The lounge was absolutely quiet. There was only the rustling of parchment and scratch of quills to be heard. The door creaked open and revealed Hermione entering. She looked tired. Far from her usually bright face that would greet me with a smile.

"Good evening Professors." She spoke as though with little to no interest. In her arms, she carried a bunch of essays. Seventh years Perhaps?

As I glanced at my pocket watch I realised that she was later than usual. Grabbing my book from my desk, I walked out of the lounge. It was my time to patrol and I didn't have a moment to spare. She usually comes early, but recently her timing had changed drastically. 'Almost like she's avoiding me.' I couldn't help myself thinking as I flipped the watch over in my hand, I saw my initials engraved in green crystals. She had given me the pocket watch a year ago. It had been a birthday gift. My fingers stroked the small ridges of the emblem- remembering her shy smile as she gave it to me. 'No. It was a very sweet smile.' The sound of the door closing broke me from my nostalgia- Putting away the watch carefully, I strode across the hall.

Nothing new happened around here. Students are still scared to roam the castle at night. Probably because of the aftermath of the war was still fresh in wizarding Britain's psyche. As I rounded the corner I noticed it, where it all began, the dent on one soldier's statue. Nostalgia took me again, It was there where Hermione had protected me, not that I needed protecting from a student, but she protected me none the less, many still held grudges. This student attempted to hex me as my back was turned, a cowardly act as far as I was, and still am concerned. Upon hearing the sound of her crashing into the statue, I turned. I saw her, Hermione on the floor- she was wincing in pain, the perpetrator ran away from the scene. I moved over to her as swiftly as I could, then I did something that shocked her, I held her in my arms and lifted her gently, I carried her to the infirmary, surprisingly I found myself staying with her. The Student was expelled immediately of course. 'Good riddance!' I thought again, breaking myself out from my memories, again.

I saw a bright light shine across the room. 'Finally!' I smirked to myself, a student out of bed. I walked to the source of the light, as I approached he must have heard my footsteps as I saw the light flicker low-immediately. I cast Lumos and illuminated the culprit.

"20 points from Hufflepuff. Mr Gridzo."

After my rant, and his stuttered yet obligatory excuses, I dismissed him and made my way up to the second-floor hallway. It was here that I saw her, stopping in my tracks, I watched from a distance, listening carefully.

"Miss Granger. My offer still stands. You might want to reconsider." A male voice spoke, though I wasn't too sure who it was.

"I will, Mister Crawford. I'll get back to you as soon as possible."

I saw Hermione nod her head as she walked away. Finally, she noticed me, but she didn't give me a second glance, a greeting or any acknowledgement at all. I focused on the retreating form of Mister Crawford as I turned their words over in my mind.

'What were they talking about?' I couldn't help but wonder. I tried to dismiss my curiosity as I headed down to my own quarters. I felt that a good night's sleep would do me good, tomorrow things would be normal again, that is if I ever get any.

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My morning coffee engulfed my senses as I headed to the head table, sitting in my usual spot. I picked today's Daily Prophet, as I picked it from the centre of the table I was able to glimpse to see if Hermione's already there. No. There was no sign of her. She was usually early, but then recently she had changed her patterns, last week she sat beside me, pestering me about a cup of tea, explaining the numerous ways in which it would benefit my health. Now everything was different, yesterday she'd moved to the farthest spot possible, the spot beside Hagrid. Today she's nowhere to be seen. I looked down at my coffee and breathed in its bitter scent. Yes, It's probably the coffee.

I took a sip, it's was hot and burned my throat as it went down, taking a mouthful of toast, as the sudden desire for burnt toast overwhelmed me. 'Why do I have the sudden desire to have burnt toast?' Maybe just to have something to justify the loathing that I felt of late.

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"20 points from Gryffindor! Your whispers and your gossip are unwelcome here!" I spoke carefully, dangerously, the tone that imbued the students with fear. They scrambled to their feet, and I couldn't help but feel satisfied. Their petty little footsteps thudding away as though I am a monster waiting to pounce. It seemed that anything could trigger my transportation to a world of remembrance these last few days.

'You're not a monster, Severus' That's what she had said, I could almost hear her say it. But she's wasn't here.

