Chapter 1

This story was written for the SS/HG exchange, winter round 2007/2008.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Twenty Years Later.

"... and that is why I want you all to act as if all the houses were one, using all the skills and talents each house represents. I want all the students to be cunning and ambitious, brave and daring, clever and studious, loyal and caring. The house that wins the House Cup this year should do so by combining the qualities that together make us all great, and not just by playing to their individual strengths.

"We have to put a stop to the old prejudices, and now is the time. This is a time of change at Hogwarts: teachers have retired, Heads of Houses have changed. It's now or never. I'm counting on you."

"You can't be serious, Minerva!"

Four voices uttered their protest more or less simultaneously.

"I am. And that is my last word on the subject. So come now. Let's go to the Welcoming Feast."

Shaking their heads in confusion, the four Heads of House followed the Headmistress to the Great Hall.

Hermione sat down at the High Table still confused, amused and surprised. This year, her second year of teaching Charms, promised to be interesting. She studied the Great Hall, filled with excited and happy students, while the Sorting took place. There weren't any children of her old acquaintances among the first-years, but the other years contained enough of them. There was Ginny and Harry's brood, except for little Lily, who would be coming next year. Luna and Ron's daughter, Rose, her own goddaughter, had started last year, together with Albus Severus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy. Several Longbottoms, Dursleys, Abbotts and many more Weasleys were haunting the school, evenly distributed throughout the years.

Hermione wondered what the newest addition to the staff thought about all this, but her thoughts were interrupted by Minerva McGonagall's welcoming speech.

"... and may I remind you that the students taking Muggle Studies will once again be able to make a fieldtrip to the Muggle home of Professor Dursley's husband and her mother-in-law. Conversely, the Muggle-borns taking Wizard Studies will be invited again to the home of Professor Longbottom and his wife.

"And now, I ask all of you to welcome our newest addition to the Hogwarts staff. You all know that Aberforth Dumbledore decided to retire from teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts after teaching it for twenty years. Thus, I am delighted and honoured to introduce our new Defence Against the Dark Arts Teacher, Professor Severus Snape."

The Great Hall almost exploded from the noise made by all the clapping and hooting students. It was just as good as her own welcome had been, if not more so, Hermione thought. A sideways glance at her neighbour at the High Table showed her a very surprised face, for once without the customary sneer. A faint smile lit up Snape's face when he nodded his thank you to the students.

They all knew that he was a war hero, of course. His name had become famous, even though nobody really knew whether he had survived the war or not. His body had never been found; a headmaster portrait hadn't appeared – it didn't take long for the rumours to start flying. From time to time, 'Snape-sightings' were reported, and his fame had become even greater for the mystery surrounding his person. The Boy-Who-Still-Lived had publicly proclaimed him to be a great hero, of having fought the Dark Lord Voldemort bravely for most of his life, and for having been essential for Voldemort's defeat. Harry told everyone who was ready to listen what a brave and honourable man Severus Snape had been and how he had fulfilled his duty up to the last moment of his life.

However, the mystery of the missing body and portrait remained, and the rumours did the rest. By now, Severus Snape had become a legend, and the students were excited to have him as a teacher. Hardly anyone remembered that his reputation from the past had been that of a stern, unfair and demanding teacher who could silence a classroom with a glare and who had favoured his own house faithfully. They were in for a few surprises, Hermione thought with a smirk. Snape was more relaxed now than he had been during the war years, but he was essentially the same sarcastic and witty man she had known during her own student years. Favouring his own house would be interesting to watch with Minerva's original idea for more house unity, an idea that she'd just now explained to the students, who had listened in shocked silence.

"And so I trust that you will all remember, while you work hard to win the Cup for your House, that it is only together that we can be truly strong; as one school, and as one wizardkind. Now, let the feast begin."

Excited whispers followed her speech, and only the first-years paid the food on the tables its due attention.

