The following day Y/N and Hermione spoke in code over breakfast, formulating their plan of attack. It was fortunate they had double DADA after lunch.

Following a quick meal at lunch the two went to the Owlery, where Y/N borrowed Hedwig to order two copies of Moste Potente Potions from Madam Villanelle. He wrote on the note for their usual arrangement to proceed with this order and that cost was of no concern.

Hermione observed the note being written over Y/N's shoulder, which was usual, they had no secrets from each other, and she asked shyly, fairly certain of the answer already:

"Two copies, Y/N?"

He looked at her and smirked.

"What? You don't think I'd buy a copy for myself and not for you, do you?"

Hermione blushed shyly and answered quietly:

"Thank you."

"Of course. I should really get my own owl over summer though" Y/N chuckled, stroking Hedwig who hooted happily and flew off.

-~-

The pair had headed straight to the library following this, showing Madam Pince their note and entering the Restricted Section. Hermione quickly found Moste Potente Potions while Y/N quickly grabbed another book- Jinxes, Hexes and Curses and How to Create them. Y/N had been experimenting more and more in his spare time, Magical Theory becoming more and more a passion of his, but this particular volume was almost impossible to source, even for the wonderfully resourceful Madam Villanelle.

A quick borrow and away from the anti-copying wards of the library he could make himself a copy and then return it, no one being any the wiser.

The pair took their books to Madam Pince, who checked out Hermione's book without batting an eyelid.

Y/N's book though earned him the third degree. He was in quite an obstinate mood so when Madam Pince questioned why he wanted the book he replied:

"So I can create a bloody curse woman! Why do you think I want the bloody book?"

Pince's mouth dropped. Hermione's mouth dropped open before she quickly put her brain into gear, smiling, laughing and gently slapping Y/N on the arm.

"I told you, no playing pranks on staff members, silly. Now go wait over there and I'll sort your book out. Go on!"

She pointed towards the library door, giving Y/N a firm look that said 'you should listen Mr.'

Y/N raised an eyebrow at his diminutive girl.. er- best friend, nodding and walking off. When he was out of earshot Hermione turned to the still gobsmacked librarian.

"I am so sorry Madam Pince, but you have to understand..."

-~-

Y/N had been sitting outside the library for about five minutes when Hermione finally exited. He stood as she approached, handing him the two books which he shrunk and placed in his pouch.

"So what happened in there?" She asked with a difficult to read expression.

"I was... uh, it was just a stupid question. It pissed me off. I mean why would anyone borrow a library book."

Hermione looked at Y/N silently for a few moments before asking:

"How many hours sleep have you got the last few days?"

"Not much, but I'm fine, it's just-"

"We're sleeping in our special place tonight. You always sleep better when I'm next to you."

Hermione had spoke firmly, giving Y/N no room to move. This wasn't a negotiation. Y/N smirked and lightly chuckled, answering: "yes ma'am."

They began to walk and joined their hands, interlocking their fingers as they always did, looking to all the world a couple.

"So are we off to our special place Y/N?" Hermione asked.

"No we just have to make a quick stop in the potions office. Sev has a free so we're gonna see him for the ingredients. I uh..."

I have the boomslang skin, powdered bicorn horn and lacewing flies from when I cleared out the prick in Knockturn. Need fluxweed, leeches and knotgrass though.

Hermione stopped dead in her tracks at Y/N's words.

"Have you gone mad Y/N? You're going to tell Professor Snape we're brewing a Polyjuice potion? I know the two of you are close but-"

Y/N chuckled, cutting off her stammering with a kiss on the forehead and a whispered "yes" as he gently pulled her forward to start walking again.

-~-

The two walked down to the Potions Classroom with fifteen minutes left of lunch and knocked on the dingy dungeon door.

"Enter" they heard in a droll monotone voice. They walked in and closed the door behind them, Severus's face lighting up as he looked up from his marking to see who had entered his classroom.

"Y/N, Ms Granger, if it isn't the two second years who least make me want to obliviate myself. What can I...?"

He cut his chuckle off as he felt the poke of Legilimency against his Occlumency shields. He and Y/N only communicated in this manner when it was a subject of importance. He lowered his shields and instantly heard Y/N in his mind:

Sev, I need you to trust me here. We have our suspicions who may be involved with the chamber, but I haven't found anything through legilimency. We need to brew a Polyjuice potion, and we need to grab some of the ingredients from your store cupboard. I know it's a lot to ask, but we trust each other and I wouldn't want to steal from you.

Severus looked at Y/N momentarily before standing.

