It was a cold night in her apartment in New York city, which buzzed with noise from the streets below. Her apartment was not too small nor too big. It was actually quite spacious for a single tenant. Hermione Granger snuggled cursing her heater for acting up. She draped the comforter above her head and moved to fetal position. *Trying to have enough warmth for her to sleep*. The busy city was menacing enough to keep her from getting enough sleep because her next door neighbour was constantly partying from 8 pm to 3 am every night. She only managed to sleep because she had cast a muffliato on her next door neighbour's room when she had managed to sneak in posing as a guest.
TUG
BLAG
TUG
She squinted her eyes and groaned as another sound woke her up.
It's probably her neighbour, Rider, she thought. She had talked to him once in the Lift and he complained about his door not locking properly. He needed to slam the door a couple of times before it finally clicked shut and locked.
She made a mental note and vowed to fix that bloody door. a quick repairo would fix that in a jiffy.
When the loud sound stopped and a couple of steps were heard. she sighed in relief finally silence.
Why would Rider leave so early? She thought to herself.
"BOLLOCKS!" She quickly stood up, Grabbed her towel and ran towards her bathroom.
"SHITE SHITE SHITE!" She quickly casted a tempus charm and After learning that it was already to late to go make it on time to class she just lazily opened the faucet and ran her fingers through the water. She was late anyway.
She dried her hair using a muggle hairdryer, brushed her teeth and put on light make up. She braided her hair to try and manage her bushy locks.
she put on some skinny jeans, a shirt and her university hoody. Making her feel warmer . Although casting a warming charm could ease the dropping of temperature even if she was just wearing light clothes she decided not to cast one.
She had gotten used to doing things the muggle way. She figured that if she adopted muggle tendencies, she would remember her parents better. She always made fun of them when they struggled doing something but then she would do it for them using magic like simple repairs around the house.
She never once regretted when she had decided to obliviate her parents. As long as they are safe its fine. Although she was struggling to pay the bills and pay for her misc from the university. Having great grades also helped as she had gotten a scholarship and managed to minimize living expenses.
She locked the door and turned to her neighbour's door. Quietly casting repairo to fix it.
'That's done then' she thought whilst walking towards the lift and pressing down.
She could've just apparated to the university grounds but she had a small anxiety about using magic. Another reason why she adopted muggle ways. Well it also helped her to live in peace. Especially after the war. Using magic made her remember dreadful things. She unconsciously hugged herself. It felt like it was just yesterday when Bellatrix had carved something onto her arm.
she covered her ears as if it was happening again. She heard Bellatrix's shrieks and screams of pleasure that she had found in hurting Hermione.
The lift made a sound indicating that she was on the first floor.
She left the building and crossed at the intersection. The crowd was big and everyone seems to be so busy. The muggles walking pass her at a fast pace and some of them talking, with their phones glued to their ears. She owned a mobile phone but never used it.
She lifted her sleeves upwards and noticed five bracelets covering her scar. It may not have made it go away but it helped her ease the pain of the memory carved into her arm.
She was pushed aside as a muggle bumped into her not even stopping to apologize, she then walked faster until reaching the other end of the street.
Mudblood
Mudblood
Mudblood
The word echoed in her mind. Hot streaks of tears ran down her face. Why would it still affect her? She was always tormented by that word. Why couldn't she just forget about it? Something changed in her when it had ended up scarring. Bellatrix didn't just hurt her physically but mentally as well.
She continued walking and was greeted by the wonderful smell of pastries and freshly brewed coffee. Her stomach grumbled so she changed direction and made her way towards the cafe.
'Oh hush now Hermione. Being sad won't do you any good anyway.' She took a deep breath and plastered a smile on her face. It was a mask of happiness.
She went to her favourite spot and grabbed the book for her next class. She ordered a muffin and a frappe. When her order arrived she devoured it quickly and realized just how hungry she actually was.
Looking at a conveniently placed clock from across the room, she learned that she still had an hour before going to her next class.
she walked towards the counter and left a tip which earned her a quick smile from the cashier.
She then made her way across the street where a bookstore stood.
She went inside and grabbed a few books. Being a muggle bookstore nothing inside would be helpful for university.
She did enjoy reading a few of them especially the ones about fictional wizarding school's. The books were all overly exaggerated and she giggled when she found a certain topic absurd, its not like she was mocking muggle's creativity but it tickled her funny bone reading about what they thought was magic.
She moved further into the bookstore and looked intently at the books titles.
"Let's see now." She spoke quietly to herself.
The fingers of her right hand were on her lips while her other hand was tracing book titles touching each of them as she made a selection. She narrowed her eyes concentrating on a book that would be interesting to read.
She found one after a long internal debate as she moved to grab the book she found another hand in the way unintentionally she now held the other hand instead of the book. She could see how much paler the owner was compared to her and the hand was freezing to touch.
realizing that her hand was still on top of it. she jerked back withdrawing her hand looking upwards ready to apologize.
"Miss Granger." a cocky smirk greeted her. Dark eyes. Those Dark eyes that she never once imagined would be before her in a muggle book store. the last time that she saw them this close was when they (herself, Harry Potter and Ronald Weasely) had seen him nearly lifeless in the boathouse at Hogwarts.
"Prof-professor.." she stammered mere inches from his face looking down on her. She backed away giving enough space to maintain their personal space.
"I see that books are forever part of your... system." finally grabbing the book that they both struggled for a few seconds ago.
