—————H—————

"What exactly do you and Sev learn from Professor Moody?" Lily asked over breakfast, and Hermione didn't know what to say. Lily never asked her, preferring to ask Severus, and he always answered in his Slytherin way.

"I shouldn't say," she managed, though she knew it wasn't going to satisfy her friend's curiosity.

"Does it have to do with Auror training? I mean, I know Sev doesn't want to do that, but—"

"Oh, Merlin, can you imagine Snivellus as an Auror?" Sirius blurted from where he sat on Remus' other side. The werewolf blushed, giving Hermione a sheepish and regretful smile.

"I can't imagine Snivellus contributing to society in any worthwhile manner," James replied, snorting unattractively. "It's more likely he'll be one of those Death Eaters until the good guys off him."

"That's a terrible thing to say, James," Remus admonished. "Severus is quite intelligent. I think he might actually do some impressive things."

James' gaze shifted briefly to Hermione, lingered a bit on Lily, then asked, "Like what?"

"I know for a fact that Severus' ambitions don't include the Death Eaters," Lily said haughtily.

"Right, because the Death Eaters don't hold day jobs or anything," Sirius countered. "Snivellus is Dark. He knows Dark Magic; he's in a Dark house. He's practically a Death Eater already."

"And you lot are made of pure light," Hermione snipped, pushing the remainder of her food around her plate.

"And mischief." Sirius smirked. "You can find out just how much, Kitten. All you have to do is dare to take a walk on the wild side."

"Padfoot," Remus grumbled, exasperated.

"Oh, lighten up, Moony," Sirius said, giving Remus a firm smack on the back. "Kitten knows we tease. Well, her anyway. I'm quite serious about Snivellus."

"And I'm quite done with this conversation," Hermione said, shifting off the bench and grabbing her bag.

"Me, too," Lily said, doing the same and giving Hermione a nod that she probably thought was some sign of solidarity for their friend. Hermione paused as Remus stood, shouldering his bag.

"Moony?" Sirius asked, a smile on his face, though it had lost its weight.

"I'm also done," Remus countered, "but do continue."

"It was just a bit of fun, Remus," Peter said, looking more hurt than James or Sirius.

"Is it?" Remus asked. "Because I'm not finding it terribly amusing." And then he nodded to the girls, gesturing for them to go ahead.

Lily and Hermione looked at one another, and then headed for the entrance. What in the blazes was happening? Severus had mentioned that Remus had come to his aid from time to time, even standing by him in a couple of small skirmishes in the corridors when she and Lily weren't around. She was certain, but ... she supposed she didn't know the entire story behind what happened to them, except Peter's eventual betrayal. She frowned, trying to remember what happened in her third year. Professor Snape and Professor Lupin were amicable. Harry was sure the former was trying to poison the latter at one point, but Lupin had found the idea amusing. And Professor Snape did substitute nearly every full moon.

But the Shrieking Shack memories were the most telling, even though they were the foggiest. Professor Snape was livid until the truth came out. And Remus had whispered something to him that she didn't think either Harry or Ron heard either. And whatever it was that Remus had said, it had eased the tension. From that point on, they'd worked well together until the moon came out.

"You are very deep in thought today," Severus observed, and Hermione startled, looking up at him and then their surroundings. They weren't in the Great Hall anymore, but a quarter way to the Defense classroom.

"I suppose I am," she replied, shaking her head, trying to clear the thoughts racing in her head.

"Lupin," Severus said with a cordial nod and a suspicious eye. "Breaking off from the pack, are we?"

Hermione saw him stiffen, and she cringed at just how accurate Severus' words were. He didn't suspect already, did he?

"Yes," Remus replied. "I wasn't ... thrilled with the breakfast conversation this morning. Or many of the mornings lately, actually."

"You should come hang out with us!" Lily piped up enthusiastically, clutching his arm. "I'm sure Hermione would love it."

"Would she?" Severus ground out.

"Well, she is kind of a third wheel with us," Lily said, and Hermione blushed. Yes, third wheel. Right. Because she really needed that reminder.

