I can't seem to contain myself, so here is chapter 4!
it seems I will be posting more than one chapter each day because some chapters are shorter than others, so make sure you are reading the right chapter:-D
thank you for reading! And thank you for your lovely reviews!
Anyway, it's time to let Severus show some of his snarky sass, I love Severus' snarky sass xD
I still don't own anything you recognise.
-o-
Less than a week later, Severus was rather surprised when the first owl arrived.
Dear Professor Snape
How is your summer so far? What do you do when you have no students to torment?
Love, Hermione
Severus chuckled.
Granger
I leave this ruddy place and travel to Spain, where I bask in the sun and drink umbrella-drinks on the beach.
SS
He smirked when he got her reply.
Dear Professor Snape
Really?
Love, Hermione
-o-
Granger
No.
SS
-o-
Dear Professor Snape
And you call me insufferable. Alright, no basking in the sun then, so what do you do? Or is this a secret?
Love, Hermione.
-o-
Granger
Secret? No.
Stop and think about it for a moment, Granger. What have I been doing for the last twenty years?
SS
-o-
Dear Professor Snape
Oh. Eleven years of Gummybears and Guilt-tripping with Dumbledore, and then Tea and Torture with the Dark Lord for the years after that?
Love, Hermione
Severus had laugh out loud from her cheek.
Granger
Aptly put.
Although, ten points from Gryffindor for cheek.
SS
-o-
Dear Professor Snape
I admit that was rather tasteless. Luckily, I am no longer a student, and Gryffindor will not suffer from my cheek.
This summer is different, though, so what are you doing this year?
Love, Hermione
Severus sighed. He didn't quite know what to answer. In the end, he decided to just be truthful.
Granger
I have absolutely no idea.
SS
It took a while before her owl returned.
Dear Professor Snape
Oh. You haven't really had a vacation in the last twenty years, have you?
Love, Hermione
Severus rolled his eyes before replying.
Granger
Your inner Gryffindor is not exactly subtle. Please aim your pity elsewhere.
But, you are indeed right. I haven't had an actual vacation in twenty years, and the result is that I don't really know what to do now that I no longer have the pleasure of 'Tea and Torture with the Dark Lord'
SS
The response came quickly this time.
Dear Professor Snape
Must you always think the worst? I assure you; that was not pity. That was me stating a fact.
So, without your two meddling masters..are you bored?
Love, Hermione
-o-
Granger
I must.
And, yes.
SS
-o-
Dear Professor Snape
Would you like to go to the movies?
Love, Hermione
Severus almost inhaled his tea. The movies? The girl was off her rocker, surely. He was almost angry when he wrote back.
Granger
Have you lost your mind?
SS
-o-
Dear Professor Snape
My mind is fully intact, thank you very much. You didn't answer my question, though. Would you like to go to the movies?
Love, Hermione
Severus just stared at the letter for a small eternity before rolling his eyes as he picked up his quill.
Granger
Please tell me you aren't inviting me on a date.
SS
He was utterly nervous while waiting for her reply, regretting intensly he had even asked her that question, so when the reply finally came, he stared at the folded parchment for a long moment, gathering courage to open it.
Dear Professor Snape
I am not inviting you on a date. However, if I at some point ask you out to dinner; that means I am asking you on a date.
Now, will you answer my question? Would-you-like-to-go-to-the-movies?
Love, Hermione
Severus pushed away the letter and put his head in his hands. A movie? With Granger? Preposterous. He couldn't possibly do this. No, he would not do this.
Granger
Yes.
SS
-o-
Dear Professor Snape
Will tomorrow at six pm suit you? Meet you at Piccadilly Circus?
Love, Hermione
-o-
Granger
Yes.
SS
-o-
Severus Snape was bloody nervous as he put on a pair of black pants, a black shirt, and a black frock coat that almost reached his knees.
He looked at himself in the mirror. He was no handsome man, that much was clear. Nor was he charming, likeable, or patient. He was spiteful, grumpy, gloomy, hateful, angry, and bitter.
And yet, here he was, about to go to the movies with a woman half his age. An intelligent, attractive, kind-hearted, brave, and quick-witted woman.
