14 An honorary Slytherin

06 March 2000

"Oh dear-, Howard's really not so dowered," Draco whispered to Hermione, whose attempt of trying to prevent a laugh ended in something resembling a moaning cough. Bugger, she hadn't expected him to dare saying anything into the strained situation at all.

"Is there anything you wish to add, Miss Granger?" Severus sneered menacingly. Once again, they both felt not only too comfortable in each other's presence for his liking, but also in his class.

"No Professor, I'm sorry. Inattentiveness caused me to touch the hot caldron," she made up, glad that her voice betrayed neither her lie nor her amusement. Draco next to her struggled really hard to not give away his amusement. Severus was seriously unnerved as it was with the exploded cauldron from the idiot Gryffindor boy, but this now made him shift his anger at his pixies.

"Just like Mr. Drummond you both also get the chance to hand in an essay on the theory of brewing antidote potions for blended poisons under consideration of Golpalott's Third Law by an example of your choice with at least, say, seven ingredients," he informed them with a sneer, "And, Miss Granger, an additional ten points from Gryffindor for negligence in attention during my class. Again. It was obviously wishful thinking that you'd at least remember the little contents that had actually made it into your essay on this topic," Severus snarled at her, "I shall make a mental note of having to explain even the most basic sources of danger in my classroom-, like fire, to our two allegedly adult students."

"I'll see to that, sir," Draco offered, immediately taking her hand and mouthing a simple healing charm to heal what wasn't there, preferably before Severus might find it necessary to look after it himself.

"Thank you, much better," she managed to whisper, the suppressed laughter took its toll and some small tears leaving her eyes. They, however, fitted their improvising perfectly.

"I would like to return to my lecture, but only if it pleases you two of course," he sarcastically spat.

Hermione and Draco stared, apparently sufficiently chastised, on their cauldron.

"Sorry, sir," they both offered in unison, which wasn't helpful in fighting back their laughter since the goofiness was unleashed now. At least they were both apt enough to keep their gaze down. Being fully aware that he had a point, and a very good one at that, they both knew it was time to calm down now otherwise he would never let them see the end of it. Hermione additionally didn't know what to make of Severus' reminder of her low performance during her illness and especially after he had told her that this was off the table. Right now he increasingly resembled the Professor Snape she had known before, but she tried not to let this get to her. Hopefully, Howard's Quidditch fame would smooth out that his cauldron explosion and her bark had lost their House 60 points. It was a bad way to start into the new week and now the expected essay also made things more difficult.

After dismissal, Draco offered to clean up their workplace on his own to even out his responsibility for her part of the point loss. Hermione gladly accepted since she wanted to have a very quick lunch and some additional time to catch up with her workload before the afternoon class started.

"Oh, Velve, what about the book," Draco shouted behind her. "Will you get it or shall I?"

"Would be great if you did. I'm stuck in class all afternoon," she answered from the door. "Half seven? I'll have the equations done by then and we can start straight away."

"Are you working with a time-turner again? Illegally so, I might add," Severus interfered unexpectedly.

"No-," she wonderingly answered, but when he simply kept fixing her with his gaze, she nodded at Draco "Laters."

"Miss Granger, come back this instant," Severus commanded.

Hermione stopped and reluctantly returned into the room. She tried not to let his insistence on formality get to her, but blamed it on his infuriation with them. Draco had stopped his sorting and shot Severus a questioning look.

"I wonder what the chances are that I accidentally changed the obligation of your detentions- and even without remembering so," he asked.

"Tending towards zero, I'm sure," she answered stiffly though knowing it was meant to be rhetoric.

Draco now decided to weigh in.

"Severus, we need to catch up with so much stuff and are planning another learning session tonight. Couldn't you count it as detentions? You could supervise us," he offered. "I ensure you that we won't have fun."

"I take it, you didn't access the meaning of detentions, Mr. Malfoy," Severus stated and gazing at Hermione he added "And since you were able to make fun on behalf of your housemate in my class, I am quite sure you are fully recovered. Thus, no reason for maintaining the intermission presents itself."

Oh dear, he had seen through their charade and his tone unmistakably showed he was really better not challenged now. Better don't add to it, since she obviously would still have to put up with him for a couple of hours tonight. Hermione decided to intervene, before Draco, who meanwhile started to look seriously unnerved, could counter him. It wouldn't help anyone if he got himself into detention too.

