The story is the only thing that belongs to me. I do not own any of the characters.
"10 points from Gryffindor." Snape drawled in his deep, smooth voice.
"But I was only..." Hermione tried to explain.
"If you are not satisfied with that, Ms. Granger, perhaps you would like to stay after class and clean cauldrons."
Hermione sat quietly back in her seat.
"It's so unfair..." Ron groaned after class was over.
"I know but you two best get out of here before Snape decides to give you detention as well." Hermione told Ron and Harry, pushing them towards the door.
"Right..." Harry said, "Come on Ron."
Hermione stood in the Potions room, alone with Snape. "Professor, would you like me to start on the cauldrons now?" she asked.
Snape waved his wand and Hermione watched as the cauldrons were instantly cleaned. He stowed his wand, walking swiftly to stand before Hermione.
"Professor?" Hermione said hesitantly, a small spark lighting inside her.
"Yes, Ms. Granger?" He asked quietly.
"What are you... ?" But Hermione's question died as Snape kissed her gently.
Her eyes closed and her heart skipped a beat as lips she had long thought would be so cold brushed over hers with a warm tenderness. Hermione stood rigid as his hands rested carefully upon her shoulders, sliding gently down her her arms.
Snape let her go and Hermione's eyes opened slowly. She looked up into the dark eyes of Severus Snape. "Professor... What was that for?"
Severus looked into the chocolate brown eyes of the young girl who had been his student for the past 6 years. "Ms. Granger... I should not have done that."
"Then why did you Professor?"
Snape ran his hands through his long black hair. "I don't know..." he groaned. "If I knew why this was happening, don't you think I would have stopped it somehow?"
"Stopped what?" she asked him quietly. When he did not answer she spoke again, louder this time. "Stopped what, Sir?"
"These feelings!" He snapped, looking at her. "These bloody feelings that have grown for you! I can not stop them, though I have tried.
"You have feelings for me, Sir?" Hermione asked, her heart beat erratically as she awaited his answer. Hermione had no idea why she was so anxious to hear his answer but her heart beat out of control regardless.
Snape rounded on her, "You know, for a know-it-all, you seem to be rather daft at the moment."
Her hand closed over her mouth and she stepped back, her legs hitting a desk. The sound of the desk scraping the floor made her jump in fright.
"Damn it, girl. What are you doing?"
"I-I'm sorry Professor... I didn't... I mean, I was just..." Hermione stammered, unsure of what to say.
Severus snarled and walked briskly toward her, grabbing her arms. His eyes locked with her own and growled before his lips crushed hers. "Do you feel nothing?" Snape said as he pulled away from her. "Do you feel nothing for me? Nothing at all?"
Hermione stared at the man who had only ever been her Potions teacher. The man she had never thought of as any more than that until now. But now... "I..."
"I should have thought. I apologize for how I behaved. I should be grateful if you kept this between us. And I assure you that it shall not happen again. You may leave now."
Hermione turned away and began to walk towards the door. She was nearly to the door when she stopped. "Professor," Hermione said, turning back to him. She walked back to the man who had been her teacher for so long, stopping before him. "Professor, I'm not sure what it is I feel." she said. "But I am certain that it is not hatred I feel." Hermione kissed him gently, tentatively.
Severus looked at Hermione with joy. First the first time in many years, he was happy again. Truly happy.