"So where have you been hiding all these years, Severus?" Hermione noticed with a frown that Cho – Cho Dursley, for she had married Harry's cousin – had sat down at Snape's side and was talking to him almost constantly. However, Hermione had wondered about the same thing, and so she decided to just listen instead of asking her own questions. Meetings in the staffroom had become a bit of an event since Severus Snape had rejoined the staff.

"I travelled the world. I assure you, I was out in the open rather often," he uttered, looking over his lesson plans and not paying Cho any attention. Hermione suppressed a snort. He really hadn't changed much. And that was a good thing.

Or maybe that wasn't true at all, Hermione reconsidered while she watched the man in question quell the advances of the Muggle-and-Wizard-Studies teacher. He had changed quite a bit, although subtly. He still was stern and sarcastic. However, he wasn't as unforgiving as he had been. He still didn't suffer fools gladly, but he seemed to have developed a kind of curious and amused detachment, watching the follies of the people surrounding him with a newfound tolerance that made his reactions less cutting, but still amusing to those who understood his wit.

His looks were also slightly altered. The years had been gentle with him. At fifty-nine, he was approaching the second trimester of a wizard's life. He was in his prime and had reason to hope to stay there for many years to come, just approaching middle age.

He looked better, much better than he had during his tenure as Potions teacher, Hermione thought. He was still very slim, but not so sickly thin any more. He was well-groomed; that was another thing. His hair was shorter, still limp, but not so greasy. It had greyed becomingly, a colour that gave his pale and sallow skin a softer look and set off his eyes and remarkable nose. He had become attractive in a rugged way, and Hermione wasn't the only woman on the staff to notice this.

Where he had been slighted and disliked by most of his colleagues in the past, he was now being sought after as an advisor and conversationalist, and people were offering their friendship. The female members of staff, especially, went out of their way to make his time in the staffroom memorable and comfortable. He was never without tea or Firewhisky or a witch sitting at his side. What a difference the status of war hero makes, Hermione thought cynically as she watched the spectacle with amusement.

Hermione found Snape rather irresistible herself, but she would be damned if she was going to join the queue of adoring witches. She had been excited and delighted when she had learned that he was coming back to Hogwarts. She had been as clueless about his whereabouts during these past twenty years as everybody else.

Hermione had never forgotten that kiss he had given her, thinking she was Lily Evans. She had dated other men, but in the most inopportune moments, the memory of glittering black eyes and that kiss had reminded her of what she really wanted and couldn't have, and none of her attachments had lasted for very long. In a way, she thought, she had become as obsessed with Severus Snape as he himself was with Lily Evans. She, however, knew that the object of her obsession was alive and well, and she found that thought rather reassuring.

In the meantime, Cho had been nattering on, and Snape had treated her with polite indifference.

"And are you getting along well as Head of House?" Cho insisted on not being dismissed.

"That's not the question, is it?" Snape had now looked up from his work and was studying her with a slight smirk on his lips. "The question is, how does the house get along with me? And I can assure you that the house will learn soon enough."

"I wouldn't be surprised if your house won the House Cup in your first year of teaching again, you know, Severus. With all of your experience..." Cho gushed, looking at Snape admiringly, who frowned back at her.

"My House has won the Cup in the past and will no doubt win it again, sooner or later. Much depends on the Quidditch team, as you should know. Didn't you play Seeker yourself, at some time?"

"Yes, yes, I did indeed." Cho was flattered by being remembered. "And my house has a decent team as well. We shall be your strongest competition; I shall see to it personally."

"Whatever you say." Snape bowed slightly in his chair and returned his attention to his lesson plans.

"How's Dudley?" Hermione asked Cho, who happily went into a tale of domestic bliss, Muggle family life and all the advantages that living in a modern Muggle society offered. "And I do get on very well with Petunia, you know. After her divorce, she took a liking to me. She adores our children and keeps telling me how she would have loved to visit Hogwarts, but that the only witch in the family had been her sister."

That wasn't a place where Hermione wanted to lead the conversation right now. A sideways glance at Snape revealed his pained look. He listened, although he pretended not to.

With the arrival of more staff members, Cho's attention was thankfully diverted. Hermione turned back to Snape.

