Almost but not quite

Disclaimer: I own nothing except my original characters of course. Also for those of you who have read my work before you know that I have removed all of my stories from the past. This is because my writing style has changed and therefore the other stories have become obsolete. I apologize if you liked them but it is time that they are retired. Now on with the story.

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Hermione sat at her workstation that Professor Snape had given to her when he agreed to take her on as an apprentice. Somehow she always thought that it was a miracle in itself that he gave her the position in the first place. She had always known that he never liked her simply because she was friends with Potter and Weasley. But as the days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months, she was not so sure anymore.

She poured her last ladleful of pepper-up potion into the vile she held and pressed the stopper on top of it. With a flick of her wand she vanished the mess away leaving nothing but a clean station and a tray of perfectly brewed pepper-up potion that would be given to Poppy.

"I swear Hermione you seem to get faster and faster everyday and yet you have failed to make a single mistake. Not bad for a Gryffindor of course." Professor Snape said as he took the tray from her.

That fateful day when she walked into his office and pleaded for him to give her an apprenticeship was one he'd never forget. She looked so fragile and was definitely expecting him to say no. But he was a man who appreciated the concept of knowledge and would take on anyone who was willing to learn. So when he said they would start immediately he thought he saw her heart drop into her shoes as a big wide grin appeared on her faced but was quickly ushered away when he tried to poke fun at her big teeth that were no longer big.

He never really took in her appearance as a young lady before but now that he finally noticed he could barely keep composure over his emotions. Her hair was no longer bushy and fuzzy as it had been in her younger days, it now cascaded down her back in sleek honey curls that would make any man tremble, including him, if she swished them. Her eyes still held a trace of innocence but mostly the insights of a young woman. And yet those mocha orbs still sparkled when she was happy. Her teeth had not only been fixed but shown a glowing white that brought out her peach cheeks when she smiled. God she was beautiful, absolutely beautiful. And she wanted to spend her spare time with him no doubt. Of course it was for her career in becoming a potions mistress but who was he to argue? He could enjoy this very well.

He suddenly heard a whistle that slammed him back into reality. She was standing in front of him waving her hand in front of his eyes urging him to come back to reality. He realized he was still holding the increasingly heavy tray and quickly put them down on his desk before he could drop all her hard work to the floor.



"Are you alright Professor? You've be daydreaming again. As I recall you would wack a student upside the head and take away house points if you caught them doing that." She said while crossing her arms.

"Indeed. But I'm fine now Hermione so don't worry yourself."

"Believe me I wasn't worried." She said accompanied by a guttural roar that ran from her stomach. She quickly covered her stomach and turned a few shades of red as Snape laughed at her reaction.

"Oh shut up." She said to him as she walked out of his private office and into the potions classroom with him tagging along.

"I'm sorry Hermione it's just the fact that no matter how many times your stomach growls the reaction of embarrassment never gets old." Smiling a true smile while saying so.

"Tell you what, since it is so late how about we eat dinner in my chambers this evening?" He offered before he could stop it from coming out of his mouth. He had never invited her into his chambers before and really wished he didn't do it now.

"I'd love to, that would be perfect." She said as she walked with him to his private rooms. Surprisingly enough the whole living quarters was not decorated in green and silver as she expected. The furniture was a shade of mulberry at it sat around a roaring fire that accented a black coffee table in front of it. His bed was a few inches away from it sitting area. The sheets were silk and green topped with a black comforter and silver curtains around the four posters. Aligning every wall was a bookcase filled with hundreds of books ranging from muggle classics to potions to theory of the universe.

"Do you like it?" He asked her in the gentlest tone he could muster as she gaped at his book collection.

"Are you kidding? It's remarkable." She said as she ran her fingers down the dusty spines of the covers.

He found himself staring at her fingers and wishing that she would touch him with those hands but quickly shoving that thought out of his head with logical reasoning.

"Severus come on she is your student not to mention 20 years your junior. It doesn't matter how beautiful she is or how much you want her she is still untouchable. Besides it is not like she would want you back anyway."

With a quick realization that he had not summoned any food he quickly snapped his finger and a meager house elf came to stand in front of him.

"Peeble would you bring my guest and I some food left over from tonight's dinner please?"

"Of course sir." She bowed and made her leave momentarily.

He walked over to his liquor cabinet and pulled out a bottle of wine. Now was as good a time as any to drink it, besides it not like they were on a date or anything.

"I never pictured you as a wine man." Hermione commented as he pulled out two glasses.

"Well I do enjoy the occasional wine with dinner but mostly I'm a firewiskey kind of person." He responded as he poured two glasses of the blood red liquid.

Hermione was surprised that he was actually going to let her drink some of his wine. After all she was his student but one glass couldn't hurt since it was with dinner.

Peeble came back and had a full tray of food. Everything from soup, bread, fruit and pasta, and a raspberry cheesecake for desert.

"Thank you Peeble." Severus said as he handed Hermione the wineglass.



They came over to his sofa where the food was at the coffee table and presumed to eat.

Once finished they found themselves talking as they worked on polishing off the wine.

"You know Hermione, I find you very attractive." He said without realizing due to his slightly drunken state.

Hermione was very surprised by him comment, unlike him she had not drank the wine so hastily therefore was not really drunk and was able to process every word.

"I never realized how pretty you were until you came to my office that one day when you wanted an apprenticeship. God I would have taken you right there if I could."

Hermione's face flushed very red. She thought it would be best if she left or else could end up doing something she was not ready for. Sure Severus Snape was attractive or at least she thought so but she was not ready to sleep with him.

"I think I need to leave." She said as she put down her glass and almost too quickly got off the couch only to be met with Severus' lips on hers. The kiss was very hot and passionate and in a sense Hermione didn't want it to stop but she tasted the alcohol on his breath that mingled with her own.

Finding her inner strength she pushed him away and backed herself away slowly.

She didn't know what he was capable of doing while drunk so as quick as she could she left his rooms and retired to her head girl quarters without second thought.

Ah yes a short chapter I know but there is more to come. Also 1 send me reviews please. 2 don't send me ones that contain comments about my spelling or punctuation because I know it is not very good and those kind of comments just aren't tasteful. And 3 I know Severus is out of character but to be honest I have not ever read a story in which he is. Plus this side of him is not permanent it will change more like himself later on. See you later