Hermione stared tentatively at her paper trying to think of words to write, but nothing coming to mind. She breathed slowly, pacing her breaths to the ticking of the clock, waiting for class to be over. She didn't want to hand in a blank paper, but there was already so much on her mind that to focus on transfiguration theory was asking for a lot.
"Regardless of whether you are finished or not, a paper with your name must be handed in," the tall professor instructed looking at Hermione with a furrowed brow. Hermione's mental health was significantly improving over time. Everyone around her noticed, and she noticed herself as well but some days were worse than others.
Her nightmares had transformed into something different entirely. Her trauma from the summer was no longer it's focus, but nevertheless they kept her awake and she was still finding it hard to sleep causing her brain to fog up when she needed to use it the most.
After a few more minutes the older witch announced the end of the class and Hermione obediently walked forward presenting her empty parchment, save for her name, and walked out next to Ron and Harry.
"Man, that was brutal," the red-head stretched his hand as if to relieve a cramp. "I had no idea what do draw for the diagram."
Harry wiped his glasses as he walked and laughed. "Honestly, I think my picture looked like an angry Snape being eaten by sofa cushions." Both boys laughed and Hermione smiled automatically. "How did you do Hermione?"
"Don't even bother asking her Harry, she always gets near to perfect."
"Actually I..." Hermione began to interject but stopped suddenly at the sight of a blonde haired boy. He just passed her with a smirk and her stomach turned. "I... I finished early, so I'm not sure how I did." She didn't want the boys to worry, just when they thought she was getting better.
"I'm sure you aced it as always," Ron posed and then began to blabber on senselessly about the weekend quidditch game.
Since the encounter with Malfoy a few weeks back Hermione saw him everywhere. She figured she was even imagining it sometimes, but he was definitely around. Malfoy had yet to talk to her, and she had never mentioned that evening to Severus. She made a note to go visit her professor tonight if he was free, she would ask him after class.
Hermione visited Snape often just to talk, or to read. He had grown somewhat accustomed to her, or so she liked to think. Then again, she figured Dumbledore may just be forcing him to amuse her. But if that was the case then she was grateful for the old wizard because she did enjoy his company. There were occasions where he would even have her assist him with his research, and she loved those nights. He was an incredibly smart man, and she could learn so much from him.
Silently she followed her two friends to the great hall for lunch and took her normal place next to Ron, ensuring her back was towards the Slytherin table.
"There's a Hogsmeade trip tomorrow, are you guys going?" Hermione asked, reaching for a sandwich and taking a bite.
"I was thinking of it, but we have a huge quidditch match against Slytherin on Sunday, and we need to win this game," Harry glared accusingly in Ron's direction.
"Come on Harry. We never go to Hogsmeade and I really need to get out of this castle," Hermione attempted the use of the whiney girl's voice as a way to sway his opinion.
"I guess, as long as Ron ups his game. You know Ron... you can't keep staring at girls..." Harry began to chastise, and Hermione slowly drifted from the conversation. She was happy to be back on normal terms with her friends. They were the only family she had left, and she needed them now more than ever. Also, she really didn't want to have to go to Hogsmeade alone so it was nice she could still convince Harry to do just about anything.
As she chewed on her second sandwich, Hermione looked up towards the head table. She scanned the table for anything out of the ordinary, and her eyes connected with the dark-haired professor's. She smiled slightly, enough for him to notice at least, and he nodded back. She looked away smiling even more, a tiny twinge-feeling entering her stomach.
"Who are you smiling at?" Ron said through his stuffed mouth, and threw his arm over her shoulder. "What boy gets your special attention?" Hermione could almost hear panic in his voice as he looked around. "Oh man, Snape looks angry today. Hope he cheers up a bit for potions class. Last thing I need is the angry old bat losing it on everybody again."
"Do you not think that maybe he is so mad because everyone calls him an 'angry old bat'?"
The two boys looked at Hermione with slight confusion, "I didn't know you were team Snape all of a sudden."
"I'm not 'Team Snape' guys," she rolled her eyes as if mocking the boy's childishness. "He has just been helping me a lot lately to work through some of my… issues. Dumbledore requested that he mentor me in Potions and during those times he has really been there," she furrowed her brow trying to create an explanation without making things more awkward. She didn't know how to explain their friendship without drawing attention or questions. They really just had become good friends. Colleagues. Acquaintances. She wasn't entirely sure what they were. "Anyways, he's just… I think there is a lot more to him than you think."
Ron snorted almost spewing food across the table and the boys laughed. "More to Snape? Good one Hermione," he nudged her playfully and went back to eating.
Hermione didn't know what else to say and found that the best thing to do was excuse herself. She loved the boys for their simplicity that they never doubted her, or asked her more questions than necessary. They moved on from the subject as they normally would, but it was Hermione who was uncomfortable now. She wasn't sure what her relationship was with the Professor, if they were just acquaintances or more like friends. Does it really matter?
