Uncovering the Unexpected

Chapter 2

Although Hogwarts was nothing close to a Muggle school, it shared its similarities with one in some aspects. Because, as all schools go, everyone wanted gossip. It didn't matter what it was or whether it was true or not. As long as the story was interesting, students would stop to listen.

So when word got out about Professor Snape's good genetics, it was all over the school the next day.

Honestly, Hermione hadn't meant for everyone to know. She had only told Ron and Harry, who stared at her in awe as she described the scene. But she had forgotten the fact that Ron had a big mouth when it came to these things. He told Fred and George, and then Ginny, and well...

Somehow it had spread over the entire school by breakfast. Hermione was more than embarrassed, and during the morning at the Great Hall, she refused to even steal a glance up at the teacher's table. She was surprised Snape hadn't approached her yet, all things considered.

But, as she ate her meal, she could feel his gaze burning into her, though she never looked over to check if he was staring at her.

On her side, Ron chattered to Harry.

"Can you believe it? I mean, who would ever thing Snape would have a big one? With that, he needs to get laid more often. Maybe then he wouldn't be such a strict killjoy all the time." he looked over at Hermione. "Are you sure it was big?" he asked for the billionth time.

Hermione's cheeks burned. "Yes, I'm sure."

Meanwhile, seated at the table in the front, Severus Snape stared down at Hermione Granger. To say he had been thoroughly surprised when he caught her staring through his door would be an understatement.

She had ran away before he could punish her for spying, and when he had gotten dressed he knew she must have gone to hide in her house. Typical...

He contemplated a good punishment, but couldn't really think of one. He could always give her a detention or two, but if McGonagall got whiff and approached him, he knew he wouldn't be too keen to admit what happened.

To say that he had been foolish enough to keep his door open while he was undressing was something he could never do. After all, it's not like it was his fault as McGonagall would assume. No, if Granger hadn't been snooping, this never would have happened.

Now the nosey girl was avoiding looking at him. It annoyed him to no ends, considering she had no right to barge into his classroom in the first place and invade his personal life and privacy, and then pretend it never happened.

Another thing that he noticed was a lot more students than usual were looking up at where he sat this morning. But every time he would catch one of them, they would quickly look away as if they were embarrassed.

Although he had never been one to even attempt to give a decent reason on why adolescents acted the way they did, this was a bit off-putting. But, then again, these were the idiots he taught on a daily basis.

In the meantime, he'd have to have a word with Granger and take a few house points away.

Hermione had been dreading Potions ever since she had walked in on Snape.

She could feel a hard stone in the bottom of her stomach, and no matter what she did it wouldn't go away. She hoped the class would never come, but, as things had a way of doing, the more you dreaded something, the faster it seemed to come.

The end of the day arrived all too soon. Hermione had been even hoping that Flitwick would hold them back a few minutes to explain how to do a simple charm again. But no.

As she walked down the corridors, she could see through the window that outside the sun was high in the sky. Its shine fell onto the clouds, making them look even whiter against the cool blue of the sky.

It might as well have been storming.

When Hermione stepped into the cold dungeons of the Potions class, Ron and Harry flanked at her side, she avoided everyone's gaze. Professor Snape was sitting at his desk, currently too involved in what he was writing to even notice the students entering.

Taking her usual seat, Hermione pulled out her Potions book and pieces of parchment like it was any other class.

Finally, Snape finished what he was doing and put down his quill, standing up to survey the class. Hermione gulped as she feared what was to come next, but the professor's eyes didn't even stop to linger on her as he swept in the students.

"Okay, class," he drawled lazily after a moment, still eyeing each student with equal coldness. "Today we will be making a love potion."

A few of the students snickered loudly, casting glances in Hermione's direction. Not because of what he said, but because of well...

"Silence!" Snape snapped, his black eyes falling on Ron, who happened to be the loudest of all the kids stifling their giggles. "Would you be so kind to tell me, Mr. Weasley, what you and half the class find so funny? I'd love to be enlightened."

Ron's cheeks turned a color similar to that of his hair. "Well, uh..."

"Spit it out."

"We think love potions are funny, sir."

That was one of the weakest excuses Hermione had ever heard. Meanwhile, she was trying not to look at Snape's face, which ended up backfiring. Her eyes traveled down his body, landing on his lower region, causing unwanted thoughts to enter her mind.

Don't think about it! Don't think about! Don't think about it!

"Ten points from Gryffindor for lying to me, Mr. Weasley. But, as it may be, class needs to go on and I have no time for your childish games." Snape snapped icily, and then began to walk down the aisles of desks.

"Now, children, love potions are currently banned in the wizarding world..."

Hermione had trouble paying attention after that. Surprisingly, Snape didn't even pay an extra glance in her direction the entire rest of the class. When it was time to go, Hermione was sure that she had lucked out and Snape would allow this whole thing to blow over.

But no. As she and the rest of the students were putting away their things, she heard Snape's voice from behind her. "Miss. Granger, please stay after class."

Uh-oh.

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