Disclaimer: All characters belong to JK Rowling and sadly, I am not she. If I was, Severus would be alive, Lily would not have been the love of his life and Hermione would have been!

Plot belongs to me.

Note: writing in italics below are internal thoughts of the characters.

Please review: it is appreciated.

All of the staff seemed genuinely pleased to have Hermione on the payroll with them and this alone heartened her and restored some of the confidence that had been knocked out of her by the Headmaster earlier that day.

"I am so glad you're here Hermione! We must get some time aside for a chat, I have an article on Webber's theory on Restorative Charms." Gushed Flitwick as he shook Hermione's hand in glee.

"Oh of course Fillius, I'd love that. You know there are a number of articles by Lamboa that I'd love to get your take on…" Hermione began but she felt herself being watched. Unnerved she turned around and her brown eyes met black ones. She tried to ignore how the mere sight of him had allowed her heart to start beating at double speed and the fluttering in her stomach from earlier had returned.

The Headmaster, unable to contain his sneer, was listening into her conversation with the Charms Professor.

Oh why can't he just leave me alone. I feel like I'm 15 again…although I admit I didn't fancy him then. I didn't know I was attracted to the bastard until I saw him at the Celebration Ball a few years ago. Why did he have to be so damn gorgeous? Insufferable man! Hermione thought to herself, making sure not to look into his eyes directly as she knew he could break through her Occlumency walls easily, being the skilled Ligillimens that he was.

Last thing I need is for him to know I fancy him. Like he needs his ego stroked anymore!

Severus was trying in vain to keep the sneer from his face as he approached Hermione and Fillius, but found he just couldn't stop himself. He loved winding her up it too much to fight the temptation it seemed.

"Fillius, how are you able to contain your excitement that we have a…celebrity…on staff now? I find myself quite…enthralled at the aspect, do you not?" Severus said with disgust evident in his face, making sure to ignore Hermione completely.

Professor Flitwick, bless his heart, completely missed the Headmaster's tone and gushed, "Oh yes Severus! It will be quite refreshing to have her here teaching. It's not every day we have the brightest witch of her age working under the brightest wizard of his age, is it?"

Severus turned his eyes to Hermione and slowly looked her over head to toe, "Indeed Fillius, I believe Professor Granger will enjoy being under me…and of course, I will only be too glad to be on top."

Hermione held his gaze for a few seconds before she averted her eyes to the floor, unsure of the double entendre her new boss had just launched. Severus immediately regretted openly ogling her and left the room murmuring a quick 'good night' to Hermione and Fillius.

When Hermione flopped onto her bed that night she berated herself for not having a witty retort to Snape's comments.

Did he mean to make it sound dirty? He was definitely taking my appearance all in…was it some sort of a joke? Was he intentionally trying to wind me up? Whatever he is up to, I need to be on my A-game. Starting from tomorrow, Severus Snape will no longer get the upper hand on me…though I wouldn't mind those beautiful hands on me…grrrrr! Why does that man make me so wanton…it's so…annoying. I don't know whether I want to give him a good slap on the chops or a snog on the chops. Men…they are such a mystery!

She buried her head into her pillows in distress. She knew deep down that the Headmaster must have had a small attraction to her from the way he looked at her, she knew she could see a faint flicker of want in his eyes but similarly, she could not deny how she felt while he spoke, her inner thighs becoming damp with every slowly formed word that fell from his mouth.

Professor Granger will enjoy being under me…and of course, I will only be too glad to be on top…Merlin those words are going to torture me…that man is going to be the death of me…I can feel it in my bones.

With that passing thought, Hermione finally managed to lull herself into a deep sleep, her insides fluttering with thoughts of the surly, dark Headmaster.

Why does she make me act like such a cock! Merlin she is frustrating! Woman…they are a bloody mystery. I need to speak to someone about this…perhaps Albus will have an idea…he will talk sense to me. Severus thought on his walk back to the Headmaster's chambers.

Settling himself down in front of Albus's frame equipped with a glass of fire whisky, he unloaded his thoughts and feelings on his old mentor;

"What am I going to do Albus? I act like such an arse around her. Yes, she is unbelievably pretty so you would think that would be enough to make me want to charm her… but I just love winding her up too much. She…she drives me wild…I love seeing her flush with embarrassment or anger, it makes her even more attractive…what am I going to do? She's been here one day and already…I can't get her out of my head." Severus groaned and held his face in his hands.

Albus's portrait chuckled good naturedly, "My boy, I always knew something would occur between you and our esteemed Miss Granger."

Severus looked at Albus with a sneer, "You always knew? What? When was this old man, when she was barely thirteen or did you give me the benefit of the doubt and decide that I'd fall for her once she was legal?"