"It's okay. Sev- Professor Snape is right of course," she said to Draco, while hoping her voice wouldn't betray what she really thought about it. "At seven again, I take it," she asked Severus politely.

"Precisely."

"May I ask a favor, sir?"

She nearly stumbled over the sir now that only Draco was here to witness. They had nearly kissed not even a month ago. However, she wanted him in a helpful mood since she needed to know how long he intended to keep her, as this ruined her plan, which now had to be rescheduled. And that stole even more learning time. This became some kind of vicious learning circle.

"Try to." He gazed at her and Draco still at Severus. She hoped the younger man wouldn't snap.

"Considering our catch-up schedule and the needed adaptations, would you be so kind to estimate a finishing time for tonight, sir?" Hermione half pleaded.

The realization that due to these detentions she would be missing at least three hours of making up leeway every night made her slightly panic. She was still exhausted and would need a minimum of five hours sleep at night. And that was the absolute minimum of endurability, but she trusted she could manage at least for another week with five.

Severus assessed her intently, his eyes locking with hers and she struggled to refrain from pleading looks. All of a sudden, Hermione realized that she missed his proximity almost painfully. She already had in the infirmary and she did even more so right now since there seemed to be so much more distance again between Professor Snape and Miss Granger, the reason for which she couldn't quite grasp. She believed her memory, when it told her that he had been very caring the night he had brought her to the hospital wing.

"Ten, at the latest," he simply said.

Draco snorted.

"Care to join in, Mr. Malfoy?" he snarled.

"I'm sorry, Draco," Hermione said walking towards him. "I'll reschedule everything tomorrow, but the earlier evenings are cancelled for me. Maybe you'll find someone else to team-up with? Louis seems to be keen on supporting you."

She smiled inwardly at her mentioning of him all the while the idea of being alone again in this prep cycle clutched her stomach tightly.

Draco looked at her as if she had just lost her mind.

"I'll do no such thing! We complement each other well and will arrange around detentions to ensure you get enough support too," he exclaimed firmly.

Hermione beamed at him with relief. Her progress was satisfying since they had started working together and he was right, they were both swots and apart from being equally talented in Potions, their talents really cross-fertilized.

"You're the best! I'll explain the equations on my return. Are you d'accord or shall we try before dinner," she offered, feeling guilty.

"After ten is fine. Remember that our nightly work was once very effective and lived up to high standards," he nodded towards Severus while twinkling at her.

"Team pixie," she laughed. "I gotta run now. Laters," she addressed them both and headed for the door again.

"Velve, the books! I need our books," Draco shouted again.

"Open sesame. Make yourself at home and don't do anything I wouldn't do," she returned airily and finally managed to leave for lunch.

It was visible in his face that Draco was flabbergasted by her natural invitation.

Since none of them had looked at Severus, they had missed his surprise as well and not only on her freely-shared password, but also on the unity they had demonstrated regarding their honest academic interest. The obvious familiarity of team pixie, the name did flatter him, and its habit to learn in her quarters rather than the library made his chest hurt a bit more. Draco had called her Velve, and repeatedly so. When had this been accepted by her? And why? It had originally been an insult after all. Maybe because now he was 'the best'. His thoughts were interrupted by Draco, who meanwhile stood in front of his desk and cleared his throat.

"It was me. I made a comment and Hermione simply laughed at it. It was an inappropriate, but accurate and funny one," Draco explained.

"And why exactly are you telling me that, Mr. Malfoy," Severus asked unnerved.

"To rectify the situation," Draco said determinedly.

He needed to leave. Severus insistence on formality became increasingly hard to bear and not only on his behalf, but also on Hermione's. Draco now knew that there was more to them than he had been allowed to witness. She had told him bits and pieces about the extent of what Severus had done for her and about their real proximity, when they both indeed had become, although secretly, well-disposed enemies. They both took the well-disposed part of their f(r)iendship seriously, especially since the week in the infirmary, and her school life was challenging enough without an inconsistent Severus, who distanced himself now again for no comprehensible reason.

"Goodbye, professor."

Draco finally left for a quick lunch and the library.

