Hi! This is my first Hermione fanfiction so I hope you guys like it! Sort of a typical HermioneSnape story but I aim to entertain! I know you'll like where it goes.

I didn't want to rate the story M right now as it'll be a while before it becomes explicit but I will forewarn you that it will eventually come.

You'll get told this a lot but please review! It helps me so much. Even if you just want to point out a grammar error; all feedback is welcome and will be put into action as best as I can.

Enjoy! - I don't own Harry Potter.

Hermione studied Ron as he paced, her muscles were clenched uneasily; ready in case Ron exploded. She had known him long enough to know when Ron paced quietly; there was deep thinking, a lot of confusion and most likely a whopping great build up of anger ready to be released. Feeling she should say something, she let her arms fall down to her sides and anxiously stepped forwards, this reminded Ron that she was still in the room and he span on his heal and tried to scowl at her. Hermione easily saw there was no heat to it, just sadness and disappointment.

"I'm sorry, Ron." Hermione told him, accepting the guilt and responsibility of Ron's poignant emotions. "I had all these emotions built up, my head was a mess...I don't know why I kissed you." She explained, cowardly lowering her gaze as she couldn't stand looking into his agonizing eyes. "You have to understand, Ron. I've only ever see you as a best friend, as a brother." Hermione fought down the urge to roll her eyes at her own explanation and apology. It was so cliché that she could almost hear the male chants of 'friend zone' echoing in her mind. That however was her own fault, over the summer after the war; she had made some human acquaintances; all male. They were childish and naive but that was exactly the type of atmosphere she had to come down from the war in. She hadn't seen Ron or Harry for weeks and it felt almost awkward now that they were returning to Hogwarts together for their final year. The Golden Trio that didn't really feel like a trio anymore. Ron had obviously been thinking about her a lot over the time apart, not just about her but about them as a couple. Hermione wanted to kick herself for not writing to Ron and explaining this all sooner, he could have used the rest of the summer to get over her.

"I don't believe you." Ron replied; his voice quivered with nerves. It was clear that he did believe her; he just didn't want to. "I think you feel something for me, it's always been there; the small actions you've done and how you tried to make me jealous when I was dating Lav." Hermione couldn't hold back the roll of the eyes this time, Lav short for Lavender. Hermione could not stand the witch, not because she was with Ron but because she was an immature, unappreciative, disrespectful girl that made stupid girly noises and was a major attention-seeker. Her guilt then did pang in her chest tightly, Lavender may have been all of those things at the time but she was still a brave witch that was sadly lost in the battle. "I'm not going to stop fighting for you, 'Mione. As soon as things are back to normal, you'll feel for me again." He continued with hopeful eyes and determination in his voice. Oblivious to Hermione's saddening state, she had thought too much on those lost throughout the summer that she had taken herself to extremes to be distracted.

"Ron, I don't want you to court me." Hermione sighed despairingly, wishing he would just accept this for what it was.

"You'll change your mind, I know you will." He added quickly, Hermione looked back up at him and inwardly groaned. His sadness was now replaced with excitement and sheer stubbornness. He wasn't going to let this go so her only option was to let him realise it himself over time. Ron turned and headed towards the door at the sound of his mother that was now shouting up the stairs about tea being ready. "'Mione..." Ron mumbled, turning just as he reached the door. "Do you have a crush on Harry?" He asked, looking like a wounded puppy at the thought. Hermione swallowed her irritation. Not wanting Ron to mistake the silence for an answer, which she knew he would; she sighed again not holding back on the frustration she felt for the situation.

"No, Ron. I do not fancy Harry, either. I see him like a brother too." Ron took this as a positive thing and a smile returned to his face. Clearly he had ignored the word 'either' even though it was said purposefully. He left the room and a few seconds later, she heard him running down the stairs. Hermione wanted to relax now that she was alone but her body refused and she knew her tension for a Ron explosion had turned to dread for a Ron expectation. He was going to be hurt in the end and she just hoped she could formulate a plan to ease that before it was too late, maybe Ginny or Luna could help her. She made a mental note to enquire about it. Pushing her dread for Ron's undivided attention to one side, she smiled happily at the fact in less than 24 hours; she'd be in her familiar four post bed in Hogwarts which thankfully was a place in which Ronald could not disturb her.

Hermione settled herself comfortably at the end of the Gryffindor table and gazed around intriguingly to see what other students had come back for their eighth year. She wasn't surprised to see Neville, Seamus, and Ginny of course who was now in her 7th year. Dean Thomas and Nigel Wolpert also came back for their 8th year; that made the 7 of them from Gryffindor. As Hermione continued her sweep of the hall, she noticed that there were two Ravenclaw eighth years that she could see; one of which was Luna, the other was Michael Corner. There were 3 from Hufflepuff, Ernie McMillan, Hannah Abbott and Justin Finch-Fletchley. All of which she expected to see, she was disappointed that the Patil twins hadn't returned but supposed not everyone would want to come back to the ruins of Hogwarts. Ruins which from the looks of things were well underway of being repaired, Hermione was in awe at how fast the castle had been rebuilt in their absence. It was like starting a new school again what with some of the changes Minerva had made.