"Gryffindor has won the House Cup three times in a row, you know," she informed him.

"Is that so?" he commented politely. "We shall see how successful it can defend the Cup then, shall we?"

"I'm looking forward to it." Hermione smirked.

He raised an eyebrow, smirked back and asked, "How are you getting along?"

"No problems so far. I get funny looks from the older students, but I think I'm rather capable of handling problems if they arise. I survived almost twenty years at the Ministry. Being Head of House feels like being on holiday after that."

"If you need advice, don't be too shy to ask."

"Thank you. Advice is always welcome. Know thy enemy and all that." She laughed.

He nodded and smiled slightly, and then they sat through the staff meeting in amiable companionship.

"If they give us more homework, I'm going to be sick." Albus Severus Potter yawned and stared blandly at the pile of books in front of him. "I don't know what's got into them. All this to win points by 'using all the attributes that make us strong...'" He mimicked the way the Headmistress had spoken and rolled his eyes. "Even Auntie Hermione..."

"Don't call her that," Rose squeaked. "If she hears you, you'll only get more work."

"Yeah," the third member of the trio added. "If you don't call her 'Professor', she'll deduct points. She's a tough nut, that one. My dad knows stories about her, I'm telling you..."

Rose giggled. "She told me that she punched your dad on the nose once. Did he tell you about that, too, Scorpius?"

Scorpius Malfoy snorted. "Yes, he did. They didn't like each other when they were in school. But now she visits us from time to time. Mum and Dad like it when she visits. They say she's a useful acquaintance."

"No matter," Albus said. "She makes us work so hard now. What's this silly thing with the houses anyway? We're supposed to be brave, clever, loyal and cunning. She wants us to win the House Cup, and she won't let us rest until we have."

"True. And that means winning points and winning at Quidditch. You'd better always catch the Snitch, Al."

He grinned back sheepishly. "I'll try."

Sighing, they went back to their homework.

"That would be twenty points from Gryffindor, Mr. Potter. Levicorpus is a spell for self-defence, not for mockery, nor for bullying. Now, let Mr. Greengrass down this instant."

"As you wish, sir." James winked at his friends and ended the spell abruptly. His victim, a Slytherin fourth-year, fell to the ground with a loud 'thump' and a soft cry of pain.

"And that's another twenty points from Gryffindor and detention with Shunpike this Saturday morning."

"But, sir, the Quidditch game..."

"Silence... Miss Longbottom, you will help Mr. Greengrass to the hospital wing. Let Madam Pomfrey give him a check up; tell her I sent you. And you, Mr. Potter, will have detention and points deducted until you learn that 'because I don't like his looks' is not an excuse for your behaviour. Now, get out of my sight, all of you."

"Bloody hell, James, you're losing us too many points. Stop it, it's not funny," one of his housemates chastised.

"Aw, just look at little Greengrass, always that sleepy expression on his face," James mocked. "He needs a bit of a wake-up call from time to time. I'm only doing my duty as a fellow student."

The bystanders laughed, but the girl who had spoken first was not amused. "We have so much homework because of this house unity thing, and we are supposed to win as many points as possible. And here comes James Potter, throwing all our hard work away."

James scowled but couldn't keep up his anger for long. "Come on, Ellinor, I'll make it up in Transfiguration. I'll win so many points that I can shake old Gregory there awake as much as he needs it."

The girl playfully hit him on the arm, but joined in with the chuckles of the other students.

"Mr. Potter, Miss Longbottom, to your dormitories, now. That'll be ten points from Gryffindor each for inappropriate behaviour and being out after curfew."

"But, Aunt Hermione!"

"Five more points from Gryffindor. You will call me 'Professor Granger' while we're at school. You will treat your teachers with respect. Is that clear?

"Yes, Professor Granger."

"Hermione, Severus, if I could talk to both of you for a moment?" The voice of the Headmistress was stern and lacked its usual warmth. Both smirked slightly and followed her up the winding staircase to her office.