"Of course they are I am still a student after all Professor Snape." She muttered.
She rolled her eyes in protest. She then watched as her former professor eyed her from head to toe.
"I see. University of Avalon? So are you using this as a reference?" He looked at the book and read the title. Dragging out every word. His voice as silky as ever.
"Love... Potions? " He arched an brow and titled his head.
The kind of gesture that was asking for an explanation.
"I can't seem to understand how a clever young witch like you would seek advice in a muggle book" He stated then smiled. She was dumbfounded 'SNAPE SMILES?' she screamed internally.
"I was intrigued by it. It... sparked my attention. " Still looking at his smile . 'He has great teeth wow. What the hell Hermione are you checking him out.' Struggling to digest her thoughts.
"Miss Granger? If you ever need to ask questions you can contact me. i can help you make love...potions." His smile had changed to his usual expressionless face that she knew so well. Realising she was still not talking as if she had been hit by a langlock.
" Thank you Professor Snape. But as much as I want to stay and chat. I am running late for my class, so see you." She finally managed smiling sarcastically as she walked out of the bookstore.
She hid her hands inside her hoody pocket as if they could still feel the coldness of his.
She walked towards her university. Seeing a number of students brought her to the conclusionthat she was getting closer.
'Hermione its nothing.' She thought mentally kicking herself.
"Are you always like this Miss Granger? Always aching for attention?" Laughter filled the room.
"Sir, no one else can answer it other than Hermione can you stop being an arse insulting her intelligence?" The laughter subsided and it grew silent.
Snape approached Potter and grabbed his collar.
"50 points from Gryffindor for talking without acknowledgement!"
Somehow she always ached for him to notice her . His torment was an odd way of being able to nurture her feelings towards him, was she only longing for his approval? or was this nothing but a petty school girl crush?
Perhaps the reason why he was always getting on her nerves is because every professor would commend her doings, appreciate her accomplishments and acknowledge her excellence in all subjects except one, her potion master! Snape. Professor Severus 'the half-blood prince' Snape. The only compliment, well if it counted as a compliment was his remark of her as an insufferable know it all.
She never once told anyone about her feelings since she had, had a relationship with Ron. Although, it didn't really last as he became arrogant when the trio had basically became celebrities. she never told anyone. The only way anyone would discover her secrets was through legilemency.
Other than that she was fine.
She then caught sight of her classroom, opening the door quietly and going inside.
She sat in the middle of the classroom. Since it had a clear view of the blackboard and it was not too close nor too far.
She felt a tap on her shoulder.
it was Rider.
"Hey Hermione. I never saw you in our first class, where were you ?"
"I woke up late. " She mumbled.
"it was a buzzer beater as I went inside and settled, Professor Clavalio was just walking in. My luck huh?"
"sorry I should've woke you up though." she giggled as she knew he had in fact woken her that morning.
"You did. You slammed your bloody door remember?"
"Oh yeah. Sorry about that." He scratched his head and sat beside her.
"By the way, Mione. Professor Lockwood isn't our professor today. She had a sudden emergency. I thought the classes were going to be cancelled but apparently our goody two shoes professor found a replacement. someone that was visiting New York happens to be a potions master." She was dumbfounded was it the same potions master that she ran into just this morning?
"Wait I remember a name. It's..."
'don't say Snape don't say Snape don't say Snape.' She silently pleaded with him.
"SNAKE! I MEAN SNAPE!" Rider basically yelled out in triumph.
She ran her hands through her hair and just waited for the room to fill with students.
The door opened and a man walked inside. His robes where different . She hadn'treally noticed how different he looked now.
He was still wearing black robes but it was not long enough to flutter as he walked by it was just enough to cover his whole body from neck to toe. His vest showed a hint of the colour green and his hair wasn't as greasy as it once had been. He looked as if he had grown taller and healthier.
Professor Clavalio walked in behind Professor Snape. She frowned as she saw how her Professor looked at Snape. Well he was just as much of a Celebrity as the trio were and she had no doubt a bunch of witches would be trying to get in his pants now that he was a proclaimed hero.
"Listen Class. Please lend me your ears." Professor Clavalio said but still a bunch of students were chatting away from the recognition of Snape.
Professor Clavalio then cast a sonorous as pointed her wand at her throat.
"ATTENTION!" the whole class became quiet. Hermione clasped her hands to her ears.
"There... Now. I would like to introduce you to Professor Severus Snape. He is going to be a temporary replacement for Professor Lockwood... pity that its just for today." She mumbled earning an arched brow from Snape.
"As you all know. Standing before you is a war hero. why don't give him a round of..."
" Oh he doesn't like that attention " Hermione whispered to Rider.
"What?" He frowned.
"Look." She motioned toward Snape.
"That will be enough Miss Clavalio." He scowled.
But a student still clapped urging others around to clap as well.
Making him look uncomfortable again. Hermione who had been suppressing her laughter began to laugh hysterically at the situation but a few heads turned and Snape was now aware of her presence. 'Damn it Hermione' she silently scolded herself.
"Miss Granger. I see that you are still an insufferable- know-it-all..." He grumbled as a few of the students laughed.
"If this humours you then can you please come down?"
He walked towards Hermione and grabbed her hand urging her to come with him in front.
"This is trouble.."
A/N:
This was edited by a Josh Lowe. Thank you so much for agreeing to Beta this story!
This story will be updating constantly to improve chapters.