Severus swirled through the classroom's back door into his office. He needed some solitude. Now that he had witnessed Draco's and Hermione's unexpected familiarity again during and after class, he realized painfully how much he missed theirs, especially after the intense encounter on Valentine's Day. Had he interpreted too much and underestimated her emotional confusion. He tried to convince himself that it was good this way. They youngsters had both needed someone, and Hermione also not especially him. He was her teacher after all and twenty years her senior, whereas Draco not only qualified as walking handsomeness, but was also her age. Above all they had shared some very intimate suffering and were currently outliving their respective aftermaths of it together. Objectively seen, it was a blessing for them to have become friends or whatever they were and he should feel proud to have served as lubricator. Severus wondered if that day would ever come while his jealousy lay heavily in his stomach.

.o.O.o.

Deciding to skip dinner in favor of finishing the equation and half of her first essay of the day at least wasn't really hardship for her. She really preferred sleep over food right now and this would bring her another thirty minutes of the desired activity later.

A couple of hours later Hermione breathlessly knocked at Severus' office door. The tears were wiped away, but her eyes may still be puffy. Since she was twelve minutes late already, she refrained from further postponing. Things would only get worse and he had been on the wrong foot all day already.

"Enter," he commanded.

On her entry Hermione had remorse written all over her face.

"I apologize, Se—sir."

Merlin, she wasn't sure how to address him. Why did everything suddenly turn complicated again?

"I do not take careless handling with my time lightly. I trust you're having a convincing reason," he half asked and hoped his voice hadn't betrayed his concern about her delay.

"I certainly did not intend to be late, quite the opposite in fact, but the appointment I had, took longer than expected," she explained honestly, while struggling not to let information through. He was neither her Head of House, nor Severus right now, but simply her displeased Potions master.

"Then you're well-advised of planning such appointments not around our detention time."

"It won't happen again, sir!"

He pierced her with his gaze. "I know."

Indeed feeling sufficiently chastised now, she nodded and swallowed hard. The unfairness of involuntarily being caught between the stools was close to taking its toll. Minerva had passive-aggressively extended their talking time. She hadn't forgiven her their Christmas encounter and probably won't and Hermione would have to lie in the bed she had made.

"We'll start with the pain killer today and will prepare a larger batch. The dragon liver needs cutting first and that'll be all for today. Come on-," he called.

Hermione simply obeyed. It was highly irritating that Severus didn't go for taking points or a sermon at least.

When she stood in front of the tray with the expensive dragon liver she simply started cutting and got absorbed in mentally rescheduling their catch-up plan. She simply couldn't let go of what still needed to be finished till tomorrow and was so exhausted by the sheer prospect that her tears threatened to flow again due to the sudden insight that she very likely wouldn't be able to finish it. She'd need to find a solution since the workload was fixed for at least the following five days as well, but would very likely increase by the usual homework. There were simply not enough hours to the day and no matter how often she rescheduled everything, the outcome was dissatisfying.

She blinked back her tears on the attitude of Minerva. Stupid power plays. And she could just play them. Hermione was under no obligation to be here. She'd be free to leave if she couldn't handle the requirements anymore as she'd been reliably reminded again today.

She wanted Professor Snape to bugger off and Severus to return, at least for detentions she wanted the man that had had her back when she had needed to tell her truth, who had told her off when she had started to overwork herself, who had cared for her. Gods, she was sentimental like a little girl.

.o.O.o.

"Hermione, wake up," he commanded gently and put his hand on her shoulder. At that she startled and started to panic as it dawned on her where exactly she was.

"What?- I-," her eyes widened in disbelief, "Merlin, I'm sorry, really sorry! I didn't mean to-. It was not because I don't take this seriously, or you! I do- both. I really do and I- please Seve-, Professor, sorry, I-," she stammered, while recoiling from him when a profound horror spread through her at the realization that she had not only been late for, but also fallen asleep during detentions with Professor Snape. Perfect, this very likely meant more workload or missing limbs. And this time illness was not an excuse. She was close to either screaming or giggling insanely, but her body couldn't decide which option to choose.

Severus reacted fast when he saw how the panic spread through her: after having wordlessly casted a cleaning spell on her hands, he stepped close to her and pulled her to his chest, one hand slowly caressing her hair.

