Making My Head Spin, Chapter 1 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/1/ Downloaded and compiled by DownloadStory v1.5, by StoweMorris Software http://talix.homeip.

net/stowemorris/downloadstory/ By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 This is my newest fan fic. It's a bit different. But overdone as well. Well you' ll see. So yeah, just please read. This is going to be a bit more depressing tha n Across Uncrossable Lines. But I like happy endings so this will have a happy e nding. :Mutters about loving fluff: Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Hermione Granger laughed at her muggle friend, Stephanie, as they rounded the co rner. She froze as soon as she had. The Dark Mark was hovering above her house a nd she saw both muggle police and ministry members swarming around. "Steph, my parents!" She managed and then took off running towards her house. No one noticed her. The Ministry members were too busy obliviating people and th e police and EMTs were walking around with dazed looks on their faces. When they brought two body bags out of the house she knew it was hopeless. She tried to f ocus. She could hear Stephanie calling from across the yard and then darkness ca me over her. Severus Snape apparated to Albus Dumbledore's side. The house was in ruins and t he all too familiar skull was floating above. Before he could say anything to Al bus, he noticed a body that was outside. No one else seemed to have seen it and Severus rolled his eyes at the incapability of the Ministry. He walked over and bent down to check her pulse. "Albus!" He called and the Headmaster turned his attention to the unconscious gi rl. "Is she alive, Severus?" Albus Dumbledore found that he was called to more and m ore scenes such as these and did not enjoy it. "Yes, she just fainted," Snape said. He looked around for any muggle who might b e able to take care of her. Being around when she found out that her parents wer e dead was not on the top of his list of things to do. "Hermione! Hermione!" Stephanie shouted as she came to kneel beside her friend. The two men that were next to her didn't look like EMTs and she gave them a susp icious look. "Hermione?" Severus questioned. He had only ever met one person by that name and

by looking at Albus, Severus knew that the Headmaster was thinking along the sa me lines as he was. "She lives here. Hermione?" She turned her friend over and Severus's thoughts were confirmed. He also realiz ed that he would most likely be the one to confirm her parents as dead. "She saw what was going on and she was ahead of me and she saw something and then just f ainted. I figured it had something to do with her being a wi-. Will she be alrig ht?" Albus pulled his wand out and pointed it at Hermione. Stephanie's eyes grew wide and she suddenly understood that these men must have known her friend. "Enervate," Albus said and Hermione's eyes popped open. Hermione looked wildly around her and she saw Stephanie then Dumbledore and...Sn ape? Surely she was hallucinating. "Professor?" she questioned, a confused look adorning her face. "Miss Granger, are you alright?" Snape asked. "Did they attack you, as well?" Hermione shook her head and Stephanie helped her sit up. "Bloody hell. Mione, what happened?" A deep voice came from behind them. Stephan ie's brother, Mark, was there. "Mum, wanted me to tell you that we're leaving in a few minutes. Mione?" he said and kneeled next to his sister and friend. He di dn't like the look that the man dressed in black was giving him. "We have to take her back to the school," the man in black said to the old one. "What exactly is going on here?" Mark demanded. "Listen, boy, do not talk to me like that," the black one hissed with the coldes t glare that Mark had ever seen. "Professor, why?" Hermione asked. "Why what, Miss Granger?" Severus asked. "Why do I have to go to the school?" "Because, it is possible that Voldemort wants you dead, as well," Dumbledore ans wered. "He most likely thought that you would be home with your parents." It was her fault that they were dead. She was a witch and she hadn't been there to protect them. She couldn't say anything, but she faintly registered Mark figh ting with Snape and then she felt herself being dragged away by a portkey. A few hours later, Hermione found herself alone in a set of rooms that had been granted to her. After much discussion, her Professors and the Ministry had decid ed to appoint Professor McGonagall as her guardian. Through it all, Hermione did not pay much attention. Shock had her wandering around in a daze and as she gla nced around her quarters, she began to felt claustrophobic. Her breath began to shorten and she dashed from the rooms. It was only after she exited that she rea lized she had no idea where she was or how to get back into her quarters. Sighing, she made her way to the owlry, finding things to transfigure on her way up. When she stood in the drafty tower, she penned a note to Harry asking for t he map. He would find out soon enough that her parents were dead, but she just w anted to be able to get around the castle. Within an hour he had sent it to her, but he also sent her a note with a million questions. Hermione decided that she would write him back later. After opening the map, the first thing she did was find the teachers. Most of th em were in the Teacher's Lounge, Snape was roaming around the dungeons, and Trel awney was fluttering around her tower. Careful to avoid those areas, she set out into the heart of the castle. After a few hours of pointless wandering, she stu mbled upon a little library and decided to make herself comfortable. It only con tained a small variety of books, most of which she was sure would not even be pe rmitted in the restricted section of the normal library. A few hours and several hundred pages into a book, she glanced back at the map a nd saw that the teachers were split around the castle. McGonagall was pacing out side Hermione's chambers. That probably meant that she was being searched for. She wiped the map and cautiously made her way to the entrance door to head outsi de. There were no teachers in the entrance hall, so she slipped onto the grounds and plopped down on the edge of the lake. This way it would appear that she had just wanted fresh air and hopefully no one would be too upset with her. She loo ked out and saw the giant squid waving its tentacles above the surface. She was

still wearing her muggle clothes and decided very quickly that she wanted to go into the water. She kicked of her sandals and waded in until the water reached t he bottom of her shorts. She felt something wrap around her ankle and shrieked, but the giant squid poppe d up and, if it could have, she was sure it would have been smirking at her. The doors to the castle were suddenly flung open and Dumbledore and Snape came f lying out. She figured that they had heard her shriek, but she pretended not to see them and tickled the squid so it would let her go. "Miss Granger, where have you been?" Snape demanded as they got over to her. She slowly turned to look at them. "Just walking," she said quietly. It wasn't a lie. She had been walking around t he castle until she had found the little library. "And you did not bother to tell us where you were going?" he asked. "I needed to clear my head," Hermione said and looked over the lake. "It is alright, my dear," Dumbledore said calmly. "Just make sure someone knows where you are next time. Leave a note. Anything to make sure that Minerva does n ot go crazy." Hermione turned to him and nodded. Snape was scowling. "We will leave you to your thoughts then, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said. He tur ned to leave and slowly walked back up to the castle. Hermione turned around and stared back at the lake. She did not even realize that Snape was still standing behind her. Severus watched her for any sign that she might suddenly want to drown herself. Deciding after a moment that he was safe, he turned to walk away. He stopped whe n he heard her sniffle and he turned to look at her and saw her shoulders had st arted to shake. He reached out to put a hand on her shoulder, but stopped. He je rked his hand back and stormed, quietly, back up to the castle, leaving Hermione to cry to herself. Making My Head Spin, Chapter 2 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/2/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 When Hermione did not turn up at dinner, Severus began to feel bad about leaving her alone. Then again, she most likely would not have wanted him to be the one comforting her and even more importantly, how could he have comforted her? He ha d never been much good at it. The rare occasions that people wanted comfort from him had proven that.

"Do you know what happened to Hermione?" Minerva asked. "The last time I saw her, she was crying down by the lake," Severus said automat ically. "She was crying? Poor dear. Well, I hope she's in now. It looks like it is going to storm," she stated as she glanced up at the ceiling. A couple of minutes later they heard thunder and rain started to fall in buckets . They heard the door to the front of the castle open and a very wet Hermione ca me into view and slipped up the stairs. "Should we be worried about her?" Sprout asked. "I think we need to just let her grieve for awhile," Albus said. "Whatever you think best, Albus." "When is the funeral?" Severus asked. "Tomorrow. They have a family plot at her grandmother's estate. It is being held there. You all may come if you like. Not that anyone would like to attend a fun eral, but I am sure that Hermione could use the support." After Snape and Dumbledore left, it had hit her. Her parents were dead. She knew that they were but when realization actually hit, she could not think of anythi ng else except the fact that she was alone in the world. No more family dinners or nights out. No more presents on her birthday. She had been out there all day until it started to rain. By the time she got to the school, she was already soa ked. After she changed into dry clothes, she decided to go in search of her hidd en library. After dinner, the professors retreated to the staff room where the topic once ag ain turned to Hermione. The others were surprised that Severus was not being mor e negative about them constantly talking about one of his least favorite student s. "She is going to have to clear the rest of her house out tomorrow," Albus stated , "The sooner she gets it over with, the faster she can move on. Do I have any v olunteers? I personally can not as I have to visit the ministry and Minerva will be accompanying me." "Poppy and I have to work on healing potions for her stores tomorrow. I promised I'd help," Hooch said. "It's the full moon tomorrow," Remus said. The werewolf was once again going to fill the Defense Against the Dark Arts position. "You know I would, but what if she starts crying. You know what a mess I get whe n people cry around me!" Madam Pince exclaimed. The other teachers were on holid ay so as Severus did everything up in his head he realized that he was the only one left and winced. "Severus?" Albus asked. Him. He tried to think of some excuse. Twenty years as a spy and he could not think of a lie. He sighed, knowing that he had waited too long to reply, and said, "I have nothi ng to do." "Oh, you have got to be kidding! He has no heart! If the poor thing started cryi ng he would probably hex her!" "You know, Minerva, I am still in the room," Severus stated. "Severus, it is true." "I see no alternative and, as I said, the sooner we get it over with the better, " Albus said. "So shall I, the heartless bastard, go tell her the good news or shall we bestow that honor upon the honorary guardian?" Severus asked looking pointedly at Mine rva. "Don't you get cheeky with me, Severus Snape!" she snapped. "I'll tell her as sh e will probably break down in tears knowing she's going to be stuck with him." And with that she stormed out of the staff room. "So is there anything else that needs to be brought to the attention of the facu lty?" Binns asked. "I'd like to be getting back to my quarters." "Mrs. Norris finally died," Severus said, almost smiling. "Thank God!" Poppy exclaimed.

"So I wonder who the new recruit will be." "Actually he has asked if his nephew could help him. His brother and his wife bo th have recently passed away," Albus explained. "So is he coming?" "Yes." "Tell us about this boy." "He is twenty-four and his name is Fabrizio Filch." Everyone snorted at the name . "Leave it to a Filch to come up with a name they probably can't even pronounce," Severus said. "Severus!" Sprout scolded. "No, he has a point," Remus said. Suddenly the door burst open and a wide-eyed Minerva came into the room. "Hermione's gone!" she shrieked. "What?" Sprout asked. "Everyone search the castle. She wouldn't have been stupid enough to go out in t his weather," Albus stated as a flash of lightning came past the window. "At lea st I hope not." They quickly separated in the hall. Hermione had made her way back to the secret library and found that it contained mostly potions, Dark Arts, and muggle texts. She had found a copy of Shakespear e quotes and settled down, lighting a fire and curling up on the gold leather co uch. The teachers met each other in the Great Hall an hour later. "Albus! Where is she?" Minerva shrieked. "Good God, woman! Calm down!" Severus demanded. "See, look at him! No heart at all!" "I suggest we retire for tonight. Perhaps she just wants to be alone," Albus sai d. "But, Albus." "No, we'll see what happens in the morning," Albus said. He was rather worried, but didn't think the child would do anything to hurt herself. About ten pages in, Hermione fell asleep. All the day's exhaustion finally kicke d in and she could not keep her eyes open. She had a brief thought of moving bac k to her room, but she had passed into unconsciousness before she could move. Severus had gone down to the kitchens to get a cup of coffee. He knew that he wa s not going to get any sleep and he doubted anyone else would either. Stupid gir l. She told us that she would not run off without telling us where she was going . He paced for awhile in his living room and then, after deciding against using a potion to sleep, went to his library. He was shocked when he walked in and found the Gryffindor that was plaguing his thoughts curled up on his couch. Severus looked around in shock as if expecting someone to explain. He had no ide a how she had managed to get into his personal library. He walked over and saw she had her head laid down on a book. He gently lifted he r head up to take the book away. For a moment, he debated whether or not to wake her and finally decided to wait awhile to see if she woke on her own. While he waited for her, he flipped through the book that she had pulled off of his shelf . It was twenty minutes before he was pulled away by a soft whimpering from the couch. Hermione was crying in her sleep, tears falling gently down her cheeks. H e quickly decided it would be a good time to wake her. He slowly walked over and gently shook her shoulder. "Miss Granger," he said sof tly. "Miss Granger?" "Bloody hell!" Severus exclaimed over Hermione's moan. "Professor, I'm sorry!" She exclaimed. "Are you alright?" Severus asked, rubbing his head.

"Yes, Professor." Severus did not believe her but continued. "Then may I ask what the hell you are doing in my library?" "Your library? Professor, I didn't know it was your library. I stumbled upon it this afternoon. I didn't know what else to do, so I came back." "Stumbled upon? Miss Granger, the entrance to this library from the corridor is a stone wall. Are you telling me that you were walked along saying random nonsen se and just happened to say the right password as you were walking by? Or have y ou in fact been in my quarters?" He asked as that thought suddenly dawned upon h im. "No, Professor, of course I haven't. It was, the map," Hermione said pulling out the Marauder's Map. Snape took it and for the first time that Hermione could re member, his eyes held something besides their usual cold expression. "Where did you get this?" "It's Harry's," she said simply. Explaining everything about the map was not som ething she wanted to do. He looked as though he wanted to press the issue, but i nstead moved on. "Miss Granger, I have one other issue." "Yes, Professor," Hermione said sitting back on the couch. "Are you angry at me for being in here?" Severus looked at her for a moment. "No, Miss Granger." "May I come back?" He looked at her in surprise. "I suppose so," he said after awhile. "Though I do n't know why you would want to." "I think it's cozy," Hermione said, looking around. "Cozy?" "Yes, which is why it surprises me that is yours. Everyone thinks th-," she trai led off. "That I have skeletons lying around? Spiked chairs?" Severus said and Hermione b lushed. "No, but going by your classroom and offices, I don't think it is too big of a s tretch to think your quarters may be similar," she said sheepishly. "I happen to like my chambers, Miss Granger." "They aren't your first-born, Professor. I don't think I've heard you talk with so much feeling before," Hermione said at the point of laughing over someone lov ing their rooms more than people. "Come," he said. He was not sure why, but he was inclined to keep the girl cheer ed up. "What?" "Come. I have every right to be overprotective of my chambers, now come." "Yes, Professor," Hermione said, not really sure if she wanted to go to Snape's quarters. When they entered through a door in the library, Hermione stopped dead. She look ed from the room to Snape, to the room, to Snape. The walls and floor were cloud s with stars all over them. They twinkled as if they were really walking on clou ds. "In the daytime it is bright, but never has any storms," Snape explained. The ro om they had entered was a living room with a little side kitchen that was only s eparated from the living room by a white marble breakfast bar. The couches and c hairs looked like clouds and upon touching them, Hermione found that they felt a s soft as air. "You're right, Professor. I can understand your need to protect your quarters." "Yes, but if I find that word has spread about my rooms, you will be serving det entions until the day you graduate." "Yes, Professor. Besides if I told anyone what you rooms looked like, they would think I had gone mental." "The bathroom is far more interesting than this." Hermione looked at him in surprise. He pointed to a door on her left. She looked back at him and then went over to the bathroom. Again she stopped. She found herself face to face with a very life-like painting

of a shark. Upon looking around, she realized it felt as if the bathroom was su bmerged in water. Fish were swimming about her and everything in the bathroom wa s made of dark blue marble. She jumped as another shark swam by her. Snape who h ad come up from behind her said, "His name is George." "George?" "Yes, and that one is Fred. They are always causing havoc in the bathroom." "You named your sharks after the Weasley twins?" "They are not really sharks, they're just paintings," he said, dodging the quest ion. "Do you have a guest room, Professor?" "Yes, though I have no idea what state it's in. I have no need for it and theref ore do not enter it. Why?" "I like your rooms better than mine," she said looking at a passing turtle. Snap e looked at her with a funny expression on his face. "Don't look at me like that , Professor." He jumped which caused her to laugh and point to the mirror. "I have another matter to discuss," he said, his expression serious again. She t urned to look at him and he motioned her into the living room. "You disappeared again." "What?" "Do you know that you never showed up for dinner? We saw you walk upstairs from the Great Hall and then you disappeared. We searched for an hour. McGonagall was almost crying and everyone was on the edge. She went looking for you and came b ack to the staff room in hysterics because you had vanished. Into my library no less." "I hadn't meant to worry anyone," she said softly. "Dumbledore called off the search for the night, leaving everyone frantic, and y ou were down here happily reading Shakespeare." He stopped because Hermione had started to cry. "Oh, don't cry, Miss Granger." "Everything seems to be going wrong. My parents die, I have to leave my home and friends, and now I'm getting on everyone's nerves because I keep coming down he re and all this has happened in the last twenty-four hours." Severus moved over to the couch she was sitting on and awkwardly put his arm around her shoulder. T hat was all Hermione needed to start sobbing and throw herself in his arms. "Don't cry. You are not getting on our nerves. Everyone is just worried about yo u." He sat there and rocked her back and forth. After awhile he realized that sh e had gone to sleep and sighed. He gently lifted her into his arms and walked ov er to his guest room. A quickly muttered cleaning spell and he felt well enough to set her down on the bed He did not know why he had not put the room to some use. It was the room that ha d taken him the longest to charm. He had decorated it like a treasure cave, with mounds of gold and all the furniture decorated accordingly. He watched Hermione for a moment, before leaving the room. Making My Head Spin, Chapter 3 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/3/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th

e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 Hermione woke up and stretched. She slowly opened her eyes and then was forced t o shut them again. Squinting, she observed her surroundings. Gold, everywhere. S he suddenly panicked. She was trapped, in a cave. She quickly got up and noticed that the light coming off of the gold faded. She walked towards one of the many piles of gold and then bounced back as she hit a wall. A door suddenly flung open and Snape came running in looking slightly panicked. He saw Hermione lying there and even he could not help but smile. "Professor! Where am I?" "My guest room. Miss Granger. Are you alright?" he was still smiling. She scowle d at him. "I don't see what's so funny, Professor. What am I doing in your guest room?" "You fell asleep crying last night and I could not be bothered carrying you all the way to your quarters, besides the fact I do not know where they are." "Oh." "Miss Granger." "Yes, Professor?" "Today, after your parents funeral, Dumbledore has asked me to take you to your home and clear out the things that you need. He thinks that the sooner you get i t done, the better it will be for you." Silent tears had started to pour down her cheeks, but she nodded her head. "Come, the others will start to look for you after breakfast again," he said and put a gentle hand on her shoulder and led her out of his chambers. He had not w anted to discuss clearing out her parents house, but he wanted her to be prepare d. When they got into the Great Hall, McGonagall came and hugged Hermione. Hermione looked as though she couldn't breath but hugged her back. "Don't ever do that again! Severus, however did you find her?' "I had a little door mouse, no that is not the right term, I had a bookworm in m y library last night." "Your library? Dear, whatever were you in Severus' library for?" "I didn't know it was his." "Severus, she wasn't in her rooms this morning," Albus stated as Severus sat nex t to him. "She fell asleep and I do not know where her rooms are, so I put her into my gue st room." "I see." "Did Severus tell you that we were looking for you for half of the night?" Miner va asked.. "Yes, and I am really sorry. I didn't think I was going to worry anyone." "And did Severus tell you how much we worried about you?" Minerva asked as if sh e had not heard a word Hermione said. Hermione nodded her head and Severus notic ed how tears were starting to come into her eyes. "And did-." "I told her everything, Minerva. It is unnecessary to repeat it all." Minerva looked at him in shock and then, "I see." A couple of hours later Hermione was walking in between McGonagall and Dumbledor e at her parent's funeral. Snape was the only other teacher that had accompanied them and he stood somberly on the other side of Dumbledore. McGonagall had taken her hand and she had gladly held on. It was only family and her teachers there. Even the man performing the ceremony was a member of the fa

mily. The morning was gloomy and Hermione thought that it would begin to rain at any moment. "Are you alright, my dear?" "I'm not sure." Her father's sister and her mother's sister were doing the eulogy. Stephanie and Mark had been unable to make it and Harry and Ron had left for Russia to watch Quidditch. They had offered to stay with her, but she knew they would have resen ted it. She already felt tears in her eyes and as her Aunt Julie began to speak, tears s tarted to fall. Dumbledore placed a hand on her shoulder. After the service was over, her grandmother held a reception in a ball room of h er mansion. Buffet tables held food that no one touched and tea disappeared at a rapid rate. "We'll be right there if you need us," McGonagall said. They were standing at on e end of the room and Hermione's cousins were calling her over. "Hermione! I'm so sorry about your parents," Madeline said hugging her. "I'm sorry about her parents but I'm not feeling sorry for her," her cousin Rach el said. "Rachel!" Madeline exclaimed. "Well, it's her fault that they're dead. She's a witch. They were killed by wiza rds. If she hadn't have been, my aunt and uncle would still be alive." Hermione had started to cry at the anger from one of the few people that she tho ught would be there to support her. As her cousin Sarah began to nod, as well, H ermione shook her head and started to back away. Madeline's arms prevented her f rom moving too far, however. "That's horrible, Rachel Granger! Hermione's just lost her parents!" Madeline sa id. "It's her fault she lost them," Sarah said. Hermione managed to shake off Madeli ne's arm and ran out of the room. "How could you do that?" Madeline asked and ran out after Hermione. "Hermione! S top!" Madeline's exclamation was what had caught the three teacher's attention. They s aw Hermione and Madeline run out of the room and they quickly followed. Severus led the way and saw his student collapse into the other girl's arms. As they nea red, Severus motioned for the other professors to remain silent. "Surely you don't believe that. Rachel and Sarah have no idea what they're talki ng about. It's not your fault. Nobody else thinks it's your fault. I don't. Don' t worry about them." Severus was already back in the hall at this point. "LISTEN!" he yelled at the entire room. Everyone jumped. There were about forty people and a lot of little girls. "Where are Rachel and Sarah!" When nobody answered he pulled out his wand and muttered a tracking spell. Two b lue lights shot out and went to two girls in the corner. They looked absolutely terrified. "Come here!" when they didn't move he moved towards them. "Sir, I insist you leave at once," a man said to him. "Petrificus Totalus!" The man's arms and legs flew to his sides and Severus cont inued on his way over to the girls. Nobody else stopped him. "Do you know there is a girl in the hallway crying?" he asked in a deadly voice. They shook their h eads. "Do you know who this girl could be?" "Hermione?" one of them whispered. "Very good. Now the million dollar question, do you know why she's crying?" They didn't answer. "Answer me!" They still wouldn't. "Get out in the hall." When th ey didn't move Severus started to get agitated. He levitated them and brought th em out into the hall. They were screaming. On the way by he freed the man form h is body bind. He dropped the girls on the floor in front of Hermione. "Apologize." Hermione was looking at him in shock. Then she looked back at her cousins. "I refuse to apologize. It is her fault," Sarah said and stuck her nose up in th e air. Hermione looked at Madeline. Then turned and ran down the hall. Minerva m

ade to go after her but Madeline stopped her. "She just wants to be alone. Don't worry I know where she's going." She then gla red at Rachel and Sarah. "Why, all this?" Dumbledore asked frowning down at the girls. "These two told Hermione it was her fault that her parents were dead," Madeline started accusingly. Severus disappeared from behind the girls and reappeared beh ind Hermione. She was sitting in an old swing hanging from a tree and looking ou t at a little lake. She was crying. Severus wasn't sure what to do. He walked behind her and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. She jumped and turned to look at him. "It is not your fault." "But they're right. If I wasn't a witch my family wouldn't have been targeted," She said through tears. "Listen to me. It is not your fault. Every muggle is a target. Voldemort wants t hem all dead." "Well, it isn't a coincidence." "How do you know that? Do you know everything?" she shook her head. "So how do y ou know that it is your fault?" She didn't answer. He put his other hand on her other shoulder and, much to his surprise. she leaned back against him. They just stayed like that awhile and he let Hermione cry. He didn't know what else to do and that was how Dumbledore and McGonagall found them. "Look at that," Dumbledore whispered to Minerva, who looked thoroughly shocked. "Severus." His stomach jumped to his throat, but he calmly turned to look at them. He gentl y pushed Hermione so that she was not leaning against him and he gave them a que stioning glance. "I think you should go to Miss Granger's house now. There is quite a riot going on up in the house." "Yes, Albus. Come, Miss Granger." She got up off the swing and followed him over to where Dumbledore and McGonagal l were. "Are you alright, Hermione?" Minerva asked. She nodded her head and hugged her g uardian. Minerva looked over Hermione's shoulder and smiled at Severus. "Come then. We had best be off," he said. He then took hold of her and apparatin g to her house. The next second, they were standing it front of what used to be the Granger household. Most of it was destroyed, but the two of them cautiously entered the ruins. She found an old box and placed a charm on it so that it coul d hold anything and everything. Severus just stood by waiting for directions. He watched as she picked up anythi ng that was still worth keeping. Pictures that had fallen and little boxes that she explained had family videos on them. She made her way up the half-caved in s tairs and he followed. She opened the first door and he thought it must have bee n her parents room. She picked up what seemed to be a jewelry box and looked aro und at the mess. There were a few scattered pictures around and she took those. She put the box down and walked over to what looked like it used to be a closet. She dug through the clothes that had fallen and pulled out a long white gown. "It was my mother's wedding dress," she said. He nodded his head and picked the box up before she got back over to it. She smiled sadly at him. After picking up a few more things from the room she moved down the hallway and opened the next one. It didn't look like her room but she went to what used to be the closet and pulled out a couple of boxes. Then she grabbed a patchwork quilt off the bed an d carefully folded it and put it in the box as well. The next door was her room, but he almost dropped the box when he saw it. Everyt hing was intact. Nothing was out of place or destroyed. She turned to look at hi m and he just shook his head. "Just get your things," he told her. She went around and threw a lot in the box. Pictures were everywhere. Celestial bodies decorated her bed and the border aro und the top of her walls. It didn't look anything like he thought her room would look. Of course she said the same thing about him and his rooms.

She pulled all her clothes out of the closet and threw in shoes. "Could you help me, Professor?" she asked. He started to gather things from her vanity. He saw a picture that thoroughly startled him. It was Hermione and the t hree girls he saw earlier. All four were smiling with their arms around each oth er in front of that small lake in what Severus thought was underwear. "It's a swim suit," a voice said close to his ear. He jumped and then placed the picture along with a couple of other things in the box. He then moved to help h er clear off her bookshelves. When they had finished with her room, Hermione mov ed to check the attic, but they discovered that the whole thing had caved in. "We can go now, Professor." He nodded and picked the box back up. The Light-Weight charm prevented it from b eing that heavy. He glanced at a dusty clock in the living room and observed tha t they had been there about four hours. "Come here, Miss Granger," he said and took hold of her so that they could apper ate to Hogsmeade. They started the slow walk back to the castle. "Professor?" "Yes?" "Am I allowed to stay in my chambers when school starts back?" "You will have to ask Dumbledore." Hermione nodded and remained silent for the rest of the walk. When they got clos er to the castle they were greeted by Sprout and Poppy in one of the gardens. He rmione led Severus up to her chambers and then collapsed on one of the chairs in front of fireplace. He set the box down and looked at her. She began to cry aga in. He went over to her kitchen area, got two mugs out, and made tea. He handed her one, which she accepted gratefully, and then sat across from her. "Professor, can I ask you a question?" "You can. I might not answer." "Are you being nice to me because Professor Dumbledore asked you to?" "No, Miss Granger, I am not." She nodded and sipped her tea. Severus then realized how it must seem to have he r mean potion's master suddenly acting like he was not a complete ass. He could see how she would be suspicious. He sighed and drank his tea. Dumbledore and McGonagall showed up at the castle just before dinner. "Professor Dumbledore?" Hermione asked. "Yes?" "Am I allowed to stay in my quarters when school starts back?" "If you would like to, I see no problem." "Thank you," she said smiling and he gave her a kind smile back. "Is everything all straight at your house?" McGonagall asked her. "Yes, Professor," Hermione replied quietly. "That's good." "Filch and Fabrizio are arriving tomorrow." "Who?" Hermione asked. "His nephew." "Oh." When dinner was over they stayed and talked for a while, Hermione was feeling a bit out of place at the conversations and quickly wanted to leave. "Professor Snape?" she asked. He looked at her. "May I go get my stuff out of yo ur library." He nodded and she quickly left. When out of the hall Severus contin ued talking to Albus. "Severus?" Minerva asked. "You are being rather kind to her." The others stopped talking and looked at him as well. He hated being put on the spotlight and much to his annoyance, that was usually where he was. "Though it goes against everything you believe, Minerva, I do have a heart. I am not always cruel. I can be nice if I choose to be." "You certainly hide it well," Minerva said. Severus glared at her. "Honestly, Minerva, leave him alone. I think it will do him some good to be arou nd Hermione," Albus cut in before Severus could use the remark he was going abou t to say.

"When you have all decided whether I can be nice or not you will find me in my q uarters." "Oh, well done, Minerva," Sprout said. "Well, he all of a sudden decided he wanted to be nice to a Gryffindor. I have t o be a little suspicious." "Suspicious? About what?" "Well, she is closest to his age." "Minerva McGonagall. He's old enough to be her father and he would not take adva ntage of a student! Besides, do you know how crazy Hermione would have to be?" P oppy asked. "I suppose you have a point." "I think Severus is just relating to her," Albus said. "After all, Voldemort did kill his parents when he was around Hermione's age." "I had forgotten about that." "Yes, and nobody helped him, I don't think he wants the same thing to happen to Hermione that happened to him." Severus stalked back to his quarters absolutely fuming. When he entered Hermione was sitting on a chair looking at him. "What?" he snapped. She jumped and looked at him with wide eyes. He instantly re gretted that. "I'm sorry, Miss Granger, was there something you wanted?" "Yes, Professor, I wasn't going to come in here, but I didn't know if you'd go i nto your library. Can I borrow this?" she asked holding up the book of Shakespea re quotes. He nodded and then jumped. He clutched his arm. Hermione dropped the book. "Tell Dumbledore," he said. He was aware that she knew about him and he quickly disappeared. Hermione completely forgot the book and ran out of the dungeons to find Dumbledo re. Making My Head Spin, Chapter 4 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/4/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 Hermione ran as fast as she could to the Great Hall, hoping that the teachers we re still there. As she flung open the door, everyone's gaze snapped to her. "Professor Dumbledore! Professor Dumbledore!" she yelled as she entered. He met her halfway into the room. "Snape, had a call, he's gone to Voldemort. He told me to tell you."

"Thank you, Miss Granger. I do not suppose you are going to go to sleep are you? " She shook her head. "I thought as much. You may wait for him if you'd like. Bu t, beware that if he says anything to you when he gets back, don't take it perso nally. He is understandably ill-tempered when he returns." "Yes, Professor." After seeing that she was dismissed, she ran back out of the Great Hall and down to Snape's quarters. "Severus has gone to a meeting," Dumbledore told the curious staff. "Oh, Albus," Minerva said. She was not overly fond of Severus, but he didn't des erve the life that he had. No one did. Hermione paced back and forth on the clouds of his living room. She was surprise d about how worried she was. He had been so kind to her and she could not help b ut wonder what was going on. After pacing for about an hour, her feet began to hurt and she sat down on the c ouch. The forgotten Shakespeare book was sitting on the coffee table and having nothing else to do, she started to flip through it again. The words swam togethe r in front of her eyes and she quickly threw the book back down and just stared into the fire. At some point, she must have dozed off, because she was jolted ou t of sleep by a loud crash. She bolted to Snape's bedroom, as the crash had come from that direction. She fl ung open the door and saw her Professor leaning against his nightstand trying to get to the door. "Professor!" She yelled and he looked at her in surprise. "Hermione?" He questioned and almost fell but Hermione caught him before he got to the floor. She put his arm around her shoulder and led him over to his bed an d set him down. She looked for a light. After finding it she gasped at her Profe ssor's state. There was literally blood everywhere and upon examining herself no ticed she had blood on herself, as well. She quickly took off his outer robe and saw he that was only wearing a pair of black pants under it. There was a big gash across his chest and many miner cuts as well. She quickly t ook out her wand and muttered a few healing spells on the minor cuts, but was un able to heal the big gash. He had fallen unconscious after she had set him down and she started to panic. She hurried back into the living room and went to the fireplace to call Dumbledore. "Professor! Please come! Quick, it's Professor Snape." She was almost in hysteri cs and only noticed now that tears were falling. "Hermione, I need you to calm down for me. Stand aside so that I can come throug h." He said and the next second he appeared through the fireplace and looked at her. "Where is he?" "His room," Hermione said pointing. Dumbledore quickly went in and she followed to explain what had happened. Dumbledore muttered a spell to heal him completely and then one that woke him up . His eyes blinked and he looked wildly at Dumbledore. "He knows," Snape said hoarsely. "What happened?" Snape looked at Hermione and shook his head at Dumbledore. "I'll leave," Hermione said backing out of the room. "Thank you, Hermione," Dumbledore said. She went back and sat on the couch and thought about what could have happened. S he knew he had suffered the Cruciatus Curse. The side effects were obvious. But she couldn't figure anything else out. Twenty minutes later Dumbledore came back out and told her that Snape wanted to speak to her. "Miss Granger." Back to calling her Miss Granger. "Thank you." "It's really nothing, Professor." "I need to show you something," he said, trying to sit up. She put her hand on h is chest and gently pushed him back down. "You can show me tomorrow." He looked at her and nodded. "Thank you," he whispered again. She nodded and took this as her clue to leave. "Good-night, Professor. I hope you feel better in the morning. Or when you wake up I should say." "Good-night."

Instead of going back to her room she went to Snape's guest room and slept there again. With all the thoughts running through her head, it took awhile to actual ly get to sleep. She was once again awoken by a loud crash followed by a long stream of words tha t nade her blush. She quickly hopped out of bed and went into the living room to see Snape kneelin g on the floor. She rushed over and helped him up, putting his arm around her sh oulders again. She helped him over to the couch and then started lecturing him. "Professor, you know very well that Dumbledore told you to stay in bed today. Yo u're not strong enough to be walking about. Don't look at me like that you can't even walk from your room to the couch by yourself. If you so much as think abou t getting up again I will personally escort you to the hospital wing, where I'm sure Madam Pomfrey will be pleased to see you." He grimaced at the last statemen t. If he was in the hospital wing the most he could do without a lecture from th e uptight nurse was stare at the wall and twiddle his thumbs. He nodded. "Good." He wasn't exactly sure why he was listening to her. Here she was fourtee n- year-old, in his rooms, lecturing him, a thirty-four year old. "Why, Miss Granger, are you in my rooms?" Hermione blushed but quickly came up w ith an excuse. "So you didn't do what you just did, but I guess I didn't do a very good job." H e grinned. "I see." "Do you want anything to eat, Professor?" "Why are you doing this?" "Why am I doing what?" she asked thoroughly confused. "Taking care of me." "Oh, I can leave if you want me to." "I was just asking why." "Because I want to. Besides, you're not allowed to get off the couch," she said matter-of-factly. "Damn, bossy students," he muttered. "Anyway, would you like something to eat?" "No, but maybe a cup of tea?" he asked hopefully. The look on his face was price less. He looked like a little kid asking for candy. She turned and started walki ng towards his kitchen area. "Miss Granger!" she jumped and turned around. "What on earth is all over your ro bes?" She twisted her head around and was suddenly embarrassed. After all last nights events she had forgotten to change robes or clean them. She slowly took it off. "Blood," she said softly and laid it down on the nearest chair. She then continu ed to the kitchen. Severus paled. Blood, his blood. A couple of minutes later Hermione returned with his cup of tea. "I'm going to go get new robes, Professor," Hermione said. He nodded. "You had b etter not move an inch." He rolled his eyes and kicked his feet up so he was laying down on the couch. "Good boy," Hermione said and left him to his tea after grabbing her bloody robe . "Damn girl," he muttered, but he was smiling. Hermione quickly made her way up to her chambers, but not before opening the map . She was making sure he didn't move. After quickly changing she headed back dow n and was happy that he had actually listened to her. Then just before she got t o the dungeons he got off the couch and walked slowly over to the table where sh e had put the Shakespeare book. She stopped at the bottom of the stairs and wait ed until he was back on the couch. Then continued. She said the password and saw him sitting exactly like he had been. "I told you not to move!" he looked at her innocently. "I never did." She held up the map. "Know-it-all." "Come along then, Professor."

"What?" "We're going to the infirmary." "No!" "Yes, come," she said. "No!" She laughed at the look on his face. "Poppy absolutely hates me." "She doesn't hate you. Now come, Professor Snape." He flinched and stood shakily up. She laughed and pushed him back down. He glared at her. "Bloody Gryffindor," he muttered. "Do you always treat guests like that or am I just special?" She asked cheekily. "If I wasn't so scared of Poppy I'd come over there. I would curse you but my wa nd was snapped last night." Hermione looked at him in shock. Then smirked. "You're scared of Madam Pomfrey?" She laughed when he glared at her. Later that day Dumbledore came to visit the happy pair. "Can you get rid of the dictator?" Severus asked. Dumbledore looked at Hermione and then laughed. Severus glared at them both. "Damn Gryffindors." "Is he behaving, Hermione?" "Oh very well, sir." "Good, good. Well, I just wanted to check up and make sure Severus was still bre athing and vice versa as it seems he is trying to kill you with his gaze." "But he's so much less threatening when I know he can't walk and has no wand." D umbledore laughed. "Yes, we'll have to stop by Diagon Alley soon to pick up a new wand. When you ca n walk again." Severus just continued to glare at both of them. At dinner Dumbledore flooed them and told Severus he could come up to dinner. Se verus smirked at Hermione. "Thank you, headmaster," he said. After Dumbledore had left he stood up and shak ily walked to the door. He offered his arm to Hermione and led her up to the Gre at Hall. She rolled her eyes. She would have believed he was being polite if she had not been supporting all of his weight. "Oh, Severus, I'm so glad your up again," Minerva said. "Yes, I don't think I could have lasted another minute with my friend here," he said sarcastically. Hermione smirked at him. "Damn thing threatened to send me t o Poppy." "And what is wrong with Poppy?" Poppy asked from behind him. He flinched and slo wly turned around. "Nothing. I just don't like to sit there with nothing to do. You know I love com ing to see you." He then quickly, or as quickly as he could went and sat down be tween Hermione and Minerva so that he could get away. "Hey, weren't Filch and his nephew supposed to get here today?" Minerva asked su ddenly. "They are here. Filch is just showing Fabrizio around," Dumbledore explained. "Oh." "He's a cute one dear," Poppy said. "Who's a cute one?" Poppy rolled her eyes. "Fabrizio." "Yes, and he's not much older than you, dear," Minerva pointed out. "But he's related to Filch," Hermione muttered. Severus grinned. "Severus, are you feeling okay?" Sandra asked. "Yes, just listening to unnecessary, but accurate, comments from the peanut gall ery," he said motioning to Hermione. Hermione blushed then glared at him. "Bastard," Hermione said and then clapped her hands to her mouth. Her teachers l ooked at her in shock. Then Minerva started laughing. "Well, she caught on quick." The others started l aughing as well. Except for Severus. But he looked rather amused. Hermione smile d apologetically at him. "Nope, it's done, Miss Granger. Not talking to you anymore." Then he smiled as t he teachers cracked up again. "No more books for you."

Hermione gasped in mock horror. "But don't you love me?" she asked with big eyes . Poppy fell out of her chair at this point from laughing so hard. It was at thi s point that Remus walked in. He heard Hermione say that and almost died. Severus couldn't remember laughing this hard, ever. "Of course, love," he said a bsentmindedly. Remus almost collapsed and the teachers were trying to catch thei r breaths. Hermione was amazed at Snape and was laughing harder than she thought possible. "Could someone please clue me in?" Remus asked shakily as he approached the tabl e. "Severus and Hermione were declaring their undying love for each other," Minerva said as though it was an everyday occurrence for Severus Snape to admit he was in love. "It was a joke, Remus," Dumbledore said at the shocked look on Remus' face. He n odded his head and collapsed into a vacant chair on the other side of Hermione. "So anything else happen while I was gone?" He asked. "Nope." "Severus was discovered," Dumbledore said. "Oh," Remus said and started to put food on his plate. "Why is no one making a big deal about this?" Severus asked. "Because it doesn't matter as long as you're safe," Minerva said. The other's no dded in agreement and Hermione kissed his cheek, this left everyone surprised bu t glad someone could express things that they couldn't. They thought that maybe it would show Severus that he did matter. Making My Head Spin, Chapter 5 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/5/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 Severus went back down to his room confused, to say the least. Nobody kissed him , even if it was just on the cheek. It just wasn't done. People didn't stand in front of moving trains, they didn't touch electric wires, they didn't splinch th emselves, and they did not kiss Severus Snape. He was unsure of what the world w as coming to. The people in the Great Hall watched Severus walk out after Hermione kissed him. "Did I do something wrong?" she asked. "No, dear," Minerva said. "He is just unused to people showing signs of friendsh ip." "Really?"

"He's done horrible things, Hermione," Dumbledore said. "And because of this, he does not think he should be forgiven." "Professor, why-." "Hermione, I think you can call us by our first names this summer. Half of the t ime you only say 'Professor' and it leaves us confused as to who you're talking to," Dumbledore said with a smile. "Yes, sir. Well why is Professor Snape being nice to me?" "Have you asked Severus." "Well, not really. But I like having him on speaking terms and I don't want to p ress the subject just in case he got mad at me." "I think that you should ask him. He is the only one that can give you an answer ." "Yes, sir." Hermione didn't feel comfortable using first names so she just skirt ed around them. "I have to go get my stuff out of Professor Snape's living room before he goes to sleep. Good-night." "Good-night, dear." Hermione jogged down to the dungeons and debated whether or not to knock. She fi nally decided against it, just in case he was already asleep. She automatically wished she had knocked. Snape was just standing there in fores t green boxers making tea.. He turned when he heard the door open. "Oh," Hermione said turning and walking out of the room. "Wait. Come back, Miss Granger!" He called. She slowly turned back into the room and saw him disappear into the bedroom. She sat down in one of the chairs completely embarrassed. He emerged a second la ter in a long black bathrobe. "I was going to knock, Professor, but I didn't know if you'd be sleeping." "It's only seven." "I know, but you left dinner early." "Yes, well." "Minerva said you didn't think you deserved friendship." She said changing the s ubject completely seeing how uncomfortable Snape was. Not that the issue she bro ught up was much better. "Minerva did, did she." "Professor-." "Why are you calling Minerva, Minerva?" "I've been commanded not to call the Professors, Professor, Professor." Then she cracked up. "I think that was to many 'Professors' in one sentence. Please don' t change the subject. Do you really think that, Professor?" "That is none of your business, Miss Granger," he snapped. "If there is nothing else." "No, Professor," she said softly. She forgot about her stuff and quickly left. Severus watched her leave and then stared at the spot she had been. On the way back to her room, Hermione started to cry. She seemed to be doing a l ot of that lately. The teacher's meanwhile, minus Severus, were still in the Great Hall. "She didn't eat again," Minerva said. "Albus, what are we going to do?" Sandra asked. "I'm not exactly sure." When she got back to her room she made tea and then began to pace with the steam ing cup in her hand. She didn't know she was being watched. Severus was sitting there when he realized she had left her map. He picked it up and dots were moving about. All the teachers still at the castle were in the Gr eat Hall. He saw Hermione exit the dungeons and head up to her room. He discover ed if you tapped the room you wanted with the wand it would give you more precis e activities and conversations. He tapped the Great Hall and the teachers were t alking about Hermione and her not eating. He hadn't noticed. He tapped her room and it said 'making tea'. Then her dot started to pace back and forth. He watche d her. She never slowed or stopped except to place the cup in the sink.

Hermione went down to the Great Hall at six the next morning. She never went to sleep. She simply had to much on her mind. The only teachers that were there wer e Dumbledore and McGonagall and they had their backs to her. She caught a bit of their conversation. "The whole family." "Poor, dear. She's already lost her parents now her friends." "Who's dead?" Hermione asked shakily. Both the teachers visibly jumped. "Hermione, dear, you mustn't do anything rash when we tell you this." "Who's dead?" she screamed making McGonagall jump. "Your friend Stephanie and her family." Dumbledore said. "Oh my God," she said and fled the Great Hall. Severus appeared in the door just before she could exit. "Severus, stop her!" Dumbledore yelled from his spot. Snape moved so she would r un into him. Her head was in her hands and she wasn't watching where she was goi ng. When she hit him, she almost fell down with the impact but he caught her. He put his arms around her waist so she couldn't get away. She lifted her head and sta rted yelling things at him and trying to get away. "Miss Granger," he said softly but she wouldn't stop. "Miss Granger! Hermione!" This stopped her and she completely broke down. She buried her head in his chest for no other reason than he was there. Severus wrapped his arms tighter around her and then looked up at Dumbledore and McGonagall who were looking very worrie d. It was about this time that Remus entered. He saw a crying Hermione, a caring Snape, and two of the most calm people in the world looking like they had just lost all their powers. "I get back and everyone wants to give me a heart attack." Remus said. They all stayed like that for awhile, not quite sure what to do. "I think, Severus, that you should take her to her rooms," Dumbledore finally sa id. Though he didn't sound to sure of himself. "Actually, you might want to keep and eye on her." "Stop talking about me like I'm not here!" Hermione yelled into Severus's chest. "Oh goody, baby-sitting. My favorite." "I'm not a baby!" "Of course, and sobbing like an idiot isn't childish." He rolled his eyes as he was speaking. Minerva was shaking her head. Severus didn't know what was wrong w ith Hermione or they were sure he wouldn't have said that. Hermione pulled back from him, but his arms were still around her. She was glaring at him with so muc h hatred he flinched. "You bastard! You are a complete and total bastard! How dare you say that. Have you ever lost six of the most important people in your life and been practically disowned by your remaining family all within three days! I think not! I'm sorry but I'm only human! I can't deal with six deaths in three days. I'm sorry, Prof essor, I won't let it happen again." Fresh tears started pouring out of her eyes . Severus looked at Dumbledore who was looking at Hermione. He turned to Minerva and she was staring at her feet. He turned to Remus, who just shrugged. He was at a loss of what to do. He had no experience whatsoever in this. He had comfort ed people but never students, especially students who were swearing at him. She broke down again and he pulled her to him. It only seemed natural. Dumbledor e shook his head. "Just make sure she doesn't do anything stupid, Severus." He nodded. He was not sure why he felt responsible. He tried to walk with Hermio ne, but when he moved away she almost collapsed. He scooped her up in his arms a nd looked at the others. Minerva was almost in tears and Albus was trying to com fort her. "The poor child," Minerva whispered. Severus doubted Hermione heard this. He bar ely had. "I feel so helpless." Severus slowly turned and walked down to the dungeons, protectively cradling Her mione who was still crying into his chest. Since when did he do the whole I'm he re for you routine? He somehow couldn't help it. He sat her down on the couch. "I think you need a cup of tea," he said.

"Don't!" he spun to face her. "Don't leave. Everyone's leaving me!" she was look ing at him with huge brown eyes and he sat down next to her. She moved close to him and just cried. Severus wasn't sure for how long, but he just sat there with his arms around her. Silent. "It's my fault," she whispered when the tears had slowed a bit. He looked down a t her. "My cousins were right. I killed them." "No! Look at me!" he demanded. She slowly tilted her head up to look at him. "Li sten to me. It is not your fault. You can not help it. Do you understand? You ca n not just not be a witch. If you fall you're just giving them what they want. W hatever the hell that may be. Do you understand?" Hermione looked at the amount of emotion in Snape's eyes and broke down yet agai n. "Answer me," he demanded. She slowly nodded her head. Not too long after she fel l asleep. But Severus didn't bother moving her. The hate he had felt towards her for last night had disappeared. It was replaced by the hate for the death eater s. He fell asleep after awhile, his head gently resting on Hermione's. "What are we going to do?" Minerva said. "She has had too many tragedies in too short of time. Someone has to be there fo r her at all times. She could try to hurt herself," Sprout said, leaving out the mention of suicide though it hung in the air. "I think Severus is handling that part well," Albus said motioning a crystal bal l looking thing. It showed Hermione and Severus asleep on the couch. "What's he doing? She's a student for goodness sake," Minerva said. "And my ward ." "I don't think he has any inappropriate feelings, Minerva," Albus said. "He is j ust being a friend." "We need to get Harry and Ron here," Minerva said. "They, unfortunately, are still in Russia. They decided to stay and visit for a while after Hermione apparently told them not to rush back. I have asked them to come when they get back." "Besides, she seems perfectly comfortable around Severus. Not many people would kiss him," Sprout stated. "It was only on the cheek," Minerva said. "Would you ever kiss him on the cheek?" "No." "Besides, I've never seen him like this before." "He doesn't want her to make the same mistakes he made," Albus stated. Hermione moved a bit on the couch and buried her head in the crook of Severus' neck. He u nconsciously pulled her closer. Making My Head Spin, Chapter 6 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/6/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His

Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 Hermione woke up with a back and neck problem. She was also terribly embarrassed that she had fallen asleep with her Professor. She had lost four more people that were insanely important to her. That was six. Six out of nine of the most important people in her life were gone. Only Harry, Ron, and Madeline remained. She held in the tears that were close to falling. B ottling her emotions was the next step. She wanted them to think that she would be okay. Snape stirred and groggily opened his eyes halfway. Hermione was close to laughi ng. He looked kind of drunk like that. He saw her staring at him and sat up a bi t straighter. "How are you feeling Miss Granger?" "Better, I think," she replied. "Well," he said looking at his watch, "It's dinner time and I'm sure everyone wo uld love to see how you're fairing." He was worried. It was not natural or her t o act so calm after so many tragedies. They walked silently up to the Great Hall where everyone was gathered. Fabrizio Filch was sitting in between his uncle and Poppy. He didn't look a thing like Fi lch. He would be, as crazed teenage girls would say, hot. Hermione sat down next to Minerva and Severus sat next to her. "Hermione, Severus, this is Fabrizio," Minerva said. Hermione waved and Severus nodded. Both tried to look interested. "Hermione, how are you this morning?" "Still a little, shocked. When is their funeral?" "Hermione, there won't be a funeral," Dumbledore said softly. "Their bodies were incinerated in the attack. The remaining family has decided against a funeral." Severus noted Hermione seemed to pale even more than she already had. She nodded and then stood up and calmly walked out of the Great Hall. "Get your little spy thing up, Albus," Minerva said looking extremely worried. S everus was agreeing with her. Albus waved his wand and Hermione came up on the w all. She looked as like nothing had happened as she calmly walked up to her quarters. She walked over to her kitchen area and started to dig around in some of the dr awers. With a semi-smile, she pulled out a knife. "Hermione!" Minerva and Severus both yelled at the same time. Dumbledore and the rest looked utterly shocked at the girl who had acted so calm. Severus made for the door but knew he'd never get there in time. Then even more to their surpris e, and relief, she didn't stab or cut herself with it. She walked over to the bo x that held all her possessions in it and cut the tap. She started pulling out pictures and other items that were in the bottomless box . The people in the Great Hall let out an audible sigh of relief. She pulled out a boom box. A few of the staff had no idea what it was. She looke d in the pockets of her robe for her wand. She couldn't figure out where it was. Then it clicked. "You have got to be kidding me." She quickly exited through her portrait and mad e her way down to the dungeons. She went over to Severus' chamber door. "I changed the password!" Severus said. She turned and went back to the library entrance. "Damn, I forgot about that one." She went in and it followed her into Severus' living room. She picked up her wan d and the map. Which she noted wasn't where it had been. She then silently walked back up to back up to here chambers. Or she would have. But she happened to glance in the Great Hall and saw a picture of herself and a ll the teachers watching it. She glared. Quite deliberately looking to where the

ir eyes would be watching her. She took out her wand and muttered the spell that would end the following camera. The teachers hadn't registered she was watching them until that point. They jumped around and saw her glaring at them. "I'm not going to kill myself!" She said and then stormed up the stairs. "That didn't go too well," Sprout stated causing many glares to sail in her dire ction. "Should we follow her?" "Not all of us or she wouldn't know what to do with herself." "I vote Sev goes," Sprout said. "I'm her guardian," Minerva said. "Yes, but at least Sev can relate to her. No offense intended." "Stop calling me Sev and I think Minerva should go." "Thank you, Severus." "What do you think, Albus?" "I think, Miss Granger, is most likely not going to talk to us tonight. I think I've made a mistake." The staff glanced at each other. They looked to where he w as pointing and saw Hermione looking over her shoulder every once and awhile. "I 've made her paranoid. She didn't need that on top of everything." "I'm going to talk to her." Severus stated. "Well you can go if you like but she's paranoid. If you just put a hand on her o r something she might try to attack you." "Are you saying I couldn't handle it?" "I'm saying you're not twenty years old anymore." Minerva glared at him and then nodded. He ran out of the Hall and tried to catch up to Hermione's fast pace. S he had only managed to get a few halls ahead of him and he spotted her in no tim e. He figured that she heard him coming, because he quickened her pace. He ran f aster and she started to run, as well. "Miss Granger, stop!" But she didn't. He wondered if she was paying attention to anything besides runn ing. He was amazed at how fast she was for someone so small, but he caught up to her. He grabbed her by her shoulders and she swung around and punched him in th e nose. "Professor!" She gasped. Severus was rubbing his nose, which had started to bleed. He muttered a short sp ell to stop the bleeding. "See, Minerva, aren't you glad I came now," he said. McGonagall was turning many shades of colors and finally settled on a very pale back in the hall. Hermione spun. Seeing no one she backed up right into Snape. She tried to move a way but his hands were on her shoulders like iron. "Stop it! Stop it! Stop spying on me!" she was in tears again. "Stop it, please. " Severus turned her around and she collapsed into his arms. Severus looked appreh ensively around. He gently picked Hermione up and carried her the rest of the wa y up to her quarters. "What's the password, Hermione?" "Survivor," she whispered. He looked down at her sadly and walked her over to he r bedroom and lay her down on the bed. "Sleep." "I'm not tired," she said grouchily. "So just lay there." "No." Then she sat up. "You're not making my job any easier." "I don't care." He knew full well Dumbledore had turned off his spying device. "Imagine what Alb us would say if he heard you talk to a teacher like that." "I don't care," she repeated staring stonily at him. They just sat there for awh ile glaring at each other. "Why were you spying on me?" "We weren't spying. We were making sure that you did not do anything stupid." "I'm not going to kill myself." "I'm sure that's what all people about to commit suicide say."

"How dare you make presumptions about what I'm going to do with my life. I have no intention of killing myself, and I never have. If I would pick someone to com mit suicide in this room it certainly wouldn't be me, 'Mr. Now-They-Know-I'm-A-S py-How-Am-I-Ever-Going-To-Repay-Dumbledore-For-Taking- Me-Back?'." She hit a nerve. He roughly grabbed her by her upper arms. "You know nothing abo ut it and it is none of your business," he hissed. She stared at him through big scared eyes for a minute and then looked away. "Well, if it got that kind of reaction maybe I know more about it than you think ," she said after a moment. He raised one of his hands as if to hit her. She flinched. Then he let her go an d stormed out of her chambers. The faculty in the Great Hall saw him storm past the doors and down to his dunge ons. "I don't think that went to well." "Why'd we stop spying?" "I don't think he's looked that angry in awhile." "What happened do you wonder?" Hermione stared at the space Snape had just occupied. She quickly went to find h er map and pulled it out. She saw Snape at the entrance of his library and then saw him move to the entrance of his quarters. Changing passwords probably. He mu st have forgotten she had the map. She watched and he started pacing. Then quite suddenly he hit a chair with such force it flew across the room and hit the wall. Not even thinking she ran out of her chambers. Map in hand. By the time she got to the dungeons she was completely out of breath. She knew t he map wouldn't give her the teacher's password so she headed to the library. Sh e quickly muttered the password and went to the door leading to his living room. Something big, heavy, and breakable shattered about an inch away from her head. She flinched in pain as small pieces embedded themselves on the left side of her face. Severus' gaze softened as he realized he had almost hit her. Then hardened remem bering the reason that he was so angry was because of her. "What do you want, Miss Granger?" he snarled. He then waved his wand at the vase saying. "Reparo!" Hermione gasped as the sharp pieces tore through her skin to reform the broken v ase. She covered her face and Severus looked at her strangely. She had tears in her eyes and quickly went over to a mirror he had by the opening of his chambers . She slowly removed her hand to see about ten bleeding cuts on her cheek and by her ear. Snape's eyes widened when he saw the reflection. He came up behind her and touched her shoulder. She tried to duck away, but he h eld her in place. "Forgive me." She flinched as he raised his hand again and he felt mildly guilty. "Let me see your face." "I can heal myself," she whispered. "You may try to embed more sharp objects in my body." "Miss Granger, I did not know that you would walk in just then. I would not try to hurt you." "If you're not trying to hurt people, the I suggest not throwing things!" She ex claimed and gasped as he forced her to look at him. "These are my quarters, Miss Granger." "I was coming to apologize!" She shrieked. They stared at each other for a moment and then Severus stuck his wand to her ch eek. Hermione wanted to yell at him again, but she found it hard with the positi on that he had her head in. When he had finished healing her they stared at each other for a moment. "Would you like a cup of tea, Miss Granger?" Hermione wanted to scream no at him, but instead settled for nodding her head. Making My Head Spin, Chapter 7

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/7/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 They sat a drank a cup of tea in silence. Severus wanted to say things and Hermi one wanted to leave, but neither did anything but sip quietly. "I'm going to back to my room," Hermione said. "I still have to finish unpacking . Thank you for the tea." "Hermione," he said. She turned from the door and saw that he was holding her wa nd and map. "Thank you," she muttered as she took them from him. He grabbed her hand before she could leave. "I am sorry," he said. "And I promise that everything will be alright." She looked at him in surprise. She couldn't figure on the sudden change of perso nality he seemed to get. She nodded and then practically fled the dungeons. When she got back up to her rooms she charmed her boom box so she could listen to it . She had run. Severus shook his head. Suddenly there was a knock on the portrait. He sighed and opened it. When he saw who is was, he slammed it shut again. Calmly he opened it again and ushered Madam Pomfrey in. "May I help you, Poppy? You never make your way down to my end of the castle." "That is because I'm not welcome, but I had to come this time as the others thou ght I was the only one who wanted to risk coming down here. Now what happened wi th Miss Granger?" "I think she'll be alright." "You think?" "She's lost so many people, Poppy. It will take some time." "When did you become such an expert?" "Expert? I never once claimed to be an expert. I have no idea what I'm doing." "Everyone thinks it's adorable that you care about her." "I do care about Hermione and her well being, but please leave me out of it. I h aven't time for over-emotional teenage girls." "Severus, can you guess what she's doing right now?" "Crying. She has been doing that a lot lately, in case you hadn't noticed." "You're the only one who seems to stop her from crying, Severus. God knows why, but I think the girl likes you. Oh, don't look at me like that, I don't mean rom atically." "What do you want me to do, Poppy?"

"Go talk to her. Comfort her. Make her feel better." "Three things I never thought anyone would ask me to do." "That's because until now no one would." "If I go talk to her will you leave me in peace?" "Only until I need my next batch of potions." "Fine. I'm going. See? Walking out the door. Going to comfort the poor little ch ild." "She's definitely not a child, Severus." "Shut-up, Pomfrey. I'm going and you're going to leave me in peace." With that he strolled calmly up to Hermione's chambers and rapped on the portrai t. When she didn't answer Severus found himself worried. He tried to remember wh at the password was. "Survivor," he said. The portrait swung open revealing Hermione's living room in utter chaos. Music was playing on her little music box but she was nowhere to b e seen. He walked about for a minute and turned back to the door. On the couch H ermione was curled up fast asleep. A picture tucked in her hand. Upon closer examination he saw Hermione, and the two teens that had been with he r on the day of her parents death. They all had their arms around each other wit h Hermione in the middle. It was a muggle photo as they weren't moving. Gently taking it from her hands, he placed it on the coffee table and then gentl y picked her up and walked her into her room for the second time that day. He pu lled back the bed sheets as best he could and laid her down. When he pulled the covers back over her she stirred a bit and looked at him with groggy eyes. "Thank you," she whispered and she fell back asleep. A couple of her curls had f allen in her face and he gently tucked them behind her ear. He started to exit t he room when she whimpered, causing him to spin around. She should not have been dreaming yet, but she was. Hermione dreams seemed to be more troubled than they should have been. Her eyes were flicking rapidly back a nd forth underneath her eyelids. Severus sat on the edge of the bed and gently s hook her. When she didn't wake up, he rubbed her should and called her name. She bolted into a sitting position and into his arms. Panting, she pulled back from him a bit. "You were crying in your sleep," he stated. "Why are you here?" she asked. She didn't seem angry, just surprised. "I came to check on you. Are you alright?" She nodded her head and yawned. "Just tired. "Go back to sleep." She giggled a bit and then lay down and closed her eyes. Severus looked at her a nd couldn't help feel the need to protect her from the evils of her dreams. Not really wanting to leave he pulled up the chair from her desk. Sitting down he st udied the sleeping girl until he finally drifted off into a quiet sleep himself. The weeks passed by and Harry and Ron never came to visit Hermione. This upset h er but only to a point. She and Severus had become close friends. They could eve n finish each others sentences and know what the other wanted before they spoke. This annoyed and thrilled the staff, once they realized that there were no inap propriate feelings. Hermione didn't smile as much as she had, but she smiled mor e when she was with him. Hermione had started calling Severus, Sev, which had annoyed him, but she wouldn 't stop saying Severus was too proper. He had stopped calling her Miss Granger a t all and stuck with Hermione. In mid-August, a letter came from Harry and Ron. Hermione, I cannot tell you how sorry we are. We brought back some sort of virus from Russ ia and have been sick ever since. We would have written but everyone was in a ve ry bad way. Tell us when you want us there and we'll be there. We are truly sorr y. Love, Harry & Ron "When do you want them to come?" Minerva asked. "Whenever is best I suppose." "How about you meet them in Diagon Alley? Then you can get your school stuff and

see them all in one go," Albus suggested. "Oh, brilliant!" she quickly wrote a note saying to meet, "Saturday?" "That's fine, dear." When finished she sent it off. "Who's going to take me? Or should I floo in?" "I'll take you. I have to pick up some books and ingredients anyway," Severus sa id. "Thanks, Sev." "I don't know what you're going to do when school starts back, Hermione," Sprout stated. "What?" "Can you imagine prancing into potion's and saying 'Good-morning Sev!'. The clas s would be in hysterics. Not to mention Severus." "I hadn't really thought about it." "I don't care what you call me, as long as you call me Professor in class," Seve rus told her. "Yes, Frank." "What?" Severus exclaimed. "You said you didn't care what I called you and you look more like a Frank to me ." "That's completely-." "Completely what?" "No." "But, Sev. Are you going to go back on what you said?" "Yes. That is not what I meant and you know it." The rest of the staff had started to laugh. Hermione leaned her head on Severus' shoulder. "But, don't you like Frank? It seems so much more you. I mean Severus. That's a dark name. Frank makes people laugh." "I do not want to make people laugh," Severus stated trying his hardest not to s mile at the look Hermione was giving him. "If you call me Frank, I will not answ er." "Well, it's certainly going to be a long year." Severus did laugh at this. "Frank," Hermione said. Severus pointedly ignored her. "I have confessions to ma ke. And now that I know you won't try to get me expelled do you want me to tell you?" "Now what on earth could you have done to get yourself expelled?" "Ha! I got you talking to me. But, well, with you I probably could have sneezed. Until recently at least. But will you never talk to me again?" "Yes, I will talk to you, now please what did you do?" "Well, remember at that Quidditch match when Harry's broom went out of control b ecause of Quirrel?" "Yes." "Well, at the time, we, Harry, Ron, and I, thought you were the one trying to ge t the stone." "Yes." "And we scanned through the crowd and saw you muttering the counter-course. Well we thought it was the curse then." "Get to the point." "Well, you know how your robes caught fire?" "You didn't!" "I did." "Hermione!" "Well, it wasn't my fault! You were the one who was acting all suspicious!" "I may give you that, but you did not have to set my robes on fire!." "I couldn't think of anything else." "What was the other one? Or do I want to know?" "Probably not but I'm going to tell you since we're being honest with each other ." "Alright."

"Did you know I made polyjuice potion in the second year?" "What?" "Yes, well, the only thing I couldn't find was boomslang skin. All the other's w ere in student stores." "You didn't?" "I feel like we're repeating ourselves." "You snuck into his stores?" Minerva asked. "Yes." "Good girl! People have been trying that forever!" "Minerva! Bad girl, Hermione." "Oh, Sev, you still love me don't you?" she looked up at him with big brown eyes . "How could I not? But still my personal stores?" "Well-." "Wait! Why did you make polyjuice potion?" "There was all that heir of Slytherin stuff going on. So we made it and snuck in to the Slytherin common room. Well Harry and Ron did. I was a cat," she sniffed. "Do you know, if I had caught you, I would have had you expelled?" "Yes, that's why I only told you now." "I am shocked at you, Hermione Granger." "Please forgive me, Frank." Severus rolled his eyes at her. When Saturday rolled around Severus had almost forgotten about that dinner. "Franky! Come on! I have to go now!" Hermione whined. She was sitting on the cou ch in Severus' room calling to him. He was still in his room. She had a slight i dea that he had gone back to sleep. "Go away. I do not feel like entertaining today." She sighed. I knew he was still in bed. She got up and walked over to his bedroom door. She quietly opened it and saw hi m sleeping. She loved Severus' room. It was like floating in space. Stars, plane ts, and moons were everywhere. If it didn't have the bed and furniture it would be impossible to tell which way was up. She tiptoed over to his bed and then pounced. "Hermione!" "Morning," she said and lay down next to him. "That was completely unnecessary!" "Sev, we have to be in Diagon Alley in an hour." "So wake me up in thirty minutes." "Do I look like an alarm clock?" "I don't know. You're annoying enough to be one." "Sev!" she turned over and rested her head on his chest. And looked into his eye s. "Don't look at me like that. I'm up, I'm up. Well I can't get up when you're lay ing on me like that." "Oh, you know you love beautiful young girls in your bed." "Hermione!" "I was joking, Sev. You don't have the chance much." "You're here more than I am." "Not true at all." "I know, I know. Let me get changed." "Going," she said, getting up off the bed and quickly exiting the room. Fifteen minutes later a very tired looking Severus emerged. "Come on!" "I need coffee." "Well let's go get coffee then," she said. He offered her his arm and they heade d up to the hall.

