Disclaimer: Surely you know this isn't mine by now.

The Aftermath of Explosions – Chapter 7

A/N: Not much to write up here this time, except a thank you for all who have reviewed or added this story to their alerts – it makes me really happy to know that you guys like what I write. I also hope this chapter will live up to standards, I'm trying to make my writing better and longer for you all.

Although Hermione had not seen Severus leave the Great Hall, somehow she had felt his exit. She didn't understand these feelings, and right now she didn't really have the urge to understand them but all she knew was that they existed. She wished they didn't. She had feelings for a man who had blocked her out without any valid reason, and he would not even speak to her now.

"Hermione, are you coming?" asked Ron, snapping her out of her daze. It took her a few moments to register what he was talking about, double Potions. She swore that somebody out there must have it out for her. Better get it over and done with now, and with that thought she rose from the table and winced slightly as her body began to adjust to it's new position. Numerous thoughts were racing through her head as she descended the dungeon stairs with her two friends. They were mindlessly chatting away about Chudley Cannons latest signing, and did not notice anything different about their friend. They would only notice if she was not to help them during lessons or with assignments.

Hermione's breathing started to speed up slightly as they got closer and closer to the dungeon's and her heartbeat followed suit. Little did she know that Severus seemed to be suffering the same fate, he could not control his thoughts and still had not decided how he was going to deal with her yet.

Throughout the lesson Severus had tried to catch her gaze but she kept her head down as she fervently worked away at her potion. She never even attempted to help Longbottom once, to say he was shocked was an understatement. He usually managed to take 10 or more points from Gryffindor each lesson because of her assistance (regretfully, of course) but he had no such luck this particular day. Instead, he just had to take them from the failure that was Neville Longbottom for his catastrophic attempt at a potion.

As the lesson neared to an end, he realised that something would have to be done in order for him to have a chance to speak to her, even if it was only for a short amount of time. He needed to tell her what he was unable to tell her last night. As she was in the last stages of her potion, he went and stood between her and Neville (they shared a work station) and turned his body at an angle where it would appear he was focusing solely on Neville but in actual fact he was wanting to pull the young woman that was next to him into his arms and never let her go. But that was not being realistic. Instead, he revelled in her presence and brushed his hand past hers as he walked past her towards his desk. He swore he heard her gasp slightly, as if shocked by the contact. He smirked, knowing he did have an effect on her. It also made him wary because if he chose his head over his heart it would crush her, which would in turn crush him.

Hermione walking slowly up to his desk with her completed potion and he observed her as she walked – beautiful, even when she looked exhausted and stressed. He silently urged her to lift her eyes to his, and his wish was granted. Her whole demeanour seemed to relax as she looked into his eyes, even if it was only for the briefest of moments. It was enough for her to know that last night he had not intended to hurt her – somehow Severus had a knack for being able to convey his thoughts/feelings through his eyes (and also a knack for barricading his eyes so they could not convey any thoughts/feelings).

"Miss Granger, if you may stay behind once class is finished – I need to discuss the latest assignment with you." Hermione's head shot up from where she was busy clearing away and for a moment she seemed furious with him but suddenly realised she was being a bit childish (after a raised eyebrow from Severus) and that it was definitely NOT to discuss the latest assignment. At this revelation, her heart began to beat quicker and she got a bit restless. Numerous 'what if?' questions began to whirl around in her mind, making her a little light-headed. She gripped the edge of her table in order to prevent herself from toppling over and tried to calm herself down. She really did over-react at times.

It had reached the end of the lesson and as the rest of the class filed out, Ron and Harry turned to Hermione and said "We'll wait outside for you and head up to the common room together, 'kay?"

She looked towards Severus as if for approval, and he shook his head. The two boys did not see this movement from their Potions professor, but heard Hermione's dismissal telling them she would need to go to the Library after in case she needed to make any corrections. They did not protest, knowing what Hermione was like when it came to her work. As soon as the classroom door was shut, she saw Severus put a silencing charm around the room and lock the door. God what is going to happen? Both were feeling rather awkward after what had happened last night and neither spoke for a few minutes until Severus broke the silence, "Miss Granger."

"Severus, for fuck's sake if we are going to have a conversation about what I think we are, then call me by my bloody given name!" she all but screamed at him, he looked quite taken aback at her small outbreak but composed himself quickly before walking to the front of his desk and leaning against it.

"I'm sorry, I just got...I felt a bit out of my depth last night but I shouldn't have left you like that. I felt you leave very early this morning...why?"

"Why what?" she muttered.

"Why did you stay?" he questioned, his eyes moving to meet hers.

"Because I wanted to. Because I thought you would come back and tell me you were sorry and take me in your arms and tell me everything would be okay!" she said quietly, her body shaking slightly as tears began to prickle her eyes. She needed to control herself, she didn't want to become hysterical in front of him.

Severus slowly walked towards her, not moving his eyes from his and he wrapped his arms around her body in a gentle but comforting hug. She began to relax into his touch and wrapped her hands around his neck. For both of them it felt too right for it to be wrong. "But I didn't..." he said, feeling extremely guilty now he knew why she had waited.

"It doesn't matter now Severus," she said, placing a soft kiss upon his lifts and drawing back to view his reaction. He gave her a true smile, and it set her soul on fire. He had an amazing smile, and she wished she could see it more often. In response to his smile, she smiled back and giggled slightly. Severus kissed her on her forehead and just savoured the moment.

"You better head off to find your dunderhead friends, they may think I have kidnapped you or something," he spoke gently to her, really wishing he didn't have to send her away so soon. She felt the same, not wanting to leave his company but at the same time not wanting her friends to think anything was up. Hermione collected up her thinks, threw her satchel over her shoulder and headed towards the door, and just as she was about to shut the door she heard him speak. "And your last assignment was of decent quality, Hermione," he said her name with such tenderness, as if he didn't believe he deserved to be able to say her name. He didn't want to taint it with the deeds he had done in his past, she was pure and innocent. And as far as he was concerned, she was his. At that comment smile spread across her face. That was as close as she would get to a compliment from him right now, and she was elated.

After she left the room, Severus sighed. So much for head over heart, he thought.

A/N: I got the reviews, thanks to everyone. Would it be too much to ask to get some reviews before I post up the next chapter (I will try and make it even longer though especially for you all!) the reviews don't even need to be long, a couple of words/lines telling me what you thought of the chapter! I might be nice though and just post it anyway, but still review! I will probably get chapter 8 written before Christmas too! Take care.