A/N: Hello everyone, here is chapter three, I'll try to update every week, but I won't make any promise. You can't imagine how happy you make me with your reviews. Honestly, I do hope this story will rise to your expectations, and I certainly hope it will become 'EPIC' as someone said :P. Well, here is the third chapter…is my writing good enough?

Casper22: I agree with you about Dumbledore. I didn't like him even in J.K.R.'s books. If you look beyond the grandfather image, he is as manipulative as Voldemort. Death Eaters-Order of Phoenix. The same concept, different ideas. As for Severus…some like to portray him as a stone statue…he isn't. He's a human being and he has feelings, he may be able to hide them from everyone else…but I'm thinking of a reason that will help everyone understand why he can't do the same in front of Hermione.

Sevsboxers: loved the 'hairy ears' comment. Lol.

Enjoy.

Chapter3Feelings.

It wasn't difficult for Severus to find her at the breakfast table the next day. That lion's mane she called a hair, was as untamed as ever…it seemed to have a life of it's own. His night had been restless. Unanswered questions plagued his mind until the early hours. He'd thought her answers were enough to satisfy his curiosity, but Hermione Granger still remained a humongous puzzle that needed solving in his mind.

Deciding that he just couldn't keep his eyes closed, in the middle of the night, he had picked up a quill and a sheet of parchment and started writing everything he knew about the girl. He remembered insulting her in her very first class with him as a first year, and again when his godson had cursed her, he'd always seen her as the annoying, know-it-all Gryffindor…without reason actually. Until the previous night he had never exchanged more than a few words with her…and that happened when he usually deducted points, or gave a detention. He did find her furious need to answer every asked question in class annoying…it reminded him too much of himself. He refused to acknowledge the fact that he was treating her the exact way he had been treated, and hated it at the time…but the potential he saw in her needed a bit of a push if she wanted to really accomplish something. Definitely not enough to know her.

He'd known that she and the dumb and dumber had engaged themselves in different dangerous adventures throughout the years, but Dumbledore had never graced him with an answer whenever he asked. He would simply say 'They are fine, not to worry' and stalk away with his horrible robes billowing behind him. He knew she liked to read, if being coped up in the library most of the school year was any hint, and by the way she eyed his own library…he knew she was an overachiever, very smart, and had a sharp tongue when needed be…not to mention a good right hook, according to Draco…and that was about it. He definitely needed more information.

Looking to his left, he stole a glance towards Dumbledore chatting merrily with Pomona, and asked himself for the hundredth time in the last hours, just how a man that considered himself as a light wizard could be able to sacrifice a boy for his own gain? And Lilly's son at that.

If Granger was right, which he still didn't know for sure, then the only difference between him and Voldemort was that he didn't go on a killing spree once a week.

Severus scooped another sugar cube and dropped it in his coffee. She had been able to distract him with his guilt and self-loathing feelings the other night, but he wouldn't let her manage that again. He needed more answers and he was damn well set out for blood if he didn't get them.

Dumbledore's preferably.

Leaving the Head Table he swooped down between the Gryffindor and Ravenklaw table, his eyes traveling between the three…and seeing her smile at him. Smile. No one smiled at him. No one was supposed to anyway. He sighed and headed towards the dungeons. His first class of the day was a second-year Hufflepuff-Ravenklaw, followed by seventh-year Gryffidor-Slytherin. Oh how he hated those two hours. For years he had asked of the headmaster to stop placing the two houses together in his class, but he never listened. 'House unity' was his answer, but couldn't he bloody see that all he accomplished was to enrage the students even more? Either he was slightly blind, or he enjoyed irritating the potions master. The latter most likely.

Relieved that his classroom was unharmed by the end of the hour with the second-years, he assigned the proper homework and entered his office, sat at his desk and palmed his face. His next class included her. Between thoughts he had had glimpses of Granger's body all night. Being a double spy over the years had stopped him from searching a woman's warmth, and Nocturn Alley wasn't exactly the place you could find something suitable. Having a young, beautiful, wet woman in his arms for quite some time didn't help his situation.

Taking a deep breath, Severus tried to set his mind only on potions, ingredients and everything related to Hogwarts. It wouldn't do good if she decided to take a peek in his mind and got a full image of his fantasy. Well, it was more on the plural side, but that was a forbidden topic at the moment.

Sitting up, he rearranged his teacher robes over…Healing potion, Draught of the Living Dead, wormwood, vampires, McGonagall…yes, there's a good thought…

''Honestly Ron, once in seven years I see you unable to let go of a book and it's about Quidditch. Do you want Professor Snape to take more points off?'' Hermione hissed in his ear.

