Thank you for your patience my wonderful readers, college is starting early for me next week with an online pre-cal course (why am I becoming an aerospace engineer major? I hate math, oh yeah it's cause I love my physics and engineering classes as weird and contradictory as that may sound) And I've been busy preparing for college so updates will come as they come please put this on alert to help yourself keep track of it.

Oh and Happy Father's day

Disclaimer:… You already know

"Miss Jean I would prefer if you warned me before leaving the Hospital wing, when you are here you are under my care and my rules," Madame Pomfrey scolded but without the usual amount of disapproval. She retrieved Hermione's wand from a locked drawer and handed it to the younger witch. "May I ask what you were doing with Mr. Lupin?" she asked even though she knew Hermione left with Severus.

"Well actually I left with Sev-Mr. Snape, Ma'am," Hermione corrected knowing that the nurse would find out anyway. "We went flying."

"Flying can be a very dangerous activity, I should know. Mr. Lupin, would you please wait outside my office? I would like to speak to Miss Jean alone." Remus nodded and left shutting the door behind him. Hermione expected to be lectured either about her health or maybe even for hanging out with Severus as it would be far from the first time that happened. So she was surprised to see a much softer expression on the nurse's maternal face than she expected.

"I have heard, Miss Jean that you have become good friends with Severus, is that so?"

"Yes ma'am I have," she answered.

"I know he gets a bad reputation but Severus really is a sweet boy, he just doesn't anyone to know it," Madame Pomfrey said much to Hermione's surprise. "I don't get to develop relationships with most of the students because thankfully they don't spend much time here but there are always exceptions. Severus is one; he's had a rough time here. What I wanted to say Miss Jean is that he doesn't have many friendships but the ones he has he values very highly. Please be… gentle with him you have been a good influence on him I think, he's not been in this year and he seems happier even if he doesn't show it."

"I would never dream of hurting him," Hermione assured the older witch and it was true, as much as he could infuriate her she would never do him harm, she would not be another Lily for him.

"Thank you, dear. Now I believe Mr. Lupin is waiting for you, have a good day."

"Good bye Madame Pomfrey."

Hermione found Remus standing right outside the office door trying not to look curious. Whether over her fight, her flight, or her talk with Madame Pomfrey she wasn't sure but it was probably a combination of the three.

Dinner was fast approaching as they left the hospital wing so their first stop was at the Great Hall. For once Remus sat with Hermione on her end of the table instead of with the Marauders who all shot them confused and in Sirius' case upset looks. The rest of the table, actually the rest of the Hall just stared at Hermione.

"And just when the rumors about you and Snape were dying down," Remus lightly joked.

Hermione gave a mirthless chuckle, "It seems I will forever be a source of entertainment for them."

"Everything will pass," Remus assured her.

"And then something else will happen," Hermione countered.

"Don't be so pessimistic."

"I'm not pessimistic, I'm realistic. Reality just happens to be negative."*

Remus just sighed and shook his head and returned to eating. After a few minutes the staring became too much and Hermione stood up. "You can go sit with your friends; I'm going to the library."

"Hermione you don't have to…"

"I'll be more comfortable. I'll talk to you in the common room tonight okay?"

"If you're sure…"

"I am, see you later." The two friends walked in opposite directions; one towards the exit and one to the other end of the table.

"Remus where is Hermione going?" Lily asked.

"Why were you sitting with her?" Sirius demanded. "She's with Snivellus."

"Sirius I keep telling you they are not together and Lily it isn't really any of your business."

"Don't talk to her that way."

"James it's all right. Look Remus I just want to talk to her."

"Sorry Lily but I don't think she'll want to talk to you."

Lily stood abruptly fiery temper aflame, "Fine I'll just follow her." And so she did, leaving her boyfriend and company behind wondering what she would say to their peculiar classmate.

Lily found Hermione right outside the library and yelled at her, "I knew you were bad news, I knew better than to trust you. Not even James and Snape resorted to full curses in their duel. But you used them immediately." Lily got right into Hermione's face now, "Well, what excuse do you have now?"

Hermione stared into Lily's eyes, "Nothing you could ever hope to understand, Lily. Perhaps you should start looking outside your little bubble then maybe one day you could understand. Now if you'll excuse me I have some studying to do tonight." Hermione turned on her heel and entered the library nonchalantly leaving a fuming Lily behind her.

XXXXXXX

Much later in the evening, Hermione finally retreated to the Gryffindor common room for the evening and found it to be relatively empty as usual. She sat down on the couch in front of the fireplace and stared into the flames as the few stragglers went up to bed. She didn't have to wait long before hearing Remus' footsteps coming down the stairs.

"Okay Mione, start talking," Remus said as he plopped down beside her.

Hermione looked around herself to check her surroundings before she began. She leaned in closer once she saw that it was all clear, everyone left the common room earlier than usual tonight most likely because of their new nervousness in her presence, and told Remus, "I recognized him."

"Who? Dolohov?"

"Yes, he attacked me or will attack me. You know what I mean, I went into like full self defense mode," Hermione explained.

"It looked like more than just self defense, Hermione."

Hermione sighed, "We think that I have fought before, like in combat, but it is just a theory. Look I'm tired, I'm going to go to bed." Hermione stood as she announced her intentions and Remus rose with her.

"What about Snape? What happened there?"

"We're friends; we had a fight, that's it."

"Does he know about where you are from?"

"No, I don't trust him that much yet. You are the only one I've told."

"He likes you, you know."

Hermione turned around, her flying hair smacking Remus' shoulder. "Not you too! I thought you knew better than to listen to those rumors."