"I don't know what you two are so smug about," McGonagall reprimanded them. "The two other Heads of House don't behave like the two of you do. I never thought I'd see something like that from you, Hermione."

At that, Snape snorted loudly, which earned him a glare from Hermione.

"While it is commendable to patrol the corridors, don't you think it's a bit transparent when you follow the students of your rival house and wait for an opportunity to deduct points? You seem to know exactly who is dating whom and wait until you find them out of bounds and snogging. I haven't seen as many points deducted in one night since... since before the war when Severus used to prowl the castle. And to give their Keeper detention on a Saturday... that Saturday."

Hermione sniffed. "I learned from the best. And Hooper was giving me cheek. I couldn't let him get away with that."

"So you had to give him detention instead of taking points?"

Hermione merely shrugged; Snape smirked.

"I'm glad that this amuses you, Severus. I, however, am not amused. It's not as if your behaviour is any better."

He looked at her politely. "Whatever do you mean?"

Hermione snorted.

"Don't give me that nonchalant crap, Severus. How stupid do you think I am? Isn't it a strange coincidence that when Gryffindor duels Slytherin in your third-year Defence class, you allow them to only use one jinx each? One of them using the Jelly-Legs Jinx, the other the finger removing jinx? Strangely enough, the team from your house was the one allowed to use the finger removing jinx." The Headmistress gave him a vexed glare and continued, "Half the opposing team's third-years lost one or more of their fingers, and what do you know, one of their Chasers was among them. Such bad luck that the next day saw the infamous Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin, and of course the fingers hadn't grown back by then."

"A mere coincidence, Minerva, I assure you," Snape said. Hermione laughed out loud.

"Enough," McGonagall hissed. "As good as it is to see you two get along so well, I would have thought that there'd be more rivalry between you since it looks as if you're dead set on reviving the old Slytherin versus Gryffindor competition."

"Doesn't it always come down to Slytherin and Gryffindor?" Snape asked with a slight smile. Hermione nodded.

"That's how it was in the past, but this has to stop." Minerva looked at the two of them tiredly. "You're behaving like children; you should be ashamed of yourselves, you know? I'm trying to change things here. I'm well aware, Severus, of how much I wronged you while we were still competing with each other. In the past, I was too blind and too stupid to see how you always worked hard to protect everyone in this school. I wanted to turn around the old prejudice that being a Slytherin equals being a Dark wizard by default. I honestly wanted to change it..." She leaned back in her chair and watched the two teachers sadly.

Hermione felt ashamed. "I respect your wishes, Minerva. But Quidditch is all about competition, as you well know. I don't quite see how the lack of competition in Quidditch between our two houses can change the reputation Slytherin has."

"Neither can I," Snape added. "The only thing that will work is your idea to combine the attributes of the four houses – to challenge all of them to not only use their own strengths, but to discover that of the other houses for themselves and, through that, get stronger. I can't quite see how winning a Quidditch match can affect that."

"Oh, go away, both of you. You're hopeless," Minerva said resignedly and waved them away.

On their way down the stairs, Hermione stopped, looked at Snape and smiled. "You know, that was a rather ingenious idea of yours."

"That goes for both sides. You've become quite formidable in prowling the corridors." He smirked. "Nevertheless, my house will beat yours. Goodnight, Hermione"

"In your dreams," she said to his back. "Goodnight, Severus."

"Hermione! It's so good to see you!" Hermione was almost drowned in the hug Molly Weasley gave her when she arrived at The Burrow for Christmas.

"Severus! I'm so glad that you decided to come, too. Do come in, make yourself comfortable. Have you two eaten?"

"Yes, we had dinner in the Great Hall before we left," Hermione said with a wistful smile. "It's been years... It's good to be here again."

"You were always welcome here, you know that. Just because you didn't marry into the family, doesn't mean that we don't love you." Molly smiled and took Snape's arm. He didn't resist. "The children have already gone to bed, but we're having some eggnog in the lounge. Come and join us for a chat, will you?"