 Making My Head Spin, Chapter 8 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/8/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 Half an hour later they were walking into the Leaky Cauldron, Hermione's arm tuc ked into Severus'. "I fear what Potter and Weasley's expressions will be like when they see you at my arm." "They won't have time to see, as I'll be in their arms instead of yours," she sa id smiling at him. "Oh, how will I ever survive?" He asked sarcastically. "Severus Snape!" Came a loud voice from behind them. They turned to see a very r ed faced Arthur Weasley, his sons, and Harry glaring at him with more hate than usual. "Harry! Ron!" Hermione shrieked, smiling and ran and threw her arms around the b oy's necks. "Three-o-clock," Severus said and then disappeared. "Hermione! Are you all right? What did Snape do to you?" "What?" Hermione looked thoroughly confused. "Making passes at students," Mr. Weasley sniffed in the air. "He couldn't get an yone his on age. If he tries anything Hermione, just let us know." "Mr. Weasley! Sev would never do anything. Minerva would have his head!" Hermion e said in shock. "What did you call them?" Harry asked. "Sev and Minerva. I've been calling all the teachers their first names. It was r ather confusing saying 'professor' with so many of them around." "Why were you with Snape?" Ron demanded. "Touching him willingly." "Ron! He's just being a friend. He was there when I needed one which is more tha n I can say for you," she said, getting angry. The boys looked at their feet. "Did you say Snape was being a friend?" Fred asked. "Well as friendly as he can be," Hermione said. "Which is about as friendly as a dead fish." "Let's drop it. I came here to be with you. Not talk about him." "Fine. Where to, my lady?" Harry asked smiling. "Well, we're going to go see if we can find Lee," George stated and he and Fred were gone. Harry and Ron both linked their arms in Hermione's and they headed to Gringotts. Hermione, as much as she loved Harry and Ron, was dying to get back to Severus. She almost laughed at what she would have thought about that last year.

"What have you been doing all summer with the teachers?" Ron asked. "Well, for the most part, crying. Oh my God! You'll never believe this!" "What?" The boys asked. "Mrs. Norris is dead!" she shrieked happily. Passerby's looked at her as though she should be ashamed of her outburst of the unfortunate ladies death. "You're kidding!" Harry said smiling. Ron was shocked beyond words. "Nope, and now his nephew's come to help instead." "Nephew?" "Yeah. Lavender and Parvati should be happy. He looks like a model for Witch Wee kly." "So, what's up with Snape, Hermione, I mean seriously." "Nothing! The most we talk about is potions and muggle plays! Most of the time w e just sit in silence reading, drinking coffee and enjoying each other's silent company." "How boring." "No, relaxing. I just want a nice relaxing summer after all that's happened," He rmione said looking at the boys. "We really, truly are sorry we couldn't be there, Hermione," Ron said. Harry nod ded in agreement. "That's all right. It wasn't your fault." The boys smiled and they headed off fo r ice cream. "But honestly, Snape. Why don't you hang around Trelawney?" Ron asked. "I like hanging around Severus thank you very much." "But seriously. He and his almighty dungeon. I'm sorry torture chamber. Hermione , have you been in his chambers?" Ron asked suddenly getting a very worried look on his face. "Once or twice, why?" Hermione said. If one thing she had picked up from Severus it had been his ability to lie efficiently. "What's it like?" "Kind of like the Slytherin common room," she said. She knew they had been in th ere. "Why were you in the Slytherin common room?" "I was teaching her the Unforgivables, Mr. Weasley." Ron paled and turned around . "How long have you been there, Frank?" Hermione asked. Harry and Ron turned to h er in surprise and Severus glared. Then pointedly looked away. "I was just telli ng them how lovely your chambers were." "You were not. I was here the whole time." "Spying?" "I was not spying." "You're late," Hermione said looking at her watch. "It's three-thirty." "No wonder you woke me up a such an un-Godly hour this morning. Your watch is ha lf an hour off." Harry and Ron were staring in shock at their evil potions maste r as he removed Hermione's watch from her wrist and said a few spells. "Now can we leave?" He asked. "Yes, yes. Hold on." "Frank?" Ron asked getting his voice back. Snape turned the most evil of glares on him and Ron visibly flinched. "Never repeat that name in my presence again. Is that understood?" "Yes, Professor." "Hermione," he said extending his arm out to her. She rolled her eyes and hugged Harry and Ron. "I'll see you guys when school starts back," Hermione said kissing them both on the cheek. They blushed a bit and Hermione took Severus' offered arm as she pick ed up a few of her packages and he picked up the rest. "Bye, Hermione," They both said. When they got back to the school Severus started to chuckle. "What is so funny, Frank?" "Weasley." "What about him?"

"He fancies you." "He does not," Hermione said blushing. "Well, do you fancy him?" "Severus Snape, I can not believe you just asked me that!" "Was that a yes or no?" "It was a NO!" "Alright then. Come let's take all this junk up to your chambers." "Sev!" "Yeah." "That night you were discovered. You said you wanted to show me something. Remem ber? But then I made you lay back down." Severus mentally hit himself in the head. "Come quick. We'll put this stuff in y our room later." He took off, dragging Hermione with him. "Sev, what is it?" "It's important. How could I have forgotten?" He let out a frustrated sigh. "Sev, I don't care how important it is. I can't walk like this." She was practic ally running to keep up with him. He stopped and she ran into him. "Hermione, you don't understand. I'm so stupid. I can't believe I forgot. It jus t completely faded." "Well, you were going through a lot that night." "I suppose," he said and then took off again. He pulled her into his chambers an d dropped her stuff on the table. Then pulled her into the guest room. "Sev?" "Watch," he said and moved towards one of the walls. "Open Sesame." How original. Hermione thought as she stared in fascination as part of the way m elted. He took her hand and pulled her into the little room. It was smaller than the guest room. It had a regular bed in one corner, a small kitchenette, and wh at looked like a half-bath through a small door. "If there is ever an attack on the school, or someone threatens you, come here. Do not think twice. Promise me." "Sev-." "Promise me, Hermione," he said taking her by the upper arms. "I promise, Sev," she said looking into his eyes. "What is it?" "I can't tell you. I promised Dumbledore." "Sev." "I can not tell you," he almost whispered. She nodded her head in understanding. "I don't want you to get hurt," he said. She put her arms around him and they ju st stood there like that for a while. Just best friends. Determined not to let a nything get in their way. After a moment, they headed up to Hermione's quarters so that she could put her things away. When she had finished putting her things away she went back into he r living room. Severus was sitting in an armchair in front of the fire, coffee in hand. "There's some for you on the counter," he stated. She grabbed her mug and went t o sit on the floor in front of him. She leaned back against him and they just sa t there in silence, staring into the fire. Making My Head Spin, Chapter 9 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/9/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati

ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 They fell asleep like that. Severus' hand was resting on Hermione's head as thou gh he had been stroking her hair. Hermione had turned so her arms were folded in his lap and her head was resting on them. This was how Dumbledore and McGonagall found them. Dumbledore had to literally d rag her out of the room. "Albus, surely you don't approve of this." "Minerva, Hermione and Severus are in no way involved with each other besides th eir obvious friendship. I personally believe it is the best thing for both of th em. Hermione, whether she, or even Severus, know it, dug him out of the hole he buried himself in so long ago. Severus, both he and Hermione know, has helped he r with the tragedy that has occurred in her life. She is no longer the broken do wn wreck she was when the deaths first occurred. And whether anyone wants to adm it it or not, Severus was the one who was always there with her. "I know, Minerva, that you were there too. But you were more of the parent figur e. She didn't need that then. She needed a friend and Harry and Ron weren't ther e. You were being the worried guardian, I'm the caring grandparent figure, and t he others, though they were there too, they lead their own lives. That left Seve rus, and he was willing to help her. Which is saying something. She felt she cou ld trust him and she did. So we're here now. Severus would never take anything b esides friendship from Hermione. She is, after all, still his student." "And how do you figure this, Albus? I've never been one to contradict you, but, she's the first female in a long time to willingly place herself in his company. You don't thi-." "Minerva, she's still a child." "Albus, in case you haven't realized, Hermione may be a child but she doesn't lo ok it." "That's because she's only realistically fourteen. But mentally she's sixteen. A lmost seventeen I do believe." "What on earth are you talking about?" "Her time-turner. Did I not tell you?" "No, whatever you're on about, no." "When she used her time-turner she added almost two years to her life." "Are you sure?" "She was in reality, too young to use it. So the ministry recorded every time sh e went back in time. It was an hour short of two full years." "Does she know?" "No, and neither does Severus before you voice those thoughts and suspicions." "But that makes her almost legal age. Next month." "Severus does not know." "Will you tell her?" "Yes, because she will be turning seventeen." "But the-." "Minerva, that's quite enough. She is still a student. He knows that if he even thought about her that way, heads would roll. Most particularly his." "Whatever you think, Albus." "Minerva, I've always been honest with you. I wouldn't say it if it wasn't true. "

"Of course. I am sorry." "No need to apologize, my dear." xxxxxxxxx Severus woke sometime later as it was dark. Glancing at the clock he saw it read one-thirty and he was quite sure it wasn't in the afternoon. The fire had died down and as he looked at Hermione's sleeping form saw that she was shivering. He pulled his wand carefully out of his robe so as not to disturb her and called over a blanket. He carefully pulled it around her shoulders, but not carefully enough. Hermione's eyes fluttered open and she looked around. She seemed very co nfused, but when she saw Severus, she smiled and he found himself smiling back. Hermione had never gotten used to Severus smiling, but she loved it when he did. "I don't know about you, but I'm starving as we missed dinner." "I'm not very hungry." He stared at her for a minute. "Well, you're eating anyway," he said and stood up. Hermione who had been leanin g on his legs, fell forward and she glared up at him. He offered her his hand an d pulled her up. They walked down to the kitchen arm in arm. Hermione was fallin g asleep the whole time. "When was the last time you had a decent night's sleep?" "I don't know. I've been sleeping well." "You don't look it." "Well, you're looking absolutely gorgeous yourself." "I meant that you're practically falling over." "I am not." "Because you're hanging onto me." "Sev, honestly, I can take care of myself." "Which explains why you haven't been eating properly." She was silent at this. She looked up at Severus but he was looking ahead. "Why?" "Why what?" "Don't play dumb with me, Hermione," He said and looked down at her. "You've bee n staving yourself. At first I thought it was my imagination, but the other teac hers noticed that you didn't eat at meals either. And then we thought, well, may be she's eating in her rooms or something, but I know you're not Hermione. Look at yourself. You probably only weigh eighty pounds." "Eighty-six," she said defiantly. He turned to her and gripped her upper arms. "Do you think starving yourself is going to bring your parents back?" he hissed. She was taken completely by surprise. He hadn't spoke to her like that in ages. "It isn't! DO you think they would have wanted you to do this? Get on with your life! Don't forget them, because you shouldn't, but don't kill yourself. If tha t isn't your intention I'd like to know what you think that you're going to gain by not eating anything. You couldn't stand losing the people you love, but what about the people that you will be hurting? It is extremely selfish of you. Why? " "Sev," she started, but he had pulled her to him and was whispering in her ear. "Do you think life's always going to be easy? My parents and two sisters all wer e killed when I was your age. You cannot imagine the number of times I had tried to kill myself. Every time Albus turned up. I swear he had tracking devices on me. Lord knows he probably did. I was thinking the exact same things you are, He rmione. Everyone that mattered in my life, everyone Hermione, had died in less t han a minute. I was in my third year at Hogwarts, but my two sisters were to lit tle to be there. It was around Christmas and I was getting ready to go home when I received the owl from the ministry. I didn't eat or talk for weeks. Pomfrey a ctually force-fed me. She's the one who kept me from death and on more than one occasion actually terrified me. Hence my fear of her now. But Hermione, I had no one left and I managed to live. You still have people who care about you and wh o you care about. Don't do this to yourself." She was crying. Visibly shaking from the sobs. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she said over and over again. "We thought you were going to be alright. You were acting fine. I suppose that's

what everyone does." "Sev, stop please," she begged into his shoulder, but he wasn't through. "You mean too much to too many people, Hermione. Minerva would be devastated. No t to mention Potter and Weasley, and what about me?" Her knees gave way and Severus had to hold her up. "S-S-Sev." "Shh," he said rubbing her back. It had not been his intention to snap all of th at out at her, but she meant too much to him. He didn't want to lose her. After her crying had suppressed a bit she looked up with puffy, red eyes and the n stood on her tiptoes and kissed him softly on the cheek. "I won't leave you, Sev. I promise," she said and then buried her head in his sh oulder again. He let out a sigh and hugged her close to him. Making My Head Spin, Chapter 10 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/10/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 Before the staff and Hermione could register it was the day before everyone woul d return to Hogwarts. Hermione and Severus were enjoying the day by the lake. Se verus had gotten Hermione to eat something. Though it wasn't much as her stomach wasn't used to the food. He had no clue what was going to happen when everyone got back to school. He didn't want mean rumors going around about Hermione. Or h imself for that matter. Hermione too was pondering these ideas. She was leaning against Severus and he h ad his arms around her. A passerby would mistake them for a couple rather than t he friends they were. But for everyone in Hogwarts, it was a different story. "Sev, what are we going to do about being friends?" "Well, I was thinking maybe you could become a type of apprentice for me. That w ay I could get my papers and Poppy's medi-potions done and we could still see ea ch other on a regular basis." "Oh sure. Make me do the dirty work." "That's alright. I know you'll forgive me." "Well. What's stopping me from becoming your apprentice." "The fact that I would have to have consent from the entire staff that you will be able to continue keeping up your grades and not disturb anyone. The grades yo u could do. And I believe everyone would agree. Except-." "Minerva." Hermione finished. "Exactly. So, we shall have to convince her."

"Easy." "What?" "I'll do that part." "Well then." Hermione laughed and turned to hug her friend. True to her word Hermione convinced Minerva that se wanted to become Severus' ap prentice for more than just hanging around Severus. But she was rather put out s he didn't want to become an apprentice of Transfiguration. So after dinner they were sitting in Severus' room discussing potions or somethi ng like they usually do when an owl came flying in the room. It dropped a letter in Hermione's lap and Severus' eyes went wide. "Don't touch it." He warned. Hermione looked up at him. He took out his wand and moved the letter over to the table. Hermione moved over to sit next to him and he waved his wand to open the letter. Hermione didn't see what was so bad until she saw the seal. It was the dark mark. "Sev." She whispered. "That's strange." "What?" "It's not got anything exploding or any poisonous potions in it." "Is it supposed to?" "When you're muggle-born." "Read it." "Ok. Dear Miss Granger, Did you like the games we played? It is too bad about your family and friends. B ut we always play these types of games with people we want to join our ranks. He rmione and Severus looked at each other before he continued We were reluctant to accept you, as your background is quite disgusting. But you have proven to be a powerful witch, my dear. If you do not except, we will be forced to kill you. W rite back with your reply. Lord Voldemort Oh my God." He looked over at Hermione who was in tears. "Sev." "Don't cry. Come we must go see Dumbledore about this." He feared what this was going to do to her. Trying to push it out of his mind he held his hand out to he r. But she didn't except it like she usually did. She just sat there shaking her head. "Hermione." He whispered. "What it is about me? Everything, somehow, manages to go wrong." "We'll find a way around this." "He said he would kill me!" she shrieked looking into his eyes. "I won't let him." "Sev, I'm so scared." He looked at her and after a moment of deciding what to do picked her up damsel in distress style and carried her off to Dumbledore's offi ce. "I am truly stumped." Dumbledore stated 15 minutes later. Hermione was currently sitting on Severus' lap with her face in his shoulder. For some reason Severus could not figure out, Albus' eyes were twinkling more than usual. "Albus, we can't possibly let her go. I won't allow it." Minerva said. She had j oined them on the way up. "Minerva, I'm thinking here." "She can't go. It's not safe. For anyone. Especially her. She's muggleborn Albus . I don't know what they want but they'll kill her." "Severus, I'm thinking here." "Albus, what's to think about? She has to stay. What comes after that will just have to be determined." "I think that it's best if we send her." "WHAT!" Severus bellowed standing up. Hermione stationed in his arms. "Albus you cannot be serious!" Minerva screamed in rage. "He will kill her if she doesn't go." "He will kill her if she does." "Severus, think logically, they say she's proven a powerful witch. Why would the

y destroy her?" "So the light cannot win." Minerva said. "I will not allow you to send her. You'll have to kill me first." Severus stated . Minerva was standing by him. For the first time. Never in their lives had they thought they would be glaring at Albus Dumbledore. Or questioning him. "I'm taking her to bed." Severus said and stormed out of the room. "Albus, what are you thinking? She's just a little girl." Minerva said and she t oo left. But not in such a forceful manner. Severus headed straight for his quarters. Not bringing Hermione to her rooms but to his. "Sev, why does he want me to go?" Hermione asked. "I don't know. I don't usually question the man but, he's going a bit too far wi th this one." "I don't want to go." Hermione said tears pouring down her face. "You won't have to. Whether I have to lock you in a room somewhere." Hermione no dded as he sat on the couch. She snuggled into him. He sighed and pulled her clo se. 'What was she doing to him?' Severus woke up rather early. Hermione was still sleeping soundly. He wasn't sur e what Albus was trying to accomplish but he didn't like it at all. Hermione stirred and unconsciously snuggled against him. He sighed and kissed th e top of her head. He couldn't believe how much he loved her. He didn't know wha t he would do if he lost her. He too had suffered just one too many losses in hi s life. When Hermione woke she looked up and saw Severus smiling down at her. "Feeling better?" "Better? Vol-You-Know-Who sent me a request to join him, Dumbledore's actually c onsidering this idea, and I have a headache. I'm going back to sleep." "Oh no you're not." "Sev." "Don't whine at me." "I wasn't whining." "You were whining." "So what are we going to do on this, our last day without the whole of Hogwarts popultain here?" "Picnic by the lake." "We did that yesterday." "Well we're doing it again today." "Fine, fine, fine." "Do you not want to?" "Of course I do Frank." "Just when I thought you were over that." "I come back to bite." "Yes, now come doggie." "Excuse me?" "Your exact words, were I come back to bite. The first thing I thought of was a dog. Now come." "No." "You're not making this easy." "I never said I would." "Fine, have it your way." He said and then picked her up. "Sev!" she said before wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning her head on his chest. "My knight in shining armor." After they'd, well actually the house-elves, packed a cute little lunch they hea ded out to the lake. "No, we're going that way." Severus stated. "What's that way?" "Different scenery." After trudging about 15 minutes to the left of the lake they plopped down on the

shore of the lake. "I'm not hungry now Sev." "Well come here then." He said and she went and sat next to him leaning her head on his shoulder. "Have I ever told you, that you're my very best friend?" "Once or twice. But I like you to remind me." "So, when does my apprenticeship start." "Who cares? I don't want an apprentice I want my best friend." She started laugh ing and he looked at her strangely. "What?" "I was just thinking, if someone had told me a year ago that I would be sitting here with my head on your shoulder and your arm around my waist, confessing our undying friendship for each other I would have rented the next room available in St. Mungo's for them." She started to laugh again and he couldn't help but join her. She turned so she could see him and then leaned in and kissed his cheek. He smil ed and pushed her head back onto his shoulder. "I can't believe everyone will be here tomorrow. I dread what Harry and Ron are going to tell the others, if they haven't already." "About what?" "Us being 'friends'." "Do you care?" he asked. He was startin to get a bit worried about whether she w as going to ignore him after because of the way her friends treated her knowing she was hanging around him. If they were even going to go public with their frie ndship. Of course if Harry and Ron knew everyone probably knew already. "No." "Good." "Did I ever tell you what Mr. Weasley said about you?" "Do I even want to know?" "When you walked off that day in Diagon Alley his exact, or close to exact, word s were 'him moving in on students now'. Or something like that." "Well, I can't say I'd blame myself." He said with a mischievous grin. "Sev, how could you? I'm just a little girl." Hermione exclaimed in mock surpris e and hurt. "So everyone says." "Do you think I'm a little girl, Sev?" Hermione asked. "Of course not, my dear. I don't hang around little children." "Good." "Hermione, about that letter." "Sev, I really, really, really don't want to talk about it." "No, just a second. How old are you?" "14, Sev you know that." "Well, Voldemort doesn't usually start recruiting people until they are or almos t are 16." "But, I'm not even 15 yet." "So, am I the only one terribly confused?" "No. Why on earth would he want an under-aged muggle-born witch in his little gr oup?" "I'm not sure." "And why does Dumbledore want me to go?" "I don't even want to pursue that subject. I only know that I won't let you go. I won't let them make you and even if you by some chance wanted to go I would no t let you." "I wouldn't want to go if you paid me 5 million galleons." "I don't blame you one bit." "But can Dumbledore make me go?" "Of course not!" "Good." "So, what are we going to do when everyone arrives?" "What do you mean?" "Well, usually around 6 which is when they arrive, we are sitting in my living r

oom reading. I highly doubt that's going to happen anymore." "Of course it is Sev! I'm going to be able to stay in my chambers and I can just floo down there." "I had forgotten about that." "Somebody call the papers." "What?" "You admitted you forgot something." "That is not very funny Miss Granger." "I know." After hours of just sitting and talking and eating they headed back to the castl e. It was nearing 5 and Severus had to make sure everything was set up for the f east. Hermione just followed him around. "I want to walk down and meet them at the station." "So go on." "Are you going to come with me?" "I fear what everyone would think of their evil potion's master meeting everyone at the train station." "Good point I guess." "Well are you going?" Severus asked 5 minutes later. "Nope." "You honestly confuse me." "I think we should cherish these last minutes we have together before the others come." Remus had just walked in the room and was looking faint. "I think I'm going to go now. You've got everything set up in here right Severus ?" "Of course Remus." He practically fled the room. Severus and Hermione burst out laughing. "I think we're going to send him to an early grave." "Oh, Sev, we're so mean." "He's probably gone to get Minerva." His theory was correct as she burst in 10 s econds later. "Speak of the devil." "What do you think you're doing Severus?" "Making sure Peeves stays away form the first years with my friend here." "Remus was on about you cherishing each other! Explain." "Cherishing the moment Minerva." Hermione explained. "What moment!" "The last moment we have before hiding our friendship." "Honestly you're a bit over-protective of my Hermione." "Ha! You would be to if she had received summons from You-Know-Who himself and s tarted hanging around the most miserable man this side of the globe." "Minerva. Three words. Stress Relief Potion." "Two words Snape. Up Yo-." "Minerva! Hermione's still in the room." "I'm going to meet the first years now." She said and left the room. "Wow. I suppose we should get down to the hall now. How time flies when you real ly don't want it to." "Isn't that the truth." Making My Head Spin, Chapter 11 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/11/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision

s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 They sat down just before everyone got there. Hermione at Gryffindor table and S everus at his customary spot at the staff table. She noticed that as the Slyther ins walked in they scowled at him. Either he didn't notice or he really didn't c are. She couldn't help but feel sorry for him though. Her thoughts were interrupted a s she heard Harry and Ron come in. She ran over to meet them and threw her arms around their necks. "Hey, Hermione." They both said. "I can't breathe." Ron said finally and Hermione let go. "I'm starving." Harry stated as they made their way to the table. "So what else is new?" Hermione asked. "I here a certain Gryffindor has been made a prefect." Ron said looking at Hermi one. "Yep. But who's surprised?" "No one. But you can imagine everyone's shock when they found out Ron was one." Harry said. "Ron you're a prefect!" She exclaimed and then gave him another hug. "Yeah, we saw the seal and everyone swore it was for Harry." "Aww. Is Potter not a prefect?" "Go away Malfoy. You're not welcome here." "Well I don't want to talk to you Weasley." "Well then go away for God's sake." "I need to talk to Hermione for your information." Everyone in earshot jumped. M alfoy sat down at the Gryffindor table. Repeated Malfoy sat down at the Gryffind or table. Repeated Mal- never mind you get the point. He leaned over and whisper ed in her ear. "Joining the deatheaters Granger? Who would have thought? Don't know why they wa nt Mudbloods now. But father says I have to encourage you. So here I am." And th en his arm came around her waist. She stiffened but he wouldn't let go. "Do Pott er and Weasley know? They shouldn't. Too bad you had to spend all summer with th at traitor up there. Hmm. I wonder what your parents would say?" Hermione had had enough. "ENOUGH!" she yelled standing up. The whole hall turned to stare at her. Severus stood up but didn't get very far before she started yelling again. "LEAVE MY PA RENTS OUT THIS AND GET THE HELL AWAY FROM ME!" Malfoy smirked up at her. She stormed out of the hall leaving everyone in the ha ll in shock and a very smug Draco Malfoy. She headed straight to the dungeons an d knew Severus was following. She could feel his presence. She stormed into Seve rus' chambers and waited for him. When he arrived she was feeling a bit calmer than she had been before. But that didn't stop her form snapping. "Took you long enough." "Excuse me. Hermione what happened?" "What happened! What happened! Malfoy happened!" "While you might be my friend, you're still my student and I will not have you t alking to me like that."

"I don't want my teacher Sev, I want my best friend." Then she burst into tears. "Hermione. You have to tell me what happened before I can help." He said and sat down next to her and pulled her to him. "He-He knows about my letter. And he said something about his father encouraging me and then he put his arm around my waist and then insulted you and then he in sulted my parents and Sev. He knows! And he could tell the whole school. Blackma il. And I don't like the way he said encouraging." "He knows? But then he must be entering early as well. Lucius is a deatheater af ter all. That's not good." "Don't I know it. Sev, what's going to happen?" "I'm not sure but I have to go punish a certain Slytherin. I'm sure I can pin so mething on him. Unwanted content while giving sexual suggestions out to do it." "You're the best Sev." She said leaning up and pecking his cheek. "I know." He said and then left her. She curled up on her side and was soon fast asleep. She awoke to someone gently shaking her. "Hermione. You should probably go back to your quarters." "Sev, don't make me move. It's Saturday tomorrow. Can you believe that? Who woul d have thought the first day back at school would be a Saturday?" she was mumbli ng and he could barely make out what she was saying. "As much as I'd love for you to stay-." "See even you want me to stay. Besides-." She shut up because Severus had picked her up and was walking to the fireplace. "Alright, alright. I'm goin, I'm goin. " "See you in the morning." He said as she flooed off to her quarters. When morning came Hermione groggily rolled over, opened her eyes, then shrieked. "Don't do that!" Severus had been leaning over her. He smirked. He laid down nex t to her and she leaned her head on his chest. "So what did you do to Malfoy?" "Nothing. I talked to Dumbledore and he told me to just let it be unless somethi ng happens again." "Oh." "Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to you." he said looking into her eyes . "I know." She whispered and closed her eyes. She was asleep in about 5 minutes. Severus just smiled and wrapped his arms around her. About an hour later in the Gryffindor common room "Has anyone seen Hermione?" "She never came up last night." "Where's the map Harry?" "Hermione has it." "None of her stuff is up in our room." "That scares me." "You don't think it's Snape do you?" Harry whispered to Ron. He visibly paled an d shook his head violently. Willing it not to be true. Just then Hermione came prancing into the common room. "Where have you been?" "My quarters." Hermione said giving him a confused look. "Your quarters." "Yes, well where was I supposed to stay during the summer? Dumbledore said I cou ld stay there during the year too." "Oh." "Thank God, we thought it was Snape." Harry breathed. The other 5th years, besid es Ron, looked at him funny. "Oh, I'm not that bad am I Mr. Potter?" They jumped and turned around to see Sev erus sneering at them. "Professor!" "Save the excuses, Potter. Hermione, Dumbledore wants to talk to you." "Coming. See you guys later." She said and dashed after Severus. "Sev wait up!" The 5th years looked after her. Sev? In Dumbledore's office

"Hermione, I would like to discuss the matter of that letter." "Albus, I really don't want to go." She said almost begging him. She had not yet started calling him Professor again. "Then you don't have to my dear. But I would like to discuss why he sent it to y ou. Severus, would you leave us for a moment." Severus bowed his head but Hermio ne stopped him. "I'd rather he stay. I'd just tell him anyway." "Whatever you wish." Severus sat back down and Dumbledore began to talk again. "Hermione. Voldemort usually doesn't send those letter to people those letters u ntil they are of age, 16." "Yes, Sev and I were talking about that. It doesn't make sense." "It makes perfect sense. Hermione do you remember the time-turner in your third year?" "Of course." "It added a year to your life." Hermione did a double take. "What?" she exclaimed. "You will be turning 16 on the 19th. Lord knows how Voldemort found out." "I'm almost 16! When were you planning on telling me this!" she said getting ang ry. Severus put a hand on hers and she calmed down a bit. "We were going to tell you around your birthday but with recent events we decide d to tell you now." "We? Sev, you knew!" "No!" "No, he didn't. Only Minerva, the ministry, and myself knew." "Oh." "That is all my dear. But I just thought I'd tell you." "Thank you, Headmaster." And with that Severus and Hermione stood and left the office. "Sev. I'm so confused." "You're telling me." "So, I'm turning 16 and that's why Voldemort sent that letter." "I guess. But I want to know how he found out." "I don't know. But I don't like it at all." "It'll be ok." He said and grabbed her hand. They went down to Severus' chambers and both resumed their reading tradition. Coffee always on the table. Gryffindor Common Room "She's been gone an awful long time." "Let's go look for her Ron." Harry said and they left the others to themselves s aying they'd be back in awhile. 15 minutes later "Where could she be, we checked the library. And the grounds. Where else does sh e go?" "Dare we check the dungeons?" "No! I refuse to go down there. Let's go check the towers." "Right behind you." 56 minutes and 23 seconds later "Did you guys find her?" "No." Ron said as he and Harry came stumbling back in the common room. "Did you check the library?" "4 times." "Guess she's not there." "Nope." Just then Hermione came prancing once again into the common room. "Where have you been young lady?" Harry asked. "Reading." She said. "Where?" "My rooms." "I would like to know where your rooms are." Ron said. Hermione pointed to a pic ture of Godric Gryffindor on the wall. "It's connected to the common room."

"Why didn't you just use that." "I went by the library to pick up a book." "Fine." After dinner Hermione was walking back to her room when an arm came around her w aist from behind. "The Dark Lord doesn't take no for an answer." "Leave me alone Malfoy." She hissed. She was frantically looking around but the corridor was deserted. She considered screaming but he put a hand on her mouth. "That wouldn't be smart." He said his lips brushing her ear. She shivered and he laughed. "You didn't reply to the Dark Lord's letter, Mudblood. You have angere d him." Hermione was struggling against him. "Stop, you're just wasting your ene rgy. Now I'm going to remove my hand, but you're not going to scream. Do you hea r me?" Like hell she wasn't going to scream. But then she felt a wand in her bac k. "Now listen to me, we're going to the owlry. There we are going to write a li ttle note saying you are thrilled to be part of our group. You simply have no ch oice." And with that he stabbed her with the wand. She let out a little cry but he was already marching her forward. When they reached one of the higher levels she saw someone moving. Not wanting t o pass up the opportunity she started to scream. Nothing but screams. She was si lenced a second later by a powerful silencing charm. But it was enough so the fi gure heard and it came darting towards them. Malfoy pulled her behind a suit of armor. Not a smart move on his part. She kicked it over. Panicking he let go of her and darted off into the darkness. Minerva came into view a second later and gasped as she saw Hermione. "What happened?" she exclaimed. Finding she couldn't speak because of the charm she just grabbed her guardians hand. Pulling her into a motherly hug, Minerva st arted murmuring word of comfort. Hermione began so softly cry. "Come, let's get you to the hospital wing." She said pulling the girl along. The suit of armor started to carefully reassemble itself. Once in the light of the hospital wing Minerva called on Poppy and realized for the first time that Hermione was under a silencing spell. "Thank you." she whispered. "Hermione, what happened?" "M-M-Malfoy." She stuttered. "What did he do?' "He was threatening me about becoming a deatheater. Telling me that You-Know-Who didn't take no for an answer." "Poppy, can you take care of her for a second. I have to go inform Dumbledore." "Minerva?" Hermione whispered. Her guardian turned. "Thank you." She gave her a quick hug and then went off to find Dumbledore. "Poppy?" "Yes, dear?" "Can you get Sev, please?" "Of course." She went over to the fireplace and Severus head popped into the fla mes. "Yes, Poppy?" "Severus, we have a bit of a problem." "What?" he asked and then looked past her and saw a tear faced Hermione. His eye s practically doubled in size and he was standing in the hospital wing faster th an Hermione could blink. Nodding at Poppy he quickly went over and wrapped Hermione in his arms. "What happened?" he whispered in her ear. "Malfoy." He pulled back and started shouting. "What the hell did he do now!" "Severus, I think you need to calm down a bit while we talk." Dumbledore said fr om behind him. He and McGonagall had just entered the hospital wing. "Poppy, wil l you excuse us for a moment." She nodded and left the others to themselves. "Hermione, are you hurt in anyway?" she shook her head. "What exactly did he say ?" After a play-by-play account of what happened Severus had moved behind her an d she was leaning against him. Minerva was shaking her head, and Dumbledore was

looking very grave. "We have to move her out of that area of the castle." Minerva stated. "It's alwa ys deserted." "She can move down to my chambers, I do have the guest room." "Or she could just move back to Gryffindor Tower." Minerva said. "No, I don't want to be around everyone." Hermione stated. "What do you want Hermione?" "I want everything to be normal again." She said close to tears. "I think, if you have no objections, moving you down to Severus' guest room woul d be the best idea." "Albus, can you imagine the rumors that would pop up?" "Severus can protect her Minerva. And that's what she needs. Harry and Ron can b e there when she's not with Severus." "What are you going to do about Malfoy?" Hermione asked. "I shall go talk to him." Dumbledore said. "Meanwhile, Severus take Hermione bac k up to her rooms to collect anything she will need right away. Then take her do wn to your quarters." "Yes, headmaster." Severus said and after Hermione gave Minerva a quick hug, he guided her out of the hospital wing. But Hermione slept with Severus that night like they had over the summer. She di dn't want to be alone and he didn't want to leave her. Making My Head Spin, Chapter 12 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/12/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 Luckily once again it was still the weekend. Severus woke up before Hermione and stared at her. He had no clue why she wanted to be around him at all never mind sharing his bed. But he wasn't complaining. Her hair was tickling his neck and he was tempted to brush it out of the way. But he didn't. He had no clue why. 'I love her' he decided finally. He had been pushing any thoughts like that out of his mind. But now he let them seep through and soon it seemed she was the onl y thing occupying his mind. He pulled her closer to him as an unconscious moveme nt. He woke her up. "Sev, I was sleeping happily you know." She mumbled. "Oh well. What fun would it have been if I let you sleep?" "Sev!" she cried and then tried rolling away from him. "None of that mon ami." Babel fish translations say that means 'my friend'.

"Sev, I really want to go back to sleep." "What will your friends think?" "I'm supposed to be down here anyway." She pointed out. Severus let out a frustr ated sigh. "Fine, go back to sleep." "Thank you." Severus made to get up and leave her but she pulled him back down. "Where do you think you're going? You have to protect me from Malfoy." "Oh, and I suppose this includes sleeping with you." "Yep." He sighed again and took her once more in his arms. By the time they woke up again it was lunchtime. "Minerva's gonna have my head." Severus stated as he and Hermione rolled out of bed. "Why?" "I've kept you down here until lunch." He then put on a high-pitched voice. "Sev erus Snape! Are you SLEEPING with Hermione? Don't you lie to me!" Hermione laughed and went to the guest room where her clothes were. 10 minutes l ater she and Severus were merrily chatting on their way up to lunch. Just before they entered the Great Hall though they stopped talking and just walked in. On her way over to the Gryffindor table Hermione glanced at the Slytherins and s aw Malfoy smirking at her from his position at the Slytherin table. "Hermione! You said you were going to meet us last night and when you didn't sho w up we went to your portrait and tried to get you but you didn't answer. And th en you weren't at breakfast! Where were you?" Harry demanded. The other 5th year s and Ginny listening intently. "I was with Severus. Malfoy attacked me!" she exclaimed. But they didn't hear th e Malfoy bit. "Severus? Severus? You're sleeping with teachers!" Ron yelled causing the whole hall to turn to him. Hermione buried her head in her hands and Severus was shoot ing daggers at Ron. Hermione regained her composure though and turned mean. "NO I AM NOT SLEEPING WI TH TEACHERS THANK YOU VERY MUCH RONALD WEASLEY! IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHERE I WAS YOU SHOULD AT LEAST WAIT UNTIL I AM DONE TALKING!" she was completely fuming and Severus congratulated himself for teaching her how to lie so well. "GO BACK TO YOUR LUNCHES!" "You." she said pointedly to Ron but a bit calmer. "I was saying Malfoy attacked me last night for your information. And Alb-Dumbledore assigned Severus to prot ect me." "I'm gonna kill him." "I'm gonna kill all three of them. Malfoy for daring to touch Hermione, Dumbledo re for assigning her to Snape, and Snape himself for well, being there." "I don't think the last to could pass of in court Mr. Weasley." Severus said gla ring before sitting down beside Hermione. "How much did you tell them?" "That he attacked me and that Albus assigned you to protect me." "Everyone go back to your breakfast. There's nothing here for you to hear." Seve rus said to the craning people trying to see why their evil SLYTHERIN potion's m aster was sitting at the GRYFFINDOR table. "You didn't-." "NO!" "That's extremely annoying you know." "What did you have to say?" "She didn't what?" "Nothing Mr. Potter. Now, if you will please be quiet. We were trying to keep th is quiet." He said looking pointedly at Ron. Who blushed and looked down at his plate. "But as everyone now knows, that is completely pointless. Now, if I ever hear any of you mention, discuss, or question the subject again I will have you expelled. And Dumbledore is completely behind me on this so don't think you can get through." The Gryffindors gulped and nodded. "And that goes double for all y ou eaves-droppers." He said and all the closest students turned back to their br eakfasts blushing. "One question." Harry said and before anyone could stop him. "How did you know w

hat he was going to say Hermione?" Both Severus and Hermione glared and stood up at the exact same time. They glare d at each other and Hermione sat back down. "Severus!" Minerva called. "I need your help." "It's ok Sev, at least it's not Poppy." Severus glared at her again but she was the only one who knew he didn't mean it because the sneer didn't travel up to hi s eyes. He stormed out of the Great Hall after Minerva. "Hermione?" "Yeah." "Why are you calling all the teachers their first names?" Parvati asked. She shrugged. "Habit." After lunch Hermione, Harry, and Ron headed to the library. Well Hermione was go ing and they didn't want to leave her an open target for Malfoy. So they followe d, bringing Harry's portable chess set with them. But just outside the door they stopped hearing much screaming. "Well let me shove it up there for you!" Severus. "You can't just shove it up there! You have to be gentle!" and Minerva. Harry, R on, and Hermione were all looking very sick, after all they had missed the begin ning of the conversation. If that's what it was. "Hermione. Why don't you handle that? I'm scared to go in." Hermione swallowed a nd softly opened the door and let out a grateful breath. Minerva was standing on a ladder trying to put books on the top shelf. Severus was standing there handi ng her books. She went into the library and closed the door behind her. "You might want to calm down. Your conversation just doesn't sound right. The on ly things I heard were 'shove it up there' and be gentle'. Not exactly the thing s I would choose to let people hear." Hermione said making the two to jump and t hen both turned crimson. "Hermione, my dear, what are you doing walking alone up to the library?" Severus said putting his arm around her waist and leading her over to a table that was stacked with books needing to be put back on their shelves. "Actually Harry and Ron were looking rather green from the snatches of conversat ion we heard and I think they went to the infirmary." "No, we're here." Ron said and Severus took his arm from Hermione's waist. It wa s a good thing that he didn't turn around or he might have died from the looks h e was getting from the boys. They came and sat down "So, what are you doing?" "Minerva 'volunteered' us to help Madam Pince put all these books back." "Well the poor dear. I'm starting to worry about her. She claimed to see Mrs. No rris. The cat's been dead for months." "Rather disturbing I must admit." "Has anyone seen Fabrizio? I have to ask him something." Hermione said. He hadn' t shown up in the couple of days they had been back in school. "You'll have to wait dear. He's got a rather bad cold at the moment." "Thanks." She and Fabrizio, though not close, had developed a bit of a friendshi p and she needed to ask him if there were any secret passages to the library. Harry and Ron had started their chess game and Hermione walked up and down the r ows of books. Severus looking after her until he couldn't be seen anymore. Then picked another book up for Minerva. "Severus would you stop looking at her like that." "I'm not looking at her like anything. I'm rather worried if you'd like to know the truth. I don't trust anyone at the moment." He said all this forgetting that Harry and Ron were in earshot and that he was acting like he had over the summe r. Certainly not like their evil potion's master. "Honestly Severus, you are completely smitten with her. Don't try to deny it." "Minerva, you're a complete nutcase. Hermione's my best friend. I highly doubt I 'm going to pull ANYTHING on her." "I've got my eye on you Severus Snape." "I've got my eye on everyone." "Honestly Minerva. Even if Frank did try something do you honestly think I'd let

him?" "Love, do you think we ought to tell her. I think I am finally sick of all this running around." He semi-whispered. "Sev! We can't tell. We've finally got it so I'm down in the dungeons. If we tel l how are we gonna sleep together?" Minerva fell off the ladder. Severus caught the tiny woman and laughed. "I'm scared." Harry stated. The three spun forgetting that they were in the room . Severus pulled out his wand and advanced on the boys. "Sev, what are you doing?" "Obliviate!" Severus said pointing his wand at Harry and then repeated with Ron. "That was unnecessary." "Was it your turn or mine?" Harry asked Ron. The three snickered and went back t o what they were doing. Making My Head Spin, Chapter 13 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/13/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 The rest of September and August passed without much incident. Hermione started her apprenticeship and she, and Severus, both loved it. Hermione hadn't found a passage to the library. And she was still living down in the dungeons. On the current date, October 31st, Severus was teaching Hermione how to make the Wolfsbane potion. "Dragon's blood next." "Dragon's blood?" "Are words coming out of my mouth?" "No, actually, and it's kind of hard to lip read and then guess what you're sayi ng." "What?" "Umm, you were going on and on about the history of the Wolfsbane and as fascina ting as it is, I had had enough." "What are you saying?" "Silencing spell, Sev. But don't worry it only lasts an hour." "HERMIONE!" "What? I can't hear you Sev." She said smirking. He held out his hands as if to strangle her. "Not around the potions!" He backed off and just glared. The hour was almost up. "Hermione?" she dropped the spoon she was holding. "You're dead."

She quickly pulled out her wand and pointed at his head. "Don't make me hurt you ." He pulled out his wand as well. "Don't make me hurt you." "I think, that is enough teacher/student combat." Dumbledore said smiling from t he door. "Hello Albus." They both said and put their wands away, still glaring at each ot her. "Besides trying to hex each other, how's it going?" "Fine, fine." "I have a favor to ask you Severus." Severus face fell and he sighed. "I never like it when you say that." "I need you and Hermione to go help with the Halloween decorations." "Oh, is that all? Thank God. Last time someone asked me to do them a favor, I en ded up with this Gryffindor here. Though I must admit that it hasn't been as bad as expected." "Thank you oh so very much, Sevi." She said and kissed him on the cheek. "I love you too." "Of course, of course. Come, to the Great Hall." He held out his arm for her and they left leaving a Dumbledore chuckling behind them. Well for the first time decorating the Great Hall for Halloween Hermione was hav ing a ball. She and Severus had been in charge of carving Jack-O-Lanterns. The w izarding way of course. It was less messy. Besides the fact that bats were continuously hitting them in the head for they w ere not yet getting the hand of staying in the air, the pumpkins turned out very well. If Hermione and Severus did say so themselves. And they did. "Oh, we did wonderful Sev." "Yes, I think these are the best ones yet." "Some people are a bit full of themselves." Minerva said from behind them. "But we Minerva, at least are getting somewhere. You on the other hand, in case you haven't noticed yet, still have psychotic bats hitting me in the head." "Go check to make sure the house-elves are alright." She said. "Dumbledore's ord ers. You have plenty pumpkins." "And you'll have plenty of dead bats if they don't stop." He said dodging anothe r bat. "Just go Severus, before I blow up!" Minerva said pointing at the door. Hermione followed Severus laughing. She loved it when those two went at each other's thr oats. "I don't see why we have to check on the house-elves. They've always managed bef ore." "Aww. It's Ok, Sev." The house-elves were fine. And dinner was served at exactly 6. Hermione and Seve rus sitting at their respective tables. Harry and Ron each came and sat on either side of her, as they had been since Ma lfoy attacked her. She was laughing and talking to her friends but couldn't help wanting to be with Severus. So caught up in what they were doing they didn't hear anyone come in u ntil they heard a loud "CRUCIO!" It was aimed at Dumbledore and he ducked out of the way just in time. 3 deatheaters were standing at the door to the hall. Many gasps were heard aroun d the hall and Severus was glaring more dangerously than ever. While they starte d to say mock pleasantries, Severus, who was at the very end of the table stood up and crawled along the now dark shadows of the hall. Gryffindor table was fart hest to the wall and Hermione was sitting against it. He slowly made his way tow ard her knowing it was her that the deatheaters were after. Tapping her on the s houlder he pulled her out of the Hall. But not before the deatheaters saw them. "Severus old chap. How good to see you." Avery. He knew it was Avery. "Crucio!" he yelled and Severus pulled Hermione out of dodge by ducking out of the hall. R unning with her down to the dungeons. Gasping the password he pulled her inside. But he didn't stop he pulled her into the guest room and muttered the password to the secret room.

"Stay." He demanded. "You're not leaving are you?" "Yes. There could be more." "Sev, they'll kill you!" "No, I'll be back I promise." He said grabbing her shoulders. She flung her arms around his neck. "Don't go! Sev, it's suicide! Let Dumbledore and the others handle it. Just say you were trying to protect me." "Hermione look at me. The bastards almost killed me. I intend to repay them." "Is that all you care about? Revenge? What about me? What about me, Sev?" she wa s almost crying by this point. "How can you say that? Do you know how selfish it would be for me to stay here?" "No, please enlighten me Sev." But as soon as he started talking she kissed him. In shock he pushed her away. Searching her eyes, he . He pulled her back to him and kissed her back. He ran his tongue along her bottom lip and she moaned as s he parted her lips. Tongues battling they eventually came up for much needed bre ath. "I have to go, Hermione." He whispered. Kissing her once more he fled the dungeo ns. Leaving a crying Hermione behind. Making My Head Spin, Chapter 14 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/14/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 Hermione paced, and paced, and paced. She looked at the little clock. 5 minutes! Why had she kissed him again? Where did that come from? Of course he didn't see m to mind so much. She stopped pacing and made herself a cup of tea. What if he was right and more deatheaters were there? Every part of her body was panicking. She didn't want to lose him too. Not another person. Not another per son she loved. She couldn't take another death. She'd already lost so much. Meanwhile, Severus had been right. The hall was soon full of deatheaters and Dum bledore was looking pretty mad. Well that is an understatement. He had also been right to think Hermione had been what they were after. They ann ounced quite soon that they wanted her to join them and they seemed to think the y would. The younger students had ducked under the tables after the orders of th e prefects and heads. The older students, well some of them, were standing with their wands out as well as the staff. Draco Malfoy, along with most of the other older Slytherins, were standing with

the deatheaters. He wasn't that surprised. "Severus, back again. But alone I see. Come, come. I haven't seen you in months. " Severus calmly walked into the hall and instead of stopping front of the deathea ter went straight up to the staff table and sat back down. "Oh, do you not want to talk? Where's the mudblood?" "Not here." "Oh, aren't we the smart one. Tell me where she is Severus my friend." "The day I am your friend, Avery, is the day I will tell you where Hermione is." "Ouch. I'm hurt Severus." "There's no need for all that." Someone said from behind him. Everyone gaped as another deatheater brought and unconscious Hermione into the hall. Severus falte red for a minute. "Oh, well never mind then." "What do you think you're going to accomplish by having him here?" Severus asked . "I'm certainly not going to lead you to where she is." "Whatever do you mean?" Severus pointed at the 'Hermione' who someone had revive d. "What about her?" "Avada Kedavra." Severus said pointing his wand at the girl. "SEVERUS!" Minerva screeched. "Hermione has brown eyes." He stated. And the now dead 'Hermione' most definitel y did not have brown eyes. 'She' started to transform before their eyes revealin g a now dead Lucius Malfoy. Hermione looked at the clock again. 25 minutes. What was taking him so long? Well, Draco wasn't to pleased to pleases to say the least. He sent a couple of b ad but not quite unforgivable curses up to Severus, who skillfully dodged them. "Very good Snape." "I try." "As much as I hate to break up this little argument." Dumbledore started sarcast ically which made everyone in the hall cringe. "GET OUT OF MY SCHOOL!" Plate, goblets, forks, spoons, and everything else on the tables flew with Dumbl edore's rage. The younger students huddled together and it was all that the olde r students could do to keep form cowering in fear as well. The knives had also flown and were all currently stabbed into the tables. Which didn't help calm everyone. "Tsk, tsk, Albus. That temper will get you in trouble one day." "Yes, and if you don't get out you will be in trouble. Aurors from around the gl obe should be here in a matter of seconds. Dementors and all. You didn't quite m anage to get them on your side in case you forgot." "Sarcasm really isn't your thing Albus." But then they were gone. Severus who ha d stood up with the curses being fired at him collapsed into his chair. "Prefects, get everyone back to the houses. Stay there until notified by your he ad of house. Slytherins, I know you still have one of your prefects. Miss Parkin son, you can handle that on your own?" "Yes, Professor." "Ravenclaws, it looks like you lost a prefect as well, you will be able to conti nue?" "Yes, Professor." The Ravenclaw prefect left yelled. Upon looking around, Slytherin had not been the only house to lose older student s to the Dark Lord. A few Ravenclaws and a single Hufflepuff had gone. Gryffindo r was the only one all still there. "Severus, I ask you do not go to Miss Granger straight away. They might still be here and follow you." "Of course Albus." Severus nodded in understanding. He left with the other teach ers to search the grounds. An hour and a half. Hermione swore her hair was turning gray. What about Severus ? Harry? Ron? Minerva? Albus? She didn't want to lose any of them. And she of co urse didn't trust the deatheaters. She made herself another cup of tea and again sat and waited. The deatheaters had vanished. There wasn't a trace of them on all of Hogwarts gr

ounds. Severus breathed a sigh of relief and waited until he could go get Hermio ne. "Albus?" "Go on man." "Thank you." he said and then took off running. He entered his chambers and plac ed an ssortment of spells on the place so no one could get in, and also checked to make sure no unwanted people were already there. Rushing to the guest room he shouted the password and the door flung open reveal ing a rather distressed looking Hermione. She jumped up and threw her arms aroun d his neck. "I-Thought-You-Were-Dead." She said starting to cry, "You've-been-gone-for- almo st-two-hours." "I had to make sure they weren't coming back." He whispered into her hair. "Don't do that again." She said seriously pulling back for him and looking into his eyes. Then she stood on tiptoes and kissed him again. It was awhile before t hey finally went to bed. Making My Head Spin, Chapter 15 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/15/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 When Severus woke up he was surprised to find Hermione was not there. Getting sl owly up he went into the sitting room and saw her reading. Like nothing had happ ened. "Hermione, are you alright?" "Of course, Sev, why?" she asked looking over her book. But was interrupted by a knock at the door. "Hermione, I do believe if you do not get out here, there will be a riot." It wa s Dumbledore. "Harry and Ron are practically wetting themselves trying to wish y ou a happy birthday." Hermione laughed at the headmaster using the expression 'wetting themselves'. Severus on the other hand shook his head to clear his thoughts. It was a dream? But soon got over it as he still had to wish his best friend happy birthday. "Come here you." he demanded. Hermione turned to look at him and smiled. She sto od up and walked to him and he pulled her into a hug. "Happy 15th, no 16th Birth day, my dear." "Thanks Sev." She said and kissed him on the cheek. "I do have a surprise for you but, it will have to wait."

"Ohh, Frank!" "Don't you Frank me. Go see Potter and Weasley while I get changed." "Aww. But I think it would be fun to see the reactions if you just went up in th at." She said pointing at his black pajama pants. He hadn't put his shirt on. "Yeah, yeah, yeah." After she left he shook his head once more. 'Well that was weird.' Upon entering the Great Hall he saw Hermione at the Gryffindor table decked out in a tacky little party hat. Had they always done this? Maybe it was because of her 16th Birthday. But they didn't know, did they? Still semi-disorientated he made his way to the staff table and plopped down pou ring himself a killer cup of coffee. Hermione would have been lying had she said she wasn't having any fun. But she w anted to be with Severus. He looked so lonely. And it reminded her that, until h er, he hadn't had many, if any, friends. Which made her sad because she knew how nice he really was. But if he knew about that dream last night. Making his way back to the dungeons he spun as he heard shoes on the floor. Herm ione came towards him smiling broadly. "Hey, Sev." She said placing her arm in his. He smiled and led her to their cham ber. When they got to the door he stepped behind her and covered her eyes. "Sev!" "Shh." He knew she was going to love her present. It had taken him forever to fi gure out what to get her. "Sev!" "Now, listen. It's a surprise. And I frankly don't trust you." "Fine, fine." He led her into the living room lifting her a bit as they entered the door. "OK, ready?" "Yep." He let go of her and she opened them to see a large box wrapped in green paper with a sliver bow. "Oh, how Slytherin of you Sev." "Just open it." He said getting anxious about whether she would like it or not. She gently pulled the box onto her lap. And was curious as it didn't feel like i t had anything in it. "It's a charm, my dear. I couldn't have you guessing what it is." "You are just no fun Sev." She carefully pulled the bow out and before opening the box she stood up. This c onfused Severus until she walked over to him and stuck the bow on his head and t hen muttered a spell beneath her breath. "Hermione Granger! What did you do?" he said trying to tug the bow off. "It looks cute Sev. Do it for me. It's my birthday." "I refuse to wear a bow. Your lucky your birthday falls on a Saturday or I would have killed you. Now, open your present." She started to unwrap it and let out a little shriek as it moved. "Sev!" "Open it." She did. And when she pulled the top off a completely black kitten, right down t o his eyes, jumped onto her. "Oh my gosh! Sev! He's so cute!" she took the little silver collar that was on i t and looked at the tag. It was blank so she could inscribe the name on it. She jumped up, kitten in hand, and threw her arms around Severus. "Well, I knew you had lost your other cat." "Thank you so much!" she said and kissed him on the cheek. "Frank." "What?" "No, I'm naming him Frank." "Don't you think he looks to noble to be a Frank?" "Well, you apparently look to noble to be a Frank. But I've been calling you tha t for months. And put it this way. If I name my kitten Frank, I can't possibly c all you that." Severus quickly waved his wand and Hermione looked at his tag. 'Frank' "I thought that would change your mind." She said smiling. She kissed him once m

ore. "Come on, I have to show Harry and Ron." She squealed and pulled Severus af ter her. "Do I have to come?" "Yep." "Minerva! Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed. Turning a corner she had all but plowed into her guardian. "Look, look." "Oh, what a cute cat." "Sev gave him to me. His name's Frank." Minerva then looked behind Hermione and saw Severus. Then she cracked up. And out of nowhere pulled out a camera. Hermio ne turned around and saw what Minerva was laughing at and giggled. "What?" Severus demanded. "Nice bow, Severus." Minerva said gliding past. Hermione couldn't hold it in any more and almost collapsed. Severus went form looking confused, to looking shocke d, to looking furious. "Hermione Granger!" "Come on Sev." She said grabbing his hand and pulling him after her. When she go t to the Gryffindor common room she was literally pulling Severus. "Miss Granger!" "Oh, Sev, be a sport." "I am not a sport I am Severus Snape and do not sink to wearing bows." At this p oint the common room door had opened and the entire Gryffindor house was staring at him like he was a lunatic. "Look at my kitten!" Hermione exclaimed. "Are you talking about the one in your hand or the one with the bow?" Soemone ca lled from the back. Snape glared. But no one could find him so terrifying with a big silver bow on his head. "Just you wait, Hermione Granger." He hissed in her ear before he was yanked int o the common room. "Love the bow Professor." Harry managed. "It really is your color." "500 points from Gyffindor!" he said trying to glare his hardest. "Don't listen to him. He's the one who bought the bow." Hermione said smirking. Severus pulled out his wand but it was snatched by Hermione. "No memory charms t oday Sev." There was a murmur of whispers at Hermione using his first name. "What's his name Mione?" Ginny asked. "Professor Snape." Hermione said looking at Ginny weird. "Not his name the kitten's name." "Talk about moronic." Severus muttered. "Oh! Frank." "Frank?" "Yep." The students failed to see their Potion's master smirk. "After Severus. W hose real name is Frank but it embarrasses him." "My name is not Frank. Detention." "He's just mad. I promised I wouldn't tell." "For a week." "But really, I think Frank suits him better." "For a month." "Don't you?" "Till you graduate." "Anyway, I have to go show Dumbledore my kitten." Hermione said standing up. "Co me along Frank 1 & 2." She said. Snape glared at her and she smiled. The Gryffin dors just smirked at him as they went by. Hermione exited first and before divin g out he turned and said. "20 points from Gryffindor". AS soon as he was gone the Gryffindors, as scared as they were because of Snape. Cracked up. "I am going to kill you!" Severus exclaimed and took off after a running Hermion e. "SEVERUS SNAPE!" Minerva screeched causing both Hermione and Severus to flinch. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?" "Killing Hermione for my bow." He said and then pushing Hermione down the hall t

hey left a fuming McGonagall and ran in to a laughing Dumbledore. "I love the bow Severus." "I think it needs a minor adjustment." Hermione stated and waved her wand. Dumbl edore and McGonagall both started to laugh and Minerva got her camera back out. "What did you do to it?" "It's now red and gold." She stated. "I figured." "Oh I have a better idea!" she exclaimed and waved her wand again. Minerva could barely hold the camera straight. "Pink?" Severus asked. Hermione nodded her head laughing. Severus joined in and pretended to strangle Hermione. Before putting his arms around her waist form th e back and resting his chin on her head. "Youa re going to pay you know." "Yep. I sure do. And I know it will be hell." Making My Head Spin, Chapter 16 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/16/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 Hermione after 4 hours and lunch which she brought him too, pink bow and all, sh e even added glitter too it by that point, she finally gave him back his wand, a fter he promised not to cast any memory charms, and he took off the pink bow. Th en he refused to talk to her and just sat on his couch staring into the fire. Un til Hermione got so annoyed she just had to get him to stop. "Sev, you can't be that mad at me." she whined. He didn't so much as look at her . "Fine be that way." She said before plopping down on his lap. He looked at her startled. "Well, I wasn't getting your attention any other way." He sighed. "Fine, I forgive you for making my morning hell and embarrassing me m ore than I have ever been embarrassed." "You make it sound like I was a bad girl." "Bad girl, very bad girl." Hermione stuck out her bottom lip and pouted. "But, I can't possibly stay mad at you. Damn you, I'm always able to stay mad at people ." He moved so they were lying down and he wrapped his arms around her from behind. "Oh, I wouldn't like to see Minerva's face if she walked in right now." "Damn Minerva as well." Hermione giggled. Frank, the cat, jumped onto the couch as well and curled up at their feet. "One big happy family." Hermione joked. Severus almost choked. On air. "No, because if I was related to you, I would somehow have connection to Minerva

McGonagall. I have enough nightmares as it is." "Oh, that was mean." Hermione said trying her best not to laugh. It didn't work. "So are you excited about tonight?" "Sev, what's going on tonight?" "Oh, I didn't tell you?" "No, Sev what are you talking about?" "Oh, I can't believe I didn't tell you. It must have completely slipped my mind. " "Sev, tellll me." "Lovely day, isn't it?" "SEVERUS SNAPE!" "You're beginning to sound like Minerva, my dear." "Sevvvvvvv." "You're just going to have to wait I guess." "Ugg. You're no fun." "I know." He said and leaned over to kiss her forehead. "Please, please, please." "No, no, no. Now stop begging. It doesn't become you." "Mean Potions Master." "I have to live up to my title." "Yeah, yeah, yeah." "Hermione, you can't go like that." Severus stated a few hours later. "Sev, we're just going to the Great Hall." She said. She was sitting on the couc h reading a book and not paying any attention to Severus. "No, now come on. You have to go get dressed. Muggle attire would be best." She turned to look at him and gaped. "What?" "You're wearing muggle clothes." She stated. And not just any muggle clothes des igner suit and all. "I feel underdressed." She said looking down at her school r obes. "Yes, so go get on one of your fancy dresses and hurry." "It will take simply ages for me to get ready. Why didn't you inform me of this earlier?" But before he could so much as get a syllable out she had disappeared. Emerging half an hour later, Hermione was dressed in her best. To make Severus h appy she had worn her dark green dress. It went down to her knees and then fanne d out to the floor. It only had spaghetti straps and a thin shawl to drape over her arms. She had put her hair up into a curly bun with a few strands hanging lo se around her face. She had only put on minimal make-up because she really just couldn't be bothered with the stuff. When she walked out into the living room, Severus was reading her book and she c leared her throat. He looked up and then dropped the book. Looking embarrassed h e quickly reached down and picked it up. "Will I do? You really didn't give me enough time." "You look fine, my dear. Now, we have to hurry. We're apperating." "Sev, I can't apperate." "No, but I can." She made a slight whimpering noise. "What?" "Is that safe?" "Is what safe?" "Apperating with two people. I've read most cases like that end up splinching th emselves." "That's only for people who don't know how to apperate with two people. I've don e it hundreds of times and have only splinch one person." She looked at him in h orror. "I was only joking, Hermione." "Don't do that. That is not the way to get me to go with you, especially when I don't know where we're going!" "Calm down. We're going to dinner." "Well, I figured that." "Just telling you. So see, you do know where we're going." "Only relatively." "We don't have time to sit here and chat." "I never thought I'd hear the day when you said 'chat'."

"What?" "Never mind. Lead me to where I need to be. I'm putting all my faith in you." "Well, as part of this faith do NOT tell Minerva we were out tonight. She'd have a cow. If she hasn't already." At this point Hermione playfully slapped his arm . "HEY! That's unwanted student/teacher conduct. I could have you expelled for t hat." "You wouldn't get me expelled Sev." "Oh?" "You love me too much." "Oh, I forgot about that." "Now come. We're going to be late." He said offering her his arm, which she grat efully took. "Not that way. Minerva has that whole hallway bugged." "What way are we going?" "The back way." "The back way." He led her out a door that led out onto the grounds. And they slowly began to wa lk towards Hogsmeade. "So, where exactly are we going?" "Not telling." "Sev." "Patience, my dear, patience." When they got down to Hogsmeade, before she could protest, took her in his arms and apperated. But he put a hand over her eyes before she could see where they w ere. "Have you ever had dinner under the stars, Hermione?" he whispered in her ear. "Yes." "Have you ever had dinner among the stars?" he asked and then removed his hand. She gasped. By stars, she thought he meant famous people. "Oh Sev!" she gasped. Looking around she saw hundred of stars everywhere. "Earth is that way." He said pointing to the left. She turned and saw a tiny orb in the sky, which she thought he was pointing to. "We're actually in space?" "Yes. It's a magical restaurant." "I figured. Of Sev, wow." "May I show you to your seats?" A fancily dressed waiter asked. A few minutes later they were sitting at a small table in a room that was attach ed to the main room. Unlike in the rest of the restaurant where there was a floo r and ceiling, this room was like a bubble, except the floor was flat. The only thing that convinced her that they weren't just somewhere in space was the fact that people kept flying, not literally, past the door and the fact that they wer en't floating. "Oh Sev." She breathed again. He was ordering wine or champagne. Or something. "To celebrate your 16th birthday." He stated. "There isn't a drinking age here." He motioned to the stars. "I've never heard of this place." "I'm not surprised. Only the highest in the wizarding society are allowed. Don't you feel special?" "Terribly so." The waiter then returned and poured them each a glass of champagn e. "Happy Birthday, Hermione." He said raising his glass. They clinked in mid air a nd they both sat back in their chairs. Dinner really ended too soon for Hermione's liking. But they stayed awhile and w atched the stars. A shooting star even passed. I know there aren't such things a s shooting stars. They're really just comets and stuff, but we can pretend. "Come along, my dear." He said standing. She reluctantly got to her feet and too k his offered arm. "Did you enjoy this?" "Very much." She said leaning her head on his shoulder. "I'm apperating now." He said taking hold of her. "K." When they were back in Hogsmeade he led her on a walk around the lake.

"It's weird you know." She said. "Knowing that I was just up there. Is it charme d so muggles can't see it?" "Yes. I fear what would happen if they saw a bunch of people eating dinner up in the constellations." Hermione laughed. They stopped and sat on the rock that He rmione had sat on her first day back at Hogwarts. When her parents had died. "I'd hate to see Minerva's face if she saw us like this." Hermione stated motion ing to their clothes and their current position. Severus was sitting with Hermio ne drawn between his legs and his arms around her middle. "I'm getting sick of Minerva popping up in the middle of our time together." "Me too." "But she does always seem to pop in at the most unwanted time." "She's not here now." Hermione whispered looking up at him. "No she's definitely not." He whispered back leaning down a bit towards her. Fac es nearing each other. An inch away and suddenly they were splashed. Severus cur sed to himself. 'Damn that squid'. Hermione turned back to the lake and leaned against him and he rested his chin o n her head. Making My Head Spin, Chapter 17 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/17/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 The weeks past and Severus and Hermione didn't mention what had almost happened at the lake. Not that they didn't want to, they were just worried what the other would say. Severus was becoming rather antsy as Halloween neared. Less than a week away and he was a wreck. His dream still haunted him and he was suddenly questioning his sanity. Could that really occur? Was it going to? Should he tell Dumbledore? He rmione? Trelawney even? Taking deep breaths he walked out into the living room. It was Saturday and Herm ione was curled on the floor in front of the fire reading. God knows what. Frank was curled up in front of her book. He crept up behind her and sat on a chair s taring at her. She was completely oblivious, so wrapped up in her book. "Hermione?" she jumped about a mile high before turning to stare at her friend. "Sev! Don't do that!" "Sorry, I have to talk to you." Hermione looked in surprise and knew it was impo rtant. She had come to be able to read Severus' emotions in the last couple of m onths and she knew he was worried.