I walked into the library, browsing the different sections and I saw her, a handful, no, an armful of books. "Why not charm It to just follow you around?" I asked.

"I like them this way. It may seem childish but I like hugging books." A delicate smile played on her lips as she spoke.

"hugging?"

"Yes Severus, now help me grab those too."

"Fine, now give those to me. I can hug them for you."

"You know what? You can be sweet when you want to."

She had struggled with her books and I saw her drop a few of them. Her mouth opened, she had probably uttered a curse under her breath. As I walked nearer to her to help, a different set of hands had helped her up. She smiled that smile at him, and he returned it. Her smile was sweet. It's good to see her smile again. Even if it isn't in my direction. I took a step back and turned away. Unconsciously wrinkling my nose, feeling put out though I can't say I understood why. I assume he hugged the books for her, though I didn't look back to see.

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"Good evening everyone, Can I have your attention please?" Minerva's voice grabbed the attention of the entire school body as surprising as that may sound. People looked at her with the same attention that they had given her predecessor.

"Two new professors will be joining us for tomorrow's classes." The students looked as surprised. Two? I know that DADA was open but what's the second one?

"Meet. Mister Loi and Mister Grasil, Mister Loi will be your new Transfiguration Professor and Mis..." I no longer paid attention, all I could think was 'Hermione's position is Transfiguration. Does that mean that she stepped down?'

I looked to my left and saw her clap with the others.

"Of course, It's only going to be temporary, as Professor Granger will be out of the country for a couple of months." Minerva looked to her left and made Hermione stand up. I felt a sweet wave of relief.

"I'll be back soon my lovelies. I promise." My gaze moved over the student tables. It was very quiet and someone even snivelled. She was a dearly loved professor, that much was clear, even to me. I found my feet standing up and leaving the hall.

'Bastard. You made a scene. You clearly implied that you were upset.' I chastised myself mentally, though there was no effort to fix my mistake.

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The knock on my door made me drop my quill. It's probably her.

"Enter."

The door opened, it was Crawford.

"Sorry to barge in like this but I want to bid a proper farewell. I'm taking my leave at this time of night it's an emergency -- pardon me. I'm babbling." He smiled and walked to offer a handshake I disregarded it, crossing my arms. Crawford shook his head and tapped a hand on my arm. "It's been an honour to meet a great man like you Mister Snape." He bowed his head slightly and stepped back to the exit.

If he's leaving tonight then does that mean that Hermione's leaving too? I stood up and moved urgently towards the door. Just a few steps and I'll see her. I rounded the corner and saw her, she was walking. I stopped running and she looked up startled, maybe because I was out of breath, maybe the sound of my urgency.

She stopped walking and gave me a nod. I walked up to her -breathing heavily.

"You're leaving without saying goodbye." I looked down at her. She held my gaze and snorted, and as her eyes never left mine, she spoke, and realisation hit me.

"None of that matters. I'm just a petty woman, engrossed with the fantasy of being loved." Her eyes rolled as she spoke the words, my words, though I distinctly saw a tear fall from the side of her eye before she stormed past me, bumping my shoulder.

Those words. I... I can hear it repeating in my mind. I remember again, only this time it's me I remember.

'None of that matters. She's just a petty woman, engrossed with the fantasy of being loved. I can never see her as such.'

'Is that truly true Severus? I know that you care for her greatly. Don't hinder your happiness.' My confidant had replied. So she heard it all then? I looked over my shoulder and saw her pause.

"I'm sorry. It's just that... It hurts. It struck home Severus. I'm only human." My heart broke as her answers were muffled by her tears. "Just give me time and I'll finally get over you. A few months will help." I begged myself to correct her.

"Hermione." That was all I manage to speak. I walked closer to her- hearing more tears fall. She turned to face me and she smiled, her eyes crinkled and her cheeks wet, red and swollen.

"Please. I'll be ok. Promise me that we'll still be friends when I come back. I'll be better." She smiled again, but it wasn't that smile, it was a mask.

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This has been proofread and beta-d by

boonaught - Rachel :)

thank you so much for proofreading :) the story was much better thanks to you :)