Before they could enjoy their eggnog, there was a lot more hugging and welcoming, since most of the extended Weasley family had already arrived. Snape was greeted politely, from some even with warmth. Arthur Weasley beckoned him to sit at his side, and they were soon talking quietly.

"Say, Hermione, what's this rumour we're hearing about students having to use the strengths of other houses and all that?" Ginny Potter asked. Harry sat at her side and nodded, all attentive.

"It's a good idea, it really is," Hermione said. "The old prejudices are still there, even with you, Harry, and with Ron, and with so many others. May I just remind you of last year when we all met Draco on Platform nine and three-quarters?"

"We were polite."

"Yes, but nothing more. And you told your children not to be sorted into Slytherin. I'm very glad that they had more sense than you two." Hermione glared at Harry and then at Ron, who was sitting across from her with Luna at his side.

"Well, if we had known that you'd be their Head of House eventually..." Ginny said hesitantly.

"It shouldn't matter who their Head of House is, and that is exactly where Minerva's plan comes in," Hermione said heatedly.

"So it's true. You're the Head of Slytherin?" Luna stared at her wide-eyed.

"Yes, it's true, and Severus is Head of Gryffindor. Cho is Head of Hufflepuff, and Neville is Head of Ravenclaw. We will remain Heads of House for five years and then rotate. We will keep in close contact with the Houses we will manage in the future and have managed in the past, each Head of House helping their predecessors and successors with a smooth transition. That way, that exclusiveness, that elitist thinking should be quenched, hopefully. I think it's a good idea."

"Perhaps," Ron said. "But Slytherin, Hermione. You, a Muggle-born... Isn't that awfully difficult for you?"

"Not really. As I told Severus recently, I survived twenty years at the Ministry, and that teaches you a thing or two, as I'm sure Harry can confirm." Harry looked baffled, but nodded. "I get along. It's not really such a problem, even with the older Slytherin students. The one you really should pity is Severus. He has James."

Snape looked up from his conversation with Arthur Weasley and turned towards them. "That's true. I should get extra pay just for having to deal with him in my house."

Harry scowled. "I suppose he reminds you of me and my father. I don't know if that was such a wise move..."

"In fact, he doesn't." Snape's lips twitched when he saw Harry's surprised face. "He reminds me more of his uncles. He's a lot like the Weasley twins were when they were still in school. He's a prankster, but he does have some compassion, too. There's still hope for the boy."

"Now, that's a relief, hearing that from you," Harry said and smirked.

Snape smirked back. "I'm glad you think so, Mr. Potter."

The next morning, Hermione suppressed a chuckle when she met Severus on the staircase. Just like her, he was wearing a new Weasley jumper. "You look dashing," she commented with a smirk. His jumper hung around his thin frame, about two sizes too large. It was black with a huge "S" in gold and red on the front.

"Not as stunning as you," he retorted and looked her up and down, his lips twitching. Her own jumper was just a bit too small, hugging her figure tightly. It was dark green with the "H" in a silvery grey.

"I have to warn you. You've been adopted by the Weasleys now," she said, serious again. "Their offer of friendship is genuine, and it's too late to back out without hurting them. They're delighted to have the chance after all these years. If you hadn't been away for so long, they'd have invited you earlier, you know."

"Do you hear me complaining?" he asked, and together they went down the stairs.

In the kitchen, Hermione was attacked by Rose, Albus Severus and all the other children in the house, who dragged her away to show her all their presents.

Snape was sitting in the lounge reading the paper when George Weasley came in with his nephew, James, in tow. "Prof... ah, Severus! How good to see you again! If you have a moment, I'd like to hear your opinion on something."

James listened wide-eyed while his favourite uncle discussed items for Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes with his stern Head of House and was advised how to modify potions or how to use spells to bewitch and improve some of the magical devices they had in store.

"Professor Snape, aren't you afraid that we... er, I mean, the students, might use these items at school?"

