A/N: Disclaimer, see chapter 1. Thank you all for the sweet reviews! Your words are so encouraging! AnnHarrisForever, thank you so much for being a wonderful beta! Enjoy! xx
Chapter 7
Hermione woke up the next morning feeling rather positive about things. She had just reminded herself that with every dawn, there was a new chance of her hopes and dreams coming true.
After taming her wild curls, Hermione made her way towards the Great Hall where her friends were sitting. While they had their ups and downs, Hermione loved them all deeply. They were her family in a way.
She smiled as Harry whispered to Ginny, a giggle escaping the redhead's lips every so often. It was about time the two of them stopped dancing around each other and finally admitted their feelings. They were perfect for each other.
Glancing up at the Head Table, Hermione's eyes met Darius' and her stomach flipped. She lost her appetite almost immediately. Sighing, she picked up a piece of toast, spreading some jam on it. She really didn't have the stomach to eat anything else.
Severus watched the bushy-haired Gryffindor from the Head Table. He had noticed that she hadn't really been eating much lately and could only assume that something was wrong.
But how could Potter and Weasley not notice? They were her best friends, weren't they?
But they're dunderheads, his conscience reminded him.
He looked at Hermione and realized that his thoughts from yesterday were confirmed. She had lost weight and the familiar spark in her eyes had disappeared slightly. Something had changed her… he was sure of it.
Spending time with her outdoors yesterday was pleasant and Severus found himself replaying the scene in his mind. Her presence had offered him a comfort he didn't even know he had wanted. Severus had sat down with her with the intention of talking to her, offering her some form of comfort, only to have her turn the tables and comfort him instead.
It was moments like that where Severus realized how alone he really was. As a Death Eater turned spy, he found that he really didn't have the luxury of time. He couldn't mingle with others; discuss the latest Potion trends, or even date.
He only had Albus, and while Albus trusted him, it wasn't that much. Only as much as is deemed necessary. Severus could tell from the look in the old man's eyes that he still didn't fully trust him. He sneered at Albus who was chatting animatedly with Minerva about something.
Severus' gaze drifted towards the Slytherin table and he suppressed his grimace. Most of the children in his house were involved in the Dark Arts, and subsequently, the Dark Lord himself. He sought out his godson.
Draco Malfoy was in over his head. The poor boy didn't even realize that he had been assigned his task in punishment for his father's incompetence. When Severus tried to offer him help, the little git had pushed him aside.
Trying to steal his glory, ha, I don't want any glory. I just want this damn war to be over, Severus thought to himself. He just wanted some peace and quiet, was that so bad? But he wasn't a fool; he knew he'd only rest once he was dead.
He watched as Hermione got up and left the Great Hall, leaving her half eaten toast on the table. He slowly shook his head then stood. It really wasn't his place to muse about the girl, that was everyone else's responsibility. Pushing the thoughts of her from his mind, he went to his office to prepare for his first years.
Hermione made her way to the dungeons slowly, dragging her feet as she went. She didn't want to be the first one down there, she trembled slightly, imagining being alone with Darius. He had left her alone lately and she didn't want that to change. But Hermione wasn't stupid; she knew Darius would pursue her once more.
But she would take the time she had to try and learn how to protect her mind better. If Darius discovered her feelings for Snape, they'd both be in trouble.
Hermione shook her head. What she felt for Snape was completely inappropriate and unprofessional. She had a crush on her professor! How much more inappropriate could one get?
She had always thought Snape was a good person, but this year she had started to see him in a new light. He was no longer just a professor, but a person too; a person with feelings who was suffering from this war, just like her.
Remembering yesterday, Hermione sighed. Sitting next to him was so comforting and his touch was soft and gentle unlike the harshness she had been reduced to lately.
But Hermione was slightly ashamed of the feelings running through her body. She had wanted to kiss her professor, despite how absurd the idea was.
Looking up at the dungeon door, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Walking inside, Hermione admitted to herself that she missed having Snape as a Potions teacher. While he was rather rude and demanding, she knew he did it simply to keep them all safe. She missed how he'd come close to inspect her potion, their shoulders sometimes brushing…
"Hermione!"
Snapping out of her daydream, Hermione saw Neville waving her over. Smiling at him, she took a seat.
"How are you?" she asked politely, glancing up at the board to see what ingredients they would need for today.
"I'm fine, been busy I suppose. I've been helping Professor Sprout a lot in the greenhouses," he answered, grinning proudly.
"That's good, Neville," she said softly as Darius strode into the room.
"Directions are on the board; begin," he commanded. At once, people began to gather the ingredients they would need for their potions.
Hermione got to work quickly, whispering instructions to Neville every so often.
She found her thoughts drifting to Snape once more and she inwardly cursed herself.
Get a grip, Hermione she thought as she chopped up the plant.
