Chapter 1: Huge Headache

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He had kissed a student. It was a disaster. And not just any student but the bookworm herself, the know-it-all, Potter's sidekick, Granger. He would have felt better had he kissed Poppy Pomfrey herself, but her!

How would he look her in the eye at school? Because even if he avoided her like the plague all throughout Christmas break, he couldn't blatantly ignore her in classes.

He came at Grimmauld Place only when it was absolutely necessary and made sure never to encounter her or to leave immediately when there was such danger.

But once – he couldn't prevent seeing her.

He was talking with Mad-Eye Moody in the kitchen when Mrs. Weasley burst in with Potter, Weasley, Granger and Weasley's sister. He instantly got up to leave, but Mrs. Weasley beckoned him to stay.

'I was just about to make some dinner for them, they're all starving. You may join us Severus, unless you have something else occupying you on Christmas.'

He barely looked in their general direction, but noticed how Granger had paled and withdrawn.

'Excuse me, I'm not hungry,' she mumbled and went back upstairs.

He rolled his eyes and left without another word, leaving Mrs. Weasley in mid-sentence.

'He is off his nutter, I've always said,' Moody exclaimed as the door was shut behind the brooding man.

'Really! If he thinks my cooking so bad he should tell me so! He should have at least said goodbye. What a rude man, no wonder he makes no friends,' Mrs. Weasley commented.

Ron and Harry exchanged a curious glance and decided to go see if Hermione was feeling well.

She did not seem to be. She was standing by the side of her bed with a book in her lap but not really reading. When the two boys insisted on finding out what was bothering her, she simply said she had a terrible headache.

'You'd tell us if anything happened, Hermione, right?' Harry asked worried.

'You'd be the first to know,' she lied and smiled reluctantly. She wasn't in speaking terms with Ron, well she wasn't very friendly to him, since Lavender was always on Ron's lips when he spoke, but right now Ron was worried about her and that gave her a nice feeling, to know she was the object of his attention.

However, the facts returned undeterred and painful. There was nothing to be done. Snape had kissed her and she had somewhat responded and everything had been an entire mess!

He had been drunk or mad or both, but he had done it. He had completely lowered himself in her eyes. And she had esteemed him. Who wouldn't? The man was a testified hero, not to mention ridiculously brilliant. She had lowered herself in her eyes. She wasn't ready to deal with that part of the problem; her share in the kiss.

For the first time, she didn't want to go to Hogwarts or attend a class, namely Defence Against the Dark Arts.


But school did start and they did return and the inevitable did happen. She had to follow Ron and Harry into the gloomy room, with dirty windows and dusty desks and face someone who was a complete stranger to her, not professor Snape, but someone who had kissed her.

Did he even remember? What if he had completely forgotten and she was the only one who knew? Such thoughts had perused her mind, but even if he had been overly drunk and unaware of what he was doing, could he have really wiped everything from his mind?

If so, she wished she could do the same.

The doors banged loudly and his billowing cloak swept into the class as his dark figure strode to his desk at the top of the class. He stood with his back for a while, but when he turned he was the embodiment of calm and indifference. His smooth voice glassed over her ears and she shivered slightly in her seat.

'Open your books at page 167.'

He walked calmly through the rows but never reached her. She felt sick, like in any moment she'd simply throw the contents of her breakfast on the floor.

Snape seemed to avoid her seat and her general direction and she was very thankful for that.

As for him, he was trying hard not to look at her, though highly tempted to do the opposite. He knew it was stupid, but he wanted to see her reaction, if she had any. She still raised her hand, but he still did not name her, which was nothing out of the ordinary, thankfully. It was amazing how their already dire relationship was helping them now.

Maybe he should talk to her. Or maybe he should just let it be and forget all about it.

But what if she told her friends or McGonagall? It would certainly be a problem.

No, Granger was too wise to talk about it, but still – could he trust her?

He couldn't go with the always viable excuse "my word over hers" because like it or not, Granger was an esteemed and respected student and witch in the school.

If he approached her, would she pretend nothing had happened? For some reason, this annoyed him more than he wished. If there was anyone who could deny the kiss, it was him. He dared glance at her.

She seemed immersed in the book, her head buried in the pages, the curls covering her expression. The dunderheads next to her didn't seem to be looking at him with more hatred than usual, so maybe she hadn't told them just yet.

When class ended, the three of them got up, but Ron parted from them and went towards Lavender, taking her hand and leaving the room with her.

Hermione sighed and placed her books in her bag, trying really hard not to show her disappointment.

Harry looked at her sheepishly, not knowing exactly what to say or do in this situation where his best friends were having an argument of this kind. He couldn't stand to see his friends distanced, but then again he wasn't a great reconciler, nor could he say anything to her that she already did not know.