A woman whom had invited him to the movies. It was quite frankly absurd.
Damn you Lily, he thought. Damn you for making me do this.
Because that was the thing, wasn't it? He had decided to actually try to make some changes in his life. He was not quite sure, however, if this was the way to go about it.
Shaking his head from the absurdity of it all, Severus left his quarters.
-o-
He turned the corner, and instantly saw her. She was standing with her back to him, and Severus fought back his nerves and walked towards her before he could change his mind.
He stopped right behind her, and crossed his arms over his chest. "You are aware of the absurdity of this situation, Granger?"
She spun around, giving him a beaming smile. "Absurdity?" She chuckled. "Well, yes. Perhaps." Cocking her head, she continued. "And hello, Professor."
Severus inwardly cringed as he rolled his eyes. "Will you please stop calling me Professor? It sounds ridiculous in this situation."
She gave him an amused smile. "Well, I could, if I had any idea of what I should call you instead."
He rolled his eyes again. "I do have a name, Granger."
Her eyebrows rose in surprise before the amusement returned. "So do I, Severus."
The sound of her voice saying his name made his heart skip a beat. "What, I'm not allowed to call you Granger?"
She smirked at him. "Of course you are allowed, but then I will continue calling you Professor Snape."
He pinched the bridge of his nose before looking at her. "Insufferable woman. Very well, Hermione."
Her beaming smile made his heart skip yet another beat.
-o-
Severus had expected this to be rather awfully awkward, but was surprised to find that it was not really awkward at all. He didn't really know what to say, but it didn't matter that much, because the witch walking next to him chatted happily, and that was less annoying than he would have thought.
They entered the cinema, and Hermione beamed at him. "You may choose the movie, if you like."
He rolled his eyes. "I have no idea what I would like to see, Hermione. Hell, I'm not even sure if I like movies."
She rolled her eyes as well. "Severus, do you really want to take the risk of letting me choose the movie?"
If you keep saying my name, you can choose whatever you want, he thought as he raised an eyebrow at her. "Heavens, no."
-o-
A little while later, after choosing a movie, Severus found himself standing in line to buy popcorn. Which was absurd, of course. But then again, the witch next to him seemed so excited over the concept of popcorn that Severus found it hard to not be amused.
She cocked her head, looking at him. "The Sixth Sense? Really? I've heard it's terrifying."
He gave her a bemused look. "You fought in a war, but you find movies frightening?"
Rolling her eyes, she chuckled. "Oh, you have no idea. It's rather ridiculous how scary I find them, actually."
He couldn't help the small smile he sent her.
-o-
Hermione was still chatting when they sat down in their seats, and he rolled his eyes. "Are you sure you will be able to keep quiet throughout this whole movie?"
She grinned at him. "Believe it or not, I am perfectly capable of watching a movie without uttering a single word." Shrugging, she continued. "I am pretty passionate in everything I do, including watching movies."
"How does one passionately watch a movie?"
She sipped her soda before looking at him again. "By getting completely mesmerized, and losing oneself in the movie. To the point where I will most certainly have nightmares for two weeks."
He gave her a surprised look. "You will have nightmares for two weeks? Why did you even agree to this?"
She chuckled. "Would you believe me if I say I absolutely adore horror movies? And no, I'm not just saying that. I actually do adore horror movies. Two weeks of nightmares? Completely worth it."
Severus shook his head before giving her an amused look.
-o-
He had to admit, the movie was rather scary. Even if he knew ghosts did not look or behave like that, the movie was unsettling nevertheless. But, scary or not, Severus found it somewhat difficult to concentrate. He was too amused by the witch next to him, as he had a new understanding of how one 'passionately watched' a movie.
He looked at her from the corner of his eye. She was virtually absorbing popcorn, twizzlers, and soda, and whenever she wasn't eating or drinking anything, she chewed on her lower lip. Her eyes were wide open, at least until the movie got too scary, because then she squeezed her eyes shut, just to squint at the screen with one eye in the next second.
It was rather fascinating to watch.
-o-
Lying in bed later that night, Severus went through the day in his mind, and realised how nice it had been. He had enjoyed himself, and there had been almost no awkward silences, no uncomfortable situations.
Absurd.