Author's Note/Disclaimer
Some implied Snape/Hermione this time for you. A short little piece that I wrote the same night as "Second Go-Round", "Games Afoot", and "Passive Aggressive". Reviews are very welcome. And I own niether Snape nor Hermione.
"Clever"
Severus Snape disliked students. All of them. Every single fumbling, air-headed, waste of time, pubescent teenager that made it through his door was a figurative thorn in his side. And that's just the way it was, and always would be.
"But she was smart. She knew what she was doing!" His inner voices were telling him.
That, however, was no excuse. One clever girl gives no reason at all for this.
She was bent over her cauldron, her brown hair tied back, a few strands brushing against an exposed neck. He turned and decided to yell at Longbottom, perhaps in the process taking his mind off of her.
It worked.
Until he found himself inching closer to that cauldron. He had no choice but to insult her. Maybe his robes would billow intimidatingly.
"Once again it appears Little Miss Perfect has concocted an exemplary brew. Book smarts will not get you everywhere you know Miss Granger."
She shot daggers at him, "Is it that you are upset that I am excelling in your class Professor Snape or are you just convinced that I have no skills besides my literary knowledge?"
Severus sneered, "Quite the contrary Miss Granger, I believe that you are astounding in everything you attempt. Let's just hope this proves true at your detention with me tonight that you have earned for your sarcasm."
She glared at him, furious, and went back to her potion.
Severus turned and walked slowly back to his desk, musing over whether she really was good at everything.