After Snape left the library to change Hermione sunk back into her chair. He hadn't been sitting in it long enough to soak it, for which, Hermione was quite grateful.

She didn't want to think right now, about anything, so instead she dove back into the world of Dickens.

Hours later Hermione jolted awake from a dream filled with laughing monsters and weeping children. She hadn't meant to fall asleep but apparently someone had found her dozing and had covered her in a thick quilt.

Hermione sat up, it could have been house elves some of them were beginning to forgive her for the incident with the hats.

It probably wasn't though since she'd fallen asleep in this very chair before and never had she woken up wrapped in a warm blanket.

Hermione's mind uncomfortably came to the conclusion that Snape must've found her like this and had been thoughtful enough to cover her.

How very out of character that was for him. Odd.

Hermione rubbed her eyes trying to wake herself up a little more. She glanced down at her watch and saw that it was almost eight in the morning. She'd better hurry up and dress or she'd miss breakfast in the great hall, and the house elves hadn't forgiven her enough to allow her into the kitchens.

Hermione crawled out of the library and made her way past Snape's door to her own.

She set out about dressing and attempting to get a comb through the tangle that was her hair.

Hermione eventually gave up on her hair braiding it instead; all ready she opened her door.

Standing there, looking thoroughly disgruntled, was Snape.

"Morning," Hermione mumbled brushing past him.

"Where are you going?" Snape snarled. No shock that someone isn't a morning person.

"To breakfast, you know the meal that comes before lunch," Hermione threw over her shoulder as she continued to walk, Snape began to follow her. "The meal that ends in, half an hour."

"Stop," Hermione turned indignantly at Snape's commanding tone.

"Whatever for?" she huffed.

"Have you truly lost your brain? Or are you always so stupid in the morning?" Snape said as he walked back into his room. Hermione heard him rummaging around then heard the creak of mattress springs.

"Are you always so rude in the morning?" Hermione fought the urge to thrust her tongue out at him.

"As a matter of fact yes," he replied snidely. "You can't leave these rooms without me, or did you already forget about our binding?" He sneered the last word.

Hermione mouth fell into the shape of a very unbecoming 'O' shape.

Snape reappeared in the set of plain black robes she'd bought for him and a pair of dragon hide boots. He looked at her expression and cocked one of his eyebrows.

"Ready?" Hermione could only nod.

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Snape swept into the great hall with more finesse than a man just released from prison should possess.

Hermione followed him up onto the dais where all the other teachers were sitting, or more accurately staring at the formidable looking Severus Snape.

His expression discouraged any sort of comment but Minerva seemed to either be immune or ignoring it.

"Hello Severus, It's good to see you." Hermione could see the friendly warmth in Minerva's eyes as she waited for Snape to respond.

He said not a word as he sat down and grabbed a piece of toast.

"Morning Minerva," Hermione smiled at the older woman.

"Oh good morning Hermione, how are you?" Hermione could see that Minerva really wasn't paying much attention to the conversation.

"Good," Hermione took the only seat left which was right beside Snape. Hermione piled mountains of food onto her plate all this stress making her ravenous. As she began to tuck in she stole a glance at Snape, he was sitting stoney faced nibbling his toast.

"Enjoying the toast?" She said it quiet enough that the other teacher who had started to talk amongst themselves again. He didn't say a word but turned a little to glare at her.

Hermione turned back to her food taking the hint that conversation wasn't wanted.

After a quiet ten minutes all of Hermione's food was gone and Snape's lone piece of toast was now nothing but crumbs, Snape looked over at her.

"Finished?" he said in a mocking tone.

Hermione didn't say a word back; but instead stood up and made for the door, stopping to wish Minerva a good day and to say that she'd see her later at dinner.

Hermione then took off, not caring if Snape was keeping up or not.