"What is it?" "Come here." She crawled over and rested her arms on his knees and then set her head down on her arms. "I had a dream awhile back." "Sev, I though you didn't believe in all the divination stuff." "I don't, but Hermione, this scares me." he said looking away from her. Her head shot up and she climbed into his lap. He turned back to look at her. "What is it Sev?" He took a deep breath and told her about his dream, conveniently 'forgetting' to tell her about him snogging her senseless. "Hermione. I don't want anything to happen to you." he said coming to the end. "But, Sev, nothing happened to me in your dream right? Do you really think it wi ll happen?" "Well I must admit my dreams have never foretold the future before. But, what if this one does?" "Don't worry Sev. Nothing will happen. If you're really so worried, go talk to A lbus. I'm sure he can be of more help than I can." "I wouldn't be too sure my dear." "Well, then, if you want, maybe we can just stay down here that night. Would tha t make you feel better?" "I have a better idea." "Oh?" "There's this nice little restaurant, only open on Halloween. I have no clue whe re it is, nobody does. You just have to apperate there. WE can go there if you l ike." "Are you asking me on a date Severus Snape?" Hermione asked. Severus had to figh t not to blush. "What would Minerva say?" He laughed at this and leaned back in his chair. "You always manage to make me feel better." "Hey, this was weird. I've never had to deal with an emotionally challenged Seve rus Snape before." "I am NOT emotionally challenged. Just worried about my best friend." "I know, I know." "Completely out of the question!" Minerva shrieked. "I wasn't aware that there was a question. What was it?" "Don't you get smart with me Severus Snape!" "Smart? I can't help it. Do you know, some people even consider me a genius? Rig ht Hermione?" Hermione who was reading so she could zone out of their bickering, didn't even k now the question so she just nodded her head hearing her name. "Hermione!" Minerva yelled. Hermione jumped and snapped her book shut. "What?" "How could you take his side? I knew that I should never have allowed you to mov e down in the dungeons . I'm going to talk to Albus." And with that she fled the room leaving a rather amused Hermione and a rather annoyed Severus. "What were you talking-excuse me, fighting about?" "I told her we were going to dinner on Halloween and she completely went insane. " "That's Minerva for you." Severus no matter how much Hermione kept reassuring him everything was going to be ok just was about to pop. Albus had agreed that they could go for diner that night if Severus was going to feel uncomfortable. Minerva was none to happy. But that was the least of his worries. She was never happy. "I don't even understand why I'm so worked up about this, Hermione." "Sev, it's ok. I'd probably be worried too." She was in all honesty rather worri ed. He wasn't like this. Ever. And it scared her a bit. "We won't even be here." "I suppose you're right." "I know I am. Stop worrying so much." He was worried and he knew it was because of her. In his dream , nothing had hap pened to her. But he remembered the feeling, when he was dreaming, of how much h

e had worried about her and the enormous pain in his chest when he thought they really had captured her. And what scared him more was the fact that he had shame lessly kissed her. And he had wanted to do more. And, he didn't want to ruin thi ngs between them or hurt her. He loved her too much. And he realized he would wi llingly admit it if she asked him. Making My Head Spin, Chapter 18 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/18/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 Halloween came and went without much hassle, to Severus' great relief. He and He rmione had gone to the restaurant but Minerva had placed a spy charm like they h ad used on Hermione at first. So not only were they on their second date, they w ere being spied on by a meddling mother figure. Now nearing the end of December Hermione and Severus were growing still closer a nd a couple of nasty rumors had been started about the two of them. No one knew who, but they could take a pretty good guess about it being a certain blond Slyt herin. "Severus!" "Yes?" he snapped. She jumped back and stared at him in shock. It had been quite awhile since he had snapped at her. "I'm sorry Hermione. Stupid first year pape rs and Minerva's currently at my throat for a nasty rumor I let my house start. Not bloody likely. That's the last thing I need right now, for wicked rumors to be going on about you and me." "Another one?" "Yes, though I must say this one is more colorful than the last." "What?" "My dear, I care far to much about you to have you expelled for what you would d o to a certain Slytherin if I told you." "That bad?" "Worse. Now come here and what did you have to tell me." "My grandmother wants me to go to her house for Christmas. She usually does, but I usually don't go. But my parents. Well I feel like I should go, but, Sev, wil l it be safe?" "I'm not sure. You'll have to talk to Dumbledore. But are you going to honestly leave me for 2 whole weeks?" "Oh! I hadn't really thought about that. Maybe you can come and be my protector. " She said smiling.

"I might actually. Except that even more rumors will start to pop up." "Well, it's not like we're not already dealing with that." "True I suppose. Go talk to Dumbledore." "Ok, I'll be back in awhile I guess." "Professor?" Hermione called once she got to the statue of the gargoyle. "Yes?" The gargoyle said. Hermione let out a little shriek and jumped back. "Ah, Miss Granger, do come up." The statue quickly moved aside and Hermione edged her way around it and up the s tairs. "How may I help you?" "Professor, my grandmother wants me to come to her house for Christmas, kind of make up with my relatives and stuff. But I was wondering if that would be safe." "I think that is an excellent idea. You can always take Severus." He said while smiling. "Though I don't know what Minerva would say about that." "Minerva would say about what?" Minerva asked coming up the stairs. "Severus escorting Hermione to her grandmother's for Christmas." "Most definitely not." She said sticking her nose up in the air. "Her grandmothe r's?" "Yes. I believe it is safe enough. Now go tell Severus to begin packing." "Oh! Thank you Albus!" she exclaimed falling back into summer terms. She then pr oceeded to run down to the dungeons passing many curious students straight into Snape. Literally, he caught her just before she fell. "Such a hurry?" "Albus has given me permission to go to my grandmother's, but you're coming with me!" "Oh boy!" He said sarcastically. "Do you not want to come?" Hermione asked not knowing what to do about his react ion. He was never like this to her. "Of course I do, my dear. Come on now." He said taking her hand and leading her back into their quarters. "Sev, what's wrong?" "What? Nothing." "I don't believe you." she said coming and sitting on his lap. He put his arms a round her and she leaned against him. "Oh you don't?" "No, you're a horrible liar, when one gets to know you at least." "That is why I don't let people get close to me." "What about me?" "You are different." "Oh?" "Yes." "Don't I get an explanation?" "I trust you." "Really?" "Do you think you'd be living in my quarters, calling me 'Sev' a much hated name , and sitting on my lap, letting you call me a liar and telling me I'm to come a nd spend Christmas with your family if I didn't?" "I suppose not." "So, therefore I must trust you. Am I correct?" "You are correct. As usual. Now, back to why you are in such a mood." "I'm not in a mood." "Yes you are." "No, I'm not." "Yes you are." "No, I'm not." "Yes, you are." "No, I-. This is ridiculous. I'm not going to argue." "Sev, I'm just worried about you." she said turning to look him in the face. He sighed. "My marks been hurting."

"What?" "My mark." He held out his left arm and showed her his dark mark. "It's not been there for awhile. I thought it had gone. But, it came back yesterday." "Sev! Oh my God! You have to tell Dumbledore!" "No! He's got enough on his hands at the moment. I'll. Be. Fine." "Sev," she said sadly, tears were in her eyes and she buried her face in his sho ulder. "Why?" "I don't know. I couldn't begin to guess. I don't think I want to know." "You don't think, he's going to come after you do you?" when he didn't answer sh e cried harder. "Shh. I'll be alright." "But, but-." "Do not but me. I swear I'll be alright." "You're my best friend in the world Sev. I couldn't stand it if anything happene d to you." "And you're mine, so I couldn't stand to see you in tears. Now, about going to y our grandmother's." Severus and Hermione were apperating to Hermione's grandmother's. She was excite d and she could tell he was. well actually she wasn't sure what he was. By then Christmas break was upon them and Hermione was finishing packing. "Why on earth couldn't you have done this yesterday?" Severus asked. "I did. But I found some more things I needed to pack." She had exchanged presents with Harry and Ron who were both going to the Weasley 's house. They were disappointed that Hermione wasn't coming. They kept complain ing that Hermione wasn't spending enough time with them. She was actually feelin g rather bad about that. But right now, she had another task to accomplish. She had told her grandmother that a friend was coming as well. To protect her and because she wanted that fri end there. She hadn't told names or even gender. Severus knew this and was not l ooking forward to what everyone was going to say. Especially those who recognize d him from the funeral. Making My Head Spin, Chapter 19 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/19/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 "Sev, I might want to go in first, and then you follow." Hermione stated as they neared the house.

"Whatever isn't going to get me shot." "You have your wand if worst comes to worst." "That makes me feel so much better." They were silent the rest of the way and Hermione rang the doorbell with Severus standing a bit out of sight. "Hermione! Love! I was beginning to think you'd changed your mind about coming." Her grandmother exclaimed upon opening the door. "Your cousins are here, but yo ur aunts and uncles have gone down to the pub. Now where is your friend?" "Grandma! I've missed you so much. Now, don't panic or anything, but this is my best friend in the WHOLE world, Severus Snape." She said motioning behind her an d as soon as her grandmother saw him her jaw literally dropped. She regained her senses and started introductions. Though Hermione couldn't help notice that she kept looking over at her. "Well, I had set up a spare bed in Hermione's room for when she's here but I thi nk it would be more appropriate to move you into her guest room." "Yes, that should be fine, Grandma." Hermione said. Severus looked at her funny but she just shook her head. "How did you two meet?" "Severus is my potion's professor, Grandma." "I see. Your teacher. And the headmaster lets student/teacher relationships go o n at his school. I'm beginning to think we should pull you out." "Oh Grandma! We're NOT in a relationship. Oh goodness! Is that what you thought? I told you he's just my friend. He's helped me since mother and father died." "Well, if you're sure." "Honestly, Grandma." "Well, let's move you two into the house. You're cousins are looking for you Her mione. Mr. Snape, I'll show you to your rooms." "You may call me Severus, and thank you." "I'll see you in awhile Sev. And please try to be nice." She said with pleading eyes. He almost laughed. "Hermione!" Madeline shrieked as she entered the kitchen where her cousins were gathered. "Madeline!" she dropped Frank, who she had brought with her, and hugged her cous in. "I've missed you!" "Hermione?" Rachel whispered. She turned to her cousin. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said all that to you at the funeral. It's just, it was easier to blame some one. And you seemed the easiest to blame." Hermione didn't say anything but hugged her. And then Sarah who was looking sad too. "So, how's school?" Madeline asked to break the silence. "Great! Except for the consistent plots of my demi- Sev! Whatever is the matter? " Hermione said looking past her cousins and her best friend coming in looking a bout to faint. "Coffee, black, fast." He muttered. Hermione's cousins spun to look at him and a t first sight Rachel and Sarah paled. "I have just been given the 'birds and the bees' and the 'touch-my-granddaughter-and-I'll- personally-castrate-you' speech es by your charming grandmother. I've told her we sleep at opposite ends of the castle and only see each other in class and dinner and you'll be good to keep to that. I'm fearing for my manhood." Hermione snorted and handed him a cup of coffee. "This isn't black." "You know you hate it black." "It just seemed appropriate." "Madeline, Rachel, Sarah, this is my best friend in the whole world, Severus Sna pe." "Hi." All three muttered. "Hello. Hermione, where is your room in location to mine?" "Where did she put you?" "It's a room with yellow, pale yellow. Yellow. With pink flowers on the bedsprea d and curtains and wallpaper. PINK FLOWERS! She's trying to kill me. Lord help m

e, pink and yellow and flowers. Someone have mercy." Hermione started to giggle. "It is not funny Hermione Granger. I would ask to move, but I'm scared of your grandmother." "That makes a total of two people you're scared of." "No just your grandmother." "Oh? What about Poppy?" "Nope, give me Poppy. I'll marry her." "What about me Sev?" "Well, I suppose you'll have to marry me." But it was at this time Hermione's gr andmother walked in with her aunts and uncles and started screeching at him. He covered his ears and pulled out his wand. Hermione grabbed it just before he cas t a silencing charm. But after a few more seconds of her grandmother's insults t o Severus she gave it back and a silencing spell was promptly cast on her. Now s he just looked like a fish out of water. "I'm sorry about that. Bad headaches." Severus muttered before standing up. He e yed the other 6 adults in the room besides himself and Hermione's grandmother. H e recognized the man he had cast the full body- bind on at once. The man seemed to recognize him as well and avoided Severus' gaze. "So where is your friend Hermione?" Her Aunt Julie asked. "Umm, this is my best friend in the whole world, Severus Snape." Hermione said f or the third time and linked arms with Severus. He automatically turned sideways as 'grandma' was giving him death glares. One of the men snorted. "You must be joking." "Nope." She said cheerfully. Severus looked down at her and then glared at the m an who hurriedly took a step back as Severus started to twirl his wand in his ha nd. "I think you might want to take that spell off my grandmother now Sev." "If she starts screeching again can I put it back on?" he whispered in her ear. She nodded her head and he removed the spell. Now, umm, Ms. Granger, I am in no way involved with Hermione like that. Just fri ends. If I were to become involved with her, you wouldn't have to castrate me, f or Minerva McGonagall has already threatened me with that." All the men had subc onsciously crossed their ankles as Severus said 'castrate'. "And who is Minerva McGonagall?" "Another one of my teachers and guardian." Hermione said incredibly fast hoping they would miss the last bit. They didn't, "Your guardian?" "Yes, Aunt Julie. Now, I am incredibly tired. Apperating takes a lot out of you even when you're not actually doing the apperating. And I think I'll take a nap. And Grandma, Severus is being moved to my guest room. He's allergic to anything pink and anything that has flowers. And you can trust him Grandma. Please." And with that she grabbed Severus' hand and led him out of the kitchen up to the ha ll where Severus had been placed. "How many bedrooms are in this house?" Severus asked. "Around 50 I think. We counted when we were little, but I can't remember." "Oh." "And she put you at the end of the hall farthest away from me." she stated. "I'm not surprised. Now Minerva can officially start the CSSBHHOPLH club." "Huh?" "The 'Castrate Severus Snape Before He Hurts Our Precious Little Hermione' club. " Hermione started to laugh and picked up one end of Severus' trunk. He grabbed the other and started top walk backwards, Hermione guiding. She hadn't been kidding when she said that they were far away from each other. "Now this is a lot better." Severus said as they entered the room. It was decora ted in different shades of blue. "Now, where is your room compared to this?" "Directly across the hall." She replied and led him into it. It was decorated ex actly like the room in her house had been, except bigger. "I'm getting this strange feeling you like space." Severus stated. "No, just the designs of celestial bodies. I think it looks cool." "I see. Well, why exactly are we up here. You know as well as I do apperating do esn't affect you in anyway."

"Yes, but, my grandma needs to calm down and they don't know that I'm not tired, do they?" "Again I say, why weren't you in Slytherin?" "I'm muggle-born?" "Yes, I suppose that is the most obvious of reasons." "So we have 5 days until Christmas. I have to tell you, they will warm up to you , everyone will be happy, and the next 2 weeks are going to be extremely too che erful for you. Are you ready?" "Anything for you my love. Did you say too cheerful?" "Yes. A lot of singing and music and Christmas movies that make me sick." "Oh dear. Wait how do you know they'll warm up to me?" "I know my relatives. 2 hours and you can read them like a book." "Well, then. What do we do until they come and get us?" "Unpack." Hermione stated getting of the couch, which they had sat on. "I'll just go do the same, and that way if anyone comes up they won't be suspici ous." "Alright Sev, oh and if you see Frank could you bring him here. But I think I le ft him down in the kitchen." "Of course." He said pecking her cheek and moving out of the room. "Oh and Sev!" "Yes?" he said poking his head back in the room. "You might want to change out of your robes. We usually have a lot of neighbors over." "Oh." Was all he said before finishing the three steps to his room. Half an hour later Madeline, Sarah, and Rachel came bounding into her room laugh ing. "You-should-have-heard-Aunt Molly!" Sarah gasped. "What?" "She and Aunt Julie and my mom, were all talking about your friend there and the y were on about how tall, dark, mysterious, and handsome he is. MY MOTHER!" Made line said before bursting into hysterical laughter. It was common knowledge that Aunt Rene totally disproved of married woman eyeing other guys. "This. Is. Not. Good." Severus said from the doorway. The girls turned around an d giggled at the look on his face. "Oh, you know you love it Sev." "You guys come down now. Dinner is ready!" Someone called from downstairs. Still giggling Hermione linked an arm with Severus and Madeline being the ever so dar ing took his other. He looked at her in shock but didn't say anything. "Any friend of Hermione's is a friend of ours." She said to him. "No matter how old." "I'll have you know that I am not old." He said defensively. "Yes, he's only 34. But not for long." Hermione said evilly. Severus looked down at her semi-terrified. "You know when my birthday is?" "You didn't think I talked to Poppy about the weather did you?" she asked. "Damn that woman!" he muttered crossly and the girls broke out into laughter onc e again. "So when is your birthday?" Madeline asked. "I don't have one. I'm a mutant who wasn't born just created." He explained look ing very serious. "Valentine's Day!" Hermione shrieked. "That's it! I no longer love you enough not to kill you!" He said before trying to grab her. But she unlinked arms with him just in time to dodge him. "Do you prefer pink or red Sevi?" Madeline asked remembering the earlier discuss ion in the kitchen. Hermione started to laugh at Severus' expression. And she ha d the nerve to call him Sevi. Severus spun to glare at Madeline who took no noti ce and continued laughing. "I think I have signed my death warrant coming here and if word gets out in Hogw arts about anything that goes on I shall kill all 4 of you. Yes, even you my lov

e." He said looking at Hermione. "Well, I'm feeling unappreciated." Hermione said as they entered the dining room . Her aunts and uncles, well all the ones that were currently at the house, were sitting at the table. The others would all arrive closer to Christmas Day. Severus being the perfect gentleman he was slowly drew Hermione's chair for her trying to ignore the looks coming from the other adults. Somehow he felt he need ed to impress them and on this rare occasion he was actually fidgeting under eve ryone's gaze. "Stop staring at Severus." Hermione said suddenly. "You're making him nervous." He sent her a quick sideways glance that to anyone else would have looked like h e was just looking at her but she knew he was thanking her. "So, what do you teach, Mr. Snape?" One of them asked. "Severus, please." He said calmly. "I teach potions." "Are you a well liked teacher?" "Of course he is." Hermione said. "How old are you?" Severus was already fed up with the questions but really didn't want to get on a nyone's nerves. "34." "Well that's considerably older than Hermione's 15. And the hea-." "16." Severus interrupted. Hermione kicked him. "Ow!" "Severus? Hermione is 15. How well do you know her again?" "No, Aunt Molly. I am 16, legally." "Hermione Granger. I was there the day you were born. You are 15 and you will fi nd that information on your birth certificate." Her grandmother said calmly but looked at both of them as though they belonged in St. Mungo's. Not that she knew what St. Mungo's was. "In the wizarding world then Grandma. I was, umm, time traveling a lot in my 3rd year. It added a year onto my life." Everyone looked at her in shock. Save Seve rus. "Time traveling!" "Yes, Grandma. I was taking extra classes and I didn't have time for them all." "Did your parents know about this?" "I highly doubt it matters now, Grandma." Hermione said looking a bit sad. "Oh, Mione. I'm sorry, love. It's just my mouth getting ahead of my brain again. " Hermione nodded her head at her grandmother in a sign of understanding and the subject was dropped. "Anyway, Mr. Snape. Tell us of your past. Where were you born and such." Severus glared at the woman Hermione had called Aunt Molly, and stood up. "Sev, she didn-." "Excuse me." he said quietly and swiftly left the dining room. "What did I say?" her aunt asked. "His past isn't very pretty, Aunt Molly. It's a rather touchy subject. Even if I told you what I know, you probably wouldn't understand." "Of course dear. I hope he's not that upset with me. Maybe you should go after h im." "I was planning on it. I'm just giving him enough time to break all the vases." "What!" "Oh, don't worry, he'll put them back together." Hermione said unconsciously rub bing her cheek. After a few seconds she couldn't stand it anymore and ran out of the dining room . As she flung open the door she was glad she had waited, because like she had s aid, scattered about the room were broken bits of vases and breakable items. He had just started to put them back together when she went in. "Sev?" she asked cautiously. "I agreed to come, Hermione. I was even putting up with the 20 questions game. B ut-." "So now it's my fault?" she asked. "I never said that." "That is what you were implying. By me making you come. I might remind you that I didn't even have to make you come."

"Hermione. In case you haven't noticed I'm upset. You know how I get when I'm up set." "I know, Sev." She said walking over to him. "That's why I'm still here." "My God Hermione. Why did she have to ask me that? She could have asked me how b ig my-. Never mind. But she could have asked me any question in the world and sh e had to ask me that." He said finishing repairing everything. Hermione pretende d not to here parts of that statement and just continued. "I know. But you didn't have to storm out. Though I must say I'm proud of you fo r not snapping at her." She said wrapping her arms around him from behind. "Well, at least I did something right." He said putting his hands on top of hers . "Aunt Molly's sorry, you know. My whole family is too nosy for their own good." "Is that where you get it from?" "Hey!" she exclaimed pulling tight around his stomach. "Can't breathe." "Now are you ready to go back down to dinner? I haven't had chance to eat and I' m hungry." "Yes, yes, come on then." He said offering his arm. As soon as they re-entered the dining room, Hermione's Aunt Molly went into apol ogies to which Severus only put up his hand. "You have already been forgiven." He stated before sitting down. Hermione smiled . "When are the others getting here?" "Others?" Severus choked on a bit of his bread. "There are more of you lot?" Everyone at the table laughed. "Of course. Christmas Day we have about 50 people here. Think back to the funera l. That was all my family. And those are only immediate family members. Grandma and Grandpa's, even though he passed away, siblings and their children and their children's children and some children's, children's children. And then aunts an d uncles from both sides. We've all always been close." Hermione explained. Seve rus was absorbing this information with a shocked look on his face. Which only H ermione found funny. "Do you know, everyone in my family have always only had one child. I never had any cousins. And my grandparents were dead before I was born." Severus said slow ly. "Hmm. Maybe that's what's wrong with you." Hermione said as though she was think ing. Severus' head snapped in her direction. "There is absolutely nothing wrong with me. Besides Poppy-phobia and the newly d eveloped fear of your charming grandmother." Severus said nodding in her directi on. "My goodness child!" 'Grandma' exclaimed at Severus. "Why ever are you scared of me?" "Grandma, you threatened to castrate him." Hermione explained. All the men cross ed their legs at that. "Oh, yes, I had forgotten about that. I suppose that is a good reason." "What on earth is Poppy-phobia?" Uncle Matt asked. Severus smiled and let Hermio ne take that one. "The nurse at school is names Poppy Pomfrey and my friend here has this enormous crush on her." Hermione said seriously. Severus stopped smiling at that. "I do not have a crush on her. I'm more scared of her than Voldemort!" He cried. Hermione started to laugh and the others just looked confused as to who Voldemo rt was. Hermione exclaimed. "He's kind of like Hitler." Hermione said. They got that. "Oh! Grandma!" Sarah exclaimed a second later. "Can we go sledding after dinner? " "Oh, please!" Hermione added. All the girls gave their grandmother pleading look s and Severus was most surprised to see the aunts and uncles doing the same. He was just wondering what the hell a sledding was. "Of course my dears. Anything that will make you happy. But, I made desert today ."

"Oh! Fudge!" Hermione shrieked and Grandma smiled. Severus wasn't used to this a t all. Not that he wasn't enjoying it. "Hermione, what is a sledding. And why is the minister of magic coming to desert ?" Hermione went into hysterical laughter at this. Severus stared at her in shoc k. He hadn't said something funny. "Not Minister Fudge. Chocolate Fudge." She exclaimed. It clicked into his head t hen what they were talking about. "Oh, right." "And it's not a sledding, love. It's sledding. You sit on this, thing and you sl ide down a hill." "And you do this for entertainment?" he asked cautiously. She nodded. "Muggles." He muttered. Everyone else was staring at him like he was a nutcase. "They apparently don't have sledding in the wizarding world." Hermione told them . They just nodded. "You do know about ice-skating. Right?" Rachel asked smiling. Severus got a terr ified look on his face. Hermione was so taking pictures for black- mail. "Ice-skating?" he asked. "Of, course. We always ice-skate Christmas eve." Sarah added. "Yes, unfortunately I know, what ice-skating is." "Bad experiences Sev? You haven't told me this yet." "And I don't plan it." "You know I have Veriteriserum in my bag." "Fine!" He exclaimed. He didn't want to say anything he didn't have to. "We had an ice-skating competition between teachers a few years back. It was my first ti me and-:cringes:- Poppy was teaching me how. I ended up kind of stomping around because I wasn't really getting it and I broke right through the ice. Well they got me out of that and re-iced the spot and then taught me how to glide a bit. W ell, I finally stopped hanging onto everyone for support, God help me I have nev er lived that one down, and fell on my butt almost cracking my tailbone in the m idst of it all." "Aww. Poor Sevi." Madeline stated. He glared at her. Hermione loved how Madeline was calling him Sevi. He really needed this. "Quick, let's get desert." Sarah said impatiently but smiling. "It's coming, dear." Grandma said smiling as well. "Frank!" Hermione shrieked diving under the table. She came back up with her cat . "Oh! Hermione! He's so cute!" Rachel exclaimed and came around the table. "I tho ught you had an orange cat." "She died in the, umm, attack. Sev got this one for me for my birthday." "Aww, he's so cute." "Isn't he? But he loves Sev more than anyone." She said handing the cat to Sever us. "My namesake." Severus said lightly. "I thought your name was Severus?" "It is. But Hermione here took to calling me Frank for the longest time. God kno ws why." "He told me I could call him anything as long as I called him Professor in class ." "Which she only does half the time." "Well you don't seem to mind." They continued to banter until the desert came. "You two fight like an old married couple." Sarah stated. "And it does feel like it some days." Severus said almost automatically. As soon as they were done with desert everyone separated to get snow clothes on. Even Grandma. Severus just followed Hermione closely. "What on earth am I supposed to be doing?" "Haven't you ever owned a snowsuit?" "No, they're kind of useless." "Well, just 10 minutes." She said and was out the door. She came back about 5 mi nutes later with a big puffy thing in her hands.

"Here. This is a snowsuit. Everyone will be wearing them so don't complain. It's even black." They met back up in the living room. Severus was the last in. "I can't zip this stupid thing." He stated. He already had his gloves on and had thrown the jacket over them. He was aimlessly pawing at the zipper but couldn't grab it. Hermione sighed and bent over to grab his zipper. After zipping it all the way to the top and catching his chin she smiled and grabbed his hand. "I feel like a marshmallow." He complained as they caught up to the others. "Like you're the only one." One of the men said smiling. "Well, I've never exactly felt like one before. Except that potion that Longbott om exploded once. But that doesn't count." Hermione giggled of the memory earlie r in the year of Neville's potion, she couldn't remember what it was, and it exp loded and everyone who was touched by it swelled to they about popped. Severus h ad gotten the most on him. When they got to a hill that overlooked the now frozen lake Severus spotted what he supposed were sleddings. There were some long ones and then there were some circles. "The disks are the best because you spin while going down." Hermione said. He su pposed she was referring to the circles. One of the girls put one on the ground and jumped on it. Severus watched in amazement as she went zooming and spinning down the hill shrieking with laughter. Two of the adults grabbed one of the long er ones and both sat on it and followed, but not spinning. Everyone, except Seve rus, started to laugh as they tipped over at the bottom. He was surprised when t hey both sat up, faces full of the cold snow, laughing. "Come on Sev." Hermione said taking his hand and one of the longer sleds. She sa t down in the front and he dutifully sat in the back. "Ready for your first sled ride, Frank?" "The cat's inside and I highlllllll-." He never got the rest out as Hermione tip ped them forward and down the hill. With the wind rushing in his face and Hermio ne laughing so hard that the vibrations carried to him it was hard not to smile. And just like the other couple they tipped over. "Come on!" Hermione said helping him up and then grabbing the sled and pulling i t back up the hill. "This is way too much work," he panted as they got to the top. He heard music co ming form somewhere. He looked around and saw Grandma sitting in a completely gl ass gazebo thing. (Think Sound Of Music, Except clear glass.) There was one of Hermione's little music boxes next to her. "It's 'A Celtic Christmas'." Hermione said as she realized what he was looking a t. "Oh." "Come on!" She said but she dropped the sled and grabbed one of the circles. "There is no way we're both going to fit on that thing." "Of course we are. Sit down." "But-." "Sit." "Fine." He sat. Then he grimaced. This particular sled was hot pink. But he turn ed in shock as Hermione sat on his lap facing him and wrapped her legs around hi s back. "Don't drag your feet." She said before tipping. He was wondering if she knew what she was doing to him. They started to spin and Severus first thought was, 'which way is up?'. They cra shed into something that he identified with a tree when the world stopped spinni ng so much. "Wow." Was all he could get out. They were out there until well after dark and Severus was laughing with everyone else as they trudged back up to the house. Grandma had only gone down one time and walked down to the stairs which, though covered with snow, was a lot better than climbing the steep hill. "Usually we have races, or see who can go the farthest." Rachel explained to Sev erus as they gathered around in the living room in their pajamas with hot chocol

ate and hot apple cider. "But, it was really too late tonight. Some other time t hough. Whoever wins gets to open the first present or give the first present." "But didn't you say there were 50 of you?" "Oh goodness! That's just for dinner and after. Everyone gets here about 5 and t hen leaves at about midnight. On Christmas Eve. Christmas Day it's just us." "Oh, I see now." "But Christmas Eve is the best part." "Am I going to be the only one not family?" "Oh no. Everyone comes, neighbors, friends of the family." One of the Aunts said . Aunt Julie. It was midnight before everyone went to bed, and even then Severus only went to Hermione's room to talk. "Explain your cousins and aunts and uncles." "Ok, Umm, Uncle Matt is married to Aunt Julie, and Sarah is theirs. Aunt Molly i s married to Uncle John and Rachel is theirs. And Aunt Rene is married to Uncle Zachariah and Madeline is theirs. "My dad, my Uncle Zachariah, Uncle John, and Aunt Julie are my grandmother's. Th e others are the ones they married. Does that explain it all?" "Yes." They talked awhile longer and then Severus headed to his room. When she woke up Hermione heard very distant laughter and smiled. She sat up and almost screamed. Severus was sitting on the couch that was in her room with Fra nk sitting on his lap. "For an anti-morning person, person, you're up early." "The sounds of laughter going by my room woke me up." "I see." "So, come on. I have to go get dressed." "You have to be joking." "About getting dressed? Certainly not." "You're going to have to play by my family's rules now Sev. You stay in your paj amas unless there's a reason to change." "Muggles." He muttered again but followed her down to breakfast. He realized as soon as they entered that the whole Granger household were mornin g people. "You guys are up late. Hermione you're always the first up." "Severus is unfortunately wearing off on me and I tend to stay up way to late an ymore causing me to sleep later." "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Ev'rywhere you go; Take a look in the five-and-ten, glistening once again With candy canes and silver lanes aglow. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, Toys in ev'ry store, But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be On your own front door. A pair of hopalong boots and a pistol that shoots Is the wish of Barney and Ben; Dolls that will talk and will go for a walk Is the hope of Janice and Jen; And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Ev'rywhere you go; There's a tree in the Grand Hotel, one in the park as well, The sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow. It's beginning to look a lot like Ch ristmas; Soon the bells will start, And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing Right within your heart." The girls started to sing. The adult just looked on an d Severus found himself smiling. The days past by with many carols, sled races, and anything you can imagine. But no ice-skating yet. It was now Christmas Eve and everyone was wrapping last min

ute presents for the people who would be arriving shortly. Everyone was dressed in their best. Severus even had a muggle suit. As much as he wanted to wear his robes." "Anyone who says you don't look good in Slytherin colors is probably blind or dr unk." Severus stated spinning her around a bit. Even Frank had a little bell on his collar. Group by group Hermione's relatives began to arrive. It was waves of smiling peo ple, greeting him like one of their own. Like he had never done anything wrong. He understood now how Hermione was the way she was. You only had to look at the rest of her family. He vaguely wondered what they would say and do if they knew what he had done as a deatheater. But they wouldn't find out so it, in all hones ty, didn't matter at all. They were finally all there and Severus followed the last of the people, includi ng Hermione and her cousins to the ballroom type thing where the reception after the funeral had been. He hadn't yet been in there, apparently neither had anyon e besides the grandparents because everyone gasped as they entered. Huge trees s tood in the corners and decorations from fake snow and icicles to bells and cand y canes. Severus' first thought was that they could give Hogwarts a run for its Christmas decorations. "Oh my gosh, Sev! Look!" Hermione exclaimed taking his hand. He sh ared her excitement but managed to contain it. Just barely though. "I love it Hermione. You can't imagine how glad I am I came." "Oh, I think I can." She said giggling. And he honestly wouldn't have been surpr ised if she did. "Attention!" Grandma called. He had even begun to call her that . Even her children called her Grandma. "Welcome! Everyone! Family and friends. Now, eat! We will continue with annual festivities after!" Severus sat down next to Hermione and there was a little girl that couldn't have been more than 3 on the other side of him. "Cassie, baby, how are you?" Hermione said looking over at him to the little gir l. "Aunt My-knee!" she exclaimed and slid out of her chair and ran over to Hermi one. She scooped the child up and sat her on her lap. "How's my god-daughter." Severus looked at her funny. "I'm really too young to h ave a god-daughter, but I'm the only one she behaves for." She explained. He nod ded. The little girl looked so adorable. She had chestnut curls and rosy red che eks, and the brown eyes that all the Granger's seemed to possess. "Mommy's pwegnat." She whispered. So that the whole table could hear. "Grace that's wonderful!" Grandma exclaimed to the woman two seats down from Sev erus. "We were going to announce it later." She said softly. "It's twins." She h ad a grin on her face and the man on the other side of her squeezed her hand. Se verus was automatically jealous. These two had found their love so early in life and they were now basking in that joy. Many congratulations were passed around and the couple were soon blushing at som e of the comments from the elders. "Are you excited?" Hermione asked the little girl. "I'm gonna be a big sistew!" she exclaimed while nodding her head. "Cassie, come eat your dinner, baby." Grace said. Severus gently took the girl f orm Hermione and brought him over her and sat her down. "Tank you." she said smiling. "She's a witch." Severus whispered to Hermione. Her eyes widened in shock. "How do-." "I can sense it. That's probably why she behaves for you." "Aww." "You mustn't tell." "I won't, Sev." After dinner everyone moved to a living room that definitely wasn't the one they had been in before. Most people sat on the floor. Severus sat with Hermione and she leaned back against him, both oblivious to the looks they were getting. Cassie soon joined them and sat in Hermione's lap. She had already started to call him Uncle Severus. Or as she said 'Unca Sewus'. "He rmione, dear. Would you like to start as you haven't been with us in such a long

time." Grandma asked. Hermione eagerly nodded and placed Cassie in Severus' arm s. He was thoroughly confused until she sat down at Grand Piano that he only the n noticed. He hadn't known she played the piano but as soon as she started to pl ay he knew she had been playing awhile. It was Christmas music he was sure and a s soon as she got a few measures in everyone started to sing. Save him since he had no idea what it was. 'I'll Be Home For Christmas'. They went on for what seemed like hours, switching pianists every so often. "Sev, can you play the piano?" Hermione whispered to him. "Yes." "Play with me then. We can play two people on something." "You have got to be joking." "Nope. Do you know any Christmas songs?" " 'The Christmas Song'. You know the chestnuts roasting on an open fire one and there's one more muggle one. 'Sleigh Ride' or something." "Oh, come on then." She pulled him up at the next change and he, too embarrassed to refuse let her drag him over to the piano. He played beautifully. Hermione was amazed at how his graceful fingers moved alo ng the keys with hers. And he actually sang. He had a lovely deep voice. Everyon e clapped when they were done but they weren't paying attention. They were too b usy looking at each other. But quickly snapped out of it and resumed their seats on the floor. The evening ended to fast for anyone's liking. True to their word it ended about midnight. Everyone one stayed until then so they could wish ever yone a Merry Christmas. Cassie had fallen asleep long ago and was still residing in Hermione's lap. Severus couldn't believe how peaceful Hermione looked with t he little girl in her lap. 'She's going to be a wonderful mother.' Popped into h is head before he could stop it. "Alright, Hermione, you can give me back my bab y now." The child's mother joked. "In a couple of months you'll be asking me to take her." Hermione said laughing as she gave up the sleeping girl. After everyone was gone, besides the people who had already been there, everyone retired to bed, except for Severus and Hermione who were decidedly not tired. " Come for a walk, my dear?" "Of course, Sev. Just if it starts to snow again then I want to come back." "Great. Let's go grab our robes shall we? I hate those dreaded muggle coats." "I don't suppose it will matter now that it's midnight." Hermione stated. 10 minutes later they were walking towards the frozen lake, looking at the stars and watching their breath fade out of visibility. "I love your family." He said after a minute. "I thought you would. Did you meet Great Uncle James?" "Yes, actually." Severus smiled at the memory of the elderly man who kept gettin g the reasons why he was there mixed up and quoting Monty Python. "Oh! It's starting to snow!" "Barely, they're just flakes." They continued along the shore of the little lake, but the snow was getting incr easingly thicker. "Sev! I can barely see you!" He looked around for a second trying to figure out exactly where they were. "Com e on!" he said grabbing her hand and pulling her. Hermione concluded that they were walking up a hill, and then it clicked. The li ttle glass house at the top of the sledding hill! Leave it to Severus. The door was almost frozen shut and it took all Severus had to open it. They quickly ente red and Severus shut the door behind them. "To bad I don't have my wand." He said. "Didn't bother to bring it." "Me neither. But I think it's colder in here than outside." She said wrapping he r arms about her and looking around. They kept stuff in there because when they were littler and when the littler kids came over they would play house and thing s in there. Blankets, dress-up clothes, and toys. "So, what to do, what to do?" Severus said, as he now couldn't see through the w alls. He turned around and looked at Hermione. "Any ideas?" "I'm cold." "You weren't cold outside he said walking to the pile of blankets and clothes an d grabbing one. "Yes, but out there it's different." She said as he put the blan

ket around her shoulders. "Aren't you cold?" "No." she knew he was lying. And she wanted to tell him so. "I told you that we should have gone back." She said. "So now it's my fault?" he said smiling. "Only if you don't get me warm, quick." She stated. And looked behind him. "Oh l ook!" she said and walked over to what he recognized as her boom box. A second l ater 'Celtic Christmas filled the little room. He smiled mischievously. 'Maybe..now..' he thought. "You want me to make you warm?" he asked quietly. She nodded. He walked behind h er and put his arms around her back. "Better?" "Definitely not." She whispered. Severus was a bit surprised, she had to know wh at he was playing at. He moved round her and brought her up to his chest. "How about that?" "You're getting warmer." He stepped back from her a bit and she got a disappointed look in her eyes. But all he did was unbutton his outside robes and then wrapped her inside them. Whil e he was still wearing it. He heard her let out a small gasp. "Am I getting clos er?" "Perfect." She breathed and tilted her head to look up at him. "Mm. Good." He said and leaned down a bit waiting for her reaction. She closed h er eyes and he took that as a sign of permission. A little buzzer started going off in his head ringing the words STUDENT! MINERVA IS GONNA KILL YOU! CASTRATION BY GRANDMA! He told it to fuck off and closed the distance between their mouths . He was in heaven as soon as their mouths touched. So was Hermione. It wasn't eve n deep at the beginning. But they could feel the emotion that had been longing t o get out for God knows how long. Severus made the first move to deepen it and r an his tongue along her bottom lip absorbing great happiness in the little moan she gave off as she opened her mouth. His tongue quickly dove into her mouth and he himself moaned as hers met his. Making My Head Spin, Chapter 20 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/20/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~Eek! I'm almost to 500 reviews! And guess what! I Won't Walk Away has reached 1 000! Yippee Skippy! So anyway, I'm sorry it took me awhile to get this out. Oh, and I don't know whether I told you before or not, I'll remind you if I did. I'm currently co-authoring a story with MagicalMe and SophieBabe. It's called 'No M

ore Tears, No More Sorrows'. I'm going to be putting the link in my profile so y ou can get to it, and it's Draco/Hermione. Not Sevi/Hermione. But, it's still go od! I think. The people who have reviewed think that too. Hehe, anyway, on with the chapter!~ ~Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or related characters. JK Rowling does an d I am not taking credit.~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* They fell asleep in each other's arms, or Hermione fell asleep, Severus went ove r in his head the negative effects that this would have. But he found it hard to think of anything negative with Hermione still wrapped in his robes. He too eventually fell asleep, with ways to keep their love secret but still the re dancing in his head. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* When he awoke sunlight was streaming through the glass walls. He was dreadfully cold and Hermione was shivering even with his robes and a blanket around her. Bu t he couldn't think of any way to warm her up. So he wrapped his arms tighter ar ound her and waited for her to wake up. Which wasn't long. "Sev." She whispered. "I can't breath." He immediately loosened his grip but didn't remove his arms. "Happy Christmas." He whispered in her ear. "Happy Christmas." "I do believe this is the best Christmas I've ever had." "But it's not over yet." "It doesn't have to be." He said and kissed her on the cheek. She smiled and tur ned. "I think we're snowed in." she stated pointing to the door. About a foot of snow was in front of it. She giggled as Severus turned to see the door. "Yes, what a pity." "It will be when my grandmother finds out we were trapped in here all last night , alone, with one blanket." "Good point, but I'm not sure what we can do about that." "Sev, I hate to be one to complain." "What is it, love?" "I'm freezing." She said snuggling closer to him. "Oh? And what do you want me to do about that?" "I don't know. But my goosebumps have goosebumps." "Well, I'm afraid, knowing that I'm stuck here for an uncertain amount of time a lone with you, I shan't dare kiss you for fear of leading to something else." "Mmm." She said not really sure what to say to that. "So what do we do until then?" "You're asking me?" "Yes." "Well, I think there's a cute little tutu over there in the dress up pile. I thi nk it would look adorable on you." "You, must, be, joking." He said looking at her in horror. "Nope, it's pink and very frilly, I think it would bring out your eyes." "Sorry, I am far from albino and therefore my eyes are not red and or pink." "Really?" "Yes, completely." "Oh, look! I think someone's coming!" Hermione exclaimed. Sure enough Uncle 'Let -me-spoil-all-the-fun' John, came marching up towards the little glass house. He took one look at them, the snow, and then left. "Where's he going?" Severus asked. "I know I must look unpleased but you'd think that he would at least help us." "I think he went to get a shovel, Sev." "A shovel?" "Never mind. You'll see." She said pecking him on the cheek, or would have but a t the last second he turned his head so she got his mouth instead. He smiled as she pulled away. "Professor! How dare you kiss *me*, a student! What will Professor McGonagall sa

y!" Hermione exclaimed. "I'm not so worried about Minerva as your grandmother." "But my grandmother is half your size." "I think it's something about older woman." "Oh? Are you scared of me?" Hermione asked. "Terrified." "Sev, why?" Hermione said at the serious look on his face. "I'm afraid, love, that you'll break my heart when you move onto the next 'fling '." "Oh Sev! I'd never do that." She said wrapping her arms around him. "You say that now." "I will say that forever." "You'd better let go." "What?" "Your Uncle is glaring daggers at me." Severus said looking over her shoulder. Hermione quickly turned around but instead of letting go she started to 'chatter ' her teeth. Her uncle's gaze softened at that. "Again I say that the sorting hat was decideably wrong about its' decision to no t put you in Slytherin." He whispered in her ear and then gazed in wonder at the shovel thing that Hermione had told him about. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Half an hour later they were in their pajamas with hot chocolate, opening presen ts in front of the tree. Presents kept arriving by owl to Hermione and a couple from teachers to Severus, and Hermione of course. "Oh Sev, another owl for you." Hermione said reaching for the owl. She shrieked as it burned her skin. "Hermione!" he exclaimed and grabbed for her hand. Burn marks were there and qui te bright. "Damnit." He muttered. "What is it Sev?" "Malfoy." He said and reached for his wand which he had decided never to part wi th again and levitated the package. "Stand away from the fireplace, please." He told everyone and not knowing what was going on did. Severus walked back as well still levitating the 'present' in front of the fireplace. He pulled Hermione be hind him and then dropped it in the fire. There was an explosion so big that they were thrown forward by the force. Everyt hing in the room fell and the others were clinging to each other for dear life. "What was that?" Rachel asked. "Long story." Severus said looking around the roo m. Everything was everywhere and the tree was on is side. "My house! My house!" Hermione grandma cried. Severus rolled his eyes and waved his wand a few times before everything was back to normal. "Malfoy, playing tricks again." Severus stated. "Tricks?" Madeline asked. "We could have been killed." "Tricks to Lucius Malfoy is anything that could kill you." "Severus?" a voice came from the fireplace. Hermione's family either shrieked or looked about ready to faint. "What's going on? We told you not use magic while in the muggle world." "I believe you said unless it was an emergency as well, Albus. This was an emerg ency." "Oh?" "Malfoy sent me a type of bomb." "What?" "Yes, and it burned Her- Hermione come here, my dear. Let's look at your hand. E xcuse me Albus." He took Hermione's hand gently in his and looked at it for a mi nute. "This is going to hurt." He stated and she braced herself. He muttered som ething she didn't understand and a second later there was no trace that anything had happened. Madeline gasped and grabbed Hermione's hand. She shrieked and Sev erus glared at Madeline. "Stupid girl! It's still going to hurt. Just because you can't see it doesn't me an it's not there." He hissed. Madeline backed up a bit and Hermione's Uncle Zac hariah glared at Severus putting his hand on his daughters shoulder.

"Do you think you'll be ok, Severus?" Dumbledore asked. "We should be. He sent the package. He didn't deliver it. He doesn't know where we are." "Albus, tell him not to hurt Hermione." They heard from the background. "Albus, tell Minerva to stick something up her abnormally large as-." "I get it Severus Snape!" they heard her reply. "Let me talk to Hermione." "I'll be back. Happy Christmas." He added to Hermione's family. A second later his head was replaced with that of Minerva McGonagall. "Happy Christmas." She said and then looked at Severus. "What did you do to her? " "Excuse me!" "You're looking rather guilty, Severus Snape. What did you do?" "Minerva I think you have officially lost what was left of your small head. Or i s it your bun again? We did warn you not to put it up so tightly." "SEVERUS!" "Minerva." Hermione broke in. "Severus hasn't done anything. My grandmother hard ly lets him near me." Minerva looked beyond Hermione and Severus at the rather shocked woman. "If you're sure. Be sure to tell myself or Poppy if anything happens." "Could we leave Poppy out of this, please?" "No, because if anything happens she'll be doing the surgery." "Surgery?" they heard from the background. "Severus' testicle removal surgery. Severus cringed and involuntarily shuddered. "Oh?" they heard. "Now, I'll leave you because Albus most likely wants to talk to you again. Sever us, don't touch her, the rest of you, have a Happy Christmas." When Dumbledore returned he was smiling. "Albus, is Black around by any chance?" "Yes, the whole staff's up here." "Put him on for a second." "Ok." Dumbledore said looking rather confused. "Snape, ya bastard what do you want? Opps sorry." He said looking behind Severus . "There's the little matter of you're charming Christmas present." Severus said. "I thought you'd like them." He said laughing. "Like them? Like them? Have you been hearing what Minerva's been on about?" "Yes." "Are you trying to get me killed?" "Well, I failed once, I thought I might as well try again." "BLACK!" But Sirius was gone and Albus was back. "What was that about?" "You don't want to know." "Anyway, are you sure you'll be ok?" "Albus, I'm a big boy now. Ask Black." "I don't think I want to know." "You don't, I already informed you of that." "Well, on that note, I bid you all Happy Christmas and good-bye." And with that he was gone and the fireplace was back to normal. "What did Sirius get you?" Hermione asked. "Trust me, my dear, you don't want to know." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* When they were back up in Hermione's room they exchanged presents. Hermione who was sick of Severus stealing her boom box, had bought him one of hi s own, plus many CD's. Hermione opened her presents and looked at Severus. "What is it?" "It's a Vita-rivelatore." "Is that English?" "Italian." "What does it mean?"

"Life-detector." "What does it do?" "Read the inscription." " 'Per rilevare la mia vita, per rilevare il mio amore, assengno questo voi mio speciale'. Translation?" "To detect my life, to detect my love, I grant this to you my special one." "Oh, does that mean, it will always glow like that if you are alive?" Hermione a sked. "It will glow red if I am alive but don't love you, blue if I love you but am de ad, and purple if I am alive and still loving you." "What if you are dead and not loving me?" "That won't happen, but if it did, then it would go black." "Oh, Sev, thank you! God knows I'll probably need this. And besides, it's got to be lie proof." "It is." He said just before she kissed him. "Well, this will always be helpful." She said looking at the glowing purple ston e. "It you take it out you will see that it is on a chain." "Oh!" she exclaimed pulling it out. He took it from her and fastened it around h er neck. "Thank you." And then she kissed him again. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* ~I think I do too much with languages. But I always find them fun. *Next chapter , ice-skating, more kisses, and 'What in the hell are you wearing?' by Severus S nape. Oh, and what did Sirius get Sevi?* THANKS YOU GUYS! And guess what? 'I Won 't Walk Away' my other story, was nominated as story of the month on ! I'm so ha ppy! Anyway review!~ ~Slytherin Girl~ ~THANKS EVERYONE!~ ~Redone~ I'm glad you liked Across Uncrossable Lines. ::switches to sarcasm:: Bu t I'm soooo sorry about my 'thoroughly unpleasant attitude that I manifested in my remarks'. And, umm, Snape has to be OOC or there wouldn't be any Hermione/Sna pe fics. I mean can you ever see him snogging a student in the books. WAIT! PAUSE IN THAT 'THANKS'~ I would like to say I have been reading Jane Eyre, and the similarities between that and Harry Potter are incredible. There is eve n someone named Brocklehurst, in Jane Eyre. You know Mandy Brocklehurst in Harry Potter. But anyway, details in that story lead me to believe that JK Rowling go t ideas form that story, and other details lead me to believe that it is a good theory thing that Sevi and Hermione could get together. Yep. Anyway, back to the flame reply. No wait, I'm done.~ Making My Head Spin, Chapter 21 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/21/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His

Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~OMG! Sorry it took so long. I'm thoroughly ashamed of myself. But, I couldn't t hink of what to write. And a bit of a warning. Sevi is a bit OOC in this chapter , I think. If too much tell me and I'll rewrite it. Maybe. Lol.~ ~Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or related characters. JK Rowling does an d I am not taking credit.~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "So what did Sirius get you?" Hermione asked. "I told you, you don't want to know." "Sev, tell me." she said giving him puppy-dog eyes. "No." "Sev!" she leaned over and brushed her lips against his. He made to pull her clo ser but she pulled back. He growled at her in a way that made her want to kiss him again but stuck to her teasing. "Fine! But tell anyone and die. And you're going to want to kill Sirius. But, yo u'll have to dig him up." Severus stated walking out of the room. She waited for him to return. He came back a minute later. "It won't burn." He stated throwing a rather big box at her. She quickly looked at him before pulling off the top. She wasn't sure whether to scream in rage or laugh. A box of condoms was sitting on top of some rather revealing and lacey underclot hes. A note was there as well and she gasped at the writing a blushed. She looke d at Severus to see he was looking awkwardly at his feet and she was surprised t o see a faint pink tinge on his pale face as well. "Well." She said after a minute of embarrassment. "I told you that you didn't want to see it." "I don't know. It certainly will help things." His head popped up and his eyes w ere wide with shock. His face relaxed again as she saw the teasing grin on her f ace. He then sat back down. "I believe, you left me hanging at something I would love to continue." He said grinning. And before she had time to be confused claimed her lips. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "Do you know what scares me?" Severus said as they gathered around to watch a mo vie. "What?" "Minerva has yet to send me her present. And as much as we fight we always send, umm, what do muggles call them, gag gifts." "Oh!" Hermione exclaimed fighting down a laugh. "What did you get her?" "A rather attractive pair of fishnet stockings." "Severus!" "What?" "Never mind." "I have a question." Severus said. "What does 'Josie And The Pussycats' have to do with Christmas?" "Nothing." Madeline said as she sat down. Hermione was leaning against Severus i n much the same fashion they had been sitting in as at the Christmas Party the n ight before. "Just wondering." He said as the movie started. By the end he thought he was goi ng to be sick. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "Sev, owl for you." Hermione said. "From one, Minerva McGonagall."

"You want to open it?" "Nope." Everyone was still in the living room reading or playing chess. Severus took the letter and cautiously opened it. With a boom, pink dust encircl ed the room. When it had cleared Hermione laughed at the glaring Severus. His pa jamas had turned a lovely shade of pink. Every one grinned. Severus looked calmly back down at his robes and stated "Pink , it's the new black." Which caused everyone in the room to break into hysterical laughter. {If you've never seen Josie and the Pussycats, you won't get that.} Severus quickly pulled out his wand and changed them back. He picked up the lett er and red it. Roses are Red Violets are blue. Neither are pink But I think the color suits you Happy Christmas Minerva McGonagall "Hahaha." He said dryly before folding it back up and throwing it in the fire. "You have to admit it's cute Sev." Hermione said absently stroking Frank. "What is?" "You've hair." She said before laughing again. Severus looked at her bewildered for a moment and then looked in the mirror above the mantle and gasped. His stra ight black hair was pink and afro-y. He pulled his wand out and quickly spelled it back to normal. "Come here Sev." He reluctantly moved away from the mirror and sat down beside her ignoring the l aughter form the other members of the family. "We're going ice-skating." "No!" Severus said. "Yes." "No?" "Yes." "But I'm going to embarrass myself." "You need to be embarrassed sometimes." Hermione stated. "Aww you look so cute." She said looking at his pouting face. It was amazing how different he was away from Hogwarts and other people. She realized she really loved him. "Come, come, Severus." One of Hermione's Uncle's said, "it's not that hard." "Well, go change children." "Ha! I don't have any ice-skates!" Severus said as though he had won the Triwiza rd Tournament. "That's ok, we have extras in every size." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "I have a cold, love." "Sev, stop making excuses." "I can't think of any reason I want to go out there." "Because if you fall you can hang onto me." "Oh?" "Yes." "Well then, let us go. But first." He said and gave her a quick kiss. "I have to change Sev." "Well, don't let me stop you." "You have to go change as well." "Can't I skate in my pajamas?" "No." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "What in the hell are you wearing?" Severus exclaimed when he saw Hermione. It's not like he was complaining but she had to be freezing. "It's a ice-skating outfit." [think little skirt] "Aren't you cold?" "No." "Let's get this over with. But if I end up with a broken leg, I'm putting all th

e blame on you." "Fine, fine." When they got down to the lake everyone was already there and everyone except gr andma was on the ice. "Come on you two, Hermione, you're never this slow." "Sev was still making excuses." She said and then grabbed his hands. "Come on." "Hermione!" he said. "Put on your skates." She commanded. "Damn Gryffindors." He muttered under his breath. "What was that Sev? I don't think my grandmother heard you." "Nothing, my dear, nothing." He said tying his skate. As soon as he was finished he looked up and saw Hermione slowly spinning on the ice. His breath caught in his throat as her hair fanned around and he stopped br eathing all together when she stopped and looked at him. Her hair gently falling around her face and her brown eyes warming his cold heart. She skated up to the dock, which was where he was sitting. "Come on Sev." He slowly stood up holding onto the dock for support. "Stand up." He had no idea why he was listening to her, but he was. He let go and fell. He c ould have sworn he heard her giggle. "Well, you have to try to keep you balance." She said. "Stand up." When he stood up she smiled at him. "Take my hand." He did. "Now, if you feel like your going to fall, tell yourself you can stay up." Still holding his hand she skated backwards pulling him along. In the middle of the lake she let go of his hands. He threw his arms out in every direction to ke ep himself up. "Now, skate to me." she said from about 3 yards away. He gingerly started toward s her. He fell. "You have to glide, Sev. Not stomp." She came back to him to hel p him up. "Try again." "I feel like you're teaching me how to walk." He muttered. "I am in a way." He made it to her this time. As soon as he got to her he grabbed her shoulders a nd refused to let go. "How am I supposed to skate if you hold onto me like this?" "You'll fine a way." "Sevi! Good job!" Madeline called. He turned to glare at her and fell. Unfortuna tely he had not let go of Hermione and she fell with him. "SEV!" she exclaimed before breaking into giggles. She pushed herself up and ska ted off before Severus could grab her. "Hermione!" "Come on Sev, catch me." she skated off and he just sat there like a lost child. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* After about 15 minutes of sitting there Hermione came back to help him. They spe nt hours skating and Severus finally got the hang of it. "Sevi, you're getting it!" Madeline said coming up behind him. It made him jump and he almost fell again. He spun and glared at her. "Oh! You can spin! I'm so p roud of you." When he made to ring her neck she skillfully dodged his hands and skated off lea ving him glaring at her back. And leaving Hermione giggling behind him. "Think that's funny do you?" "Yep." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* ~I know, it is not very good. Next chappie will be much better. I just couldn't think of what to do next. But I know what I'm doing now, so don't worry. All fig ured out. Don't flame me too much, please.~ ~Slytherin Girl~ Making My Head Spin, Chapter 22 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/22/Making_My_Head_Spin

By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~Hopefully you'll like this chapter better than the last, even though I didn't g et too many complaints last time. But it was terribly short. Anyway, read, revie w!~ ~Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or related characters. JK Rowling does an d I am not taking credit.~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Later that night they were once again sitting in the living room. But reading th eir own little books. "Sev, are we staying here for New Years?" Hermione whispered. "If you want to." "Well, it's another day when my whole family will be here." She said. "Well, let's stay then, shall we? You need to be with your family." "And you need to be with me." she said smiling. He grinned. "What are you two whispering about?" Madeline asked wiggling her eyebrows. "Madeline!" Hermione exclaimed. "Well, the look on Sevi's face. You two better be glad Grandmother went to bed e arlier or she'd have Sevi's head, or maybe his-." "Madeline!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* After everyone went to bed Hermione and Severus were still in the living room. N ot doing anything, just sitting there. "Do you know how serious this is Hermione?" "Yes." "Really? Or are you just ignoring the fact that I'm 20 years older than you, you r professor, an ugly git who everyone else besides you and Albus, who I wonder a bout sometimes, hates?" "Severus Snape! That's a horrible thing to say about anyone, especially yourself ." "Hermione, seriously." "Sev, if I wasn't sure about things I wouldn't be here. You said yourself everyo ne finds you disgusting. Which isn't true. And if I thought so, do you think I'd be sitting here with you right now? I wouldn't, trust me." "Calm down, love. I was just wondering. Contrary to the beliefs of probably ever yone in the world that I don't have a heart, I do, and I don't want it to be bro ken." "Well, I'm not going to break your heart. Unless you give me a good reason to." She said smirking. "Now, I'm exhausted, I want to go to bed, and I highly doubt my grandmother would approve of finding me in your arms down here tomorrow morni

ng." "If you must." "I must." "Right, I'm right behind you." "I don't think she'll want you in my room either." "Your room is across the hall from mine, therefore, I am just heading to my own. " "Smart, smart, smart." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* New Years, it seemed to Severus, was a bigger deal than Christmas. They started decorating and barely stopped until an hour before all the guests were to arrive . Streamers and sparkles and everything you could imagine were everywhere. It was way to sparkly and glittery for him. But he endured it for Hermione. He stopped complaining to himself though when he saw Hermione emerge from the st airs with her cousins in their dresses. She was wearing a shimmering silver gown that flowed down to her ankles and had on strappy heals with it. Her hair was done up in an elegant bun and he was lite rally speechless. "Watch it Snape that's my niece." One of Hermione's uncles muttered form beside him. "I'm well aware of that." He said as the doorbell rang, signaling that people we re starting to arrive. Hermione came and sat next to him. "Why is New Years bigger than Christmas?" he asked her. "I don't know. We've just always had bigger celebrations at New Years. Plus, it was my grandfather's birthday, so I think grandmother feels like it should be a big day." "I see." "Oh there's Cassie!" Hermione exclaimed as the little girl ran over. "Aunt My-Knee! Unca Sewus!" she exclaimed giving them each a hug. But when Sever us made to put her down she wouldn't let go. "No." she said. Hermione laughed as Severus lifted the little girl back up. "Aww." Hermione squealed. "Cassie. Severus doesn't want to hold you all night." Grace said coming up and g iving Hermione a hug and Severus a peck on the cheek. He still hadn't gotten use d to how these people just accepted everyone and acted like they new them foreve r. "It's quite alright." "If she gets a bother just come give her to me or my husband." Grace said before being whisked away by Hermione's grandmother, talking about how she should be r esting with twins on the way. Hermione laughed and looked at Severus who was having his ear talked off by a ve ry energetic Cassie. But he didn't look annoyed as one would have suspected. He was actually grinning. Many people came over to talk to them and every time they would want a hug from Cassie, and every time she would keep one arm firmly wrapped around Severus' nec k and use her other to give the person a half hug. And everyone cooed about how sweet it was that she loved Severus. "You can definitely see why you're a teacher, Severus. Kids take to you wonderfu lly." Someone commented observing Cassie. Hermione had to fight back a laugh. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Dinner came and went similar to how it had passed at Christmas, and everyone sat in almost the exact same spots. Except, Severus noted, there weren't so many pe ople as there had been. Not by half. And after, Cassie attached herself to Severus again. And after dinner they went into a room he had not been in and saw a giant screen on one wall. Movies. Since there weren't so many of them this time they watched movies. He'd never heard pf it, which wasn't that surprising. He sat on the flo or with Hermione and Cassie on his lap. As the lights went out and the movie cam

e on Hermione leaned her head on his shoulder. "We watch this every year." She muttered. "And it gets more and more boring." Indeed it was boring. Even for Cassie. Who had fallen asleep about half way in. He wanted to move as both his legs had fallen asleep, but didn't dare in case yo u woke Cassie up. He kept poking Hermione though as she kept nodding off. At the end, he swore he would never be able to use his legs again. So he just st ayed there, but it seemed everyone was just sitting there so he wasn't out of pl ace. One of his arms was wrapped around Cassie to keep her from sliding down, an d one had found its way around Hermione's waist. Her head was still leaning on h is shoulder. 4 hours! That movie was 4 hours long! 45 minutes to go. And almost everyone was asleep. Until Rachel screeched. But lu ckily Cassie stayed asleep. "Rachel has to do that every year." Hermione muttered. "Why don't they just pick a more interesting movie?" Severus asked. "Tradition." "I see." Until about 5 minutes before midnight they played the piano again. But they just played anything. Severus and Hermione didn't they couldn't be bothered to move. And plus Cassie was asleep. From the big deal they made of it, it was a rather pathetic end, if you asked Se verus. When it was 10 seconds to they started to count backwards from 10. "..2.1!" And with that Hermione leaned over and brushed her lips across his. It was short, so no one would notice, but it was there and he smiled. Cassie stirre d on his lap and he gently stroked her back so she would fall back asleep. He smiled as everyone came over to hug them. It was wonderful to be here, to be semi-loved he guessed, to be thought of as another one of the family. And the ne xt thought he had was he wanted to be part of this family. By marriage. But she was only in her 5th year he reminded himself as he looked at her smiling. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* ~Sorry it was short! But please don't tell me it's short, I hate it when people state the obvious. Lol. Anyway, I'll try to have the next chapter up soon! THANK S EVERYONE!~ ~Slytherin Girl~ Making My Head Spin, Chapter 23 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/23/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 -

Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~I AM SO SORRY. I can't believe it took me that long to update. I'm so sorry!~ ~Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or related characters. JK Rowling does an d I am not taking credit.~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Everyone started to leave and Severus stood, slowly still trying not to wake Cas sie and looked around for Grace and her husband. "Severus! I'm over here." Severus smiled and gently, and somewhat reluctantly, placed Cassie in Grace's ar ms. "We'll see you this summer, right?" Her husband asked. "Most definitely." Severus replied. He looked back and saw Hermione smiling. "Come Grace, give her to me. You shouldn't be carrying her around." Grace quickly gave them each a hug and then they were off and Severus put his ar m around Hermione's waist and led her to the kitchen where the rest of the famil y that was staying was. But when they got there it was just the cousins. "Can you say blackmail?" Rachel asked as soon as they got in the door. "What?" "You heard Mione." "What are you talking about?" Hermione asked. Sarah looked at Hermione's waist w here Severus' arm was. He quickly dropped it. "And the others may be blind but we saw." "Saw what?" Hermione asked. "Your, umm, kiss. If you could call it that." "It was a friendly kiss." Hermione said. But she could feel herself blushing. Se verus rolled his eyes. "And what are you going to do about it?" "Nothing, we're just telling you. We saw. Make me mad and I'll tell grandmother. And then what will you and Hermione do?" "MADELINE!" Hermione shrieked. Severus just stared at her with wide eyes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* All too soon it was time for Hermione and Severus to go back to Hogwarts. And af ter teary good-byes from the girls and many promises to return for the summer th ey were off. "I like your family." Severus stated as they were walking up to the castle. "I'm glad. They like you too." They had returned two days early so the castle was almost deserted as they made their way down to the dungeons. "That was the best Christmas I've ever had." He said as he opened the door to hi s room. "Me too." She said honestly. "And do you know, you look a lot younger when you s mile." "Are you saying I'm old? I am thoroughly hurt." "Aww." Hermione said pecking his cheek. "Do you know, I think I like Cassie more than I like you." "Sev!" "Well, she never let go of me." "That was so sweet. She never takes to people easily." "I feel loved." "Are you sure she's a witch?" "Positive. Now come, I told Minerva I'd tell her when we got back." "Check in with grandma #2." Hermione stated and laughed. "Let's just hope Poppy's not with her. One at a time please." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* People soon began to pour back into the school, and classes restarted. And thoug h Severus' moods had improved, they hadn't improved very much. He was still the same. And Sirius had been avoiding them since they had gotten back. "Hermione, we can't do this!" Severus exclaimed one night. "What on earth are you talking about?" "Every damn time I see you I want to kiss you senseless."