There was another Hogsmeade weekend coming up, and Severus hadn't mentioned going with her again. She wondered idly if perhaps she'd misunderstood the closeness they had developed for something more. He didn't push her off or say she was too close in the hospital wing after his accident, and he didn't seem to mind her holding his hand. Or stroking his hair. But he hadn't said anything afterward, when he met her in the library. Or at all. She certainly hadn't gotten a hug since September. Maybe he truly meant to spend time with her in Hogsmeade as they had during the summer: as friends.

"Nothing I'm not used to," Hermione said, offering a self-deprecating smile at Severus' frown.

"Well, I've often felt like a third wheel with James and Sirius, even a fourth. As long as no one minds, I'll feel right at home with you three."

"Thrilling," Severus said, shifting his bag as they headed for the staircase.

They were quiet as they headed to Defense class. As some of the first students to arrive, Hermione and Severus both gave Moody a nod as they took their seats, which the professor returned. They had managed only two more Occlumency lessons since Halloween, and while Hermione didn't feel she was making much progress, Severus was excelling. The nod, while a sign of a deeper level of intimacy than Moody had with most students, was also a show of respect from the Auror.

Remus sat in the row behind them, where the rest of the Marauders would join him when they made their way to class, but he sat behind Hermione instead of putting the usual three seats between them. Hermione gave him a quick grin before taking out her books. As she did, she noted Lily beaming at her, grinning broadly and twitching her eyebrows from Severus' other side. Hermione's nostrils flared as she quirked an eyebrow, not nearly as elegant or expressive as Severus, but Lily still laughed as though she'd just heard the most hysterical joke.

People began filing in and Moody watched them all with a critical eye. When the Marauders came in, laughing and goofing off, those sharp eyes narrowed and followed them.

With everyone settled, he took in everyone in the room. "Why are the Dark Arts considered Dark?" Moody asked gruffly.

"Because they're used by slimy gits," James replied. Sirius and Peter chuckled as he grinned smugly.

Moody snorted, but did not smile, and said nothing.

"The Dark Arts were named because of their nature," Severus said.

Moody's gaze shifted to him, losing their cold gleam. "Why are they Dark in nature?"

"Because they are meant to cause harm."

"They are meant to cause harm," Moody repeated, looking around the class. "Many wizards hear Dark Arts and think the most gruesome. Blood sacrifices, the Unforgivables. Why?"

Hermione chanced a peek at Severus, but he wasn't saying anything. No one was. She raised her hand.

"Granger."

"The narrow-minded are unable to take the term out of the box they have put it into."

"And what's the box?"

"Evil. But there's a difference between a Dark wizard and a wizard who uses Dark Magic."

"No there isn't," James butted in. The whole class shifted its attention to him. "A wizard who uses Dark Magic is Dark by definition."

"Think so, Potter?" Moody asked. He looked around the room. "Who here has used a jinx? Come on, don't be shy. Forget I'm your bloody teacher for a moment. Who's used a jinx? Stinger? Jelly-Leg?"

Hermione raised her hand first; Severus gave her a side-eye glance and a slight grin before he did the same. Nearly everyone around the room raised their hands, the Marauders doing so only after the majority of the class had.

"Then by your definition, Potter, this whole room's full of Dark witches and wizards, yourself included," Moody said.

"No." James shook his head. "No, jinxes are stupid. Child's stuff."

"Jinxes are, by definition, Dark Magic," Hermione retorted, turning in her seat to face the pompous arse. "There are three kinds of Dark Magic, ranging in severity. The Unforgivables are, of course, the worst, and carry an automatic life sentence in Azkaban for non-wartime use. Hexes, considered mild to severe Dark Magic, are intended to cause a major inconvenience to their target or victim. And jinxes, considered mild Dark Magic, cause minor inconvenience to the person they are cast on." She knew her voice had taken on that haughty, know-it-all tone that annoyed most people, but she couldn't stop. The confusion on Sirius' face, the uncertainty on Peter's, and James' ashen expression was worth slipping into it. "The Dark Arts do not equate evil. It is not the spell, but the intent behind it. A severing charm was created to help a seamstress cut fabric, but it can easily be used to remove an appendage. It's Dark Magic, but only because of what it can do should the user intend it for such an outcome."

"Well said, Granger," Moody said. "By Potter's definition, the whole Aurory is corrupt. Your assignment and homework: twelve inches on intent in Dark Magic and how it affects the outcome. Get started."

