I do not own anything nor am I making any money off this or any of my stories. I write purely for pleasure. Enjoy

As Time Passes.

We locked eyes from across the room. I dipped my head in acknowledgement and he returned the gesture. I floated into the room, my emerald green satin dress flowing around my body as I moved, creating an air of elegance I could only wish for. After a huge effort on my part, my usually untameable hair had been forced into a beautiful up-do, leaving my neck bare and pale white, contrasting deeply against the royal colour of my dress. The band playing masked the sound of my sharp heels clicking against the marble floor. The room was filled with people who I loved, people who had survived one of the most memorable battles to have ever happened in the Wizarding World.

Five years on and lives had finally been patched up. Though there was, and always will be a piece in all of us missing from the loss that we faced throughout the entire ordeal, we were finally happy, we were finally at peace.

So when I saw my old potions master, a sense of nostalgia and warmth washed through me. I suppose you could say I loved him in a way. You don't go through an experience like that without bonding with those that help you. I loved him for what he did for all those years, protecting Harry and therefore protecting myself and Ron. The knowledge that he had been the one looking out for us for all that time caused me to feel for him, to feel connected.

For once he had stripped away his black robes and replaced them with an exquisite black tuxedo. His hair, as usual, hung limp around his face. But it was not limp because of grease, more like it was tired, tired of living.

I caught his eye once more and smiled a shy, eye fluttering smile. What ever it was about him constantly made me feel nervous, but excited. His very being oozed masculinity and power, with one snap of his finger he could order everyone in the Great Hall to do as he liked, even though Mcgonagall became the Headmistress after the Great Battle. He was the one who pulled the strings to her puppet like state and everyone knew it, including Mcgonagall.

Snape smirked in return but put down his goblet and began crossing the room towards me. I could feel the heat rise in my face. I wasn't sure how to act, or what to say. This man was a hero, my hero and now he was coming to talk to me.

'Well Granger, eager as ever to get the Professor's attention.' He mocked, smirking down at her.

Even in her four inch stilettos he still towered over her, it was hard no to be intimidated.

'You know me, Snape, I mean Professor.'

He raised an eyebrow once more but ignored my dither-some state. 'So what is the swot doing now, may I ask?'

I centred myself before opening my mouth, terrified I would make some inappropriate joke.

'I'm working in the Ministry now Sir, as a transfiguration inspector.'

He sneered in response. 'I knew Mcgonagall would get to you, probably put you in the position herself.'

I could feel her temper rising. 'Actually, Sir, I got the job myself, I didn't need anyone holding doors open for me.'

'And what is that supposed to mean Granger?' He growled, his eyes eating into hers.

'Nothing Sir.' I said lightly, giving him a brilliant smile for emphasis.

Harry and Ginny chose that moment to intervene.

'Come on you two, lets have a dance.' Harry said, attempting to lighten the atmosphere.

I turned and glared at him. 'I'm sure the Professor here has much more important things to do then dance.'

'Actually Granger, I'm free to, dance… unless of course your afraid I'll step on your toes?'

'It wouldn't be the first time.' I muttered darkly before turning and accepting his outstretched arm.

It was amazing that within five minutes of conversation with him my feelings had utterly changed into a darker state. Our eyes locked and he clasped one of my hands in his. Gingerly I placed my hand lightly upon his shoulder.

'Have you never danced before?' He hissed fixing my hand on his shoulder, forcing me to clasp it tightly.

I took a deep breath, urging myself to relax, it would be over at the end of the song. We began to move, his light feet surprised me and it wasn't long before we were swirling expertly across the floor. I couldn't prevent the glowing smile from showing on my face. It felt so wonderful. The feel of the cool satin upon my body as it swayed and sashayed as we moved. Snape was a born leader, he moved and bent my body, spinning and swirling me until I felt giddy. Finally his stony -faced expression broke and he too allowed a soft yet tantalising smile to fill his face. It was such an odd sight that my foot stopped and I tripped. Quickly he caught me and dipped me low, matching perfectly to the end of the song.

He pulled me upright and we all applauded. He turned to walk off the dance floor but I placed a hand on his arm.

'Please Sir, just one more dance.'

He stopped for a moment and looked at me, an odd expression on his face, as if he were trying to work out an ulterior motive.

Finally he nodded and swept me up in his arms and once more we glided easily and effortlessly around the floor. The one dance turned into two, then three, four until we could no longer move. I laughed happily and offered to get him a drink. He accepted graciously and I went to the bar and got two goblets of wine.

