an awfully big adventure...

The shrouded figure gave a low choked sort of cough, and caught by complete surprise, Hermione and Sirius whipped their head\'s around to face a furious figure.

\"Harry...\"

Hermione uttered softly, not knowing exactly what to say. Sirius looked suddenly very uncomfortable, and was shifting from foot to foot as if he had been expecting someone else.

\"’Allo Harry.\" Black said with a sullen look on his face.

Harry was breathing raggedly, and glaring so harshly at a blushing Hermione that she couldn\'t even meet his eyes.

\"I came to apologize for my actions earlier, Hermione.\" H ask asked growling, his dark hair mussed and wearing his Quidditch uniform.

\"And I catch you here...with my uncle.\"

Hermione was about to answer, but couldn\'t find the words. Black wasn\'t saying anything, but just looking sheepish. He stepped away from Hermione who was trying desperately not to break down and cry.

Harry didn’t say anything for a moment, and Hermione felt her knees numb in fear, fear of a young man she knew and loved like a brother, but who had strange powers not everyone could explain…now it looked like his scar was pulsating.

Hermione the gentle scraping of robes over the cobblestone floor, like floating dry leaves hitting the ground.

Suddenly Snape was there, looking at all three of them with a confused squint on his sallow face, his eyes flicked from Black’s, a very bewildered look to Harry and a disapproving look to Hermione.

\"I leave for five minutes, and we have a sudden congregation in the storage room?\" he said with his usual sardonic mirth, his eyes still on her.

Hermione looked to his smirking face, to a man, who had been kind to her, helped her when she thought she was lost, a man she had developed true passion for and now she had gone and heedlessly kissed Black...or was it, he kissed her?

No matter. Either way, all chances with getting on with Snape were gone, not that she had a chance in the first place. This realization killed her.

\"I\'m sorry.\"

Hermione said, rushing past Harry and Snape and with a choked sob, headed out the door of the Potion\'s lab. Harry and Snape eyed each other, confused and both wondering who she had apologized to.
______________________________

Back in her head girl room, Hermione was pacing around her large bed, furious with herself and scared…but of what?

She berated herself time and time again that night, wondering what had made her kiss Black back so certainly.

She knew better than to fall for it, surely he was only trying to anger Severus…not that it would have worked…would it have?

She brushed her fingers over her tingling lips, tears slipping down her cheeks now. She let out an exasperated sigh now, flopping onto her bed miserably.

She could help that she still harbored those feelings for Black. It was a school girl crush that had gone on far too long.

His kisses had been nothing she had longed for, they were sloppy and halted and she somehow knew Snape would have done it better.

“NOT THAT IT MATTERS!” She shrieked angrily to herself, flipping the blankets over her head.

Snape was a bitter, greasy git Potions master, who probably wouldn’t even know what to do with a woman if she approached him naked…this made Hermione sort of smile…how endearing, an embarrassed Snape blushing and stammering...hee hee.

But no, somehow she believed he would be a man who was cunning in his seduction. Whose hands would be excruciatingly skillful and surprisingly tender.

Oh God, what the hell was she thinking? He was her TEACHER! HER TEACHER!!!

She pulled the large goosefeather pillow over her head, holding it in place with her sprawled arms. Sleep suddenly very inticing.

She fell into a dream-filled sleep, one where she felt cared for, but when she awoke the next day, couldn’t recall any of it.

. . . . . . . . . . . .

“Why were you kissing her?”

Sirius was trying to remain calmly to his godson the next afternoon. They were sitting in Black’s office, sipping tea…well, at least trying to.

Harry refused to sit, but merely stood, arms crossed and furiously glaring at the man he had trusted with everything.

“Why were you kissing her, Sirius?”

Black fumbled about in his seat, wriggling and trying to look placid. How could he lie?

He had been waiting for Severus that night before, waiting for him to walk in on Hermione and he, and go into a jealous rage…what a turn on.

‘Who says he would have picked you?’ said a voice. Black dismissed it instantly. There was always next time. The problem at hand was lying to Harry…and convincing him. He waited for a brilliant idea to come to him, that would cause Harry to nod and move on .

Nothing came.

Well, here goes.

“I was trying to…well, cause someone to be jealous.”

The words were halted and awkward, and Harry scrunched up his face, perplexed.

“By kissing Hermione? The only other person there was Snape…” at this Harry began to chuckle darkly, “And surely you weren’t-“

He stopped mid sentence as he saw Black’s face redden slightly on his tan cheeks. Harry felt his stomach drop as he continued in a strangled voice.

“You were trying to make…Snape jealous?”

Sirius took a deep gulp of air, trying to think of how to construe this in his favor. No. No point, the boy was clever and would soon find out from Hermione surely. Plus, his mind was a nervous blank.

“Yes. I was.”

Harry thought of this a moment, perhaps he was overreacting. There had to be a probable reason...suddenly a light flickered into his emerald eyes.

“Oh, did you have a bet, with Snape?” Harry asked as if fitting the puzzle pieces together. Black’s eyes widened a moment, and then he smirked and nodded.