They'd have to work it out on their own.

But before the two of them could leave the class, Snape decided not to let her go like that and called to them.

'You may go Potter, I need to talk to Miss Granger.'

Hermione stopped dead and turned positively green. She dreaded this moment – she sort of guessed he would talk to her about it. But really now, if they both never mentioned it again she would be thankful.

Harry shrugged his shoulders and told Hermione he'd see her at lunch. She nodded absently and watched him go, further and further as everything turned silent.

She was afraid of him, afraid he'd shout at her and verbally attack her, shake her shoulders or something as puerile as that, though she knew he had no reason to do that. But what if he did something else?

He had looked so different in his white, half-unbuttoned shirt and black trousers, without his usual attire. He had seemed someone different and younger and more vulnerable. At the same time he had been, in some creepy way, attractive. She had lost some reason as well, when he had been very close to her and devoid of any dark disguise to hide his actual years. Now he was in a superior position, looking down at her, strong and domineering, aged and experienced.

'Sir,' she began before he could speak. 'I should go.'

'You will stay, Miss Granger.'

'No, I am sure I must go.'

He rose and walked towards her until he was quite in front of her.

'No one must ever know what happened that night,' he spoke quietly. 'Am I clear?'

Hermione stared at him confused. She waited for him to say more but he was waiting for an answer.

'Sir…that is all you have to say? After – after what has happened?'

'Nothing has happened, Miss Granger. It was an atrocious, reckless mistake on our part and we shall never mention it again.'

'Our part?' she echoed. 'Sir, it was more your doing than ever was mine. And do not expect me to forget it so easily.'

Damn, why was she saying that? She did want to forget it, but his tone and manner of speaking had touched a softer cord inside. He actually thought she had part of the blame! Like she could have pushed him off when he was standing so close to her that night.

Well, alright, she could have. She could have broken the spell. But she wasn't about to admit anything else to herself.

'We are not in third grade, Miss Granger, to point the finger at someone.'

'So, you were only distressed that I might tell someone?'

'As your teacher and superior I recommend you consider your tone,' he said sternly.

'I thought you would be more worried about the damage you inflicted on another person, Sir, since you seemed to forget that you were my teacher and superior that night,' she said somewhat angrily.

'What do you wish me to do Granger?'

'Apologise. That would be a start, Sir. Apologise for having…having harassed me.'

'I believe that is a gross exaggeration, but you are in the right, Miss Granger. I apologise for my actions and my lack of thinking,' he said remorsefully.

Hermione was ready to accept this and run out of there without a look back when suddenly, a clever idea dawned upon her. For a while now they had been suspicious of Snape having some secret affairs with Malfoy. Would she be so unethical if she asked what his share was? She felt he sort of owed her something.

'And second…' she began. 'I would like you to tell me some things in exchange for my silence on this affair.'

'I beg your pardon?' he asked scandalized. 'Are you trying to blackmail me Granger?'

She folded her arms defensively and drew back.

'I am only curious about a thing or two, that's all.'

'You're barking up the wrong tree, Granger. I would not be induced to tell you anything, no matter the price.'

'Well, I could very well go to McGonagall or Dumbledore and write to my parents as well. They should know of the gross immorality that has taken place. You know they would believe me. Or should I send an owl to the ministry as well and perhaps a letter to the Daily Prophet exposing the entire affair? I am sure Rita Skeeter would love nothing more but to write such an article. She would even embellish it with the proper encouragement.'

Snape stared at her baffled and at the same time livid. He couldn't believe the wretched girl was doing this! One stupid, bloody mistake and he'd have to pay like this. And Granger had all the satisfaction.

'No one would give any thought to such a preposterous story,' he barked.

'Are you so sure of that, Sir? Your reputation isn't impeccable, is it?'

'I warn you Granger not to try my patience. It is growing very thin.'

'Well, if you will tell me some things Sir, your patience need not suffer,' she said softly.

'You would not dare…'

'Wouldn't I? After all, you did injure me with your behaviour…' she said looking down. 'I suppose I shall go see my head of house first. I hope she will not be too scandalized when she hears.'

'Foolish girl,' he muttered. 'Very well…it is my fault I suppose. You may…ask me some things,' he said groaning.

Her eyes widened and a small smile crept at the corner of her lips. She couldn't believe it. She was shaking all over. It had taken all her breath to give that speech, more so to stand up for herself.

'Oh, thank you Sir. That is very kind of you. I shall come by your office to discuss it,' she said and without waiting to hear his reply, took her bag and ran out of the room.

Snape shut the doors loudly after her and filled the room with inaudible curses, as he tried in all earnest, to calm down.