Eventually, Potions ended and Hermione finished stirring her potion. Bottling it up, she inspected it quickly.
"I don't know how you manage to make a perfect potion every time, Hermione," Neville said dejectedly, looking at his off-coloured potion.
"Practice," she replied, blushing. Gathering her things, she quickly moved to the front and placed the vial on Darius' desk.
"Miss Granger," he said firmly as she turned around to leave.
Hermione froze, waiting to see what he would say.
"Detention tonight."
She didn't have to look to know he had a stupid grin on his face. So with a brave face, instead of breaking down in tears like she wanted to, Hermione made her way to the Defence against the Dark Arts classroom.
Once there, Hermione sat down and pulled out one of her books on Legilimency. Last night she had started meditating, knowing that it would help. Clearing the mind was very important.
She was so wrapped up in her book that she didn't notice Snape behind her, reading over her shoulder.
"Legilimency is not something that should be trifled with, Miss Granger."
Hermione jumped in surprise at the closeness of his voice. Whipping around, she glanced at him, wide eyed. "Oh, Professor," she muttered, turning pink.
He looked at her confusingly.
Taking a moment to collect herself, Hermione relaxed. "I'm not messing around with Legilimency, sir," Hermione said firmly. "I'm serious about learning it."
Snape walked around the desk so he was now in front of her. "And why is that?"
She flushed, knowing that she couldn't very well just tell him the truth! "Because I think, with everything that is going on, it'd be a good idea," she said after a few minutes.
His gaze bore into hers, causing her to fidget. "If you are indeed serious about it, Miss Granger, than I shall help you. Come to my office tonight after dinner and we can begin."
Hermione grinned, excited that Snape wanted to help her. The idea of spending time alone with him sent shivers up and down her spine. But realization dawned on her and she frowned. "Thank you, Sir. I really appreciate the assistance, but could we possibly start tomorrow night? I have detention," she whispered, clearly embarrassed.
Snape looked at her funny. "What could you have possibly done to deserve detention?"
Hermione immediately paled. "Nothing," she mumbled, looking down towards her hands as if they had suddenly become the most interesting things in the world.
Snape thought her behaviour was very strange, but didn't comment it. He could tell she was upset. Without another word, he turned and sat down at his desk. As he sat, he could have slapped himself in the face. He was trying to remember that she was his student and there was no room for her to be anything else, and he goes and invites her to his office!
Idiot, his conscience chided him.
Eventually the rest of the class trickled in. He taught them a new way to strengthen their shield charms before splitting them up into groups.
Somehow, Hermione ended up with Lavender. She blocked everything Lavender threw at her quite easily, feeling as though she wasn't really getting anything out of the class. Why couldn't she have gotten a better partner? Harry or Ron would have been good… hell, anyone would have been better than Lavender.
"Miss Granger, how would you feel about a more skilled opponent?"
Turning, Hermione nodded, wondering who Snape would pair her with. Her eyes widened in horror when she realized he meant himself.
The other groups stopped, waiting to see what would happen. "Five galleons he wipes the floor with her," someone muttered, causing her to blush.
Snape was an incredibly powerful wizard and she knew she was outmatched. While she was smart, he had plenty of field experience. She had barely held her own against the Death Eaters they had faced at the Ministry, how was she supposed to do so here?
Confidence, Hermione. Don't count yourself out just yet.
Tightening her grip on her wand, she nodded to him.
Snape smirked, quickly sending a stunning spell at her.
She blocked it, continuing to block almost every stunning spell he sent towards her.
Trying to trick her, he sent a stunning spell towards an unsuspecting Potter.
Hermione quickly cast Protego at Harry, blocking it. Snape's expression was unreadable, and Hermione wondered if she had somehow managed to impress him.
"Stupefy Maxima!" he shouted.
She only had a split second to realize what he had just done, quickly casting a Protego Maxima.
Looking around, she realized she had managed to shield them all. But why was everyone looking at her funny? Glancing towards Snape, she saw he had an unreadable expression on his face as well.
"Twenty points to Gryffindor," he mumbled, causing her jaw to drop. Snape never gave points to any house other than his own. Looking at Harry and Ron, she saw that they looked gob smacked as well.
"Class dismissed," he growled, causing everyone to quickly scatter.
Hermione stayed behind though, hoping to speak to him. "Sir?"
"Miss Granger, that was some… impressive magic," he managed to say without any malice.
"Why?"
"Because it was non-verbal. To produce a spell of that size requires a great deal of strength and to do it non-verbally requires even more. That is strong magic for someone so young."
She blushed. "Really?"
He didn't answer. He just sat down, going through his papers.
"Thank you, Sir," she said before leaving the classroom. She had some time to kill so she figured she'd head towards the library.
Hermione was proud of herself, and that was something no one, not even Darius, could take away from her.