“Yes…yes, exactly.” Black said emphatically. Harry relaxed a bit. He knew his uncle wasn’t…

“Oh.” Suddenly Harry’s stomach dropped again. “Snape and you both like Hermione?”

Black stopped at this. Thinking critically. She was after all Harry’s good friend. He shook his head airily, continuing after a deep sip of tea.

“Er…actually Harry. Please, don’t tell Hermione this. But, Snape and I er…had a bet going on. For, er…who could kiss Hermione first. I won evidently, but wanted Snape to see as to prove I wasn’t lying-“

He continued rambling, making his story seem more and more plausible, and when Harry seemed to be convinced he ended with a short,“ And that’s why I was kissing Hermione.”

“Oh.” Harry nodded, looking to his godfather darkly. “That was a really cruel thing to do, Sirius.”

Sirius nodded, “I know Harry, I really feel terrible about it.” Sirius said, a weight lifted from his shoulders and chest. Harry nodded once more, and sort of gri. “P. “Please don’t tell Hermione, it would crush her.”

Harry didn’t seem to take this into consideration, his mind elsewhere as he collapsed onto the nearby armchair.

“Snape was going to try and kiss Hermione?” Harry said, almost laughing, “Good luck. She wouldn’t let the greasy git near her.”
____________________________________________

February 14. Valentines Day. What a bloody joke.

Hermione was walking down the halls, on her way to the usually desolate Library. She was very surprised to see it filled to the brim with students from all ages.

“What are you all doing here?” Hermione asked a nearby crowd.

“It’s Valentine’s Day.” Said a small Ravenclaw,

Hermione shrugged, obviously confused. “So?”

“So, everyone’s getting out books on Love potions.” The girl answered matter of factly, as if anyone would have known.

Hermione’s heart sank; it had been almost 6 months since her love potion fiasco. Snape had promised to have in done in five…liar.

She now had moved past lusting after him, and knowing she couldn’t have him, to just plain hating him. She knew she had better not bother in even liking him.

It was rather embarrassing the way she thought about him in class, and he always seemed a little flustered around her. No. No more thoughts of him.

The pink decorations floated all around as she clamored down the hall, looking even more sullen than Snape was…if that was possible.

Speaking of the devil… Snape was coming from one end of the hall, headed towards the breakfast Hall as well, looking at everyone miserably, and actually stalking down the hall with his arms crossed. His breath caught in his throat though as he saw her…

God he was such an adolescent. Everything told him to stay away from her, not get too close. But, when he saw her a few feet away, coming from the other adjoiningl hel he felt himself get all rubbery and flustered, thinking of things to say to her when he reached her.

When she had gone from that annoying know it all Gryffindor to that mature, charming and brilliant young woman was beyond him…he couldn’t remember falling for her…it seemed to have just…happened. Not that he loved her. Love was too much. No…he just wanted her in the sack.

He constantly told himself this, and felt himself cringe at the rudeness of his lying thoughts. She was just a challenge is all. He lowered his pulse, breathing heavily and casually glided towards her, making it seem as if he didn’t notice her.

He waited for her to say something to him as he reached the doors, beside her. His breath stopped as he felt the heat from her body next to his. Soon, she would say something to him…

She didn’t.

She hurriedly pushed the large doors ahead of her, looking at him out of the corner of her eyes and rushing to join a Ron and Harry.

They had resolved their differences, strange as it was. Harry seemed to even…be a little nicer to her. She wasn’t sure why he was acting like this, but he was her friend again and that was all that mattered.

Ron on the other hand was totally unpredictable, and Hermione repeatedly had to run off for fear of his increasingly bold libido.

She looked to a glowing Black, who was happily munching on his toast and sipping butterbeer as he chatted gaily with McGonagal. Hermione sighed at his happy outlook.

Ever since that kiss in the storage room, things had been totally awkward. No. Past awkard. Painful.

Her marks never suffered, but her ego did. She knew deep inside it was all a play to get Snape to walk in and catch them, and get her into trouble so he could have him all to himself. But, that was the price she would pay for her loneliness. She asked for it as soon as she brewed that stupid potion.

She felt her gaze slip over to the door where Snape was still standing, looking even more cross than usual. He glared at her surreptitiously and she felt her eyes dart back to her meal.

As he passed the streamers that hung from the doorframes he snarled and clawed at them. He was past irritated. That stupid Granger girl was irritating him so much it was almost unbearable.

Why should he care? Why should it matter than she didn’t speak to him. Fine, two could play that game. He’d show her.

He felt a small and evil smirk play about on his lips. Hermione noticed this and tried to ignore him as he slid past her, his robes brushing against her back. She stiffened immediately, forcing eggs into her mouth in an almost robotic fashion.

Snape made his way up to the front of the Hall, no one seemed to notice, save for Hermione who was trying to casually glance over at him time from time, telling herself she was looking around.

She saw him sit next to Black, and start eating breakfast. Her heart sank as she rubbed her eyes, obviously disbelieving what she was seeing.