"I know you are not dating," Remus said as he raised his hands to stop any possible rant. "I know that you don't have any feelings for him beyond that of a friend, but I am fairly sure that there are feelings on his side."

Hermione snorted, "Well you're wrong. I'm going to sleep."

XXXXXXX

Severus pulled at his nicest wizarding robes to try and remove the wrinkles. It had been gently used when bought and Severus rarely had need for them. In fact if it was his choice he would never need to wear them, he loathed parties especially Slughorn's. The Christmas dinner parties were generally the worst. There were two reasons why he was going: he needed to talk to Lucius and he was looking for opportunities to fix his relationship with Hermione.

Christmas break was a day away and ever since the dueling club almost three weeks ago—which was now over and done with—their relationship was strained. They still sat next to each other in class and the library but there was noticeably less talking going on. She was still a little peeved at him. Severus hoped to fix it before the break so he would have a chance to actually talk to her about the Dark Lord. As of right now if it had nothing to do with school and research it was not discussed. She was coming around, much less irritated but not as talkative.

Severus looked at himself in mirror in his worn black robes, the only splash of color was his dark green shirt. His hair was thoroughly washed and tied back at the nape of his neck with a piece of leather. This was as nice as he was going to look. The mirror, who had given up a long time ago trying to critique Severus, peeped up and said, "Not bad."

"Oh shut up," Severus snarled and stalked away. It wasn't too long of a journey from the Slytherin common room to Slughorn's party which was only one floor up. The sounds slipping out from around the door were obnoxious and the people still entering were too full of holiday cheer for Severus' tastes. At least he wasn't one of the potion teacher's favorites that got shown off like a prized horse at these things; he could easily slip into the background.

His dear friend Lucius on the other hand was another story all together. His presence demanded attention and respect and as Severus stepped into the dreaded room he found that tonight was no exception. The aristocratic blonde was speaking to the host about something or other and was impeccably dressed. Solid black brand new robes, hair tied back with a bow, and perfectly shined dragon's hide boots and gloves. Severus' attention was immediately drawn to the cane in one gloved hand; a simple black cane with a silver snake head on top. Severus held back a chuckle, if only Lucius knew how he might appear to someone raised in the muggle world with his feminine hair bow and pimp cane.

Severus had schooled his face to its usual mask when he approached the wizards. "Ah Mr. Snape," the professor greeted, "So glad to see you could make it I was just speaking with Mr. Malfoy here, you two are friends correct? I'll let you two catch up as I greet the other guests." Slughorn shuffled his way through the crowded room leaving the two alone.

"That man can talk about nothing for a very long time," Lucius grumbled.

Severus snorted, "Tell me about it."

"Well we have much more important things to talk about than this starting with that little dueling club of yours," Lucius announced.

"I'm guessing you heard about everything."

"I believe so, particularly your brawls with those two Gryffindor blood traitors. And of course Miss Jean's duel as well, she truly is powerful isn't she?"

"She didn't need to use any large amount of power, she knew how to handle herself without its aid," Severus commented.

"Indeed and he was impressed." Severus held back his natural reaction at the mention of the Dark Lord.

Severus changed the subject, "Perhaps we should start with a less heavy subject, like your son for example." It was then that Severus saw an expression on his friends face that he had never seen before; vulnerability.

"There is no child, Severus," the blonde said sadly.

"A miscarriage?" the raven haired wizard whispered. Lucius merely nodded. Severus pitied his friend though in all honesty he wasn't completely surprised. The purebloods' incestuous ways caused many problems in their society from genetic diseases to a high frequency of miscarriages and stillbirths. It was one of the many reasons the pureblooded families were dying out; once they found someone worthy to marry then they had trouble conceiving and actually carrying the child to term. "I am so sorry, Lucius." The older wizard may not be the perfect potential father but one look at his showed that he mourned for his unborn child.

"Thank you Severus, I'll pass it on to Cissy. She could not make it." His tone accidently hinted that he wished he was at home too, but he mustn't let anyone see his weakness. No one else knew but if both Malfoys stayed home then the world would know something was up. "Nothing can changed what happened so let us move on," Lucius said taking a sip of his elf made wine. "So where is your little girlfriend?"

"There is no relationship between us and I have no knowledge of her whereabouts. She will probably be here soon." After Severus spoke these words a glint of something by the door caught his attention. Turning he saw Hermione striding into room catching more than just his eyes.

She was wearing a cocktail length gingerbread colored dress with long sleeves covering her arms and matching heels. The dress glittered gold as she moved and caught the light at different angles. Her hair had been perfectly curled and done up in some elaborate ponytail up do and her make-up was stunning. Hermione felt a sense of déjà vu as she entered the room. She had hoped the dress would be subtle and let her melt into the background when she bought it but the sparkles counteracted the color's simplicity apparently and she had not noticed how it fit her like a second skin showing off all of her curves. She blushed slightly as she searched for some cover and her eyes finally landed on Severus. She missed her conversations with him and now seemed like a good time to stop being mad at him. As she approached she noticed that he was staring at her in surprise and saw his blonde companion say something to him.

"Severus, am I correct in assuming that this is Miss Jean?"

"Yes," he said simply. Severus was genuinely shocked by her transformation and forced himself to stop showing it.

"I must ask, why are you denying a relationship with her?" Lucius teased.

*I actually say that all of the time

I just realized that anyone who has read my story An Atypical Couple might think I have something against Dolohov, I don't actually it was pure coincidence that he keeps getting… I'll just say hurt so there'll be no spoiler alerts in case someone decides to read it.

So the Slug Club party will be in two parts, I hope to have part two up soon. The more reviews I get the faster I'll write.