"And?" "Potions class isn't the best time for that." Hermione grinned. "It's not funny Hermione. We have to go back to the way we were before. I can't take it anymore." "Severus! We live in the same room for God's sake!" Hermione screeched. "I know, and every night I lay in my bed knowing I can't touch you." "Severus, that's not fair!" "What's not fair!" "That you're doing this to me." "And you think doing this to me is fair?" "I didn't do anything to you!" "Making me fall in love with you is considered something Hermione!" "So now falling in love with each other is a bad thing!" "Of course it is! You're my student!" "That's not what your idea was over break when you were practically snogging me in front of my grandmother!" "It's completely different Hermione!" "It isn't different at all. You said yourself you were more worried about my gra ndmother than Minerva!" "Hermione, be reasonable!" "I am being reasonable." "I'm going to have to send you back to your room if you're going to behave like this." "I'm not your child!" she screamed and then walked to her room and closed her do or. She didn't slam it. That would have been childish. And Severus noted that sh e had the maturity to not slam it. "Damn it Hermione." He muttered before heading to his own room. He started to pace. He had to do that! He couldn't stand looking at her anymore. Almost every time he saw her he had to come back to his rooms and take a cold s hower. And knowing she returned his feelings made it even worse. It was better i f she was mad at him. He went over to his bedside table and turned on the radio. That she gave him. He cringed at that. Country. She always had country on. ~Well, me an' my lady had our first big fight,~ ~So I drove around 'til I saw the neon light.~ ~A corner bar, an it just seemed right.~ ~So I pulled up.~ ~Not a soul around but the old bar keep,~ ~Down at the end an' looking half asleep.~ ~An he walked up, an' said : "What'll it be?"~ ~I said: "The good stuff."~ ~He didn't reach around for the whiskey;~ ~He didn't pour me a beer.~ ~His blue eyes kinda went misty,~ ~He said: "You can't find that here.~ ~"'Cos it's the first long kiss on a second date.~ ~Momma's all worried when you get home late.~ ~And droppin' the ring in the spaghetti plate,~ ~'Cos your hands are shakin' so much.~ ~An' it's the way that she looks with the rice in her hair.~ ~eatin' burnt suppers, the whole first year,~ ~An' askin' for seconds to keep her from tearin' up.~ ~Yeah, man, that's the good stuff."~ ~He grabbed a carton of milk an' he poured a glass.~ ~An' I smiled an' said: "I'll have some of that."~ ~We sat there an' talked as an hour passed,~ ~Like old friends.~ ~I saw a black an' white picture an' it caught my stare,~ ~It was a pretty girl with bouffant hair.~

~He said: "That's my Bonnie,~ ~"Taken 'bout a year after we were wed."~ ~He said: "Spent five years in the bottle,~ ~"When the cancer took her from me.~ ~"But I've been sober three years now,~ ~"'Cos the one thing stronger than the whiskey:~ ~"Was the sight of her holdin' my baby girl.~ ~"The way she adored that string of pearls,~ ~"I gave her the day that our youngest boy, Earl,~ ~"Married his high school love."~ ~"An' it's a new tee-shirt saying: 'I'm a Grandpa'.~ ~"Bein' right there as our time got small,~ ~"An' holdin' her hand, when the Good Lord called her up,~ ~"Yeah, man, that's the good stuff."~ ~He said: "When you get home, she'll start to cry.~ ~"When she says: 'I'm sorry,' say: 'So am I.'~ ~"An' look into those eyes, so deep in love,~ ~"An' drink it up.~ ~"'Cos that's the good stuff.~ ~"That's the good stuff.~ "How appropriate." Severus sneered to himself. But couldn't help looking in the direction her room was in. Had he made a mistake? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* ~Uh-oh. Emotional turmoil for poor Sevi. I just realized today and it's been alm ost a month since I updated. I can't believe it. I'm so ashamed of myself, and s o sorry. And I know this isn't the longest chapter to top it off. But I will def initely have the next chapter up this weekend if not before. I'm so sorry! And d on't hate me for that last bit. Thanks for all your reviews!~ ~Slytherin Girl~ Making My Head Spin, Chapter 24 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/24/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~Yay, new chapter. And by the way, for those who wanted to know. The song at the end of the last chapter was called, 'The Good Stuff', and it's by Kenny Chesney . And I must say, even if you don't like country, that's a really good song.~ ~Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or related characters. JK Rowling does an

d I am not taking credit.~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Hermione collapsed on her bed in a fit of tears. How could he do that to her? He knew what she had been through these past few months. If he wasn't going to con tinue with their relationship why the hell had he began it? She had nothing anymore. Nothing. When her parents and friends had died, it felt like her world had been torn into millions of pieces. But Severus had taped the pieces back together. They were back together, but could also be torn easily ag ain. And he had done just that. How could he? She couldn't take anymore of this. Just when her life was seemingl y better. She couldn't handle it. She couldn't. Everything always seemed to happ en to her. She laid her head on her pillow and screamed. Her life was hell! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Meanwhile, Severus had taken to his favorite past time of pacing. It seemed appr opriate. And then it hit him. How could he? Damn it. She was doing so well, he h ad completely forgotten. And he wanted to throw himself off the astronomy tower for forgetting. Damn it. The poor girl. He knew he should have listened to Miner va. She was always right. Damn her. He quickly ran into the living room and over to Hermione's door. "Hermione?" he called knocking. He was tapping his foot waiting for some sort of sign she was coming. "Hermione?" He waited a second and then threw the door open in lack of patience. The room wa s empty. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* She didn't know where she was going. She was just walking around aimlessly, not knowing Severus' current distress over where she was. Like he cared. Before she knew where she was she ran into someone and fell onto the floor. Malfoy. "Well, well, well, Granger. Imagine running into you." "Shut-u-." she stopped as his hand was lowered to help her up. She cautiously to ok it and he pulled her to her feet. "Thank you." she said giving him strange lo oks. What was he doing? "Trouble in paradise?" he asked. "What?" "You have tears running down your face." He told her and handed her a handkerchi ef. "Why?" "Why what?" "Why are you, umm, being nice to me?" "Do you always ask so many questions, most of which should be left unanswered." "What are you on about?" "I need to talk to you." "Well, talk I guess." "You're in trouble." He started slowly. "I'm in trouble." "You don't have to repeat what I say. And I'm in trouble as well." "You're in trouble as well." "That's not funny Granger." "Why should I trust you?" "You shouldn't." "So why are you telling me all this?" she watched as he rolled up his left sleev e. His arm was bare. "I didn't take the dark mark. And worse than that, for my initiation I was to br ing you. I didn't have you and refused to take the mark. Now, they're after you. They left it to me before, but I am not there anymore. So actual deatheaters ar e going to come after you." "You're serious aren't you?" Hermione asked. "Yes." "They're going to come after you as well, aren't they?"

"Yes." "Come on, we have to talk to Dumbledore." "No." "What?" "We have to talk to Snape." "Umm, we're not talking at the moment." "Is that where the tears are from?" "Not that it's any of your business, but yes." "Well, he's the only one I want to talk to." "So go find him." "You don't understand, Granger. It's not safe for you to just walk around. I may not be a deatheater. But there are deatheaters in the school. That's what I hav e to tell Snape. The deatheater initiation age has changed." "And that's not good is it." "No. Now come on, this is important." He said, and he did something that, to say the least, shocked her. He took her arm, he touched her, and led her in the dir ection of the dungeons. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Where is she! Severus Snape was a worried, unhappy man. And things didn't improv e when she heard her voice. He couldn't tell what she was saying, but there was someone else. And he ducked into the shadows and saw her, being led by Draco Mal foy! He had to save her. "PETRIFICUL TOTALUS!" he bellowed and Draco's body snapped together. Hermione lo oked around in shock. "Oh, Sev." "Are you alright Hermione?" he asked glaring at Draco. "Oh, Sev, let him go." "What?" "It's important." She said with pleading eyes. "You must be joking." He told her." "Severus! Listen to me! Let him go!" Now thoroughly P. he released the hold he had on young Malfoy. "What is it?" "I'm not a deatheater." He started. Severus looked completely shaken. But Draco rolled up his sleeve again and showed him. "They're after her." But Severus had taken his arm and was examining where the mark should have been. "You're not a deatheater." "No." "Why not?" "I-I just couldn't be. But Professor, they've changed the initiation age. Its 15 now." "You're not serious." "I'm serious." "Did you say they were after her?" "After Granger." "And him." Hermione added. "I refused to take the mark." "Stupid boy." Severus commented. "But if it means anything, I'm proud of you. No w we have to go talk to Dumbledore." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* It was decided that neither Draco or Hermione should ever be unaccompanied. "I was already not supposed to be left unattended." Hermione stated. "But when I ran into you, you weren't accompanied." Draco stated. "That can't ha ppen." "That was my fault." Severus said. Dumbledore looked at him strangely, but didn' t say anything. "Now, what do we do with you, Mr. Malfoy. Severus is the only one with an extra room and Hermione is occupying that space. We'll have to add another room somewh ere." "That will take awhile Albus." Severus said. "Yes, until then, will you let him sleep on your couch or something?"

"What?" "Severus, you're his head of house." "I'm not Hermione's head of house, but she's in there." "So now I'm a burden!" Hermione exclaimed. "Hermione, that's not what I meant." "What did you mean?" "That I'm not your head of house." "That's not what it sounded like to me." she said standing up. "Hermione." He said as he stood up as well. "Leave me alone Severus." "Excuse us." He said pulling her down to the hallway outside of Dumbledore's off ice. "Hermione, my God. Listen to me." "Why? So you can dump on me some more. So you can complain that I'm not in your house. What Severus, what?" "Hermione! I'm not used to apologizing to anyone, give me a break." "You didn't give me a break when you tore out my heart did you?" Hermione asked, eyes blazing. "That's diff-." "It's not different! I'm going back to my room." "You can't go by yourself." He told her. "Watch me." she said and spun on her heel. "Hermione!" well he wasn't going to after her. Maybe he should just let her cool off. He slowly turned and reentered the office to two very shocked faces. "We're fighting." He said simply. "Come Mr. Malfoy. Albus, I'll see you in the m orning." He looked so defeated. Like his whole world had just come crashing down, like hi s puppy had died. And Draco and Albus both saw this. "Good-night Severus. Try not to kill Mr. Malfoy tonight." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Severus and Draco walked the long way back to the dungeons in silence. Severus couldn't believe what an idiot he was. How could he have done that? Draco was totally impressed by Severus' quarter and received similar threats tha t were given to Hermione about not telling what the rooms looked like. But Severus was surprised at Hermione's boombox on the coffee table. There was a note taped to the front. Sev, Push play. He looked at Draco who was looking at him curiously. But he pushed play on the C D player. Last night we went to bed not talkin', 'Cause we'd already said too muh. I faced the wall, you faced the window. Bound and determined not to touch. We've been married seven years now. Sometimes it feels like 21. I'm still mad at you this mornin'. Coffee's ready if you want some. I've been up since five, thinkin' bout me and you. And I've got to tell you the conclusion I've come to. I'll never leave, I'll never stray. My love for you will never change. But I ain't ready to make up. We'll get around to that. I think I'm right, I think you're wrong. I'll prob'ly give in before long. Please don't make me smile. I just wanna be mad for a while. Well, now you might as well forget it. Don't run your fingers through my hair.

Yeah, that's right, I'm bein' stubborn. No, I don't wanna go back upstairs. I'm gonna leave for work without a goodbye kiss. But as I'm drivin' off, just remember this. I'll never leave, I'll never stray. My love for you will never change. But I ain't ready to make up. We'll get around to that. I think I'm right, I think you're wrong. I'll prob'ly give in before long. Please don't make me smile. I just wanna be mad for a while. I'll never leave, I'll never stray. My love for you will never change. But I ain't ready to make up. We'll get around to that. I think I'm right, I think you're wrong. I'll prob'ly give in before long. Please don't make me smile. I just wanna be mad for a while. I just wanna be mad for a while. I just wanna be mad for a while. I just wanna be mad for a while. Draco looked at him funny again because he was smiling. She forgave him. "You'll be sleeping through that door." Severus said pointing to the door to the library. Draco nodded and with a quiet 'Good-night and Thank you' was off. Seve rus on the other hand went to Hermione's room and not knocking went in. She was lying under the covers of her bed, but he couldn't tell if she was sleep ing. He slowly made his way over to the bed and got under the covers with her. She wa sn't asleep. "What are you doing?" she asked. "You're not mad at me." "Yes, I am very mad at you." "But you forgive me." "Yes." "You're a very confusing woman, Hermione." "I try." She said and wrapped her arms around him. She was still mad. But he kne w that. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* ~Yay. Semi-back together-ness. Anyway. It didn't take a month for me to update. Yay! Thanks to everyone! Oh and I used another song, but I find that's the best way to make up with someone.~ ~Slytherin Girl~ Making My Head Spin, Chapter 25 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/25/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31.

Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~Sorry this took so long. Sorry.~ ~Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or related characters. JK Rowling does an d I am not taking credit.~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Severus had a smile on his face when he woke up. He didn't know this, but Hermio ne did, as she woke up first for once. Maybe he really was sorry. She didn't want to be mad at him. She really didn't. But, how could he do that? At least he looked like he was glad that she wasn't that mad at him anymore. He was, after all, smiling. Which he never did. Well, he had been lately. She gently leaned up to peck him on the cheek. His eyes popped open and the smil e disappeared. But was soon back as he saw what had caused him to wake up. "Good-morning." He slurred. She almost laughed. "Morning." "Are you still mad at me?" he asked. He was still slurring, as he was still half -asleep. She couldn't help it. She laughed. "I find it hard to be." She told him. "That's good." He brought her closer to him and kissed the top of her head. "I d on't like you being mad at me." "It was your fault. And I want you to promise me something." "What?" he asked. He was now fully, or more, awake. "Never, ever do that again!" she exclaimed and pulled the pillow out from undern eath his head. Then promptly smacked him with it. "So that's how it is." He said and rolled her on her back, tickling her merciles sly. "Severus Snape! Stop it!" she shrieked. "Stop! Stop! Stop!" He did stop as the door was flung open and a very bewildered, and slightly disor iented, Draco Malfoy burst into the room holding out his wand. "Bloody hell! Can't you keep this kind of thing to yourselves? Some people are t rying to sleep." Hermione almost laughed at his state. She had never seen him so . His hair was tossed around and his clothes were all wrinkled. And he had this lopsided grin on his face. "Out!" Snape yelled. But to know avail. Draco was currently leaning against the doorframe smirking. "Do you do this often? No wonder you didn't want me down here, Professor." "Malfoy!" Hermione shrieked, and threw a pillow at him. He casually ducked it an d it went sailing into the living room. Straight into Minerva McGonagall's head. "SEVERUS SNAPE!" "Shit." He muttered and grinned a bit at her. "How lovely to see you this mornin g, Minerva." He said and then realized that he was still leaning over Hermione a nd sat back up. His grin faltered as he realized that Poppy was there as well. "SEVERUS SNAPE! GET OF FOF MY POOR LITTLE HERMIONE! Poppy get him." She said as she went over to Hermione and pulled her off of the bed. "I WARNED YOU SEVERUS!" "Minerva." Hermione said calmly. "He didn't do anything." "Dear, I saw him." "He was just tickling me, Minerva. I took one of his books, and wouldn't give it back." "Oh? Is that true Severus?" "Yes." "Very well." She said sighing. "Mr. Malfoy, you will be moving up to Hermione's

old chambers, which have been connected to the hospital wing. Albus found it unn ecessary to move Hermione back up there and Draco down here." "I should think so." Severus muttered. On the way out Minerva stopped at Severus. "She's a better liar than you are Severus. I never thought I'd see the day." She muttered. "But don't think I'm lying when I say, if you touch her, I'll kill yo u." "I never do, Minerva. It was my book." "Shakespeare." Hermione added holding up his copy. "Always sentimental Severus." Poppy said. Draco was just smiling, no smirking ag ain. "I don't believe you." Minerva said before storming out of the chambers. "Hermione, I don't know if there is anything left in those rooms, but you might want to get it if there is." "Yes, Poppy." She said as Madame Pomfrey and Draco both followed Minerva. There wasn't anything in her chambers. She and Severus had emptied them. "That was close." Hermione said with a grin. "It was your fault." "How was it my fault?" "You smacked me with a pillow." "So." "I promise." "You promise what?" "I'll never leave you or let you leave me again." He whispered and then pulled h er to him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* When they finally crawled out of the dungeons, Minerva was the first person they ran into. She didn't say anything, just glared at Severus. "Hermione, I must speak with you a moment." Minerva said. "Without *him*." "Yes, Minerva. Sev, don't look like that. Go take care of Frank." "Yes, Severus. Go." Minerva said. Wanting desperately to at least hug Hermione, Severus was forced to spin on his heels and head to the dungeons. Cursing the whole way. "Yes, Minerva?" Hermione asked when Severus was out of sight. "This way, dear. I need to talk to you." As she head off in the direction of her office, Hermione had no choice but to follow. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "Sit." Minerva told Hermione and then handed her a cup of tea that she pulled ou t of nowhere. "Hermione, we have got to talk about Severus." "Minerva, really, he's not-." "Hermione, everyone else in this castle might be blind, including Albus, but I'm not. I know you and Severus are, well, for lack of better words, seeing each ot her. And I'm not going to hide the fact that I don't like it. But Hermione tell me, is it what you want?" "Minerva-." "Don't try to hide it Hermione. Just tell me the truth." "Minerva, I love him." She said in barely a whisper. She looked away from her gu ardian and towards the window. "He loves you too you know." Hermione's head shot back. "I told you, I may be old and am more than a little senile, but I'm not blind. A nd Severus Snape, you know as well as I do that he doesn't trust or like many pe ople. He glares at them, when he's never met them. But he doesn't glare at you. Every time you walk into the room my dear, Severus becomes more alive. His eyes soften and you're the only thing he looks at. He tunes out the whole world. Don' t tell him that mind you, he does have his *reputation*." Hermione laughed at th at. And then continued to stare in surprise at Minerva. "But, if you knew, why didn't you tell us. Why didn't you tell Poppy, or Albus? It's not a secret you don't like him." "Hermione, my dear, let me clue you in on a little secret. Severus and I have al

ways bickered. He used to argue with me when he was a student here. But I don't think I could take it if he suddenly just wasn't there. He doesn't realize this. He doesn't realize, that people would miss him. Except you I think. But serious ly, even if you weren't best friends with him, can you imagine Hogwarts without him?" "No." "But, I want you to tell me if he tries to do anything that you don't want. Tell me if he does something that you're not ready to do. I can't stop this from hap pening, and I won't. And I'm not going to tell anyone, not that I couldn't. But, I believe it is yours and Severus' choice." "But, why are you so discouraging? If you are going to let this happen, why are you always threatening Sev?" "I told you, I still don't like it." "Oh." "Hermione, tell me one thing. He hasn't tried to-." "No! No, no, he wouldn't do that!" "Just checking. You're dismissed." She said grinning. "Good-afternoon." "And Hermione, if you do need to talk, remember, I am here." "Thank you." Hermione said. "And one last thing." "Yes?" "Don't tell Severus I know. I have to have something to torture him with." "Yes, Minerva." She said and bounded out of the office toward the dungeons, leav ing Minerva slowly shaking her head and grinning. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* ~Yay! A new chapter. Unfortunately, I'm going on vacation. So I won't be able to update until Saturday, Sunday, or Monday, depending on when I get back. Sorry!~ ~Slytherin Girl~ Making My Head Spin, Chapter 26 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/26/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~OMG! I'm so completely sorry I haven't updated. I don't even have an excuse as to why I didn't. Well actually, yeah, I do. My computer had a virus. But anyway, here's the chapter!~ ~Disclaimer: I own nothing.~

~~~~~~~~~~* "Sev?" Hermione called as she entered their quarters. "I'm back here." He yelled from the door to his office. "Sev, what are you doing.." "It's almost the full moon and I completely forgot about Remus' potion." "That's not good." "Tell me about it." "What are we going to do today?" she asked. As it was Saturday they had the whol e day together if they wanted to. "Whatever you want, love." "Well, I think I need to go and talk to Harry and Ron a bit. I kind of feel like I've been ignoring them. And then I think I need to go talk to Draco. The whole Slytherin house probably knows about him by now, huh?" "Most likely. But Hermione." "Yeah?" "I know, that the Gryffindors don't like Draco. And you didn't until last night, am I correct. Well I know I'm correct. But, if it's not too much, could you jus t kind of include him in things." "Of course, Sev. I'll go talk to him now and help him settle in. And then bring him to lunch." "You can't walk up there by yourself." "Sev, those rooms are connected to yours. Remember." "I had forgotten." "Right, I'll see you later, Sev. And look after Frank. I don't think I've been p aying enough attention to him lately." "Of course. Where do you think you're going?" "To Draco's." "Without giving me a kiss. I must say, I'm hurt." "Shut-up, Sev." she said walking back over there and planting a very loud kiss o n his cheek. But was pulled back as Severus was thoroughly unsatisfied. ~~~~~~~~~* "Draco?" Hermione asked as she stepped out of the fireplace. "Draco?" "Granger?" he called from his bedroom. "How did you get in here." "Fireplace." "Oh." "You can call me Hermione you know." She said sitting down. "Make yourself at home." He said sarcastically. But grinned a bit. "Why are you here?" "I came to see if you needed company." "Oh, I'm fi-." "Don't say you're fine. You're being sought out by deatheaters. You can join our club now." "Huh?" "Well Sev and I are both wanted." "Since when did you become on such good terms with the potion's master? I never did get that whole story." He asked sitting down across from her. "He helped me a lot after my parents were killed." "Oh. So are you two, together?" he asked smirking. "Because judging by the pillo w fight you were having this morning. I'd say a lot more than Shakespeare was in volved." "Shut-up, Draco. But, you really can't say anything." "So you are dating the potion's master. Wait until I-." "What? Tell your 'friends'?" "Good point. I guess I have to keep my mouth shut on this one huh?" "Yes." "So any other reason you decided to grace the deatheater with your presence." "You're not a deatheater. And you have to remember that I'm seeing Snape. Who ac tually took the dark mark. It's not as scary anymore." "Point taken. It's lunch time you know." "Yep, so let's go."

"You're going to be seen in the presence of a Malfoy?" "Do you think it's going to matter as most of the Slytherins probably know by no w about you?" "Another point taken. But I still have to sit at the Slytherin table." "Of course you don't." "Oh, and where am I going to sit? The floor? How about with the Hufflepuffs?" "How about with the Gryffindors?" she asked. "You've got to be joking." "Not at all. Come on now, I didn't have breakfast." "You realize, they're not going to welcome me with open arms." "Of course I do. But, are you going to just suddenly be Mr. Good Cheer?" "And another point to Hermione Granger." "Thanks, now come on." She said and linked her arm in his. "What's Snape going to say about this one?" "He probably won't be at lunch. And he won't say much. He knows I love him." "Oh, you love him do you?" "Of course I do." "Do you know what?" "What?" "They forced Veritarisium down my throat this morning. I don't think they truste d me." "And you're surprised?" "Not at all. I'm surprised they didn't just kill me instead. I thought Snape was going to last night actually." "He wouldn't have killed you. Until after he tortured you." "How comforting." They walked in silence the rest of the way down to the Great Hall. By that time they had unlinked arms and when they walked into the Great Hall, Draco was greet ed by hisses from the Slytherins. Harry and Ron were beckoning her over with unwavering excitement. As though, the y had something really important to tell her. She looked at Draco, who's eyes had sort of glassed over. She placed her hand on his arms and Harry and Ron stopped motioning her over. She took hold on his arm and led him over to the Gryffindor table. This attracted a lot of attention to them but Hermione didn't mind. She just kep t on walking. Harry, Ron, and practically every other person in the hall glared at Draco. "What's *he* doing here?" Ron asked. "*Draco*, is eating lunch with us." Hermione said. "You must be joking." "Nope. Sit." She snapped at Draco, and not really wanting to push his luck he di d. A single Green and Silver tie amongst a whole row of Red and Gold ones. "Hermione, could you tell me why this git is sitting over here?" Harry whispered in her ear. "He helped me last night. He might even have saved my life in the long run. The Slytherins won't talk to him and I'm just being a friend." "Mudbloods Draco?" a voice hissed from behind them. "You're father said somethin g was amiss. But Gryffindor mudbloods? There's no hope." Draco had closed his eyes trying to block everything out and Hermione glared at the unknown Slytherin. "And don't think for a minute Mudblood that now you're safe." "That's quite enough." Professor McGonagall said. They turned to see she had snu ck up on them. "Mr. Malfoy, Professor Dumbledore wishes me to tell you not to op en any letters that you may receive." "Yes, Professor." Draco said as the Slytherin spun and went to sit back at the S lytherin table. McGonagall nodded her head and went to sit next to Dumbledore. "I wonder why you can't open you're mail." "Remember the letter that my father sent Snape at Christmas." "Yes." "I think he fears something like that."

"I guess that makes sense." "Wait, Hermione weren't you at your grandmothers at Christmas?" Ron asked. "Yes." "Then how did you know about Snape's letter." Hermione's mind went blank for an excuse. "He, he must have told me about it." she said after a minute. "Come on Draco. I think we have to go talk to Severus." "Hermione, we just got here." "I forgot to tell him something." She said and pulled him up. "Are you supposed to call him by his first name?" "I always call him by his first name." She snapped and then almost ran out of th e hall. "I don't like you Malfoy." Harry said as Draco went to follow her. "Likewise, Potter." He said and then dashed out of the hall. ' ~~~~~~~~~~* ~I had to make Draco a good guy. I love him too much for him to be mean. I don't love him as much as Sevi though. Anyway, review! Yay!~ ~Slytherin Girl~ Making My Head Spin, Chapter 27 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/27/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~You guys, I am so stuck. I've run SMACK into a brick wall. With bars of course. I can see what I want to do. I just can't get there. So, if the last chapter an d some of the following chapters sound forced, that's because they were. But as soon as I can, I will be out of my prison and back on the road. So this chapter is going to zoom into the future there. I need it to be summer. That's where my mind will pick up the story. By the way. This will not become a Hermione/Draco f ic. Sorry to disappoint those of you who wanted one. I do love Hermione/Draco fi cs, but I like Sevi more. ~ ~Disclaimer~ I only own the plot.~ ~~~~~~~~~~~* "Sev!" Hermione called. "SEVERUS!" "Hermione! My God what is it?" he came running out from the bathroom in just a t owel. Draco kind of turned away and Hermione just started talking. "Sev. I think I accidentally did something wrong." "10 seconds." Severus said before disappearing back into the bathroom.

"Can we eat?" "We'll eat after." "Now, what is it, love?" Severus asked as he stepped back out in his bathrobe, n oticed Draco for the first time, and almost blushed. "How sweet." Draco muttered. "Can I obliviate him?" "He already knew." Hermione said. "Oh he did?" "Well I had to explain." "I see. Now, what did you do?" "Well, Draco can't open his mail and we were trying to decide why not, and he sa id something about your letter that his father sent you over break and I agreed and everyone asked how I knew and I completely blanked out." "I wouldn't worry. Your classmates are far to dense to figure out that I was wit h you." "You were with her over break?" Draco asked. "Yes. That's not the point. I wouldn't worry Hermione. Minerva let me go so noth ing can be worse." "Can I go eat now?" Draco asked. "You could have eaten before." Hermione stated. "I'd hurt you if your 'love' wasn't here." "No you wouldn't." Severus sneered. "No, I wouldn't." Draco repeated. "I'm going to eat." "Lunch is over." Hermione said. "Great." "I'll take you to the kitchens." "Great!" "Not now." She said as she leaned back against Severus. "Isn't he great." Severus said sarcastically. "He tells you he's not a deatheate r and then he turns all Mr. Sunshine." "Hey!" Draco exclaimed. "Watch it Mr. Malfoy. I'm still your teacher." "You're still her teacher." "She's special." ~~~~~~~~~~~* The weeks passed by, and besides the fact that the Gryffindors started to tolera te Draco, nothing much changed. Hermione and Severus had about killed Draco for threatening to tell about them and Severus on more than one occasion had his wan d pointed at Draco's head. "If there's one thing about having you as my new best friend." Draco said one da y in early May. "You sure are cramming all this exam stuff in my head." "That's the point." Hermione said. "At least this way you can make prefect next year. If you're lucky." "What's that supposed to mean?" "Do you really want to do rounds in the snake pit." "Good point." "All my points are usually good." Hermione said looking at the door. She was, of course, waiting for Severus. "Stop it. He'll be back soon. Staff meetings always go on for hours." "Shut-up, Draco." She said going back to her charms notes. ~~~~~~~~~~~* Exams came and went and both Hermione and Draco passed with top marks. "Who would have thought. I almost beat *you* in exams." Draco said in disbelief. "Shut-up, Draco." "Hermione. Letter." Severus said walking in the door and sitting down next to he r. "Who's it from?" "I don't read your mail." He stated and put his arm around her shoulders and too k a deep breath. "Another year, finally gone." "It's from my grandmother." Hermione said skimming the letter. "She wants us at

her house as soon as possible. Cassie is going to be there. Grace and her husban d are out with her in-laws, on a no-kids allowed trip. Grace is apparently compl aining because she can't drink, because of the babies." "Poor girl." "Who's Cassie?" Draco asked. "My god-daughter. I'll have to ask Grandmother if you can come as well, Draco." "Really?" Draco asked. "Unless you want to stay behind with Albus, Poppy, and Minerva." "Yippee! Let's leave!" Draco exclaimed. "I can't believe this year's almost over." Hermione sighed and reached for her b ag. "I can't either but I'm not complaining." "Draco, do you have any muggle clothes?" Hermione asked. "Umm, no." he said. "Why?" "Well, you can't stay in the muggle world if you have no muggle clothes. But tha t's ok, we have to shop for Severus too. Especially if we're staying the whole s ummer." "The whole summer?" Severus asked. "She says as long as we want and my cousins and aunts and uncles are staying all summer." "All summer." Severus agreed. Hermione called Draco's owl to her and sent the letter off. "Sure, Hermione. You can use my owl." "Shut-up, Draco." ~~~~~~~~* "We'll see you before the summer ends, right Hermione?" Harry asked. "We'll have to see. My grandmother wants me to stay with her. But I'm sure we'll be able to work something out." Hermione told him. She gave a quick hug to him and Ron. "We'll see you in September, Malfoy." Ron said holding out his hand. Draco looke d at him and then took his hand. "See ya." Harry said offering his hand as well. "In September." Draco agreed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~* ~This was an extremely short chapter. But next chapter will be out much sooner. I have the whole summer mapped out, so until school starts back, we'll be rollin g. Next chapter will definitely be up tomorrow. Don't worry!~ ~Slytherin Girl~ Making My Head Spin, Chapter 28 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/28/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55

. The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~So, I didn't quite get this up when I planned. I've had exams since Wednesday. TERM ENDED YESTERDAY! YAY! And that means two weeks off and I promise I will get a chapter a day up, except maybe Christmas. Stupid exams.~ ~Disclaimer~ I only own the plot.~ ~~~~~~~~~~* "Severus! Have you seen Frank! I can't find him. Draco! Give me my cat! Sev! Mak e him give me my cat!" "Give her her cat." "Geez! I was just holding him!" "You were going to kill him!" "We're a bit sensitive about our cat aren't we." "Give me my cat." "I'm giving I'm giving. I feel bad for the poor thing. Gosh, don't rub his fur o ff. The poor thing." "If you two are quite through. We have a portkey." "We're not apperating?" Hermione asked. "I can apperate you and me Hermione, but I've never done it with three people an d don't want to try now. Imagine your grandmother if she found our legs on the f ront porch." "Point taken." "When are we leaving?" Draco asked. "As soon as we say good-bye to Albus and Minerva." "Oh." ~~~~~~~~~~* "You touch her and die, Severus. Draco that goes for you too." Minerva threatene d. "Yes, ma'am." Draco said. "See Severus. Why can't you behave like that?" "Because, I'm not a teenager to be frightened by you." "We'll see you later in the summer." Albus said giving Hermione a hug and Severu s and Draco a clap on the back. "What time is it?" Hermione asked. "Almost 11." "Come on, let's go. You're grandmother is going to think I abducted you or somet hing." Severus muttered. "You just want to see Cassie." Hermione said grinning and took hold on the portk ey, holding Frank closely to her as Draco touched it too and they reappeared on Hermione's grandmother's front porch. As soon as they had gotten themselves together a little blur came flying out the front door. "Unca Sewus!" Smiling Severus scooped the little girl into his arms. "I didn't know anyone liked him that much." Draco muttered to Hermione, who prom ptly smacked him upside the head and then turned to her grandmother who was look ing at the four of them. "Hermione." She said and wrapped her in a hug. "How are you , my dear?" "I'm feeling hurt knowing my god-daughter likes Sev better than me." Hermione jo ked and then pulled away to give her cousins hugs as well. "This is Draco." She said motioning to him. Severus meanwhile gave Hermione's grandmother a kiss on the cheek and repeated i t with her aunts. "Severus. We were so glad when Hermione told us you were coming as well." "I couldn't stay away knowing Cassie was here." He said smiling. Draco, who had become used to his teacher not being his normal mean self, still looked upon thi s in awe. "Draco, this is Madeline, Sarah, and Rachel." She said pulling away. "This is Dr

aco." Hermione rolled her eyes at the looks in their eyes. 'My cousins like my friend, and my aunts like my boyfriend. No that doesn't suit Sev. Significant other.' "Unca Sewus! Look, look! I lost a toof." Cassie said pointing to her teeth. "I g ot 50 pence from the tooffairy!" "Really?" Severus asked looking very confused at Hermione. "Yep, yep!" she said happily and laid her head on his shoulder. "We have to go shopping." Aunt Rene said. "We couldn't really find anything for umm, Draco. We bought a pair that we thought might fit him, but I think they wil l be too big. And I'm sure if you're staying all summer, Severus is going to nee d some clothes as well." ~~~~~~~~~~* Half an hour later they, Hermione, Severus, Draco, Cassie, Madeline, Rachel, Sar ah, and Aunt Rene were crammed into a mini-van, while Aunt Molly and Julie were in grandma's little car, with grandma of course. The Uncles, knowing what they w eren't getting into were at home watching TV. Severus and Draco just sat and listened as the girls went on and on about malls. Well, Draco listened to the girls and Severus listened to Cassie who was sittin g on his lap chattering away happily about anything that came into her mind. "Hermione, I bet none of your summer clothes fit you anymore do they dear?" Aunt Rene asked. "Probably not actually." Hermione said. She hadn't used any of her muggle summer clothes last year as she wasn't in the muggle world. "Yay! We get to shop for Mione as well." Madeline exclaimed. "So how long is this going to take?" Draco asked suddenly from the passengers se at. "6, 7 hours." Rachel replied from the back. Draco's eyes widened considerably. ~~~~~~~~~* "Well, let's see. We can get this done faster if we split up." Grandmother said. "I'm too old to be on day long trips, and you don't want to turn Severus and Dr aco off shopping forever." "Well, I need clothes and things, too." Aunt Julie said. "And I know you do." "We can help Draco pick out his clothes." Madeline said smiling. Draco looked ne rvously at Hermione. "And Hermione can help Severus." Rachel said. "And that way you four can shop for your things. And then we can all meet up in about 2 hours and then head for the juniors department." Sarah said. "And Cassie can come with us." Hermione said. "Well, if that's ok with everyone." Aunt Molly said. "To Marks and Spencers!" Madeline exclaimed. "Marks and who?" Severus asked. "Never mind, Sev." Hermione told him and took one of Cassie's hands. Severus was already holding the other. "So we'll meet back here around 2?" Sarah said. "You better make it 3." Rachel suggested eyeing Draco. "Help." He whispered as Hermione led Severus and Cassie to the men's department. "Hermione. What have I gotten myself into?" Severus asked as they went up the es calator. Which he had been frightened, though he'd never admit it, of at first. "A mess. But, you're not going to have it as bad as Draco." "Well, I'm with you and that's all that matters." "What about me?" Cassie asked. "And you." He said looking down at her. "I think you should try on that shirt!" Cassie said pointing to a very disco loo king shirt. "I don't think so Cassie." Severus said looking for an exit. "Sev it isn't that bad, love." Hermione said and scanned through many shirts, pa nts, and shorts, handing him the ones she thought would look best. She also pick ed up a pair of dark green swim trunks for him. "What am I supposed to do with all of these?" he asked. "Try them on in the fitting rooms and then come out here and let me look."

"All of them?" "Yes, all of them." "Aunt My-knee. I'm bored." Cassie said as Severus disappeared into the changing rooms. "Uncle Severus will be done in a minute, sweety." Hermione told her and sat down in a chair and pulled Cassie onto her lap. Many, many, many outfits later, Severus was very cranky, Hermione was smiling at him, and Cassie was asleep in Hermione's arms. "I never want to repeat that again in my whole entire life. Take that down, my l ove." "Well, you would have had to if you stayed in the winter." "Luckily I am not staying in the winter." "Come along Sev. Let's go find the others." "Let's rescue Draco first. I feel bad for the guy. If you're like that, I pity h im for what three muggles must be like." "Hush it Severus." "What a cute little girl." A saleslady said to them. "She looks exactly like her mother." The lady was looking at Hermione and Severus began to stutter. "Thank you." Hermione said and motioned Severus to follow. He was still stutteri ng. "She thought Cassie was ours." He whispered to her. "It doesn't much matter. You will never see that lady again in your life." "Do we give the impression of a married couple?" "Well, we've been told that we fight like an old married couple on numerous occa sions. But I don't know if that counts." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Much to Hermione and Severus' surprise, they found Draco in the best of moods. H e was modeling swim trunks and Hermione cringed at the Speedo they had him in. S everus quickly put his hand over Hermione's eyes and scowled at the group. Draco blushed as he saw his Professor. "Don't worry, Sevi." Madeline said. "Hermione's seen guys in Speedo's before." "I don't even want to think about that." Severus said and removed his hand as Dr aco ducked back into the dressing rooms. He piled all his clothes in the buggy the girls had Draco's in. Then removed Cas sie from Hermione's arms and cradled her. "Thanks, Sev. She's getting so heavy." Hermione sighed. Draco emerged from the fitting rooms then and smirked at Severus and Hermione. "I don't know why you didn't want to see *me* in a Speedo, Hermione. You've prob ably seen the professor here in less." "Did it take you the whole time you were in there to think of that?" Hermione as ked and Draco blushed. "No." "There you are. Come on, we have to get the girls' stuff and get home. I'm too o ld for this." Grandmother said. "And Cassie is too young." She stated looking at the sleeping little girl. "Draco, you're in for a treat." Madeline said smiling as she passed a swimsuit r ack. "You too, Sev." Severus looked at Hermione who just rolled her eyes, then he looked at the many clothes there were. All, he noticed, very small. He then turned and smirked at H ermione. "What?" she asked. "Nothing my dear. But, you're in for many, many hours of trying on clothes." "I'm used to it." ~~~~~~~~~~* After 3 hours, in which Severus had very little complaining, of trying on swimsu its, shorts, and tank tops, Grandma finally pulled the plug on their shopping ex pedition. Cassie had stayed asleep for most of the time, only occasionally waking up and w hining a bit about be bored.

Everyone, except Aunt Rene, fell asleep on the way home. Severus never realized how relaxing it was to ride in a muggle car. ~~~~~~~~~~~* ~That is so true you know, about riding in cars. If we're traveling somewhere fo r more than half an hour I ALWAYS fall asleep. At least when we're coming back f rom something. Lol. So, anyway, I'm sorry that this took so long to get up. And, I'm doing this with IWWA as well. But, apparently, I need BETAs. So I would lik e for someone to just read what I have already posted and tell me where I've gon e wrong. The only reason I haven't had a BETA so far is because of the fact that when I get a chapter done I want to post it right then. Also, if that person, o r another would like to go over my story Across Uncrossable Lines, that would be great. Just e-mail me if you'd like to do this.~ ~Slytherin Girl~ Making My Head Spin, Chapter 29 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/29/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~Well, so far so good. I'm keeping up with updates. Well, it's only the second d ay of break. ~~~~~~~~~* They had dinner out on the patio that night, most in their new clothes. Cassie w as once again flittering around and Draco was managing to flirt with all three o f Hermione's cousins at once. Without getting their names mixed up. Severus was carrying on an 'adult' conversation with the men, he was trying to e xplain wizard politics, and Hermione's aunts were talking about things with her grandmother. She was feeling left out to say the least. Sighing she stood, no one turned their head. So she continued down towards the l ake. She saw a sled sitting on the bank and she thought back to Christmas. There was only one sled so she figured it had somehow gotten buried in the snow. She walked down to the end of the dock and slid her feet out of her sandals, let ting them dangle in the water. ~~~~~~~~~~* "Unca Sewus!" Cassie exclaimed 2 minutes later. "Unca Sewus! Where's Aunt My-kne e!" Severus' head popped up and he looked next to him. "I don't know, Cassie." He hadn't even seen her leave. It had gotten dark and th ey had candles lit on the table. "I'll go look for her."

"I'm coming!" Cassie said. "You stay here, Cassie." Grandmother said. Severus took off into the dark looking around for Hermione. She wasn't in the little glass house, and he didn't see her in the gardens. He p assed the little swing he had pushed her on the first time he had come here, at the funeral. As he looked past the swing though he saw her. She was laying at th e end of the long dock, drenched in moonlight, feet hanging over the edge. Beaut iful was the first word that came to him. He took off his shoes so he could sneak up on her and crept out to where she was laying. He was surprised that her eyes were open and they turned to him as he c ame nearer. "Why'd you leave, love?" he asked. She just shrugged her shoulders. He sighed an d laid down next to her. Thousands upon thousands of stars entered his vision. " What is it?" "Nothing, Sev. I was just feeling, left out." "Left out?" "Well, Draco was busy flirting with my cousins, you were talking with my Uncles, and my aunts were talking with my grandmother." "Well, why on earth didn't you say something." "I can't be selfish, Sev. Besides, I want you to get to know my family better." She moved so she was laying her head on his chest and he wrapped his arms around her. "I will be very angry if you aren't selfish." He stated. "I don't want you to be left out and as much as I want to know your family better, I would rather you b e happy. You are my number one concern. I just want you to be happy." "You're so sweet." She whispered and turned on her stomach. "If you told anyone that, you'd be in St. Mungos." "That doesn't matter. You are. And I love you for it." She said and leant up to kiss him. "I think, I'll have to be sweet more often." He said and kissed her again. "Espe cially if I get treats." Another kiss. "Definitely." She said and then kissed him and refused to let him break away. Meanwhile an onlooker smiled down at the two. ~~~~~~~~~* Morning came and found Hermione, Severus, and Draco sitting in the kitchen pouri ng coffee into their systems. "Unca Sewus! Aunt My-knee! Unca Dwaco!" Cassie called to the not-so- morning peo ple. "My you're very happy in the mornings." Draco stated tiredly. "I'm always happy!" Cassie exclaimed and climbed into Severus' lap. "I think she loves you, Severus." Grandmother stated when she came into the kitc hen. "You're all she's been talking about. You should have heard her yesterday m orning when we told her you were coming. She was completely jumping everywhere." "We all have our faults." Draco joked. Severus glared at him. "Good-morning, Grandmother." Hermione said, directing Severus and Draco's attent ion elsewhere. One by one everyone piled into the kitchen and all lived through Cassie's annoyi ngly cheerful little self. "Anything planned today?" Madeline asked. "Swimming!" Cassie shrieked. Hermione laughed and Severus cringed at his now bur st ear drum. "Yes, we can go, Cassie. But you have to eat your pancakes." Grandmother told he r. "Unca Sewus. Tell her I don't have to eat my pancakes." Cassie said. Everyone la ughed. "If you don't eat your pancakes, my dear, you will never get bigger." He said. "But Aunt Rene said I growed a lot, and I never eat pancakes." Cassie stated. "Don't you like pancakes?" Hermione asked. "Ick!" Cassie said scrunching up her nose. "Too much syrup." "Would you like toast instead?" Severus asked. Cassie nodded her head enthusiast

ically. "Severus, you're going to spoil her." "I wouldn't, but I agree with her on the syrup situation." He stated and moved o ver to the toaster, which Hermione had taught him how to use at Christmas. ~~~~~~~~~* ~Swimming next chapter. I don't have anymore time at the moment. I'll write more tomorrow. Buh-Bye! And thanks to Kimnlei who is BETAing this story and Across U ncrossable Lines.~ ~Slytherin Girl~ Making My Head Spin, Chapter 30 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/30/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~Sorry I didn't get this out, The 23rd and 24th were spent shopping. The first d ay I spent 6 hours at a mall for goodness sake, went insane, had three cups of c offee and two cups of hot chocolate when I got home, and then soaked in the bath for 2 hours with another cup of coffee and the first Harry Potter book. The nex t wasn't so bad, but it was. Next year, I'm getting all my Christmas shopping do ne in July. It was a complete mad house. Did I mention I ate a whole pack of ore os? I'm going to weigh 100 pounds before Christmas is over. ::walks away mutteri ng about the holidays being bad for your health:: And I was banned from the comp uter yesterday. Something about it being Christmas. Ugg. After note. I just trie d to upload this, now I have figured out that AOL is being a pain with the site so I can't get on it. ::Curses aol and walks away::~ ~Disclaimer~ I don't own anything.~ ~~~~~~~~~~~* "Tell me you're joking." Severus said. "Please, you can't be serious." "About what?" "I feel like I'm in my underwear." "I think you look sexy, Sev." "Ouch. Do I need to leave?" Draco asked, walking into Hermione's room with his s wim trunks on as well. "Why do all our romantic moments get ruined by someone." "Unca Sewus! Unca Sewus!" Cassie exclaimed running in the room as well with her little pink bathing suit and duck floats on her arms. "Don't you look cute." He said picking her up. "I always look cute." She said before squirming out of his arms and running out of the room.

"What a modest young child." Draco said sarcastically. "She's just little." Hermione said. "Now, scoot. I have to get changed as well." "Yes, ma'am." Draco said and bowed out of the room. He was promptly smacked on t he back of his head and Severus, rolling his eyes, followed him out of the room. Hermione laughed before changing into her swimsuit. ~~~~~~~~~~~* "That's completely insa-." Draco stopped in mid-sentence and looked up at the ho use. Severus spun to see what he was looking at and felt his jaw drop. "Stop looking at her Mr. Malfoy." "Bit protective there aren't you, Professor?" Severus turned to glare at him but found his eyes wouldn't leave the angel in fr ont of him. The triangle-top bikini clad angel. "Stop staring at me like that." Hermione said as she reached them. "I was going to stop anyway before our Professor Avada's me." "He's not just my Professor, Draco, he's my significant other." Severus grinned. "Oh, isn't he special." Draco said, and then looked slightly disgusted at the th ought of Hermione and his Professor being a couple. "Grow up, Draco." Hermione said as Severus pecked her cheek and put his hand on the small of her back and led her down to the lake where everyone else was gathe red. Draco was rolling his eyes as he followed them. "Unca Sewus!" Cassie said and Severus suddenly found himself drenched in ice-col d water. "Cassie, how are you able to stand that water?" he asked through gritted teeth. The only thing that stopped him from lashing out was the very high fondness he h ad of the child. "I am not getting in that water." "Of course you are, Severus Snape." Hermione said and proved this by pushing him in. He of course grabbed her arm and pulled her in as well. "Severus!" "It served you right, my dear." Hermione laughed and then pushed his head under the water. He grabbed her waist and all but threw her into deeper water. "Severus, be careful with my grandbaby." Grandma said from the shore. She was si tting in a lounge chair, not in a bathing suit. "Yes, Grandma." He said and then swam over to Hermione and scooped her up in his arms. "I caught a fish." "I think she's a bit big for a fish you could find in this lake." "Draco, shut-up." Hermione said. "She's an angel fish." Severus stated. "What about me, Unca Sewus?" Cassie asked. "You are a minnow." He told her. "What's a minnow?" she asked. "A very small fish." "I'm not small." She stated. "You're smaller than anyone here." Draco said. "Shut-up, Unca Dwaco." "Cassie, be nice." Hermione said. "Everyone tells me to shut-up. Always, shut up Draco, shut-up Draco." "Shut-up Draco." Hermione and Draco both said. "See." He stated. ~~~~~~~~~~~* They swam way longer than they probably should have. Well at least, Hermione and Severus did. They only got out a couple of times to eat. The others stopped swi mming when it started to get dark and colder. "Hermione, love, your lips, they are such a lovely shade of blue." Severus whisp ered in her ear. "You two are both going to catch cold." Grandmother stated. "I never get sick." Severus said stubbornly. "And why is that?" "I gave myself a potion." Everyone just stared at him. "It's only to protect me from common colds and flu." "Well, Hermione's going to get sick then."

"Ten more minutes?" Hermione pleaded like a child. "No, out, I should have made you get out hours ago. Look skin is all pruney." "I'm freezing!" Hermione exclaimed as she stepped into the night air. Severus took this opportunity to swear about being cold. He wrapped a towel arou nd his shoulders and then took another and wrapped it around Hermione and then p icked her up into his arms. "I'll keep you warm, my dear." He stated as they all headed up to the house. He pulled her closer as they both started to shiver. ~~~~~~~~~~~* Hermione was in a sneezing fit when Severus came to wake her up the next morning . "I don't feel good, Sev." she said. But this all came out weird as her nose was stuffed up. He was immediately next to her. "Next time, let's listen to your grandmother." He said as he put his hand to her forehead. "I think you have a fever." "Great." she muttered and leaned against him. "Now I have sick germs all over me." "Thanks for making me feel better, Sev." "Just lay down for a second. I'm going to go see what I can do to make you feel better." He pecked her cheek and rushed out of the room. "Grandma!" he was yelling about half-way down the stairs. They almost ran into e ach other at the bottom. "What is it?" she asked. "Hermione's sick." "Next time you'll listen to me." She said and took off up the stairs, Severus fo llowing close behind. She stopped in the bathroom and handed Severus a thermometer and a bottle of som e strange liquid, before heading to Hermione's room. "See my dear, this is what you get for not listening to your grandmother." "I need tissues." Hermione stated as they came back. "Severus, go check under the sink in the bathroom and bring a couple of boxes." Severus didn't need to be told twice and quickly walked back to the bathroom. When he re-entered Hermione's room she was propped against a couple of pillows w ith the thermometer in her mouth. "Here." He said and handed a box to Hermione who did her best to thank him befor e sneezing. "Right, she has a small fever and a stuffed up nose. Besides that you're just go ing to feel horrible, my baby." Hermione just nodded and took another tissue from the box Severus was now holdin g. Grandma moved her small trash can over onto the bedside table so she could re ach. "I'll make some tea." Grandma stated. "Come on, Severus. You can bring it up to her. There's a reason my bedroom's on the first floor. I'm getting way too old f or these stairs." She was out the door and Severus was looking at Hermione. "I'll be back." He said and handed her the box of tissues. About 10 minutes later he was back up with two teacups and a pot of tea. "I have just received a lecture about letting you stay in the lake so long." Sev erus said as he put the tray on the other bedside table. "I'm sorry." "It's hardly your fault, Sev." she said and leaned back against him as he sat on the bed. "I know, but I've decided I don't like you being sick. And I'm going to take car e of you until you get better. Like a good significant other should." He said jo king. "I'm glad." She muttered closing her eyes. "Tea." He said handing her a cup and then taking one for herself. She yelped as she took a sip and dropped the cup. "Oww!" Severus put his cup down and pulled the leg of one of her pajama pants away from

her skin. He gently picked her up and moved her off the now tea-filled bed and onto a nearby chair. "Silly girl." "I didn't think it would be that hot." She stated. He moved to her closet and searched around until he found another pair of her pa jamas. "Here. I'm going to go and make sure nothing is scattered around my room that sh ouldn't be." "It wouldn't be anything I hadn't seen, and why?" "Well, I'm not going to put you back in your wet bed, and if your grandmother ha ppens to come up, or anyone else for that matter, I don't want my underwear in p lain sight." "Oh." She said softly, taking her pajamas and watching Severus exit her room. Sh e slowly changed as her energy wouldn't let her move fast. Severus reappeared just as she slipped her spaghetti strap top on. Severus must have noticed as he blushed a bit. "Come on, love." He said and scooped her into his arms. "I can walk, Sev." she said, leaning her head on his shoulder. "I know, but I don't want you to over-exert yourself." "How thoughtful." She said as he set her down on his now black- sheeted bed. "I'll be back in a second. I'll just go get your tissues." "Thanks, Sev." When he returned with tissues and trash can, Hermione was asleep. He sighed and laid down beside her, pulling her to him and placing a protective kiss on her fo rehead. ~~~~~~~~~~* ~Aww, I wish Sevi was there to take care of me when I'm sick. Lol. Anyway, sorry it took so long to get this out.~ ~Slytherin Girl~ Making My Head Spin, Chapter 31 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/31/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~Sorry this took so long!~ ~Disclaimer~ I do not own anything.~ ~~~~~~~~* Severus hadn't realized he had fallen asleep until Hermione woke him up coughing

. "Are you all right?" he asked. "Sev, I think I'm going to throw-up." She stated. He hopped off the bed and brou ght her his trash can. "What do you need, my dear?" "Nothing, I just want to lay here." She said sounding very stuffed up. Severus c ouldn't help but notice how pale she looked. Paler than normal. "My poor, baby." He said in a baby voice. "Sev, you're scaring me." Hermione said and closed her eyes. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do, Hermione. Luckily you've never been sick before." "Just lay here with me." She whispered and he did as he was told. ~~~~~~~~~* Draco found them like this and was tempted to yell in his Professor's ear, but t hought better of it. "Professor." He said slightly shaking his shoulder. "Professor?" "What is it, Draco?" "Grandma wants you." Severus lazily opened his eyes and stared at the boy. "What?" "Grandma wants to see you." "Oh." He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood. "Stand right there u ntil I get back." "Yes, Professor." Severus nodded at him and headed down the stairs almost tripping down instead of walking. "Grandma?" he asked as he straightened himself up. "In here, Severus." "What is it?" he asked. "This arrived for you. I want to know what kind of people you hand around." She said handing him a black envelope with the Dark Mark as a seal. "Is there a fire going?" "No, but you can start one." He nodded and headed into the living room where Cassie had Madeline, Rachel, and Sarah playing dress-up. "Unca Sewus! Look! I'm a princess!" "I already knew that, Sweety." She giggled as he started a fire and then was about to throw the letter in the f ire turned to the girls who had resumed their game. "Girls, could you get behind the furniture for a minute." He said and rememberin g last time he threw a letter in the fire they crouched behind a couch a pulled Cassie with them. He threw the letter on the fire but it didn't explode, it didn't even burn, whic h was probably even worse. There was a sudden pop and the letter exploded into d ozens of light rays springing of into every direction. A sudden sound erupted into a sound he automatically registered as Lucius Malfoy . "STILL HANGING AROUND THE MUGGLES, SNAPE! YOU REALLY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSE LF! NOW SEE, YOU'VE PUT THEM ALL IN DANGER! ESPECIALLY YOUR LITTLE MUDBLOOD PET! JUST WATCH YOUR BACK, AND IT WOULDN'T HURT TO WATCH THEIRS EITHER! TELL DRACO H E ISN'T MAKING MATTERS ANY BETTER AND IT WILL ONLY BE A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE WE FIND THE THREE OF YOU!" The letter cut off there and Severus turned to see almost the whole house behind him, everyone except Hermione. Draco was standing in the doorway having just ar rived. "My father?" he asked. "I told you to stay with Hermione." Severus hissed and everyone looked at him in shock. He then exited the room and practically ran up the stairs. "What happened, Grandma?" Madeline asked. "I'm not sure, love. But I'm, sure he'll tell us when he's ready."

~~~~~~~~~* When Severus got back up to the room Hermione was propped up on a pillow looking at him. "What is it, Sev?" "Nothing, love, just get some rest." "You're a horrible liar, Severus. Now tell me what's wrong." "I think we're in trouble." "Why?" "That was Lucius Malfoy. I'm sure you heard." "I heard someone screaming." "Yes, a howler type thing. He said I'm putting you and your family in danger, an d Draco's not helping, and it would only be a matter of time before they found u s." "Do you think it's serious?" "I'm not sure." "Well, floo Albus." "I am, I was just going to do it from up here." He said and lit a fire with his wand. "Sev, I really don't think he was serious. Why would they want to find us so bad ?" "Hermione, think a second. In this house we have three of the most powerful peop le in Hogwarts, if not the whole wizarding world. Albus!" he called into the fla mes. "Severus?" they heard a second later. "Albus, I think we have a problem." And Severus recounted what had happened and gave his opinions to the headmaster. "Why don't you put extra protection spells on the house, Severus. Unless you wan t to come back, which will leave Hermione' family without any protection." "No, we want to stay, we just didn't really know what we should do." "Hermione, dear, are all right?" Dumbledore asked looking past Severus. "She just has a cold." Severus said. "I see. I wouldn't worry too much Severus. They've threatened before and not muc h has happened. But, put up some protection spells." "All right. I'll talk to you later, Albus." "Get better soon, Hermione." Albus said before disappearing. "Severus come lay back down with me." "Just let me go put up a couple of spells, Hermione. I really don't want anythin g to happen to you." He said and kissed her cheek and then grabbed his wand. ~~~~~~~~~~~* "Unca Sewus!" Cassie called as soon as he was down the stairs. "What are you doi ng?" "I'm making sure you stay safe." He told her and scooped her into his arms as sh e walked up to him. "Do you want to come with me?" "Yep, yep." She said and put her arms around his neck. He went out the back door as he didn't want the neighbors to see him. Not that h e really thought they would, the front of the house had woods blocking the house from view of the road. He performed many spells, probably more than he needed to, and Cassie watched in amazement. "That's neat, Unca Sewus!" she exclaimed. "Thank you." He said and kissed her on the cheek. "Come on, I have to go chack o n your Aunt Mione." "Is Aunt My-knee, ok?" Cassie asked. "Yep, she just has a tummy ache." Severus said. "Oh. Can I see her?" "No, I don't want you to get sick, too." "Well, tell her to get better, please." "I will." He said setting her down as he reached the stairs. "Go find Madeline." She smiled up at him and then ran off and he ran up the stairs. ~~~~~~~~~*

"Are we safe now?" Hermione asked as he entered the room. "As safe as we can be." He said and laid down next to her. "Do you want anything ?" "Actually, tea sounds nice." She said looking at him. "As long as you don't spill it in *my* bed." He said and kissed her cheek again before disappearing into the hallway. ~~~~~~~~~* Hermione was better within the next few day but Grandma wouldn't let her leave S everus' bedroom until the week was over. "You can't get better if you aren't resting." She had said. "I think I know why I am so scared of your grandmother." Severus stated later th at day. "Why is that?" "She's like Poppy and Minerva both, so I had no chance." Hermione rolled her eye s at that. "I still don't know why you are scared of my grandmother." "Because, she's your family, and if she doesn't like me, she won't let me be wit h you." "You're being ridiculous. All my family loves you." "I still don't know why." "Because when you're here you are not the greasy bastard you are at school." "That you so much. And my hair is not greasy." "Yes, I know." ~~~~~~~~~~* The next few weeks passed by without much incident, except for the fact Cassie h ad managed to get a hold of Severus' wand and her magical ability was through th e roof, as was seen when she turned Severus' clothes pink and purple. Needless t o say he hid his wand after that. ~~~~~~~~~* Severus and Hermione had once again been separated when Hermione was better, and yes they were complaining, but not out loud. Hermione's Uncles had given Severus books of soccer (or football, depending on w here you're from) because they wanted to take him to a game, and he had no idea what the heck it was never mind how to play it. He had decided it sounded boring though after he had fallen asleep three times w hile trying to read it. But then he figured it was also 1 in the morning, so tha t might of had something to do with it. He quickly turned out his lamp before fa lling asleep. "UNCA SEWUS! UNCA SEWUS!" Severus jumped awake when he heard Cassie. "Cassie, what is it?" he asked sleepily, but was then wide awake as he saw the l ittle girl had tears cascading down her cheeks. "What is it, Sweetie?" He gently lifted her onto the bed and sat her in his lap. "I-I-I had a nightmare." She cried. Severus sighed. "What was it about?" "Mummy and-and Daddy." "What happened to your Mummy and Daddy?" he asked. "Mummy was driving her car and her and Daddy and two other people were there. An d-and they were driving and a-a big truck pulled out in front of them-and-and th en there were flashing lights and doctors and policemen, and-and they were all b loody and missing their heads." She said and completely broke down and buried he r head in Severus' shoulder. He was thoroughly shocked at the graphic image that came to mind. He figured tha t she was talking about a semi-truck, and the part about the missing heads had c onfused him. But he had read about a week before in the newspaper about a teenag e girl who had run into a semi-truck that had pulled out in front of her. The re port had said in a majority of the cases of cars hitting the trailer of semi-tru cks, the car went under it, but the top came because the car wasn't small enough to fit. This caused anyone in the car to be decapitated. "Don't worry, baby, your Mummy and Daddy are all right. Nothing happened to them ."

"But it was so real." She cried. "They're fine, baby, it was only a dream." "Can I sleep with you, Unca Sewus." "Of course you can." She snuggled up against him and he sighed. Poor thing. He was sure he never had violent dreams when he was that small. His last conscious thought before falling back asleep was the registering of a phone ringing downstairs. ~~~~~~~~* ~Sorry this took so long. We had company and I never really had time to write. S orry. Also, thanks to my reviewers, I'm so happy I have over 700 reviews! Also, I want to talk about the semi-truck part, I added this because that happened to a girl in my school. It was horrible and incredibly sad.~ ~Slytherin Girl~ Making My Head Spin, Chapter 32 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/32/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~Here's the next chapter! Yay! I also am going to inform you, I now have MSN mes senger, along with AIM. So, if you want to contact me, there you go!~ ~Disclaimer~ I don't own anything. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Severus was awaken the next morning by something small bouncing up and down on h is bed. "Unca Sewus! Unca Sewus!" A pink pajama clad Cassie was calling. "I'm up." He moaned. "Breakfast." She said. "Yes, come on then." He said scooping her into his arms. "I want orange juice." "You can have as much orange juice as you want." "I want ice cream." "Not for breakfast." "Poo." Cassie exclaimed. Severus grinned. Little Slytherin. As soon as he entered the kitchen he knew something was wrong. Mainly by the tea rs. He walked over to Hermione automatically. "Grace is dead." She whispered turning and burying her face in his chest. Severus almost dropped Cassie in shock. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

They had been decapitated in a truck accident. "Hermione, she's a Seer!" Severus exclaimed in shock, after depositing Cassie in the hands of Grandma and pulling Hermione into the living room. "What!" "Cassie, she came into my room last night because she had a nightmare. About her parents being decapitated in a truck wreck. Not in those words but that's what she said! Hermione do you know what this means!" "I'm a mother!" Severus looked at her in shock. "But Hermione, we never, we haven't, how can-." "Severus! I'm Cassie's godmother! I know I told you that. Her parents are dead!" The full weight of all this came crashing down on Severus and he pulled Hermione into his arms. "I never thought. Sev, I don't know what to do. I mean, I'm crying for Grace and her husband. But, Sev, I'm now responsible for a three year old child!" she exc laimed. Severus collapsed onto the couch and pulled Hermione down with him. "Don't worry, love. Everything will be fine." "Sev! I'm too young to take care of her! I-I don't know the first thing about th is! When I took on the responsibility of godmother, I never really thought that I would be, and so soon!" "Hermione!" he exclaimed to stop her insane babbling. She just looked up at him. "It'll work out. I promise." "This is insane." She whispered. "Everyone in my life seems to be dying." "I swear, Hermione. I'll help you through this. What are 'significant others' fo r?" "Oh, Sev, I really don't know what I would do without you." She said and lightly kissed him. "When is their funeral?" he asked softly. "I don't know. We got a call from the hospital nearest to where they were last n ight. Uncle Zachariah and Uncle John are taking grandmother down to sort things out." "Hermione, what about Grace's babies?" Hermione just shook her head. "Even if they could have done anything, they arriv ed too late." Severus nodded sadly. ~~~~~~~~~* Cassie remained happily oblivious to the fact that her parents were dead. She ju st didn't understand why everyone was crying so much and why her grandmother and uncles had disappeared. Severus was put in charge of keeping her entertained while comforting Hermione. "We have to talk to Albus." He said later that afternoon. "I know. What if he doesn't let me bring her to Hogwarts? Sev?" Hermione asked a s they walked down from putting Cassie in bed for her nap. "He will, he'll understand." Severus said as they headed for the fireplace in He rmione's room. "I hope so. I really hope so." And he had. He and Minerva were going to come the day after the funeral to help with arrangements. Hermione had had to leave halfway through, running from the r oom crying. "Severus." Minerva snapped. He turned to look at her. Then her voice went soft. "Take care of Hermione until I can be there." "Of course, Minerva." He replied, much gentler than he had ever spoken before, a t least in her presence. Hermione came back into the room about 5 minutes after the conversation ended. "Sev, I can't take this." She said. "Can't take what?" "Everything!" she exclaimed. "Grace and her husband are dead! Cassie is now in m y care! Nothing is right anymore." Severus looked at her sadly trying to remember that she had just lost and gained

something big in her life. "Come here." He said. She just looked at him. "Come here." When she was situated on his lap, he placed his chin on her shoulder. "Now, listen to me. Everything is going to be fine. Do you hear me? It will work out. Albus is letting her come to Hogwarts. She will be your responsibility, but I swear Hermione, I'm going t o help you. Minerva is undoubtedly going to help you. And anyone who ever lays t heir eyes on Cassie is going to want to help you. She is the most adorable child with the most lovable godmother in the world. So, let me worry. All right? I'll worry for you." "Oh, Sev. What about us?" "What about us, love?" "I'll want her in the dungeons." "Of course." "So she can be with me, and well, she's just a child, she doesn't realize she ca n't tell people about her 'Aunt My-Knee and Unca Sewus'." Severus sighed. He hadn't really thought about that. "And Sev, what am I supposed to do about, Cassie?" "Love, I already-." "No, Sev! She doesn't realize her parents are dead. She's not going to, she's to o little! When she gets older, she's going to ask me about them, and it's going to break my heart." Hermione said as a fresh wave of tears came. "Hermione, I really don't know what to say." "And what if she starts calling me Mummy!" "Well, technically, you will be. An adopted one." "But Sev! Oh, I really don't know. I don't know." "Hermione, you're going into hysterics." He stated trying to calm her down. "Can you blame me!" she all but yelled. "Listen, I want you to lay here. I want you to go to sleep. I want you to wake u p nice and calm." "Don't leave me, Sev." she whispered. He sighed, looking down on her small form. It amazed him sometimes, how small she really was. It was usually then that he felt guilty about her being so young. "I won't." he said. ~~~~~~~~~* Severus continued to stare at her long after she had fallen asleep. Hermione was perfect in his eyes. His thoughts drifted to Cassie, their new room-mate so to speak. He entertained the idea of having the three-year-old running around Hogwarts with little pink r obes on. No, not pink, he decided. Green. To bad she was muggle-born, he would h ave liked for her to be in Slytherin. At least then when she got older he could punish anyone who so much as looked her way while keeping a proper eye on her. Then his thoughts abruptly stopped. Without even so much as taking a second thou ght he had chosen to take care, or help take care, of Cassie. Did that somehow p ut him in the position of father? Him? His blind love for Hermione had stopped h im from thinking. He wasn't complaining, but what about Hermione? When she gradu ated, what would happen? What was he supposed to do? He couldn't let her leave. Would she want to spend the rest of her life with him? Could he even hope? As ol d as she acted, she was still so young. Which brought guilt back into his head. He couldn't ask her to make that choice. Not yet. He hadn't thought about this before. He probably shouldn't now. There was still time. She still had two years left at Hogwarts. He had two years to decide what to do. Two years. ~~~~~~~~~* Cassie had come into Hermione's room a while later, wide awake. Severus had scoo ped her up and set her on his lap. "Unca Sewus?" "Yes, my dear?" "Is my dream true? Is that why everyone is crying?" If Severus thought he could never be shocked again, he was wrong. If he was expe cting something, it hadn't been this.

