A/N- I know, I know, shamefully short chapter here, and I apologise! But don't worry, I shall update early tomorrow morning with the next chapter (a long one, I promise!). And then, after that, there's some drama and a bit of angst! Anyways, thank you for the reviews thus far, and all those who have favourited and put my story on alert. Thank you, and enjoy!

"Hello, Minerva," Hermione greeted the headmistress brightly as she sat down at the staff table. "How are you this morning?"

"Oh, hello, Hermione," Minerva said between sips of tea. "I am well, and I must say, I am quite enjoying the respite from the perpetual noise the students make."

Hermione bit back a laugh. "Yes, me too. I surprised to see how many went home for the holidays. The castle is practically empty."

Minerva nodded. "It's brilliant. I can hear myself think, and have some time to myself for a few days at least. Have any plans for the weekend?" she inquired.

"Yes, actually. I'm spending tomorrow evening with my parents in Sydney, and then going to the Burrow for Christmas day," Hermione replied as she dug into her breakfast of scrambled eggs and kippers.

"That sounds enjoyable," the headmistress said. "Be sure to wish Molly and Arthur a happy christmas from me."

"I will!" came the reply. Hermione didn't speak for a few minutes, she was too focused on shoveling food into her mouth. She had to get down to the dungeons as soon as possible, to finish the potion. She gulped down her pumpkin juice, and wave Minerva a hasty goodbye as she sped to the bowels of the castle. Walking quickly, she nearly slipped as she rounded a corner too quickly. Hermione slowed her pace slightly, she would rather prefer to not break any bones the day before Christmas Eve. Reaching Severus' office, she knocked loudly.

"Enter," came the muffled reply.

She opened the door, and walked into to see the sour faced potions professor bent over a steaming copper cauldron. "Hello, Severus," she said brightly as she walked to stand next to him. "Is the dittany ready to be added to the Wiggenweld Potion?"

Severus didn't reply, instead placing a finger on his lips, indicating for Hermione to be silent. She obediently closed her mouth without question, waiting for him to explain his odd actions. She watched as he carefully spooned the dark brown liquid from the cauldron into a small vial, and shook it vigorously. He stood up straight, and turned carefully, placing the vial next to the cauldron containing the potion.

"Spilling dittany has adverse reactions that I would prefer to avoid," he said shortly. "Bring me the silver stirrer, twelve inch length."

Hermione nodded, and went to find the utensil he specified. She returned and handed him the stirrer. "Severus, I was thinking," she began.

"An admirable occupation, Miss Granger," he replied wryly.

Hermione scowled, and resisted the urge to hit him. "Dittany heals the skin, do you think there could be a way to change it to heal things it couldn't necessarily be placed on?"

"Such as the mind?" Severus nodded. "I had the same thought."

"So do you think it is possible?"

"I do not know," came the weary reply. "In theory, it should be. But the how and why remains recondite."

"I suppose that is one more thing to add to the list of ingredients and theories we need to research," Hermione said with a sigh. "I'll have to owl Harry after the holidays and see if any of his auror contacts own any books on old magics that they would be willing to let me borrow," she offered.

Severus nodded. "As good a place as any to start."

Hermione was surprised by how agreeable Severus was being, but she didn't show it. She poured the measure of salamander blood into the cauldron, waiting for the seventh bubble to pop before she could start stirring. She watched Severus as he chopped the wiggentree bark, and noted his paler than usual face, and the dark circles under his eyes. Deciding to take a chance, she spoke up. "Severus," she said cautiously. "Did you sleep last night?"

Severus stopped chopping, and raised his head to glare at the witch, black eyes glittering. "My nocturnal activities are not something I wish to discuss with anyone, much less you," he said acidly, agreeable temper gone. "Do not ask again, and do not think we have grown so close as to be privy to information such as that."

Hermione nodded shamefacedly, and looked down at the cauldron. She knew exactly why he had lashed out at her. He must have been plagued by nightmares, she thought. She was always snappish when someone asked if she had night terrors. She had only ever told Harry and Draco about them, Ron had known but he never tried to talk about them to her. She finished stirring, and stepped aside so the dark haired wizard could place the chopped up bark in the cauldron gently.

"Miss Granger, be at the ready. You will have to stir immediately after I am done, three strokes clockwise and once counterclockwise, repeated four times," Severus said brusquely. He nodded sharply to her as he stepped away.

Hermione started to stir, concentrating on keeping count. After she finished, she turned to Severus. "What comes next?"

"We wait," he said curtly as he turned to take a seat as his desk. "The potion has to sit for two weeks under a constant weak flame, so the bark can properly disintegrate."

Hermione nodded, recognizing the dismissal, and started to walk out. "See you after the holidays, then," she said. Reaching the door, she paused, and turned to face the potions professor. "I find that casting a patronus before trying to sleep helps," she said quietly, and left before she could see Severus jerk in surprise and stare after her.