"No harm done. You can calm down," he softly said.

This put her over the edge of option three, actually, and she just started crying. Letting her tears flow freely Hermione clutched to his waistcoat in complete emotional overflow.

"I miss you, Severus," she sobbed into his chest, at which he tightened his embrace and kissed her on top of her head

"It's all fine. You've got a friend in Draco, and a good one apparently," he said lowly-voiced and congratulated himself for sounding affirmative.

"I know, but I want y-, he's not you," she confessed self-conscious.

Severus heart skipped a beat at what had just hit it. However, this resembled a scenario they had only too short ago and thus Severus pressed his lips shortly to her forehead to check her temperature.

"Are you feeling ill?" he asked, but she shook her head. "Just tired then, come on," he said relieved.

When she didn't move, he gently turned her around and shoved her into his sitting room. Now the young woman seemed completely indifferent and Severus decided to just carefully go on. He took off her cloak and pulled her pullover over her head. When Hermione simply obliged he gently pushed her down onto the sofa and took off her shoes before sitting down next to her and pulling her to him to arrange her partly in his lap. He only allowed himself to indulge into their coziness after having activated all wards and casted a one-sided Muffliato. This was their business, but he had to be available to his students and thus needed to hear them at the door at least.

He stroked her arm and shoulder softly while resting his cheek on her head and whispering some soothing nonsense every now and then. Gladly, her crying slowly subsided and her breathing calmed down.

"I miss you, too," he whispered suddenly and more than just a little aware of all the non-fatherly feelings.

After a couple of minutes, Severus was sure that she had fallen asleep again and he leaned his head back and closed his eyes as well.

Precisely at a quarter to ten he woke up. "Wake up," he whispered, "It's time to go back to your quarters. Draco is probably waiting."

"What time is it?" she asked irritated.

"Nearly ten, time to get going. Do you think you can get up?"

"You just let me sleep all the time," she asked incredulously, while moving into a sitting position to put on her shoes.

"All the time- it was only two hours. And you needed them. Who am I to have a little word with on your condition?" Severus straightened himself now, feeling a bit stiff.

"I trust it's not a good idea to hunt down the headmistress. Apart from that, I'm no damsel in distress and I can manage on my own."

Severus twitched his lip at the memory this raised.

"Some time ago, I hadn't really been a squire in distress either, but you were unstoppable, so don't be ridiculous and fill me in. Minerva has more pull right now. I'll make an effort to be textbook Slytherin when addressing her."

Hermione resisted the urge to kiss his cheek simply for being Severus again.

"I have to refinish what I missed last week. And she wants me to prove it via essays, one per day, on the single topics. I went to ask her if she'd postpone the deadline for the one due tomorrow at 9am to the afternoon, since I had another one waiting in line from Filius plus prep work for classes in general, regular homework and detentions. Well, I got a nice sermon on how this is school life and that one has to bear the consequences of one's decisions and that, since I wanted something from her, she would take her time answering me. It had been past seven already when she had finally rejected my request and offered the prospect of an additional one, for every deadline I fail to meet. Then I ran late, pitied myself a bit and obviously fell asleep-."

She shook her head on her slip.

"I can finish the cutting tomorrow morning and right after lunch. That should suffice, time-wise that is," she offered hopefully.

Severus was greatly annoyed, she could tell, though not with her, it seemed.

"That's not important now. Let's go," he said.

He shoved her through the door and then they were both in the hallway.

"You don't have to walk me," she offered weakly, but liked the idea.

He sighed and just started walking. They stopped in front of her quarter's door and simply stood there. Hermione was confused about what he expected.

"You either developed a strange sense of coziness," he gestured at the dark and cold hallway, "or you don't remember your password. I happened to overhear it, when you freely shouted it around in an open classroom. It's open sesame. How Muggle of-"

The opening door silenced him and Hermione firmly stepped inside with Severus on her heels.

"Kettle's just boiled," Draco greeted her from his place in front of the sofa with a bright smile, which faltered as he saw Severus entering behind her.

"Lovely," she said and returned his now puzzled look.

"Professor," he greeted overemphasizing the title and got a nod from the darker man.

Hermione turned around to Severus.

"It doesn't matter, who knows the password. They won't be able to enter."

