Dreams and consequences

Disclaimer, see chapter one. I don’t own a dang thing. Not even a knut to my name let alone a sickle.


The Fat Lady, outraged by Hermione’s impertinence, left her frame and headed straight to the source, the paintings in the teacher’s idoridors. After hearing first hand how Miss Granger had been seen crying as she left the potion’s masters quarters. She decided that it was time to intervene, she headed off in search of the headmaster.
******************************************************************************
Filch was outraged. He had been slipping the gryffindor prefect a love potion for years now, and last night he had given her a full dose. He couldn’t understand why she ran from him last night, aftel, wl, with that dose, she should have found him, indeed, the mere thought of him irresistible. Instead, when she heard his voice, she ran. Following her, he was surprised to find her in professor Snape’s rooms. It was obvious to him that there was no ongoing love affair, there couldn’t possibly have been. To show otherwise would risk exposure of what he had done. After closing the door, he waited to hear what would happen. After several minutes, he heard Hermiones’ declarations, and her curse. The door flew open, and out she ran, never looking behind her.
‘I never should have trustedove ove potion brewed by Snape.’ he thought to himself, as he slowly returned to his own quarters. He had some thinking to do.
*****************************************************************************
Rejuvenated from her shower, she quickly dressed in her best dress robes thhe hhe had bought for her graduation. She worked her hair into curls and piled them on her head. They gave her a look of sophistication that she would sorely need to handle giving a speech in front of her peers, and their parents, many of whom were of pureblood decent. “You look lovely, dear.” The enchanted mirror opined. “Might I suggest the silver earrings your parents sent as a graduation present?” Hermione nodded, and gently picked them up. The delicate filigree design looked to be held together by magic. Placing them in her ears, she noticed that they caught the light and made her feel beautiful. Her lips were still slightly swollen from the kisses she’d been recipient to the night before, but she hoped no one would likely notice. She hugged the memory of his kisses to herself.
Smoothing her hands down her robes one final time, she turned to place her feet into her waiting shoes. One hand pressed against the bed, she rooted underneath with her stocking foot for the dress shoe she knew to be underneath it. She was surprised to see a note land gently on her bed near her hand. Gently she picked it up, broke the seal, and began to read.


Miss Granger, please report to my office at once. There is a matter that needs to be discussed. The password is root beer float.

Albus Dumbledore.

Anxiety churner ser stomach. The Headmaster knew, the certaintly hit her like a jolt from a blast ended skrewt. It seemed her world was falling apart for one silly mistake. Taking a firm grip on herself, she schooled her features into a facade of calmness and made her way to his office.
******************************************************************************
Severus had the untenable position of keeping order as the parents of the graduating class began arriving. Pointing them towards seats was the last thing he wanted to be doing. How the headmaster got away with assigning his this baleful chore, he was unsure. All he could recall was a game of cards, played with generous amounts of fire whisky, and a wager that apparently he had lost. Working in close proximity to Filch was not a chore he enjoyed. The man was revolting, and Snape was sure he had stolen some potions from him on more than one occasion.
Filch had been looking daggers at him all day. That was quite odd. Had he not already been in a foul mood, he would have welcomed the opportunity to place that mangy old squib in his place. As it was, to keep the peace, Severus ignored him, the students would be leaving today, and wilth luck, Severus wouldn\'t be long in following.
Minerva entered the great hall, spotted Severus and made her way towards him. Casting a whispering charm she uttered her message for his ears only. \"You are wanted in the Headmaster’s office.\" Her sour expression told him she did not relish taking over the seating arrangements.
Whatever would the Headmaster want him in his office for? He made his way to Filch, and mentioned he was needed in the headmasters office. With an air of one given a last minute reprieve, he turned and left the cacophony of the great hall in Minerva and Filch’s adequate hands.
****************************************************************
As Hermione approached the gargoyle she was dismayed to see that professor Snape was also heading in her direction. She waited, apprehension making her slightly pale.
“What are you doing here, you silly little girl?” Snape asked insultingly. Towering over her, hntinntinued. “The headmaster is much too busy, even for the head girl, especially on a day like today.”
A prayer was running through her mind, \'Please let the headmaster not have found out. Please, let the headmaster want something else. PLEASE let the headmaster....\'
Snape said the password for the gargoyle yet it didn’t move. Funny, Albus must have changed it yet again, Hmm, he was onto muggle soft drinks lately. “Lemonade?” Stawberry? Citrus cooler?
Hermione, startled, realized the professor was quietly whispering passwords. She cleared her throat and said with a confidence she didn’t feel her voice ringing with authority,“Root beer float.” The gargoyle sprang aside revealing the staircase that led upwards.
Hermione stepped on quicky, Snape had no choice but to follow Hermione. She turned and faced him, her eyes level with his, he could see her bottom lip caught nervously in her teeth, worrying needlessly. A look of resolution settled on her features after a moment, and she startled him by speaking. “Professor, before we get up there, there is something I must tell you.”

****************************************************************