*****THERE HAVE BEEN NO CHANGES MADE TO THIS STORY, AND NO UPDATES. I HAVE COMBINED THIS CHAPTER AND THE AUTHOR'S NOTES TO COMPLY WITH FANFICTION.COM'S NEW RULES.******** 04/02/04

A/N: Very sorry for the extremely short tease of a chapter…my muse was on vacation. George is having a little talk with him right now…on a happier note, Wow! 92 reviews! Come one people! 8 more! Wooo-hoooo! *Does cowgirl dance* Thank you all so much!

Chapter Eleven:

Hermione wandered into the library late that night. She'd been having nightmares. The kind where you're all alone in a dark room, and you walk to the only window, and suddenly you're falling. Hermione never finished the dream. Not that she wanted to, it was the idea of the landing she never saw that scared her. Hermione ran her fingers across the spines of Snape's many books. She stopped at a likely looking one, and pulled it out. Hermione walked to the couch and started to read.

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"HERMIONE?"

Hermione jerked awake. She pushed the book off her chest and sat up, looking around the library. Soft rays of light filtered through the windows. Snape came bursting through the door. He froze when he saw her, and his expression softened from fear to relief. He walked over and pulled her into a one-armed hug.

"Do you know what you did? You scared me half out of my mind, that's what you did!" He was mumbling.

"What?"

"You weren't in your room, or the sitting room, or the Dining Hall! I've been calling you for half an hour!" He griped.

"Oh. I couldn't sleep so I came in here last night. And next time, look here first. You should know that by now." Hermione pointed out.

"I suppose that's true." Snape mused.

"Um, Severus? Are you going to let me go now?" Hermione asked.

"No!" Snape grumbled, pulling her down to the couch.

"Why Sev! I didn't know you cared!" Hermione laughed.

"You WILL pay for that!" he groaned.

"How?" Hermione had a mischievous grin playing on her lips.

"Oh, no! Don't think you'll get away that easy!" but before he could finish Hermione had crashed her lips to his.

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Hermione and Snape stood over a boiling cauldron in a spotless laboratory. Various things floated around in jars that covered the shelves along the walls, and ingredients were scattered over the table. He had been training her for a week, and they had already made amazing progress. Her drive to work was endless, and Snape often found himself having to drag her away.

"Hermione, you need sleep!"

"Just another hour and --"

Snape wrapped his arms around her from behind. Hermione's heart stopped and butterflies started dancing on around inside her. She couldn't believe a simple touch from him still had this affect on her! Snape slowly pulled her away from the cauldron, kissing her neck as he went.

"We need to go to bed!" He whispered in her ear.

"But I don't need sleep!" Hermione protested.

"Love, I said we need to go to bed. I didn't say anything about sleep."

Hermione smiled mischievously, slowly turning in his arms until she was facing him. "I thought you didn't want to 'push me' into something, and it 'would happen at the right time'." She teased, with an innocent look on her face.

"Yes, unfortunately I can't wait any longer. So, this time is as good as any." he whispered huskily. Snape picked her up easily, carrying her giggling body away to his room.

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Hermione's eyes fluttered open the next morning. She breathed in a strong scent of pine and leather. Severus? It smelt stronger than usual. Hermione glanced up to see herself pressed against his chest. She smiled and wriggled closer. Snape's eyes snapped open and he looked down at her.

"Awake finally?" he asked.

"Mmph."

"Still tired?" he felt her head shake slightly. "Good." Snape pulled her up by her arms and kissed her soundly.

"Breakfast in bed?" he smirked when he pulled away.

"Uh huh."

Snape called the house elves and ordered them breakfast. Seconds later, two trays appeared in their laps. They ate in silence. Hermione finished first and got out of the bed, walking to the fire in his robe. She flooed to her rooms and stepped out of the flames.

Hermione gathered up some clothes and headed for the bathroom. One long shower and a few more minutes later, she entered her room. Snape was sitting in an armchair, and Harry and Ron were seated on the couch. They were grinning.

"Hermione! Why didn't you tell us!"? Harry cried.

"Tell you?" Hermione asked innocently.

"Oh, bugger!" Ron laughed, both boys hugged her; they nodded at Snape and left through the fire. Hermione looked at him curiously.

"We had a little chat, "Snape said, "About exactly what would happen to every appendage on my body, starting with the shortest, if I hurt you."

"Hmm…that could be interesting."

"Don't even think about it."

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Hermione slipped off into daydreams, wrapped in Snape's arms on the couch. She thought about everything that had happened. If Voldemort had planned on making he miserable, he hadn't done a very good job. She snuggled up closer, still thinking about the events and people that had brought them together. She thought about Ginny's escapades, and Frank. Frank's warning and teasing.

Frank?

Yes?

You knew this would happen, huh?

What do you mean, Hermy?

You knew I'd end up with him…it's what you pushed for all along.

I knew if I drove you to the point of mere insanity with my prodding you'd eventually

let something slip, yes. And it worked wonderfully.

Yes it did. Frank?

Yes?

Thanks.

Hermione, I think you won after all.

I think I did too.

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Author's Note:

I have hundred reviews! Not just a hundred, but a hundred and THREE! Just in time, too! This story isn't OFFICIALY over, but I don't think I can go anywhere else with it. The conversation Frank and Hermione had at the end just felt right, and it sort of had an ending tone about it. Thanks to all my reviewers! Especially the regulars!

Emma-Kitty: Yes, I read that a few days ago, it is an excellent story, but I got the name for Frank from an old neighbor of mine…. It just seemed like it fit.

Lauran: Frank is her "inner voice", or her conscience. He tells her what she should do, and what she knows she wants to do. Basically, he gives her courage in his own twisted way. *Frank bows*

Karen Detroit: "I love it! What more can anyone say--except that it's "too" as in "Too much, too bad, too awful, etc"" What was that supposed to mean? lol!

Thanks again and I might continue this in a sequel or I might just continue it here. This is my newest and best fic (I think), but if you need more, check out my others!

Much Love from the quill (*cough*keyboard*cough*) Of:

-AddisonRae and her "little voice" George!

It's over! *Tear*