Severus shot her a look of incomprehension.

"It might have slipped your notion, but I just opened your door by the passing mention of it."

"That's how it is supposed to work, actually" she countered. "Please, make yourself at home."

He didn't move, but stared at her.

"Don't be obtuse, Hermione," he said and then chose one of the grey oversized armchairs between fireplace and sofa and stiffly sat down.

"I'm not. I rearranged the wards when I came here in September. The password is useless for anyone I hadn't acknowledged to them."

This took Severus by surprise.

"So, you had me acknowledged?"

Hermione looked at Draco and then back at Severus but remained silent for some seconds.

"Ahem, sorry, I'm just trying to come up with an answer not referring to anyone being obtuse-," she teased and he arched his signature eyebrow at her. "I had done exactly that when we returned in January, in case of emergencies, but obviously forgotten to tell you the password-, how useful," she sighed, "and I added Draco this afternoon. It obviously works just fine. Everyone else can think, whisper, shout, sing or even expressively dance it through the corridor, but wouldn't be allowed entrance."

Draco snickered at that but otherwise remained silent.

"I can override the ward anytime with the universal teacher password. And not just me," Severus reminded, which earned him a slight sneer.

"No, you cannot. The ward only acknowledges the open sesame and only when offered by any of us three. The teacher password is permanently disabled since the end of October, because- it had been used," Hermione stated matter-of-factly and shoved the emerging memories of herself lying on the bathroom floor with Severus above her, helping her, away.

Both men stared at her and suddenly she could see in the older man's eyes how the proverbial penny dropped. He knew now that she knew. Then Draco distracted them both.

"How did you know how to do that?" Draco sounded truly impressed.

"I like to read. And I know things and I am rather talented actually. I think you both got distracted from recognizing it due to my core problems of late."

She grinned while going to the tea tray and preparing three cups so Severus could finally say what he was here for. When she had handed them theirs, Draco's patience was at an end. He was tired and wanted to get this over with.

"Since detention time is officially over, I take it that we owe your visit to something she," Draco gestured at Hermione "did that extended her detention time for tonight?"

Severus scowled at him. Who had made him the old bull here?

Oh great, the boys were about to fight and she really had no more nerves left for this tonight. And she was fast running out of sleeping time. Granted, Severus had allowed her an advance of two hours, but he had certainly not let her see the end of it, yet.

As Severus didn't seem to be inclined to answer, Draco addressed Hermione.

"Why is he here? You alright, Velve?"

"Depends on the perspective, but I daresay some thankfulness wouldn't go amiss Malfoy-boy, because I very likely got Slytherin an early end-of-term present- the House Cup," she declared in her best snotty lecturing tone.

Oh bugger! But Draco played along and nodded approvingly.

"How generous of you. How come?"

"Oh, I ran late for detentions and then, on a whim, decided to go for the whole nine yards by falling asleep," she intonated proudly.

Draco really hoped she was joking, but somehow knew, she wasn't.

"I see-. Your intense proximity with two prototypical Slytherins has clouded your allegiance. I'll start a petition tomorrow for awarding you the unofficial title of an honorary Slytherin."

She laughed out loud at that and he joined in. Even Severus couldn't stay serious and grinned broadly at their conversation. They both were quick-witted kids. He sipped his tea until they had calmed down.

"I'd like to see your catch-up schedule and your task list, Hermione," he demanded. "And yours too, should you happen to have one, Draco. But I trust her habits have rubbed off on you already," he added.

The younger man was not in an ignoring or letting-go mood.

"Oh, it's Draco again. This is getting confusing, Severus. I'd be glad if you explained the rules to me," he snarled at the man that liked to power-play with them according to unspecified rules.

"You better refrain from that tone, no matter the address," Severus menacingly growled and then Hermione intervened.

"To be honest, I also find it confusing. It often feels very arbitrary," she stated firmly, locking eyes with Severus. She was too tired for diplomacy. "We are adults and it is understood that we stick to formality when we're not in private, but the situation after class today felt like a power play and I feel very unsettled by it," she admitted openly, but a slight fear crept through her.

Severus assessed them both, of course knowing they had a point. The teacher in him wanted to bite back, but his private self couldn't stand the thought of unsettling her and risking the little proximity they still had left. His gaze rested on her now, but he didn't say a word.