''Mione, give me some credit, do you really think I would let Snape see it, I mean…''

''Mr. Weasley…'' Snape's voice boomed from the front of the class. ''…put that away or Gryffindor looses fifty points.''

Ron gulped loudly and placed the book in his bag. Hermione nodded once and smirked at him. Harry was barely able to contain his laughter at Ron's impersonation of a tomato.

''Wit-sharpening Potion…''Snape said waving his wand at the blackboard,''…You were supposed to read the chapter and write a three foot essay on said potion. I expect a vial of the potion and the essay on my desk at the end of the class. Begin.''

Hermione got up from her work space and started walking towards the cupboard that held the ingredients. Halfway there, her empathic sense caught a sniff at a very powerful vengeance feeling. Narrowing her eyes she stared at every student one by one.

''What's wrong Mione?'' Harry asked, coming behind her and placing a hand on her shoulder.

Catching the pair of eyes that the feeling belonged to, Hermione urged Harry to walk in front of her shaking her head. ''Nothing Harry. Let's go get what we need. Hey, Harry, do you mind trading places with me?''

''Why? You always sit in the middle.''

''It's just that I don't want to deal with Ron's antics right now. You know how he gets when he doesn't know what he's doing. I told him I wouldn't help him this year and I intend to hold to that.''

''Whatever you want, love.''(A/N: I just love it when someone says it.) Harry said, shaking his head.

Of course it was a lie, but Hermione wasn't about to tell him that Draco was so angry that he was ready to throw a killing curse at him. Upon returning to their table, as promised, Harry took Hermione's place. Ron huffed in annoyance and turned to his cauldron.

Hermione set her cauldron over the flame and started chopping the Ginger Roots, feeling Draco's anger rise with each passing minute. Unable to maintain eye contact long enough for her to understand the boy's anger and desire to kill Harry, Hermione positioned herself as best as she could between the two without being too obvious. If he was to attack Harry, she would be sure to receive the hit.

In the past few years, Hermione had managed to control her empathic powers in order to better understand and determine the feelings around her, at the moment though, both Malfoy and Snape were very nearly driving her crazy. A jumble of mixed feelings were hitting her like buckets of cold water, breaking her concentration, besides, having slept only about three hours the previous night, wasn't helping.

After sprinkling the crushed Scarab Beetles in her cauldron, Hermione lowered the flame and waited for the shimmering process to finish. As always, Snape stood from his seat behind the desk and started stalking trough the classroom, observing the students' progress. When he was almost at her table, Hermione straightened her posture a bit, as to attract his attention. She did. Locking eyes with him, she gently entered his mind and whispered a short 'We need to talk'.

Severus's brow furrowed in thought and then he moved his eyes to Ron. Understanding his hint, Hermione started thinking what she could do to ruin Ron's potion so he could request her help. Not that it wasn't already useless, being too thick in consistence and brown, instead of pale yellow and fluid as water.

With a sharp snap of her wrist Ron's cauldron started bubbling furiously, nearly spilling the potion all over the table. Quickly drawing her wand she pulled Harry closer to her and vanished the mess. As if on cue, Severus's voice boomed trough the classroom.

''Miss Granger…'' he said, moving towards the three, ''…why, may I ask, did you vanish Mr. Weasley's potion?''

''Sir, it was about to explode. I couldn't let him….''

''Miss Granger, I do believe that that is my task. If Mr. Weasley has reached sixth year and his incompetence in potions is still painfully obvious, then he should take the full blow.''

''But sir…''

''But nothing Miss Granger. Stay after class to set your detention. Weasley it seems your inability to follow the simplest instructions has brought you another zero. If you had brewed it correctly, I may even have allowed you to keep a sample…you need it.''

''Bastard…'' Hermione heard Ron mutter as Snape passed them and continued his examination. She felt guilty for ruining his potion, but she needed to talk to Snape. Being friends with the Malfoys he was bound to know something. But there was something else nagging her also. Harry needed to know and start training. The prophecy may have been fake, but the war wasn't. She knew Harry would accept her, but Ron…well he was another story, maybe after telling Harry, he may be able to help her tell him.

The rest of the hour passed fairly quiet and eventless…if you didn't count the barrage of emotions rolling off of Draco.

After presenting both her essay and the vial with the potion she had created, she grabbed Harry's sleeve, keeping him behind as the rest of the class filled out.

''Something wrong Mione?'' Harry asked.

''No…''she answered with a small smile. ''Could you wait for me outside?''

''Of course…'' he answered, looking at her suspiciously. ''We'll be just outside the door.''

''Thanks.'' Hermione wanted to burst out and laugh her head off. Harry believed that she was afraid Snape might do something to her. As the boys closed the door, Hermione waved her hand, placing some privacy charms and stormed towards Severus's desk.