"Why do you ask, Cassie?" "Grandma never cries unless something really bad happens." Cassie stated. Severu s was thoroughly amazed at the little girl. He was at a loss at what to say. He saved however when a voice came from the doorway. "Sevi!" he glared at Madeline. "Ah, you have Cassie. Good. Can I have her please ?" "Go play with Madeline." Severus told the little girl and she placed a small kis s on his cheek before scooting of his lap and out the door. "How can she be so perceptive?' Hermione asked making Severus jump about a foot. "I didn't know you were awake." "I am. But she, I don't know, listen to her. She knows her parents are dead, Sev erus. How? No one has said anything around her. You told her that it was just a nightmare last night." "Hermione, if she is a Seer, than she would know. I'm sure she's had nightmare's before, and I'm sure last night was different than any of them." "It scares me." "What does?" "The thought that she might be a Seer." "Who knows, maybe now Dumbledore can fire that glitter-bug he's got teaching Div ination." Hermione laughed at that. "I'm serious, Sev. Surely being a Seer puts Cassie at a risk. From Voldemort I m ean." Eyes widening considerably, Severus looked at Hermione. "I hadn't thought about that." "But it's true, isn't it?" "I suppose we'll have to talk to Dumbledore again. We didn't tell him about Cass ie's dream. Did we?" "I don't think so." "We'll just wait until he and Minerva come to tell them. I can't be bothered flo oing them again." "Whatever you want, Sev. I'm hungry." "Well, by all means let's go eat." ~~~~~~~~* ~I probably made what I was doing completely obvious. But...Oh well I guess. Any way, review! Please!~ ~Slytherin Girl~ Making My Head Spin, Chapter 33 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/33/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys

Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~I said sometime or another, that this fic wouldn't be as long as I Won't Walk A way. But, I'm thinking now, it might be. I have no idea how long this fic will b e, I'm just going where it's taking me. It's a complete different way I was goin g at first. Anyway, you might be stuck with this story for awhile. : )~ ~Disclaimer~ This is the last disclaimer I'm writing. I think everyone gets the point now. I don't own HP or any other related characters.~ ~~~~~~~~~~~* The funeral. Hermione hated funerals. Though, she supposed, not many people like d them. And if they did, they obviously had something wrong with them. Cassie was sitting in between her and Severus, both of them were holding Cassie' s hand. Cassie was still confused as to why she was there. What was happening? As the bodies were not going to be shown, mainly due to the fact that their head s were not attached to the body, there were pictures of each on top of the coffi ns. This also confused Cassie. "Aunt My-knee? Why are Mummy and Daddy's pictures on those boxes?" At this Hermione looked at Severus who was looking at the coffins as well. "Later, Cassie. Just wait until everything is done." Hermione said trying to not to burst into uncontrollable sobs. The whole ceremony went without a glitch until the eulogy, when one of Grace's h usband's relatives mentioned them and dying without much pain. Until then everyo ne had said passed on or something close to that. But after that Cassie was on h er feet. "What are you talking about?" she cried and walked forward so she was standing r ight in front of him. "Mummy and Daddy aren't dead! Are they Aunt My-knee. Tell him. Bad man! Don't lie! Lying is bad!" Hermione buried her face in her hands and let all her tears fall. The poor thing . She had no idea. She had talked about it with Severus, she had heard them. But death, she supposed, was something you didn't accept. She looked up as she heard Severus' voice. He was kneeling in front of the child , who was facing everyone now. She could barely hear what he was saying, but Cas sie now had tears in her eyes and was shaking her head slightly. "Mummy and Daddy can't be dead." She whispered. "You're Mummy and Daddy are watching over you, Baby. Making sure you're safe and happy. They don't want you to be sad for them. They're in heaven watching you n ow." "But, won't I see them again?" she asked, her big brown eyes sparkling with tear s. "Not for a very long time, Baby." Severus whispered. With that Cassie wrapped her arms around Severus' neck and he gently lifted her. He looked at Hermione and she was shocked to see a single tear roll down his che ek before he sat back down. He sat next to her with Cassie on his lap and his ar m around Hermione, her head leaning on his shoulder. ~~~~~~~~~~* It was much later that night, while everyone was in their pajamas, that Hermione was lying asleep in his arms, on the couch. Everyone had been watching some mov ie or another. He wasn't even sure what it was about. He had too much on his min d. Hermione had been crying non-stop. He was sure it was more about Cassie than any thing else. Cassie was a whole other story. She had refused to let go of him the whole day. She once went with Hermione when he had to go to the rest rooms, but she wouldn't go to anyone else. This was something that somewhat worried him. He felt like he was over-stepping his boundary of family friend. And he had voiced that. His reply from Grandma ha d been. "Don't be silly, Severus. You are family." And it was this statement tha t had rendered him speechless. He was sure that Grandma had looked at Hermione w hile saying this, but wasn't sure. But it wasn't even that. Did they all conside

r him family? An almost complete stranger. A professor of a family member? And it was in that moment that he realized, when he was around them, he felt a s ense of belonging. A feeling that he had never experienced. He had never really belonged to a true family. Was this what it felt like? He glanced around the room everyone. Most were asleep. Cassie had been put to be d long ago. He realized, if anything had happened to anyone in this room, if som eone deliberately harmed them. He would be out for blood. Severus glanced down at the girl in his arms. And then thought about the little girl upstairs, who was now somewhat of a daughter to Hermione. He wouldn't let a ny harm come to them, ever. He loved them. ~~~~~~~~~~* That night he had gone to bed, and found Cassie asleep on his bed. He felt so pr otective of her. He knew he shouldn't. He had no right to. Not really. He wasn't her father. But, her father was dead. But she slept with him. Her little body pressed against his and he couldn't help but feel protective. How could Cassie do this though? He didn't want to replace her father. But to him, it certainly felt like he was. How was she accepting th is all so quickly? Did she think of him as sort of a father? He wasn't sure what he thought about that. Severus realized he would take respon sibility of Cassie if it was asked of him. But he didn't want to take advantage of the situation. He would talk to Hermione in the morning. Or maybe in a couple of days. He didn't want to push things on her. ~~~~~~~~~~* Albus and Minerva arrived around lunch the next day. Severus and Cassie were sti ll asleep. "I want you to see him, Minerva." Hermione said as they questioned his whereabou ts. "You too, Albus. It takes my breath away, it really does." They had entered his room to find his arm protectively around the small girl. Bo th asleep. "They look right, don't they?" Minerva said. A bit too loud they guessed. He hal f-opened his eyes and looked at them. His half-asleep brain couldn't manage to t ell his eyes to glare though. "Go back to sleep, Severus. We can stay awhile." "No, no, I'm up." He said, gently slipping his arm from around Cassie. When he l ooked up, he was surprised to see Minerva smiling at him. He surprised himself e ven more by smiling back. He blamed it on the fact that he was still half-asleep . Severus almost hit himself upside the head for almost kissing Hermione good-morn ing. Not a good idea in front of the headmaster and her guardian. Grandma and Draco were waiting for them in the living room. They were undoubtedl y in on the arrangements. Albus and Minerva took one of the couches, leaving the other to Severus and Herm ione, as the other two had taken the chairs. "Now, I want to get some things cleared up first." Grandma stated. "Please start then." Albus said smiling. "You are Hermione's guardian." She said looking at Minerva. "Yes." "And if Cassie went back to this school with Hermione and Severus, you would be looking after her as well." "I believe the whole staff would be. But yes, I will." "All right. Continue." "Thank you. So everyone is agreed that Cassie will come back to Hogwarts." After everyone nodded or murmured their yes, Albus continued. "She will live Hermione and Severus in the dungeons, am I correct?" "Hermione, you said you and Severus lived on opposite sides of the school." Gran dma said frowning at her. "That's what she gets for lying to her Grandmother." Severus said smirking. Herm ione grinned apologetically. Grandma just rolled her eyes and motioned for Albus to continue. "So, the question is, do you want me to add another room onto your quarters, Sev erus, or add another bed in your room, Hermione."

Severus and Hermione looked at each other. "Add a room." They said at the same t ime. "Would you like me to wait until you get there? I'm sure you'll want to decorate yourself. Probably with less pink than I have in mind." Severus glared at him. "I'll take that as a yes." "I think, Hermione, you have said little, considering you're now her mother." "I'm not her mother!" Hermione exclaimed. "Hermione. Are you all right, love?" Grandma asked. "You keep saying I'm her mother, but I'm not. I don't want to take Grace's posit ion. I don't want Cassie to forget. Not so soon, not ever. I have no right to cl aim to be her mother." Severus reasoned that this sounded suspiciously similar to his inner- turmoil ye sterday. "Hermione look at me." Grandma said. "Do you think Grace would want Cassie to fe el mother-less? There is a reason you are her godmother. Grace knew that if some thing were to happen to her, you would be able to take care of her daughter, lik e she were your own. Because you love her as well. No one can replace Grace, Her mione, but you can come damn well closer than anyone else. And by God, if the ch ild wants to start calling you 'Mummy' you had better let her." Hermione had tears pouring down in buckets by that time and Severus' arm had com e around her shoulders. "And Severus!" his head shot up at his name. "If the Cassie wants to start calli ng you 'Daddy' you had better let her. She's just young, she needs parents. Don' t look at me like that Severus, she loves you more than I think she loves anyone ." Albus and Minerva's eyebrows both went up as this portion of the conversation st arted. "I'm not telling you to take away any memories of her parents. Not telling you t o let her forget, just to help her to move on a it." They were distracted suddenly as something flowery came zooming into the room an d into Severus' lap. "Good-morning, Unca Sewus." Cassie said and kissed his cheek. "Good-morning, Baby." He said kissing her forehead. "This is Professor Dumbledor e, and Professor McGonagall." He said pointing. "Hi." Cassie said as she settled herself in Severus' lap. Everyone who had been around Cassie couldn't help but notice that her voice lacked it's usual cheerful ness. "They are old." She whispered in Severus' ear, he couldn't help but smile. Neither could anyone else in the room who couldn't help but hear Cassie 'whispe ring'. "How would you like to come and live with me at the school?" Severus asked. "Mummy and Daddy aren't coming back?" she asked, just a trace of hope in her eye s. Severus slowly shook his head. "No, Baby." "I want to go with you then." She said and laid her head on his shoulder. "Is Au nt My-Knee going to be there?" "Yep, and Uncle Draco." "Oh!" "You will stay for lunch?" Grandma asked Albus and Minerva. "No, thank you. We ate before we came." "We have to go sort all legal things out this afternoon. I dare say you will hav e to sign a lot of papers, Hermione. Oh, that's a thought. Hermione you're not y et a legal adult. Professor-." "Minerva." "Minerva, as Hermione's guardian, you might have to be there to sign as well." "Oh!" Minerva exclaimed. "I think you'll just have to claim guardianship. They h ave no record of me in England, or anywhere else in the muggle world." "That might cause a problem. All right." "I think that settles everything then." Albus said. "Not even close." Severus stated.

"What is it, Severus?" "Cassie is a Seer." He said and both Albus and Minerva looked at him in shock, w hile Grandma looked at him in confusion. "You're sure?" Minerva asked. "Yes. She knew her parents had died. She came into my room that night and told m e about her nightmare, which was the exact same thing as how her parents actuall y died." "What is a Seer?" Grandma asked. "A person who can see the future." Hermione told her. "But Cassie isn't a witch." "Yes, she is." Severus said. Albus and Minerva were still staring in disbelief. "I suppose that makes things easier." Albus said. "Cassie's a witch?" Grandma asked. "I'm a witch?' Cassie asked. "Yes, Baby. But until we get to school, that's a secret." "Is that why she is so attached to you and Hermione?" "That would be my guess." "Well, this is another thing to think about." Albus said. "I wouldn't tell anyon e about her being a Seer. It's dangerous." "I know that, Albus." "We'll see you later in the summer then?" Albus asked, standing. "Yes, I have to get back early anyway, to plan." Severus said. "We'll see you then. Madam, it was a pleasure meeting you." He said shaking Gran dma's hand. ~~~~~~~~~~* As soon as they had arrived on Hogsmeade grounds after apperating, Minerva and A lbus looked at each other. "Did you see him, Albus? He's never acted like this. He's so gentle around that little girl." "I think, he might make a good father, one day." "To Hermione's children?" Minerva asked. "Heaven's no. I refuse to let student/teacher relationships take place at this s chool." Albus said heading back to the school. Minerva gave a small smirk at his back before following him. ~~~~~~~~~~~* Cassie was leeching onto Severus again. "I find it difficult to eat while you're hanging on my neck." Severus said while picking up his coffee. Cassie did let go of his neck then, but refused to get off his lap. "What is the school like, Unca Sewus?" Cassie asked. Everyone kind of tuned in at that time. "Well, it a great big castle. There are millions of rooms and staircases. And th ere are ghosts, and Peeves, he's a Poltergeist. And the pictures on the wall mov e and go to visit each other." "Pictures move?' she asked in disbelief. "Yep, and they talk to you as well." Cassie's eyes about tripled in size. "Wow." Severus laughed at her amazement. "Yes, now, eat you're cereal." "I want orange juice." She said. "You can have orange juice then." He said and poured her a glass. "I want ice cream." She said. "Not for breakfast." ~~~~~~~~~~~~* ~I'm trying to make this realistic, but I'm not sure if I'm succeeding. And I th ink I have Sevi too out of character. Oh well I suppose. Thanks to all my review ers!~ ~Slytherin Girl~ Making My Head Spin, Chapter 34

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/34/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~I'm glad no one thinks this is too OOC, because I'm having so much fun writing it. : ). Not that I never have fun, but this is different. And I have had a very bad start of term and this is a great way to forget. Writing relieves all my st ress. At least until I'm done writing it. So read. This is the result of a very stressful day at that hellish place they call school. Oh, and Albus was being ve ry serious last chapter. I honestly don't think he would approve of student/teac her relationships. Maybe that's just me. Umm, and I will only be able to write o n weekends from now until I say I can write during the week. You will not believ e my new classes. But I think I already said something about that. : ) By the wa y, has anyone been paying attention to how many days have gone by since the end of school? If you have could you maybe tell me? Thanks.~ ~~~~~~~~~~~* The next few days were just days where everyone was trying to forget. Or at leas t shove all the memories to the back of their minds. Cassie still would not let go of Severus by the end of the week and she was nicknamed 'la mia Scimmia' by S everus. Or just 'Scimmia' for short. "What does that mean, Severus?" Aunt Rene asked. "La mia Scimmia means 'my monkey'." Severus said smiling. Cassie looked up at hi m with her big brown eyes smiling. "I'm not a monkey, Unca Sewus!" "You're my monkey." He said and spun her around in a circle, making her shriek w ith laughter. Hermione smiled at them both from where she and her three cousins were playing S crabble and trying to explain it to Draco. "I believe it is time for you to go to bed, Miss Cassie." "I don't want to go to bed!" she said. "It's time." "This many more minutes?" she asked holding up five fingers. "No, go brush your teeth." "I'm not tired." "Come on." Severus said. "I need to brush my teeth, too." "Up." She said and he bent to pick her up. After they were gone Draco burst into laughter. "What is it?" Hermione asked. "I still can't get over him playing father." "I don't think he's playing, Draco." Grandma said smiling. "I think it's sweet." Madeline said.

"Me, too." Sarah and Rachel said. "Hermione doesn't think it's sweet, do you?" "Of course I do, Draco. Why wouldn't I?" "It's different." Draco said. "I kind of miss him being his old self. I blame yo u for that, Hermione." "He's still the same, Severus." Hermione told him. ~~~~~~~~~* "Unca Sewus, help." Cassie said from somewhere in her nightgown. He laughed. He could see one of her arms, but in the wrong sleeve. "I see you!" "I can see you, too. Hold still." He said and pulled her shirt so it was right w ay around and then down over her head. "Teeth." She was off running towards the bathroom and he followed her catching up in just a few strides. "No, don't do that, you're going to fall and hurt yourself!" he exclaimed. She h ad brought her little stepping stool over to the sink and was now attempting to climb on the counter so she could reach her toothbrush. He lifted her and placed her back on her stool and then handed her the toothbrush and toothpaste before grabbing his own. ~~~~~~~~~~~* "Hermione, I want you to tell me about Hogwarts. Is she going to have room to ru n around? And what about Muffin?" "Muffin?" Hermione asked. "Cassie's little dog. You remember, the little yappy thing. It's at the kennel r ight now. And I would keep it, but you know I'm allergic to dogs. I suppose I sh ould have asked your headmaster." "I'll talk to Severus when he gets back down. And yes, Grandma, she will have pl enty of space to run around. And I dare say Harry and Ron will be thrilled to ha ve a little girl to teach the Gryffindor ways." "How dare you even suggest that?" Draco said. "As much as she loves, Snape. She' ll be his shadow when we get back to school. Slytherin. Completely." "She can't be Slytherin, she's muggle-born." "I didn't say she would be Slytherin, she'll just act like one." Draco said smir king. "Great." ~~~~~~~~~* "Unca Sewus, can read me a bedtime story?" Cassie asked as he dropped her onto h er bed. "A bedtime story? I don't know any bedtime stories." "Not even Cinderella?" "What's a Cinderella?" "She's a girl, Unca Sewus!" "Oh." He felt completely stupid. "Tell me about school." She commanded. He sighed and laid down next to her. Which was quite a task as she had a little bed. "What do you want to know?" "Tell me about the ghosts." She said. ~~~~~~~~~* When Severus entered the living room an hour after he left Hermione was reading and Draco had taken her place playing Scrabble. Severus sat down on the couch and she looked up at him. "Is she asleep?" "Yes, she's asleep." Hermione marked her place in her book and turned to lean her head on Severus. "I love how you are around her." She said. "Oh?" "It's so sweet. You are going to be a great father, Sev." "Oh?" "To her children." Draco muttered to the three cousins. Muttered like Cassie whi spers, so everyone can hear.

Hermione blushed and hid her face in Severus' shoulder. Severus was a bit shocke d on the other hand. But he decided they would talk about it later. "Sev?" "Yes, my dear?" "We have just had a complication." "Oh?" "Well, you see, Cassie has a dog." Severus' eyebrows shot up. "I see." "Well, it's one of those small dogs." "Those yappy things?" Severus asked. "Umm, yes. And it's at the kennel right now, but is she going to be able to brin g it to Hogwarts?" "Umm, I don't see why not." Severus said. "I'll have to floo Albus tomorrow." "I doubt Frank is going to appreciate it very much, but, Cassie has had him for awhile now." "I'll talk to Albus." "I'm going to bed, children." Grandma said standing. "Me, too." Hermione said, standing and pulling Severus up with her. "Night every one." "You don't think they're-." Uncle Zachariah started as soon as they had disappea red from the room. "No." Draco interrupted. "I guarantee you they are not. Professor Snape will wai t until she graduates." ~~~~~~~~~~~* "Hermione?" Severus asked as they settled in her bed. "Hmm?" "You know what Draco said early?" "Draco says a lot of stuff." "About me being father to your children." Hermione looked at him funny then. "What about it, love?" "Umm, I, well, it's, umm." "Severus Snape stuttering. Why wouldn't he say that?" Hermione asked. "It seems kind of obvious, at least to the three of us. Unless, oh Sev! Did, oh, do you no t want, are, what, umm, Sev?" she blushed a bit. "Do you not want children? Or d o you not want me to have your children? We haven't ever really talked about it. I just assumed, that. Oh." She looked so hurt as she said that last bit it broke Severus' heart. What did s he mean 'did he not want her to have his children'? Of course he did. "Hermione, love, whatever you're thinking, get rid of the idea, now, do you want to talk about this?" He sat up and looked down at her. "Sev, are you just going to forget me after I graduate?" she asked quietly. "Ah! Let me start. And no I'm not." He said, laying back down he took her into h is arms. "First, I want you to know that I love you, more than anything in the w orld." She smiled and leaned to kiss him. When she pulled back he continued. "Next, I want you to know that I want to have many, many babies with you." She b lushed to the roots of her hair at the insinuation he put into that statement. " But, love, I don't want to hold you back." "Hold me back from what?" she asked. He was surprised, she looked thoroughly con fused. "Hermione, you're a brilliant witch." He said. "You can do anything you want to. I don't want to stop you from pursuing a career in what you want to do." "Severus Snape, I'm not leaving you. Ever." "Well, what are you doing after you graduate? Or what do you want to do?" "Teach." She said. "Teach? You would. You'll be damn good at it, too." "Sev, what are we going to do?" "I'm not quite sure." He said pulling her closer to him. "So you do want me to stay with you?"

"Forever, my dear, forever." He replied in barely a whisper. "But I won't ask th at of you." "Why?" "Forever, Hermione, is a long time." "And I want to spend it with you." He smiled and gently kissed her. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Cassie came to join them halfway through the night. "You really have to stop this, Baby." Severus said placing her in between him an d Hermione, who was smiling. Cassie looked up at him with big brown eyes. "Don't you love me, Unca Sewus?" Severus couldn't believe how fast he melted. "Of course I do." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Draco came to get Hermione and Severus up the next morning and found the three o f them in bed. He didn't have the heart to wake them up, but disappeared and cam e back a second later with a camera. If nothing else it would make good blackmai l. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "What are we doing today?" Madeline asked as they were all gathering at the tabl e for brunch. "Whatever you want." Grandma said. "I mean do we have anything planned?" "I don't." "I'm actually thinking about running to Diagon Alley." Severus stated. "I have t o pick out textbooks for the new school year." "What's wrong with the ones we were using?" Hermione asked. "They're going to stop printing them for some reason I probably don't want to kn ow." "Are you planning on taking me with you?" "Of course. But you don't need to pick up your school stuff this time, we'll be going back." "Right." "I can stay here, right?" Draco asked. "Well we're not going to make you come." "I'm going!" Cassie exclaimed from her position on Severus' lap. "Yes, you can come, Baby." Severus said smiling. "They have a wonderful ice crea m shop." "Ice cream!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* ~Sorry again for how long this took. I hope to have the next chapter up later to day. Don't hold that to me though. : )~ ~Slytherin Girl~ Making My Head Spin, Chapter 35 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/35/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows

!39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~I would like to thank JoeBob for giving me the calendar of my fic. We have conc luded that it is probably the beginning of the second week of August, leaving 3 weeks until school starts back. Also, everyone dance! I got this chapter up toda y! Lol.~ ~~~~~~~~~* Two hours later they were readying to floo to Diagon Alley. Severus wouldn't hav e taken any either of them, or at least not Cassie, but, he didn't figure that t here would be many people from the school there yet. There were still weeks befo re the new term started. "Do I look cute?" Cassie asked. Severus had shrunk one of Hermione's robes and t urned it into a pale pink. "You look adorable." Severus said picking her up. He would have to hold her as t hey flooed, she was too young to go by herself. "Aww, family trip." "Shut-up, Draco." Hermione said taking a bit of floo powder. "Yeah, yeah." Everyone was assembled in the living room, basically because that's where everyo ne always was, but they were curious as to how the floo worked. They jumped as Hermione disappeared and Severus and Cassie soon followed. "Sev, I think my grandma may have had a heart attack." Hermione said as they wal ked to the back of the Leaky Cauldron. "I wouldn't be surprised." He said, still carrying Cassie, who was looking aroun d at everyone. "Don't point and don't say anything to anyone, Baby." "I wonder if we'll see anyone." Hermione said. "I can just imagine the looks on their faces, seeing you with a little girl in your arms." "We most likely won't see anyone. As a former student myself, I am well aware of the fact that school shopping is done last minute by everyone. This is because no one will have received their letters yet." "Why do we receive our letters in the last week of break?" "Simply because the teachers have to figure out what they're doing and they usua lly don't start until the beginning of August, as they want a bit of vacation ti me to themselves." "Everyone was there last year." "Yes, they were. They aren't now though. Last year, everyone just happened to st ay." "Oh." "Unca Sewus? This place is strange." Cassie said looking around with huge eyes. "We just have to run into a few shops and then I'll get you ice cream." Severus said. "Ice cream!" she exclaimed. ~~~~~~~~~~* But, it wouldn't be fun if no one else was in Diagon Alley to witness this event . So, just stepping out of Gringotts, Harry, Ron, Ginny, and the rest of the Wea sleys, just missed Severus, Hermione, and Cassie walking into Flourish and Blott s. "I wonder what it's like to spend summer at Hogwarts." Ginny was saying. "With Snape, I don't want to know. It's bad enough with him when the whole stude nt body is there to torture as well, can you imagine being the only one." Ron sa id scrunching up his face. "Hermione seems to think he's all right." Ginny said. "Hermione always says teachers are all right. She hates him just as much as the

rest of us." Harry said. "You really shouldn't talk about your teachers that way." Mr. Weasley said. "Do you like him, Dad?" Ron asked. "Not particularly, no." "Then why can't we not like him either? I don't think anyone but Dumbledore does , and Dumbledore probably just feels bad for him." Even Mrs. Weasley wasn't saying anything, which was extremely uncharacteristic o f her. "We're going in there." Harry and Ron said at the exact same time as they walked past the Quidditch store. "Well, we'll all meet up for ice cream in an hour. All right?" Mrs. Weasley said . ~~~~~~~~~~~* "Unca Sewus! That book growled at me." Cassie said squeezing him closer. "It won't hurt you." Severus said, kissing her forhead. "Uncle Severus will protect you." Hermione told her. "Can books talk to, Unca Sewus?" "Some of them." "Here, you look at your potion's books. I'll take Cassie back to the children's books." Hermione said. Severus reluctantly handed over the little girl. "I'll be back there in a minute ." Cassie jumped and almost strangled Hermione as one of the children's cooks start ed singing. "Hermione?" She spun to see Ginny and Mrs. Weasley. "Ginny!" She gave her friend a half-hug as she was still holding Cassie. "Who's this?" Mrs. Weasley asked. Cassie hid her face shyly in Hermione's shoulder. "This is my goddaughter, Cassie." She told them. "Say hi, Cassie." "Hi." She said quietly still with her face hid. "Aww, she's so precious." Ginny said. "Her parents just passed away." Hermione said softly. "UNCA SEWUS!" The three jumped as Cassie screeched and struggled out of Hermione 's arms. "Who-." Ginny started but stared as a smiling Professor Snape came around the bo okshelf with the little girl clinging to him. "Hello, Professor." Severus immediately scowled as he recognized the two Weasley's. "Miss Weasley, Molly." He said coldly. "Hello, Severus." Mrs. Weasley said. "Surely you haven't come to get school supplies." He said, still cold. "Albus sent the children's lists early this year as they're going to spend the l ast two weeks of summer at Hogwarts, with Hermione." "Oh?" he asked. "Didn't Albus tell you?" "No, we haven't been at the school." Hermione said cheerfully. "You haven't?" Ginny asked. "Where have you been?" "My grandmothers. Didn't I tell you?" "You might have." Ginny said. "Where's Draco?" "He's at my grandmothers. My cousins were teaching him some board game or anothe r when we left." "Oh." "Unca Sewus, I want ice cream now." Cassie said. The two Weasley's watched in shock as the potion's master's face softened at the little girls words. "Of course, Baby. We're just going as soon as we pay for my books." "Yay!" "We're heading there as well, to meet up with the others." Ginny told them. "You can come with us if you like." "No."

"Yes." Hermione and Severus said at the same time. "We'd love to." Hermione said glaring at Severus. "Thank you so much." Severus said sarcastically. So Hermione, Cassie, and a very not-so-happy Severus followed the two Weasley wo men to meet their doom. At least in Severus' eyes. "Oh!" Cassie exclaimed as they passed the Quidditch store and saw a gleaming sni tch flittering around in a glass container. "I want to go in there." "Go ahead. We'll meet up with you." Severus said to Hermione. Anything to delay the time when he would have to meet the rest of the Weasley's and Potter. Cassie was going to be a Quidditch player, he decided. And she was going to be S lytherin. She struggled out of his arms and went straight towards the mini-Quidd itch robes. The silver and green ones. He smirked a bit at that. They emerged 20 minutes later, Cassie with a little bag containing the little ro bes in it. ~~~~~~~~~~* Meanwhile, everyone else was eating ice cream. "What did you do to Snape, Hermione?" Ginny asked after everyone had greeted her . "What do you mean?" "I didn't think his face could take any form besides a scowl." Ginny said playfu lly. Hermione just rolled her eyes. "What do you mean?" Harry asked. "Snape's here?" Ron asked. "Yes, he is. And you had better be nice to him." Hermione warned. "AUNT MY-KNEE!" Everyone at the table turned to see a Cassie running over to them waving a bag. "Look! Look! Look! Look what Unca Sewus bought me!" "Do I even want to know?" Hermione asked her. Cassie hopped onto Hermione's lap and pulled out the green and silver quidditch robes. "Yes, he would buy you something like that." Hermione told her. "Unca Sewus!" Ron said. "Please tell me she isn't talking about Snape." "Mr. Weasley. I can't be all that bad." Ron jumped at the voice that was right behind him. "Unca Sewus!" Cassie said holding up her arms. Severus picked her up and pulled over a chair next to Hermione's. Ron was glaring at Severus though. "Mr. Weasley, I would appreciate it if you desist that." Severus said glaring ba ck at Ron. "Dethitht!" Cassie said glaring as well. "Damn Gryffindors." Severus said to Cassie. "Damn Gwythindors." Cassie repeated. "Cassie! Don't repeat what your Uncle says." Hermione exclaimed. Severus turned his glare to Hermione. So Cassie copied this as well. "Don't you glare at me." Hermione said tapping Cassie's chin. "Okay!" Cassie said and grinned. "Don't you glare at me." Hermione repeated, tapping Severus' chin. "Okay!" he repeated and grinned as well. Then stopped as he remembered who he wa s in the company of. Some women came by and took Cassie and Severus' order. "So, where's Draco?" Harry asked. "He's at my grandmother's." Hermione said. "Why is he there?" Ron asked. "I swore I told you guys. We're spending the summer there." "So why didn't you bring him?" "Her cousins were teaching him how to play Monopoly." Severus answered. "How do you know, Professor?" Ron almost hissed. "Hermione just told you we're all spending the summer there." Eyes went wide at that. Apparently they thought Hermione had just meant her and Draco.

Severus looked at Hermione as to say 'How much longer must I put up with this?' She glared at him. "So, Snape, I see I was right last summer." Mr. Weasley said. Severus was confused, but didn't show it. "Arthur, what are you on about?" he asked. "Moving in on students? Did you have to put a spell on her? Or is it a potion? S pells never were your strong point." Severus stood up in rage. "Mr. Weasley. You can say what you want about me, I honestly don't give a damn. But leave Hermione out of it, I'm sure she doesn't appreciate you implying that she is stupid enough to fall for a love potion." Severus hissed. "Well she's hanging around you, she must be pretty stupid. She may not know, but I do." Glancing at Hermione, Severus noticed she looked close to tears. He also noticed he and Mr. Weasley, who was now standing as well, were making many heads turn i n their direction. "Sev, let's just go." Hermione said taking Cassie from him and heading towards t he Leaky Cauldron. "Hermione." He glared one more time at the Weasleys and then picked up Cassie's bag and ice cream and followed the two down the road. "I'm going to talk to Albus about this." Mr. Weasley said as they watched Severu s catch up to Hermione and place a hand at the small of her back to stop her. He gently took Cassie out of her arms and handed her Cassie's bag, and handed Ca ssie's ice cream to Cassie. Severus then gently guided her to the Leaky Cauldron after muttering unheard words. ~~~~~~~~~* But the Weasleys and Harry weren't the only ones who recognized Severus and Herm ione, and as Lucius Malfoy watched on with growing interest, he knew had finally found Severus Snape's two weaknesses. Both of them with the last name Granger. ~~~~~~~~~~* ~Haha! I actually got it out. I am shocked. Seriously. I'm so proud of myself th ough, I hadn't really thought I would. And in all honesty it was a close thing. Anyway, don't be surprised if I don't get another chapter out until the weekend. But I started a new Hermione/Severus fic. It's called Tears In Heaven. It's onl y five chapters, but, it's there if you want to read it. : ) Also, I think I mig ht have Arthur Weasley extremely out of character, but I want to make sure every one realizes how much he hates Severus. Why? You ask. You'll have to wait and se e. Thanks to all my reviewers!~ ~Slytherin Girl~ Making My Head Spin, Chapter 36 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/36/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying

To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~Sorry this took so long! Classes. And I was working on my other fics. ::Smiles guiltily:: Anyway, here it is!~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "How could he have said that, Sev?" Hermione said, tears gently flowing down her cheeks. They had arrived back at Hermione's grandmother's house and they were currently standing out on the dock of the lake. Well, Hermione was sitting, legs drawn up to her chin, and Severus was sitting behind her, arms encircling her whole self. "I don't think, Arthur Weasley purposely aimed that at you. He has this hate for me. A hate that runs deeper than even the Marauders. And he had every right too . I would hate me if I were in his position." "Deeper than that? What did you do to him?" Hermione asked. Severus remained qui et. "Oh, Sev, you don't have to tell me. I understand." "You probably deserve to know." He said and moved to sit next to her instead. Sh e unfolded herself and leaned against Severus, one of his arms came around her. "Only if you want to tell me." She whispered. "Did you know the Weasley's had another child?" "They do?" "They did. A girl. Their first-born child. She was in school the same time I was . A year or two younger." He started. "When I was 'thinking' about becoming a de atheater, I had to do certain tasks. It was required. One of my tasks was to lea d her to Voldemort. To the dark. I seduced her, Hermione. This was in my 7th yea r. I made her think I loved her, and she loved me. Everyone told her that I was a Slytherin. She was determined that I was different. After a couple of months, Voldemort was sick of playing around. She wasn't moving an inch towards the dark side. I was ordered to kill her. I did. Of all the things I have done in my lif e Hermione. That is one that I most regret. The look in her eyes. It was a look of such utter betrayal. Not anger, just hurt. I never even cared for her." Hermione had fresh tears in her eyes. "I don't blame him for hating me. But I hate him for putting you into the equati on. Hermione, don't think. Please, don't think. That because I did that, that's what I'm doing to you. I wouldn't. And Hermione, that's what he's going to try a nd convince you of. But Hermione, I really do love you." "I know, Sev." she said, tears still pouring down her cheeks. "You were a differ ent person then. I know you love me, and I love you." She leaned up and kissed h im softly, but he pulled her closer to him and deepened the kiss. ~~~~~~~~~~~* Meanwhile, Arthur Weasley was storming through Hogwarts trying to find Dumbledor e. He wasn't very please. "Arthur?" "Minerva, have you seen Albus?" "He's in the library. Are you all right?" "No, I am not." He said before taking off into the direction of the library. Minerva glanced around and then started running to the library using a shorter r oute. "Albus!" she called. "Albus?" "Minerva, you don't have to scream." "Arthur Weasley's on his way up, he's not very happy about something." "Ah, yes, the man himself." Dumbledore said looking over Minerva's head. "How ca n I help you Arthur?" "Snape." He growled. "Severus? What happened?" "I have reason to believe he is seducing your students." "Excuse me?"

"He was in Diagon Alley with Hermione Granger. Apparently they've spent the summ er together at Hermione's grandmother's." "Yes, I'm well aware, with Draco and the rest of her family as well." "He had his arm around her." "Yes, they often do. Arthur, he helped her a lot, and vice-versa. There is nothi ng going on between them. Hermione was distraught when her parents died and Seve rus helped her. She pulled him out of his shell." "He was as much of a bastard today as he was when he killed my daughter! If you' re not careful, he'll kill Hermione as well!" "Arthur Weasley! You hold your tongue!" Minerva exclaimed. "Severus Snape would no more hurt Hermione than I would." "I have mind to report you to the minister." "What good would that do? It would make you look like a fool. Who do you think t he Minister is going to believe, Albus or you?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "Hermione! Severus!" Grandma called. They turned from watching the lake to the h ouse where Grandma was yelling from the patio. Severus stood and then held out a hand to Hermione. "Don't worry, my love. Arthur isn't mad at you, and no one in their right mind c ould ever call you stupid." "Thanks, Sev." She leaned up and pecked him on the cheek, well aware of her Gran dmother's watching eyes. Hermione had the feeling she knew about her and Severus anyway. "What are we having for dinner?" he asked as they walked up to the house. "No clue. I think Cassie said something about wanting pizza." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~* They did have pizza for dinner. Cassie was extremely happy but piled all her pep peronis onto Severus' plate. "What's this?" he asked. "I don't like peppaonis and Daddy always has mine." She told him. "I see." He looked at Hermione who was looking sadly over at Cassie. He tuned into Madeline's conversation with Draco. "You just probably suck at it." She said. "I do not. Malfoy's don't suck at anything." "Then why won't you?" Rachel asked. "Because I don't want to." "Chicken!" The three cousins said. "What are you doing now, Draco?" Hermione asked. "They want me to dance!" Hermione snorted and Severus grinned down at his plate. "What?" he asked. ~~~~~~~~~~~~* So it was about an hour later that everyone was again in the living room, save M adeline who was upstairs getting her boombox and cd's. Draco was fuming and ever yone else was highly amused. "Draco, can you dance?" Hermione whispered to him. "Not a chance in hell. At least not what they're talking about. I can waltz but I can't dance like theses muggles." "It's all right. All you have to do is copy them." She told him. "Easy, she says. I don't bend like that, Hermione." She laughed at him and then leaned back against Severus as Madeline entered the room. Seconds later music was blaring from it and everyone in the room cringed a t the volume. "Turn it down, Madeline!" Severus yelled. She glared at him then turned it down. "Come along, Draco!" she said grabbing his hand. Hermione laughed harder. "And what are you laughing at, my dear." Severus whispered in her ear. "How well can you dance?" "About as well as Draco." She said. They both grinned evilly at Draco who was struggling to get his hips to sway to

the beat of the music. He glared at them. "I'd like to see you two dance." He sneered. "Fine." Severus said and stood up, taking Hermione with him. "Sev!" she exclaimed. "Trust me." He said pulling her to him. Then he pulled away and searched despera tely through Madeline's CD's. He finally pulled out some CD or another and pushe d play. He zipped through some of the tracks finally settling on one. ~ Everybody needs it ~ ~ Everybody wants it ~ ~ Everybody's searching for someone ~ ~ Been down a thousand highways ~ ~ I never thought would end Baby, ~ ~ I've been Waiting all my life to find you ~ ~ Always been one step behind you ~ ~ Your love babe ~ ~ I've been waiting all my life ~ ~ I was tired of waiting ~ ~ Every night was praying ~ ~ Everyday would be the day I'd find you ~ ~ I grew so impatient, ~ ~ How long would it take ~ ~ To know you were out there somewhere ~ ~ Somewhere waiting, wondering just like me ~ ~ I've been waiting all my life to love you ~ ~ All that time I was dreaming of you ~ ~ Your love babe ~ ~ I've been waiting all my life ~ ~ And did I lose faith, did I lose heart ~ ~ Maybe I did, but I never lost my way ~ ~ To where you are - ~ ~ I've been Waiting all my life to find you ~ ~ Always been one step behind you ~ ~ Your love babe ~ ~ I've been waiting all my life ~ ~ I've been waiting all my life to love you ~ ~ All that time I was dreaming of you ~ ~ Your love babe ~ ~ I've been waiting all my life Y~ ~ Our love I've been waiting Your love ~ ~ I've been waiting all my life All my life, all my life ~ He moved with so much grace and led her around. It probably wasn't what anyone e xpected, but they still danced to the beat. She had started to laugh with the fi rst beat. She knew he hated country. But that was all she listened to, so she su pposed he had gotten used to it. "So there." Severus said as the music stopped and he collapsed back onto the cou ch, Hermione following. ~~~~~~~~~~~~* ~Eek, I've just had this picture of them dancing in my head for so long that I h ad to put it down. : ). Anyway, hope you liked it. Thanks to my reviewers, and I 'll try to get another chapter out tomorrow!~ ~Slytherin Girl~ Making My Head Spin, Chapter 37 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/37/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej

ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~Sorry about the wait. I was like deadly sick. As in couldn't move off my couch. Sorry. I started a Yahoo! Group. The links in my profile. Check it out if you w ant. It's for all HP ships. But anyway, here's the next chapter.~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~* It was much later the next day that they woke up. In Hermione's bed. Cassie, for once, wasn't with them. They supposed they kept her up too late the night befor e. "Sev?" "Hmm?" "You said you were an only child." "I am." "And your parents are dead?" "Is this leading somewhere?" "Well, I was just wondering if you had a house outside of Hogwarts. I thought al l old wizard families had huge estates." "I do." Severus said. "I just haven't been in over a decade." "Why on earth not?" "While by myself I find it too big and lonely for my tastes." "Oh." "I could take you there if you'd like." "Really?" "If you want. It's probably in ruins. Though I think there are still house elves there." "Is it really big?" "Probably bigger than you're imagining." "When are you going to take me?" "Today if you want. Though I think we should wait to take Cassie. Until I can se e what kind of shape the place is in." "What does it look like?" "I can't tell you." "Why?" "It's a surprise." He said smiling and leaning over to kiss her. "Come on. My grandmother is going to think we're dead." Hermione told him eyeing the clock. "So, let her think we're dead." "Cassie is going to come running in here in ten minutes. Then we'll have to get up anyway." "So, we'll wait ten minutes." He said. "Sev!" she exclaimed, and then sighed, leaning her head on his chest. "Honestly, I don't know what I'm going to do with you." "Kiss me." Hermione laughed and obliged, only to snap back up from a little call at the door.

"Aunt My-knee and Unca Sewus sitting in a twee, K-. Aunt My-Knee? How do you say it?" "Come here, Baby." Severus said smiling. Cassie smiled and struggled to get onto the bed, then threw herself in between them. "You were wrong, Hermione." "About what?" "It wasn't ten minutes." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Nobody even bothered to glare at Severus anymore, when they came downstairs. Dra co often smirked at them though. "Unca Sewus, will you watch Little Mermaid with me?" Cassie asked after breakfas t. He was about to answer yes, but then remembered he was taking Hermione to his ma nor. "Actually, I'm going to take your Aunt Hermione away for awhile, but I'll watch it with you when I get back." In truth, he dreaded all Disney movies like a plag ue, but anything to please Cassie. "Where are you going?" Madeline asked. "My house." Severus said. "Where is it, Severus?" "Umm, I have no idea. Scotland somewhere." "You don't know where your house is?" "It has an unplottable charm on it." "Do you usually stay there in the summer?" "No, I haven't been in ten years." "Well, be careful, especially if it's an older house. And don't let Hermione hur t herself." "I don't plan to." "I didn't know you had a house, Professor." Draco said. He still hadn't managed to break out of the habit of calling him that. "Why would you need to?" "Good point." ~~~~~~~~~~~~* Twenty minutes later Severus was kissing Cassie goodbye and promising that they would watch Little Mermaid when he got back. He then took Hermione's hand in his and Severus apperated them a little ways away from his house. "Where is it?" Hermione asked. "I want it to be a surprise." "If it's in ruins, will it matter?" "Yes." He covered her eyes with one of his hands as he turned into the extremely long d riveway. It took them fifteen minutes to get to the house from the deserted road , the whole time Hermione was complaining about being kidnapped. When he reached a small area that the driveway circled he took his hand off her eyes and placed it in her hand. "Oh my gosh! Severus, this is a house?" "Mansion, if you want to get technical." "You actually lived here?" "Until my parents died." "Oh. Severus! It's wonderful!" In truth, the house was in a bad way, but you could picture it being a grand man sion with carriages walking up to the front door and elegant witches and wizard in their robes stepping out and up the grand front steps. "I feared it would be worse." "Let's go inside." Hermione said pulling him after her. "Be careful, you never know what could be lurking in corners, and which floorboa rds are not-so-safe to walk on anymore." Hermione smiled happily as he opened the door and motioned her in, then thinking better of it, he stopped her and walked in first. Lights automatically came on, revealing the dusty floor and furniture in the foy er. A huge staircase wound up to the second floor, and many doors led off of thi

s one. "Wow." Was all Hermione could manage. "Who goes there!" a voice squeaked and Hermione jumped into Severus' arms. He wa s pointing a wand somewhere over her shoulder. "I am the master of this house. Do not cross me." Severus threatened, and Hermio ne almost cringed from his tone of voice. "Master Snape?" Hermione turned in Severus' arms to see a tiny house elf emerge from one of the rooms. "Who are you?" Severus demanded. "I is Maggie, Master Snape. Does you not remember Maggie?" "Actually I don't." Severus whispered to Hermione. "How many other elves are her e?" "Just two, including Maggie, Sir. The others is bad elves, they leaved." "That's all right." Severus said. "Go back to the other elf. I'm just going to l ook around." "Of course, Master. Of course. And Miss, too." Severus put his arm around Hermione's waist and led her into one of the rooms th at branched off of the foyer. It turned out to be a very dusty sitting room. "Let's fix it up, Sev." Hermione said spinning a bit, which was considerably har d as Severus' arm was still around her. "Fix it up?" "It could be such a beautiful house again, Sev. Can't you imagine it?" "I've never been one for imagination." "Severus Snape." "You want to fix this house up? Why not tear it down? Build a new house instead. " "I want my children to grow up in the same house as their father." She said thro wing her arms around his neck. "Oh?" he pulled her closer to him. "Close your eyes." "Why?" "Just do it." Hermione said. "Now can't you picture our children running down th e driveway and over that huge yard. And then running into the house, into your a rms. And house-elves bringing us lemonade and ice cream?" "And watching Disney movies and reading bed time stories." Severus finished. "Do you really want to spend the rest of your life with me, Hermione?" His eyes were open and she was staring down at her peaceful face. She opened the m slowly as he said this though. "Of course I do, Sev." "Then while we're imagining this, let's put a horse pasture in our backyard." "Why?" "Cassie told me she wanted a pony." ~~~~~~~~~~~~* They spent hours searching through rooms, cleaning out dust as they went. The ho use wasn't in that bad of condition. It just looked it from outside. Boards were on windows and ivy had climbed the walls. "How long do you think it will take us to fix it up?" Severus asked. "Well, we can spend the rest of this summer, or some of it, and then we can alwa ys come back during Christmas break, and then next summer, and then I graduate. If we spend a lot of time next summer, we should be able to get it done." "We'll definitely have to repaint the whole house. And polish all the wood floor s." "And, we might need to get new furniture." Hermione said. Most of the couches ha d been faded from odd bits of sunlight and moths had definitely been at them. "New furniture. The windows should all be replaced." "Water needs to be filtered." Hermione said, remembering when they had tried to get water out of the kitchen tap. "We're going to have to start saving for this, Sev."

"What?" "Sev, this is going to be extremely expensive." "Nonsense." Severus told her. Do you think I'm penniless while I own a house lik e this." "I'm just sayi-." "I will handle all of our financial needs." He said placing a small kiss on her nose. "You are a stubborn, stubborn man. But don't forget I have all the money from my parents. Everything they had went to me. I should probably just put it in your vault at Gringotts." "Is it still in a muggle bank?" "Yes." "Well, I don't know about putting it in my vault, but you should transfer it to Gringotts at least." "Why shouldn't I put it into your vault?" "Hermione, love, as much as you don't want to hear it, I don't either, but there 's always that chance that things aren't going to work out like we want. Don't l ook at me like that. I hate it when you look at me like that." He pulled her as close as possible. "I don't want to think about it. Just a type off reassurance." "Don't worry about it." Severus said and kissed her temple. "Now there's one mor e room that I need to show you." He pulled back grinning at her and took her hand. "What room?" she asked. "Sev?" "It's a surprise." "Does this surprise contain books?" "I hate it when you do that." "Do what?" "Read my mind." He said as he threw open a set of double doors at one end of the hall. "Oh my gosh! Sev, it's bigger than the library at Hogwarts!" "No, not quite." The library covered both stories of the house with a spiral staircase connecting them. Rows upon rows of shelves containing thousands if not millions of books. "Do you like it?" Severus whispered, lips brushing against her ear. "Very much." She turned her head so she could see him and he closed the distance between their lips. ~~~~~~~~~~~~* ~There, I know, it's an incredibly short chapter for the amount of time I went w ithout updating. But I will hopefully update again this weekend.~ ~Slytherin Girl~ Making My Head Spin, Chapter 38 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/38/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His

Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~Sorry this took so long to get up. I knew what I wanted to do, but I just could n't get there. I would also like to thank Joe_Bob who gave me inspiration for th is chapter.~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~* They returned to Hermione's grandmother's after a plan on how to fix the house u p. Severus decided that putting Hermione on this was a bad idea as she kept comi ng up with the strangest color schemes imaginable. It was rather scary if he sai d so himself. As soon as they appeared on the porch they saw Cassie standing on the couch in f ront of the window. When she saw them she disappeared and jumped out of the fron t door and Severus swung her up into his arms. "Unca Sewus!" she exclaimed. "What has my baby been doing today." He said. "We played dress-up!" "Dress-up, were you a princess again?" "I was a witch! Just like Aunt My-knee!" Hermione smiled as she opened the screen door. "You two are late getting in." Draco stated as they walked into the foyer and he came out of the living room. "Unca Dwaco was princess!" Cassie exclaimed. Hermione and Severus both turned to Draco who was blushing so much you would have thought he was a Weasley. "Princess Draco!" Hermione cooed. "Stuff it, Granger." "Watch it, Mr. Malfoy." "Yes, Professor." ~~~~~~~~~~~~* "Little Mermaid, Unca Sewus?" "Yes, go find it." Severus said setting her down. He looked up to find Hermione grinning at him. "What?" "You." "Problem?" "No, I just think it's so cute." "Come here." He commanded and she came and sat next to him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Do you know something?" "What?" "I don't want to go back to school." Hermione giggled, sending vibrations through Severus. "You sound like Ron." "Don't ever compare me to a Weasley again." Hermione just rolled her eyes. Cassie came running into the room a few minutes later, Little Mermaid and a doll in hand. "Unca Sewus?" "Yes, Baby?" "Are you in love with Aunt My-knee?" she questioned glancing at the two on the c ouch. Hermione looked up at him with wide eyes. What if Cassie told someone at Hogwart s? But Severus wasn't looking at her. "Very much, baby." Hermione's eyes softened and she smiled up at Severus. She then stood and took t he movie from Cassie to put it in the VCR.

Severus fell asleep half-way through the movie. Hermione suspected he would. Une xpectedly thought, so did Cassie. She must not have had a nap while they were go ne. She smiled to herself and pulled a blanket that was hanging on the back of t he couch over them. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "Playing Mummy?" Draco questioned as she stepped out of the room. "Hush, Draco." "I just want to know what the whole magical world would do if they saw Severus S nape playing Daddy." "No you don't." Hermione told him and took his arm and led him into the kitchen and to the back porch where everyone else was sitting. "So, is Severus' house nice?" Grandma asked. "Yes, very. We're going to fix it up." "Why?' Rachel asked. "To live in it, duh." Madeline giggled. "Yeah, duh. Why else would you want to fix a house up?" "To sell it." "I don't think Severus would sell the house. He seemed very content with the ide a of knocking it down, but I like the idea of fixing the house up with him. And then he got the idea of putting in a horse pasture for Cassie. He's so sweet." "Please, Hermione," Draco started. "If you keep on, I'm going to be sick." "Shut-up, Draco." She said and hit him on the back of the head. "It's one of those forbidden romances." Rachel sighed. "No one can find out. At least, no one except us." "I still don't know about this, Hermione." Aunt Rene told her. "I understand tha t you love him, and he obviously loves you, but you're still in school, and you' re already talking about settling down, with a man twice your age no less." "I love Severus. That's all that matters." "Leave the child alone, Rene." Grandma said. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~* When Severus awoke a few hours later, he was surprised to find himself alone. It was rare anymore to find himself out of someone's company. He sat up and looked around. He knew Cassie had been with him. He quickly made his way to the kitchen and saw everyone out on the porch. "Hello, sleepyhead." Hermione said smiling as he joined them. "Has anyone seen Cassie?" he asked. Hermione stopped smiling. "When I woke up she wasn't with me. Did she come out here?" "No, come on, let's go find her." Hermione said snapping her book shut and runni ng into the house. Severus was right behind her. Hermione ran straight towards the living room, but halfway there, she and Severu s met up with a moving pile of blankets. Severus grinned at Hermione and lifted the blankets. Cassie was underneath them. "What are you doing, Baby?" "Blanket forts!" she exclaimed. Hermione started laughing and Severus just looke d confused. "Blanket forts?" "Yeah!" Cassie exclaimed. "We put blankets into forts and sleep in them, and pil low fights!" Severus was still looking as though someone told him the world had ended. "What?" "Cassie, Uncle Severus doesn't know what you're talking about." Hermione said. " Why don't you go get some more blankets and I'll explain to him." "Yes, Aunt My-Knee." Cassie said before giving Severus the baby blanket she had in her hands and running back up the stairs. "Blanket forts?" "Just come on." Hermione told him and headed to the living room. She took the blankets from Severus and put them in a pile on the floor. "All it is, is making tents out of blankets." "Oh." Severus said.

"Just let Cassie do what she wants." "Of course." "She needs to spend more time with the family right now. We're taking her away s oon." "Umm, you guys? Are you aware Cassie is ridding every bed in the house of their sheets and comforters?" Draco asked bringing in an armful of blankets. "Yes, Draco." "Just wondering." ~~~~~~~~~~* When everyone had somehow migrated into the living room, and Cassie was sitting on the huge pile of blankets, throwing the odd one at Severus, they started movi ng everything breakable out of the room. "What's the point of this again?" Severus said as he fell back onto the blankets with Cassie. "It's just for fun, Severus." ~~~~~~~~~~~~* About 45 minutes later there were two forts on either side of the room. One cont aining Hermione, Severus, Cassie, Draco, Madeline, Rachel, and Sarah. The other containing The other held Rene, Molly, Julie, Zachariah, John, Matt, and Grandma , who was sitting in a chair. Hermione's fort was closest to the door and Cassie was sneaking in and out with Draco, bringing more pillows. "THAT IS THE THIRD TIME THAT STUPID BLANKET HAS FALLEN ON MY HEAD!" Severus scre amed as they entered the second half of the pillow fight. "It's part of the experience, Sev." "I don't care." Severus said whipping out his wand and pushing the chair out of the way. He said something and the blanket held itself up. "I think that's cheating." "They can't see it so what difference does it make." Hermione giggled at that and hit Severus with her pillow. "Hey! You're supposed to hit them!" Severus exclaimed and hit Hermione with his pillow. They both stared at each other for a minute and then burst into laughter before throwing the pillows across the room. An hour later Hermione and Severus had claimed all the pillows or themselves and Cassie and retired into the deep corners of their fort. "Muggles are absolutely insane." Severus told her. "I'm aware of that." ~~~~~~~~~~~~* Severus awoke the next morning to a blanket directly in his face and Hermione's head laying on his chest. Cassie was curled into his side and he was trying to r emember what had happened so as to put them in this position. Suddenly the blanket was lifted and Draco's face was smirking down at them. "I wouldn't have bothered seeing if you were up, but Dumbledore's in the firepla ce." Draco said. Severus sat up and looked around him, the pillow fight came back into his mind. He pulled away from Hermione and Cassie and headed over to where Albus was. "Good-morning, Severus." "Morning, Albus." "What exactly did you do to Arthur Weasley in Diagon Alley the other day?" "Yes, I'm fine, Albus. How have you been?" Severus asked sarcastically. "I didn' t do anything to him." "He came up ranting to the school the other day saying you were trying to seduce Hermione." "I am not trying to seduce Hermione. He was just mad because I've actually been enjoying myself." "That's what I told him, but Severus, I want you back at the school tomorrow." "What!" "You heard me." "Albus, why?" "Severus, you know I would trust you with my life, but everyone knows what you'v e done. I think Arthur told all of his children what you did yesterday. If somet

hing happens, Severus, not only would you get fired, Hermione might get expelled . And I would face suspension if not expulsion from the headmaster duties. You k now as well as I do that we both need to be at the school now. So I want you and Hermione to come back tomorrow. Harry, Ron, and Ginny will be arriving the day after tomorrow and Arthur and Molly are going to stay for a few days. They want to watch out for Hermione, Severus. Don't give them a reason to hate you." "They already have a reason to hate me, Albus." "Don't give them another reason then." "Albus, do you really think Severus would do anything to me?" the two men looked behind Severus and saw Hermione crawling towards them. "Of course not, my dear. But what I think, and what everyone else will think, ar e two different things. The ministry is already at ends with me, and they've nev er trusted Severus." "I don't know what my grandmother is going to say." Hermione said. "She'll understand, I'm sure." Albus said. "Besides, we need to get that adorabl e little girl settled in before the troops get here." "What time do you want us back?" Severus asked in defeat. "Around lunch probably." "Consider it done." Albus nodded to them both and then disappeared. "We're going back tomorrow?" Draco asked from behind them. Hermione just nodded and leaned into Severus. "Let's go tell your grandmother, Hermione." ~~~~~~~~~~~* Grandmother was not pleased. She was not pleased at all. "Who does he think he is? He thinks he can just organize everyone's life to suit e him! Outrageous! No, neither of you are going back, and you aren't taking Cass ie and Draco with you either." "Grandma, if we don't, I will get fired, Hermione, and maybe even Draco, would g et suspended, if not expelled." Severus said, trying to calm the crazy old woman down. She took a few deep breaths before glaring at him. "That doesn't make it anymore right." "I never said it was. Don't worry, we'll come back for Christmas, and I'll try a nd sneak us away on some weekends." "Tomorrow?" "Yes." "Where's Cassie?" "Asleep." "Go wake her up." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~* It was a rather sad last day. Hermione and Severus went upstairs around lunch an d didn't come back down until around three. It was their last chance to be toget her until Christmas. "Sev, it isn't fair. I mean I knew we were supposed to go back soon, but at lesa t we knew the actual date. It wasn't thrown on us like this. It's breaking Grand ma's heart. I know it." "It's breaking mine as well, my love. The last thing I wanted was to go home ear ly from my wonderful vacation, and to the Weasley's criticizing eyes, no less. T here going to try everything to get you away from me, Hermione. Everything to co nvince you that I am nothing but a murderer." "It isn't going to work, Sev. I know you." "I would say it might even be better for you to pretend to hate me, but I don't think I could handle that." "I wouldn't have agreed anyway." "I've got a headache, this is nothing but a nightmare." "I know, Sev. I know." ~~~~~~~~~~~~* Everything was packed and the good-byes were said too soon. Severus had shrunken everything so that it could all fit in his robe pockets. They were flooing into the Three Broomsticks and walking to Hogwarts from there.

"We'll see you at Christmas, if not before." Hermione promised, kissing her gran dmother's cheek. It was raining in Hogsmeade. A torrential down pour. They didn't bother with umb rellas as they would have been blown away. Severus wrapped Cassie in his robes before they headed into the storm. Draco and Hermione were huddle together behind them, trying to keep each other dry. "Why didn't we leave earlier!" Draco yelled over the rain. "Because it would have meant less time with the family!" "Come on! I have to get Cassie into the castle!" Severus yelled over his shoulde r. "She's going to catch cold!" Hermione and Draco quickened their pace behind Severus. They would probably catc h cold as well. ~~~~~~~~~~~~* Harry and Ron were standing just inside the castle doors so they wouldn't get we t. They both sent the deadliest glares Hermione had ever seen at Severus. He jus t pushed past them, though, and pulled Cassie out to place drying spells on her. "I'm cowd, Unca Sewus." Cassie said shivering. "It's all right, Baby. We're here now. You can get warm now." "Hot chocolate?" she asked hopefully. "If you want some." Severus said picking up the small child and turning to the o thers who had gathered in the hall to greet them. He glared at them all. Most st aring wide-eyed at him. "I wouldn't trust him, Sweety." Said a voice from behind Severus. He turned to l ook at the glaring face of Arthur Weasley. "Leave her alone, Arthur." "Playing 'Daddy', Severus? I seem to remember what happened to *my* daughter." Severus placed Cassie into Hermione's arms. "If you so much as breath in Cassie's general direction I will personally kill y ou in ways you have never even imagined, so help me God." Severus hissed taking a step towards him. Arthur took a step back. "Severus! Arthur! That is quite enough from both of you." Dumbledore said warnin gly from his spot a few feet away. "Arthur, I'm going to have to remove you from the castle if you threaten that little girl, and Severus, I'm going to remove y ou from the castle if you try to kill Arthur." Severus muttered something and took Cassie back into his arms. She was staring w ide-eyed at him. "Unca Sewus?" she asked. "What is it, Baby?" his anger from Mr. Weasley fading as he looked at her. She didn't say anything, just kissed his cheek, he turned his head and kissed he r forehead. "Bad man?" she questioned. For once she was soft enough that only Severus heard her. "No, Baby, he's just mad." Severus, as much as he wanted to make Cassie hate Art hur Weasley, couldn't make himself do it. "I thought you weren't coming until tomorrow?" Hermione said looking at the Weas ley's and Harry. "We decided to be here to meet you." Harry said and pulled Hermione to him in a hug. Severus wanted to hex the boy right then and there. "Let's go add that room onto your quarters. Cassie will need a place to sleep to night." Albus said. Severus headed towards his dungeons, Hermione closely in tow . 'This term isn't going to come soon enough.' Hermione thought to herself as she followed Severus. ~~~~~~~~~~~* ~Again, I'm so sorry this took so long to get up. I'll try and have another chap ter up tomorrow. I don't have school as it's President's Day.~ ~Slytherin Girl~

 Making My Head Spin, Chapter 39 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/39/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~I feel like such a bad author. I can't believe I haven't updated in so long. I had to rewrite this a million and a half times though, and I'm still not too ple ased with it. Anyway, sorry I haven't updated.~ ~~~~~~~~~~* "Aunt My-knee, I want ice cream." "Don't you want to see what your room is going to look like?" "Hermione?" "What, Sev?" "You might as well take her, this might take awhile." "All right," Hermione said, sighing. She knew Harry and Ron were going to bombar d her with questions. If they hadn't already gotten the answers from Draco, whic h the more she thought about it, seemed likely. "Come on, Cassie." "Unca Sewus! Are you coming?" "No, Baby, I'm going to finish your room." Cassie looked at him as though she were going to cry. Hermione saw his face chan ge immediately. "Uncle Severus will come and have ice cream with us when he's done, Cassie. Then it will be more special." Cassie though this over for a second before smiling and giving Severus' legs a h ug, and then grabbing Hermione's hand. As they left Severus turned around to see Albus smiling at him. "She's precious, Severus, isn't she." "More than I ever would believe a child could be." "Severus, I need to ask you a few things." Severus looked at him and feared the questions that were about to come from the all-knowing old man. "What is it, Albus?" "It's about Hermione. Do you think she's all right taking care of that little gi rl?" Severus had a hard time not breathing a sigh of relief. "I think she's fine." "It's not going to affect her grades, is it?" "I highly doubt Minerva would allow that to happen, or myself." "Does she love you, Severus?" "Hermione?"