"Malfoy clearly has a death wish." Ron grumbled, craning his neck and wearing a look of extreme displeasure in the direction of Draco Malfoy who was sitting with the other eighth year Slytherin's. Draco had returned along with Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson, Miles Bletchley and Millicent Bulstrode. She was surprised so many of them had come back but scolded herself mentally, they had the same right to their education.

"They clearly care about finishing their education, as should you therefore I advise you leave Draco alone this year." Hermione said stiffly, not meeting the eyes of her fellow Gryffindor's that sat around her as she noticed all their eyes looked at her.

"You act as if we've been the ones bullying him since first year." Ron mumbled, frowning at her but she could tell her was restraining himself from accusing her or scowling. It pained her to admit that it might be a good thing Ron was trying to stay in her good books this year, she didn't have the patience to keep indulging in this house hatred that he and Harry still kept up with Slytherin.

"Nonsense," she replied; scanning her eyes over Ron's shoulder at Draco who was staring down at the table. He looked frail even from where she sat; his shoulders slouched and his longer hair fell down in front of his face. All in all, it was clear to her that Draco had much to think about already without her fellow Gryffindor's making his life harder. "I am aware of Draco's faults and tactics in handling us all but this year is supposedly a new start. Do you all really want to fall back into old patterns?" Hermione asked, as she looked into the eyes of her eighth year friends and some of the seventh years that looked her way; most of them bowed their heads a little or diverted their eyes from her direction. "We're here to sit our exams and ensure we have the best paths ahead of us. I doubt quarrelling with Draco and his friends will benefit that in the slightest." She added when Ron didn't look discouraged, he shrugged a little.

"I suppose but it doesn't mean we have to go easy on them if they disagree with your 'all for education' speech which they most likely will." He scoffed, he didn't look back at her though and Hermione could see how his cheeks were flushed. She locked eyes with Ginny who sent her a small smile and rolled her eyes once she saw the state of Ron's blush. Hermione bit down the urge to giggle and coughed dignity into her hand.

"I don't doubt that for a second, Ronald." Hermione smirked at the top of his head as he too slouched and suddenly found fascination in his plate. Hermione sighed softly as she found her gaze back over at Draco; none of the others had asked why she had suddenly started addressing him by his first name. She was glad seeing as it had slipped out the first time and she didn't want to sound unsure in her statement so had said it again. It still felt foreign to her to do so but figured if she kept it up; it might eventually sound normal. Draco, however, would not be pleased; she knew as much but she also knew he had to pick his battles here. Surely her addressing him by his first name would be overlooked considering most of the school probably hated or feared him. Draco looked up from his plate and their eye contact held for a few long seconds which didn't go unnoticed. She knew she should look away but she wanted him to understand that she saw them as equals and if she looked away first; she knew he wouldn't get that message.

Unfortunately, she did break the eye contact first because Minerva had started to speak. She was thrilled Minerva announced she would be taking on the role as Head Mistress of Hogwarts. Most students had expected it but Hermione knew there was a lot more to it than that, she had the pleasure of staying with Minerva over the summer and had been included in a lot of conversation on what was best for the school and for its students. She had agreed with Professor Snape and Poppy when they pressed that Minerva was what was best for both. Hermione wasn't doubtful in that matter, she also didn't want a new Head Mistress or Head Master that she didn't know and who could have done a terrible job following Professor Dumbledore. At least Minerva had respect and loyal students. She was sure to do stupendously.

Hermione exited the girls' bathrooms with a headache, a headache that had formed irritably during the welcoming feast. Ron had outdone himself with his constant complaints and insults that were for Professor Snape. She had assumed his return to being Head of Slytherin and their potions professor would cause a stir, she had not premeditated on hearing so much of that stir though. At one point she was close to thrashing Ron over the head with her plate just to shut him up, after an hour of defending Professor Snape she realised that nobody was going to concur with her on his actual kindness except Harry. The conversation on the matter only ended when she and Ginny left Ron at the table with Harry, Nigel and Dean; even Neville and Seamus had left earlier than usual just to get away from Ron's irritating voice that rang through her ears even now.

Hermione had changed into her night clothes and was padding bare feet back up to her dormitory when Harry's voice caught her attention; he was calling up to her from the bottom of the staircase. She gravely hoped that Ron was nowhere near as she would throttle him if she heard another word come out of his mouth tonight regarding any matter. She took herself back down to the common room, abandoning her school robes on a stair nears the bathrooms. Harry was still in his robes she noticed; evidently he was in no rush to be in bed. He looked her over warily in her now womanly pyjamas that Minerva had insisted every young woman should advance into, so much that she folded her arms across her stomach and squared her shoulders; hoping he would hasten up with what he had to say.