"I just remembered I left something in the staff room. Please wait here until I get back".

You have ten minutes. If you are caught I know nothing.

Y/N smirked and nodded, replying:

Thank you Sev.

The potions master subtly nodded at Y/N and left the classroom. Hermione looked at him and asked:

"So we're...?"

"We've got ten minutes Hermione, Sev doesn't know what we are doing..."

Y/N winked.

"...so let's be quick."

The two grabbed what they needed and placed them in Y/N's pouch, closing up the storeroom just as Severus returned.

"Class is about to begin. I'll see you both after this afternoons classes?"

There was a tone of hope in Snape's voice that made Hermione's heart melt. She and Y/N would go to the Potions class every Thursday afternoon, under the guise of a study period, where Hermione would study and giggle to herself. So many people in the school were terrified of both Snape and Y/N. They had no idea how, in Hermione's opinion, adorable they were as they talked and laughed and bonded. Hermione could tell they both needed each other and cared for each other deeply. Snape took a fatherly role for Y/N he had never had. Y/N was very much like a son to Snape.

"Better believe we'll be here Sev" Y/N said with a large smile.

As the two exited the class and walked down the hall Hermione suddenly giggle-shrieked. She had been lifted, suddenly, bridal style, and she laughed again as she wrapped her arms around Y/N's neck.

"What do you think you're doing Mr?" She asked with a blush and a large smile. Y/N smirked cockily as he answered:

"You looked so adorable 'Mione, I just had to."

Hermione giggled as she looked in Y/N's eyes, telling him:

"Just for that you can carry me up to our special place."

"Yes ma'am" Y/N smirked as they continued forward, his earlier bad mood completely forgotten.

-~-

Following dinner Lavender led the other four to the second floor of the castle. They were stood in front of a bathroom door.

"Oh great thinking Lav!" Hermione exclaimed cheerfully as the five entered.

"Why are we here?" Ron asked. Y/N was pondering the same thing but he knew there must be a reason Lavender had brought them here. He began pulling a cauldron and the ingredients they needed from his pouch as Hermione answered.

"It's a brilliant idea Lav. Brilliant" Hermione smiled.

"This is the girls bathroom" Harry said in a shocked tone.

"Oh well spotted" Lav replied dismissively.

"No one ever comes in here" Hermione giggled.

"Why not?" Harry asked puzzled.

Y/N looked up just in time to see a ghostly girl float out from one of the cubicles behind the two boys.

"Moaning Myrtle" the two girls answered in synchronisation.

"Who?" Ron snapped.

"Moaning Myrtle" the girls replied together again.

"Who the bloody hell is Moaning Myrtle?" Ron guffawed. Y/N smirked to himself and counted down in his head:

Three

Two

One

"I'M MOANING MYRTLE!" the distraught ghostly girl roared, causing the two boys to jump and scream. Y/N laughed so hard he nearly knocked the cauldron over as the apparition continued:

"I wouldn't expect you to know me. Who would know ugly, lonely, moany Myrtle?"

The ghost squealed and cried and shot up in the air, before disappearing down a U bend.

"She's a little sensitive" Hermione giggled. Ron was still petrified and Y/N couldn't resist.

"Hey Ron. What's wrong? You look like you've seen a-"

Y/N was suddenly cut off by Hermione covering his mouth and looking at him fiercely, uttering only:

"No!"

When she released the mouth covering Y/N turned sulking, muttering:

"I'm completely unappreciated in my time."

Hermione giggled and Y/N turned back again, smiling widely and winking. The two settled down to begin brewing the Potion.

"How long will this take?" Ron asked. They had only been there five minutes and he was already bored.

"A month" Hermione answered.

"A month? But Draco will attack half the muggleborns in the school in that time!"

Y/N was beginning to get frustrated with Ron again. For someone who was yet to offer a constructive thought, ever, he did a lot of complaining.

"If you have another solution Weasley I'd love to hear it!"

Y/N was practically growling. Lavender picked up on his change of mood and stood.

"Come on boys. Y/N and Hermione don't need us for this part. Have fun you two."

She pushed the two relieved boys out of the bathroom and turned to offer a wink to Hermione, one that made the bushy haired girl blush profusely.

-~-

The two had been working quietly for about ten minutes when Y/N spoke suddenly out of the blue:

"When we do start going out 'Mione..."

"Yeah?" Hermione asked, looking up with a smile. Y/N chuckled.

"I promise I'll take you somewhere much more romantic for our alone time together."

Hermione smiled, giggled and blushed before going back to stirring the potion and muttering:

"I can't wait!"