"Cassie." "I think so. I love her. She's so adorable, Albus, it would be hard not to love her." "Do you love Hermione? Severus, I want you to answer truthfully." "She's my best friend, Albus. I lover her as my best friend. As to her feelings, I don't' know if they extend passed friendship, but she is that, Albus." Severu s wasn't stupid, if he admitted to loving Hermione more than anything in the wor ld, it would probably be the end of his teaching career. "Thank you, Severus. That's all I needed to know." ~~~~~~~~~~~~* "Where are we going, Aunt My-knee?" "To the kitchens." "Hermione!" She spun to see Harry, Ron, Draco, and Ginny speeding toward her. She raised her eyebrows at Draco, who looked a bit apprehensive. "Unca Dwaco!" Cassie called and raised her arms for him to pick her up. "They need to talk to you, Hermione." Draco warned, quietly. "It doesn't sound t o good." Louder he said. "I'll just take Cassie ahead while they talk to you, He rmione." "All right." Hermione said, she knew this was going to happen. Mr. Weasley proba bly told the three of them. What was she going to do? They wouldn't understand w hy she was still letting Severus near her when he had killed Ron's older sister. "Hermione, we have to talk to you about Snape." "What did he do this time?" Hermione asked jokingly. None of the three smiled. " What?" "Hermione, he killed the girl who would have been my older sister." Ginny said. Hermione looked at the younger girl with pity. "I could have had an older sister !" Hermione sighed, but they didn't stop. "I don't think you should be letting him around your god-daughter." Ron said. "H e'll probably off her in her sleep." "Ron!" Hermione exclaimed. "Severus would never hurt, Cassie." The three looked at her and she sighed again. "I already know." She said softly. "He told me that day when we got back from Di agon Alley." Ginny looked at her in what Hermione thought of as a cross between fear, hurt, a nd anger. "How can you still look at him!" Ginny exclaimed. "After what he did to my famil y. He murdered my sister and you're prancing around, letting him near your daugh ter and near you, and calling him by his first name. What's wrong with you, Herm ione?" "Nothing is wrong with me, Ginny." "Something's wrong with you if you are standing up for Snape. He murdered people ." "Dumbledore trusts him." "Dumbledore trusts everyone, Hermione." Harry said. "He's not the same person!" Hermione practically yelled at them. "Draco will tel l you." "Draco would do anything to defend his head of house." "Harry-." "No, Hermione listen. We weren't going to do this, because we really didn't thin k it was necessary. We didn't know you knew, but, well-." Harry trailed off and let Ron take over. "It's him or us, Hermione." "What?" "I don't think I could accept you as my friend, if you also consider the man who killed one of my family members a friend." "You're being ridiculous." Hermione told them, absolutely shocked that they woul d put her through this. "Just think about it Hermione. If he murdered your sister would you want to be f

riends with him? Or would you want to be friends with someone who was friends wi th him?" "Ron! You don't, ugg. Ron, Harry, Ginny, be reasonable. Severus isn't the same p erson he was when he did that. It was years ago." "That's what I say about Sirius, but no one believes that. I don't see why Snape 's so special." "Harry! It's completely different." "Just go to Cassie, Hermione. Tell us later." Ron said. Hermione watched in shock as they walked away from her. She opened and closed he r mouth a few times and then noticed Severus in the shadows. "Hermione." "How much of that did you hear, Sev?" "More than I wanted to." He said putting his arm around her waist and leading he r towards the kitchen. "I finished Cassi-." "Sev, what am I supposed to do?" He stopped and looked down at her. "I don't know, love." "I can't believe they're making me choose!" "Hermi-." "No, what kind of friends would do that? Why should I have to choose? Real frien ds wouldn't make me choose between them and you. I couldn't do that. If they can 't accept that, then I guess they were never that great of friends to begin with ." "Hermione, love, listen to yourself." "Did you hear them?" "Yes, and they had every right to say what they did." "Do you want me to just start ignoring you?" she asked in shock. "God no, Hermione, but do you really want to lose them?" "If they're going to tell me I can only be around you or them, then yes. They ma y not want to be friends with me because I love you. But I don't want to be frie nds with them if they're going to decide who I can and cannot talk to! They have no right!" Severus looked down at her, not paying much attention after she had said she lov ed him. Looking around he leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. "I will support you, no matter what decision you make." He whispered placing his forehead against hers. "Let's go meet Cassie and Draco in the kitchen." She said placing her arm in his . He smiled down at her as they continued. Inside Severus was singing. He hadn't been sure what she was going to say. She m ight sleep in his bed, and kiss him, and continually invade his thoughts, but Po tter and Weasley had been her friends since her 1st year. He had been worried. T o hear her say that she wasn't going to decide, and not only that but she had on ce again told him she loved him, that made him feel, incredible. Like nothing co uld go wrong, as long as she still loved him, and he her. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "Where have you three been?" Arthur asked as Ron, Ginny, and Harry entered the G reat Hall. Almost everyone else was gathered there. "Talking to Hermione." Harry said. "I have a question." Ron stated. "Why does Hermione stick up for Snape?" "Professor Snape, Mr. Weasley." Dumbledore told him. "Well, why does she stick up for Professor Snape, after all he's done, and she k nows it." "I'm sure you have done things that Hermione doesn't like, but she forgives you. " "That's different. Professor. I've yelled at her because of her cat, because she went to the Yule Ball with Viktor Krum. I've never killed anyone." A shadow seemed to pass over the Great Hall. Everyone knew Severus had killed in his earlier life, but never actually said anything, "I suppose, Mr. Weasley, that is Hermione's choice, who she wants to be around, and how hard she judges their past." Dumbledore told him.

"I don't mean to be rude, Professor. It's just, I don't understand." "I don't think anyone understand everything. I believe, you will just have to tr ust Hermione's judgment." "I personally think he's put her under some sort of spell." "No one asked you Arthur." Minerva states. "You're as bad as the children." "Yes, but their child wasn't murdered by the man who is now allowed to teach." "Arthur, just as it is Hermione's choice to befriend Severus, it is mine to empl oy him." "I know, Albus. I just don't agree with you on that choice." "I can't please everyone." ~~~~~~~~~~* "They're funny." Cassie said as the house elves brought her ice cream. "Unca Sew us!" "Hello, Baby." "Is Master Snape wanting anything, sir, or miss?" "No." Severus said, sitting next to Cassie. "So what are you two going to do now that we've been trapped again?" Draco asked . "The same thing we did last year." Hermione said. "We were lucky enough not for anyone to find out. The only difference this year is Cassie, and then Arthur Wea sley breathing down our necks." "Arthur Weasley will be gone soon, my love. Not to worry." "Yes, I just wish those three would get over themselves." "Who? The Gryffindors?" Draco asked. "Yes. They don't want me hanging around Sev anymore." "I could have told you that." "Draco, you're not helping." "Sorry. So what are you going to do?" "Pretend the whole conversation never happened." "Excellent plan." Draco said. "I want to see Cassie's room." "Oh, me too. I had forgotten about it." "Understandably so." Severus said and put his arm around Hermione. "My room, my room! I want my puppy!" "Huh?" Severus looked confused. "Oh no! Sev, her puppy. Remember." "Oh, shit. You must be joking." "We probably need to go get all the stuff from her house as well. At least the s tuff she'll need." "We'll go tomorrow." "We'll have to go by my grandmothers to get a key." "And we'll have to go talk to Albus." "You two are too much for me." Draco stated. "Cassie, are you finished?" Hermione asked. "Yep, yep!" "Come on then, Baby. Let's go see you're room." Severus said and gently lifted h er from the table. "My room! My room!" "We can see if Albus is in the Great Hall on our way by." Hermione said. "Then w e can get that done. Draco, are you coming?" "Of course. I'm never going near the Gryffindors without you again." When they stepped out of the kitchen Cassie squirmed out of Severus' arms and st arted to run down the hall. "Draco?" "What do I look like?" "The only one who is willing to run." Hermione told him and he rolled his eyes b efore taking off after the little girl." Severus smiled down at Hermione and put his arm around her as they set off after Draco and Cassie. "They will let us go to Cassie's, won't they?" "I don't see why not."

"Arthur Weasley." "Arthur Weasley couldn't stop us if he tried." "Whatever you say, Sev." "Hermione?" "Yeah?" "Albus asked me a few questions before. I think he might ask you the same. He wa s on about whether you were okay taking care of Cassie. I told him you were. He also asked if I loved you Hermione." She looked at him at that. "What did you say?" "I told him you were my best friend, and that I loved you as my best friend. We can't tell about us, Hermione. You do understand that, right?" "Of course I do, Sev. As much as I don't like it." "I don't like it either, love. But I do love you. I really do, Hermione." She smiled and kissed him. "You have to be careful when you do that anymore." "I know. Sev, what are we going to do about your house?" "We will just have to sneak out on weekends, so we don't get behind." "Or at night." Hermione said. "I'm going to go crazy this year." "Oh?" "When we became friends last summer, it was all right. Everyone understood and n othing really going on between us. When we went to your grandmother's at Christm as everything changed and you know it, but it wasn't so bad when we got back. No one suspected anything and we weren't so spoiled. After this summer of always b eing in one another's presence, I'm not sure if I'll survive." "I'm sure we'll survive." "Why?" "Because we're sneaky and we'll find a way out of the castle and a way to keep s eeing each other." When they reached the Great Staircase, Draco was standing at the bottom with a c rying Cassie in his arms. Severus was almost immediately by then and taking Cass ie from Draco. "Baby, what's the matter?" he asked softly as he rubbed her back. "I-I falled down!" Severus looked at Draco. "Well we were running and she slipped off of the stairs, it was just the first o ne." Draco said catching Severus' worried look. "Where does it hurt?" Severus asked. "My kn-nee." She sobbed. "K-kiss it better, Unca Sewus." Hermione almost melted at the little girl's plea. She could vaguely remember a t ime when she used to tell her father the same thing. She saw Severus melt as wel l and he pulled out his wand. Placing Cassie on one of the stairs and sitting down as well, he pulled up her l ittle robe and kissed her skinned knee, before he pulled all the way away though , he muttered a healing charm. "All better, Baby." He said before kissing her forehead as well. "All better!" Cassie echoed and flung her arms around Severus' neck. He picked h er up and twirled her around a bit before looking back at Hermione, who was smil ing at him. "Are we going to talk to Albus first, or go see Cassie's room?" "Go see Cassie's room. We can talk to Albus later." "Talk to me about what?" The three spun to see Dumbledore walking towards them. "How long have you been there, Albus?" Severus asked. "I had to come and investigate the crying child." "We were afraid you'd dropped her, Snape." Severus looked passed Dumbledore to s ee Arthur Weasley glaring at him. "Who's that?" Cassie asked pointing at Dumbledore. "That is Professor Dumbledore." Severus told her smiling. "What did you need to talk to me about, Severus?"

"We need to go to Cassie's house and find all the things she needs. Plus her dog ." "A dog?" "Yes, just a little thing." "When do you plan on going?" "Tomorrow. We just wanted to make sure we weren't being held prisoner." "Of course not, Severus." "Thank you, now, excuse us." "Unca Sewus? Are we going to see my room now?" "Yes, Baby." "Yay!" Without another word to the two men Severus started towards the dungeon. He want ed out of the presence of Arthur Weasley. ~~~~~~~~~~~* "Close your eyes." Severus told Cassie as they entered his chambers. She shut he r eyes but squinted so she could see. Severus chuckled and placed his hand gentl y over her eyes. "Awww." She said sadly. Hermione laughed and then gasped as Severus opened the door to Cassie's new room . "Unicorn!" Cassie squealed as Severus removed his hand and set her on the ground . Unicorns danced around in a field of wallflowers, on her wall. A pleasant lookin g forest was in the distance, and fluffy clouds were scattered around the bright blue sky, which continued onto the ceiling. The floor looked a bit too much lik e grass for Hermione's liking, but Cassie liked it. Her bed was a miniature of S everus and her beds and the quilt looked as though flowers had been weaved to ma ke it. A bookshelf covered in flowers was off to one side, filled with children' s books and a small toy box was in one corner, empty as us yet. "Unca Sewus! Unca Sewus! Unicorns!" "Yes, Baby." Hermione looked behind them to make sure Draco was the only one who followed the m into the dungeons and then leaned up to kiss him. "It's wonderful, Sev." "Only the best for my baby." He said. Hermione smiled to Severus and smiled to h erself. How could anyone think him evil? If they only saw what he was like. If t hey only saw how gentle he could be, how sweet, how..good. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* ~Ok, again, I am so sorry for the long wait, hopefully you will all forgive me a nd review. Thank you so much you guys. By the way, I need a new BETA. My other o ne decided to change her e-mail and drop off the face of the planet. If anyone w ants to take her place, just e-mail me. Thanks!~ ~Slytherin Girl~ Making My Head Spin, Chapter 40 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/40/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th

e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~I'm sorry it took so long to get this up. I don't really have an excuse. But an yway, here it is.~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~* When they gathered around for dinner, Cassie again refused to let go of Severus. He was forced to eat with her on his lap, but he wasn't complaining. He sat bet ween Albus and Hermione so no one could talk to Cassie without him realizing. He looked over at Hermione, who was looking down at her plate. Draco was sitting o n her other side, whispering something or the other. He then glanced up at Potter, and the youngest two Weasleys. They were glaring a t her. Remembering their earlier conversation, he felt a rush of anger towards t he Gryffindors and sent one of his glares their way, but they weren't paying att ention to him. "Unca Sewus? Unca Sewus?" "What is it, Baby?" "Who's that?" she asked softly pointing to Albus. He was grinning at them both. "That is Professor Dumbledore." "Oh." She said softly. "Who is that?" she pointed on the other side of Albus. "That is Professor McGonagall." "And that?" "Professor Lupin." "And him?" "Mr. Black." He would have to tell Cassie about him after, because he took his d og form once the students were back at school. That could be confusing. "Oh." No one else had arrived yet, so Cassie just picked at her food, or Severus', who ever's plate was nearest to her fork. He took note that she ate all her mashed p otatoes, and then ate all of his. "Hermione?" he questioned softly. She looked up from her plate and over at him. "It's all right, love," he whispered. "Everything will turn out fine." "I hope so, Sev. I really do." Arthur and Molly arrived soon after they started to eat, and the rest of the sta ff slowly trickled in as well. All, except for Arthur, greeted Cassie and Severu s with a smile. Arthur scowled and sat across from Hermione. Everyone ate in a rathe r tense silence for the most part. Albus tried to bring up some conversation a f ew times, but it was ended rather quickly by the shortest answers possible. When dinner actually was finished, everyone sat there. Not saying anything, but too polite to just leave. Hermione, Severus noticed, had said even less than he had during dinner. It worr ied him. Having her friends, best or not, mad at her, was going to hurt her. It was hurting her. He wished they were still at Grandma's. Still oblivious to the fact that Arthur Weasley was planning some way or another to get Severus fired a nd still unaware of the fact that because of him, Hermione's best friends since first year weren't speaking to her. When did things get so screwed up? "Unca Sewus?" He was pulled from his mental rant by the small girl in his arms. "I'm sweepy." She said softly, rubbing her eyes with her little hands. Her head was leaning against his chest and she looked about to fall asleep. Hermione stood up next to him and looked relieved for a reason to leave the Grea t Hall. He nodded to Albus and then followed Hermione out of the room and toward

s the dungeons, Cassie was asleep by the time they got there. ~~~~~~~~~~* Once he had tucked Cassie in, Severus moved out into the living room to find Her mione crying on his couch. He didn't say anything, just went and pulled her into his arms and let her cry on his shoulder. He wanted to say something, but didn' t know what, so he just kissed her head every now and then, trying to think of w hat he should do. "Severus," she sobbed after awhile. "Did you see them? They wouldn't talk to me, they just sat there and glared and whispered. I know they were talking about me . Severus, how could they? How? Why are they doing this to me?" "I don't know, love. It will be all right, I swear it will. Everything will sort itself out." "I want to believe you, Sev, but I can't. How can everything be all right again? Even if they do start talking to me again, I don't think I would trust them? Wh at kind of friends are they? Would you trust someone who didn't talk to you, and then turned around and wanted to be friends again? Over something like this? An d I'm not going to apologize to them. There isn't a reason that I should. I just don't know what to do, Sev." "Look at me." He said pushing her chin up so he could look her in the eyes. "I d on't want you to worry. If Potter and the Weasleys don't want to talk to you, th at isn't your fault." "It is Sev, it is sort of." "No, no, my love, it isn't. They were the ones who were forcing you to choose be tween us. It's not your fault that they were forcing you to do that. It's their problem that you choose to keep talking to me." "I don't like them not talking to me. I feel empty." She told him, fresh tears f alling down her cheeks. Severus wasn't sure what she was saying. "Do you want to go to them?" he asked slowly. "Go make it better." "They wouldn't let me patch things up with them, and then come back to you, Sev. " "Who is more important, Hermione? I can't stand for you to be like this." She shook her head slowly. "They asked me that when I told them." She said. "I didn't know how to answer, w hat to say. I couldn't tell them, but I can tell you." "Tell me what?" "Sev, if every other person in this world wouldn't talk to me, that would be fin e, but I couldn't not be with you. I couldn't stand not being able to wake up ne xt to you. I love you, Sev." Her brown eyes were wide and fearful, though he cou ldn't imagine why. "What is it, love? There's something you aren't saying." "I don't know! I just don't know. It's just this feeling that something bad is g oing to happen. Oh, Sev. It's just all too much for me. I can't think clearly." Another wave of tears came after this and she leaned her head back on his should er. "What do you thinks going to happen?" "I don't know. I really don't. Just this feeling." "I won't let anything happen to you." "It's not me I'm worried about, Sev." "What?" "Cassie, Sev. What if they find out about her? She's a seer for goodness sake! I f they find her, oh Sev." "You especially don't have to worry about Cassie." "I can't help it." "What can I do to make you feel better?" "I don't know." "Is there anything that would make this all better?" "Not that I can think of. Just stay with me, Sev." "I wasn't going to leave." He kissed her head and listened to her cry, wishing t hat he could do something.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~* When she awoke the next morning, Hermione figured Severus had moved her into his bed, because she didn't remember going herself. He, surprisingly, was still asl eep. She lay there and listened to his steady heartbeat and felt his chest move up and down beneath her head. Little feet in the living room let her know that Cassie was awake and looking fo r them. She gently tried to move out of Severus' embrace so she could get the li ttle girl, but stopped as his grip tightened around her waist. "Where do you think you're going?" She smiled and leaned to kiss him. "Cassie's up." "So am I. She'll find us." "We need to behave around her now, Sev. She'll be telling the whole school I sle ep in your bed, and where will that lead to?" "Damn the school." "You won't be saying that when you get fired and I get expelled." "We'll worry about it when the time comes." "Plus we have to go to Cassie's and Grandma's. It's already 9- o'clock." "Why didn't you tell me that!" "Severus, you're really awkward sometimes, just so you know." "I'll get dressed and take Cassie to breakfast. You can come in a few minutes. A ll right?" "Yes." Hermione told him as he leaned on his elbows and kissed her before slippi ng out of bed. "Cassie?" he called as he entered the living room. "Cassie?" "Unca Sewus!" she cried. "Cassie, what's the matter, Baby?" he nearly died when he saw tears streaming do wn her cheeks. "I-I fell out of bed." She said showing a little bruise on her elbow. He gently picked her up and started out of the dungeon. "We'll go to Madam Pomfrey and see if she has any band-aids. Will that make it b etter?" He wanted her to stop crying, it made his heart break. She just nodded her head and hiccoughed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Hermione overheard the conversation and smiled. She knew Cassie wasn't hurt, but she loved Severus. He was just too sweet to her. She scrambled out of bed and w ent to her room to find some muggle clothes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Madam Pomfrey wasn't in the hospital wing. He cursed to himself and started down towards the Great Hall. Of all the days to disappear. He then rolled his eyes. For goodness sake, he could transfigure a band-aid. A second later, Cassie had a little pink band-aid on her hurt elbow. When he rea ched the Great Hall, Hermione was already there and seated as close to Draco as she could get without sitting on his lap. Normally he would have been upset, but she was crying. That's both of them in one day. "Stay here for a second, Cassie." He said setting her down. Looking in distaste he saw that the only people resent in the hall were the thre e Gryffindors, Hermione, and Draco. No one saw him. "Why won't you just forget him, Hermione?" Ginny asked. "God's nightgown*! He ki lled my sister!" "I was wondering that, too." Ron said. "I think I've figured it out." "What?" "She's become his whore." Hermione looked as if she had been slapped and Draco shot straight out of his ch air and grabbed for Ron's throat and Severus started faster towards them, he wou ld kill Weasley. Before Severus had even gotten up there, Draco was mercilessly beating the Weasl ey boy. He didn't make any effort to stop it. Just took his time getting to them . When he heard a cry from behind him, though, he remembered Cassie. He didn't w ant her to see this, so he sped up.

As he reached them, Harry, Ginny, and Hermione realized he had been there, but D raco didn't look up. "I believe, Draco, that should you continue this, go outside. Filch will be fumi ng if you get blood on the floors." As he was saying this he pulled Draco up. He then moved onto Ron and pulled him up by the collar of his robes. "Mr. Weasley, when the school year starts, you will have so many detentions you aren't going to know what to do with yourself, no matter how well you behave in class. Anythi ng you do that I don't like I am going to take away house points and you will fa il potions. Now get out of my sight." Ron just stared stupidly for a minute before he realized Severus was talking to him and he didn't waste a second after that. Harry and Ginny had already gone be fore Snape could turn on them. Hermione was still sitting there looking scandalized. "Draco, go take Cassie and get her breakfast. I'm taking Hermione for a walk." "Yes, Professor." "Hermione, love, come on." He said and reached for her hand. "I can't believe he said that." Hermione said as he led her out of the hall, arm securely around her waist. "I can't believe he said that." "He's just insanely jealous that you chose me over him." "Ron doesn't like me." Severus raised his eyebrows at her. "Doesn't he?" "You must be joking." "Oh no, my dear. He is insanely jealous of any man that walks in your presence. He has been for ages." "Please tell me you're joking." "No, I am not joking. I must say, though. I am glad Draco took care of him. I wa s about to lose my job." He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "Isn't that sweet? I told you Albus. You can't trust him around your students." Severus and Hermione both froze and were, for once, glad that Severus had only k issed her head. "Severus." Albus said. "Don't be stupid, Albus. Arthur's son has been insulting her. As I wasn't the on e calling her a whore, I figured it was the least I could do to comfort her. She 's is my friend after all." "Whore, Severus?" "You may thank Ronald Weasley for that terminology towards Hermione." "Ron would never call anyone a whore." "I have witnesses, Arthur. You can only protect your son to a certain point." "I understand, Severus. Why don't you take care of Hermione, while I go find the young Mr. Weasley?" "I was taking care of Hermione and I don't give a damn about Weasley. Any of the m." With that he started in the opposite direction, trying to get away from Arthur. "Don't worry, my love. Everything will be fine." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~* ~I think I made Ron a bit too out of character, but, oh well. Thanks to all my r eviewers!~ ~Slytherin Girl~ *This was an exclamation I have read over and over again as I have read 'Gone Wi th The Wind'. If you haven't read that, you really should. Making My Head Spin, Chapter 41 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/41/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies

And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~All right, I'm sorry I haven't updated in forever. Exams. That's the reason. I have a very good excuse. But this is my last week of school. Anyway, here's the chapter.~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~* Hermione was thankful to get out of the castle. She moved speedily towards Hogsm eade with Severus and Cassie. She was already looking to get out of the castle, school hadn't even started back yet. Behind her, she could hear Severus telling Cassie about Sirius. "Severus, I was thinking, it might be better for us to leave Cassie with Grandma . That way they can spend some time together and we can actually get something d one." "Good plan." He said. "Muffin! Are you going to get Muffin?" Cassie exclaimed. "Yes, we are going to get Muffin, if your Uncle Severus doesn't kill it on the w ay back." Hermione said smiling. Grandma was on the porch when they arrived. "My babies!" she exclaimed. "My three children." Severus was only slightly bewildered at being called a baby and a child. He was more bewildered at the manner in which he was hugged. Cassie pressed between him and grandma. "You have to come visit me on weekends. It's been so lonely without anyone here. I'll die of boredom. They can spare you on weekends, can't they? Oh my babies, come inside." Hermione was rather worried about her grandmother. It hadn't been long at all si nce everyone left her and she was going batty. She looked at Severus who was smi ling as Grandma offered him a sugar cookie. They needed to talk. "Grandma," Hermione started. "We were thinking of leaving Cassie with you while we gather her stuff." "Oh! Wonderful. It's dreadful here alone. I never really realized it until this year. So many of my friends though. All our usual trips have been canceled becau se they are all dying. It's rather depressing to know I could be next." "Don't talk like that, Grandma." Hermione said sadly. They talked for about 20 minutes before Severus said they should probably go. "I'm worried about her, Sev. She's never been like that before." "I don't know what we can do." "Can we come visit her on weekends, Sev? I think it would help." "Her or us, my love?" "Sev! Her of course. Though it won't hurt us, or Cassie. We're all going to need release from the castle I think." "It won't be so bad once Arthur leaves." "How can you say that!" Hermione exclaimed. "What about Harry and Ron and all th e other Gryffindors who will turn on me after Harry and Ron tell them I'm hangin g around you. How can you tell me without Arhtur Weasley things will be better?"

"Hermione? Calm down, please, I'm sorry. Hermione?" he stopped and looked at her . "What's the matter?" "Have you ever always had something and then one day it was gone and you felt yo u couldn't go on anymore. Oh, Sev. If they stay mad at me, I won't live." With t hat she collapsed into his arms. "Mione, I really don't know what to say to you." "It doesn't matter. Nothing matters anymore." "Why this all of a sudden?" "They were what I was still living for. I told you, remember? When my parents an d Stephanie died. All I had left was my family, Harry, Ron, and you. Now they're gone. Not dead, but gone which makes it even worse. I can't take all of this, S ev. My life has slowly deteriorated this past year and a half. Everyone is leavi ng me to my own resources. I can't see my family during the year, and Harry and Ron won't talk to me. Then there's you Sev. You're the only one who cares. You'r e my best friend in the world. You haven't left me at all, I don't know what I w ould do without you." Severus took a deep breath, he had been worried she was going to say something a long the lines of he wasn't enough. "I don't know what you want me to do, Hermione." "Don't leave me, Sev. Just don't be mad at me." Severus was beginning to feel helpless. He wasn't going to leave her, and he cer tainly wasn't mad at her. "Hermione, love, I'm not going to leave you and there is no reason to be mad at you." "I don't know what's the matter with me." "Nothing's the matter with you. It's them, Hermione. They're making you like thi s." "Let's just go, get our minds off of this." Severus looked helplessly at her as she held onto his hand and started to walk. ~~~~~~~~~~~~* Severus cringed at the size of the house. They would never sort through all the stuff today. "Sev? Do you think, if it's all right, that we could move the things that we wan t to keep to your house? I mean, I know it's not in the best shape, your house, but it would save space in your quarters." "Our quarters, my dear, and I think that's a wonderful idea." "We should find a box of course and put some of Cassie's toys in it." "I've got an idea." "What?" "I don't want you at the castle on weekends, at least not until you've made up w ith Potter and Weasley." "Yes?" "I'm going to talk to Dumbledore about coming to your grandma's on weekends." "Yes?" "And maybe we could spend a bit of time there, but my idea is to leave Cassie wi th Grandma and then go to my house." "So, we could finish it by next summer?" "Maybe, but we could still work on it until then. It will give you something to take you mind off everything." "But what about studying and stuff on weekends?" "We aren't going to spend all 48 hours working." "I love it!" she exclaimed and threw her arms around Severus' neck. He smiled an d kissed the top of her head. "Well we were talking about coming on weekends, but we would have had to sneak o ut. At least this gives us an excuse." "You are the most brilliant man who has ever walked the planet." "Well, this brilliant man wants you to help him sort all of this stuff out." He said unlocking the front door. Hermione took a deep breath before entering. She switched on a light and looked around. She briefly wondered why they hadn't started this when they had died. She knew her Uncles had come in and it looked l

