Checking spelling properly this time around, next chapter go!

Hope everybody had a good Christmas and a great New Year J

I want to give a shout out to Batwings79, for all your kind words :D

"I will think about it, Professor." He readjusted the hold on his books and left her sitting at the table. He ducked around the corner and trotted down the several staircases that led to the dungeons. He didn't pass a single soul, well, not living anyway. His footfall echoed through the corridors but he didn't hear it. He only stopped once he was inside the safety of the Slytherin common room. Unsurprisingly, nobody was around. No doubt they were at dinner already but he was thankful for the peace and quiet.

He dropped his books on his bed in the lower floors of the rooms and flopped down beside them. Playing chess with the Professor had been enjoyable; she was a good player, but he wasn't sure he should spend any time with her. Severus had spent years pining after Lily but as he grew up in Hogwarts he had found himself developing a crush on his Transfiguration Professor and the Head of Gryffindor house.

He didn't believe that you developed a crush on somebody solely based on their looks. But if asked what had drawn him to his professor he would have to say that her looks were a part of it. Although she was no doubt old by muggle standards, she was not a muggle. She didn't look old to him, although a lot of his colleagues would disagree. Not that he would ever mention his crush to them.

No, it was her as a whole that attracted him to her. She was intelligent, beautiful, took no nonsense.. She would debate with him in class whenever he chose to raise his voice and now he knew that she was a damn good chess player. He'd seen her at Quidditch matches when he had attended; she watched the gameplay closely and seemed quite passionate about the game. He wondered if he could ever feel like that about the sport.

Back to the matter at hand, he wasn't sure he should agree to spend any more time with her. He had so many things to get on with in his life now.. Lucius would be expecting him to spend as much spare time as he had with him and his group. And he had his exams to think about, he was determined to do well. He was already top of Potions class and knew he was pretty good at charms and transfiguration. And, it's come back around to her once more.

He groaned quietly and buried his face in his hands. He had never had to think too much about things like this, people never wanted to spend time with him. But now somebody did, and they had enjoyed themselves before. And he wanted to spend time with her too. Merlin, why was this so difficult? It was a simple yes or no situation. And he was so leaning towards yes..

It was several more minutes before he finally left the dorm he shared with three other boys, making the long trip up the stairs to the Great Hall. Dinner had already begun but not many people had yet started to eat, so he wasn't as late as he had initially though. He settled on his own like every other day and started to add food to his plate. He would barely eat any of it, even less today. He couldn't get her offer out of his head.

The girl near him giggled stupidly loudly and he rolled his eyes, turning to look at her. That was when he caught her; the professor was watching him every now and then. He knew that it wasn't what deep down he wished it to be but it was oddly flattering that she was looking to him throughout her meal. In his head he had his answer to her offer.

That evening after dinner the young man stood before the office door. He raised his fist and firmly knocked on the heavy wood. All hesitation and earlier questioning was completely gone and he even managed the slightest of faint smiles when she opened the door to greet him.

"Mr. Snape. I didn't think you would come straight away." She smiled at him and entered her office, leaving him to follow and close the door himself.

His dark eyes followed her to her desk where she retrieved her wand and stoppered her ink jar. "I didn't mean to interrupt your marking."

"Nonsense. I invited you here to play a game of chess and we shall." She gestured for him to take a seat at the small table set up near the fire. The bright flames lit up the room and gave their surroundings pleasant warmth. He instantly started to set up the chess set stored there. Unlike his, this one was a wizarding set.

"I'll be black."

She smiled. "Why, thank you."

He placed the last pawn as she settled opposite then waited for her to begin the game. Who knows how long they would be there for tonight but he was bound to enjoy every minute of it.

"Knight to F3."

Next chapter from Minerva's POV, I think I shall keep alternating for this set and then we'll see who I start with after the next time skip J