"We're not at school now, are we? I trust that you know the difference, Mr. Potter. I've known George here for many years and been quite impressed by his, and his late brother's, ingenuity. He's developing some brilliant magic, and that's always worth discussing. We've been talking about several of his defence products during the last few months." Snape smirked. "So, you want to use what you learn here at school? Just try. Besides, you don't have to call me 'Professor' when we're not at school, James."

While George stared at Snape incredulously, James stuttered, "Uh, ah, thank you, sir. Mr. Snape, then?" Snape nodded.

"Uhm, if you don't mind... I had this idea..." And James jumped into a discussion about invisibility draughts with his uncle and his Head of House, someone he had only grudgingly respected up until now.

"You want us to do what?" James couldn't restrain himself; he was too shocked. "You can't be serious. I can't work with Greengrass on a project. I simply can't!"

"I'll not deduct points right away, Mr. Potter, but you'd better keep your temper in check. Yes, I expect you all to work in study groups of four with one student from each house. You have two months to finish one project, and if you work together, that should give you enough time to get full marks and still have plenty of time for yourselves. If you choose to work on your own and not cooperate with your study group, that's up to you. However, in that instance, you'll get a new assignment and will have to do the work of four in the same time. Your choice." Hermione shrugged. "Forming study groups from the same, or only two, houses is not acceptable. Each group will get their own unique assignment. You can now get on with your work."

With a slight smile, Hermione watched the fourth-years of all four houses scowl at each other, then come up and pick up the assignments for their groups. James grudgingly sat at a table with Gregory Greengrass and two other boys, one from Hufflepuff and one from Ravenclaw.

When she had presented her idea at the last staff meeting, most of the other teachers had been as sceptical as the students. They were afraid that it would increase their workload, but Hermione had reminded them that there were less assignments in total as there would be individually and that she would let the students from fourth-year up work on research topics that were of interest to her, but which she had little time to pursue herself.

Severus, however, had understood the advantages immediately and promised to adopt a similar method. He thought that forming mixed groups and letting them fight against each other would bring out their weaknesses and strengths perfectly. Hermione's heart skipped a beat when she remembered Snape's appreciative look after she had made her suggestion.

The other teachers were still sceptical, but agreed that it was at least worth a try with the older students.

The Headmistress was simply delighted.

"Merlin, Potter, what an idiot you are." Gregory Greengrass rolled his eyes when James jabbered on about the unfairness of the study groups and how he couldn't spend time with his own housemates because of it. "Can't you see that we actually have more time if we work together? If each of us researches a part of the project and we meet from time to time and combine what we've found, we'll be finished in no time. The rest of the time you can spend with your housemates, or your girlfriend." He smirked. Kevin Hopkins and Mark Bradley nodded their agreement, scowling at James, who was constantly interrupting their efforts to make a plan for their project.

"As if you didn't know that Lobelia is mad at me," James hissed. "Go ahead, gloat."

"Why would I care about you and your little girlfriend, Potter? All that counts for me is the project. But if you need advice?" He grinned. James scowled, and the other two boys snickered, watching the exchange interestedly.

"Some advice...?" James glowered. "Go ahead then, smart boy. Tell me why she was mad at me when I complimented her on hair this morning."

"She was probably having a bad hair day and felt mocked. Didn't you notice if something was bothering her?" Greg seemed interested, despite appearing indifferent.

"What do I know? I think it always looks nice, and it's so shiny and soft. It's just... My Uncle Ron gave this book to me at Christmas, and it says you should compliment her often."

"Book?" Greg looked appalled. "You use a book to impress your girlfriend?"

"'Twelve Fail-Safe Ways to Charm Witches'," James said. "Uncle Ron said it's an essential for every wizard."

"That explains a few things." Greg stared at James, horrified. "No wonder wizardkind is diminishing in numbers. You've got to wonder how Gryffindors managed to procreate at all in the past. Tell me, is your uncle married?"

"Uh, yeah... and Rose..."

"Oh, the lovely Rose Weasley, a beautiful flower in my own house, is his daughter, right? A smart girl. She must take after her mother."

"Aunt Luna was in Ravenclaw."