James hadn't moved, Sirius was trying to get his attention, and Peter moved slowly but thoughtfully.

"Do you memorize textbooks, or do you just always manage to sound like one?" Severus asked under his breath.

Heat suffused Hermione's cheeks. "Bit of both, I think."

Severus snorted but said nothing more as he started on his essay.

The rest of the class passed without anyone saying much of anything.

Remus, at the end, hung back to speak to the rest of the Marauders as James still looked like he was in a stupor.

"You know what I realized?" Lily said as they were leaving the classroom. "This upcoming Hogsmeade weekend is the last before Christmas."

"Yes," Severus said. "What of it?"

"Well," Lily said with a coy smile, flipping her hair. "Not only is it the last chance to shop for presents without doing it through owl order, but the last opportunity to find a dress for the Yule Ball. I, being a prefect, was in the know of its pending approach. I'll have a few duties that night, of course. I'll have to do rounds, but other than that, I'll get to enjoy the dance. Do you think you'll go this year, Sev?"

"Maybe," he said, keeping his gaze straight ahead.

"All right," Lily said, a light blush covering her cheeks. "I should head to Care of Magical Creatures. See you at lunch?"

"We'll be there," Severus said with a nod, gaze not diverting in the least.

Lily glanced at him, then at Hermione, who could only shrug. The girls waved, and Lily left with them.

Hermione shifted her grip on her book bag, wanting to say something. Ask what was bothering him. Apologize if she'd somehow upset him. Maybe crack a poorly executed joke.

"Are you planning on going to the Yule Ball this year?" Severus asked as they turned the corner to head to Runes, pausing to wait for a staircase to shift in their favor.

"I, er, haven't really thought about it. Maybe. I dunno, I didn't really enjoy myself last year, but, er, I could, maybe." She wanted to hit herself for stuttering. Taking a breath, she squared her shoulders, turned to Severus, and said, "I might enjoy myself if I went with someone." It was as far as her courage would take her, her heart pounding as she watched his expressionless mask shift ever so slightly.

"Perhaps we could go together?"

Hermione's knees nearly gave out. She was dizzy with giddiness and relief. "W-we could, yes." Her voice cracked and pitched, and her blush deepened.

"Would you want to?" Severus asked conversationally, turning to face her for the first time since before class started.

With her hair in a sensible bun, there was nowhere to hide her face. His magnetic gaze drew her in and kept her focused even though she wanted to crawl into her robes and hide. "Yes," she said. "I would like that. Very much."

"Indeed," Severus said, studying her face. After a moment, he nodded. "Then maybe when we go to Hogsmeade next week, we should each take an hour or so to buy some dress robes. We could meet at the Three Broomsticks afterwards, and maybe spend some time in Tomes and Scrolls."

"That sounds wonderful," Hermione replied as she clutched the banister with a white-knuckled grip, her lips involuntarily turning upward despite her desperate attempt at emulating Severus' cool calm.

"It does."

"Severus, Hermione," Remus called. "Wait up!"

Severus shifted closer as he turned to see Remus coming toward them. So close, in fact, that Hermione could feel a wonderful electric aura dancing on her skin from his proximity. As the three of them went to Runes, Severus remained close, a buffer between her and Remus, and she couldn't have been happier.

—————S—————

Fuck, fuck, holy bloody shit, fucking, buggering fuck! She agreed! She bloody actually agreed!

Occlumency was by far Severus' new favorite skill, for while he was calmly walking beside the intelligent, wonderful, beautiful, perfect Hermione, inside, he was dancing. He was screaming. He was downright elated and laughing, and unsure how he managed to get so lucky. The tides would turn, he was sure. There was no way a day in which James Sodding Potter sunk himself into the very category he'd been trying to place Severus in from the moment the Sorting Hat announced him a Slytherin, and Hermione Granger agreed to be his date for not just Hogsmeade, but the Yule Ball as well, without something going wrong.

But until then, he was going to ride the high.

It took Severus entirely too long to corner Draco. The little bastard had avoided him and done his absolute best to not stick a toe out of line around him so he wouldn't assign him detention. But he'd messed up when he'd hexed Mr. Crabbe in front of Professor McGonagall. He got a week's detention for making his crony's toenails grow through his shoes and locking his tongue so he couldn't complain. Severus had hoped since Minerva was supervising his daughter's detention, that perhaps she would pass Draco off to him. Sadly, Hagrid was forced to take him.

