mumbled doubtfully, tracing her scars in her head. Severus was making her feel a bit better but he hadn't seen what she really looked like.

"If you don't believe me I'm sure there are any number of males here willing to back up what I am saying." He was getting a little uncomfortable with the path this conversation was taking, "If you'll excuse me I must leave for Hogsmeade." He stood up and made to stride out of the library when he was caught in a pair of small arms.

Hermione immediately jumped back and put her arms behind her back. "Uh thanks, Severus."

Ahhh, do they like each other? Eventually yes but right now it's just maybe

So please please review so I will be motivated not to make you guys wait that long ever again