I hope everyone likes this chapter. I feel like I'm wandering through this story, and I probably shouldn't ask this but, any complaints so far? (please be nice)

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Hermione awoke the next morning to see that the sky was full of dark clouds. She kept catching glimpses of lightening as she dressed; the oddness of lightening in the morning put Hermione into a rather foul mood.

She stomped out of her room and went to see if Snape was ready; her resolution to take a page from the book of Molly Weasley about to be put into action.

She eventually found him waiting for her in the living area His feet propped up on the coffee table.

"Ready?" She asked him, her normal cheerful tone replaced by a sharp one that didn't lack bite.

Snape turned and raised an eyebrow at her.

Both made their way to the great hall in silence, this would be the first time since that first day that they were going to a meal on time; which meant that all of the staff currently in residence would be there.

This also put Hermione on edge, she truly did not wish to see Snape brush McGonagall's attempt at conversation again.

She was sure she would probably punch him if he acted like an ass again.

They finally arrived and found their seats at the long table. Professor McGonagall was deep in conversation with Professor Flitwick and hadn't had a chance to greet Hermione and Snape yet.

Hermione tucked into her plate of bacon and scrambled eggs with vigor. She finished the eggs and glanced over at Snape's plate. He was, yet again, nibbling his way through a lone piece of toast.

Hermione leaned over and scooped a large spoon of corned beef hash onto his plate. She went right back to eating ignoring his incredulous gaze.

She almost laughed and ruined it all when she caught a glimpse of him frowning at the lump of meat and potato. She was able to keep her cool and eventually he was taking tentative forkfuls of the food. Hermione finished her meal and looked over to McGonagall; the woman was smiling at Hermione in a way that made her a little uncomfortable.

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Later in the afternoon found Hermione yet again reading, this time she was flying through a rather unimaginative romance novel she'd picked up when shopping. She was curled up on the large chair in her living area still glancing up every time the lightening flashed followed by the its spouse the cracking thunder.

Snape was sitting across from her on the tiny couch he seemed to prefer.

"You don't like the lightening," She heard Snape say to her as she rounded the final chapter of her book.

"Why do you say that?" She replied absently.

"Every time it flashes you look up and practically scowl at the window." He said with a touch of humor. "Why?" He asked putting down his potion's magazine to look at her.

"It reminds me of the war, the bright burst of light followed by the loud clap of noise," She said her eyes still on her book, even though they were no longer moving over words.

"You have a point," Snape sighed as he leaned back still looking at her.

Hermione nodded and gave a strained smile. As she was about to delve back into her reading the lightening and thunder reaffirmed their presence making Hermione jump ever so slightly.

She breathed deeply to calm herself; she was interrupted by the fact that her hair was beginning to stand up like it was full of static electricity.

She tried to make it lie flat with her hands, to no avail. She then looked over at Snape and saw that his eyes were closed and he seemed to be breathing quickly.

"Is my hair at attention because of you?" Hermione asked him, she supposed she should be a little more perturbed but only seemed slightly amused by it.

Snape's eyes snapped open and Hermione saw a storm far darker than the one raging outside hidden in those black depths.

"Unfortunately, yes your hairs behavior is, in fact, my fault."

Hermione giggled a little as she continued to try and tame her hair.

Snape stood up and walked to the bathroom, and came back holding a damp towel out to Hermione.

She smiled and accepted the gift using it to finally defeat her flying hair.

"Thanks," She smiled again at him.

He merely shrugged in response.

The two continued to read for the rest of the afternoon, skipping lunch without so much as a second thought. Hermione figured two meals out of three wasn't such a bad thing as long as she continued to encourage more than toast.

When it became time for them to head to dinner Hermione stood in front of the door and glared at Snape working up her courage to speak.

"I have something to ask of you," she said in her most bossy tone.

Minerva went through a lot of trouble to help you escape a miserable end, and you won't even speak to her," She stopped and took a shaky breathe. "Is it such an inconvenience to at least say hello; or even thank her?" Hermione stared at him crossing her own arms and waiting for his response.

"You think I should thank Minerva?" Snape sneered the headmistress' first name. "Should I thank her, one of the few I considered if not a worthy colleague but a friend, for abandoning me and believing me a cold blooded murderer?" He uncrossed his arms and took a step towards her.

"We all believed that of you!" Hermione snapped back defiantly, "It was how Dumbledore meant things to happen,"

Snape flinched at the former headmaster's name.

Hermione finally calmed down and went to apologize; but Snape was already making his way down the corridor and if Hermione didn't hurry he'd soon hit the thirty foot boundary and end up in pain.