A Confession

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Snape is no fool. He decided that he should take a tactical approach in claiming Hermione for himself. He was not some ignorant child, or mislead teenager, he was a man with far too much experience under his belt.

He figured that, knowing the red head, their dates are probably at the Great Hall with him stuffing his face, their free times together are spent with her either watching him fly on his broomstick or playing wizards chest, and their alone time is spent with him sloppily snogging her, making her want to take a kerchief and wipe her face off afterwards.

From this point of view it should be easy. He could take Hermione on nicer dates, they could spend the afternoon talking about things far too foreign to Ron's oversized Dumbo ears, their alone times could also be used productively.

But if there was one thing his years as a double agent taught him it was to know both your enemy and your ally. In this case he would have to know both the enemy, Ron, and the ally, Hermione. And since he thought Ron more boorish than the rats that occupied his home he decided to focus on Hermione.

He knew that flaunting wealth in front of her would only make her more prone to staying with Ron. It would also make him look like an arse. He also knew buying her tons of jewelry would be a waste of time since he knew she preferred books.

However, Hermione had one main distinctive flaw, well two if you count her being friends with Harry, and that is that she is still an incurable little know it all. The woman just has to be right all the time. Although annoying he could make this work to his advantage by doing things that she would assume he would not do.

And just like the little know it all she is if she doesn't know the answer she turns to a good book. But, there are no books about him. No Snape Illustrated or The Hitchhikers Guide to Snape. If she wanted to figure him out she would have to get to know him. Which will make her believe that she is the one in control of their 'relationship' when she is not.

'But first a little test' he thought. He walked around the school that day as he always did with authority. Give or take a few house points later he found her walking with Luna Lovegood. He saw some of her hairs that she let get frizzy again covering her face. So he simply slid past her and tucked the hair behind her ear all without looking back.

He heard her soft gasp but didn't dare turn around. Instead he walked it off. Later in class he noticed her eyeing him suspiciously. He would show her no favor in class today. If she raised her hand he shot it down with his piercing remarks. Never once did he make direct eye contact with her. Not while he answered questions, wrote on the bored, looked at her potion, or docked points from Harry.

He knew she was confused. He could see it written plainly over her face. He could feel the hesitation as she sat her vial down for grading. He could almost feel the itch she had to turn around and look at him as she exited the class.

So for the next few days he did nothing. He let her think that what he did meant nothing that it was something he did on a whim. Two days later, however he did it again, but this time he did it just a second or two longer.

This pattern of events transpired until the week before Christmas break. No matter how much he wanted to get her something he refused. He only made contact with the lose curls, but never during class or her private lessons did he do that.

Before Break (last day of classes)

"Over the break I want a two foot parchment on the war. I think you all can do that, if not you may choose to write an assessment on your latest assignment. Good bye." He said looming on the front of his desk.

He heard everyone file out except for the annoying three, "Sir." Hermione started.

"Granger if you wish to do both assignments be my guest." He said without looking up.

'How did he know what I was thinking' she thought as they left. Eventually Snape exited himself. He needed to make just a wee bit more contact with her. To leave her … longing.

During lunch Hermione received on owl from Snape telling her that he wished to talk to her in private after lunch.

"What do you want sir?" Hermione asked.

"Do you not know what this is about Granger?" he asked in his normal voice. Almost seeming disattached from the conversation.

"I've noticed that you've touched my hair …"

Sitting down his book, "I will be frank with you. I have already wasted so much of my life not letting go of my past … do take a seat Granger."

She sat down eyeing him suspiciously.

"Hermione, I wish to pursue a relationship with you and before you protest I know that you are already in a relationship, but that will not distract my goals. I want to be near you. I hope that we can at least be friends."

"Professor!" Hermione said feeling her face flush, "I … we cant …"

"I understand." He said sitting his book down and walking to the door.

"Wait," she said grabbing his cloak, "We … we could be friends."

He took a quick pause to nod at her before leaving. He waited outside for a few moments to see if she followed him out.

Meanwhile Hermione was rather confused and it wasn't about Snape's confession, but how the truth in his words shocked her soul. She felt an inner warmth bubbling. Not the kind of inner warmth that left your knickers wet, but the kind that made you feel full of butterflies.

She knew that she shouldn't feel this way about a professor namely one such as Severus Snape. But his touches were kind and tender and that confession was kind of a boost to her ego. Ron never told her he wanted to be with her. They just kind of came together after the kiss they shared their six year.

Snape knew he had her hooked. No doubt she would spend all break thinking of him.

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