Hermione opened her eyes wide and quickly shut them. She was in her bed at Hogwarts and the sun was filtering in through the windows into her eyes.

Why do I have to get up?’ Hermione thought dreamily as she got out of bed.

Hermione wasn’t feeling herself at all and she felt groggy from the bad night sleep she had been given. Something upsetting had happened the night before and she still remembered it vividly in her mind.

-Flashback-

Hermione was walking briskly towards the Gryffindor Common Room when she noticed Ron and Lavender kissing profusely at the entrance.

“Oh get a room you two” she growled at the ‘couple’.

Hermione was not in a good mood and expected Lavender to drag Ron off somewhere so that she could enter the Common Room. She was mistaken.

Ron did stop kissing Lavender but stared at Hermione in astonishment. Lavender on the other hand had a sour look on her face.

“Well Hermione that’s rich coming from you, I bet you couldn’t even get a boy if you tried seeing as you’re too ugly” hissed Lavender turning bright purple.

Hermione gasped and Ron’s eyes widened in shock. They both knew Lavender was in the wrong.

“Hermio…” Ron began but he was cut off by Hermione in mid-speech.

“Well do you agree with Lavender, Ron?!” Hermione asked quietly.

Ron looked uncomfortable and finally tried to answer the question.

“Well…er..well….I” Ron stuttered as he went bright red.

Tears came to Hermione’s eyes as she came to the hurtful conclusion that Ron agreed with what Lavender had stated.

-Back to present-

It was potions class and Snape was being his usual cold self.

“Granger with Weasley” he sneered at the class.

Hermione groaned as Ron put his books next to hers, she had a feeling this would be awkward.

Ron looked afraid that he may die in her clutches and didn’t look her directly in the eye.

The class was set the tedious task of making polyjuice potion as a project and everyone looked at Snape as if he was mad.

Even Hermione knew this may be a bit hard for everyone to accomplish – especially for Ronald Weasley. She grudgingly looked at Ron after making a swift decision and began to talk to him;

“Leave the work to me Ron and just observe” she ordered

“But it’s a group project and er…..what if I need to answer questions?” Ron asked wearily in response to her statement.

“Well it’s obvious that I’ll have to answer them isn’t it?” snapped Hermione.

Ron took a quick glance at Hermione and then started grinning as if in agreement.

Dinner in the Great Hall started at 7p.m. and everybody was starving and exhausted especially Harry as he had been picked on by Snape (as usual) in Potions a mere thirty minutes before.

“I tell you I’ll guy him one day” Harry grumbled as he ate a huge portion of Yorkshire pudding. It was obvious that he was referring to Snape.

“Cheer up mate” Ron chirped with a weak smile on his face, “You can’t have it worse than me” he whispered as an after statement.

Harry glanced at Ron then Hermione and sighed with frustration. Dinner went on as usual until Dumbledore stood up and starting talking to the school with a big booming voice.

“Students must be warned that Potion classes will be cancelled for the rest of the month due to the absence of Professor Snape. That is all – have a good dinner!”

Harry exchanged suspicious glances with Ron and Hermione.

“It’s a bit odd isn’t it?” Harry began… “Snape going off school grounds during the school year for a whole month”

“Well maybe he has some work to do or maybe he’s quit and Dumbledore is keeping it hushed” Ron stated before continuing..

“Or he’s Lord Voldemort, imagine that or….he’s working for Voldemort or he –“ Ron continued enthusiastically before he was cut off by Harry.

“Ron you’re hilarious, do you seriously believe all of that?! I mean come on….Snape is Voldemort?!?” Harry burst into laughter just after saying these words and Ron shrugged airily.

They were about to go back to eating when Hermione decided to declare something.

“I think Ronald is acting stupid. He knows Snape is trusted by Dumbledore” she hissed while looking over the Daily Prophet.

Ron looked miserable all off a sudden and Harry glance irately at Hermione.

“Come on Hermione, give him a break!” Harry said defiantly.

Hermione jerked her head up from the newspaper, glared at Harry and then proceeded to read as if ignoring him.

“Silent treatment Harry – that’s what we’re getting” Ron said gloomily.

Harry grunted and he and Ron quickly left the Hall with Hermione following slowly behind, nose in newspaper looking alarmed. She had to tell Harry and Ron what was in the Daily Prophet…eventually!