Hermione pounded down the stairs towards the DADA office in a fit of rage. He had gone too far this time. Feeling her hot heartbeat behind her ears, she continued up the corridor. No one had the right to treat people like that no one, and she was going to tell him so! Now coming level with the door to the office she paused only a moment to take a deep breath and knocked heavily.
Severus Snape lazily opened the door to his newly acquired DADA office, his black hair falling over his face. Before he could sweep it away Hermione was raging at him.
"How dare you treat him like that!! How dare you blame him for being bad at DADA when he can't work with you breathing constantly down his neck! Why can't you just let Neville alone!! You're just a bullying toerag! Did you know he can barely arrive back from lessons without looking like he's been facing a dragon! Do you get a kick out of the power?? Or can you just not gain respect without resorting to terror??!?"
"I'd stop talking right there if I were you Miss Granger," he said slowly, his black cold eyes suddenly alive with anger, though his voice remained low.
Hermione's anger was only fuelled by Snape's apparent lack of concern. Suddenly her wand was drawn and jabbing him in the chest, leaving a small burn on his black robe. He did even raise his wand, just tightly and painfully twisted her wrist away.
"Come into my office Miss Granger," his voice beginning to shake, "I will not be spoken to like that. I am your teacher and will be treated with respect!!"
"Earn it then!!" she spat back, hazel eyes alive with defiance.
"Rude insolent girl!!!" he yelled, his control breaking, "Get inside my office. Now!"
She walked past him, pushing past his arm that still held the door open, into the office. She was still angry but realisation of her actions had began to sunk in. She was however far too outraged to apologise. Instead she waited, her chin thrust high, watching his face. The expression on the sallow features was unreadable. The dark eyes were as always shadowed and though his mouth was thin in anger it was not curled into his usual sneer. She almost thought she could the traces of colour in his cheeks and she wasn't entirely sure that was down to anger.
He closed the door behind them and moved towards his desk. The room was large but dark, heavy drapes blocked most of the natural light and the fire in the grate had long died to embers. He was feeling warmer, all of a sudden and extinguished what was left of the fire with his wand while at the same time loosening the top buttons of the white shirt worn under the black robe. He also noticed, rather inappropriately, how pretty Hermione was when she was angry. Sadness flashed across his face for a moment as he was reminded of another young woman who always passionately stood up for those who wouldn't for themselves.
Hermione couldn't help to catch the change in him, he looked dazed, any anger had gone from his face, she saw for a moment how he would look without the constant control, without the constant sneering and sniping. Before she could help it a wave of liking for him washed over her, she moved towards him.
He already had his arms open for her.
He kissed her, softly at first, as though not sue she would respond, then harder and frantic, hands in her hair.
They broke apart then, breathless, unbelieving.
One look at each other was enough to tell them both that things would never be the same again.
