-1All Characters contained herein are the property of J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros, and Scholastic Books. No copyright infringement is intended. The author of this fan fiction story is not receiving compensation for this work other than maybe some reviews (hint hint)

BREAKING DOWN WALLS

By: Wicked Witch

(Title inspired by Nethea, my sister.)

SUMMARY:

Hermione saw him for the first time in the long years that she has known him in that moment. He was offering himself to her. The man she has secretly desired for years was in front of her providing her with one night of endless possibilities. Moreover, if she accepted him, he could take the memory of this night away. Whether the feeling was not right, or by some off chance that embarrassment would ensue, she could forget it happened. However, what if she had the choice to keep the memory? What if she wanted to remember?

"You have got to be kidding me!"

"No, Severus, I am not. Miss Granger missed the train, and, since her parents denied her stay at Hogwarts over the holidays, she is to return home this evening. I have a meeting with the Wizengamot and the other professors have their duties. I am afraid you are the only one free this evening. You will be taking her home."

If anyone suspected Severus Snape to be a master at scowling as well as potions, the look he gave Headmistress McGonagall at that very moment would have been the proof they needed to confirm those suspicions.

"Not like that, I won't."

Minerva smiled slightly, knowing this was tormenting the poor man. "You do have a license to drive a muggle automobile, do you not?"

"Yes, but that's beside the point." He crossed his arms in his usual indignant stance.

"It is entirely the point. You cannot floo into their house as they have…leticity…"

"Electricity," he corrected.

"Yes, that. In addition, she is deathly afraid of flying on a broom. Her parents' house is in a very public place and therefore Apparation is out of the question. You both could be seen," she sighed as she completed her list of excuses. Taking a seat, she looked up at him. "I'm sorry, Severus. There really is no other way. I have flooed the Ministry and they have made arrangements for a car to pick the two of you up at precisely nine this evening after dinner." She noted the defeated look on his face. "If anything, look at this expedition as a way to refurbish any supplies the muggles might have that could assist you in potions."

Feeling a bit more tolerant at that suggestion, Severus slightly nodded and gestured to the door.

"Yes, you may go. Do not forget! Nine exactly."

Severus trudged to his quarters and began inventory of his muggle ingredients. He could very well get them at the local Apothecary in Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley, but he was too fond of the quality of some of the herbs he found in pharmacies and home remedy shops in London.

Later that evening in the Great Hall…

"He has to take you? That's absurd! Why can't McGonagall?"

"Professor McGonagall, Ron. And since when did you use words like 'absurd'?" Hermione narrowed her eyes at her redheaded friend.

It was the other redhead that piped up when Ron suddenly seemed to have lost his new vocabulary.

"He's been studying with Susan again. I didn't think they were studying. At least it didn't look that way last night," Ginny giggled.

"Sod off," Ron said as he returned to his plate, clearly going red from embarrassment.

"Honestly, it's just a car ride. A couple hours and I'll be home and he will be gone. No big deal, really." Hermione began dissecting her treacle fudge.

Harry turned and took Hermione's hand in his own. "At least sit in the back seat, away from him."

Hermione enjoyed the loving look Harry gave her. Their relationship at the beginning of the year was too rocky to continue, but she knew he still cared about her. They had remained friends and seemed closer than they had been before. Hermione knew she could count on him for anything. Including protecting her from the dungeon monster.

"Harry, I love you as a brother. You know that. But if you don't give off about him soon, I will hex you to Tuesday. He was acquitted! You saw the proof Professor Dumbledore left behind. It was tested repeatedly to prove that it wasn't tampered or fake. Pensieved ideas are very hard to mess with, Harry. You saw what the rest of us saw," Hermione sighed into her plate, slowly pushing back the rest of her fudge.

"It's still hard. I didn't know they had a pact." Harry ran his fingers through his hair, having sense to feel chagrined.

Hermione glanced around for a moment. Most of the tables were clear of students having caught the Hogwarts Express home for the holidays. Mr. Weasley was picking up Ron, Ginny, and Harry tomorrow morning. Nevertheless, Mr. Granger had thought that it would be best for Hermione to spend the holiday with her family this year; one in peace now that the war was over. She noticed only a few staff members at the head table. The headmistress was conversing with Professor Flitwick about how the decorations in the Great Hall would have made Albus proud; while Professor Snape was sitting back enjoying his strong, black coffee. He watched her glance around the room through strands of his hair.

"How am I supposed to be alone in the car with her for hours, knowing it will be the death of me?" He thought as he sipped from his cup again.

He left the staff table when his third cup was empty and strode across the room to the Gryffindor table. They did not see him approach, as usual; however, Hermione had a sixth sense of his presence.

Turning abruptly to meet his gaze, Hermione brazenly opened her mouth to speak. "I am ready, Professor. And before you ask, I have my luggage minimized in my pocket. Are you ready or do you need to get anything from your rooms?"

Caught off guard, he almost stammered, but caught her words. "Anything in my rooms, Miss Granger, is none of your business. However, I am prepared for our excursion. Do meet me at the front gates when you have said your goodbyes to your cohorts." And he briskly swept out of the Great Hall, quickly conjuring a warm cape, scarf and gloves. Heating charms were often useless in muggle vehicles with drafty cracks and crevices. He found it more comfortable to be prepared than be cold.

"Well, I guess I better go. I'll see you guys after New Year's! I love you all! Happy Christmas!" Hermione took turns giving each of them a long hug and a thoughtful look before heading out the doors and into the harsh winter wind. Her mind was too focused on trying to keep her legs moving through the snow to realize that she was already to the gates before too long.

"Five points to Gryffindor for you expedience, Miss Granger," came that low rumble that made her start every time she wasn't expecting to hear it.

"Excuse me?"

"It is the holidays. And you have perceived my desire to make this evening as short as humanly possible correctly. Would you prefer I take them away for showing public displays of affection with Potter and Weasley just now?"

She glared at him. "No, sir."

Severus caught that glare. He secretly reveled in the idea that he could evoke such fire in her. He secretly reveled in many things about her. Severus had pined for her ever since last year. The date was September 19th. Her use of time-turner in her third year advanced her age by a year. Severus had a keen sense of what was going on through his astute awareness of her schedule. Therefore, he knew that when her birthday came, she had turned seventeen; an adult in wizarding standards. The only thing holding him back was their teacher/student relationship.

Averting his eyes, he motioned for her to get in the vehicle. She did so swiftly, and they began their trek down the road. The air between them was silent for miles. Then it happened.