She walked towards the dungeons. It was fifteen minutes until potions class anyways, she figured she would get in a few minutes of studying if she arrived early.
As she walked, she could hear footsteps behind her following at the same pace she was moving at. She glanced back slightly to see a blonde haired boy following her and closed her eyes as she continued down the hall.
"Hey Granger," he called her name and she continued to walk.
"Granger, slow down." He ran up beside her and began to walk in step.
"Yes Malfoy?" She sounded as if he was cursing her.
"Just wanted to say hi," he stated simply as they walked. Hermione furrowed her brow and pursed her lips. "So, where are you going?" He asked.
"To potions class, to study."
"Hoping to get to talk with the Professor?"
She couldn't lie to herself, it was a thought that crossed her mind. However, Malfoy had potions with her too and it looked like he had his books with him. "No actually, if you didn't remember, we have a potions test today." Hermione opened the door to the classroom and took her seat in the back. Malfoy sat in the seat next to hers. "What are you doing?" She glared over.
"I feel like sitting here today, and for you to do my test," he smirked.
"I'm not doing anything for you."
"Oh really?" He raised his eyebrow, a certain glint in his eye that made her uncomfortable. "Do you not remember our little arrangement?" Hermione just stared at the table in front of her.
"Well, do you?"
"Yes," she whispered.
"Well then, what were you saying about my test?"
Just then the potions master walked into the room and to his desk. He was grumbling to himself and seemed not to notice the two students. "Stupid kids and their stupid issues..." He paused right before his desk and whirled around. "What are you doing in my classroom?"
"Hermione here was just helping me study sir," Draco said nonchalantly.
Snape knew Draco was lying, and looked over to Hermione. She was avoiding eye contact, staring at the table in front of her. The expression was defeated, with fear and even anger. For a second he worried she was mad at him, but he brushed that feeling off fast. Don't play a childs game, Severus.
"I'm sure a wizard of your status is fully capable to study on your own. Return to your table Draco." He watched as the young wizard angrily moved his books, and as the young witches posture relaxed slightly she looked up at him, her eyes thanking him.
Soon the rest of the class began to file in. The potions master informed them of their task and sat down behind his desk. As he was grading the papers from the morning class, he eyes kept drifting towards the brown headed girl. He watched her effortlessly cut ingredients and place them in her cauldron while the rest of the class struggled.
"I'm finished Professor," she said, half an hour later, handing him the vial. She watched as he uncorked it.
"Smells like cherry."
"As it should," she replied hiding a clear sense of pride.
"Well done Miss Granger. I would like to have a word with you after class."
"Of course Professor," she nodded and walked back to her desk.
Twenty minutes later Snape announced the end of the test and each student reluctantly filled a vial, handed it in and filed out of the classroom leaving Hermione sitting alone at her desk in the back. Out of the corner of her eye she watched Draco linger a moment before leaving as well. It was only after he was gone that she got up and walked to the front of the dungeon room.
"Hello Professor," she smiled when he looked up.
"Hermione, take a seat," he conjured a chair in front of his desk, and she obliged. "How are things going?"
"The usual I guess," she shrugged. "Same nightmares, same classes, same friends. Nothing has changed really."
Severus raised an eyebrow at her. "And Draco?"
"Being the same old Draco Malfoy," she shrugged once again. Hermione opted to leave their 'arrangement', as he called it, out. She knew he didn't believe her, but it wouldn't be the first thing she left out of conversations.
Severus watched her carefully. He knew she wasn't going to tell him the truth, and if he confronted Draco he knew that the ferret would assume she had talked to him. He needed to make her talk. "I would like you to have dinner with me tonight in my quarters."
Hermione's heart stopped for a moment. She didn't know if she had heard right. "Dinner with you, in your quarters?"
"Yes, at 5:30 this evening."
"Of course... I mean... Yeah, sure," she stuttered, failing to hide her shock and confusion.
"You best be on your way Miss Granger. Don't want to be late for your next class," he smirked amused at her fumbling and watched as she excused herself, leaving the classroom.
Severus wasn't sure what he was doing inviting her for dinner. He thought she may get the wrong impression, however he wasn't sure about what impression he was trying to make.
He genuinely enjoyed her company. Having her around to talk with, or just be in company with was nice. He lived a lonely life typically, but he was welcoming to their developing friendship. She wasn't like the other students. She was intelligent and clever, and had something more to offer than dumb jokes or idiotic queries. She had grown into a beautiful smart witch, and he found himself desiring to spend more time with her.
Careful Severus, don't play a child's game.
He shook his head slightly and cleared his thoughts as his next class swarmed in, filling the room with the dreadful buzz of student chatter that he hated so much.