"Mr. Malfoy," he said at the end of potions for the day. He flashed a glare at Potter and Weasley, who looked a bit too gleeful at the prospect of Draco in trouble. Granger gave them a shove as he ordered, "Stay."

Draco sighed, resigned, darting looks at the trio as they left, but didn't sneer in disdain like he normally did.

When the last of the nosy stragglers left, Severus flicked his hand towards the door, wordlessly slamming it shut, putting up wards and silencing charms. He shifted around his desk, keeping his eyes on his godson. Draco didn't move even as Severus gathered his robes and crossed his arms, trying to appear as imposing as possible. But maybe that wasn't the way to go about it, maybe he needed to not be the professor, but the uncle. Not his uncle the Death Eater, just the man who swore he'd be Draco's guardian should anything happen to his parents.

"I have been informed," he said smoothly, watching for any shift in his stoic nephew, "that you know a certain truth about my family."

"I may."

"You've been avoiding me, purposely, for a week. Aurora told me you know; I believe we need to discuss it."

"Right," Draco said, then after a few seconds, he shifted forward in his seat and met Severus' gaze with sheer befuddlement. "How could you marry Granger?"

Severus arched a brow. "I believe you're referring to the one who just left the room?"

"They're the same person, aren't they?"

"Yes and no," Severus conceded, shifting his arms so he could unclasp his robes. He dropped them on the desk behind him, then sat on his desk so he could stretch out his legs and cross them. "Bear in mind, Draco, that the Hermione Granger you know as a student, I did not know until you did. Not really. My Hermione was just as much of a know-it-all and could be just as insufferable. But what sent her back in time caused her to ... re-evaluate, as it were. When I first knew her, she was much less eager to not draw attention to herself. Of course, she couldn't do so completely, she was always a Gryffindor. But she was ... tamer."

"Okay, fine. I suppose that makes sense, and it's not like you really knew what a pain in the arse she would be. But she married you . She knew who you were, I'm sure. Not any other wizards with the last name Snape. You've never been nice to her, and yet ..."

"I cannot be nice to Hermione Granger, Harry Potter's friend. My position is delicate, I cannot be seen showing kindness to any Muggle-born, especially her."

"What position?" Draco yelled. "What is going on? Father has always said you were one of the most loyal, trusted follows of the Dark Lord, and I find out you married a Mu—Muggle-born who just happened to be friends with sodding Potter."

Severus studied the boy and saw, for perhaps the first time, the beginnings of the man he would become. Like so many male teens, he was angry and confused, unsure if he should follow in his father's footsteps or chart his own.

Severus had wondered, often, how many young Slytherins he had saved from following in their father's, and sometimes mother's, footsteps by blindly believing the nonsense about blood supremacy. Not long ago, with Nymphadora Tonks, it had been easy to subtly point out how the Hufflepuff was magically superior to her peers, despite being a half-blood. Clumsy she may be, but she was talented beyond her Metamorphmagus abilities. He knew there was some family brainwashing that was impossible to undo, but he wondered how many graduated from Hogwarts with a different way of thinking.

Draco was showing signs of change. Muggle-born? Yes, the word was clearly new on the boy's tongue, but it was the word he chose . It was said without disdain, without condescension. Perhaps it was time to enlighten the boy, though maybe not to the degree he had done with Aurora.

"I didn't know then who your Aunt H. would be friends with. Ironically, she tolerated Potter's father at best, and loathed him the majority of the time. I did, however, know she was a Muggle-born from nearly the beginning. As was our dearest mutual friend. Professor Lupin and I were not as amicable as he and Aunt H. were, but he and I share a similar blood status, and it never phased me. I was, before she came into my life, admittedly curious about the Dark Lord and what he had to offer. The other boys in my year wanted to keep their heads down and get out, but they had the blood status and the wealth to do so. Some of the older students: your father, Crabbe, Goyle, the Lestranges, among others, spoke of respect and power that could be gained in his inner circle, should you earn a spot. Powerless and nearly friendless, it was ... enticing."

"And Aunt H. changed that? What, she spouted off about righteousness and justice?"