''What the hell is wrong with Malfoy?'' She demanded.

Severus raised an eyebrow at her tone, but answered as calmly as he could. ''Does that question mean that I have to know what you are talking about?''

''Of course you should.'' Hermione huffed. ''You're his head of house, and you're friends with his father.''

''Miss Granger…contrary to popular belief…I do not know everything that happens in Slytherin house. But I would appreciate it if you would enlighten me on the subject as, obviously, you know something I do not.''

''You saw I changed places with Harry today?'' Severus nodded. ''Well, Malfoy's hide is itching for a duel. He was ready to do everything to curse Harry. Something must have happened between yesterday and today because he was bloody pissed off.''

''I don't know what has him so angry, but I'll try to find out.''

''Thank you sir.'' Hermione gave him a grateful smile and turned on her heels, walking quickly towards the door.

''Miss Granger…''

''Yes sir?''

''Detention tonight after dinner…for cursing in front of a professor.'' Severus smirked.

''Yes sir.'' Hermione said, rolling her eyes at him.

As promised, both Harry and Ron were waiting for her outside the door. Throwing a discrete glance down the dark corridor, ensuring that Malfoy was nowhere in site, Hermione turned to face the boys with a well faked sad smile on her lips.

''What did the git say?'' Ron, always the predictable, asked.

''The 'Git', Ronald, is professor Snape, and I have detention tonight after dinner.''

''Honestly Mione, I can't understand why you keep defending that bat. He's nothing but a bastard. A Gryffindor hating, greasy dungeon bat…''

''Ron…'' Hermione hissed dangerously, ''…please restrain your thoughts in front of me. You know very well that I do not tolerate any insult towards ANY professor. He's been teaching us for five years, you should know by now why he is the way he is. And you may have learned something if you actually paid attention.'' Hermione huffed and started marching towards the Great Hall.

''I swear it Harry…'' she heard him mutter, ''…she's getting scarier every year.''

''Well Ron…'' Harry hissed, ''…if you wouldn't step on her tail every now and then, you wouldn't be on the receiving end so much.''

'Oh Harry, how well you know me. And you don't even know how right you are about the tail…' she thought, her face breaking into a toothy grin.

Lunch was a tense situation for Hermione. She could almost feel Draco's hand itch to throw a curse towards them. She was a demon hunter at the moment, but she was in no way immune to curses…but if needed, she wouldn't hesitate in throwing herself in front of Harry. Not that it would be the first time either. Right now, he was her only family.

By the end of the day she was exhausted. Both physically and mentally. Keeping an eye out for Malfoy and his peers, another on Harry, and keeping him at her side all day was tiring. Especially when in Quidditch practice. Now more than ever, she whished the damn war would be over.

All too soon, she had discarded her bag, bid the boys 'Good night' and started walking towards the dungeons. The detention hadn't been needed, he could have just asked her to stay after class. But she knew he was probably writing questions on a sheet of paper for her to answer by now. She had been lucky the other night, using his guilt to shut him up and slip away almost unnoticed. She also knew that the same wouldn't be happening twice. Her own guilt started to crawl towards the surface, but she quickly brushed it away. Burying it even deeper.

What he didn't know was that he would be the one answering questions tonight. Hermione thought with a smirk playing on her lips. Dear professor Snape didn't know what he had gotten himself into.

Brushing a loose curl from her face, and straightening her robes, she knocked on his door. Receiving an almost barked 'Enter', Hermione slipped in his office and stood in front of his desk.

''Good evening Miss Granger.''

''Sir.''

She watched curiously how Severus stood from his desk, looking her up and down, grab a handkerchief and transfigure it into a cloak for her.

''Are we going somewhere sir?''

''Stating the obvious isn't your strong point Miss Granger. But yes, we are. My stores are a little short on some ingredients, such as Moon Flower. Tonight is a full moon, so it will be fairly easy for us to collect it, seeing as your friend Mr. Lupin will be needing his potion next month.''

Hermione nodded, but shuddered on the inside. Ever since third year, when they had witnessed Remus's transformation, only hearing the word werewolf, or even seeing Remus made her tremble. It wasn't that she was afraid, but seeing the pain he was in at the time, she wandered if he had ever considered killing himself. Taking a deep breath, bringing herself back from the memory, she clasped the cloak around her shoulders and started following the potions master trough the corridors towards the Entrance Hall.

Hopefully, she would tease him a bit on the way…and avoid his questions at the return. Having her first question already forming on the tip of her tongue, they walked out in the cold night.

A/N: Liked it? Hated it? Leave me your thoughts.