Chapter 1

It has been a month we've been together, and no one even knows. No one is suspicious, no one is jumping to conclusions and the best part is the snogging is better than ever. Not to say that she's easy, but I have a feeling it's what we both want.

When everyone came back from Hogsmeade at Christmas, we went back to our menacing ways of pretending to hate each other. Well, I did anyways. She went back to her timid and shy ways. Harry and Ron pestered her about what she did over the holidays as soon as they came back, but being the smarter one, rescued her from her stuttering.

'I expect the 10 page paper that you've been working on over the holidays on the importance of cherry wood on my desk tonight at seven Miss Granger.'

The first month was interesting as well. Not only did she go back to befriending those horrid scoundrels, she still put on the ploy of dating Mr. Weasley. In my opinion, they make a horrible couple. Every time the walked into my potions room holding hands I shot her the evil eye. Of course that night she made it up to me by telling Ron she was going for a walk or to the library and came to visit me in my potions room. This time we didn't make the desk.

Today was our first month anniversary. Not that I'm counting, but she deserves the best and I know that. There is a common misconception that I don't know how to treat women but I, Severus Snape, do know how to treat a woman.

I awoke feeling reenergized having already planned the whole day and sleeping peacefully the whole night. It was a Tuesday which meant I still had to put up with her schedule of going to classes, but I could do that.

I sauntered out of bed and slipped on a pair of robes. As I stepped out of my room, I took out my wand and flicked it around the room. Flowers bloomed and wrapped themselves around any table leg, chair leg and whatever else you could imagine flowers growing on. I flicked my hand at my window and the depressing picture of the snow covered courtyard disappeared and was replaced with millions of stars and a glowing moon. I flicked my wand one last time and all the candles around the room were lit.

Tonight was going to be a wonderful night.

And the best part?

Our first year anniversary fell on Valentines Day.

I walked up to the great hall for breakfast and sat down to my usual place. I looked down at the Gryffindor table to see Ron presenting Hermione with a small red box and smiling up at her with anxiety. I scowled. What a git. Hermione then opened the box and it looked like she faked the emotion of surprise. I chuckled a bit under my breath. She pulled up a necklace that had a small locket. I bet that there's a moving picture in there. Harry then handed her a gift and handed one to Ginny as well. It was just chocolates. Hermione smiled, thanked them both and turned back to her food. She then caught me off guard and jerked her head over discreetly to see if I had arrived yet. I jumped up in my chair as her eyes met mine. She smiled and I nodded.

Her first period class was defense against the dark arts. Then it was history of magic, and then it was my turn in potions. I had the first years in my first class so I decided they would find it amusing mixing odds and ends to create a potion that bubbled hearts. And of course I was right. The potion was useless though. Someone actually tried to drink it but the little bugger quickly was discontented as all the potion did was enable you to hiccup heart shaped bubbles.

Second period I had the fourth years. They probably don't know the difference between a tree and rock. So, I made them read their textbooks and gave them an easy class. Most of them fooled around and talked, but I didn't care. One of them tried to perturb me so I showed them I was perfectly fine.

"Mr. Beasley, 10 points from Ravenclaw. And 50 if you do that again." I saw, my legs resting up on my desk. I barely even moved from my book as I said that. I heard his gasp and he quickly went back to reading.

After lunch, it was finally Hermione's turn to come into my class. I smiled my coy smile as I looked at every face entering my room. With that one smirk I had plastered on my face, everyone turned from calm to apprehensive with each footstep they took into my class.

I really didn't have a plan although. I was just thinking of assigning them a written assignment. Then Hermione would be finished first, I could take her into my study, close the door and discuss the non-existent cherry wood paper with her.

"Afternoon class. Today you will all be writing me a five parchment paper essay on the usage of worm wood. It will be due next class."

The class moaned and groaned but eventually started writing. After about thirty minutes, Hermione came up to my desk and handed in her paper.

"Miss Granger, finished first as usual I see." I picked up the paper and glanced over it. "You know what they say Miss Granger, what's usually done first lacks detail."

I put down the paper to see Malfoy snickering with his comrades. I looked up at Hermione and crossed my hands together.

"Speaking of detail, we need to discuss your essay on cherry wood. Will you please join me in the study?"

I stood up from my desk and sauntered over to the room connected to the class. I shut the door behind Hermione and she let out a sigh of relief. She sat on the table in the room, swinging her legs back and forth and smiling at me.

"Hermione, I don't know what you're smiling at but we're not going to shag while you're 'boyfriend' and the rest of my class are out there. Plus, you're very loud in bed. I wouldn't want Mr. Weasely to get jealous. I bet he hasn't heard half of the things I have." I said, feeling a sense of pride saying those last few words.

"But Severus… oh alright. What did you want then?"

I dug deep into my pocket and pulled out an envelope. I handed it to Hermione and tried my hardest to smile.

"Happy Valentine's day and one month anniversary."

She looked up at me, her eyes glowing. She opened up the card hastily. As the envelope was dropped to the ground and the card was opened, a ton of confetti burst up from the card and a single red rose emerged from the centerfold of the card. She blushed with joy, which was the expression I was hoping for. She hopped off the table and wrapped her arms around me.

"Thank you Severus, this is the sweetest gift I've ever received."

I hugged her back and then pushed her back slightly to look at her neck.
"Better than the locket Mr. Weasely gave you?"

She chuckled a bit and picked up her necklace. "I'm only wearing it to keep him happy and us under wraps."

I smiled and this time it actually looked like a smile. She blushed and I leaned in to give her a kiss. As I had hoped, it turned into one of those passionate movie kisses.

I knew I would be receiving many of those tonight after what I have planned.