"As he said, a smart girl." Mark Bradley, the Ravenclaw in their team, snickered.

"But I think he had that book when he was dating Aunt Hermione..."

"Oh, well, didn't turn out, did it?" Greg smiled condescendingly. "Professor Granger has more sense than to fall for the primitive platitudes in such a book."

"Hm," James mumbled. "So what do you suggest, then, great Slytherin seducer?"

"You can laugh." Greg smiled lazily. "None of my girlfriends have complained yet."

"Girlfriends?" Kevin Hopkins asked, gaping. "We're fourth-years. How many girlfriends have you had?"

"Three." Greg shrugged. "Believe me, we're still best friends. But we're much too young for serious attachments. A wizard has to gain experience with the fair sex before he makes a choice, you know." His eyes sparkled with mirth at the wide-eyed stares of the three other boys.

"Oh, come on now, seriously!" He frowned. "You've all got mothers and sisters, aunts and cousins. Don't you talk to them – to find out what they like and what angers them?"

"Uhm..." James said. "I'm not asking my MOTHER about, ah, THIS."

"Pity." Greg smirked. "Then at least watch them. Watch the girls when they interact – try to understand what makes them tick. Then you won't need a book to be in their good books." He laughed when he saw the other boys' horrified faces.

"If Lobelia woke up with zits, something that can happen to the best of us, and she's barely managed to conceal them, you'd better not compliment her on her skin that day. Likewise, when you notice that her hair is different. You may ask carefully if she's done something with her hair, and if she huffs and puffs about it, you retreat and talk about something else. If she seems pleased that you've noticed, you compliment her on it. If you expect a girl to like you, you listen and pay attention to her."

"But..."

"You asked for my advice, that's it," Greg said, shrugging again. "Shall we work on our project now, or is there something else you need help with, James?"

"Er, uh, no, uhm. Thanks, I suppose," James stammered, and they finally resumed their work.

"Damn, she caught us again. There simply isn't a place where you can have a decent snog with your girlfriend any more." James was outraged when he met the other three boys in his study group.

"Granger? Yeah, she seems to be everywhere. And if it isn't her, it's Snape. They seem to know every secret corner of the castle." Greg Greengrass was in full agreement with James.

"I wish I had my father's map, but he promised Aunt Hermione not to give it to any of his children. Damn," James cursed.

"The famous Marauder's Map? Oh, yeah, I'd like to get my hands on that, too," Mark said.

"Much good it would do you. Aunt Hermione is my dad's best friend, and she, Dad and Uncle Ron had all these adventures with the map..." James sighed. "Blasted fate to have war heroes as relatives and teachers, isn't it?" He winked at the other boys, who grinned. They were all secretly proud of their teachers and relatives, but would never admit it.

"You know, it's about time we did something about it. Valentine's Day is approaching, and where's the fun when you can't have a bit of a snog with your girlfriend without having house points taken before you can pucker up?" Greg grinned mischievously.

"What exactly do you have in mind?" James was all attention.

"Remember I had detention with Shunpike the other day? And there I found this..." Four heads bent over a piece of paper, and excited whispers indicated the beginning of a daring plan.

"They'll have to be seventh-years, one from each house. That'll even out the house points," James said.

"Brilliant! But won't they want to know where we got the passwords?" Kevin threw in.

"Of course. We can tell them that we overheard them," Greg said.

"They'll still change them..." James rubbed his forehead.

"Mmh, yes, but then there'll be a new list in Shunpike's office – for emergencies."

"Right!" James eyes lit up. "And I'll sneak in and nick it, and then we can proceed to stage two."

Greg rolled his eyes. "Always so rash. At least let the three of us here make the plan and stand guard. Then you can rush in, all Gryffindor bravado and folly."

Kevin and Mark sniggered, and James grinned sheepishly.

"You know, Greengrass, you're quite brilliant," he acknowledged before they went back to their houses.

Greg stared in surprise. "You're rather useful yourself, Potter." They grinned at each other, aware that neither would be able, nor willing, to stop the friendship that was slowly developing between them.