Hermione knew, she had made him feel uncomfortable. She came to kneel before him and took his hand. Hopefully Draco would hold himself back. He surely must feel strange at this sight. It struck her that although she had done this with Severus before; she had never done it with anyone else. It was supposed to convey compassion and caring; for someone who needed words accompanied by gestures.

"I know I've told you before and this time I think I speak for Draco as well, when I say that our respect is not determined by the form of address, but by actions. And you have our fullest," she told him.

Hermione deeply hoped she hadn't spooked him now, but was at least glad he hadn't bolted straight away due to Draco's presence. Gladly, the younger man seemed to also have understood that and he interrupted the awkwardness now by handing his schedule to Severus.

"Yes, she rubs off on me, too, but together you and I are not lost and we got the House Cup as proof."

Draco mocked her all the while fraternizing with Severus. Hermione was impressed.

"Nah, Malfoy-boy, he hasn't announced his final verdict yet," she said snottily.

Being about to get up again, Severus impulsively tightened his grip around her hand. Their eyes locking immediately, she beamed at him and decided to go the whole hog by curling herself up next to the older man into the comfy chair, followed by Accioeing her schedule and placing it to Draco's in his lap.

Severus was shortly tried to flee, but then he knew Draco to have a good idea of the proximity they had shared during the holidays. However, that Hermione had openly snuggled herself up against him and that Draco still didn't look murderous came as a surprise to Severus, as he had assumed they had developed some deeper affection for one another. Although this again collided with what she had said to him and with sleeping in his lap during detentions. All of this between the three of them was somehow increasingly mind-boggling for Severus. It was obvious that they formed some kind of confidence triangle on one level due to all their shared experiences. Interestingly, since the Christmas holidays, the youngsters both continuingly made quite an effort to include him. This, he admitted to himself, felt nice.

Hermione was fully aware of the situation's awkwardness, the older man behind her was totally tensed up and Draco wasn't exactly showing his smartest facial expression either. Hearing that they used to be physically close, though not sexually, wasn't the same as seeing.

"Draco, when you've quite finished gaping like a fish, be a love, take the equations, look them through and ask me anything. When you're diligent you'll be able to impress Louis in about a week and I'll be happy to arrange for your- impression to take place on my sofa," she stated airily. "Uh, and I'll be in the library then, don't worry," she added with a grin. A short silence filled the room.

Suddenly Severus snorted with something like a suppressed laugh behind her.

"Or rather in my sitting room. Draco has always been very enthusiastic when the topic at hand was right up his street, so who knows how long it may take to properly impress Mr. du Monceau according to his standards," Severus chipped-in deadpan.

Hermione couldn't stop but burst into laughter and felt Severus behind her chuckle. Draco joined in hesitantly, obviously still nervous about his semi-secret crush and very likely irritated due to what he had just heard and especially who had said it.

Severus tension had subsided at the mentioning of Louis. That had come unexpectedly and explained a lot about their dynamics. It occurred to him that this might be the issue that Hermione on Valentine's Day had assumed Draco to have wanted Severus' approval for. He twined his arm around Hermione's waist and she let her head fall back onto his shoulder, melting into him with a small sigh of ease.

"So, you two are-," was as far as Draco came before Hermione interrupted him in a contradiction-forbidding tone.

"—Unnamably special, yes. How observant of you."

Draco settled back into the sofa and examined them secretly. Given that Severus was participating, Draco was suddenly sure that he just witnessed the physical manifestation of a very unique bond. He wondered if they knew that they were in love.

.o.O.o.

"Four to five hours sleep? Did you bang your head, woman? This is not going to work, Hermione! You'll relapse and I won't have that," Severus said with annoyed surprise.

"No, it's just for another week, well maybe two, until I've finished those essays-" she defended herself, clutching to his encircling arm.

Draco looked up from the sofa. "I've told you so, Velve. And now Severus does. You better listen to us."

Hermione immediately interrupted him since she was annoyed now that they both pretended that she had willingly decided for this martyrdom.

"You two know very well, that I'm due another one for each missed deadline and making concessions was explicitly rendered out of the question," she reminded sharply.