ike they had started. Pictures and bric-a-bracs had been wrapped in paper and pl aced in boxes. It looked that was as far as they had gotten though, at least in this room. "At least their furniture isn't faded." Severus muttered. "Sev, what exactly did the will say?" "It was all left to Cassie, and Cassie was left to you." "Do you think it would be horrible of us to use their furniture?" Severus looked at her in shock. "I mean, change the colors and design maybe, but it would help . Your house is huge." "As long as you didn't mind. I don't see anything wrong with it." "Are they planning on selling the house when everything is cleared out." "That's up to us I suppose." "I know they owned it, they had paid everything off before they died, because th ey bought it years and years and years ago and I remember them telling us." "That makes everything a bit easier. Come, though, let's get started." "Where?" "Where what?" "Where should we start?" "This room, but let me connect this house to mine by floo." "How are we going to get all this stuff to your house?" "You have permission to use your wand, don't you?" "Yes, but only at Hogwarts. No wait, that's not what he said, was it?" "He said since you're staying at Hogwarts. You're still staying there, you're ju st not there at the moment." "You're bad, Sev, you really are." "I'm a Slytherin." "So, what? Shrink the furniture?" "Yes." Hermione smiled as she started to cast spells at the couches and chairs. Three hours later they had all the furniture stored in Severus' manor and were s tarting on just little things that needed to be placed in boxes. "If this is what their house is like, I'd hate to think about Grandma's house." "I wouldn't even think about that, my dear." "Oh! Goodness gracious!" Hermione exclaimed as she started on the kitchen an hou r later. Severus came bounding down the stairs to make sure she was all right. "What happened?" "They never bothered to clean out the refrigerator." She said. "Oh, my God, don't do that again. I thought something was wrong." "Something is wrong. I almost died of the poisonous fumes." "You move onto the dishes and silverware. I'll do this." "Thank you." She said kissing him as she walked passed. "If I get a kiss every time I do something nice, I will be nice forever more." "You know you don't have to do something nice to get a kiss, and if you were nic e to me all the time I wouldn't like you as much because you wouldn't be you." "Whatever you wish for." At about 5-o'clock they collapsed onto the living room floor as all the furnitur e was gone. "And we're still not done!" Hermione exclaimed. "We'll have to come back next weekend, I have to get my classes prepared." "It's a pain you're a teacher." "If I wasn't a teaacher than we wouldn't be able to spend so much time together. " "If you weren't a teacher it would be legal for us to show our undying love for each other." Hermione teased and leaned in to kiss him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~* An hour later they were eating at grandma's, each with a shrunken box full of Ca ssie's toys and with Muffin dancing under the table. Severus was already getting ready to kick it. "God save me." He had muttered when they picked up the yappy dog. "I think this goes against my image."

~~~~~~~~~~~~* "Hermione! Professor!" Draco came out screaming at them as they came up to the c astle. "What is it, Draco?" Hermione asked. "Dumbledore's had a heart attack." For Severus the world stopped for a moment. The blood rushed to his ears. Albus, his mentor, the man who acted as his father. He struggled to hear what Hermione was saying. "Draco, can you take Cassie?" she asked watching Severus. "Yeah." "Is he all right?" Severus asked suddenly. "Yes, Sev. Draco said that. Are you all right?" "I'm fine." He said as he deposited Cassie into Hermione's arms and started runn ing towards the hospital wing. "Cassie, go with Uncle Draco for a second." Hermione said as she put the child i nto Draco's arms. ~~~~~~~~~~~* "Madam Pomfrey." Hermione said to the mediwitch as she entered the infirmary. "I s he all right?" "Albus or Severus?" "Both." "I think Severus is taking it worse than Albus. I'm not sure, though. Albus is g oing to have some problems adjusting to the fact that he isn't 20 years old anym ore. We all knew it, but he refused to accept it. He's not going to be able to o verexert himself anymore. We've been telling him that for years. Unfortunately, old age doesn't mix with Albus Dumbledore." "Is Severus in there?" "Everyone is. Albus is asleep. I had to give him a potion to put him to sleep. S tubborn man. You can go in there if you want to." "He will recover, Albus I mean, right?" "Yes, dear. He should be up in time for the sorting ceremony. Though I wish he w ould wait, but he's not missed one yet. So I think I'll have to let him go with warnings." "Thank you, Madam Pomfrey." With that she entered the curtained area and looked around at everyone. Severus was kneeling next to the bed. Everyone else was just standing around. Hermione w asn't sure what she should do. Interrupting Severus might have been a bad idea, but Draco was with Cassie and she didn't feel like talking or just standing, so she went and knelt beside him. He looked at her but didn't say anything. What wa s there to say? The most powerful man in the magical world had almost died. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "Severus, come on. You're not going to be any help if you don't get sleep." Herm ione said as she glanced at the clock. 1:30 a.m. Some were still there, includin g Minerva, Mrs. Weasley, and Mr. Weasley. "You go on." "Severus Snape, get up. You cannot just sit here and wait for him to wake up. Yo u need to sleep. Now come on or I'll be forced to knock you out and levitate you to your room." Severus stared at her for a minute before he stood. He was stiff from kneeling o n the floor and he needed a good headache potion. "Damn Gryffindors." "Come on, Cassie will be disappointed at you in the morning if you're not there. " Draco had come up a few hours ago and told them she had gone to sleep. Finally. "I'm coming. Poppy, I'm stealing a headache potion. I can't be bothered making o ne tonight." "This morning." Hermione corrected. "Is this interfering with your nighttime activities, Miss Granger?" Arthur whisp ered as they walked passed. Hermione was pushed off to one side as Severus turned on Arthur who had a fist c onnected with his mouth.

"Severus!" Hermione exclaimed, but jumped out of the way as Arthur swung his fis t as well. Severus dodged it though and placed his arm around Hermione's waist. "Do everyone a favor, Arthur. Just don't talk when in my presence, and if necess ary, I will kill you." "Cut the dramatics, Snape." Severus ignored them and walked out of the hospital, dragging Hermione with him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "Are you all right, Severus?" Hermione asked as he collapsed onto the couch. "No." "I know that, are you going to be all right?" "If Albus is." "He will be." "He's supposed to be unbeatable, Hermione. Nothing is supposed to slow him down. He's Albus Dumbledore." "Severus, I highly doubt anything would slow Albus down. He'll be up and about i n no time. You'll see." "He's human, though, Hermione. I've just always thought of him as someone who wo uld never have anything wrong with them and die after I did, even with his age." "He's not immortal, Sev." "I know, but I like to think he his." Hermione sighed and leaned against him. "I wish there was something I could do f or you." "Just stay here." "Who would I go to?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* ~I can't believe how long it took me to get this up. I'm so completely sorry, bu t I hope you saw my note in my profile.~ ~Slytherin Girl~ Making My Head Spin, Chapter 42 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/42/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~OMG! I feel so bad. I haven't updated in forever. I would like to say I will no t be adapting this fic to fit OotP. Sorry if that's an inconvenience to anyone. I did start a new HG/SS fic though for the OotP. It's called All For The Sake Of The Order. Anyway, I'm terribly sorry. I really really am.~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

Severus woke up to a small finger tapping him. When he opened his eyes he jumped when there was another set of eyes about an inch from his face. "Baby, what's the matter?" "There are monsters in my room." "There can't be. The Unicorns would chase them away." "The monsters are under my bed, where the unicorns can't see them." Severus smiled a bit and turned so he could move Hermione without waking her up. As he slid out of bed he picked the small girl up. "Let's go tell them to leave. We can't have monsters in your room." Cassie giggl ed as Severus carried her to her room. He placed Cassie on her bed and knelt on the floor. He moved so he could see und erneath the bed. It was of course clear of monsters. "Don't you know any better?" he asked the space under Cassie's bed. "You can't c ome down here and scare little girls. Go up to Gryffindor Tower and test their c ourage." With that he sat back up and looked at Cassie. "They won't bother you anymore." Cassie threw her arms around his neck. "Daddy never chased the monsters away." S he said sadly. "He always told me to tell them to go away." "You didn't have the same kind of monsters where you lived before, though. You'r e Daddy knew that." "Will you be my Daddy, Unca Sewus? And Aunt My-knee my Mummy? And we can be a fa mily. And Aunt My-knee can have babies, just like Mummy was going to." Severus s miled sadly at Cassie. "We'll talk about it in the morning." And with that he stood to leave. "Don't leave!" Cassie exclaimed. "What if they come back?" Severus sighed and lay down on the small bed next to Cassie. "I'll stay awhile a nd make sure they don't come back." "Thank you, Daddy." Severus' heart swelled to the point where he thought it woul d burst. He actually wanted to cry. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Hermione awoke to find herself alone. She figured Severus had gone to check on A lbus and got out of bed to check if Cassie was still asleep or had gone with him . She wrapped a robe around her pajamas and made her way out of the bedroom. She smiled as she saw Cassie wrapped in the Severus' arms. She giggled as she no ticed his feet were hanging off the end of the bed. "Might I ask what is so funny?" "I think you've outgrown that bed, Sev." "Cassie had monsters under her bed last night." He whispered. "Oh." "Hermione?" "Yes?" "She called me Daddy last night and she was on about you being her Mum. She also said she wanted you to have babies." He added, grinning. Hermione blushed. "I think it will be awhile before I have children. At least two years before I e ven think about it." Severus didn't say anything, just silently went over how long that was. It seeme d like they had been together forever already. Two more years before they could make their relationship public, among other things. "Do you think you could stay here until she wakes up, Hermione? I want to check on Albus." "Let's just carry her up. I want to see how he's doing as well." "I think I'll just throw a robe over my pajamas. Nobody's here." "I think my grandmother rubbed off on you." "It's your whole damn family I think." "What's wrong with my family?" "Nothing. They're just a bad influence." "My family is not a bad influence." "I need to talk to Albus about visiting your grandmother on weekends. If he gets better of course." "When he gets better, Sev. When."

As they entered the hospital wing Severus was attacked by a little yapping dog. Draco came around some curtains and smiled at them. "I didn't know what you guys were doing to I just brought him with me," Draco sa id. "Thank you," Hermione said. "Severus? Is that you? Come here my boy." Severus' eyes lit up as he recognized Albus' voice. "Albus, how are you feeling?" "I'm fine, I'm fine. Send everyone else away, I need to talk to you." Only Draco and Hermione were there at the moment, and a sleeping Cassie. They qu ickly moved to the other side of the infirmary. "What do you think it is?" Draco asked. Hermione just shook her head. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Severus walked over to Hermione and Draco 20 minutes later feeling as though his heart had been torn out. He looked at Hermione who had a laughing Cassie on her lap and wanted to cry. "Hermione, love, I need to talk to you. Draco keep hold of Cassie." Before he le ft he pecked Cassie on the cheek. "What is it, Severus?" Hermione said when they were out in the hall. Severus did n't answer just pulled her to him. "He knows, Hermione." "What?" "Minerva told him." "No, she wouldn't have." "He said she let it slip. Hermione, he's not happy about it." "Severus." Hermione whispered, tears coming to her eyes. "He wants you to move out of my chambers." "No." she whispered. "No, Severus. He can't do that. He can't. What about Cassie ?" Severus buried his face in her hair as she started to sob. He wanted to cry as w ell. "It's not fair!" she sobbed. "It's not fair!" "Don't cry, please, don't cry." He was willing himself not to cry. "Don't cry, l ove, please." "How can he do this to us? I love you so much, Severus Snape. Why is he doing th is to us?" "We knew all along student-teacher relationships weren't allowed." "Don't you get all rule-following now, Severus!" she said pulling back and looki ng into his eyes. "Hermione, I wasn't. You have to understand. If we don't do what he says, he'll fire me and he might expel you." "It's not fair, Sev. It's really not." She said pressing her face into his shoul der. "Why is he doing this to me? Everything that I've loved has been taken away from me!" "Hermione, I'm not being taken away from you. We just have to wait." "No! My parents and best muggle friends are dead. Grace and her husband are dead . Harry and Ron, my best friends in the entire world won't talk to me. Now I'm l osing you, too, Severus. What have I done wrong? Who did I make angry? Why can't I just live in peace? Severus!" "Please, calm down. Hermione, love, you have no idea. Actually you probably do. Hermione, look at me." As she looked up she started to cry harder as she saw his eyes. He had started to cry as well. "I love you." He whispered. "I don't care how much I respect Albus, I won't stop loving you. You will have my heart until the day I die. I swear to you." "Please tell me this is a joke. Please tell me this is a dream. Tell me it's any thing as long as I don't have to leave you. I can't stand it, Sev. It feels like my heart has finally broken. It's too much for me, Sev. It's all too much." Sev erus caught her as her knees buckled. He fell to his knees and started to kiss h er face, anywhere he could. Their tears mixed together. He couldn't let her go, he wouldn't. Albus be damned.

He kissed her mouth and then pulled back. "Hermione," she pressed her lips back against his. "No, don't say anything." She whispered. "I love you, Severus." She kissed him o nce more and stood. "I just need, I just can't believe this. I'm going to go for a walk." "Come back to my chambers later. Promise me." "I will." Fresh tears poured down her face and before either of them could say a nything she was running. Her sobs echoed in Severus' ears and he placed his face in his hands and he bent down so that they rested on the floor. The one person, the only person, he had ever really and truly cared about was being taken away from him. He had never felt so empty. He would willingly go to Voldemort and hav e to suffer his wrath than sit here, crying no less, without Hermione. He could never remembered crying so hard. Only at Cassie's parents' funeral had he even c ome close. Without Hermione he had nothing. Absolutely nothing. How was it possible to love something so much? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* ~Oh my gosh! Why did I do that? I'm crying, I am really crying. I never cry. I'm crying harder than Severus and Hermione. I was just in a really dramatic mood. How could I do that? I want to go back and re-write it, but my minds already tak ing me to the next stages. Sorry this was also really short, but I had to stop t here.~ ~Slytherin Girl~ Making My Head Spin, Chapter 43 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/43/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~Albus has a reason for the way he feels. You'll find that out in this chapter. Don't worry I'm a sucker for happy endings. ;)~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Minerva McGonagall watched with tears in her eyes as Severus walked away from he r. She couldn't believe what she had seen. He had cried. Severus had never ever cried. He had also proclaimed undying love for Hermione. It was like something o ut of a book. As she entered the hospital wing she saw Draco with Cassie on his lap. Looking p assed them she saw Albus sitting up in his bed, reading. He looked so calm. For the first time in her life she felt hate towards the man. Pure and utter rage. S

he just wanted to strangle him. How could he just sit there like nothing had hap pened? She heatedly walked towards him, very much aware that tears were still st aining her face and even more aware that he would know as soon as he looked at h er that she was pissed. "Albus." She hissed. He looked up in shock. She almost smiled at taking him by s urprise. "Minerva, dear, what is it?" "You know very well what it is, Albus Dumbledore!" she shrieked. She didn't let him talk, but continued her rant. "Do you know what I've just witnessed? Do you? Of course you don't because you're a daft old bat who loves to see other people in misery." "Minerva, stop." His brows were furrowed in confusion. "You're going to have to explain to-." "Severus!" she exclaimed before he could finish his sentence. Her tone took on a sarcastically lighter tone. "Have you ever seen Severus cry, my dear Albus? Hav e you?" "Don't be daft, Minerva. Severus has never cried a day in his life." "For someone who's supposed to know everything you're extremely stupid." "Now see here," he started. "Don't you 'see here' me! I've just watched Severus Snape sob his heart out onto an equally upset Hermione Granger's shoulder. They love each other, Albus!" "She's too young to know what she wants and he's too old for her. Surely you rem ember those words, Minerva." "How can you bring that up now! After all these years. It was different, Albus." "Please, explain." "She didn't love you, Albus! I said those words to you because she rejected you. Besides, you were ten years older than Severus is at the time." Minerva was cry ing for an entirely different reason. "He is her Professor, Minerva." "You were Mary's Professor! Don't punish Severus because the student you loved d idn't feel the same way." "I didn't even think you liked Severus." "I like seeing him happy. Since he's become friends with Hermione I've had less complaints about him. And I like seeing Hermione happy. Severus isn't the only o ne involved in this. I know you care about Hermione. Any proper teacher would. A lbus, she's had too many losses in too little time. Think about what this will d o to her. What about that little girl? She needs a father figure around her. Sev erus fills that position. You see how she looks to him. You're going to break th e three of them. I mean really break them, Albus." She didn't say another word, just stood up and left the infirmary. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Minerva hadn't been the only one to oversee Severus and Hermione's exchange. A v ery shell-shocked Harry Potter was standing not too far away from where Minerva had been. This wasn't good. It had been so much easier to be mad at Hermione bef ore. She loved him. She really loved him. His best friend, or his once best frie nd, was in love with their Potion's Master. And if that was shocking, it was not hing compared to the fact that he really loved her. He cried. Snape could cry. S nape was capable of emotion. It was too much for Harry. What was he supposed to do now? Run to Hermione and beg forgiveness? Run to Ginn y and Ron and tell them everything? Run to Snape and threaten that if he hurts H ermione he'll kill him? Or run to Dumbledore and scream his head off? Or he coul d just pretend he hadn't seen anything. That was the best option for the moment. Yes, he would just play stupid until he came up with a plan. He turned to conti nue on his way and then stoped before running in the direction Hermione had gone . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Draco Malfoy was confused. Cassie was chatting happily away while he was trying to figure things out. First, Severus had taken Hermione away and neither had com e back. He could have understood that. What he didn't understand was Minerva McG onagall sweeping into the hospital wing like a bat out of hell. Then she yelled

at Dumbledore. He hadn't understood a word of what was going on, but he figured Dumbledore had because he had fallen back onto his bed and started to shake when McGonagall left. He figured, though, that he was safe just sitting here keeping Cassie entertaine d. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Hermione had stopped running when she heard footsteps behind her. She had turned around expecting to see Severus and instead saw Harry. She was about to turn an d start running again when he called for her to stop. When he got nearer he pull ed her straight into his arms. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry." He whispered over and over in her ear. She pulled back f rom him confused. "I didn't know. He loves you Hermione, he really does. He's no t just trying to get you to sleep with him." "I know. Harry, what brought this o-. You were watching! You had no right to do that! That's private. How could you?" "I know, I know, but Hermione, He was crying! Snape was crying. He really loves you. I'm sorry. Please, Hermione, I-I, God I'm such an idiot!" Hermione giggled a bit and he smiled up at her. "Yes, you are." She agreed. "Do you forgive me? Hmm?" "Of course I do, Harry. Besides Severus, you and Ron are my best friends in the world. I don't know about Ron anymore, though." "I'm sure he'll change his mind after I tell him about this." "No!" Hermione exclaimed. "You can't tell him about that. I don't want *you* to know. What we say and do to each other is no one else's business and it might be meant for the best cause in the world, but if Ron still won't come to terms, he 's going to shoot Severus' reputation down. No one will respect him anymore." Harry looked at her for a second before nodding. "Can I ask you a question?" "I'm not going to promise to answer." "You haven't, what I mean is, umm, well, you haven't actually been you know. Hav e you?" Hermione blushed and then shook her head. "And he respects that , Harry. He unde rstands. He wouldn't make me do anything I didn't want to. You're just going to have to trust me. And trust him, Harry. I love him." "I know. Ron's not just mad at him for killing his sister, you know." "What? There isn't another reason in the world that would make him this upset at me." "Hermione, he likes you. I think he's even got himself thinking he loves you." "Ron?" Hermione questioned. "Ron doesn't love me. I love him like a brother. He only loves me like a sister. It's the same with you." Harry shook his head. "It kills him seeing you happy with someone else. Trust *m e* with this one." "Oh my God." "It isn't your fault." "Oh God. Harry, how could he fall in love with me? Severus was on about him liki ng me, but I passed it off as a joke." "Could just, umm, stop referring to him as 'Severus', please?" Hermione raised an eyebrow. "What do you want me to call him?" "Let's just not refer to him. I understand completely, but it is still weird. We spent all out first 4 years at Hogwarts accusing him of being a dark wizard." "We?" "You're the one who set him on fire. You're the one who ended up being convinced that he was trying to get the stone. You're the one who zapped him in the Shrie king Shack." Hermione blushed. "Go find Ron. He'll be mad if he knows you've been talking to me." "I don't care." "Yes, you do. I know you're not mad at me. That's all that matters." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Severus started throwing things as soon as he re-entered his minutes later the r oom was in shambles and he started waving his wand and repairing everything. As he was almost done and owl flew into the room and dropped a letter into his lap.

Severus, I need to speak to you. It's quite urgent. Albus Severus fumed. The nerve of that man. After all he had said, he wanted to talk. Unfortunately he was the headmaster. He waved his wand a few more times until ev erything was back to normal and then headed back to the hospital wing. Draco had long since left with Cassie to get ice cream, so when Severus walked i nto the hospital wing all he saw was Albus Dumbledore watching the door expectan tly. "Come here, Severus. I've just had a nice chat with Minerva." "And what did Minerva have to say." "She was relaying to me your scene with Hermione in the hall." Severus' eyes wid ened. She had seen them? "She also decided she would once again be the voice of reason. She seems to think it best that you and Hermione were together. I hadn't realized you two were so close." Severus blinked. Close? Did he mean close to strangling each other. Severus knew he wasn't being completely honest with himself. He didn't mind Minerva much. "She also brought some sense into my head about another matter. I'm going to tel l you a story, Severus, and then I want you to tell me the truth." Severus nodde d as Albus started his story. "When I was around 45, I know, it was a terribly l ong time ago, I fell in love for the first time in my life. When I was younger, and when I say younger I mean late twenties early thirties, I used to think some thing was wrong with me for not blinking twice in the direction of woman. Then I thought, well maybe she just hasn't shown up in my life. "Mary was her name, Severus. She was so beautiful, so smart, and the Ravenclaw h ead girl. I wasn't the Headmaster then. Just a Professor. I fell hard. I loved e verything about her. She was everything anyone could have dreamed of. I must say we became rather close. I knew I was in love with her and she said she was in l ove with me. She was just so young, Severus. She didn't know what she wanted, an d then she graduated and we could finally make things public. But it didn't happ en like that and the next thing I knew, she was gone. She ran off with the Slyth erin head boy. She broke my heart, Severus, because she was too young to decide what she really wanted. I ran to Minerva who was in her first year of teaching h ere. She told me that Mary was too young to actually know if she was in love. Sh e told me that I was too old for her. She needed someone younger. Someone that c ould keep up with her for years to come. At the time I wasn't sure whether it wa s a real reason or just because Minerva didn't know what else to say. Up until a bout 20 minutes ago I thought it was a real reason. Maybe just because I'd like to think that she really did love me. She didn't though. She was just a little g irl. "Minerva gave me the reason that I don't want you and Hermione to be together. S he said that it was because I didn't want you to be happy with a student when I couldn't. I think she's right. But another part of me doesn't want you to be tog ether because of how Mary hurt me. I don't want you to be hurt as well. I honest ly don't know how I recovered and Severus, with your history, I don't know if yo u could take this. I'm not saying you're weak, but you have never put you're who le heart into anything. Anything, Severus. I don't want to see you hurt. "Now, I want you to tell me the truth. I know you're in a bit different situatio n than I was. Do you love her enough to risk your sanity for? Do you think she l oves you enough to stay back from the rest of the world? Do you think that in a few years when she wants to see the rest of the magical world she will love you enough to stay with you? Or do you love her enough to let her go see it and trus t her to come back to you? What if when she graduates she finds something or som eone that interests her more than you do? I'm putting my trust in you, Severus. If you want me to, if you're sure about all of this, I will let her stay with yo u. Don't just say anything. Go talk to Hermione. It's not that I don't trust her , Severus. But she's still only young." Severus wasn't sure whether he liked what Albus had said or not. He was thrilled that Albus had given him the chance to be with Hermione, but he sure as hell di dn't like the fact that Albus had also put so much doubt in his mind. But he and

Hermione had talked about this and had decided it didn't matter. Right? Right? He stood and muttered a quiet 'thank you' to Albus and then went in search of He rmione. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* ~Actually this bit in the story went a complete different way than I had planned , but now I feel a bit sorry for Albus. My writing gets ahead of me and won't le t me type some of the things I had planned on. Anyway, thanks to all my reviewer s.~ ~Slytherin Girl~ Making My Head Spin, Chapter 44 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/44/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~Okay, during the next few chapters expect major time jumps. I feel like I'm jus t dragging this out and I can't think of things to fill gaps and I know what I w ant to do, I just have to get to a certain spot in the timeline before it can wo rk out. I just feel like I'm repeating myself with all these moments between Her mione and Severus and I need something to happen, probably just like all of you. Voldemort's still out there and I need to kill him! Lol. Just be prepared. : ) AND OMG! THIS FIC HAS REACHED 100,000 WORDS! And I don't e-mail people when my c hapters come out, because hotmail is a bitch and won't let me send that many e-m ails out. I had like 400 people of a mailing list for I Won't Walk Away and then they stopped letting me send all of them out. And AOL threatened me because it was 'bulk mail' so I've given up on sending notices out about chapters. Sorry.~ ~Oh I would also like to thank Lady of Hope for giving me the idea of writing a fic about Albus and his love. As soon as I find the time I most certainly am goi ng to do that.~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "Hermione!" Severus called. He found her outside by the lake. "Hermione, love!" She turned to see him walking towards her. Why was he smiling? Wasn't he sad? Ha d everything he said not long ago been a lie? "I've wonderful news, love," he said, taking her hands in his. "What is it, Sev?" "Albus has consented to you staying with me." "What?" She asked not really believing. Severus smiled again and told her Albus' story. "So you see? You can stay with m e." Hermione just stared at him. "Hermione? Are you all right?" Thoughts swirled

through Severus' mind. Had Albus been right? Would she ever consider leaving? "Severus," she said before smiling. "Are you serious? You wouldn't lie to me?" "Of course not." He sighed in relief as Hermione threw her arms around him. "This is so wonderful, Severus. I-I can't believe it! I don't know whether to ki ss you or Albus! No never mind." She said before pressing herself to him. He fel l backwards so that she was laying on him. From the hospital wing window, Albus watched them. Jealous of the love they had and happy for Severus, who had never had any real happiness in his life. "I'd never leave you, Severus. You know that right?" she said pulling back from him. "You'd never be able to send me away. Years from now, I'd always feel the s ame way. I'll never leave you, I swear. Nothing is as important to me as you are ." Severus pulled her into a tight hug and looked to the sky. Thank God. "Which reminds me, Sev." "What?" "Harry." "What about him?" "He saw us in the hall." "So did Minerva." "But, Severus, he's not mad at me. He said you must really love me. He doesn't m ind, Sev. But I made him swear not to tell anyone about that incident." "What do you mean incident?" "I didn't figure you'd want people to know you'd been crying, Sev." Severus sighed into her hair. "You're right." "We knew it!" Hermione and Severus both looked up in surprise. Ron was standing there glaring at them. Ginny to one side and a torn looking Harry on the other. "Wait until we tell Dumbledore." Severus and Hermione both stood up and Severus pointed his wand at Ron. "Oblivia te." He repeated this action with Ginny. Harry looked confused but with a smile from Hermione he realized he wasn't having his memory altered. "What are we doing, Harry?" Ron asked. "You said we were going to play Quidditch." Harry told him. "I did. Oh, yeah." Ron said trying to remember. He then noticed Hermione and Sev erus and scowled. "Let's go." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "Albus, what is it?" Minerva asked as she entered the hospital wing. He was star ing out the window. "Nothing. I'm trying to decide whether I've just made a mistake or not." "What did you do, Albus?" "I've allowed Hermione to stay with Severus, as long as he's sure she loves him. " "She does, Albus." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "Severus? When do you think it would be safe to ask Albus about visiting my Gran dmother?" "Anytime Minerva is there," he answered. "I'm so happy. But, we should probably go find Draco. He's probably so confused. " "I love you," Severus said and pulled her back down as she started to stand up. They were still sitting by the lake. "I love you, too." "I don't know what I'd do without you." "You'll never have to find out, because I'm never leaving." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Before they knew it the carriages were arriving and students began to pile into the Great Hall. Cassie was sitting between Hermione and Draco, who was sitting a t the Gryffindor table. Ron, Ginny, and Harry were sitting at the other end of t he table. And Severus was watching all the students with distaste. Hermione shot glances at Harry all through dinner. It didn't seem like they were telling anyone about her and Severus, or the suspicions they had. Hermione didn

't care that everyone was back, all she really cared about was that Arthur Weasl ey had left. It didn't matter about anything else. Dumbledore had stood and explained about Cassie, who was giggling at anyone who looked at her. Severus kept looking at her, too. As if he was scared someone mig ht try to attack her. When dinner was about halfway through, Cassie slipped off her seat and ran to th e head table. Hermione and Draco smiled as she climbed onto Severus lap and star ted to chatter to him. Anyone else who had noticed the little girl running up to him, was in shock he wasn't killing her and in fact had his arms wrapped around her and was talking right back. "Severus, you're scaring the students," Minerva told him as he smiled at Cassie' s attempt to reach the ice cream. "I don't care, Minerva," as he gave Cassie her chocolate ice cream. "I think she's the best thing that every happened to you." "Who? Cassie or Hermione?" "Both, I suppose. Albus is considering telling the rest of the staff about you a nd Hermione." "He hasn't already?" "Severus, do you want them to know?" "Not really. But Albus is letting her stay with me, so I honestly don't care." "You've gone of the deep end in love, Severus." "I've been in the deep end for quite awhile now." "Daddy, eat!" Cassie demanded as she practically shoved a spoonful of ice cream in his mouth. He obediently ate it and then looked at Minerva's surprised face. "She's calling you 'Daddy', now?" "And Hermione 'Mummy'. I never thought I'd hear anyone call me that, Minerva. An d every time she does I feel like crying." "Severus? Have you grown a heart?" she joked. Severus almost smiled at her. "I t hink it's adorable." Hermione was talking rapidly to Draco about Severus and both of the smiled as Ca ssie shoved the ice cream in his face. "Maybe now he'll take it a bit easy on us in class," Draco said. "He's only gone soft towards Cassie." "And you," Draco added. "And I think he's warmed up to me a little." "Of course he has." "I think he may even begin to like Potter now." "I doubt it, but anything is possible." "Obviously, the evil potion's master fell in love." ~~~~~~~~~~* Later that night Severus held Hermione close to him. Cassie had long since gone to sleep and Draco had disappeared as well. Two forgotten cups of coffee sat on the coffee table as Severus listened to Hermione's slow breathing. She had falle n asleep after talking to him about Cassie and how this year was going to go by so slowly. He didn't mind, he liked to watch her sleep. She looked so serene, co mpletely at peace. He wished that every person in this castle would disappear, save Hermione and Ca ssie. Soon they would be together. Just them. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Classes resumed and everything soon became routine. Cassie stayed with Severus m ost of the day. He had made a smaller version of his desk for her and set it nex t to his. She sat there during class and played with harmless ingredients in a s mall cauldron Severus had. No one was used to Cassie calling Severus Daddy yet. And no one was comfortable that she called Hermione 'Mummy' and Severus 'Daddy'. As it neared Halloween Severus cringed as he remembered the dream he had had las t year. He was the only one that wasn't in the best of moods. Cassie was flutter ing around the school in different costumes and Hermione was herself. She was th e only one who noticed something was wrong with him. "Just remembering things, love," he answered when she questioned him. "Like what?" she asked as she snuggled closer to him. "Do you remember that dream I told you about last year?"

"Oh, Sev! Nothing's going to happen. It didn't last year." "I know, I know." "Everything's going to be fine. We can go somewhere again if you'd like." "Albus would never agree to that." "We could go to my Grandmother's. She'd love to see Cassie." "We still haven't asked him about going on weekends." "There never seems to be an appropriate time, does there?" "Is Halloween on a weekend this year?" "I don't know," Hermione said and tried to think. "Yes, well, it's on a Friday." "Let's ask him about weekends, tomorrow, then. That will take care of both of th em." "Sounds like a plan to me." Still seeing the worried look on his face she leaned up and kissed him. "It'll b e fine." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* The next day at breakfast, Cassie on his knee he asked Albus about going to Herm ione's grandmother's. "I don't know, Severus," Albus answered. "I think it's a wonderful idea," Minerva said before returning to her breakfast. In the end Albus agreed as long as Hermione's grades didn't suffer. As soon as S everus told Hermione she raced to the Owlrey to write her Grandmother. As soon a s the owl was out of sight she headed to Transfigurations. Harry shot her a quick smile and Ron didn't acknowledge her presence. They didn' t seem to have told anyone about them, though, and everyone else was the same to wards her. Minerva smiled at her as she walked into the room. A knock on the door half-way through class interrupted notes and Severus walked in, carrying a crying Cassie with him. Hermione was on her feet and pulling Cass ie from him in a matter of seconds. "She apparently doesn't like spiders and as soon as she saw them started crying, " Severus started. "She started screaming 'Mummy'." "Severus," Minerva growled. "I couldn't get her to be quiet. I didn't know what to do!" "Well that's one for the records," Minerva hissed. "It's not as though I wanted to make her cry, Minerva!" "That makes a change." "Please," Hermione whispered trying to calm Cassie down. "Neither of you are hel ping." "I'm going to be working with spiders in most of my classes today. This week act ually." "She can stay with me," Minerva stated. "Can you take her out in the hall, Miss Granger?" "Of course, Professor." Hermione sat down in the hall, Cassie on her lap and Severus standing in front o f her. "I didn't mean for this to happen. I don't-I didn't know what to do. I don't thi nk *I've* actually been the one to make her cry before," Severus said, his voice faltering every now and then. "I made her cry." Hermione ignored the fact that he'd made almost everyone in Hogwarts cry and tol d him to sit down. "Severus, you didn't know she was going to cry. It's not your fault. Cassie still loves you. If you were a spider and she started crying, the n it would be your fault. You're not psychic." "The way she looked at me, though, Hermione. Like I'd just killed Muffin or some thing." "Severus, she's a little girl. Her mind works differently than yours." "But I made her cry." "Severus, it's not your fault and even if she thinks it is all you have to do is give her a kiss and she'll forgive you." Cassie's sobs had calmed down and her breathing began to turn to normal. "Go back to your class, she'll be fine. And I have to go back to class and Miner va will watch her. Everything will be fine."

Hermione cast a glance in both directions and then leaned forward to kiss him qu ickly. As she stood she opened the door to the Transfiguration room and returned to her seat, Cassie on her lap. ~~~~~~~~~~~~* Severus sat at dinner and watched for Hermione to come in with Cassie. He hadn't seen her since that morning. He didn't have to wait five minutes before Cassie came running into the Great Hall, Hermione and Draco chasing after her. She ran straight to him though. "Daddy!" she cried and moved onto his lap. "Ice cream?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~* ~That was such a corny little ending. Lol. Now I want to explain about that thin g with Severus. I've discovered that when I get upset my dad always blames himse lf. I've discovered the same thing with my friends and their dads. So I thought it would be cute to add that in here. Besides that, review! Thanks everyone.~ ~Slytherin Girl~ Making My Head Spin, Chapter 45 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/45/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~I know, it's been a long time since I updated this. I just started back to scho ol and I've had more homework than I care to talk about. Plus, I think I need to read back over this story. I can' believe it's gotten this long and it's a year old! I hadn't even realized that. I swore I started posting it in September. An yway, thanks for all the positive comments.~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~* When Halloween came around, Hermione and Severus went to Grandma's. Everything w ould have been normal if Cassie hadn't insisted on going Trick- Or-Treating. Sev erus had been so confused until Hermione gave him a complete definition of what they were talking about. So on Halloween, Cassie, in an over-stuffed pumpkin suit, walked between Hermion e and Severus up and down the streets. Severus didn't understand why little kids went around dressed up like people from their world, and not even that well. "All it is, is humiliation towards us, and they get candy for it," he added. "Lo ok at the witches, they're green! How disgusting!" "So, we make fun of them all the time, plus they don't even realize they're maki ng fun of us," Hermione replied. "Plus, Cassie has fun." Severus shook his head. "But it's cold outside."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Hermione stayed wrapped in Severus' arms as Cassie walked a few steps I front of them, singing a song that Nearly Headless Nick and the rest of the Hogwarts' gh osts had taught her. They watched her waddle right back to them, exclaiming over the candies she got. "I thought you said this was for little kids," Severus said as a group of boys t hat looked older than Hermione passed. "It's supposed to be," Hermione replied and smiled at another couple of waiting for their children. "When are we going to start working on your house again?" "Our house," he said wrapping his arms around her from behind and kissing her ne ck. "And whenever you want." "Professor Snape, there are children around." "That's disgusting." Hermione and Severus looked up to see a group of parents looking at them. "Problem?" Severus asked. "You're old enough to be her father. Pedophile." "Mummy! Mummy! Daddy! Daddy!" "And you have a child! You can't be more than a teenager!" Severus glared over at the group and covered Cassie's ears before letting out a string of words that made Hermione blush. "Severus, come on." "Only whores get involved with older men." Severus' face went livid and Hermione grabbed onto his arm. "Sev, don't. It doesn't matter. Please, let's just go. We need to get Cassie hom e." They didn't need Cassie home, yet, but she didn't want to cause a scene. Or at l east a bigger one. "Please, Severus, please. Don't do this in front of Cassie. You can vent to me l ater. Let's go, please," Hermione begged. "Daddy?" Severus looked down at Cassie. Then with one last glare at the group picked Cass ie up and took Hermione's hand. "Daddy? What's wrong?" Cassie asked. "Nothing, Baby." He struggled to keep a hold of her and Hermione at the same tim e. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "They had no right to say things like that." "Arthur said things like that." "And I punched him," Severus said. "People shouldn't say things like that. Not t o you." "Sev, it can only be expected," she said leaning against him. "No. I don't like it. Just because I'm older than you doesn't mean anything. Doe s it?" "No, it doesn't. But Sev, not everyone agrees with the whole age difference thin g. It doesn't matter, though. I love you." "I love you, too. But I hate everyone else. Except your family, of course." "I don't know what I'm going to do with you. I really don't." "I want everything to be perfect for you, Hermione. But, no one will let it be." Hermione shook her head and softly kissed him. "Everything is perfect." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Every weekend they went back and forth between Hogwarts, Grandma's house, and Se verus' manor. In the second week of December plans were once again made for Chri stmas. Which was rapidly turning into the main highlight of Severus and Hermione 's winter. Ron had still not forgiven Hermione and Harry was all but forced by H ermione to stick with Ron. Dumbledore was also becoming more and more aware arou nd Hermione, acting as if she were going to walk out of the school at any second , taking Cassie with her. Of the two, Hermione was having a way worse time then Severus, but she never sho wed him that. What he didn't realize couldn't hurt anyone. Draco was also looking forward to Christmas. He had started to come to Grandma's

on the weekends, and he had missed Christmas last year. So as the end of December came they prepared to leave. "Harry, you should come with us," Hermione said as the two sat in the library. I t was one of the few times they were alone. "And what would Ron say to that?" "He wouldn't have to know." "I wish I could, love." "You're staying at the castle anyway, Harry." "I know, but, are you sure that he wouldn't find out." "There isn't really a way. We don't go by train and he doesn't have to know you' re leaving. Where's he going anyway? His name is on the list." "The whole family is having a reunion or something just outside of Dublin." "Will you come then, Harry? Please? We never get to be together and I'd love for you to get to know Severus better. And the rest of my family." "I'll go talk to McGonagall later," he said smiling. "How are you, Hermione? I m ean really. I've been your best friend a lot longer than Snape and Malfoy. I kno w something's bothering you and I could take a very good guess at it being Ron." "You'd be right. But Harry don't say anything. The smallest things get Severus w orried I'm going to leave him. I blame that on Dumbledore. Last week I hugged Dr aco, which I always do, and it just struck him differently, or something, and he was on about me leaving him for Draco. Not angry, just sad. I'm just worried ab out him. I wouldn't leave him for the world Harry. I love him so much." "I know you do, Hermione. And I think deep down he knows it as well. Don't worry about it, love. I have a feeling you two will live happily every after." "I hope so, Harry. I should probably actually get back. Severus will have let Ca ssie eat all of the ice cream in the castle by now. Talk to McGonagall." As she leaned over to hug him he shook his head. "I don't think I really need to talk to her now." "Why?" Harry motioned over her shoulder and Ron was standing about three feet be hind her, face as red as his hair. "Traitor!" he yelled at Harry. "Ron," Hermione said. "He-." "I didn't tell anyone about you and Snape, Hermione, but I have no reason to kee p my mouth shut now." "Ron, please," Hermione begged. "Why are you doing this?" "He killed a member of my family, Hermione." "Why are you punishing me for what he did, Ron! And he's not the same anymore! Y ou know that! You can't tell anyone, Ron!" Ron grabbed Hermione's shoulders and held her still. "You weren't supposed to love him, Hermione! You weren't supposed to fall in lov e with someone else! You were meant for me, Hermione. We were meant for each oth er!" "Oh, Ron," she said sadly. She threw her arms around his neck. "I will always lo ve you, but not like I love Severus. I could never love anyone like I love Sever us. You're like my brother, Ron. You always have been. You always will be and I hate that I'm causing you pain, but it wouldn't be fair to either of us if I pre tended to love you. Severus and I were meant to be together. You are meant to be with someone that will love you with all her heart. My heart belongs to Severus , and only Severus." "It's not fair, Hermione! I love you and you love a murdering Slytherin." "That's not who Severus is, Ron! Look at me," she said pulling back. "He's a won derful man, Ron. You're just letting your family prejudices get in the way. Don' t look at me like that, you know I love your family. Well, I'm not sure about yo ur father." "Why him, Hermione?" "I don't know and he doesn't know, and he's not even sure if I will stay with hi m half the time. But Ron, when I look at him, I can see the both of us in a hous e full of children and grandchildren growing old and older together. He's the on ly one I can see like that. He's the only one I want to see like that." "I know, I know, and I think that's what makes me so angry. He's not just some r

elationship like both of you than to come face to face with the reality that you live with him and you've basically already started your life together and your family. You've got a daughter for God's sake. I just wonder if things would have been different if Harry and I'd come back to you that summer after your parents died." "Of course things would be different, Ron, but I don't want to think about thing s being different. I love the way things are now, except for the fact that you'v e barely spoken a word to me in months." "I'm a jealous prick, that's why." "I'm going to go check on Severus and Cassie, and then I want us to have a talk, Ron. Just us." He nodded. "Just do me one favor. Could you not call him that." Hermione smiled and him and with a quick peck on the cheek and a glance at Harry , who was smiling his head off, she set of towards the dungeons. She heard Harry telling Ron how lucky they were that no one was in the library. As she rounded a bookcase she jumped and gasped as two arms wound themselves aro und her waist. As she was turned she let out a sigh of relief as she realized th at it was only Severus. "You scared me," she said quietly. At the look in his eyes she knew he had heard the whole conversation and he leaned down to kiss her quickly. "I'm sorry," he muttered. "Whatever for?" "For ever doubting you loving me." "You know I love you, Severus." "I know. I love you, as well." "I'm going to take Ron into Hogsmeade." "It's not a Hogsmeade weekend." "It's not even a weekend, Severus, or we wouldn't be here. I'm taking him anyway ." "If he does anything tell me and I will kill him." "He's not going to do anything to me, Severus. Now you stay here and take care o f Cassie and I'll be back in a few hours." "I've just heard him confess that he loves you. Be careful. I love you." Severus looked around them and gave her a small kiss before sweeping out of the library. Hermione shook her head as she returned to Harry and Ron. "Come on, Ron." "Where are we going?" "For a walk. Actually, Harry, why don't you come as well. It can be just like it used to be. I need to tell you both everything anyway." "You haven't told Harry, yet?" "No," Hermione replied. "I need to tell you both everything. You're my best frie nds. I guess I've forgotten that." "I think all three of us have forgotten that," Harry said as he hooked arms with Hermione. She took Ron's arm with her other and the three made their way out of the castle. Hermione started to tell them the whole truth and nothing but the t ruth straight from the day that she had found her house in ruins. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* ~I realize that was a shorter chapter, but I thought it was a great place to sto p. At least I didn't end it on a cliffhanger. Review, review, and don't hate me for taking so long to update this. It's not done yet. I've still got a long way to go.~ ~Slytherin Girl~ Making My Head Spin, Chapter 46 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/46/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl

Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~Sorry about lack of updates. Last weekend I was on a drama retreat and I haven' t had time to write. I'm 16! I turned 16! I'm so excited. Last Friday was my bir thday. Party! I was on my retreat though, which sucked. Anyway.~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* The three walked back towards the castle with their arms around one another. Her mione was still crying from their discussions and arguments. Cassie and Draco were walked through the Great Hall as they came in. "Your significant other is looking for you, love," Draco said coming towards the m. "Give me my baby," Hermione said and took Cassie from his arms. Cassie smiled, but hid her face when she saw Ron looking at her. "Do you want to come see Daddy with us, Baby?" "Yes!" "You can come to if you like, Draco." "Sure, sure. I know where I stand. After the Gryffindor girlfriend and after the little girl who will most likely not be a Slytherin." "I am too going to be a Slytherin," Cassie pouted. "Just like Daddy!" "You're not going to be a Slytherin, darling. You're not evil enough." "Is Daddy evil? "No, but Daddy's a different story." "Why?" "Because he has your Mummy," Draco answered and Hermione smiled at him. "I have Mummy, too." "You'll understand someday, precious." ~~~~~~~~~~~* "Sev!' Hermione called when they reached the door to the quarters. "If you've forgotten the password I don't think I'll let you in." "I have Harry and Ron with me." The door opened a bit and Hermione saw Severus peek out. "I can just take them to the library if you'd rather. Never mind, just meet us i n the library, love." Hermione could sense that he didn't want them in his quarters. Harry and Ron, fully prepared to walk the long way up to the library, made stran gling noises as Hermione pulled back on their robes and led them into Severus' s mall library. He was already sitting there, looking intimidating to anyone who d idn't know him very well. To Hermione, though, she knew he was nervous, and he w as. He knew a relationship with Hermione would be so much easier if Ron was on s peaking terms with her. He didn't want to screw that up. He sat there and waited for someone else to start. "Severus, I've told Ron everything he needed to know," Hermione said quietly. "I know," Severus said, not taking his eyes off of Ron.

Hermione sat Cassie down in his arms and then leaned towards him. "I've finally gotten him to talk to me, Sev. Make the first move, you're going to have to prov e yourself," she whispered and then pulled back. Mentally preparing himself, Severus stood, Cassie in his arms. What the hell was he supposed to say? "Weasley," and then he stopped. How as he supposed to address him now? What was he supposed to say now? "Hermione, I don't know what I'm supposed to say to him. " "How about, "I know that if I every hurt her, I know you will kill me"," Ro sugg ested. There was no smile on his face. "Mr. Weasley, if I hurt her I would kill myself. You needn't worry about that." "I don't like you," Ron said. "And I know you don't like me, even more so after this summer, but Hermione has been my best friend for years. I know I haven't sh own it lately and I won't pretend that I've been right, because I know I haven't been. What jealously will do to you. What I'm saying , what I mean care of her. No man deserves her, but if she's found one that makes her happy, and I mean re ally happy, at least I know he isn't a Deatheater crazed lunatic." Severus stood for a moment in shock, staring at Ron and his now outstretched han d, and then he took it. It wasn't friendship, or anything towards each other, al l it was, was a sign that Hermione wouldn't get hurt, that her happiness came fi rst, and that he, Severus wouldn't let anything happen to her. Hermione stood, watching the two of them and Harry and Draco, who were standing a bit behind Ron. Harry looked ready to hold Ron back if things got out of hand. As soon as Severus and Ron pulled their hands back, Hermione flung her arms aro und Ron and kissed his cheek and then threw her arms around Severus, trying not to hurt Cassie and he kissed her cheek before she had a chance to kiss him on th e mouth. He still wasn't ready for displays of affection in front anyone, except of course Hermione's family. "You guys are too much for me," Draco said from his spot. "Shut-up, Draco," Hermione said. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Christmas break came and Ron watched the train pull out of Hogsmeade station. He didn't want to see his dad. So he had to 'stay' because of homework and other v arious, but not true, reasons. Hermione had convinced him to stay and besides Gi nny, everything had been easy to plan. No suspected a thing. "So, tell me again, why we're bringing Weasley. Potter was bad enough," Severus said as they lay in bed. Inside he wasn't complaining. It had been a long time since he had seen her this happy. It was practically radiating off of her. And he was happy because she wa s happy. Hermione just sighed and played with a button on his pajama shirt. She knew he w asn't upset. "You're going to pull it off," he said with a smile on his face. "It's not like you couldn't fix it." "Are you being smart with me?" "What if I was?" "I'd have to punish you," he said as he licked her kips. "Very, very bad, Professor," Hermione said, kissing both his cheeks, the tip of his nose, and then his lips. "You're going to be the death of me," he muttered and kissed her back . "So you've said. I'm still waiting, though." "Feel the love." "I do love you, you know." "I love you, too." "I also want you to know that I love you for how you're acting with Ron. I know you don't like him." "You're right, I don't, but you do and I want you to be happy." "He's not like Arthur you know. He's giving you, he's giving us a chance." "I know and I don't plan on spoiling that. Not for you." "I don't you to spend your whole life doing things that make me happy. What abou

t you?" "Making you happy, makes me happy. Knowing that you love me, makes me happy. Kno wing that I get to spend the rest of my life with you makes me happy and Cassie and your family and even Draco. Nothing could make me happier." "You can't be made happily that easily, Sev." "You're right. But until our wedding night I'll have to make due." "Severus!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "This is where your Grandma lives?" Ron asked. "Sevi!" "Bloody hell," Severus muttered as Madeline came rushing out of the house. Harry and Ron looked at each other and mouthed 'Sevi?'. "My dear, you're looking lovelier than usually." "Aww. Isn't he so sweet," Madeline said throwing her arms around him. "Where's Grandma?" Hermione asked. "Helping Rachel and Sarah make enough beds for all the people you decided you sh ould start bringing. Draco!" She then moved on to hug Severus as they headed into the house. Harry and Ron st ayed together and looked around. "Hermione! Severus! We've missed you both so much. And of course you Cassie!" "What about me?" Draco asked. "You too, I suppose." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* For the next 45 minutes everyone settled into their rooms. Severus stayed lying on the couch with Hermione wrapped tightly in his arms. It was so different ther e than at Hogwarts. Mainly because he didn't have to worry about anyone frowning on them. "This summer, we need to get away, just the two of us." "What do you mean, Sev?" "I mean we need to go on vacation. Alone. I'm tired of people being around alway s keeping us from being completely together. Like this. This it the first time i n ages we've been completely together. At school doesn't count because everyone is always popping in on us. Namely Albus who doesn't trust us to be alone togeth er." "I think it's a wonderful idea. And I'm sure Grandma won't mind watching Cassie. " "Good, that's settled then." "Where are we going to go?" "Surprise." "What?" "I've already looked into somewhere. I just wanted to make sure it was okay." "Where, Sev?" "You'll find out in the summer." "Severus Snape!" "Hush it, you two. I've got a headache." "Shut-up, Draco," Hermione said. "Did you show Harry and Ron around?" "You're cousins are." "Why don't you go join them," Severus suggested. "Why? Never mind. If you wanted to be left alone all you had to do was say so." "Thank you, Draco," Hermione said. He walked out of the room muttering, and Hermione started to giggle. "I worry about him sometimes." "He needs a girlfriend," Severus said. "Why?" "So he stops bugging us, of course." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Hermione laughed as they trudged inside. Harry and Ron had received the most vic ious butt-kicking in Granger Snowball Fighting history. Severus on the other han d looked like he had never had such a good time in his life. Mainly because he t hrew most of the snowballs that were almost Harry and Ron's demise. "Payback," h

e had said. Cassie and Grandma greeted them with hot chocolate and sugar cookies. Hermione t ook cookies and Severus took hot chocolate and they settled into each others arm s in front of the fire. "That is only one cup of hot chocolate," Hermione said. "All of you go get changed first," Grandma said. "You're getting my living room wet." Severus pulled Hermione up into his arms and carried her upstairs while she laug hed at the rest of the house looked on in amusement. Harry and Ron weren't sure what to think of Snape. This was not the same person. Doubts about everything ca me to their minds. If Snape could be nice, what else didn't they know? Was the w orld coming to an end? Had hell finally frozen over? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "Harry and Ron are having a good time," Hermione told Severus as they sat in fro nt of the fire. "Everyone has a good time when they come here," Severus answered. "I wish we could just stay here all the time. We don't have Arthur Weasley's and overprotective Headmasters spying on us." "Soon, my love, we won't have to worry about anyone and I can be free to marry y ou." Hermione pulled his head down to kiss him and was thankful everyone else had gon e to bed. "I love you," she whispered. "I love you, too. I'm so glad we managed to escape here. I was thinking we would n't be able and if not for Cassie I doubt we would have. And I'm glad you're bac k on good terms with Potter and Weasley." "What do you want, Severus?" "What do you mean?" "What do you want out of life? I told you before that this couldn't all be about me. I feel like I never do anything for you, but you're always fighting to make me happier." "I'm completely serious when I say that all you have to do for me is smile and m y day brightens. As stupid as that sounded. As long as you stay, there is nothin g that could make me unhappy." "I know somewhere there's something you want, and I'll find it." "There is something I want, but I'm too much of a gentleman to take it before we 're married," he whispered. "How come you can still make me blush?" She asked as she hid her face from him. "Because you are my innocent flower and can't help yourself." Hermione grinned up at him and then kissed him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "I'm going to pop upstairs and grab a sweatshirt," Hermione said the next mornin g at breakfast. "Yeah right," Madeline said. "You're going to make out with Severus." "Severus is in the shower and I'm cold. I'll be back in a minute." Hermione sighed as she walked up the stairs. Madeline was going to be the death of her. Since they had gotten there the day before there had been sexual innuend os every other sentence from Madeline. And sometime they were just straight out questions about her and Severus' sex life. And they didn't even have one. Hermione opened the door to her room and froze. Severus was standing there with absolutely not clothes on. She opened and closed her mouth and tried to think of anything to say. "I was just getting a sweatshirt," she said and then almost hit herself. Before she could stop herself she looked Severus up and down, her eyes resting o n a few places, making Severus blush. Even after all their time together, she ha d never actually seen him naked. Boxers, yes, that's what he usually slept in. C oming back to her senses she quickly closed her eyes and turned around. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "There's nothing to be sorry for, love," he said and Hermione thought she heard a hint of amusement in his voice. "However, you should lock your doors. I don't

think it's very fair that you've seen me naked, but I have yet to see you." "Severus!" she almost turned around, but stopped herself. "It's fine, now. You can turn around." His cheeks were still tinged red and Hermione fought back laughing. "Something amusing?" Severus asked. "Don't you want to know what I think?" she asked with a wicked grin on her face. His blush deepened. "I'm not sure I do, actually." She put on her sweatshirt and then wrapped her arms around his neck. "I've not got anything to compare you to, but I think you're perfect," she purre d before kissing him. "You're going to be the death of me." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* ~Ended on a semi-familiar note. Again sorry about lack of updates and I hope you liked that chapter. I've got to move onto my other fics or people aren't going to be too happy with me.~ ~Slytherin Girl~ Making My Head Spin, Chapter 47 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/47/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~I am so sorry! I hadn't realized it had been so long since I updated until toda y and then I worked as hard as possible to get this out. I am so sorry.~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Hermione wasn't able to look Severus in the face for the rest of the day and he took great efforts to make her feel as uncomfortable as possible. "Mummy! Unca Dwaco won't play dress-up with me!" "Draco!" Hermione called. As he walked into the room, he grimaced. "Be a doll an d play dress-up with Cassie, or I may bring Severus into this." "Into what?" Severus asked as he brought her cup of coffee. "Are you cold? Do yo u need a sweatshirt? I don't think anyone's in a shower." Hermione blushed and Draco looked back and forth between the two. When Cassie di d eventually drag him out of the room, Hermione flew at Severus. "I was joking! I was only joking!" he said as he hugged her. "Hmph." "Look on the bright side. You could have walked in on Draco." "Why would that be a bright side?"

His jaw dropped and he looked at her with such an adorable look of surprise, she couldn't stop herself from kissing him. "I wouldn't ever trade you for Draco." "You won't be saying that in a few years when I start to get all wrinkled." "I think you have a many years before we have to start worrying about that, Sev. " "Let's hope. I don't want it to be so that you look like the 20 year old gold-di gger." "Why would I want gold when I have you?" "I think I'm going to be sick." They both turned to the doorway where Harry, Ron, and Hermione's three cousins w ere all standing. "Shut-up, Ron," Madeline said and smacked him playfully upside the head. "We'll never have a moment's peace," Severus complained in Hermione's ears and t hen swept her into his arms. "Where are you two going?" "For a walk," Severus said as Hermione pulled out his and her coats, as his hand s were full. Realizing that he could not in fact put his coat on with Hermione i n his arms, he set her down. Then helped her into hers. They walked arm in arm around the grounds of Hermione's grandmother's property. As they passed the glass house, Hermione smirked up at him and then pulled him i nside. "Let's just hope your Uncle doesn't come by," Severus said smirking and pulled h er for a kiss. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Half and hour later, a knock on the front door had Hermione's grandmother answer ing a very red-faced Arthur Weasley. He stormed in without so much as a word and looked around. Albus Dumbledore calmly followed him in and tried to calm down G randma. "Where is my son?" Arthur demanded. "Arthur calm down, please. You're scaring her," Albus said, motioning to Hermion e's grandmother, who he was supporting. In the next few seconds everyone, save H ermione and Severus rushed into the room. Ron's jaw dropped as he saw his father . "Dad, what are you doing here?" "I think the more important question here is what are you doing in this house of a whore." "Excuse me!" Grandma exclaimed. "You're granddaughter," Arthur said briefly. "My granddaughter is not a whore." "Please, she's been sleeping with Snape forever." "She is not that stupid and Severus would never take advantage of her." At that moment Severus and Hermione came through the front door laughing. At eve ryone's look and the fact that Arthur Weasley was standing there, they stopped a nd looked around. "I'm sure that's what everyone said before he killed my daughter," Arthur contin ued with a smirk on his face. Hermione gasped and Severus' eyes widened in shock. "Severus wouldn't hurt a fly, never mind kill someone," Grandma said. "Why don't you ask him?" "Severus," Grandma said. When he didn't answer and looked at the ground she gasp ed. "Severus?" When he still didn't answer she exclaimed. "Get away from my gran ddaughter!" Severus was in too much of a daze to refuse. He slowly let go of the love of his life and stepped towards Albus. "No, Grandma, you don't understand," Hermione said. "It's all right, dear," Grandma said. "There was no way you could have known. It 's all right. Nothing will happen to you." She gathered Hermione in her arms, fu lly intent on comforting her. "No, Grandma, stop," Hermione said pulling away. "Severus would never hurt me. I

already knew he killed her. But he loves me, Grandma. Things were different the n." "You knew he had killed someone?" "Yes, Grandma, you don't understand. Albus, please explain to her," Hermione beg ged. "If everyone would calm down, Hermione, I will. Arthur, I'm going to have to ask you to refrain from talking at the moment. Ms. Granger, I assure you that Sever us would never hurt Hermione and if everyone would gather somewhere I will expla in. Arthur, you may take your son. I have no control over that. You may not, how ever, remain here." "Ron, come," Arthur said scowling. "No." Everyone turned to look at Ron. "Now." "You can't make me. I love Hermione like a sister and I'm not just going to leav e her because you don't like Snape." "You're going to stay here with the man who killed your sister?" "I never knew my sister. The more I think about that statement, the less effect it has on me. At least in the direction of the girl Snape killed. Hermione, on t he other hand, is still alive and like I said, more like a sister to me that Gin ny." Without another word Arthur swept out of the house. Hermione with tears in her e yes, threw her arms around Ron's neck and kissed his cheek, before heading back to Severus' side. Severus couldn't look anyone in the eyes. They would never trust him again. It w asn't the first time he had regretted what he had done in the past, but he had n ever regretted it this much before. To the point where the people he actually co nsidered family may never talk to him again. "Albus, I'm going to wait somewhere else. I really don't want to be here," Sever us said. "I'll go with you, Sev," Hermione said. Albus nodded and motioned for everyone else to sit down. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "I've completely screwed everything up, love," Severus said as they entered his bedroom. "Don't be silly, Severus," she answered. "This is my family we're talking about. Those things happened years and years ago. You're a different person now, Sev." "I know that and you know that and Albus knows that, but what makes you think th ey're going to believe it." "Severus, Harry and Ron got over it. They knew you killed and they're still with me. Yeah, it took them awhile, but not nearly as long as it could have." "They're muggles, though, Hermione. They don't understand." "They will. They love you like a son and a brother. They'll forgive you for your past. They forgave me for being the cause of my parents' deaths." Severus looked at her. "Hermione, that wasn't your fault. We talked about it, I' m sure. It wasn't you're fault." "Of course it was, Sev. Let's not start talking about things that have already h appened." "We'll discuss this later, then." "Severus." "Hermione." She kissed him in order to shut him up. "Everything will be fine." Even with the sense of dread in his stomach, Severus couldn't help but feel a bi t better as Hermione settled herself into his arms. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* ~It's been so long, and that chapter was so short, but I figured I'd post this t o let people know I am, in fact, still alive and writing this. Besides, I think that was a good place to stop. Thank you all for the reviews and encouragement. ~ ~Slytherin Girl~

 Making My Head Spin, Chapter 48 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/48/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 ~Before anyone asks why this took me so long to get out I would like to thank th ose of you who are still with me. I realize I'm a bad author for not updating. A s for this chapter, I feel like my fic has become repetitive. I'm trying to thin k of new things to do and I'm not getting there. I'm sorry. And thanks to all of you!~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Severus couldn't stand still. His feet were carrying him back and forth across t he room as his brain carried him on a completely different path. What if they ne ver forgave him? Would they allow Hermione to continue seeing him? Would it matt er? He loved her. He loved her so much. He loved her family. His family. "Severus, stop it." He jumped as she addressed him. "I'm going to go see how things are going. As much as I hate to say this, you mi ght want to stay here," Hermione said softly. "I'll be here when you get back," he muttered crossly. "Severus, take a nap or something," she said and crossed the room to kiss him. E verything had to be all right. She had a feeling that Severus would take this ha rder than she would if something happened to screw things up. She didn't hear anything as she made her way down the stairs. She wasn't sure if that was good or bad. They weren't screaming which was a good sign, but no soun d at all? "Hermione?" "Madeline, where is everyone?" "On the patio having tea," she answered. "Hermione? Do you trust Severus?" "More than anyone on the planet." "Why?" "I love him, Madeline, and loving someone is trusting them. I trust him with all my heart." Madeline nodded. "I think everything will be all right," she said as she hugged Hermione. "No one wants to see you hurt, though, Hermione. Severus is like one o f the family, on the other hand, and I think everyone can look past his misgivin gs. If you trust him, so do I." Hermione felt like crying. "Madeline, can you do me a favor? Can you go talk to,

Severus? Can you tell him that? He knows I love him, but he doesn't think anyon e else will forgive him." "Of course. Go talk to Grandma, Hermione. I don't know exactly how she's feeling right now. She hasn't said much." "That's what I was just going to do, actually." "Everything will be all right." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "Grandma?" Hermione asked as she stepped out onto the patio. "Ahh, Hermione," Dumbledore said. "Excellent timing. I've just finished up. I sh ould actually be leaving. I think you can take things from here." As soon as he was gone, Hermione and her family stared at each other in an uncom fortable silence. "I want you to know," Hermione said softly. "I...We, never told you because we f igured that you would react like this. It's so complicated. Severus is so differ ent now. I love him. I love him so much." Hermione blinked back tears and sniffe d. "I can't live without him, and I can't live without you. I just..." "Hermione, he's a murderer," Grandma said. "A murderer. He's taken the life from another human." "I realize that. I do, really. And as much as that should change my feelings for him, it doesn't. I know this changes things. Severus and I are going to the man or. I really want you to forgive him and we both realize that's going to take ti me. But he's part of our family. If I killed someone wouldn't you forgive me?" "Hermione..." "No, I'm going to start crying if I stay here any longer. I'm going to leave Cas sie here. If you want us to come back just send an owl. If not, we'll be back to pick up Cassie." She didn't wait to hear them. She should have let them speak. She should have li stened to them, but she couldn't stand to think they were going to insult him. S he hurriedly made her way back upstairs. "Severus, we're leaving," she said as she entered the room. He and Madeline look ed up at her. "Where to?" Severus asked not even wondering why. "You're house. Just for awhile. Give everyone time to think." "You're leaving?" Madeline asked. "We'll be back. I'm leaving Cassie here. No! We can't leave her here." "Hermione, calm down, love," Severus said. Hermione jumped to near hysterics. "What if they try to take her away from me!" Hermione cried. "They could and I c ouldn't do anything about it!" Severus wrapped his arms around her to prevent her from hurting herself. "Listen to me! I won't let them take her away from you. We'll kidnap her and tak e her back to Hogwarts before I let that happen. I swear to you." "This is going to break up our family, Sev." "No, it won't," Severus said. The tables had quickly turned and now he was comfo rting her. "Everything's going to be fine." "Don't worry about everyone, Hermione," Madeline said. "Everything's been all ri ght up until now. This is just a little bump. Well it's not really little, but i t is not impossible to get over." "Come on, Hermione. Madeline, we'll be back in a few days. Owl us if anything ma jor happens." Severus lit the fire and twenty minutes later they were both sitting in Severus' library drinking tea. "I love you," Hermione whispered and then kissed him. "I honestly don't know how I would cope without you." "Damn Arthur Weasley. Why is he so intent on screwing up my, our, lives?" "We're corrupting his son I suppose," Hermione said. "What nonsense. After all these years." "He's jealous that even after all you've done you can have a wonderful life." "That's nonsense as well." "What? You don't like your life?" "Of course I like my life. I love my life. But it's nowhere near wonderful. You'

re the only thing that's really what I would consider wonderful." A bell began to toll from somewhere in the house. Severus shot up. "That's the doorbell," he said. "Who would be here?" Hermione shrugged as Severus went over to the window. The library was on one end of the house and windows allowed a person to see on three sides of the manor. H e looked down and over towards the front door, only to jump back as he saw who i t was. "Hermione, come here," he said. "Tell me who that is. Please tell me I'm seeing things." "That's Lucius Malfoy! Severus! How does he know we're here?" "Do you think he knows we're here?" "Why else would he be here?" "He's breaking in!" Severus exclaimed as Malfoy pulled out his wand and started shooting spells at the door. "Don't you have any wards up?" "Only minimal ones at the moment. I took most of them down when we started comin g. Quick." Hermione watched in wonderment as he went over to a bookshelf and started pullin g and pushing random books in and out of the shelf. After about ten books the wh ole thing seemed to disintegrate. "Because that isn't clich," Hermione said sarcastically. "But you have to pull more than one out of my shelf, now get in here," he said a nd pulled her over. "I want you to stay here. Do you understand?" "Wait! Where are you going?" "To see what he's doing. Try not to make too much noise." "Severus, don't!" Before she could say anything else, though, the bookshelf had reappeared and she couldn't see Severus anymore. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Severus crept down the hall toward the stairs, but before he got there, creaking let him know that Malfoy was coming up instead. If only there was a way to cont act Dumbledore. Severus ducked into a room before he was caught and listened for Lucius to pass him. He didn't have to wait long before the other man's almost silent footsteps alert ed him he had gone passed the doors. He cautiously peeked around the door frame to see Lucius disappear into the library. Severus, as quietly as he could, sped down the hall. Peering into the library, he saw Lucius looking directly at him. "Come, Severus." "What are you doing, Lucius?" "I was going to kill you, but then thought better of it. All I would be doing is putting an end to your miserable life. Where is my son?" "I would guess at Hogwarts," Severus lied. "Don't lie to me, Severus. I know you better than that. Where's the girl?" "Do you really think I would tell you that?" "If you're smart." "What's that supposed to mean?" "What's the most important thing in the world to you, Severus?" "What kind of question is that?" "The girl is. The girl and her happiness. What would make her least happy?" "Get out Lucius before I contact the ministry." "I'd be gone by then." "What do you want?" "I want you to think very hard about that." "Lucius, leave at once." "I only wanted to warn you that you really need to be careful. If the dark lord doesn't get what he wants soon, you're going to have more problems on your hands then you'll know what to do with." "What are you t-," before he could finish, though, Lucius had apparated. He let out a couple of rather harsh words and then let Hermione out of the little room behind the bookcase. She was crying.

"Severus!" "It was for your own good, love." "Where is he?" "Apparated." "What did he want?" "I'm not exactly sure. Something about the dark lord wanting something and makin g you unhappy. But I don't have anything that they want." "What do you mean?" "I have something that the dark lord wants, but I don't know what?" "Were you working on something? Or did someone give you something before you wer e found out? But that wouldn't make sense. Surely they would have come after it already. It has been over a year since you were found out." "I don't know, but I do know that I need to put the wards back up. I'll be right back, love." "Severus! What about my family?" "What about them?" "Does Lucius know where they are?" "I don't think so. He asked me where Draco was. So I doubt it." "Sev!" "Let's go then." "Go ahead and put the wards up first." "It'll take ten minutes and then we'll leave. But stay here." Hermione nodded and watch him leave the room. After a couple of minutes she coul d feel the energy flowing through the house. As Severus walked back through the library door it her. "Cassie!" Hermione exclaimed. "She's a Seer! They want Cassie!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* ~Before anyone asks about how the deatheaters could possibly know Cassie was a S eer, wait until the next chapter. Again, I'm so sorry this took so long to get o ut. However, I think I have a better idea of where I'm going now. Thanks for sti cking with me and thanks to all my reviewers. You're the only thing that keeps m e going.~ ~Slytherin Girl~ Making My Head Spin, Chapter 49 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/49/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984

~Thank you everyone! I'm glad you're still sticking with this story, even though it had taken me a long time to update the last chapter. This one didn't take so terribly long, though, and neither will the next chapter...I hope.~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "How would they know about Cassie?" Severus asked reasonably. "It's not impossible! Stranger things have happened!" "I know." "Let's go back to the house! Please, Sev!" Not wanting to deal with a hysterical woman and worried as well, Severus didn't argue. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* The house was in ruins. Ministry workers were swarming the grounds. Hermione was in too much shock to cry. Severus panicked. Cassie. His Cassie. Dumbledore came running towards them. Hermione started to hyperventilate. This was it. Exactly like when she found her parents. The only thing that kept her from fainting was Severus telling her to breathe. "Albus?" Severus asked. "Don't panic," the headmaster said. "Everyone's fine. They were in the back in a glass house of all things. That's how we knew something was wrong. Draco charme d it so that the deatheaters would see straight through. The ministry was also a lerted to the underage wand. When they found it was home to a muggleborns family they came running. Meanwhile, we've only caught one of the deatheaters. The min istry's taking him in for questioning." "My family's all right?" Hermione asked. "Yes, dear. They've been taken to Hogwarts for the time being. We will probably move them to a safe house later." "I need to see them!" Hermione said. "Cassie's all right?" Severus asked. Dumbledore gave him small smiled. "Take Hermione back to Hogwarts. I'll be there in a few hours. I have to go to the deatheaters questioning. Severus took Hermione's hand. She was shaking. Dumbledore handed him a small por tkey. "Severus, how did you know what had happened?" "I'll tell you later, Albus." He made sure Hermione had grabbed the portkey as well, before he felt a tug and then Hogwarts was in sight. "Severus! Hermione!" Minerva exclaimed, running out of the castle. "You're all r ight!" "Where's my family?" Hermione exclaimed, letting go of Severus and taking Minerv a by the shoulders. "In the Great Hall. Everyone's been so worried about you." Hermione hadn't heard the last bit as she was already speeding towards the Great Hall. By the sound behind her she knew that Severus was only about a foot behin d her. "Grandma!" She shouted as she bounded into the Great Hall. "Grandma! Oh, Cassie! " "Daddy!" Cassie was yelling. Severus scooped her up into his arms as soon as she was close enough and kissed her cheeks and forehead until he had calmed down en ough to realize that she wasn't going to disappear. He looked over the top of Ca ssie's head at Hermione. He planted a few more kisses on the top of Cassie's hea d. "My baby!" Hermione cried and kissed Cassie while she was in Severus' arms. He h anded Cassie to her and went to Grandma. She looked at him for a minute before h ugging him. He kissed her cheek and then turned to the others. "We thought you w ere all dead!" She was literally sobbing and Severus took Cassie in fear Hermione was about to drop her. He pulled Hermione to him with the arm he wasn't using to hold Cassie. The two most important people in his life. Cassie wasn't dead. She wasn't dead. The family wasn't dead. He gasped at the flood of emotions that were swirling t

hrough him. He was also lucky there wasn't anyone else in the Great Hall. Minerva had closed the doors so that no one else could come in. He didn't care. At this moment, he didn't care if the world knew that he loved Hermione. He was just happy everyon e was alive. No one was dead. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "I'm telling you Albus he was at the house." "I'll have to write the ministry. I was going to suggest sending Hermione's fami ly to your manor, but I don't think that would be in anyone's best interest," Du mbledore said after Severus had finished explaining that Lucius Malfoy had turne d up at Snape Manor. "It also leads me to wonder if or how he knew that Cassie i s a Seer. It does seem highly unlikely. There aren't many people who know about that. All of whom I trust." Severus looked down at Cassie, who was asleep in his arms. He had refused to let her go. "How's Hermione?" Dumbledore asked. "Madam Pomfrey gave her a Dreamless Sleep potion. It's too similar to her parent s' deaths I think." "Well, go to the infirmary. Make sure you're there when she wakes up. Merlin kno ws she will need you." Severus looked at the headmaster. He knew it killed him to let this happen in hi s school, but decided against saying anything. Instead he gently picked Cassie u p, so as not to wake her and started down towards the infirmary. Madam Pomfrey pulled over another bed and a curtain around Hermione and the othe r bed. He laid Cassie down on the other bed and pulled a chair in between the tw o and held a hand of each of his girls. His girls. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* When Severus awoke, he found Hermione talking to Potter and Weasley. "Dumbledore's got a full out search for Malfoy. There are articles in the newspa pers and posters up. It's a mess Hermione. Why? What makes this so different? No t that we don't care, but this kind of thing is a weekly occurrence anymore," Ha rry said. "Cassie's a Seer," Hermione replied. "I know I told you this." "Voldemort wants to use a little girl to take over the world?" Ron asked. "I don't know, but that sure seems to be the only thing we can come up with. The n again, we're not even sure if they know Cassie's a Seer." "Dumbledore doesn't think they do," Severus said. His voice was hoarse from bein g asleep and his back was stiff, but the smile Hermione gave him when she turned around made him forget about that and he leaned in the kiss her good-morning. H er two friends looked away. "When did you talk to Dumbledore?" Hermione asked. "Last night while you were being put to sleep. Has he been in this morning?" "No. Madam Pomfrey left you a potion, though. She said you should have known bet ter than to sleep in that chair, but she felt pity on you and left it anyway." "Remind me to thank her," Severus said and took the potion from Hermione. "And w here is Draco?" "Introducing Hermione's cousins to the ghosts and things," Ron answered. "Did Albus tell you what the deatheater said?" Hermione asked. Severus shook his head. "They had to get a special warrant to use Veritaserum. T he man who issues those wasn't in yesterday, so they weren't able to start the q uestioning." "What nonsense," Hermione said, scrunching up her nose. "I didn't think you had to have a warrant." "We wouldn't except for the person in charge is, we think, a supporter of the da rk lord and is just trying to postpone the inevitable." "Why aren't we questioning this person as well, then?" Harry asked. "Don't be so thick, Potter. We can't just go around accusing ministry officials of being deatheaters. It would cause the whole system to fall apart and the dark lord to begin more riots than there are now."

Harry just looked at him as though he didn't completely understand, but stayed q uiet, which was probably in his best interest. Ron kept his eyes glued to Hermio ne's hand, willing it to escape the confines of Severus' entwined fingers. Ignoring the two male Gryffindors, Severus turned to Cassie, who was still sleep ing. Her little hand was still tucked into his larger one. One thing he had noti ced, but hadn't thought a great deal about, was that she hadn't run to Hermione first, as he would have expected. It still made him feel a sense of wonderment t hat the little girl loved him so much. "Severus?" He snapped back at Hermione's calling. "Are you with me?" "Of course," he then noticed that Potter and Weasley had left. "Are you all righ t, love?" Hermione looked at him for a moment. "I don't know. It was all too familiar. I c ould just see Stepahnie standing beside me and then knowing my parents were dead ." Her voiced faltered and Severus had to dig his memory for who Stephanie was. Aft er a moment he remembered. Her muggle friend that had also been killed. "I'm tired of all this, Sev. I want it to be over. I don't want to be scared abo ut my family, and friends, and you. I wish Voldemort to be dead and the deatheat ers gone and everything to be normal," she said, burying her face in his shoulde r. "In a perfect world, darling." He carefully pulled his hand away from Cassie and wrapped his arms around Hermione, who had come to sit next to him on the overly large chair. "Do you know what I wish? I wish for you to be happy. And pregnant , with a rather large diamond ring on your finger." "Severus!" He and Hermione both jumped as Minerva came around the curtain and glared at the potions master. "Good-morning, Minerva," he said. "I may not object as much as I should to this relationship, but Severus, I will not have you speaking to Hermione like that." "I assure you-," he started. "You assure me that you what?" Severus stared at her with his mouth slightly open. "I want no more of that, Severus." "Yes, Mum," he answered, cheekily. "Oh, if Albus had heard you." "Besides," Hermione answered. "I don't really want a overly large diamond. I thi nk it would look a bit gaudy." "Indeed, Hermione," Minerva said, smiling. "Platinum band, I think." "Oh, I agree. With a diamond in the center and an emerald on either side. I am g oing to be marrying a Slytherin." "Should I be taking notes?" Severus asked. "Don't be silly, Sev. I don't care what kind of ring you give me." "Rather forward of you, my dear. What if I don't get you a ring?" "Would you not? Would you have all young men thinking I'm not married and gawk a t me?" Minerva smiled as Severus sighed. "Miss Granger?" Madam Pomfrey asked, pulling the curtains away from them. "How a re you feeling this morning?" "Better I think," she answered. "Good, good. You may leave if you wish. However, if you want another dreamless s leep potion, you are to come back here and spend the night. And Severus, if you brew her one without my knowing, you'll regret it." "Of course, Poppy," Severus said. As soon as she had pulled the curtains back, h owever, he rolled his eyes at Hermione and Minerva, causing them both to laugh. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "Severus! Severus! Albus wants you in his office immediately!" Minerva said prac tically knocking down the potions' classroom door. Severus was showing the cousins around his storeroom. They seemed disgusted and entertained at the same time.

"What's wrong?" "I've no idea. Only that it has something to do with that deatheater they captur ed yesterday." "Well, let's get on with it then." "I don't know why he sent me to fetch you. I was not even invited to this meetin g." "Well stay here and tell these three charming girls about Transfiguration. Have you seen Hermione?" "No, and I wouldn't spend time looking for her. Albus seemed quite agitated." Severus sighed and took off towards Albus' office. What on earth could be so imp ortant? Thoughts ran through his head and one made him stop in his tracks. Cassi e. Did they know about Cassie? Without another second he took off as fast as cou ld to Dumbledore. He shouted the password down the hall so it would be open by t he time he got there. "Albus? What's happened? Is Cassie safe?" When he arrived at the office Albus was looking angrier than he had in some time . "We don't know anything. A memory charm has been placed on him. One, it seems, t hat can not be erased. Severus, this isn't very good." "I realize that," Severus said as he sank into a chair. "There's no way to rever se it?" "We have people in there trying to figure something out. We should have known be tter. And Adam McDonald, the man in charge, has gone missing. It seems we were r ight about him." Severus hit his head against the back of the chair. Inside he was fuming, thinki ng things he hadn't thought since he was a deatheater. Damn it he wanted to kill that McDonald! He looked at Albus. "I need to go find Hermione. I have to tell her about this." Dumbledore nodded. "We need to put her family into a safe house before the stude nts all return, as well. They will be safer if they are not here." "Albus?" "I fear for the safety of anyone who stays here. Go find her, Severus. I need to think." Severus left without another word. If Hogwarts wasn't the safest place anymore t han what was the rest of the magical world coming too? Hermione was in the library with her family. When she saw his face she stopped l aughing. "What's wrong?" She asked as he neared her. "I need to talk to you." "Uh-oh." "What?" "No good thing has ever followed that sentence. Those five words are the univers al bad news words." Severus nodded. "Come on." He told her about the deatheater and the fact that Albus didn't think Hogwarts w as the safest place to be anymore. "We have to send Cassie to the safe house then," Hermione said softly. Severus' head snapped up. "What?" "I don't want to, Severus. But I want even less for Cassie to be in danger. Sev, I can't loose her." Severus swore silently and then nodded. He leaned his forehead against hers. "Th is is a mess." "I know," she whispered. She moved her head so that she could kiss him. He put h is hands on her hips and pulled her closer. The only thing that broke them apart was a small cough. "We have got to start doing this when people can't interrupt," Severus whispered and turned to see who had the nerve to stop them. Albus. Okay, at least he hadn 't been hexed across the room. "I think I've found a place for the safe house," he said. Hermione nodded, not a

ble to look him in the eye. "Don't worry, Hermione, I've caught people in more c ompromising positions than that." "Oh!" She exclaimed and hid her face in Severus' shoulder. He smiled at the head master over her head. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* It was the day before the students arrived back at the school and they were stan ding in the living room of the safe house. The safe house was, in fact, two apar tments in the middle of muggle London. Albus had seen to it that the wall betwee n the two apartments was knocked out. "I know it's rather small, but hopefully it won't be for long," Albus said. "The re are four bedrooms and the couches are pull-outs. Also, I put you in London fo r a reason. As long as you don't attract attention to yourself, which I'm sure y ou'll have no problem with, you may venture out. This is probably the safest pla ce in the whole world. An alarm will signal in my office, Severus' office, class room, and quarters, the library, infirmary, and Great Hall if a deatheater comes within 100 meters of this place. Deatheaters will not be able to get in, no mat ter how hard they try. The kitchen is connected to the Hogwarts kitchen. So you do not have to go out, unless you want to. The only thing I do recommend is to n ot take Cassie out of here. It is of utmost importance that she not leave here. If there are any questions you have for me or anyone else in Hogwarts, your fire place is connected to my quarters and only my quarters, but I can deliver letter s." "Tell Draco I said bye," Madeline whispered to Hermione. They had left in a rush and hadn't seen Draco, Harry, or Ron before they left. "I will." Severus held Cassie tightly in his arms. She had her arms wrapped around his nec k and head resting against his shoulder. There was no way she could know exactly what was happening, but she did know that something was wrong. Hermione was wondering how her aunts, uncles, cousins, grandma, and Cassie were going to survive in this small apartment without killing each other. She shook h er head and started to hug them all. Severus did, too, just didn't let go of Cas sie. "I want you to write me if you need anything," Hermione said to her grandmother. "Anything at all. I want you to write me once a week at least. Try to keep ever yone from killing each other." "Cassie," Hermione said and took her briefly from Severus' arms. "I'll see you s oon, baby." She kissed her cheeks and hugged her until Severus took her again. H e hugged and kissed her and then placed her in Madeline's arms. Severus took Hermione's hand and led her to the fireplace. Dumbledore lit the fi re and went through first. "Mummy! Daddy!" Cassie cried. "Don't leave me alone! Don't leave me!" Hermione threw floo powder into the fire and went through before Cassie could se e her crying. Severus wasn't ten seconds behind her and as soon as he regained h is balance wrapped Hermione in his arms. "She sounded so helpless!" Hermione sobbed. "Why do I feel so helpless?" He whispered in her ear trying to get her to calm down. It took a minute for him to register that they were standing in the middle of Albus Dumbledore's living room. Even then he didn't care. Dumbledore wasn't around so he just kept on tryi ng to calm Hermione down. "Come on," he said. "Let's go down to our quarters. I don't exactly feel comfort able here." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* By the time they made it down to the dungeons, Hermione had stopped crying and w as just sniffling in his ear. They sat down on his couch and stared into the emp ty fireplace. Severus couldn't take anymore of her sniffles and lifted her head so he could kiss her. "No interruptions," he whispered. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* ~More about Lucius Malfoy in the next chapter. Oh and I'm going to start just le aving authors notes at the beginning of my chapters. I've simply run out of thin

gs so say. But thank you to all my reviewers!~ ~Slytherin Girl~ Making My Head Spin, Chapter 50 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/50/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 -School has started and things are crazy. I have also decided, looking at this f ic, that it is scarily long. So here is the plan. I have this story outlined. It will be 60 chapters, and then will come the sequel. Dun dun dun. Which will be the end of the story. I'm not sure how I'm going to work that out yet, but I thi nk if someone wants to just start with the sequel, they won't have to have read this story. I most likely will have a summary of the things that readers of the sequel will need to know as the first chapter. However, that comes later, just k eeping you updated on my ideas. It was harder than Hermione thought it would be without Cassie. She moped around their quarters all day. Severus had taken to glaring at her when she whined at him. Not used to this, she would go away and pout. So she went up to the library and sat in the window seat. She looked out over the grounds and tried to think of something beside Cassie an d the fact that for the first time in a long time, Severus was being absolutely no help to her. He wasn't even trying to make her feel better. She knew he was d own as well, but it stung that she had been there for hours and he hadn't bother ed to come and find her. It wasn't as though she were hiding. "Hermione?" Her head snapped around, but her excitement faded when she saw it was just Harry . "Nice to see you, too," he said and sat down next to her. "Sorry, I just, Harry," she whined and threw herself into his arms. "I know, love." He didn't say anything else, just held her and tried to calm her. Ron came in ab out half an hour after she had fallen asleep. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't she be asleep in Snape's arms." "You'd think, but he hasn't showed himself in awhile, apparently." "Can I kill him?" "I think they're probably just missing Cassie," Harry answered. "Might want to w ait a few days." "Can I at least go yell at him?"

