Always Kiss Me Goodnight

A Severus Hermione classic romance

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the characters mentioned in this book...sadly.

Hermione Granger starts a new term at Hogwarts As a probationary teacher in the Defence against the Dark Arts much to Professor Snape's annoyance. Tensions will rise but can the two of them find common ground or will bitterness always remain? .(my first fanfic so please be gentle - apologies for any grammatical errors)

Chapter One

New Blood

"Please give Miss Granger your warmest welcome. She will be joining us as our new Defence Against the Dark Arts" said Dumbledore as the large hall doors sprung open.

As the school began to clap their hands they were met with silence. Miss Granger was not there. Both the staff and pupils looked perplexed apart from Dumbledore. He knew that Hermione Granger had always been one to make an entrance and her first day as a teacher would be no different. He smiled and waited patiently at the lectern.

Suddenly a beautiful white owl flew in leaving a trail of sparks behind it. The magnificent creature flew around the Great Hall, swooping down low across fascinated pupils. The owl came to rest at Dumbledore's feet before transforming swiftly into human form. Cheers erupted and Hermione smiled warmly before shaking Dumbledore's hand.

"You have not changed a bit Hermione." He whispered while putting a hand on her back and gesturing to her seat at the staff table.

As she walked the short distance to her seat she caught Professor Snape's eye. He looked disgusted. There was no smile or warm greeting just a cold and soulless stare. She felt like a child again who had smashed a vase accidentally.

'Why does this man not change?. Surely working here now makes me an equal. Yes I used to be irritating when I was younger but now I am a grown woman of twenty five' she thought'.

She took her seat next to Severus and did not say a word. He did not look at her or acknowledge she was there. He remained expressionless. Jealousy was radiating from him as he desperately wanted the position but failed to obtain it. Dumbledore knew how he felt but the darkness that Severus carried made him a bad candidate for the role. Young, fresh blood was needed and Hermione was a perfect fit. Dumbledore just hoped that Hermione could get through this months probationary period to secure the job.

She would need the the strength of an ox to put up with Severus as he would be watching her. Dumbledore just knew that somehow these two opposite personalities would attract and work together. In some ways he also hoped that her delicate nature would soften Severus down a bit. He had rough edges and much pain from previous hurt.

Hermione enjoyed her first evening meal as a staff member. She listened in to the quiet hum of conversations that were taking place in the school. Occasionally she felt the silk fabric of Severus's robe as he reached over for his glass. He barely spoke to anyone else around him and kept stony faced.

An hour has passed and the Great Hall has started to become empty as the pupils made their way back to their dormitories. Severus rose from his seat and abruptly pushed his chair back in place. He nodded to Dumbledore and made his way back to his private rooms. His black silk robes billowed around him like a Dementor.

"He's a big softy underneath all that fabric. Give him time Hermione and he will come round. It took me only two years" a gruff voice spoke. She had known Hagrid since she was only a girl. She smiled and wished that was going to happen. As she watched him take a left through the door she suddenly became nervous. Tomorrow was her first official day of teaching students. The thought of Severus walking in unexpectedly to keep an eye on her was incredibly off putting. However, she would carry on.

It was nine pm and Severus was in the comfort of his own living room. The fire was gently burning and soft candlelight made the emptiness much more ambient. He removed his teaching robe and hung it on the door hook. He lingered with his hands holding on to it, his mind on one thing - Hermione. Yes he was deeply annoyed but there was a also a small part of his spirit that was captivated by her presence. Gone was the school girl with wild bushy hair, squeaky voice, and know it all attitude. This was different, she had matured into a beautiful woman. Her once unruly hair was now smoother, her voice was softer, and she carried herself elegantly.

'No, don't even go there Severus!' Came the booming voice in his head. He couldn't help it. The way she transformed from a white owl to her natural self was quite a performance. The way her burgundy dress flicked out from under her teaching robe as she walked and the way her delicate vanilla fragrance caught his nose when she sat down.

Severus shook his head and put the ward up on his door. Walking over to the bookcase he picked out a heavy leather book to help him relax his mind. Falling into the winged back chair a slight puff of dust rose up. 'Damn elves' he thought.

Hermione was in her own private room. It was to her liking. Warm and welcoming. Photos of her fondest memories where placed on the mantelpiece of those closest to her heart. Her mother and father were so very proud of her and what she had achieved although they worried about her being on her own however, she was strong willed and confident which she knew would get her through.

A photo of Harry and Ron caught her eye. Such lovely memories of the mischief they got into. A smile crept onto her face as she remembered the Troll incident and how the three of them got away with it by the skin of their teeth. She kept in contact with both of them. Harry was now married and expecting his second child while Ron was only recently engaged. She hoped to invite them to Hogwarts at the Yule Ball like the good old days.

