Chapter 2: Dinner and Detention

Balmung's Angel: Yay! I finally got around to writing Chapter 2! Sorry for taking so long everyone.

Fred: Don't worry about it. The git and I had some fun while you were gone. 'laughs'

Draco: ... 'looks even more pale than normal and is shivering. Then he coughs'

Balmung's Angel: ...What did you do to him Fred?

Fred: New product of the shop. 'chuckles'

Balmung's Angel: ...Enough said. 'goes over to Draco' Are you okay?

Draco: ... 'coughs again and shudders, rocking back and forth'

Balmung's Angel: Um... Draco?

Fred: He'll be fine after the chapter ends.

Balmung's Angel: Are you sure?

Fred: I'm sure. You do trust me, right?

Balmung's Angel: Sure. Of course I do. Okay... let's just start the chapter.

Hermione sat down just as dinner started. She sighed in relief as food appeared on all of the plates in the center of the table. She put only half as much as usual on her plate so she wouldn't have to rush as much to get to her detention. Soon, Harry and Ron sat down on the opposite side of the table from her. She smiled at them both, picking up a bit of potato on her fork. "Hello, you two."

Ron piled his plate high with food as he glared at her. "Hermione, why did you stop me from punching the bat?" he asked bitterly, stuffing half of a roll into his mouth and chewing angrily. Harry stared at her silently, also waiting for an answer.

Hermione sighed, and put her fork down. "Ron, I didn't want you to make a fool out of yourself. There's no way that you wouldn't get in trouble for punching a teacher either. Or worse, hexing a teacher. You may have even been expelled. Did you really want to have to explain that to your parents? What would they say if they heard that you punched or hexed a teacher?" She picked her fork up again, and ate the now cold potato that was on it. She chewed it slowly, before taking another bite of food.

Ron was about to say something else, and from his expression, something bad, when Neville, Luna, and Ginny all walked over and sat down. Ginny sat next to Harry, and Neville and Luna, next to Hermione. Ron sighed, and gritted his teeth, before forcing a smile on his face. "What's up guys?" he asked.

Neville spoke first, his smile growing broader by the second. "I went to talk with Professor Dumbledore about Snape. He said that he's had it, and he went to talk with Snape."

Luna gently rubbed his arm, her signature smile on her face. "You're so wonderful, Neville. I'm amazed you had the courage to go and talk to him about the dungeon git. You're so brave..." Her voice was dreamy as she spoke, her eyes glittering.

Harry laughed, and put his arm around Ginny, pulling her closer to him. "Serves that stupid git right. I hope Dumbledore punishes him, and not just reprimands him like usual," he said bitterly, thinking of the countless times that Snape had gotten reprimanded for unfair, or cruel, behavior to his students instead of being rightfully punished.

Ron nodded in agreement, before reaching over the table to high five Neville. "Brilliant. I can't wait to see if he gets it. I sure hope he does," he laughed, his smile annoyingly bright.

Hermione said nothing, and only nodded. She felt her temper flare, but she didn't dare say anything. She soon realized that it was almost 7. She stood up, picking up her bag. "I'm going to detention. I'll see you all later."

Most of her friends waved, although Ron spoke. "Tell us if he says anything, okay?" he asked, truly hoping that Snape would say something if he had been punished.

She nodded and walked towards the dungeons, trying to defuse her emotions, that were now soaring out of her control. She finally managed to succeed, as she knocked on the door to the dungeon. "Professor?" she called.

Soon the voice of the potions professor could be heard from within. "Enter," he called, his voice loud and angry.

When Hermione entered the room, she saw him pacing back and forth, his expression troubled. She immediately grew worried, so she shut the door and headed towards him. "Professor, is something the matter?" she asked worriedly, her expression concerned as she stared at him.

He looked down at her seriously, ignoring the thoughts he was getting. "No, it's nothing." He looked at the clock, and it was exactly 7. Snape nodded his approval, and walked towards his desk. "Tonight you'll be remaking the potion from earlier, without another person. You have to complete it in one hour, without any mistakes."

Hermione sighed, and nodded silently, heading straight towards the storage room to get her supplies. Soon she had her cauldron set up and her ingredients were all chopped up perfectly. She started brewing the potion, checking to make sure every step was perfect as she did so, stirring it occasionally. Within the hour, she had bottled the potion, labeled it, and taken it up to Snape. "Here sir. I've finished it."

Snape looked at the clock again, and was amazed that she had completed it so easily. He took the smile vile, his hand brushing against hers slightly, causing him to blush. He cleared his throat, turning his face away and stared at the potion. He nodded, and wrote something down on a piece of parchment. "Perfect as always," he said, his voice kinder than normal.

Hermione beamed. "Thank you professor. It makes me so happy to hear you say that," she said happily. She still noticed that he seemed worried about something, and her fingers itched to try to help him. She lost all of her better judgement and walked towards him again, this time placing her hands on his shoulders. She closed her eyes as she gently massaged his shoulders. "Sir... Why do you work so hard?" she whispered, her eyes still closed.

Severus was about to say something rude and pull away, but his heart won out. He sighed and leaned into her touch, relaxing slightly. "I have to. After all, I am a spy, and also, a teacher."

She sighed as well before saying, "But... You work harder than anyone else. You deserve more than you are given, professor."

He stared up at her strangely, his emotions flashing through his eyes for a split second. As he stared into her crystal clear eyes, he saw all of the compassion in their depths. He wanted so badly to hug her and tell her that he loved her. He also wanted to just hold her and stare at her beautiful face for hours. However, he would never do any of those things. He stayed in her grasp as she continued to massage his shoulders, relieving some of his pent up stress. He was about to say something, when he felt a hot pain shoot up his arm.

Hermione felt her teacher flinch under her touch and grab his arm. She stared at him in fear. "Professor, what's going on? What's happening to you?" she asked fearfully.

Snape gritted his teeth as he stood up and swept towards a door near the back of the classrooms. "It's nothing, Miss Granger. Your detention is over, so I suggest that you go now."

Hermione sighed, and nodded, walking towards the exit. "Whatever you say sir...but... If you ever need to talk to someone, I'm all ears." She smiled slowly, before opening the door and leaving. After she left, she stood leaning against the door, her heart heavy. "After all... I love you..." she whispered before walking towards the Gryffindor common room.

Draco: 'still rocking back and forth '...

Balmung's Angel: ...um...He's still not alright...

Fred: I swear he will be. Just not yet. Write now, ask questions later, okay love?

Balmung's Angel: ...fine...'goes off to write next chapter'