It's here! The sequel is finally here! Ok, so it hasn't been that long. This chapter is just to sort of jump start the story. Sorry if it's not particularly good. There'll be a lot more activity in chapter 2.

Disclaimer: I own nothing... Isn't it sad?

At the Burrow

Hermione and Harry found themselves relaxing at the burrow with the Weasley family. They had finished their seventh year at Hogwarts. Harry and Ron were going to begin auror training while Ginny was entering her seventh year. Hermione was going to return to Hogwarts as an apprentice to Professor Snape. The thought of Professor Snape caused her to blush slightly. She was still in awe over the relationship that had blossomed between herself and the surly potions master.

Hermione relaxed on a couch in the sitting room with one of the large books Professor Snape had given her before she left Hogwarts. She glanced up from her potions book to watch Harry and Ron as they played a particularly spirited game of Wizard's Chess. Ron was cheering on his queen, which was crushing Harry's bishop, and laughing wildly. "It's just a game Ron," Harry said with raised eyebrows.

"You only say that because you're losing," Ron retorted. Hermione snorted with laughter before she attempted to turn her attention back to her book.

"Hermione why on earth are you reading that?" Harry asked. "School's over. You don't have homework."

"It's interesting," Hermione replied not looking at him. "The potions in here are so complicated. I can't wait to try brewing some of them."

"Yeah, that will be loads of fun," Ron said dryly. Hermione rolled her eyes but a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

Ginny entered the sitting room and plopped down onto the couch next to Hermione. She peered down at the thick tome perched in Hermione's lap. "I suppose you just wouldn't be our Hermione if you didn't study during the summer," Ginny said with a little smile. "I see Professor Snape wanted to make sure that you stayed busy," she added. She folded her arms over her chest and eyed Hermione shrewdly. "Are you going to tell me what happened between you two?"

Hermione blushed and cast a nervous glance at Harry and Ron. Harry was looking at her curiously while Ron stood up and muttered something about getting some food from the kitchen. He exited the room quickly. Hermione's gaze shifted back to Ginny. Hermione swallowed hard, and wrung her hands nervously. This wasn't a discussion she had expected to have in front of Harry, though Harry seemed to be determined to keep an open mind for her sake. She sighed heavily. "Well, he had spent the night with me that one night," Hermione began quietly. She rolled her eyes when Harry made a slight choking sound. Hermione ignored him and focused her attention on Ginny. "I woke up the next morning and he was gone. You already knew that part." Ginny nodded and motioned for Hermione to continue. "That afternoon I was talking to Professor McGonagall and Severus met up with us when he returned from a meeting with the Death Eaters. We all went to Dumbledore's office for a short and while and then when we got back out into the hall, McGonagall told me that Severus loves me. Then, she just walked away."

Ginny grinned. "What did he have to say about that?" she asked.

"Well, I tried to ask but I just couldn't," Hermione said, smiling as the memory flitted through her mind. "He just said 'You know I do.' The next thing I knew, I was in his arms in the middle of the hallway."

Ginny laughed. "Well, 'You know I do,' isn't usually a declaration of love, but I think it counts this time."

Harry looked at the girls skeptically. "I don't know Hermione," he said doubtfully. "That just doesn't sound like Snape. He's just a greasy git."

"You don't see him the way I do, Harry," Hermione said gently. "I think if you two could just attempt to get past all this animosity, you'd see that there's more to him than meets the eye."

"I hate the dungeon bat Hermione," Harry said flatly. "I think the man is pure evil and I don't understand why you're so determined to be around him."

Hermione smiled and rolled her eyes. "I know you do," she replied. "Just try to keep an open mind and see him from another point-of-view. At least try to avoid any open hostility."

Harry groaned loudly, and then yelped in surprise when Ginny hit him in the head with a cockroach cluster. "Hey!" Harry protested. "You just threw a cockroach cluster at me."

"And you figured that out so quickly all by yourself," Ginny said dryly.

"You're just carrying those around?" Harry asked, rubbing his forehead.

"Not usually," Ginny replied with a shrug. "Fortunately, I had some left over from one of our trips to Hogsmeade."

"Lucky me," Harry said, causing Hermione to giggle.

"I should have just hit you with Hermione's book for being difficult," Ginny added, motioning toward the huge book. "She's not asking you to be Snape's new best friend. She's asking you to attempt to be a bit tolerant. I know it's strange Harry, but he really is different with Hermione."

Harry scowled irritably. Snape had tormented him and his friends for seven years. The man had seemed to be just looking for an excuse to get Harry expelled. How did Professor Dumbledore know that Snape had truly turned away from his Death Eater days anyway?

Harry looked back at Hermione. "I understand how you feel Harry," she said. "I really do. I know he can be terrible and hateful, but he can be kind too. I need for you to trust me on this one."

Harry sighed. "I don't like it Hermione," he said warily. "I suppose I can trust your judgment, but just remember that I'm going to be keeping an eye on you."

"Always protecting your friends," Hermione said, smiling fondly at him.

Harry smiled reluctantly. He couldn't tell Hermione what to do, but could still make sure she was safe. He'd be visiting her at Hogwarts frequently. That will drive Snape crazy, he thought with smug satisfaction.

Suddenly, a green flame appeared in the fireplace. Hermione, Harry and Ginny jumped in surprise when a tall figure stepped out of the flame and into the sitting room. They recognized the man immediately.

"Professor Dumbledore!"

Ok, so it's not so hot. But, it's a start. We'll see a lot more characters in chapter two, which should be up fairly soon.