Albus was not put off by his colleague's bad mood and kept his knowing smile aglow, "Now Severus, nothing as horrid as that. Minerva and myself thought that as Miss Granger matured and became uncommonly pretty…that she would perhaps capture your eye at some point. She is intellectually suited to you, and you would never entertain a stupid woman…let alone an ugly one. If it feel natural to wind her up…do it. I am sure she will give you just as good as she gets. There is a very fine line between love and hate Severus."

"So you're saying to be an arse to her and rile her up enough that she'll retaliate and she'll perhaps start to find me attractive?" He looked rather sceptically at Albus.

"It's how I received Minerva's affections. Believe it or not we hated each other in the beginning, absolutely loathed one another. I was the older staff member and she was fresh out of university…she was a bloody know it all. I was particularly frustrated because I found her positively beautiful and I knew she was my intellectual equal, so I could not goad her as easily as I could some of my lesser intellectual colleagues. We entered a battle of wits which was really fuelled by the sexual tension between us…don't make that face boy, I was young once too you know. Eventually we became… sort of friends, although we still argued like cat and mouse. Then one day I just cracked, I couldn't hide my feelings for her any more. Minerva had gotten the better of me during one of our vocal arguments and…bam… I kissed her. We were married almost five months later and I can honestly say after 87 year married to her; that a bit of goading between a couple does wonders for your sex life. Hermione is just as head strong as my Minnie was at her age…mark my words Severus, you may find she wants you just as much as you want her. My battle of wits with Minerva are some of my best memories…they keep me going until she will finally join me in my painting."

Severus snorted, "Thanks for that Albus, I feel somewhat better…although now I'm going to try and obliviate the vision of you snogging Minerva from my memory."

Albus chuckled loudly, "I have some rather interesting memories in my pensieve too if you want to see…"

"No! Thank you Albus…Circe I think the thought of you two kissing is bad enough without you wanting to show me your bloody home-made blue pensieve collection! " Severus quickly interrupted.

"Not those type of memories you perverted boy!" Albus scolded, "They're hidden in Minerva's room….I meant our battle of wits. You can watch them and if you see scenes similar to what you and Hermione have shared, there is a good chance that there is attraction on her part too."

"I'll consider it. Thank you Albus, I do miss our chats." Severus said somewhat fondly.

Albus smiled with twinkling eyes, "I'm here whenever you need me. Now, I must be off and visit my lovely wife. Remember Severus, just act naturally. If it's love…it will come to a head eventually."

Severus shook his head slightly after Albus disappeared out of his frame and spoke to the empty room "Yes…but is it love? Oh who am I kidding, I've been in love with her since I saw her at the Celebration Ball 3 years ago when she wore that sheer black, figure hugging dress…I tried to forget her and the effect she had on me that night. Now I'm going to see her every single day…I am royally fucked."

Deciding that pondering on the subject of Hermione Granger was getting him nowhere, he changed for bed and soon fell asleep, dreaming dreams of hazel brown eyes and curly, wild hair.

Minerva was dozing on her large four poster bed when she heard her husband whisper from the frame next to the door.

"Minnie….Minnie! I have some outrageous gossip for you!"

"You old coot…what now? You're worse than a fishwife!" She scolded but only half-heartedly.

"It involves Severus and the illustrious Miss Granger!" He was gleefully excited.

Minerva raised her eyebrow in interest, "What about them Albus?"

"Severus has all but confessed that he has feeling for her! Just as I suspected he would! I need you to keep an eye on Miss Granger and see if his feelings are reciprocated."

Minerva shook her head at her husband in exasperation, "Albus, you know better than to meddle in other people's lives…look at where that got you last time! Dead before your years and I widowed before I should have been! Leave them be, if there is an attraction then we will let them decide what to do themselves…understood?" Her strong Scottish accent cut into him with warning.

"Fine…I will meddle less. But Minnie, they are just like us…hiding under the pretence that they dislike one another…goading each other whenever they can. There's an attraction there at least…I can feel it!" He spoke more animatedly than Minerva had seen in a long time.

"You're a painting Albus, the only thing you could feel would be if I were to turpentine you!" She chuckled.

"Yes, true. But you wouldn't do that…as much as I am the bane of your life…you love me like no other…correct?" He twinkled.

"Insufferable man! Yes, I love you and for that reason alone, I know that if Severus and Hermione are…attracted to one another, they will crack eventually…just as we did." She smiled at him lovingly as she thought back to the day he'd kissed her and confessed his undying love for her.

"I was a smooth bugger…you were lucky to have me Minnie." He said with a chuckle, knowing he was winding her up in his usual style.

The pillow she threw at his canvas only confirmed to him that she agreed with him.

"Insufferable! Good night Albus and remember…no meddling!"

Minerva couldn't help but feel slightly unnerved as her husband eyes twinkled tenfold. "NO meddling Minerva…I shall only spectate! Good night my love, sweet dreams."

She could only hope that her mischievous husband would hold true to his word.

I somewhat doubt he will though, bloody busy body. Minerva thought before sleep took her.

a/n: so what do you guys think so far? I really do appreciate your reviews, so please leave them :)