“What the-“ Ron had noticed as well. “I thought he hated him.”

Harry, Ron and Hermione were all now looking at Sirius and Snape who were talking secretively to themselves, with Snape snatching glances at Hermione every now and then. Only Harry seemed to notice this, and was completely befuddled.

“Are you still helping him with that potion?” Ron asked suddenly, Harry looked to Hermione confused.

“You’re still making that werewolf potion?” he asked suspiciously. Hermione gave a worried look to Ron who was turning pale.

Suddenly as if on cue hundreds of owls flew in, dropping packages with pink paper and hearts on cards all over, to excited kids at all the tables.

Hermione was momentarily relieved, and noticed a small gold envelope that had landed on her plate. She lifted it gingerly, seeing her name flashing on it in dark ink that seemed to sparkle. She was about to open it when Harry’s booming voice invaded her thoughts.

“Well Hermione?”

Right. The werewolf lie.

“Oh, yes.” Hermione said calmly, “You see, Harry… Snape, Black and I have been working on it quite a bit. Were worried about Lupin and have been working like mad to find a good cure…you know…so there’s no more relapses.”

Game and match, Hermione.

Harry nodded, believing this and sipping his drink. Hermione shot a nasty look to Ron, and back to Snape and Black who were still talking, although it seemed to pain Snape a bit.

“Well are you helping him tonight?” Ron asked again, Hermione shrugged.

“I’m asking because I wanted to ask you to help me study.” Ron added slowly, gauging Hermione’s reaction, which was as usual; horrified disgust.

“Oh, I think I am.” She lied, forcing a smile. “Sorry.”

Ron looked angry a moment, his cheeks flaming almost a shade darker than his hair. Then he relaxed, and a small smirk erupted onto his freckled face.

“Prove it.”

Two simple words that caused so much pain. Hermione choked on her eggs and looked up to his beaming face.

“Huh?”

Ron sipped his drink casually, “I mean, you’re always working there. Ask him right now if you’re working tonight, maybe he’ll give you the night off. I’ll go with you.”

At this he stood and waltzing around the table, promptly clamped his hand around her shoulder and lifted her shaking form from the table.

“No. Ron, I’ll do it later…you know…when there are less people around.” Hermione offered nervously, seeing that Snape was noticing Ron dragging her up to see him.

There were a few giggles and pointing as Hermione refused to move. Ron dragged her effortlessly, years of Quidditch had done that to him.

“Ron!” Hermione yelped as they got closer, and her heart began beating faster and faster until that was all she could hear.

Then they were standing at the head table, a few meters away from Black and Snape who had ceased talking, and were now eyeing the two newcomers.

“Hello professors.” Ron beamed jovially, looking evilly to a humiliated Hermione, who refused to make eye contact with either of them.

“Allo Ron, Hermione.” Black said softly, looking at them with irritated politeness. Obviously they had intruded on something importantly private.

Snape looked to Hermione whose face was slowly turning into a rosy hue, which he found to be all too delightful.

“Hello Weasely…Granger.” Snape offered silkily, his voice slowly trailing over her last name. Hermione felt her face prick with heat as she finally met his eyes. To her surprise he was sort of smiling…no…smirking.

“Hermione just wanted to check something with you, Professor Snape.” Ron said off handedly, looking to Black who was fuming.

“Then why are you here?” Snape hissed, he wanted Hermione alone and vulnerable. Putty in his masterful hands. Ron bowed off moved back a bit. Hermione took a deep breath, nervous as hell and not knowing why.

“Er…Professor Snape.” She started, as stoostood off a few feet, still listening. “I just wanted to know if you were going to require my assistance tonight.” God that sounded weird to her.

“Why, Miss Granger. It’s Valentine’s Day.” Snape said slyly, as Hermione raised a quizzical eyebrow. She shrugged suddenly, since when did he care about holidays, this one in particular?

“So?”

Snape almost chuckled at her response, but stopped himself. Black was looking to him longingly, and miserably now that she was here. He almost went back to his breakfast when Snape spoke sharply.

“I have plans.”

Hermione and Black both looked to Snape in shock. Hermione actually felt her heart drop as Black dumbfoundedly dropped his fork on his plate.

“Oh.” Hermione said casually, as if she didn’t really believe him. Snape decided to go for the jugular. He almost regretted what he was going to do.

“Plus, Black has offered to resume the Potion making tonight alongside me, and as I have accepted your assistance is not required.” Snape said casually, sipping his tea.

Black looked to him shocked, and suddenly shot Hermione a smug grin. Hermione felt herself go all scrunchy inside, and couldn’t quite bring herself to do anything, as she was stunned, and obviously didn’t know what to say.

But Ron certainly did.

“That’s great, Hermione!” Ron said enthusiastically coming over to her, “Then you can help me study.” Then he added, not noticing Snape’s unwavering gaze on them, “And then…perhaps…dinner?”

Suddenly as if a challenge had started, Hermione forced a smile on her face, and ignoring Snape’s dark glare answered brashly.

“I’d love to.”