First off, I want to say that this is a sequel to my first HP fanfiction called "An Unlikely Pairing". I completed the story today and decided that I would post up the first chapter of the sequel while I was on a roll. If you're too lazy to read the other story like I tend to be, here's a quick recap of what happened:

Hermione Granger and Severus Snape began to develop feelings for each other. Snape, being new to the world of romance, couldn't handle the turmoil in his own heart and mind. He brewed and ingested a potion called Apathementa, which took away every emotion that a person could have.

Dumbledore heard about this and laid him off as Potions Master, putting Nymphadora Tonks in his place while Snape was sent to a home to Godric's Hollow until he could create and take an antidote.

Months went by until Dumbledore figured out that Hermione had fallen for Snape and that she was actually the antidote to him being emotionless. He sent Hermione there to bring back his feelings.

They had sex. He started to feel again. End of story.

Well okay... not really. Hence the sequel. =)

I decided to put this one up and I hope that it goes as well as the other one did.

Now, with that out of the way. I have two stories that I would like to recommend. The first story is "Salubrious Snape Oil" written by DZMom. I'm the beta on the fic and, if you like HG and SS, she offers an excellent take on the relationship! Take a look!

The other story that I would like to recommend is called "Riddle Me This, Severus Snape" and that's done by mehguhn. I'm the beta on this fic as well and she offers up a new kind of relationship that includes our favorite Potions Master.

Share the love, ladies and gentlemen!

Now, down to business. I don't own anything that's related to Harry Potter; I just like to have fun at the characters' expenses! Enjoy!

Hermione Granger stared up the long walkway to Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry like she had many times before. The stone testament to education loomed over her, silhouetted against blue skies. Off to the left and right, she was flanked by the towering trees of the Forbidden Forest. However, she was the one that now felt "forbidden" in a strange way. As the gates slowly swung open to admit her, she was well aware that things would never be the same.

Her sneakers made a crunching sound on the gravel as she ascended the hill at a decent pace. The footfalls that walked beside kept time with her, stepping in perfect sync. He had refused to wear normal clothing as he arrived back on campus. The hem of his teaching robes billowed about his legs as he walked.

They were empty handed, having magicked their belongings back to their respectable rooms and Hermione found it difficult to stop spinning her wand. She was nervous and needed something to play with to keep her mind occupied.

Her companion cleared his throat and gently took the spinning wand from her. He didn't want her nerves to get to her. "You worry too much. Remember to breathe." She struggled to do so.

Two months ago, that man's voice was the bane of her existence. It would send her into constant spirals of fear or doubt of her abilities. Today, however, she thought it ironic that he was trying to soothe her.

Glancing to her right, she looked into the dark eyes of the man that was walking beside her. He gazed down at her, holding her eyes even while moving in his piercing fashion. "Really, Hermione. It will be okay. I promise."

When they reached the large oak doors to enter the Entrance Hall, they stopped and faced each other. He reached down to take her face in his hand and lay a kiss on her lips. She sighed in contentment as they parted, wishing that they didn't need to return quite so soon. He was still recovering from the loss of his emotions but wouldn't hear it when she told him to take it easy. He insisted upon returning to the castle right away, eager to return to his position of Potions Master.

Severus Snape opened the left door and let his lover and girlfriend step in the hall before him. She never heard the door close behind them.

It was during a change in classes that they had arrived back and the stares began as soon as Severus appeared behind her. He hadn't been seen at the school for months and here he was, arriving back on campus with Hermione Granger.

Her face began to burn and he nudged her from behind, prompting her to move. The whispers started as she whisked past the curious onlookers as quickly as she could without running. The witch could feel Severus on her heels but she didn't dare look back.

Once they were out of the Entrance Hall, the stares and whispers continued all the way up to the Headmaster's office. As they stood outside of the large Griffin that served as his portrait hole, her head began to spin from lack of breathing as they moved so quickly. A couple of deep breaths started to soothe her lungs and her nerves. Judging by the flaring of his nostrils, Severus was doing the same thing.

Without warning, the Griffin before them started to spin to reveal the stairs to the Headmaster's office. After taking a quick look around her, Hermione gently brushed her instructor's hand, hoping to convey the things that he was attempting to assure her of earlier. His smile was thin as he looked down at her, but it was sincere, nonetheless.

Together, they went up the stairs.

Albus Dumbledore had the door open before it even came into view. He greeted them both warmly, pulling them inside and offering copius amounts of tea. Nymphadora Tonks rose to the occasion and embraced Hermione when she entered, smiling from ear to ear with bubblegum pink hair. She gave Severus a knowing wink as she shook his hand and then took her seat again.

Severus and Hermione sat down in a love seat that was across from Tonks. Albus took his place next to Tonks. He conjured up a whole tray of tea and cakes and asked them to eat their fill.

Tonks headed straight for them but neither Hermione or Severus moved. They were very stiff on the couch and Albus frowned in their direction. "Now, now! Don't be silly! There's plenty here! Help yourselves!"

Not wanting to be rude, Hermione reached for a napkin and a cake, nibbling on the edge of it. Severus remained stationary. As they settled, the Headmaster dropped the bomb.

"So, my dearest Severus, how are you feeling?"

"I'm doing alright, Albus. The emotions that I lost are coming back slowly but surely. I've come back to ask for my position from Nymphadora."

The current Potions Mistress sneered at him. "You won't be getting anything back until you call me by my proper name. None of this "Nymphadora" nonsense."

He stiffened but didn't argue. He repeated his request with use of her surname.

She shrugged then. "Of course you can have it back. I was just a place holder. I have work that needs to be taken care of within the Order, anyway. I'm sure that my duties have piled up since I've been gone. Besides, teaching isn't really my thing."

"Are you fit to take the job back on, Severus, or do you need more time to recover?" At Dumbledore's question, Hermione looked at her lover with anxious eyes. He wouldn't actually admit that he's still getting better, would he?

"The sooner I restart my job, the better, Albus."

Over his moon-shaped spectacles, the old man seemed to be studying him. Then he turned his attention to Hermione. "What do you think, Miss Granger? Is he ready?"

"Yes, sir. I think so."

"You found the antidote, did you? And administered it?" His eyes twinkled and Tonks snickered into a napkin.

She felt her skin turn red. "Yes, sir…"

"Well then… Welcome back, Severus."

"That's it?" Hermione's voice came out a little louder than she had intended it to. "You aren't going to say anything about… us?"

Tonks burst out laughing. "I mean, as long as you don't go snogging in the corridors!"

Even Dumbledore's grin grew wider. "She's quite right, you know. We might laugh and joke about it but the matter is quite serious. I trust that the two of you will use your better judgment when it comes to personal matters." He chuckled to himself.

Tonks added on "That means to keep it under wraps, kids!"

Severus' eyes narrowed in annoyance but Hermione couldn't help but smile in relief. She wasn't being expelled and Severus had his position back.

Everything was okay, right?

Wrong.