As Hermione slammed the door in Snape's face, she panted and dropped all of her books off the floor. Not even heavy breathing could calm her down now. Professor Snape, the cold blooded potions teacher had confessed to liking her somewhat.

Had she really grown up that much?

Or how long had he liked her?

Oh why was love so confusing?

She slumped into her chair and put her hands to her head. She hadn't felt like this since she and Ron were together, but this was much stronger. She knew she felt the same way towards Severus, but couldn't bear to be in a relationship now. Her first job teaching and her first year back at Hogwarts after a blistering three years. She couldn't just throw all of that out for him. Knowing him, he'd make her feel like nothing at all. That's right; she thought to herself, he'd probably be a horrible man and boyfriend. She straightened herself out and re-opened the door so her student could come in. She looked in the halls to see if any students were coming early and saw Severus across the hall, eying her. Had he been there the whole time? Hermione thought.

He strode over to her and stopped a few paces away from her.

"Miss Granger, are you alright? I heard heavy breathing."

Was he being sincere? Was he actually caring? She looked into his eyes and felt herself melt inside.

"Yes, yes I'm fine Severus." She said, trying to straighten herself out again. She flattened out her skirt and smiled. "Shouldn't you get to your classroom soon?"

He shook his head. "I'm not leaving until you tell me what's going through your mind."

Hermione sighed and moved out of the door way. She motioned that Severus come in and he swooped through the door. He sat at Hermione's desk chair and folded his hands across his lap. Hermione closed the door and started pacing around the front of the room.

"Now Miss Granger, what is the matter?"

She sighed and started fumbling around with her fingers and clothes. She really didn't feel like having a heart to heart with him, especially when students should be arriving at any moment. But on the other hand, she enjoyed his company and the fact that he was actually caring in a twisted way. Plus she knew how stubborn he was and had to tell him to get rid of him.

"Severus…" She started. "I am very flattered that you like me I suppose, but I can't really handle things such as that right now."

"Mr. Weasley broke your heart did he not?"

She stopped pacing right in front of the desk, her eyes glaring at Severus. He smirked a bit because he knew he was right. Hermione sighed and broke eye contact.

"He was so absorbed in everything else; he didn't do anything for his future. And as for us, all he cared about was qudditch and we never really saw each other much despite staying at the burrow together. Of course he did, but I'm over him now."

"Are you really?" Snape said eying her a bit. She sighed again and her paces became smaller.

"I'm over Ron; I'm just not over the feeling of being in love. Do you understand that? Does that make sense?"

She looked over at Snape shyly and he nodded a bit. He unfolded his hands and sat up in the chair. He placed his hands on her desk and tapped his fingers on the wood.

"Then, why is this giving you so much stress Miss Granger? If you do not like me at all like that tell me and I will be off to my class."

She started pacing a bit quicker now and there was a grand pause. As Severus got out of her chair and started walking to the door she finally spoke.

"Severus…"

'She said that in the same tone as her dream' Snape thought to himself as her voice sent shivers up his spine. He stopped before grabbing the door handle and turned around.

"Yes Miss Granger?"

"I can't tell you much now other than I'm not ready to get hurt again."

He walked slowly over to her, stopping her head on and placing his hands on her shoulders. She looked down at her feet as Severus took on hand off her shoulder and using his index finger pulled up her chin so she was looking into his eyes.

"What makes you think I would ever hurt you?"

She smiled a bit as her heart started to beat faster. 'He said that with such sincerity' she thought as she looked deeply into his eyes. Past all the black in his eyes she could see his soft side. 'He really isn't that bitter at all' she thought to herself as her eyes wandered around the room.

"Miss Granger?"

"Yes…" she said coming back to reality. "I don't know that you would or wouldn't Severus. I just can't handle getting into something like that again."

"Well…" he said, turning her around and holding her close to his chest. "Let me be close to you, not together, but close." He leaned into her ear as he heard her take in a sharp breath. "Let me teach you how to love again."