"I don't see the harm in that. We know better than anyone what Hermione's like w hen she's down. You'd think he'd be used to it by now." "Where is he?" "Dungeons as far as I know." "Be back in awhile." "No, Ron. Just let it lie. It's kind of nice. She hasn't cried to me in awhile. It makes me feel like I can do something for her. She hasn't needed me in ages." Ron looked at his friend and then at the girl in his arms. He could easily under stand what he was talking about. Snape seemed to be the only one she ran to anym ore. Well, in a long time. Instead of heading to the dungeons, Ron just sat down on the floor next to them. Severus sat in his living room staring at the fire. He didn't know how long Herm ione had been gone, but he couldn't force himself to get up and go after her. He didn't take loss very well, and even though he hadn't really lost Cassie, she s till wasn't there. He just wanted to be alone for awhile. Unfortunately, being alone caused him to think about Cassie, so instead he went in search of Albus. The headmaster was not looking too happy when Severus arrive d in his office. "Bad news, Severus," Albus said. "Remember that deatheater? Well it appears not only was he feeding Voldemort all the information he needed, but he's actually e rased or taken most of the files and documents out of his and many other departm ents of the ministry." "How bad is this, Albus?" "Well, it's definitely not good." "His memory?" "Not returning anytime soon. Or so I'm told." "Do you think they're lying?" "Unfortunately, no." "What are we going to do, Albus?" "There isn't much we can do at the moment. It's just a shame that you were disco vered. This would be so much easier with someone on the inside." "In a perfect world," Severus sneered. He did not understand how the headmaster could wish that fate on anyone. "How are you doing, Severus?" "I'm fine." They both knew it was a lie, but neither said anything. "And Hermione?" "As well as can be expected." "That bad?" "I haven't seen her in awhile, I couldn't be certain as to how she is." "Find her, Severus. She needs you." "I just need to be alone right now, Albus." "You are not alone, Severus. You are with me." "Alone I kept thinking." "You don't want any reminders at the moment?" "Something like that." "I can arrange to have Hermione moved if it would help." "No!" Severus exclaimed as he stood up. "No." "Relax, Severus. It was just a suggestion to help." "Well it would not. Excuse me, Albus," Severus said and then quickly left the ro om. Hermione awoke to what she thought were Severus' arms around her. Upon opening h er eyes however, she discovered this was not the case. "Harry?" she asked quietly. Harry's eyes slowly opened and looked down at her. "How are you feeling, love?" She shook her head. "I'm not really sure." "Where's Severus?" Harry shrugged and Ron answered, "He hasn't been around." "Did you two have a fight?" Harry asked. "No. Why?"

"We just found it a bit weird that he hadn't checked up on you." Hermione just shook her head. "I think he's in a 'I just want to be alone for now' mood." "Don't worry about it," Ron said. "You have us." Hermione smiled and it wasn't long before she fell back asleep. Severus frowned at the ceiling in the Great Hall. There was a pecking coming fro m somewhere. He had thought if he ignored it, it would simply go away. That was not the case, however, and he scowled as he sat up. An owl was tapping at one of the windows. If it had been warmer the windows would have been open and Severus wouldn't have had to walk all the way and open it. The owl bit his finger as he pulled the letter away. Without so much as a hoot i t was off again. Feeling slightly put off by the attitude of the owl, he careful ly opened the letter. He quickly scanned down and scowled at the signature. Severus, Writing to tell you I am completley aware of the fact that you've put the little girl into hiding. How are you holding up? My guess would be not too well. Is th e Granger girl there? Knowing you, probably not. Your losses always cause you to push everyone away. Do you think she's with Potter? Crying to Potter? She'll be your downfall, Severus. Her and that little girl. I wish you could see that. Ev eryone else does. Did you really think she'll stay with you not that the little girl is gone? Lucius Severus looked up and around him. Folding the letter up and putting it in his ro bes, he took off towards his quarters, looking for Hermione. When she wasn't the re, he went to the library. Hermione looked up as the doors to the library were thrown open. Harry and Ron, who were on either side of her, jumped about a foot. They had been awake for abo ut twenty minutes and then Hermione had decided it would be a good time to start studying. Harry and Ron just obeyed. When Hermione saw Severus, she was immediately worried. "Sev?" she asked. When he just looked at her she, she stood and walked to him. " What's wrong?" Severus warned Harry and Ron to stay away with a glare and pulled Hermione into the hall. "I...Lucius sent me a letter." "What? Why? What does he want?" Severus gave her the letter and stood back a bit while she read it. Her expressi on didn't change while reading it. "This is thoroughly ridiculous," Hermione said, seeing his expression grew worri ed. "What is it, Sev? "He's worrying me." "Why?" "How did he know that we put Cassie in a safehouse?" Hermione grabbed onto his arm as the thoughts swirled through her head. "We need to talk to Dumbledore," she said. "No, we need to talk about this, first." "Sev, Dumbledore needs to know that Lucius is contacting you and knows what's go ing on." Severus leaned down and kissed her. He couldn't explain why, but it was the most logical thing he could think of to do. Just to feel her against him. They pulle d away at the sound of someone clearing their throat. The headmaster was staring them both down. "May I see you both in my office?" His tone left no room for argument and both quietly followed him, not quite sure what they had done. Or, for that matter if it was them who had done something. "Miss Granger, I am moving you back to Gryffindor Tower," Dumbledore said as soo n as they had both sat down. "What?" Hermione asked, hoping to God that she had heard him wrong. "When I agreed to let you continue your relationship, I did not mean for you to continue it in public areas of the school. Even though this may be Christmas Bre

ak, there are still students here. I cannot trust you to keep this in your quart ers. Now that Cassie has been put into a safe house, I feel no quilt in moving y ou, Hermione." "Albus, that's completely...I was comforting her. Lucius sent me a letter. He kn ows we put Cassie into a safe house. We're both upset." "And when she becomes upset at making a mistake in class, are you going to resor t to fondling her to make her feel better. "That is completely different." "Tomorrow, Hermione, you will be relocated to Gryffindor Tower. The matter is cl osed." Hermione didn't say a word. She didn't look at either man. All she did was stand and walk out of the room. "Albus," Severus pleaded. "You can't do this." "Please, leave me the letter Lucius sent you. I will look into it." Within fifteen minutes, Severus was being handed a cup of tea from Minerva. The transfiguration teacher was quiet while Severus told her about the brief meeting with Dumbledore. "I can not believe he would do that," Minerva said softly as he finished. "I was so sure he had accepted things." "The two people that matter most to me, Minerva, have been ripped out of my gras p." "I know, Severus. I don't even pretend to know what you're going through, but be lieve me when I say that I will make sure you two can be together. I will do eve rything in my power." "That isn't the point!" He screamed. "I can not live without her. I need her wit h me, Minerva. I've gone too long with her in my life. I don't even know if I'll be able to function without her there." "You must do your best, Severus. I will talk to Albus. I just can't even begin t o image why a kiss in a next to deserted part of school would set him off." "There are not even many students here." "I will talk to him. You, on the other hand, need to go talk to Hermione." Severus nodded. He had no idea what this was going to do to their relationship. There was more than one reason he did not want her to leave. The most obvious wa s the fact that he loved her more than anything. The more selfish reason was tha t he was afraid that if she spent time away from him, she would begin to see tha t she did not need him. He couldn't take that. Hermione had gone straight for their quarters. She could not understand why Dumb ledore was doing this to them. He had caught them kissing before. He had given t hem permission to carry on with their relationship. They would have done it anyw ay, but he had told them it was all right. She could think of no plausible excus e for this. She could also not think of any ways to change Dumbledore's mind. They couldn't cling to Cassie or herself needing him. With Harry and Ron talking to her, she c ouldn't use the Gryffindors as an excuse. They had been backed into a corner. "Hermione?" "It's hopeless, Sev," she pouted. "Minerva is going to talk to him." "She talked to him before and yet, here we are. I wrote to Harry and Ron. I didn 't feel like sitting and explain to them." She turned to look at him. He was still by the door. "I know I'm supposed to lik e Dumbledore, but right now he's jut making me made." Severus smiled. "Me too, love." He moved and sat next to her on the couch, letti ng her come to lay in his arms. "There isn't much we can do, is there. I am going to have to move, aren't I?" "It's looking that way." "I hate this! It isn't fair. I want to stay with you." Severus shushed her and stroked her hair. They would deal with it tomorrow. All tomorrow. Harry and Ron say there staring at Hermione's letter. Draco sat across from them and shook his head.

"I don't like it," Draco said. "This is going to change everything. The balance has been completely thrown. They're both going to be depressed, making everyone around them depressed." "It can't make things that different, can it?" Ron asked. "I mean they love each other. There's no doubt about it. Besides, there's no way it's permanent." "What do you mean it's not permanent?" Harry asked. "Well, I don't know. But things usually work out. I mean, come on. They've been going at it for a year and half, right? They practically have a kid. This isn't going to make things that different." "What if it does?" Draco asked. "What if Dumbledore has just screwed everything up for them? What if Hermione decides she would rather be with someone younger?" "Hermione wouldn't just fall for another guy." "She hasn't been without Snape for ages. She hasn't had the chance to think abou t life with someone else. I'm not saying she's shallow, I'm just saying that she might start thinking about not staying with him." "I think you're wrong. Isn't that funny? It still creeps me out that she loves h im, but I don't want her to leave him," Harry said. "I think everything will be all right," Ron said. "I'm sure everything will be a ll right." -Yay! Chapter complete. Tell me what you think. -Slytherin Girl Making My Head Spin, Chapter 51 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/51/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 I can't believe I haven't updated since October. I don't even know how to apolog ize, but I am sorry. More at the end, just have fun with the latest chapter.Hermione sat on her bed in Gryffindor Tower. She hadn't seen Severus that mornin g. Instead she had woken up to her stuff gone and relocated into the dorm she ha d once shared with Parvati and Lavender. Unfortunately, they were still there as well. A strong scent of perfume was making Hermione sick already. This was neve r going to work. She would kill herself within the week. Harry, Ron, and Draco had left her alone as soon as they had seen her. She was i n a do not mess with me mood and they knew it. This was an adjustment she wasn't ready to make. That she had never planned on having to make. McGonagall's talk with Dumbledore had not gone so well. It had ended with Minerv

a huffing at his nerve and storming back to her office, where Hermione and Sever us were waiting for news. Both were upset and returned to their quarters. Severu s' quarters. Not wanting to think about it, she pulled out a quill and paper and wrote to her family. Classes started back, much to Hermione and Severus displeasure. Harry, Ron, and Draco tried to keep her mind off of the fact that her life was rapidly heading i n a downward motion. She had not received any letters from her family, which was not helping matters at all. Dumbledore was acting like his usual self, not as though he had just ruined a ha ndful of people's normal lives. It didn't matter to him. McGonagall had tried to be easy on Hermione and trying to keep Severus from killing himself. After three days Severus was once again sitting in Minerva's office and drinking tea. "Damn it, Minerva! I'm going crazy. I haven't been able to talk to her in ," at this point he looked at his watch, "51 hours, 7 minutes, and 23 seconds." "Severus, you're driving me nuts. This isn't like you." "I need her." "She isn't going anywhere." "What if she does?" "She won't." Severus closed his eyes and leaned against the back of the chair. "Maybe you'll just have to write to her." "No. It isn't good enough." "Well, maybe this will help." Severus looked up at a knock on the door. "Come in," Minerva said. "You wanted to see me, Professor?" Severus' head snapped around and looked at Hermione. "Severus!" she exclaimed, and the next thing he knew she was in his lap. "I'm going to leave you two alone. Behave," Minerva warned. As soon as she was out the door Severus was kissing Hermione. Three days, while not really that long, seemed like forever. When Minerva came back, they were jus t sitting there in each other's arms. Over the next few weeks Severus and Hermione realized that it would be harder th an they thought to get together. They had to take Minerva's advice and write to each other. Harry, Ron, and Draco tried to keep her mind off of Severus as much as possible. When the next Hogsmeade weekend came up, they swept her away. "I can't believe we only have a month before exams," Hermione whined. "No," Draco said. "No." "Well, they are." "We are not talking about exams or anything else school related," Harry said as they entered the Three Broomsticks. Hermione smiled at them and sat down. "I can't believe 6th year is almost over. We only have one more year and then we're gone." "The four of us released on the world," Draco said. "I guess that is scary." "Speak for yourselves," Hermione said. "I think I will be a very good asset to t he world." "Having Baby Snapes is not a good asset." "That depends on whose side you take." "I can pretty much guarantee that you and Snape are the only ones who think your children will be pleasant," Ron said. Hermione got ready to yell at him and the n saw that he was joking. "Well, unless Dumbledore decides to regain his sanity, you won't have to worry a bout it. We have another year and by that time Severus probably will have decide d it isn't worth the trouble of being with me." "Don't be stupid," Draco said. "When he moves on, I'll declare my undying love t o Harry." "It wouldn't surprise us, though," Ron said. Hermione smiled as the boys bantered and tried to stay completely focused on not

focusing on Severus. Back at the castle, however, Severus was not having as good of time not thinking about Hermione. He had managed to sneak out from under Dumbledore's watching ga ze and got into Gryffindor Tower, under a well-placed cloaking charm, to see Her mione. He quickly found that she was not there and headed off to try and find he r. After an hour of looking he gave up and went back to her dormitory. She still wa sn't there. He couldn't stop the feeling of dread that invaded his body. He foun d himself worrying if she was alive or safe and his only consolation was that he had not seen any of her bodyguards while he was making his rounds so he figured that at least they were with her. He paced around her room and was only forced to hide once when her two roommates decided to make an appearance. They did not make him any happier. They giggled like children and then went on t o talk about Hermione, which had not improved his opinion of them. They apparent ly did not like her invasion of their room and he had to listen as they came up with ways in which to get her back out. He made a mental note to warn Hermione a bout them. Their plotting did not seem evil, but it couldn't end well for Hermio ne. When they finally left he pinched the bridge of his nose, willing his growing he adache to go away. He understood how Hermione could complain about them. He did not understand why she wasn't anywhere to be found. "I think you need to good trip to Zonko's," Ron said. "Oh, yeah, that's great. Turn her head blue and maybe she'll forget about Snape, " Draco said sarcastically. Hermione looked at him questioningly. "He gave me some candy the other day that turned my hair different colors," Drac o explained. "I think maybe just a trip to the bookstore would be nice," Hermione said. "I'm up for that," Draco said. "Well, you two strange people go to the bookstore and Harry and I will meet up w ith you in half an hour," Ron said. Draco smiled at Hermione as the other two went to the joke shop. "Alone at last," he said with a grin. "I really just want to go back," Hermione told him. "To the castle?" "Yes." "So you can mope about your lost love? I don't think so." "No, so I can do some homework. It's amazing how far behind I am." Draco rolled his eyes at her. "Whatever, love." Severus was getting annoyed. He was about to send out aurors when he heard her l aughter coming up the stairs. Instead of being relieved that she was all right, he was fuming that she was out laughing and having fun without him. He stood by the door and as soon as she entered he slammed it, causing her to jump about and point her wand at him. The fact that he still had a cloaking charm on was not h elping her any. He ended his charm and glared at her. "Severus! Oh my God! You scared the hell out of me." "I scared the hell out of you!" Severus hissed. "I have been waiting for you for hours and you were out God knows where having fun with all your friends." "Severus, it's a Hogsmeade weekend," she said. Severus felt like hitting himself upside the head. He had not thought of that. She looked at him. "I'm sorry I wo rried you. The boys thought it would be a good idea to take me away from the cas tle. Try to stop me from moping around. Missing you." Severus struggled to remain somewhat angry, but when she walked over to him and wrapped her arms his neck, he gave up hope. "I miss you so much," she said and kissed him lightly. "I love you." "Do you know what you do to me?" he groaned. "I hate not being able to be with you all the time. But I really don't want to t

alk right now." Severus was about to question her, but found he couldn't talk through her lips. He pulled back from her after a moment and looked at her. "Your roommates are go ing to come back." "It's Saturday. They'll be with their gossip group until after dinner. That give s us three hours. More if we skip dinner. Which I have to say, I'm willing to do . And, by the way, if you don't kiss me again, I'm going to tie you to my bed." Severus tried to keep mental images from appearing and settled for kissing her a gain. He could not believe the things that this girl could make him feel. He wan ted so much to kidnap her from the castle and lock her in a room somewhere where no one could find them and separate them. A little while later they found themselves lying on Hermione's bed, Severus warn ing her about her roommates. "Don't worry about them. They always used top be like that, as well. I don't qui te fit in with them and it's even worse now because they're so used to having al l this space to themselves. I have to say, I miss our quarters as well. It sucks not being able to make myself tea at three in the morning if I want to." "The thing you miss about our quarters is tea?" Severus asked, looking mildly of fended. Giggling from the hall had Severus giving Hermione a quick kiss good-bye and pla cing another cloaking spell on himself. Lavender and Parvati burst into the room only seconds later. "Oh, Hermione, you're here. Good. We wanted to ask you something." Hermione looked at them and already knew she didn't want to answer. "Yes?" "Well, some of us were talking and, well, we wanted to know, um," Lavender strug gled to ask. "Are you sleeping with Snape? Is that why you moved back here, because Dumbledor e found out?" Parvati cut in. Hermione raised her eyebrows and tried to look offended. "That is not true at al l!" She tried to look to where Severus had disappeared and gave an apologetic look. "So you just lived with him?" "I had my own bedroom," Hermione said. It wasn't totally a lie. She did have her own bedroom, she just hadn't used it for very long. "So did you ever accidentally walk in on him naked?" "You're awfully interested in our Potion's Professor," Hermione said suspiciousl y. Lavender blushed. "One of the seventh years said he was amazing in bed." Hermione looked outraged. Severus was hers! How dare someone suggest that he wou ld sleep with them. She tried to look calm and said, "He would never sleep with a student." "Have you tried?" "Parvati! He's our Professor!" Hermione covered her eyes and fell backwards onto her bed. She hoped this wasn't going to go on to long. Severus sat on Cassie's bed and looked around. A lone stuffed animal had been le ft on her pillow and he picked it up and held it to him. He missed Cassie. He mi ssed Hermione. He missed having control over his life. He put the stuffed animal back on her bed and walked out of the room. Unable to stop himself, he picked u p cup that he had left on the coffee table and threw it. He picked up object aft er object and smashed them against the walls and the floor and other objects. He hadn't gotten angry enough to throw things around the room for ages. This made him even more mad as he picked up a vase. He stopped short of smashing it. Hermi one had bought it when they had gone shopping. It had clouds painted on it and s he said it would look good in the living room. He placed it back where it had sa t before and collapsed on his couch. He didn't even bother to fix everything. Hermione pulled out a sheet of paper and started to write to Madeline. She had t

o take her frustration out somehow. Dear Madeline, Dumbledore has moved me out of Severus' quarters. It's so horrible! I can't stan d not being with him. Madeline, I'm going to die if I don't get to see him anyti me soon. Sorry, never mind. I'm being completely selfish. How is everyone there. I haven't heard from you yet and hope no one has killed anyone. I guess everyon e's suffering at the moment. How is Cassie? Is she doing okay without us? Hermione went on and on about absolutely nothing. It felt good to just write abo ut complete nonsense and she knew Madeline would understand, even if she didn't understand. "Albus, you're going to lose them both," Minerva was saying. "They are unhappy! What's happened to you?" "Nothing has happened, Minerva. I've just finally come to my senses. He is her t eacher, Minerva. That can't go on in our school. It would destroy the whole syst em. Can't you see that, Minerva? You can't let your affection for the both of th em get in the way of what is right and wrong." "Right and wrong, Albus? They love each other! How can that be wrong? Love is ne ver wrong, Albus, because you can't help you love. It is your heart's choice and nothing and no one should get in the way of it." "That isn't how it works in a school. You can't have teachers falling in love wi th students. I don't want Severus and Hermione to be together now. Everyone will find out and I will have to fire Severus and I don't want to lose him." "You'll lose him anyway, Albus." A knock on the door stopped their rant and they looked as Hermione walked in. "I'm sorry to interrupt," she said quietly. "Not at all, Hermione," Minerva said. "What is it that you needed?" "Professor Dumbledore, I have a letter for Madeline." "Leave it here and I'll make sure she gets it." "Thank you." The three of them stared uncomfortably at each other and after a few minutes of complete silence, Hermione muttered a quick good-night and left. Yay! I finally got a chapter out! Can you believe it! My AP exams are over now a nd summer is finally here. Hopefully I'll be updating more regularly. I won't be in England all this summer to begin with. Also, I would like to explain what my plans for the remainder of this story are going to be. There are six more chapt ers to Making My Head Spin, which I have outlined, and then the sequel, See You On The Other Side, which will be twenty-seven chapters, which I also have outlin ed. You won't have to have read this story to get most of See You On The Other S ide, though if you're reading this you've probably read all of this story anyway . As unrealistic as it sounds, I want to finish all my fics before Half-Blood Pr ince comes , thank you all for sticking with me. If anyone is still reading. You r reviews mean so much to me.Slytherin Girl Making My Head Spin, Chapter 52 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/52/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei

ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 Mini-wave to me! I managed to get another chapter out and it didn't take months. More later. Just read."Severus, I understand, I do. The matter is closed, however, and I don't want to hear about it again," Dumbledore was saying. "Albus, I wasn't going to come to you again, but I need to be with her. I can't function properly." Severus was getting desperate. He had resorted to begging the headmaster, someth ing he had sworn he would never do again. "Why are you doing this to me?" he asked. "What have I done?" "This is for your own good, Severus. It will show you if she really loves you." "I know she really loves me, Albus. I don't need it to be proven to me." "Aren't you at all worried that she doesn't really love you." "No! Will you please stop it! You've been on and on like this and quite frankly, I have nothing left to say to you." Without another word he stormed out of the headmasters office and down to his qu arters. He needed a very strong drink. He was beginning to feel as though it was completely hopeless. Albus was not budging at all and he hadn't seen Hermione i n days, except one class period. Something about Albus was beginning to strike a suspicious nerve in him. He didn't understand what it was, but he made a mental note to keep a closer watch on the headmaster. When he reached his quarters, an owl was waiting for him. He breathed a sigh whe n he saw it was from Hermione. He made a cup of tea and sat down on his couch, w anting to savor her letter. Dear Sev, I miss you so much. The boys finally left me alone for awhile. I love them, but they have been following me around like puppies and it's starting to get on my n erves. You'll never believe what else I found out. There's some seventh year who is telling people you slept with her. That you are "amazing in bed." Can you be lieve the nerve? If anyone will be sleeping with you, it will be me. Lavender an d Parvati told me this after interrogating me about whether I had been sleeping with you and whether the reason I had to move back to Gryffindor Tower was becau se Dumbledore had found out about it. They are impossible. I also have something else to ask you about. Has Dumbledore told you anything ab out my family? I haven't heard anything from them and it's been a few weeks. I'm so worried about them, Sev, and they aren't writing to me. I have so much to say to you and I can't manage to put them down onto paper. I l ove you, you know that, right? I love you so much. I'll write later. Love, Hermione Severus smiled. It wasn't a very long letter, but it was almost enough to satisf y them. He knew she loved him. He picked up his quill and started to write back to her, Hermione, I will write to Minerva and see if she can help us with a meeting again. I know it's not much, but I need to see you when we aren't in class. I haven't heard an ything about your family, either, maybe you should try talking to Albus, say at around five? I could walk you back to Gryffindor Tower when we're through. I mus

t warn you, though, my sense of direction is not what it used to be and we might get lost. I love you. Severus He smiled and gave it to the owl, who was sitting on the back of his couch and m ost obviously waiting for a return letter. Hermione smiled to herself and then tucked the letter under her bed. Five sounde d good to her and she would love to get lost. She made her way down to the commo n room where Harry was watching Ron and Draco try to beat each other at chess. "You're smiling," Harry said. "You're actually smiling." "I'm feeling devious," she told them. "Plans for a secret rendezvous?" Draco asked. "Quiet," Hermione said, but her grin widened. "Checkmate," Ron said and smirked. "Whatever," Draco said. He pulled Hermione into his lap and she let out a little scream. "Have you heard from Madeline?" "No," Hermione said. "I haven't heard from any of them and neither has Severus." "I'm sure they're fine," Harry said. "I'm going to go talk to Dumbledore about it later," she said, smirking. "Let me guess," Harry said. "A certain black-haired Slytherin that we know will just happen to be there, as well." "I have no idea what you're talking about," Hermione said and leaned her head ba ck onto Draco's shoulder. She was still smirking. "It's just nice to see you smiling, even if you do look semi-evil when you're do ing it," Ron said. Hermione laughed and challenged Ron to a game of chess. They all laughed at her trash talk, but she was happy. At 4:47, she kissed Harry and Ron on the cheek and made her way to the headmaste r's office. Draco had left earlier to go and talk to Severus. She said the passw ord and opened the door to find Severus pacing in front of Dumbledore's desk and the headmaster looking very grave. "Can I come in?" She asked. She had to resist wrapping her arms around Severus. "Of course, Hermione," Dumbledore said. When she stepped into the office, she no ticed Minerva was also there. "We had to notify the ministry, Severus. I'm sorry," Dumbledore said. Hermione p anicked, was this about the two of them. "I didn't do anything, Albus!" "I believe you. However, your wand was at the scene." "I would never be stupid enough to leave my wand anywhere!" "Severus, please. If you're going to convince anyone of anything, you're going t o have to stay calm." "What's going on?" Hermione asked, suddenly worried. "Hermione," Minerva said. "Come here for a moment and sit next to me." Hermione went and sat by her guardian and Minerva took her hand. "There's been an accident, my dear." "What kind of accident?" "Draco Malfoy was discovered unconscious at the bottom of the dungeon stairs." Hermione opened and closed her mouth a few times in shock. "He's all right, thou gh, right? He's going to be okay?" "We're not sure yet." "No," Hermione said. "He has to be all right!" She stood and went to Severus, who wrapped her in his arms. Albus be damned. He knew he should not have felt any sort of happiness under the circumstances, but he was so glad to have her in his arms. "Wait," she said, pulling back and looking up at him. "What does this have to do with you?" "My wand was next to Draco when he was found." "Surely no one thinks you would hurt Draco," Hermione said and then she looked a t Dumbledore. "Professor?"

"Following protocol, my dear, I had to contact the ministry." "Where's Draco, now?" Hermione asked. "The hospital wing. Poppy's looking after him the best she can. He's still not r egained consciousness." "I have to see him." "I'll take you there," Severus said. "Unfortunately, you can't, Severus," Albus said. "You need to return to your qua rters and not leave until after the ministry officials have decided what to do." "Albus, you must be joking," Minerva said. "I am not," he said and was about to continue, but a buzzer rang on his desk. "I shall return shortly. Please, none of you leave." As soon as he was gone, Severus leaned down to kiss Hermione, ignoring Minerva's chuckling. "Severus, what if something happens to you?" Hermione asked, pulling away, and t hen seeing Minerva standing behind Severus, she suddenly became embarrassed. "Don't worry about me, love. I'll be fine," he kissed her again, but she turned her head, looking at Minerva. "I'm going to run to the restroom," Minerva said, grinning. As soon as she was g one, Hermione pulled Severus down into a kiss. "I don't like this at all, Sev." "Kissing me?" She smirked at him. "No, I feel guilty. Draco's unconscious and all I can think about it kissing you." Severus nodded, "I know, but I'm finding it difficult to concentrate on much." Hermione smiled. He hadn't taken his eyes off of her lips. He kissed her again, but abruptly pulled away when they heard voices from the stairs. Hermione sat do wn quickly, trying to look calm and organized. Minerva appeared back in the offi ce, just before Dumbledore and two men entered. "Severus," Dumbledore said. "These men are here to escort you to your quarters. You are being put under house arrest for the time being." Severus looked as though he was about to argue, but realized that he would proba bly make things worse by doing that. With one last look at Hermione, he allowed himself to be led out of the office. "Can I go and see Draco?" Hermione asked, quietly. "Come on, dear," Minerva said. "I'll walk you there. Don't worry, everything wil l be all right, I'm sure." Minerva put her arm around Hermione's shoulder as they walked down to the hospit al wing. Hermione forgot to ask Dumbledore about her family. "I have to tell Harry and Ron," she said softly. "They need to know." "We'll send them an owl when we get to the hospital wing," Minerva said soothing ly. Harry and Ron both held one of her hands. She had been so happy only a few hours ago. They looked at each other and at their friend, who was showing no signs of improvement. When Minerva entered the hospital wing, the three Gryffindors look ed up at her. "What's wrong?" Hermione asked. "There are discussing firing Severus," she said after a moment. "No!" Hermione exclaimed. "They can't do that. They can't." She turned into Harry and started crying into his shirt. The very thought of sch ool without Severus was one she couldn't wrap her head around. "It is not certain yet, Hermione. They are still keeping him under observation, for now, though." "He would never do anything!" Hermione sobbed. "He would never hurt Draco!" "I know that, love, but people won't trust him because of his past." "That isn't fair, though!" Hermione cried. "They said he was innocent. I have to see him. Harry can I have your cloak." "No, Miss Granger. You may not see him at the moment," Dumbledore said, as he wa lked into the hospital wing. "How is he doing?" "Not very well," Minerva said. "Albus, surely they aren't going to stop people f

rom seeing Severus." "No, they are going to stop students from seeing him." "Albus, please," Hermione said. "Please refer to me as Headmaster or Professor, Miss Granger," he said. She look ed at him in shock. He had never minded her calling him Albus before. She was au tomatically suspicious. "Now, I believe that the three of you should head back u p to Gryffindor Tower. I do not want you to leave without my permission. Classes have been canceled into further notice." "Albus," Minerva said. "This is getting ridiculous." "Minerva, when I want your opinion, I'll ask for it. Why don't you walk your cha rges back to Gryffindor Tower." Minerva looked scandalized and wordlessly led the three from the room. She huffe d all the way to the Tower and then left them without a good-bye. They entered a nd sat in front of the fireplace. They hadn't realized how late it was and most of the common room was empty. "This is so screwed up," Ron said. "I know!" Hermione screamed, causing the few people left in the common room to l ook at her. "How can Dumbledore be letting this happen!" "I'm sure he's just doing this to appear as though he's impartial," Harry said, although he didn't quite sound as though he was sure. "What if they fire Severus? I don't know what I'll do! I don't understand what i s wrong with Dumbledore! What if Draco doesn't wake up?" "He'll wake up," Ron said. "Madam Pomfrey is the best medi-witch ever and she'll do everything in her power to make sure that Draco gets better again. Nothing c an happen to him." "And I'm sure they'll figure out who really did this to him in no time at all," Harry said. "And I'll be able to announce that I'm a unicorn," Hermione said sarcastically. "Nothing ever turns out to be perfect!" "Stop being so pessimistic. It definitely shows that you've been hanging around Snape." Hermione rolled her eyes at him. They didn't understand what she was trying to s ay. It was bad enough that she had had to move out of his quarters. What was she supposed to do if he was sent away from the school entirely. Or worse, he was c onvicted and sent to Azkaban. Her thoughts rolled over to Cassie. Hermione had n ever thought about having to raise the little girl on her own. If Severus was se nt to Azkaban She cut her thoughts short. He couldn't be sent to Azkaban. "Earth to Hermione," Ron said. "Are you in there?" "Just thinking. I think I'm going to go to bed," she told them. "I don't want to think anymore." Before she could make it to the staircase, Minerva entered, looking somewhat unc omfortable. "What's happened?" Hermione asked. "Come with me, dear. Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, you should come, as well, I suppos e," she said, eyeing the few remaining students in the common room with what Her mione could only guess was suspicion. When they reached McGonagall's office, she sat them down and handed them each a cup of tea. "Has something happened to Severus?" Hermione asked, unable to hold her question s in any longer. "Or Draco? Did he wake up?" "No. They have removed Severus from the school." Hermione couldn't find the words to speak. She was saved the task of talking whe n Minerva continued. "They haven't fired him, Hermione. They can't convict him without Draco waking u p and providing evidence and I have to inform you three that it doesn't appear a s though that will be happening anytime soon, if at all," she said quietly. Herm ione shook her head back and forth and Harry took her hand. "They have relocated Severus to a room at the Three Broomsticks. It is off school grounds, which he is no longer allowed to enter, but it is close enough so that they can keep a cl ose eye on him."

"Can I visit him?" Hermione asked, quietly. "Only on Hogsmeade weekends, my dear, and even then you aren't supposed to. He i s not supposed to have any contact with students." "Hogsmeade weekends? Will he be gone that long?" "It is most likely that they will wait another week or two to see if Draco comes to and if not, he will most likely face trial at the ministry. If they believe that he has harmed Draco, he will be permanently banned from the school and then move onto another court that will decide what shall be done with him. They have nothing to go on, though, except his wand, which, while incriminating, is an ob ject that can be planted. However, with Severus's .history, they may not believe him . It will all be a matter of luck, in the end, I'm afraid. The only guaranteed c hance that Severus will be able to remain at the school is Draco waking up." "Is there no chance of that?" Harry asked. Hermione looked at him. She had been focusing on Severus. What about Draco? What if he didn't wake up? "I thought he just bumped his head," Hermione said. "Surely he won't die!" Minerva looked at her sadly. "We aren't sure, Hermione." That was her last straw. She had managed to keep tears to a minimum, but burst i nto uncontrollable sobs. She pushed away Harry's arm, which was wrapping itself around her shoulders, and curled into a ball on her chair. When they started tal king to her, she fled the office. She needed to be alone. She needed to think. Yay, and a bit longer than then last chapter. I was so encouraged by all the rev iews I received. Thank you everyone for sticking with me on this one. I found my will to write again. It faded over the past year and a half, but I just suddenl y wanted to write again, and here I am. Thanks again, so much. Also, I realize t hey seem to be a bit whiny and fluffy, but that will change, I promise.Slytherin Girl Making My Head Spin, Chapter 53 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/53/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 Yay! Another chapter. Thanks for all the reviews.Hermione spent the next day hiding from everyone. She was trying not to think of Severus, Draco, or the fact that she still hadn't heard anything from her famil y. The next morning she would have to leave for classes. She had potions first t hing and she knew it would be weird with a different teacher. Hermione knew she

would hate the new Potion's Master. When she did wake up the next day she was filled with the urge to correct all he r problems. The first thing she did was send off an owl to McGonagall so that sh e could discuss her family and anything McGonagall could do to help her. Then sh e set off to find Ron and Harry. They were already down in the Great Hall eating when she finally found them. Bot h gave her a small smile when she sat down. "How are you feeling?" Harry asked. "I'm trying not to think about how I'm feeling." Hermione took a muffin from a basket and glanced up at the Head Table. A middleaged witch was sitting in Severus's normal seat. "She's the new Potion's Professor," Ron said, noticing where she was looking. "Temporary Potion's Professor," Hermione said. "Right. Temporary," Ron said, but Hermione knew he was just trying to make her f eel better. "Have you heard anything about Draco?" she asked. "We went down to check on him yesterday and then Dumbledore caught us and sent u s back up to Gryffindor Tower," Harry said. "Something isn't right with him." Hermione just rolled her eyes at his obvious statement. "Good morning, Class. I am Professor Austin," the new Potion's Professor said wh en everyone had settled into their desks. "I realize that it will be difficult a djusting to a new teacher so far into the year, but hopefully we can all make th e best of it. Are there any questions before I begin today's lesson?" One of the Slytherin's raised their hand and Professor Austin quickly called on him. "Where's Professor Snape?" Professor Austin looked around the room. "Did they not tell you? Professor Snape was recently fired." "He wasn't fired," Hermione said, hotly. "He was temporarily removed." "And who are you?" Austin asked. "Hermione Granger." "Well, Miss Granger, I don't know who you've been talking to, but you were misin formed." "I don't think Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall would both tell me that he w ould be returning to teach if he weren't." "Ten points from Gryffindor, Miss Granger. You will not talk to me in that tone of voice." Hermione fought back the urge to tell her where she could stick her points. Harry nudged her out of her train of thought, his eyes begging her not to do any thing stupid. She nodded at him and he went back to taking notes. She scowled at the woman and then looked back at her own notes. By the end of the class period Professor Austin had taken another twenty-five po ints off of Hermione and she was fuming. She needed to talk to McGonagall and fa st. "She's absolutely horrible! I mean really!" Hermione exclaimed that evening. "Well, you knew you weren't going to like her from the beginning," Minerva told her. "But still! To come in and act like she owns the place." "Don't worry, my dear, I'm sure you won't have to put up with her for long." "But she said that they had actually fired Severus and that he wasn't coming bac k. I told her she was wrong and she took points off of me." "She's wrong, Hermione, don't worry." "Anyway, there was something else I needed to talk to you about." "Yes, I received your owl this morning." "I haven't heard anything from my family," Hermione explained. "I've sent multip le letters, but I've gotten nothing in return." "Have you talked to Dumbledore." "Not yet. Minerva, I'm not sure if I trust him."

"I know, but he is the only one who knows exactly where they are. I'll talk to h im and see if he will tell me anything. More tea?" Hermione nodded and her cup refilled itself. "What is actually going on with Severus?" Hermione asked, not really sure if she wanted to hear the answer. "Nothing has changed. The aurors left, but there are charms to ensure that he ca n't leave Hogsmeade." "This is such a mess," Hermione moaned into her teacup. "When will everything be normal again?" Minerva patted her hand, but could not give her an answer. Severus paced in his small room. He hated not knowing what was going on and no o ne was telling him anything. He knew Dumbledore was up to something, as well. The aurors had finally left him alone, which allowed him to feel a bit sane. The charm that they had binded him with left him feeling claustrophobic, however. H e did not like the feeling of being trapped. Sighing in frustration, he headed downstairs to find a good cup of tea. "Morning, Severus," Rosmerta said from behind the bar. "What can I get for you?" "Tea," he answered, shortly. He was not in the mood to entertain the witch's che erfulness. She handed him a pot of tea and he took it before quickly heading back up to his room. If he had stayed, she would have insisted on keeping him company. As soon as he was back in his room, he pulled out a piece of parchment and compo sed a letter to Hermione. Hermione, It's absolutely dreadful here. Not only do I feel trapped, Madam Rosmerta always feels it an obligation to bore me with her conversation. It really irks me. Has Draco improved at all? They aren't telling me anything. I have no idea what' s going on. I hate the feeling that I am being left completely out of everything . I am the one who everything is effecting the most. How is the new Potion's Pro fessor? Or are they just having another teacher fill in. Most importantly, how are you? I don't like not being able to check up on you ev eryday. Make sure Potter and Weasley are taking care of you, or they will have m e to answer to. When's the next Hogsmeade weekend? I hate having to write letter s. Love, Severus. After he had sealed up her letter, he penned a quick note to Potter and Weasley and told them to make sure she was eating and sleeping enough. With that done, h e finished his tea, and headed off to the post office to find two owls. Minerva sat quietly in the headmaster's office. He had poured her a cup of tea a nd then disappeared. He was acting very peculiar. Not in the way he had been lat ely, but in a distracted, waiting on the edge of something way. He reappeared a few minutes later and poured himself a cup of tea, as well. He t hen pulled a headache potion out of the top drawer of his desk and downed it. "What can I help you with, Minerva?" "Albus, is something wrong?" She asked. "Nothing of importance." Minerva paused before she began. "Hermione." Albus stopped her with a raised hand. "Please, if this is about her and Severus, then please, not now." "No, Albus, it's about her family. She hadn't heard from them and she extremely upset and worried. Have you gone to see them?" Albus shook his head. "I'll go this weekend. I've been a bit preoccupied. I'm st ill not entirely sure about Draco Malfoy. I am certain that Severus had nothing to do with it, but someone did and I want to know who. The aurors are so sure it was Severus that they are not bothering with an investigation." He pinched the bridge of his nose and leaned back in his chair. When he looked a t her, he sighed.

"When did things get so complicated?" Minerva didn't say it out loud, but thought it was about the time she split Herm ione and Severus up. She also had a feeling that he was talking abot more than w hat he knew. Hermione glared at her ceiling. That awful Professor Austin woman had stopped he r on her way to the hospital wing. She had interrogated Hermione about what she was up to and Hermione had snapped at her. Then Austin had given her a detention . She screamed at an owl at her window and then realized it could possibly be from Severus. Sighing, she went and retrieved the letter. The owl didn't leave and s he smiled. It was definitely from Severus. When she had finished reading it, she looked around. His letter hadn't made her as happy as she thought it would. He sounded so miserable. She quickly set to replying. Severus, Tell Madam Rosmerta that she had better not get any ideas. The woman that's teaching for you is absolutely horrible. She gave me a detentio n because I was going to see Draco, who hasn't changed much. Me! A Detention! I wish everyone would just get over themselves and let you come back. I still haven't heard anything from my family, but I talked to Minerva about it. She said she would speak to Dumbledore. I just don't understand what's going on with them. I want to hear something about Cassie. I miss her, Sev, and I'm so w orried. How am I? As well as can be expected with you gone, Draco unconscious, my family MIA, and a new Potion's Professor who thinks she's in charge of the school. I'l l be fine, I suppose. I just wish that everything didn't fall apart at once. It will be over soon. It has to be. Draco will get better and you can come back. I want other things on my mind besides all of this bad news. Anything to cheer me up. The next Hogsmeade trip is the weekend after next. The Shrieking Shack so unds like a nice place for a rendezvous. Meet me there, please. We can do that, right? We've broken rules before, we can meet, right? Maybe I can talk to Minerv a and ask her if she can help, or if she had a better idea for a meeting place. Maybe I could just sneak up to your room. It doesn't matter, I just need to see you before I go absolutely crazy. I love you. Love, Hermione Hermione sat next to Draco and took his hand. Madam Pomfrey was flittering aroun d the ward and she kept shooting glances at the two of them. It was Saturday and there was a Quidditch match going on outside. Harry and Ron had tried to convince her to come and watch, so that she could get her mind off of things, but she had opted for sitting with Draco. He wouldn't scream at her f or points or lack there of. Madam Pomfrey had told her that Draco was not gettin g any better, but he wasn't getting any worse, either. Hermione was, at least, g rateful for that. Hermione sighed and pulled out a book. She had completely fallen behind in her s chool work. There just seemed to more important things going on. She could just imagine the look on her guys' faces if she ever actually admitted to thinking th at. "Hermione!" Harry called, when he and Ron entered the hospital wing. "Gryffindor won!" Hermione rolled her eyes. "That wasn't a very long game." "Yeah, Hufflepuff's team sucks this year." "How are you doing, love?" Ron asked. "I'm not doing too bad," she said. "When do you think he'll wake up?" "We got a letter from your boyfriend," Harry said, bypassing the Draco question. Hermione scrunched up her nose and said, "I don't think you should ever call him that again. Anyway, what did he want?" "He wants us to make sure that you're taking care of yourself," Harry said. "Or that we're taking care of you," Ron added. "He wants to make sure you're oka y."

"I could be better," she said. "What time is it?" "About one, why?" "I should go and get something to eat before my detention." "She gave you a Saturday detention?" Ron asked. "Yes. At three. Way to cut into my day." Hermione scowled and kissed them both on the cheek. Dreadful woman. Hermione wen t down to the kitchens, making sure that she didn't run into Austin. Okay, yeah, shorter chapter, but the next one should be pretty long. Thank you a ll for your reviews. They're making me so happy!Slytherin Girl Making My Head Spin, Chapter 54 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/54/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 Sorry for the wait. For those of you who don't know, my account was blocked beca use someone reported IWWA and it was deleted, anyway. I'm still trying to sort a ll that mess out. Also, my edit/preview thing is not working so that's fun and e xciting. I've not had a very good couple of weeks, but here is the next chapter. Only a few more to go. Harry and Ron had trouble holding Hermione into her chair during their last clas s on the next Friday. "Would you hold still?" Ron asked. "You still have, like, a day! We can't do thi s for a whole other day." "Sorry," she said. It had been two weeks since she had seen Severus and it went without saying that she was antsy. They didn't understand. In less then twenty-four hours she would get to see him and talk to him and, if she had her way, would spend a significa nt amount of the time making out with him. She hadn't been able to concentrate i n any of her classes and she smirked at Professor Austin every time she passed h er. She had also lost twenty points for Gryffindor that way, but she was happy. "Miss Granger, can you answer the question?" Hermione looked up at Professor Flitwick and tried to find something to say that would not make her sound like an idiot. She really had to get her head back in the game. Harry and Ron were smirking from either side of her.

By the time they were walking out of the class, Hermione was practically skippin g. "If you don't stop I'm going to knock you out and lock you in a closet," Ron sai d. "Man, I liked you better when you read and spent all your time in the library ." "Thanks," she muttered. Harry smiled at her. "You guys want to go and check on Draco?" So they went and did homework and watched their still unconscious friend. "I don't know why you three insist on sitting with him, but it must be doing him some good. He moved his hand earlier," Madam Pomfrey told them when they steppe d into the ward. "Really?" Hermione asked. "Really. It's the first sign of actual improvement he's shown, so we'll see what happens now." With slightly lifted hearts they worked. Hermione wrote Severus a letter that sh e hoped showed her excitement and sent it off with Hedwig. She figured he would be happy to know that he might be a step closer to being let off the hook and th at Draco might be all right in after all. "Hermione, do you want to play chess?" Ron asked. "I don't want to do homework a nymore. It's Friday." "Sure," she answered. She was a bit too worked up to be of much use to her schoo lwork, anyway. "So did he go and visit them?" Hermione asked. She was sitting in Minerva's offi ce later that night, drinking tea and practically being force-fed chocolate bisc uits. "No," Minerva told her. "He says he'll do it this weekend. Of course that's what he said last week." "I'm really starting to get worried that he did something to them." "I'm sure they're all right. I don't believe Albus would harm them." "Don't believe or don't want to believe?" Hermione asked her. "Hermione," her mentor warned. "I know, I'm sorry." "Have you talked to Severus?" "Only everyday." "I meant about what you're going to do tomorrow." "Yes. I'm just going to sneak up to his room. It will be less suspicious than hi m wondering into the shrieking shack and no one should see us." "Good, I'm chaperoning, so you won't have to worry about anyone pestering you." "Thank you for helping us. You have no idea what it means to me. And Severus, bu t he most likely would not admit it unless given a truth potion." "I know, Hermione, but I don't mind. Really. I will conveniently skip over your name when we return to the castle as long as you promise me that you'll be back in the castle by curfew." "Done. Thank you. This is so hard and I hate having to sneak around so much." "Yes, but unlike when you were just student and teacher having a relationship, t he ministry is involved now and you will have to be more careful. Ask Mr. Potter is he will lend you his invisibility cloak, just to be safe. Also that will mak e sneaking back into the castle easier." Hermione nodded. She had already planned on asking him that. She sipped her tea slowly and jumped at a knock on Minerva's door. "Come in," Minerva called. Both were shocked when Dumbledore walked in. "Ahh, Miss Granger, I thought I might find you here." "Good evening, Headmaster." "What is it, Albus," Minerva asked. "I was just looking for Miss Granger to inform her that I will not be able to vi sit her family tomorrow," he told them. "What?" Hermione exclaimed. "Professor." "If you will just wait a few more days. I am going to the ministry tomorrow to s

ee if I can speed things up with Severus." Hermione opened and closed her mouth a few times before settling on just being q uiet. "What do you think you can do, Albus?" Minerva asked. "I'm not sure, but Professor Austin is about to drive me mad. Or even more mad t han I already am, according to some." Hermione caught herself giggling and realized with shock that she didn't want Al bus to be the bad guy in all this. She wanted him to just be a person that had g otten caught in the crossfire. She knew it wasn't true, but she wanted it to be. "Now, if you will excuse me, Ladies, there are things I must attend to," he said and then ducked out of the room. "That was weird, right?" Hermione asked. "Yes. I really wish I could read his mind sometimes." "What do you think he's playing at?" Minerva didn't answer her, but it was clear that her mind was working in overdri ve. "Why don't you head off to bed, dear. You don't want to fall asleep on the first day you've seen Severus in weeks, do you?" Hermione shook her head and set her teacup down. She bid a quick good-night to M inerva and then left for her dorm. Most of the Gryffindors had already gone to b ed when she arrived, but Harry and Ron were waiting for her. "Draco moved again!" Ron said. "He grasped his bedsheets in his hand! He's getti ng better, Hermione!" Hermione took a deep breath and smiled the first real smile that she had smiled in ages. She didn't say anything to either of them, just headed up to bed and ha d the first good-night's sleep she had had in awhile. When Hermione awoke the next morning, she immediately went into overdrive. She h ad to get ready and get to Hogsmeade as soon as possible. She was one of the fir st ones down in the Great Hall for breakfast. She didn't even bother waiting for Harry and Ron. By the time she finished breakfast, however, she still had an hour and a half be fore they were leaving for the village, so she went to see what was going on wit h Draco. She fully expected him to wake up at any moment. If he was moving that had to mean he was getting better and when he did he would inform them all of wh o really put him in that condition and Severus would be set free. It would all w ork out. Madam Pomfrey was not around when she entered the hospital wing, however, so she just sat around and waited for either Madam Pomfrey or for time to go to Hogsme ade. In the end, it turned out that Madam Pomfrey never showed up, so she went t o meet Harry and Ron in the entrance hall, after kissing Draco's forehead. "You didn't dress up," Harry said, when they saw her. "Why would I?" "I figured this was a sort of special day," he answered. Hermione shrugged. "I just want it to feel normal." Harry and Ron nodded in understanding. Minerva winked at her as she began to cal l off names and then Hermione fough the urge to run as fast as she could into Se verus' waiting arms. Severus was equally as distracted. He was unsure how he was going to feel after this. He thought it entirely possible that he would never let her leave the room . Ever. He would just keep her hostage until such time as they were both safe. I t seemed like a much better plan than seeing her for a few hours and then lettin g her go back to the castle. Footsteps in the hallway had him jumping up from his seat and throwing the door open. He ended up scaring some poor old lady, instead of greeting Hermione, thou gh. He was about to close the door when he saw her curly head coming up the stai rs. He stepped back into the room and allowed her to enter and close the door be

fore he pounced on her. She had pounced at him at the same time, however, and in the end they both ended up tangled on the floor, laughing. When Hermione felt she had thoroughly kissed him, she stood up and looked around his room. "It's nothing compared to our quarters at Hogwarts," she said softly. "Do you want tea?" He asked. "Or something to eat?" "Tea would be nice." She sat down on his couch and watched him order tea for two. She heard Madam Ros merta's confused voice ask who he had over, but he didn't let her see Hermione. "I'm just going to run down and get it," he said. He kissed her before he left. He was miserable. She could tell that and she hadn't even been there ten minutes . When he came back he just stared at her as she poured them both tea. He chose to sit in the chair opposite her, though, and it made her very upset. "You're much to far away," she told him after a minute. He smiled at her and mov ed to the couch. "I'm hesitant to touch you, lest I decide never to let you go again." "That would be a good decision, though." He smiled and kissed her temple. His arm wrapped around her waist and they drank their tea in a comfortable silence. They didn't talk even when they had finishe d their tea. They were content just to sit there with each other. "How is Draco?" Severus asked after awhile. "He's been moving around," Hermione told him. "I think he's going to wake up soo n." Severus breathed deeply. "I don't think they're going to let me come back and te ach even if I am found innocent." "Why not?" She asked. "They can't fire you because of this, can they?" "I'm not sure, love, but to be completely honest, I'm not sure if I honestly min d." "But, Sev, what would you do?" "I don't really need to work, Hermione. I can just spend time working on develop ing new potions and researching. It's what I really want to do to begin with. Th is is just incentive to actually do it." "I suppose then we wouldn't have to hide. You wouldn't be my teacher anymore." "I had thought about that, as well," he said. "Harry and Ron said to say hello, by the way," she told him. He just looked at h er. "You've lost weight," he said, suddenly, and pulled her up to stand in front of him. "So have you." "Have Potter and Weasley not been making you eat?" "Yes, they have. They took your letter very seriously. I just haven't been eatin g as much. I'm fine, Sev. Don't worry so much." "I have to worry about you. There's nothing better to do around here." She sat back down and cuddled up against him. "So, where do you want to be right now?" "What?" "It's a game. If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?" Severus thought for a moment and then smiled down at her. "It would be Christmas and we would be at Grandma's." Hermione laughed. "I think I would want that, too." "Hermione?" "Hmm?" She was struggling to stay awake, already. It felt so familiar and comfor table with him, and she hadn't really been sleeping. Severus saw she was about to fall asleep and smiled. He would have liked to sit and talk with her until she had to go, but it was nice watching her sleep. It wa s nice just being able to watch her. She was peaceful and he would not disturb h er. "Hermione? Severus?"

Severus jumped at someone calling from the hallway and gently moved out from und erneath Hermione. He opened the door only a little, so that he could see Minerva , flanked by Potter and Weasley. He opened the door wider and allowed them to co me in. "Wake Hermione up, Severus. I'm afraid I have some bad news." It was then that Severus noticed that she looked about ready to cry. He gently s hook Hermione awake and motioned to the others. She stood up with a look of horr or on her face. "What's going on?" She asked, nervously. It had to be something very bad or some thing very good. Harry and Ron looked as clueless as she did and Severus was jus t staring at Minerva. "Severus, it's been decided that you will have to go to trial." "What?" He asked. "But for that to happen Draco would have had to tell someone t hat I had done it, which I most certainly did not or he would have had to." Severus stopped and stared at her in disbelief. Hermione let out a small whimper and fell back against Severus, shaking her head. "He's .dead?" Harry asked. He didn't believe it, they could tell that by the look on his face. Ron didn't say anything, just continued to look at McGonagall as thou gh she had two heads. "He passed on about half an hour ago," Minerva told them. "Albus was convenientl y out of the castle." Hermione couldn't register what was being said. The only things she was aware of , were her hands gripping Severus and the feeling of emptiness that had entered her. So, who hates me now? I have to say, though, I think some of you saw it coming. Also, I'm aware that the reunion between Hermione and Severus wasn't exactly act ion-packed. The chapter had an idea all its own and I of course had to listen to it. Anyway, thank you for your reviews! Only three more chapters left. I can't believe it.Slytherin Girl Making My Head Spin, Chapter 55 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/55/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 -There are only two chapters left after this you guys. Wow!

"There was a lack of oxygen to his brain," Madam Pomfrey was telling them half a n hour later. Harry had his arm wrapped around Hermione's waist and Ron was standing off to th e side. All three were trying to focus on what Madam Pomfrey was saying, but non e were succeeding. Professor McGonagall was pacing in front of the door. Dumbled ore was due back at any moment. Hermione, personally, did not want to see Dumbledore. She blamed him for everyth ing that was going on. He should have known what was happening. She hated the he admaster more than ever. She struggled away from Harry and collapsed in a chair. She couldn't stand anymo re. It was too much and now Severus was going to have to go to trial. The though t that he would not get off was invading her mind. Draco's and Severus her thoug hts her making her head hurt. "I'm here," Dumbledore said, opening the door and almost hitting McGonagall. "Is everyone all right?" "You mean besides Draco?" Hermione asked sarcastically. "I am truly sorry, Miss Granger." "What do we do now?" Harry asked softly. "We have to inform the schoolboard," Dumbledore said. "The aurors will want to b ring Severus into the Ministry." "But he didn't do anything!" Hermione yelled. "I know he didn't, Miss Granger. I've been writing back and forth with a few peo ple, trying to make sure Severus is not blamed." "Writing to them like you've been writing my family?" Hermione asked. Before any one could say anything, she walked out of the hospital wing. She needed to be al one. The funeral was set for Monday. Classes were to be canceled and anyone from the school who wished to pay respects would be led to a small cemetery in Hogsmeade. Hermione wasn't sure how she made it through the day and a half between, but sh e found herself sandwiched between Harry and Ron as Dumbledore said a few incant ations to let Draco's soul move on. Ron explained to Harry and Hermione that the spells didn't actually work. They w ere more for tradition. If a person's soul was bound to the earth, then they wou ld return. Hermione was barely listening to anything going on. There were very few people p resent to say their good-byes to Draco. The most obvious person missing was Seve rus. Hermione had thought it unfair that he not be able to attend. He was not te chnically being held responsible and Draco had become important to him. He was i mportant to all of them. It was then that it struck Hermione about her family. They had no idea about Dra co and she could imagine them being extremely upset that they hadn't been able t o say good-bye to him in life or death. Madeline would be more torn than the oth ers. Her cousin's attachment to Draco had steadily grown. Hermione also realized that it didn't feel real to her. She still expected to go up to the castle and talk to Draco. Rant to him about not being able to see Sev erus and what was wrong with Dumbledore. After the deaths that she had dealt wit h, she figured she would have been used to it, but she wasn't. Accepting it didn 't come easily and again time seemed to jump and she found herself walking back to the castle. Step. Step. Step. As long as she concentrated on something else, it didn't hurt so much. She wanted Severus. He had been with her at every funeral she had had t o attend. He wasn't there now. He was under house arrest until the aurors took h im away. Poor Severus. Poor Draco. Draco was dead. Her head was cloudy and she v aguely heard Harry calling her name as she fainted. "Hermione's taking it harder than the others. Well, maybe not harder, but she ha

s more things to be stressed out about," Minerva was telling Severus later that night. His small room at the Three Broomsticks seemed to be shrinking with every breath he took. "She'll be all right, though. Won't she?" he asked. "She's held on this long. She did faint on the way back from the funeral." "What? Is she okay? Did she hit her head?" "She's fine, Severus. Everyone's on edge right now and it was just a bit too muc h for her. Poppy gave her enough Dreamless Sleep potion to keep her unconscious for a few days." "That's dangerous." "It is a risk I was willing to take. The girl has barely eaten or slept since th ey brought you here." "I told you to watch her." "I have been, but there is only so much anyone can do." "When is my trial, Minerva? I want everything sorted out and then I am taking He rmione away for a little vacation if I have to knock Albus out." "I think it would be a good idea, as well. I have never looked forward to a brea k in my entire teaching career." "When is my trial, Minerva?" "Saturday. They are going to collect you Friday afternoon." "Are you coming?" "I want to, Severus, but since Albus is going I have to stay and act my position as Deputy Headmistress. I mentioned to Albus about allowing Hermione to accompa ny him, though." "Hermione? But why would he let her do that?" "He hasn't said that she was allowed to go for sure yet. He is going to wait unt il she wakes up and then decide whether she is healthy enough and if he thinks s he'll be able to keep calm if she goes with him." "So she won't be." "He would have said no right away if he wasn't going to consider it." "No, that's what he wants you to think," Severus said. "I will just make sure that Hermione knows he will be deciding, before he talks to her. Then maybe she can clear her mind and at least act calm." "This is so," Severus started, but them fell silent, as though unsure of how to continue. "I just want this to be over. I am tired and I miss her and I don't th ink I have ever complained as much in my life." "Everyone needs to vent at some point in their life." "I never complained before Hermione came along." "She opened you up, that's why," Minerva said with a small smile. The poor man i n front of her dropped his head into his hands and let out a groan. "How was the funeral?" "It was small. There weren't many people there." "I wish I could have been there," he said sadly. "We tried to convince the schoolboard to allow you to come, because it was techn ically in their hands, but after," she stopped talking. She hadn't wanted to app roach the subject of the schoolboard, but at the look Severus was giving her now , she knew she didn't have much choice." "You aren't telling me something." Minerva sighed. "The board came to the decision that even if you are proven inno cent, they are still going to fire you." "They can't do that!" "Unfortunately they can." "Doesn't Albus have to approve, as well?" He asked. His eyes widened. "Albus did approve." Minerva looked at the floor. "There was nothing I could do, Severus." "I can't believe this. What am I supposed to do now?" "Get past the trial, Severus. Then we'll worry about the future."

Hermione woke up with a headache and blurry vision. She didn't know where she wa s or how long she had been there. "Miss Granger, lie back down. You'll make yourself pass out again." Hermione sighed. The hospital wing. Where else would she be. Madam Pomfrey's blu rry form swirled in front of her. The medi-witch took her pulse and fluffed her pillow. "How are you feeling?" "My vision is blurry and my head hurts," Hermione said. "That's just side-effects from having so much Dreamless Sleep potion." "How long have I been asleep?" Hermione asked, suddenly suspicious. "About three days. It's Wednesday night." "What?" Hermione asked. "I've missed two days of class! I need to go." "You don't need to do anything except stay there and relax. You needed sleep and you needed food put back into your system. You need to take better care of your self. I know Draco's death and Severus's situation are hard on you, but that is no excuse." Hermione sighed. She didn't want a lecture from Poppy. "You're awake." Hermione looked towards the door. She was sure that was Minerva. Good, she was s omeone that would tell Hermione what was actually going on. "How are you feeling, Hermione?" She asked as she sat down. "I'm fine, what's happening?" Minerva looked at Poppy, who shut the curtains around them for some privacy and then went on her way to attend to other patients. "Severus's trial is going to be Saturday morning. He is still in Hogsmeade, but the aurors are going to move him to the ministry building Friday afternoon." "Saturday?" Hermione asked. "I need to see him. What happens if they convict him and I never get to see him again!" "I'm getting to that, my dear. Please, try and keep calm." Hermione took a deep breath. "What?" "Albus is considering letting you go with him to the trial. He will be in someti me to question you and make sure that you'll be able to keep calm if you go." "He might let me go?" Hermione asked. She was shocked and confused. Why would he let her go? "In the meantime you need to try and relax." "How are Harry and Ron?" "They are worried about you. I think Poppy permanently kicked them out of the ho spital wing yesterday at lunch." Hermione snorted. "That sounds about right." "I'll tell them that you are awake later." "Have you seen Severus?" "I was there earlier. I won't lie. He's not looking too well. You've done him mo re good than you can possibly imagine and he's pitiful without you." Hermione closed her eyes and she felt tears making their way out of the corners of her eyes. She didn't want to hear this right now. Her partial joy at her ment or's appearance was gone and now all she wanted was to be alone. Minerva could s ense this and bid her good-bye. Hermione found herself tired. Which she found ironic since she had been sleeping since Monday. When Albus entered the hospital wing, Hermione was rolling her eyes at Harry and Ron. She smiled until she saw him and Harry and Ron both turned to look at him, as well. "If I could speak to Miss Granger alone, Boys," he said. Harry and Ron both kissed Hermione on the cheek and then exited, leaving the Hea dmaster and his student alone. They stared at each other for minute before Dumbl edore began to speak. "I am sure Minerva has come and told you that I am considering to let you go to

the trial," he said. Hermione nodded and he continued. "You may go, my dear, but I want you to understand that if he they find him guilty, he will be taken to A zkaban before you get a chance to see him again and I need to know that you will be able to handle that." "You say that as if it is a sure thing that he will not be let off." "I am doing everything in my power to make sure that does not happen. Either way he can not return to the school." "What?" "Did Minerva not tell you?" He asked. "Tell me what? What's happened?" "The schoolboard has decided to let him go. They don't want him on staff because they believe that even if he is proven innocent, there is too much doubt." "That's ridiculous." "Can you promise that you can handle any situation that may arise?" "Yes," Hermione said. "I need to see him. Can I talk to him before Saturday?" Dumbledore shook his head. "There are aurors on guard at all hours of the day no w." "You're going to let me go?" Hermione asked. She was still unsure whether she wa s hearing him clearly. He smiled at her. "Yes, I am going to let you go. Severus needs you, my dear, an d you are no longer his student." Hermione wasn't sure if she should smile or not. She was going to see him and be with him, but he wouldn't be with her at school anymore. If he wasn't at the sc hool, they could be open about their relationship. If he wasn't at school, she w ould only see him at holidays. That would be harder than hiding their relationsh ip. She couldn't smile about it. Severus paced in his room. He knew the aurors would be sweeping in to take him i nto custody at any minute. It had happened to him before. They would put him in a holding cell deep within the ministry until his trial. It was not something th at he was particularly thrilled about repeating. Dumbledore had gotten him out o f it last time, but he had a feeling that he would not be helping this time. There was nothing he could do to prevent it and chances were very small that the y wouldn't convict him. The people at the ministry were not his biggest fans. He tried to calm down as he heard footsteps in the hall. Only a few days left until Half Blood Prince. AHH! Anyway, thanks for the review s! Slytherin Girl Making My Head Spin, Chapter 56 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/56/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His

Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 -Sorry it took so long to update, but I had a wonderfully relaxing vacation."I don't think that it is a good idea," Harry said when Hermione told the boys a bout her meeting with Dumbledore. "I know you love him and you want to be there for him, but what happens if they convict him and you have to watch the dementor s carry him away?" "That isn't going to happen," Hermione said. "It wouldn't matter anyway. I am go ing to be there for him." She glared at the boys as they gave each other a significant glance. She refused to believe that Severus would be taken from her. "Please be supportive," she begged them. "I'm losing people left and right and f rom in front of me and from behind me and if I'm going to lose Severus, too, I w ant to be there with him." Ron put his arm around her shoulder and kissed the top of her head. "We just don 't want you to get upset." "It is way too late for that." "I think you should take a calming draught, just in case," Harry said. "Fine," Hermione said. "I wish you two were coming with me." Ron squeezed her tighter and nodded his agreement. "Hermione," Harry said softly. "Did you write your family about Draco?" Hermione shook her head. "I haven't really had time. I don't know if they would end up finding out, anyway. I still need to make a few demands concerning them t o Dumbledore. I'll deal with it after the trial. I know it sounds horrible, but I'm trying to forget completely about Draco. After the trial, I'll work on mourn ing. There are just too many emotions going through me right now and I can't dea l with it all." She tried to stay calm, but ended up sobbing into Ron's shoulder. She waited in the entrance hall for Dumbledore. Saturday morning had come. Hermi one had thought she would want this moment to come as fast as possible, but the fact that Severus could be carted off to Azkaban in a few hours was becoming mor e of a threat to her. "Miss Granger," Dumbledore said coming up behind her. "Are you ready to go?" She nodded and looked at the book that he was holding in his hand. They were tak ing a portkey to the Ministry. They walked down the road to the edge of the grou nds in silence. She had nothing to say to him and she knew that he didn't really want to talk to her. The ministry entrance was relatively quiet and Dumbledore explained to her that not many people showed up to work on the weekends and that it was mainly a time for high profile trials and odds and ends of things happening. He led her to an elevator and dropped her off at a little coffee shop that they had set up. "Severus isn't being held in any sort of prison," Dumbledore said. "He'll probab ly be here to see you momentarily." "They aren't holding him captive?" Hermione asked. "Why?" Before Dumbledore could answer, however, Severus stepped out of the elevator and Hermione didn't care anymore. She jumped at him before he had even seen them. A few other random people that were sitting around stared at them. She didn't car e and kissed him lightly. "I have to go and meet with a few people," Dumbledore said. "Someone should come and get you when it's time to begin."

Severus ordered two cups of coffee and sat across from Hermione at their small t able. He gripped her hand as though it were the thing that was going to save his life. "Why aren't they keeping you locked in a room?" Hermione asked him. "I can't leave the building without alarms going off, I don't have my wand, and if I don't show up it will look suspicious enough to sentence me. I think it's a safe bet that I won't bother trying to leave. Besides, you are here and I would n't want to be anywhere else." Hermione stared into her coffee cup. If she didn't think about where they were o r why they were there, it almost felt like normal. "How are you doing, love?" He asked. She looked up into his eyes and smiled sadl y. "I don't know. There's so much going on right now and I don't think I've even re alized all of it. Draco's death hasn't really struck me yet and I'm trying to fo rget that I haven't talked to my family. I don't want to think about the possibi lity that you won't be coming home with me." Severus moved around the circular table so that he could put his arms around her . He kissed the top of her head and then looked up. A man that Severus vaguely r ecognized was staring at him and Severus realized how public of a place they wer e in. He pulled back from Hermione and she shot him a questioning look. "What's wrong?" She asked. "Everyone is staring at us." "So?" Hermione asked. "I'm not your student anymore. Do you not want people to t hink we're seeing each other." "If I'm convicted, Hermione, and people knew we were together, your reputation w ould be ruined and I don't want that and you don't want that either. I love you, you know that. If I am let free then I will gladly announced to the entire worl d that I am going to keep you forever." Hermione smiled at him as he moved back around the table. "Draco's funeral was awful. It didn't seem like anyone meant it. When does your trial begin?" "An hour and a half. They'll probably come to get us in an hour. I'm not sure wh ere it's going to be held. I'm glad you're here." "Everything's going to turn out okay, Sev. It has to." Severus didn't say anything to that, he just squeezed her hand. He didn't want t o raise his or her hopes by telling her that it would be okay. If he remained pe ssimistic then, if he got off, it would make things far better. He would be fire d, though, and he still wouldn't be able to spend time with Hermione. Added to t hat there was still Lucius, the Dark Lord, and the other Deatheaters to deal wit h. This trial was just the tip of all the disasters he would have to face. If he got off. "Severus?" He looked up and realized that she had been talking to him. "Sorry, love." Hermione smiled at him. "I was saying. I can't believe Dumbledore actually let m e come to see you. Harry and Ron were suspicious and I suppose there is reason t o be, but it's great." "It is great that you're here, but I have to say I was suspicious when Minerva t old me that he was letting you come. I was sure it was just to get my hopes and your up." "Maybe he feels bad since this is, essentially, all his fault." "Dumbledore rarely feels guilty about anything, Hermione. How is studying for yo ur exams coming?" "I haven't done much," she replied honestly. "Everything else seems to be more i mportant. But it's almost time for them and summer break. I suppose that's one g ood thing. I mean, even if you can't come back to school, at least we can spend all summer together. Dumbledore can't stop that." Severus nodded. He could spend all summer with her and then what? He would just fade into the background. She would write him a few letters every once and awhil e and see her at Christmas. If she wanted to. He was going to become a secondary worry and that wasn't something that he wanted to happen. He also realized that

he didn't have much choice in the matter. He would rather become a secondary wo rry that a worry that was sitting in Azkaban. "You seem so out of it, Sev," Hermione was saying. "Have you heard anything I wa s saying?" Severus shook his head and sent her an apologetic look. "Don't worry about it," she said. "It's no wonder you're preoccupied." "Albus?" Minerva asked. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at S everus' trial? It isn't over is it?" "I forgot a few papers, my dear. If I want to defend Severus to the best of my a bility, I'm going to need them. Now I just have to remember where I put them." "Not that I'm complaining, but shouldn't they be here by now," Hermione said qui etly. They had been sitting at their table for an hour and a half. "Your trial s tarts at any minute." "They're probably running a bit late," Severus said. "They are not the most coor dinated people in existence. As you well know." Another twenty minutes passed and Severus, too, was a bit anxious. They wouldn't have forgotten to come and get him. What if they were trying to make him look g uilty? "Let's go see if we can find Dumbledore," Severus said. Hermione nodded him and followed him to the elevator. When it stopped on the nex t floor, Arthur Weasley got on and Hermione instinctively moved closer to Severu s. "Mr. Weasley," she said politely. "Hermione," he replied and then turned to Severus. "Isn't your trial today? Kill ed someone else's child?" "I did not kill Draco," Severus replied stiffly. Hermione put her hand on his ar m. They passed the rest of the ride to the main floor in a tense silence and gladly stepped out of the elevator. "Good luck, Snape," Arthur said sarcastically as the doors to the elevator close d. "He's a pleasant man," Severus sneered as they made their way to the front desk. "Could you give us the location of Albus Dumbledore?" He asked the woman. She looked at him for a moment and then fiddled with something that looked, in H ermione's opinion, like the Marauder's map. She scanned over it with her wand an d then looked up at them. "Albus Dumbledore is not in the building. Are you supposed to be meeting him her e. We have owls that you can use to contact him." Severus wasn't listening to the woman, though. Dumbledore wasn't in the building . He looked down at Hermione and she was looking shocked, as well. He pulled her away from the woman and looked around him. "Do you have your wand?" He asked quietly. "Yes. Severus, what's going on? If Dumbledore's not in the building." "Something is wrong," he said. "He's planned this. He had to. That's probably wh y he let you come." "I don't understand," Hermione whispered. "I don't understand!" "He wouldn't just leave you here," Severus told her. "He can't just leave studen ts in the middle of London. If he had just stepped out, he would have come to co llect you and then bring you back when he returned. There are all sorts of proto cols for these situations. He's planning something." "Sev, shouldn't we go back to the caf? If that man comes to get you and you're not there, then it will look bad." Severus shook his head. "No, I want to be right here to see who leaves and enter s the building." Arthur Weasley stepped off the elevator and headed down to his office. He hated

having to come into the office on the weekends. He also did not like emergencies . They always ended up with him having to take headache potions. He disliked Sev erus Snape more than he disliked emergencies, though. He looked down the hall when he heard screaming and a second later he saw orange . He vaguely thought he heard a buzzer ringing somewhere before the orange engul fed him, as well. "I want to know what's going on," Ron said. "We should have demanded to go with her. I have a really bad feeling about this." "Stop worrying. If something happened, we would know." "It's three, Harry. We should have heard something by now." "Not necessarily. If they have even finished yet, Hermione will want to be alone . Either way, the trial went. She'll either want to mope alone or do things I do n't want to think about with Snape." "McGonagall would have come and told us, though." "Ron! Ron!" Harry and Ron both turned to see Ginny running towards them and shrieking. She w as waving a newspaper in the air. Ron, who had barely spoken to his sister, was shocked as she hurtled herself int o his arms. "Dad's dead, Ron!" Harry snatched the paper from her hands and almost fell over when he read the he adline. "What is it, Harry?" Ron asked over the top of Ginny's head. Harry took a deep breath and started reading. Most of the common room had tuned in to what they were saying. "Ministry of Magic Building Explosion," Harry start ed. "A little before noon today, the Ministry of Magic building burst into flame s. Hundreds are assumed dead, though actual numbers may never be known. Official s are searching for Master List of occupants." Harry stopped. There was no reason to go on. The rest of the article was just fu ll of speculation. "Harry," Ron said. "Hermione would still have been there." "Ron!" Ginny shrieked. "Are you not listening? Dad is dead!" "You don't know that," Ron said. "Yes, I do!" Ginny said. "Mum sent me a letter. His hand on the clock disappeare d." Harry looked at Ron as if to say 'You do what you have to do' and then took off to find McGonagall. Dumbledore had been at the Ministry, as well. He heard Ginny screaming behind him and Ron's footsteps coming behind him. "Harry, Hermione's dead," Ron said. "No," Harry said. "No." "Harry," Ron said. "The paper said no survivors." "They're wrong. We ned to find Mc-," he stopped as the woman in question came ar ound the corner. Harry put his hand against the wall to support himself when he saw Dumbledore next to her. "Where's Hermione?" Harry demanded. Dumbledore looked at the ground. "She's .among the other victims." "Why are you here then?" Harry asked. "Why are you here?" "I had to return and get some things for the trial." Harry let out a string of words that had McGonagall blushing. "I assure you, Mr. Potter, that if I had known what was going to happen, I never would have allowed her to go." "But it's very convenient that you were here!" Harry yelled. His vision had beco me blurry and he could feel tears running down his cheeks. He felt arms around his shoulders and looked up to see McGonagall glaring at Dum bledore. She suspected something, too. -One more chapter. I'm getting kind of sad. Also, it had been brought to my atte

ntion that the sequel to this story will be more like a continuation than an act ual sequel.-

Making My Head Spin, Chapter 57 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/887984/57/Making_My_Head_Spin By Slytherin Girl Author of 12 Stories 1. Back At Hogwarts2. A Talk With The Potion's Master3. Rej ection From The Cousins4. Discovery And The Dictator5. Tears And Tragedy6. Spies And Cuts7. Frank8. Diagon Alley And Best Friends9. His Past And His Friend10. L etters and a Day By the Lake11. Malfoy12. Library Happenings13. Halloween14. Dea theaters15. Frank Jr16. Among The Stars17. Halloween Fears18. Christmas Decision s19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christ...20. Vita Rivelatore21. Ice Skati ng22. Adorable23. Trouble24. I Just Wanna Be Mad25. Understanding But Not Agreei ng26. Draco27. And Time Passes28. Shopping29. Syrup30. Swimming And Sickness31. Sickness And Nightmares32. Nightmares And Reality33. Family34. Discussions Of Th e Future35. Diagon Alley36. Weasley Temper37. His House38. Attack Of The Pillows !39. Decisions40. Just Things41. And He Almost Dies42. Unpleasant Things43. His Story44. Spiders And Tears45. Halloween And Ron46. Home Again47. Unwanted Visito rs And Surprises48. Guests49. Fears, Tears, And Forgiveness50. Changes51. Trying To Move On52. The Shock Of It All53. Professor Austin54. And Then He Was Gone55 . The Funeral and Talks56. Exploding Events57. New Journeys Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Severus S. & Hermione G. - Reviews: 2,182 Updated: 08-19-05 - Published: 08-02-02 - Complete - id:887984 -The last chapter. Thank you all so much. I've been hesitant about posting this chapter. Hats off to those of you who figured out the buzzer Arthur Weasley hear d was Severus' escape alarm. I can't believe that this is it. The first chapter of See You On The Other Side, which is the sequel, will be up soon. Thank you al l so much!"Sev, what are we supposed to do?" Hermione asked as she held a damp paper towel to his head. He had received a cut from a flying piece of building. They were lucky that was all that happened. "They'll think we're dead," Severus said softly. "We'll have to hide until we ge t in touch with Minerva. She's the only one I trust." He looked around him. They had traveled as many blocks over as they could. Hermi one had transfigured their robes into muggle clothes so they didn't look so suspicious. She had pulle d them into a restaurant that she called McDonald's so that she could attend to his cut. He saw they had a problem. More than one problem. They had no money and they wer e hundreds of miles away from Hogwarts. They could track Hermione's wand if they used large charms and any charms that could get them there faster, would be tra cked. They had no way to get food and they couldn't send an owl in case it was i ntercepted. Dumbledore wanted them dead and as long as he thought they were, they were safe. He stilled Hermione's hand and brought her as close to him as he possibly could . She had begun to softly cry. "Sev, my family. Dumbledore is going to tell them we're dead. Harry and Ron." "We have to get to Hogsmeade: he said. "We'll become muggle hitchhikers." Within the hour they had stolen enough food to last a couple of days. Severus tr ied to ignore Hermione's words of warning that no one picked up hitchhikers anym

ore. He didn't believe her until it started to get dark and no one had even slow ed for them. "Sev, I hate to be negative, but I have to stop." Severus looked at her over his shoulder. Her hair was in disarray and she was sw eating. They had been walking for hours and it showed on her. He knew he loved h er when he still thought that she was beautiful. Looking around, he saw nothing but a small wood on the other side of the field. "How do you feel about camping?" He asked. Hermione nodded and grabbed his hand. She didn't want to camp out. She didn't wa nt to hike across Great Britain. She understood that if they were found Dumbledo re might do something and Severus, having never gone through his trial, would be arrested. "Sev, even if someone picks us up, where are we going to tell them to drop us of f? The village you can't see next to the goblin?" "Hogsmeade is a couple of hours away from Edinburgh. If we're dropped off there, it also won't be suspicious." "We're going to have to hike over mountains, aren't we?" Severus smiled and kissed the top of her head, pulling her into the wood. "I think it will be safe for you to start a small fire." Hermione cried herself to sleep that night and Severus did not sleep at all. He loved Hermione and he knew that he would have to protect her. He had a small amount of money stashed in Snape Manor. It might be enough to ren t a flat for a few months. If he could get in touch with Minerva, she might be a ble to help them. Hermione lay asleep, wrapped in his coat with him, but shivering. They could not continue like this. School would be over soon and then it would be less predica ble as to when Minerva would be in Hogsmeade. When the sun began to rise, Severus guiltily shook Hermione awake. The sooner th ey got going, the better. As she was groggily kissing him good-morning, he had an idea. "Take off your jacket," he said. "What?" "Trust me," he told her and removed his own jacket. "Roll it up and put it under your shirt." "You want me to be pregnant?" she asked in disbelief. "People will have more sympathy," he said and set his own coat over her shoulder s. Hermione looked up at him funny and then down to where her jacket was rounding h er midsection. They both had the same thought, but did not dwell on it. "We need to make sure anyone who drives by can see our baby." Hermione giggled at him. "Our baby?" "Well, if it isn't mine," Severus said. "I would like to know whose it is so tha t I can kill him." Hermione laughed at how ridiculous he was being as they headed out of the woods and along the road. It was only twenty minutes before the first car they saw slowed down. Severus ki ssed the top of Hermione's head and went to talk to the people who slowed down. It was a couple, he guessed a few years older than he was. As Severus approached the car, he saw them arguing with each other. The woman, on the passengers side , rolled down her window and smiled at him. "Do you need a ride?" She asked. Severus tried not to smile. "I am not able to pay you." The woman clucked at him. "She's too far along to be walking for long periods of time." "Where are you headed?" the man asked. "Hermione, my wife, has family in Edinburgh." "Edinburgh!" The woman exclaimed. "With no money!" Severus looked at the ground and then back at Hermione. "We were so excited about the baby," he said. "We still are, but everything went downhill."

"Get in the car, honey. It looks like it's about to rain." "It's England," Severus said. "It always looks like it is about to rain." He went over and whispered to Hermione. "Your family is in Edinburgh. Try not to say much." He opened the back door of the car and helped Hermione in. When the man started the car down the road, the woman turned around to look at them. "You aren't serial killers, are you?" She asked. Hermione giggled and Severus shook his head. "What are your names?" the man asked. "Severus," he answered. "And my wife, Hermione." "I'm Helen," the woman said. "And this is Mark. We were in London for business. We're going to open a bed and breakfast. We actually live a little east of Manch ester, so we can take you that far." Severus sighed. "I can not begin to thank you." Hermione, who had curled up against him, smiled. She and Helen talked and Severu s found himself floating in and out of sleep. They stopped a few times for food, and while Severus refused their charity, he folded when it came to Hermione, wh o made sure that she had a few bites of hers. It was long after nightfall when they pulled into a driveway that looked like ev ery other driveway around them. Hermione and Helen had talked about everything a nd Severus and Mark had found themselves smiling and nodding when they were ment ioned. "Come in and have dome dinner, stay the night, and then we'll see if we can find you a way to Scotland." Severus looked at Helen in shock. If they actually looked at Hermione, they woul d know that she wasn't pregnant. "Thank you," Severus said. "But we really need to get going." "Nonsense," Helen said. "It's started to rain again. Where are you going to slee p? Now take that jacket out of your shirt and come meet some actual children." Severus looked guiltily from Helen to Mark and then down to Hermione, who had he r face buried in his shoulder. "Don't be embarrassed, honey," Helen said. "Your baby has had a button since we picked you up." Severus looked down and saw that one of Hermione's buttons was clearly outlined. "Forgive us," Severus said quickly. "We-." Helen shushed him. "We figured you were desperate." "Are you her father or her uncle?" Mark asked. "That was what tipped us off." Severus struggled to keep his head and answered as politely as possible. "I assu re you that I am neither her father nor her uncle." "We actually have a daughter," Hermione said. "Cassie. She's in Scotland." Helen looked back and smiled at them, though it was clear that she didn't believ e them. "Come on in and get washed up. My daughter should have some pajamas that you can fit into, Hermione, and we'll find something for you, Severus." Severus wanted to scream at them for questioning his relationship with Hermione, but she put a hand on his arm. "Sev, they're giving us food and shelter. It doesn't matter what they think. I l ove you." "Yes, it does," he pouted. "I can't believe you're pouting," Hermione said and pulled her jacket out of her shirt and getting out of the car. Severus followed her into the house. The only muggle house he had been in, was G randma's, and this house was significantly smaller. "Kids!" Helen called up the stairs. "Your house is lovely," Hermione said. Severus didn't think it qualified as lovely, but he didn't say anything. His arm was securely wrapped around her waist and as nice as these muggles were being, he didn't trust them. Hermione watched as a girl about her age came down the stairs, saw them and roll ed her eyes. "One of these days, the people you pick up off the side of the road are you to k

ill you." Severus found himself mildly offended. As a boy, maybe a year or two older than the girl came down, he gave Hermione a once over, causing Severus to scowl. "This is Severus and Hermione," Helen said. "My children, Matthew and Danielle." Hermione smiled at them both. "Dani? Do you think you can show Hermione to the bathroom and find an old night shirt for her?" "Yeah. Come on, Hermione. You probably want to get away from your old man for aw hile." "I'm not old," Severus said. "She was refering to you as my father, Sev," Hermione said. "Which he isn't." "Did you kidnap her?" Matthew asked. "Matt," Helen warned, but suddenly looked tense. "He didn't kidnap me," Hermione insisted and Helen relaxed. "Anyway," Danielle said. "Come on." Hermione squeezed Severus' hand and followed the other girl up the stairs. "Would you like a cup of tea, Severus?" Helen asked. He nodded. When Hermione appeared again to him in an overly large nightshirt and sweatpants that were far too large for her, he smiled. Her hair was still wet and as soon as she sat down next to him and leaned over to steal his tea, he knew there woul d be a wet spot on his shoulder. "Severus, the bathroom's just at the top of the stairs. Mark can find you some s weats to sleep in." Severus stopped her. "I'll be fine." Hermione sent him a look that clearly said "Don't be long." He also encountered the problem of not being able to spell his hair dry. He returned to the others to find Hermione looking very uncomfortable. She smile d in relief at seeing him. "Tired, love?" he asked. She nodded. "Right," Helen said. "Severus, are you all right on the couch? Hermione, we have sleeping bags, if you're okay on Danielle's floor." Hermione nodded and Severus reluctantly agreed. He couldn't afford to argue abou t sleeping arrangements. Hermione kissed him on the cheek before being led upsta irs. He didn't like it. They didn't know these muggles. How did he know that Matthew wasn't going to rape Hermione in the middle of the night? He suddenly wished the y had run when they had the chance. Half an hour later, everyone had retired and Severus found himself on the couch in the weird muggle living room and covered by a funny smelling blanket. All he wanted to do was go upstairs and take Hermione from the house. "Sev?" Are you awake?" "I was just thinking about you." Hermione moved to lie with him on the couch. He quickly wrapped her in his arms. They didn't say anything else and both managed to fall into an uneasy sleep. The next thing Severus knew, he was waking to the smell of bacon and eggs. "Good-morning," Mark said from across the room. Severus replied and looked down at Hermione. She was already awake and smiling u p at him. He sat up and pulled her with him. No one mentioned anything about her sleeping downstairs. It was hard for Severus to just accept their hospitality and he insisted they le ave directly after breakfast. "I'm sorry," Helen said. "There isn't a way for us to help you get to Edinburgh. " Severus shook his head. "You've done more than you can possibly imagine." As soon as they were out of the neighborhood and back on the small road leading north, Severus pulled Hermione to him and kissed her deeply. "I don't like all muggles as much as your family." "They were nice, Sev." "We'll have to pay them back somehow." Hermione nodded.

They managed to get a few people to take them most of the way to Edinburgh. They would have to walk the rest of the way, but they figured the less they had to w alk until they reached Edinburgh, the better. "It's not the same studying without Hermione," Ron said. It had been two weeks s ince the Ministry explosion and another week before finals. "Hogsmeade tomorrow," Harry said. "It'll take out minds off things." Hermione watched carefully from under her cloak. Severus had stayed up in the mo untains. When she saw Harry and Ron, she sighed in relief. Everything would be fine.