averygoodun42 | Snippet of the next chapter

If any of you out there were curious enough to look, here, as promised, is a preview of the next chapter. Enjoy. =)

When Hermione sat down to breakfast at the Gryffindor table, she smiled warmly at her friends, and felt how stiff those little used cheek muscles were. She was rewarded for the effort, though, by the beaming faces of her friends shedding their worry.

"You look like you feel better today," Harry said. His smile grew even broader when he noticed her ample serving of breakfast.

"I do feel better today," she responded happily. "I managed to get a good night's sleep last night, and I think it's made a world of difference. I feel like I've finally found myself again." Harry and Ginny smiled at her with relief written all over their faces. She smiled to herself, noting the warm glow that their friendship brought.

Soon the Great Hall was thrumming with life as most students had made their way to breakfast. It was getting to be time to leave for class when Dumbledore stood up and raised his hands for attention. The noise in the Hall dimmed quickly.

"Students, faculty, I have an announcement to make. It seems as though Hogwarts will be hosting a joyous event this weekend. Some of you might remember Remus Lupin, a former professor from four years ago. It is my pleasure to announce that he will be getting married this Sunday afternoon in Hogwarts Chapel, and that any who wish to attend the blessed event are welcome. Details will be posted in your common rooms."

Hermione was thankful he hadn't mentioned who the bride was, as she really didn't want to be the topic of gossip for the next two and a half days. She then furrowed her brows, remembering that she never got the chance to talk with Dumbledore the previous night, and wondered how he knew of the engagement. Her eyes fell on Snape who lifted his glass to her in a silent toast, a bitter smirk on his lips. She scowled as she turned to her friends.

"So you decided on Remus?" Harry was looking at her carefully.

"Yes." She swallowed. "We decided last night."

"Is that why you're feeling better?" Ginny asked.

"No... Yes... I don't know." Hermione let out a frustrated sigh. "I don't understand why Severus told Professor Dumbledore about my decision."

They looked at her with shocked and curious faces.

"I was looking for Professor Dumbledore last night after meeting with Lupin, but he wasn't in. Severus found me at the gargoyle, and started baiting me, teasing me about experiments Remus is undergoing for his lycanthropy." She decided to edit the last portion of the conversation. She still hadn't come up with an adequate explanation for her reaction to Snape's question, and it was bothering her.

"He said something that bothered me, and I ran away before telling the Headmaster about the engagement."

She didn't miss the shared look between Harry and Ginny.

"What's up?" she asked. They had identical smug looks pasted on their faces.

"Severus found you?" Ginny asked.

"Yes, that's what I said... oh." Hermione realized she had been using Snape's first name unconsciously, and had no idea how long she had been doing so. She grimaced and lowered her head to the table.

"How long have I been doing that?" she asked from underneath her hair to no one in particular.

"Doing what?" Harry asked.

"Calling Snape by his first name."

"That's the first time in my hearing. Been getting friendly with him, have you?"

She raised her head enough to shoot Harry a glare, before lowering her head back to the table with a small thump. "The bastard didn't really give me a chance to be anything but antagonistic. I expect that's the best descriptive for any relationship we've got."

"So why are you calling him Severus, then?" Harry asked.

Ginny responded before Hermione could get a word in. "Isn't it obvious, Harry? She's been flirting with him since at least yesterday, she gets riled up when talking about his attitude problems, and she's sounding suspiciously bitter about their current antagonism." She paused for effect. "She fancies him."

Both Ginny and Harry started laughing. Hermione looked up with a scowl that became a look of horror upon seeing the subject of their conversation standing behind her friends, an evil smirk on his face. He turned and walked away before her friends had a chance to notice her consternation. She watched him until he exited the hall, then continued to stare at the doors he'd walked through, only half listening to her friends' mirth.

"Oh, pigeon-tits!" she suddenly swore. Potions was her first class that morning.