Written for Fanfic Dominoes Game (Challenge) and Harry Potter Carnival Competition. Warning for some very creepy tones.
Severus looked at the student sitting on the other side of the desk. Padma Patil looked back at him, back straight and chin out. Severus caught the faint smell of almonds in the air, and knew that it was her.
"What were you and Weasley discussing, Miss Patil?" he asked, keeping his eyes on the girl. He didn't use his Legilimency on her. For some reason he didn't want to.
"Nothing," she said solemnly.
"Really? Are you sure you weren't discussing her brother?" he asked, his voice smooth.
"I haven't talked about Ron Weasley since I was cursing him with my sister for the disaster about the Yule Ball, and Alecto Carrow needs to learn to mind her own business," she said, her voice snappish.
Severus barely managed to cover up his smirk. He had always liked Padma Patil. She reminded him a great deal of Lily, but there was something about her that was different. As she grew older, he found her more and more fascinating.
Severus had promised himself that he would never find himself falling for a student, but Padma was putting that to the test.
"Very well," Severus said. "You may go."
Padma nodded and got up. "Professor," she said as she got to door.
"Yes?" he asked.
"You disgust me. You will never have me. You can look at me all you want, but you will never, ever touch me. I will kill you before you could."
Then she left.