When You're Mad

Could it be the little wrinkle over your nose, when you make your angry face?

Hermione stood, glaring at Snape, a disgusted look on her face.

"I cannot believe you! Do you never think of anything but your precious potions?"

Snape stared back, face impassive. He watched her expression with interest.

Could it be the little way you storm around, that makes me wanna tear you down?

His eyes stayed glued to her as she strode to the other side of the room, reaching the mantelpiece and snatching a framed photograph from its precarious perch on a pile of books.

"See this? See this boy?" she screeched, pointing and the picture, then at him, accusingly, "Seem familiar? Yes? He's your son Severus!"

Snape continued to gaze at her, fighting off the sneer that was trying to force itself onto his face.

"It's like he doesn't exist anymore!" she ranted as she paced the room, and Snape smiled at the sight of her, flushed and furious, eyes flashing dangerously, "You never spend time with him. You think he doesn't notice? He asks after you, Severus. He needs to see his father!"

She glanced back at him, and stopped in her tracks. He had been unable to hide his expression in time.

"What are you smiling at?" she screamed.

Don't think I don't take you seriously, but I just can't help the fact that your attitude excites me.

"Are you even listening to me?" She accused, and he found his voice at last.

"Yes, of course," he said smoothly, taking a step in her direction, "Every word."

She watched him approach her, her eyebrows drawn together in a frown.

"What are you doing?"

Every time you scream at me, I wanna kiss you.

He watched her lips as they formed the question.

"Severus?" she said, "This is serious. I'm serious…"

He took another step towards her.

When you put your hands on me, I wanna touch you.

He stood in front of her, staring down his crooked nose, his curtain of dark hair falling forward over his face.

She placed her palms flat on his chest, staring into his eyes, then, with a small shake of her head, shoved him roughly away.

And when we get to arguing, just gotta kiss you.

"Don't ignore what I'm saying to you."

"I would never… never…" He spoke, distracted by her finger, once again pointing at him in silent accusation.

"It's like you're not even here! It's like speaking to a brick wall! You're not taking in a word I'm saying, are you?"

"Your words…" He whispered, mouth dry, "… Treasured…"

"Don't you try to flatter me into caving! Don't you dare to try that Severus Snape! You know that doesn't work with me!"

"I'm not… I only wish to…"

He stepped in front of her again, placing his hands on her face, running his finger along her stubbornly set jaw. She stared into his eyes, defiant, enraged, strong, beautiful…

He bent his head and kissed her.

I don't know why it's like that, but you're just so damn sexy when you're mad.

"What- What the hell?" she spluttered, "Why would you do that? I'm furious, can't you tell? Why do you-?"

"I don't know," he confessed, cutting her off, "When you're angry… When you yell… You're just so…"

"So what?" she demanded, "Stupid? Unreasonable? What- of my actions- is so horrible that the only way you can think of making me stop is by kissing me? Hmm? Answer me!"

He stared at her, searching for the words.

"Well?"

"You're just so…" He stared at her lips, red and swollen, and her hair wild and her hands… Oh, those hands… He'd seen them inflict such pain in the past, and yet they were capable of such…

"Sexy." He concluded, and she was taken aback a moment, gazing searchingly into his eyes, before speaking,

"When… When I'm mad?" She asked, quietly, watching him through lowered eyelashes.

"Yes," he said with a small smile, "When you're mad."