She decided to take a shower and go to bed. Hermione did most of her thinking in the shower and as she stood underneath the steaming water her mind drifted to Severus. Yes, he had the personality of a stone but there was something different about him that evening. She saw him in a different light. She had never been in such close proximity to him for that length of time. When he rose from his seat and walked out of the hall she was transfixed by the way his teaching robe swished round him as it caught the air. The way he walked was with a sense of urgency yet light on his feet.

Hermione eventually stepped out of the shower and got herself into bed. She was tired and apprehensive. Soon her thoughts drifted away and she fell into a deep sleep.

Hermione awoke to the sound of hard rain and hail battering off the window. With a flick of her wand the fire was lit and the room illuminated. Today was the first day of teaching and she was rather looking forward to it. She got up and went to the wardrobe. A black pinstripe dress was the clothing choice of the day. Professional yet classy although due to the weather, black tights were in order to keep her legs warm. The classroom would always be that bit colder at that time of year.

She took one last look in the mirror and grabbed her bag. She could hear the students making their way to their relevant classrooms. As she left the main staircase and walked into the grand corridor she saw Severus standing at the end with his arms folded and scrutinising every pupil for uniform checks.

"Good morning Professor Snape" she said as she walked by him smiling as she did"

"Is it?" He growled back in his customary heavy voice before clipping a pupil round the ear for not wearing his tie.

Teaching came surprisingly easy to Hermione. She had her pupils captivated by her use of words and relaxed approach. She wanted to make the classes exciting with a touch of danger. Severus, on the other hand, was a strict disciplinarian who wouldn't tolerate much. Hermione didn't want to be like him but at the same time she was fascinated by his expansive knowledge.

Time flew by very quickly and the last class had left. She was exhausted but pleased with the days efforts. Just as she sat down to plan for the following day a loud explosion echoed down the corridor.

Hermione jumped up and ran out of the door following a growing number of pupils. Pushing them out of the way she barged in to Severus's classroom. He was motionless on the floor with a blanket of smoke rising up to the high ceiling. The smell of burning was quite apparent and traces of soot were on his one visible hand.

"All of you please move away and go about your business. Quick quick, there is nothing to see here" she shouted. Two boys remained sniggering at the sight of Severus out cold.

"Detention and points will be deducted if you do not leave now!" The two Hufflepuff boys turned on their heels and left quickly.

"Professor Snape, can you hear me? Are you alright?" Hermione said with an air of concern. She crouched down on the floor and put her hand to his face. His skin was so soft and he looked less intimidating with his eyes shut.

"Professor, can you give me a sign? What have you been doing?!" At this point she leaned right over him to try and pull him onto his back. He was a tall man and heavy built and Hermione was much smaller. A thick lock of hair brushed past his face.

"Miss Granger. Do you have a habit of being this close to men you do not know very well?" Came a familiar voice followed by a deep cough.

Hermione snapped back upright pushing the lock of hair behind her ear.

"Sorry Professor, I heard a loud explosion and saw you lying here motionless. I panicked and I just wanted to help". She explained and slightly red in the cheeks"

"There was no need Miss Granger. I was working on a new potion that simply went a bit too extreme. I did not need you to come to my aid and rescue me. I have many years of experience unlike you" he said monotonously. He pulled himself up using the bookshelf behind him but he couldn't gain balance. Hermione saw him struggle and without hesitation put his right arm over her shoulder.

"What in Merlins name are you doing woman! I can manage!" His voice was slurred slightly and colour was draining from his face.

"Professor Snape, you have clearly hurt yourself and I am not going to leave you like this. Now, it's either the hospital wing or your own personal room. Which is it to be?" She instructed in the same way she would when she was only a student.

Severus was too weak to fight her. The concoction he made up was not to be made again...ever. He was very lightheaded and quite tender down his spine. He gave a verbal comand at the bookcase which turned around revealing stone stairs.

Hermione struggles to get him down the staircase. She could feel him fighting her and also the wait of him. His teaching robe was not helping as it kept getting under her feet. Finally they made it to his personal rooms. He took down the ward and the door opened.

"The chair over there" he pointed to the wing back chair that was well used. They both staggered over before he dropped his weight down. He tilted his head back and gave out a pained sigh as he felt his spine seize slightly.

"Would you like to see the nurse? She needs to check you over. I can summon her now if you..." Hermione said.

"Absolutely not. You do not know what I need nor what I want. I would appreciate it if you just left me alone" he replied screwing up his face with the pain.

"If that is how you want to be then fine. You would have done the same if it had been me or another teacher...I hope" she said feeling hurt.

"Hope?! I do have a heart Miss Granger. It may be hidden but I am not a cold, insufferable, man like people make me out to be" he exclaimed while giving her the death stare.

"It's fear of failure isn't it?. I have read about it and it says that men don't like..." she stopped as he raised his hand.

"Please Miss Granger no lectures. I cannot take it right now. If it wasn't for this I would have thrown you out of this room already. However, I am thirsty so would you care for some tea?"

(To be continued...)