We sat in each others company, reminiscing about my days in Hogwarts. I was able to make him laugh which was one of the most wonderful experiences. It was a deep, baritone chuckle that lit up his entire face. It shed years off his age, making him appear almost handsome. While I pondered this, Snape stood up to refill our goblets. As he walked I couldn't help but stare after him, wondering what he looked like underneath that suit. Perhaps it was the alcohol talking but I couldn't help but notice how tight his derrière was. The way he walked was entrancing, but walking doesn't seem fitting, gliding sounds more appropriate. He moved lightly on his feet, purposefully, yet gracefully. I could feel myself lush. How could I be having these thoughts about my ex professor! It was so bad, so wrong, but so right.

When he returned with the drinks I took a deep drink from my goblet needing the liquid courage. Snape raised an eyebrow at my action but said nothing and took a sip from his own goblet.

The evening began winding down yet we were still deep in discussion. Harry and Ginny were the first to leave and said a heart felt good bye, I hardly got to see them any more due to the all the work I had to do at the Ministry. Ron and Luna were next followed by Neville and Hannah Abbott. Slowly but surely the room emptied and the band began to pack away its equipment.

'Looks like we're the only ones left.' I giggled, feeling seriously affected by the wine.

'And it looks like we are out of wine.' He replied, staring in astonishment at the empty bottle.

'Oh no, no more wine?' I couldny help but feeling disappointe, I knew that he would call it a night and that would be it. Sh wouldn't see him again for a few years unless she had to visit the school because of a questionable transfigured item, but the likelihood of that happening were slim.

'How about we continue this delightful evening in my chamber, I have wine and I don't … bite.'

I gulped at his last comment. Though I knew he probably wouldn't act like this if he weren't under the influence of alcohol, I couldn't help but feel excited. Finally I was going to see where Snape lived, where he spent his time. Whether I was attracted to him or not the fact that I was going to his chamber made my knees tremble.

I looked at him for a moment before nodding. He stood up and picked up my wrap and went to drape it over my shoulders. It was so out of character for him I stumbled but once again he caught me.

'Too much wine Granger?' he murmered softly into my ear as he drapped my wrap over my bare, exposed shoulders.

I shook my head, 'No I'm fine Professor, thank you.'

He led the way through the building down towards the dungeons, as we reached a wall draped with ivy Snape muttered something under his breath and the ivy began to coil like serpents, separating off to reveal a dark, torch lit hallway.

'After you.' He said, pointing down the hallway for encouragement.

I smiled and took a deep breath before walking into the darkness. We walked for three minutes before the hallway opened up to reveal a room I can only describe as a man cave. The walls were adorned with paintings and sculptures, the interior was decorated in black and green and serpents coiled around the room at various different places. Though it was slightly dark, it was beautiful.

I said so to Snape. He smirked at my comment and went straight to his personal bar where he pour out two goblets of wine. My lips felt dry, but that could just have been the nerves. I perched on the black velvet two person chair and accepted my drink graciously. We sat in silence for a moment, I nervously looked around the room while he reclined casually, one arm behind his head, the other cradling his goblet.

Was this really going to happen. Was I going to sleep with my professor? This couldn't be real.

But it was. Here I was, sitting beside him, just passing the time until he made his move.

He was leisurely about it. He drank in my body with his eyes. I forced myself to relax and turned to face him, giving a confident smile. Slowly he sat up and took my goblet and placed it beside his own on the coffee table.

I pushed myself to be more confident, or at least not make a fool of myself. Slowly he leaned his body forward, forcing me backwards against the couch. His face hovered over mine, his hot breath tickling my skin. My eyes fluttered shut as he closed the distance some more, never touching, but so close I ached with need. He moved along my jaw line and down the side of my bare neck, lacing the skin with heat as he moved.

Finally he pulled back up. 'Look at me.'

I opened my eyes, anxious for him to do something, anything.

'You need to sleep Hermione.'

'No I'm fine..'

He put his finger over my lips, the only contact that he made with them. 'Come, you can sleep in my bed, I'll stay on the couch.'

An awful feeling surged through me, rejection. I went to stand up to leave but he forced me back down.

'Sleep now and we will talk later Hermione.'

I suddenly felt extremely tired and simply nodded. He look satisfied and scooped me up suddenly in his arms but I was too sleepy to react. Carefully he carried me into his bedroom and lay me on the bed. He took off my shoes and released my hair from its confinements. It sprang back to life giving me a wonderful feeling of relief. Pulling back the covers, he tucked me under the duvet.

'Sleep now.'

In my drunken state I feebly grabbed his arm, willing him to get into the bed with me.

'No Hermione' He shook me off and stalked out of the room.

Though I knew I would have to deal with the repercussions in the morning, I didn't care, I was hurt and angry. Angry at him for leading me on and not following through. Did that make me a bad person? I don't know.

But all I knew was that tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.

I have a feeling I could turn this into my first story in a long time, what do you think? I will only continue if you wonderful readers think I should.

Thank you all so much x