Chapter One

Just like a Gryffindor

"I was losing my mind when I saw you here

But you held your pride like you should have held me"

One year earlier...

After his long slow recovery from the injuries inflicted on him during the last battle taking almost a year Severus had moved back to Hogwarts to take back his position as Potions Master. He knew he belonged no where else, and as soon as he was re-instated he felt himself home again. Minerva had offered him the position of headmaster but he refused it. The role belonged to her and he gladly relinquished it.

He had come into contact with Hermione again when he was called to the headmistress' office several months later in a particularly hot August. Expecting a request for some odd healing potion or to discover who the new prefects where he did not imagine for one moment that Hermione Granger would be sat in the office too. In the manner of one used to surprises he simply raised his eyebrows and sat in a chair in front of the head's desk.

"Severus I thought I should formally introduce you our new Transfiguration teacher Hermione Granger, Professor Granger will also be taking over my old position as head of Gryffindor house.

"Congratulations Professor Granger," Severus replied barely showing any emotion in his voice. He was furious inside though, during his recovery Hermione had been his constant companion and somewhere along the line he had lost himself to the younger know-it-all. He had convinced himself months ago that she would have no interest in him and as always had buried himself in work. Now Minerva was shoving her under his nose.

"Is that all Minerva?" Snape asked in a dismissive tone.

"No I would ask you to accompany Professor Granger to her new quarters, the password is "the lion roars". Snape raised his left eyebrow perhaps half a centimetre as he looked at the two Gryffindors. Then in his most dramatic style he swept his black cloak behind him and headed down the stairs.

Hermione followed him anxiously, Severus had been her one worry about taking this job. Somewhere after the battle and against her better judgement she had bonded with him. "Do not think. Severus can perform legimancy." She thought. There is one obvious problem with this that logic and Hermione was aware of. As soon as you insist to your brain that you should think of not something it will suddenly be unable to think of anything else. Despite how hard Hermione was concentrating she knew that Severus must be able to pick up on something. Her thoughts were interrupted by his voice.

"The lion roars." Severus said to the large Gryffindor banner that hung along a wall of the four house banners. Hermione was surprised she had always assumed the heads of houses lived near their respective house common rooms.

"Do all the heads of houses live along here?" She asked.

"Yes," came the reply and Hermione could have groaned. The large scarlet banner imprinted with a lion was beside a huge emerald one em-blazed with a silver serpent. The banner rolled itself up and an impressively large arch was concealed behind it. Severus led the way into the rooms and Hermione smiled. The rooms gave the impression of a comfortable flat. There was a large living room with a roaring fire in the grate despite it being a warm August. Several sofas and chairs, all scarlet and gold, with a huge banner with the Gryffindor lion on hung along the wall. Upon further inspection Hermione found a large study stocked with several hundred books and a comfortable desk, a medium sized bathroom, a small kitchen and finally a large bedroom with a four poster bed.

"Thank you Severus."

"Is everything ok?" He asked spoken at the same time

"You're welcome." He replied.

"It's fine." Also said in unison then there was a loud pause.

"Thank you Severus I do appreciate it."

"You are welcome Professor Granger."

"Would you like a drink?"

"No thank you."

"How are your injuries?"

"Healed thanks to you." Severus was confused "why is Hermione making small talk it's not like her?" Then he heard her voice in his head he knew she must be thinking loud because he hadn't even performed the legimens spell.

"Do not think how much you want to kiss him. Do not think how much you want to kiss him. Do not think..." Severus stared at her.

"Professor you are thinking rather loudly." Hermione just stared open mouth at him and despite his personality Severus had to hold in a laugh.

"I am so sorry," Hermione rushed out "I really didn't think Professor I just.." She tailed off she knew she had no excuse she was falling for her colleague. "Oh no."

"I am too old for you."

"No you're not." Hermione replied quickly before thinking. She slapped a hand over her mouth before she composed herself. "Severus if that is the only objection you have to this relationship then you should know I don't care." She leaned in and Severus knew he should have protested more ardently but he couldn't he had already fallen for her.

Minerva did not hear from Professors Snape and Granger that night or the next day: the pair where far too busy.