"Nevertheless, you are exhausted already. You fell asleep during detentions with Professor Snape and shouldn't rely on perpetual luck to outlive something like this," Draco reminded sharply and Hermione tensed noticeably.

This time, not being offended was no hardship for Severus. He could only agree that whoever would dare this when he was involved normally would fret their lives away.

Severus shortly squeezed her waist.

"No harm done, no consequences to face," she heard him quietly say into her ear and Hermione pressed her head to his to express her intense thankfulness. She had to fight back the urge to kiss him.

"Okay, we're running out of time here and team pixie needs to rest. Draco's plan doesn't look so much better sleep-wise, but at least one of you isn't in the line of fire. Here's the plan for tonight and when I say, it's not open to discussion then this is as horizontal as it gets tonight: Hermione you've half an hour to explain the new equations – be to the point. Meanwhile I look after your charms essay. Draco has finished everything else already. Afterwards you'll divide the reading work for tomorrow between you, while I look over both your Potions notes. Then it's off to bed. And although I know it runs counter with your pixie modes, no more nightshifts simply due to satisfying your overambitious swots." He looked at them insistingly before continuing "Regarding the remaining time of making up leeway, you'll not write essays in Potions, but merely make notes on the significant points so you'll have something to rely on for your NEWTS' prep work- besides me of course. You are nevertheless expected to hand them in. Any questions?" he finally asked.

His flabbergasted audience and they keenly mumbled their thank yous and nodded. Who were they to argue when offered a once in a lifetime opportunity? Severus Snape offering to write a student's essay – hell must just have frozen over, Hermione mused.

"Go to the bathroom, I'll have finished by then," Severus ordered. Ten minutes later Hermione came back and found Draco sleeping on the sofa, as usual. She took a blanket and put it over him, before daring to concede about their sleeping arrangement.

"He usually sleeps here. He doesn't seem to fit into his assigned dorm."

She hoped it wouldn't get Draco into trouble and that they could keep it up. They both felt reassured by their mutual presence.

Severus looked very tired in his armchair with no intention whatsoever to fall into his Head of House role.

"Since you're both adults and not planning to start a family, I just pretend to haven't heard that or seen him here past curfew. Your notes were satisfying and your essay should be an O at the least," he told her with a blink before he got to his feet, "Good night." He kissed her on top of her head and without further ado left for his quarters.

"Thank you," she worded, but he very likely hadn't heard it anymore.

Hermione looked after him. Suddenly feeling left behind, she simply retreated to her bedroom. When laying down her gaze fell on the ring, which she took between her fingers to dwell on the lovely feelings it evoked. She valued it highly for the gesture it was and then let her tears flow freely.

About ten minutes later, she oppressed a sob, when someone entered her room. Bugger! Had she woken Draco with giving-in to her breakdown?

No, she sensed it was Severus, he moved differently from Draco. Quietly, he lay down facing her. Had she fallen asleep and was dreaming now?

"Are you real?" she asked without touching him.

"Whatever pleases you," he whispered in his smooth voice.

"Real pleases me very much." She reached out to touch his chest.

He moved himself closer and cuddled her up to him.

"I made you that ring to wear it and not to leave it on the bedside table, when you recognize you don't feel well. And spare me comments on not wanting to be trouble or believing this to be the adult way. For my peace of mind, I refrain from assuming how often you've lain here sobbing like now. Your attitude troubles me more than your condition," he said lowly-voiced but firmly. "Do you want to talk?"

"No, no talking. You've already done more than I ever had the right to expect today-. Could you stay a bit longer? I mean just some minutes?" she asked shyly.

"I had no intention to leave before morning," he ensured. The thoughts of inappropriateness that had haunted him since he had activated the wards at his quarters to inform him of visitors during his absence were gone.

Hermione pressed a kiss to his chest and then buried her face into it inhaling him. Severus instantly had to remind himself to stay controlled and added in a whisper, "Especially not when it's this cozy, but please consider that I'm also just human." It was hard for him to grasp that she clutched to him while a young man her age – and an attractive one at that – with whom she had a very close relation and who would surely offer to console her, slept next door. That was quite an ego boost.

"Impossible to ignore," she returned. When she grabbed his shirt Severus clutched her hand and stroked it softly with his thumb, while mentally counting to 100 and breathing deeply.