Sleepless nights.
Disclaimer: Same as usual, I own nothing…
Summery: two unlikely people meet in the astronomy tower…
The night was just at touch nippy though Hermione barely noticed her eyes scanned the darkened grounds of Hogwarts thoughtfully not noticing the dark shape of a man standing in the doorway watching her.
"It seems, Miss Granger, that I am not the only one who has trouble sleeping tonight." The silken voice of Severus Snape brought Hermione out of her reverie, as he stepped into the light being shown through the windows studying her still wearing his black robes.
Hermione nods to him slightly but does not move from her spot beside the window, she had no fear of the Potions master now; she honestly hadn't had anything to fear from him in over ten years. She simply made room for him at the window as she studied the stars above not really in a mood to talk.
Severus made his way slowly to her side in no rush as he too took in the view, his scathing looks and furled brow was left in the classroom, he almost seemed relaxed. It was only after nearly five minutes of content silence that he broke it with whispered words.
"I doubt the headmaster would approve of Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration apprentice sitting alone in the astronomy tower at this time of night. Such actions cause me to inquire as to why, if it is sleep that evades you I am sure Madame Pomfrey would be very happy to give you dreamless sleep potion." He smirks faintly studying the quiet young woman dark eyes unflinching from her pale features.
It seemed at first that Hermione would not reply still as stone she sat not reacting to his words physically but finally she sighed quietly dark eyes gazing off into elsewhere her voice barely above a whisper and full of great sadness.
"Ten years ago tonight my parents were killed; I always find it hard to sleep on the Anniversary of their death, the ghosts of the past haunting my dreams. And yet I look forward to this night every year, because even if I am haunted, for one night at least I feel close to them again as if they were here with me, even if it is for a moment…trapped in memory for a single night each year, is that so wrong Severus?"
The potions master studied the young woman before him, he had known her since she was a little first year raising her hand in his class and being a right know-it-all, however in the years since he had learned to see her as more than a more intelligent Dunderhead as usual, he saw her as a person, a thinking breathing entity who had eventually earned his respect. He had seen her determination, her growing wisdom, and her power first hand, the Hermione of daylight was strong and worthy of the respect of the entire staff, however this Hermione was softer, vulnerable and wistful, a side she had never shown before now and despite himself he was intrigued. Somehow this Hermione was more human, and he studied her with interest, he had always seen her as a student but now for at least this moment he saw her as something more, a kindred spirit.
Sensing Severus' silence Hermione glanced at him eyes still distant and thoughtful, dark brown met black for a moment and a sense of understanding came to both of them, and for the first time in the entire conversation Hermione smiled, a faint brief smile that was answered by a pale one from Severus. Together they turned and silently watched the night pass away over the land round about Hogwarts, for the rest of the night no words were exchanged, and there was no need for them, because two souls who had for years been haunted by what was lost, had found something they had been missing, kinship.
-Authors note: please forgive me for not posting anything in a long time, chaos in RL has prevented it, hopefully this little ficlet will tide us over until I can get some of my updates up and running. R&R and maybe suggest which of the stories I should update first purrs thanks.