"Ron wanted me to tell you that he's sorry and that he will make it up to you." He told her, conscious of how stupid it was for him to have to pass on this information. "He really doesn't want to give up on you, I have tried to help him see differently but he's Ron. He definitely gets his stubbornness from Mrs Weasley." Harry continued when he realised she was not happy about this relay of text, she wanted to forget about Ron's expectation that she was succumb to his wants and they would get married and have his children; being known as the new Mrs Weasley. She shuddered at the thought, not that whoever Ron did marry wouldn't be a wonderful Mrs Weasley and there was no disrespect to Molly but Hermione wanted to be as far away from the title as possible.

"Ron will see eventually. I should be getting to bed; we have a long morning tomorrow." She murmured, taking his Harry's state now as best she could with his eyes averting her; it seemed her womanly attire unnerved him. Harry didn't look great, he hadn't for a long time now but his skin seemed paler and she briefly wondered if he had actually left Grimmauld Place at all since he got there at the start of the summer. He wasn't sleeping which was evident from the bruises under his eyes from lack of sleep; nightmares probably. He had lost so much that it wasn't surprising, she wondered if he was seeing any professionals and talking out his problems; not likely. Therefore she would take it up as her job to be there for him, she needed to ensure he knew that. She could also deduct that he was eating little, clenching her teeth at her foolishness this evening; she made a mental note to observe Harry's eating habits for a few days before going to Poppy and enquiring about medical help for him. "Harry," she started; at the same time he went to say something.

"You go." He smiled gently at her, she paused but then smiled warmly back at him.

"I just want you to know that even though this is a new start for us all, that I'm here for you as I always have been and I trust in that you will come to me when you need someone to listen. Keeping things to yourself has never done well in your favour." Hermione told him, Harry seemed happy enough at the sentiment and nodded.

"Of course." He replied sincerely, "I'd like to ask the same of you though, I haven't heard from you all summer and I'd like to hear about what you've been up to." He told her, narrowing his eyes ever so slightly as he studied her reaction. She continued her smile though, hoping Harry would buy it. Hermione would tell Harry of her summer, most of which he wouldn't want to know about but if he asked; she had nothing to hide. It was the reasons behind which she wasn't sure she wanted him to know about though, Harry had suffered a lot more than she had; Ron also. She didn't want to bother him with her own minor feelings on everything that had happened.

"Of course, Harry. I better go; Ginny will think I'm battling another Troll." Hermione smirked; Harry grinned at the joke and nodded.

"Tell her a good night from me, you too. Sleep well, Hermione." Harry sighed tiredly, he left swiftly and Hermione retreated back up the stone stairs; gathering her robes on the way up. As she entered her dorm, she noticed that Ginny was the only girl in there. She was stroking Pig's feathers while writing a letter at her desk. Hermione had been thrilled to find out that since there was no other 8th year girls' back at Hogwarts for Gryffindor; she would be roommates with a few 7th year girls'. She and Ginny had made the arrangements immediately so that when she proposed her scenario to Minerva she couldn't possibly deny the two witches of what they wanted.

"Harry says good night." Hermione told Ginny, placing her robes into the trunk at the bottom of her bed. She pulled the sheets out from their tight fitting around the mattress and climbed under her sheets; crossing her legs and resting her back against the headboard. Ginny finished up with what she was doing before she sent Pig on his way and joined Hermione, sitting at the bottom her bed with her own legs crossed.

"How did Connor deal with your farewell?" Ginny asked, practically beaming from ear to ear at the topic of conversation. Hermione also found herself smiling, telling Ginny about Connor had been the right thing to do; it also brought normality about between the two of them. Neither had been able to discuss something as minor as a fling since the Dark Lord and the war had come about. Now that it was all done and dusted; they could talk about boys until their hearts content.

"He was mature about it; I promised I would see him next summer." Hermione replied, remembering how disappointed he was that she was leaving to go back to school. As far as he knew, she was attending a boarding school in America. They were not dating though; Hermione had made sure he understood that factor before she left too. She had no intention on dating anybody until she was secure in her career as a teacher. Hermione had been surprised when it finally occurred to her that teaching was what she was meant for, as well as learning but Minerva and Poppy had reacted like they had known it all along. Even Professor Snape had muttered 'obviously' in his drawn out sarcastic voice when she announced it. Ginny was thrilled Hermione had set direction in which she wanted to go and Hermione was thrilled when Ginny did also; Ginny wants to become a healer which Hermione knew would suit Ginny greatly.

"He sounds so sweet." Ginny sighed happily. Hermione smirked a little but then frowned realising that Ginny's relationship with Harry must be far from sweet right now.

"How is Harry coping, Ginny?" Hermione asked; her voice quiet. Ginny's happy smile turned into a bittersweet one; sadness in her eyes.

"I'm not sure he is. We're happy, I know we are. He loves me, I'm sure of it; I don't doubt that things aren't going to work out for us but he's not his normal self. He's withdrawn and when I try to take care of him; he pulls away from me. I'm not sure what to do with him anymore." She explained, fidgeting with the hem of her pyjama top. Hermione nodded, this just confirmed her earlier thoughts regarding Harry's state.

"Don't worry, Gin. We're not going to let anything happen to our Harry." Hermione said softly, Ginny nodded in agreement. Both of them settled into a comfortable silence, deducting plans in which they could assist Harry as best as possible.

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