Hermione was too excited and euphoric to believe that she had done such a thing. As she hurried down the corridor, she pictured her teacher muttering and growling in his office, at her disposition. She did not wish to disrespect Professor Snape, but the opportunity was too big to be missed. To think that she had blackmailed a teacher!


'You have detention with Snape tonight?' Harry asked in disbelief as they sat down for lunch. 'How is that even possible? I left you two talking, at his request I might add, and – and he gave you a detention? Just like that? Don't tell me he called you back just to give you one!'

'Oh, no. It was nothing of the sort. I had done some extra assignments for his class – you know my weakness in Defence Against the Dark Arts – and he had graded them but I dared question his judgement on a mark and well…the result was detention.'

Harry raised an eyebrow sceptically.

'His temper has never been one to admire, but still…'

'I suppose he was in a bad mood, I do not care. But perhaps it shall prove useful. Maybe I can find out more about Malfoy this way,' she said hopefully.

'Malfoy?! I really doubt it Hermione. The man will lock you up in his laboratory to clean flasks and cauldrons. The only thing that will make that man talk is a gun barrel to his head and even that is not certain.'

Hermione was amused to think a tiny kiss could make Snape agree to her terms, but she didn't say anything. They both saw Ginny coming towards them, fuming and mumbling annoyed.

'My pig of a brother is acting as if Lavender is a bloody apple pie, the way he goes at her!' she exclaimed and sat down next to Hermione.

Immediately, she noticed her faux pas and tried apologising, but Hermione brushed it off, more laughing than resenting it.

'Actually Ginny, your attitude is exactly what I need.'

'Well, I can't understand how you two can bear it,' she continued. 'One of these days I will put glue on Lavender's lips so that they stick like that for eternity.'

'That's actually far worse,' Harry commented stabbing the roasted chicken. 'She'd always be around.'

'Oh, we wouldn't notice the difference,' Hermione added chuckling.

'Oh, that reminds me; Hermione, there's something I'd like to talk to you about…in private, if you don't mind.'

Hermione furrowed her brows, wondering what it could be.

'Sure thing, Ginny,' she nodded.

'What things do you have to talk in private that you can't tell me?' Harry asked offended.

'Well Harry, I'd love to discuss bra sizes with you, but I had no idea you were into that sort of thing,' Ginny said smiling innocently. The entire table exploded into laughter.


They were alone in the library so that no one could be part of the conversation. Hermione had picked a more intimate corner she preferred using when studying. They both sat down and Ginny began by blushing really hard.

'Er, this is pretty embarrassing for me, so you'll understand my reluctance.'

'It's alright Ginny. Go on.'

'Well – mum owled me yesterday and she wrote something very peculiar in her letter. It seems Kreacher – that dreadfully impolite house elf you know – has been going around the house, muttering quite loudly how he had seen the er…muggleborn – well mudblood – kissing the brooding dark man who served V-Voldemort, on Christmas Eve. Okay, so he had expressed himself differently, but this was the message. I found this amusing at first, I guess, but then really now you were the only muggleborn he knew in the house and well – I just didn't feel comfortable with the situation. I mean why would Kreacher invent something like that?'

Hermione had gone seven shades of purple during this confession, but luckily, Ginny who looked at her hands all throughout the speech, hadn't noticed.

'Oh…it's certainly amusing,' Hermione replied hoarsely. 'I would have remembered kissing anyone.'

'I know! I just wanted to make sure. I'm so sorry Hermione. I was just surprised, I mean it couldn't have been Harry or Ron Kreacher was referring to and certainly not my dad! And Lupin had not even arrived, so…'

Hermione coughed loudly. 'No, there was no one in the house I could have kissed. I assure you.'

'I know! Indeed, there couldn't have been. The only one who fits that description is well Snape! And for goodness' sake that's the last thing anyone would imagine!'

'Oh? Snape? God, that sounds cruel,' Hermione said laughing it off. 'Kreacher must have quite an imagination.'

'I suppose hearing Sirius' mother scream 24/7 has made him go bonkers. I wouldn't blame him.'

Hermione mentally kicked herself. Goodness this was bad news. Whether or not Ginny believed her was not chiefly, but whether Kreacher would tell anybody else.

Ginny and the rest of her friends would never have second thoughts about her and Snape, but Kreacher was well-known for collaborating with Death Eaters or being manipulated easily by them.

She mentally argued with herself whether she should tell Snape or not. The man would probably choke her to death, but hiding it from him wasn't a good idea either.

So…swallowing her fears and worries, at eight o' clock she presented herself in front of his office which was now on the third floor, ready for a conversation


Hey there, so this is the new chapter. Hope you all like it. If Hermione and Snape seem slightly OOC, my apologies, I will try to make them more in character. Anyways, please read and review!