Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
A/N: Forgive me for updating late! I've been sick all weekend and its driving me nuts! But finally I am feeling better at the moment and finally was able to write the next chapter. I hope you guys enjoy it! I might have another chapter up tonight since i'm staying up late! I'm going to go buy my copy of HP:OOTP tonight at midnite! YAY!!!
P.S. Thank you all so much for the wonderful reviews! You guys are keeping me going!
Figuring Harry and Ron were already at dinner, Hermione made her way down the stairs to the great hall. So lost in her own thoughts to not pay attention to what she was doing, she lost her footing as the staircase she was walking down started to shift. She flung out her arms to try and catch hold of the railing, missing by a few inches. An arm clad in black reached out to her, grabbing her wrist and pulling her up before she plummeted into the darkness below. As arms wrapped around her to hold her steady, she buried her face into the chest of her savior and let out a sob.
Severus stared down at the mass of chestnut brown curls that adorned to the top of Miss Granger's head. 'This girl is becoming more trouble than Potter and Weasley!' When he heard her let out a sob he grimaced. 'Does she have to do that?' He cleared his throat.
"Miss Granger, would you be as kind as to stop soaking my robes with your incessant crying?" Hermione jerked her head up when he spoke. 'Oh, this is not happening again!' She stared at him for a few moments before realizing what he had said. Her face became red as the anger rose.
"Well forgive me PROFESSOR for being scared out of my wits from almost having my death brought on me by stairs!" She huffed. He raised an eyebrow at her.
"Do remember your manners, Miss Granger, when addressing a superior. I will not tolerate your rudeness after just saving you from a most painful death. I believe you have something to say to me…" He drifted off as he waited for her reply. She stepped back and bowed to Snape, placing her right hand over her heart.
"Please forgive me Professor Snape for my rudeness! Thank you saving my life from a most severe, painful death! I am forever in your debt!" She replied sarcastically.
"Why you…"
"Ah Severus my dear boy, Miss Granger…" Both turned and looked towards Professor Dumbledore as he and Professor McGonagall made their way down the stairs towards them. "Heading down to dinner I presume." Severus glared at the Headmaster.
"That was the plan Albus; that is until Miss Granger decided to try and throw herself down the stairs." As Hermione got ready to make a remark, Minerva spoke up.
"I'm sure that Hermione here would do no such thing!" Hermione nodded in agreement.
"Of course I would do no such thing Professor. I was walking down the stairs lost in thought, when suddenly the staircase decided to switch floors and I lost my balance. Professor Snape pulled me up before I fell." Minerva smiled at the girl. Dumbledore clapped Severus on the shoulder.
"That is wonderful Severus! We thank you for helping are star student!" He glanced to the girls. "Now, shall we all continue on to the great hall?" Albus, pulling Minerva along behind him, continued walking down the stairs. Severus rolled his eyes and motioned for Hermione to go on ahead of him. She looked at him in shock as she passed. 'Maybe Severus has a heart after all!' She shook her head. 'Wait a minute; did I just call him Severus? I am not on first name bases with him!' Mentally slapping herself, she picked up her pace and continued on to dinner.
Severus watched the girl saunter off and shook his head. 'What are we going to do with you Hermione?' He stopped walking. 'Hermione, where did that come from? We are not on first names bases. Get a hold of your self man! This is the little Miss Know-It-All!' Shaking his head once again, he continued following the three ahead of him.
"Hermione!" Harry and Ron said in unison. Said girl smiled at her friends and took a seat beside Ron.
"Hey guys!" She swiftly piled food onto her plate and started to dig in. The boys and Ginny watched their friend for a minute.
"Where were you Mione?" Ron asked as he shoveled a fork full of food into his mouth. Hermione gave a disgusted looked.
"Please refrain from speaking until you have finished eating what is in your mouth." Ron shrugged. "Anyway, I was talking with Professor McGonagall about some things." Ginny watched as the girl poked at her food.
"There's something more to your story Herms."
"Your right Gin, but I don't think I want to talk about that right now." Harry and Ginny shared a look before going back to their food.
"Of course you wouldn't want your friends to find out that a Slytherin saved you from a most painful death this evening, now would you Miss Granger?" Snape sneered, standing behind the bushy haired girl. Her face became red instantly, but not from just the insult. 'I wish he would just keep on walking and not stand behind me like that.' Hermione turned her head slightly and glared at the professor. A smirk graced his face before he strode the rest of the way to his seat. Meanwhile, her friends sat there staring at her.
"What was all that about?" Sighing, she turned towards Harry to answer his question.
"I wasn't watching what I was doing while walking down the stairs. I never even saw him following behind me. Anyway, the staircase started to shift, I lost my balance and when I couldn't reach the railing he hauled me up before I could fall off the stairs." The group sat in silence for a bit before a timid voice spoke.
"That happen…happened to me once, and I almost had a heart attack when I realized it was Profess…Professor Snape who helped me." The four looked over at Neville, whose face was beet red, before bursting into fits of laughter.
Please don't forget to review!
