Severus had worked all week, laboring over the riddle and the potions that would protect the Sorcerers Stone. He knew that besides Albus's mirror, his was the hardest task, and that any wizard or witch would have a hard time breaking his riddle. Yet she had as a first year witch. That was when Hermione Granger had caught his eye.

Yet when it was clear that her loyalties held with Potter and Weasley he threw her into the lot of bumbling dimwitted Gryffindors, even though she shone with the brilliance of a Ravenclaw, and quite cunning like…a Slytherin. Severus smirked when a soft mew caught his attention.

He was lounging inside his chambers, which was barren with stone walls and a high ceiling, keeping it cool but he had a plush black rug that was situated around a large fireplace. Farther down their was his bed, a king size bed with dark green blankets and silver pillows, which had faint green leaves dancing on them. The mew had come from the door.

He stood up, padding across the rug when he cautiously opened the door, wand in hand when a small kitten came jumping in as if the thing owned the place. Severus glowered as he leaned down and scooped the kitten up, rolling his eyes as it happily purred. He had forgotten that Hermione had rescued the thing; he lightly walked downstairs, into the spacious kitchen with its light ash wood cabinets, as he searched for a small bowl and some milk. After retrieving the items he filled the bowl with milk and placed it down as the kitten joyfully lapped the milk up.

He sighed as his thoughts floated up to the beautiful woman sleeping in his home, she needed her potions to be made tomorrow morning with the quick approach of students arriving soon it was mandatory. She also delved in the attention of a Death Eater, Lucius Malfoy…Severus glared into the counter he was leaning against, in just some black silk sleeping pants, and he knew that Lucius Malfoy would have killed her if he had not shown up.

Severus ran a frustrated hand through his hair, as he tried to deal with the damn feelings he had for Granger, this insane need to protect her. He remembered her body as she clung onto him after he had stupefied Lucius…the soft curves of her body, the way she fit into his arms, and the way her hair had smelt, like roses with vanilla teased through them.

The kitten finished with the milk, purred his way through Severus legs as the man glared down, "You remind me of Potter."

The kitten only mewed in response, as it ran to the stairs. Severus sighed following the pesky kitten, till he reached the top of the stairs, he looked at the door that held Hermione, his heart was racing.

He walked silently to her door, as the kitten followed as Severus opened the door a little to let the kitten in when light fell across Hermione's slumbering form.

Severus knew now that he had no control over his feelings anymore, as he saw her toss about in her bed, her hair sprawled across the pillows, as she clung to her blankets…yet her face was so serene.

Severus was falling in love with Hermione, and even though he didn't quite understand why he only knew that while he was attracted to her, it was her mind that compelled him so. He felt the desire to protect her, to help her, it was if he was a slave bounded to her every need…yet restrained.

'Damn that Weasley.'

--

"Mistress Granger, it is time to wake now. Master beckons for you to eat breakfast then join him in his lab." Spoke a soft voice as Hermione groggily woke up the kitten sleeping in a tight ball next to her side.

Hermione opened her eyes as she sat up stretching till you realize the elf besides her, wearing a little cloth dress that suited her perfectly, with huge purple eyes and large ears. "What is your name?" She asked quizzically.

"Twinkie, mistress," the elf said shyly, hiding her eyes behind the pink apron that was over her attire, giving her a cute look, with those large violet eyes.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Twinkie, please call me Hermione." Hermione said earnestly as she clambered out of the bed.

"On no Mistress, Twinkie mustn't do that, it's not proper. But Twinkie likes Mistress, Mistress very kind, like Master." Twinkie said with a large smile that enveloped her entire face.

"Really now? How much do you know of Master?" Hermione asked quizzically as she zipped into some dark tight jeans and a huge sweater that was a light shade of blue.

"A lot, Twinkie raised Master along with Dingy, Master is sweet, even if Master's father was not, other than come along Mistress Granger, and Master is hungry and might eat without you!" Twinkie said pushing her out of the door as Hermione threw her brush back into the room, it was useless anyways.

Twinkie bounded down happily, and Hermione had to smile, it was apparent how much Twinkie loved Severus, like a mother…

'And what about Severus's father, Twinkie said that while Master was sweet his father wasn't...' Hermione frowned, 'There is a lot of Severus I don't know about, but with this time I hope I'll learn more.'

Twinkie stopped suddenly before turning around, "Master also wanted to say that he hopes that Mistress Granger has plenty of energy, for they must work on potions today if you are to help the students at Hogwarts." Twinkie smiled before turning around.

Hermione stood there, and smiled as she made her way down the stairs.

Sorry it's short, I'm so busy lately. I even have to take the SAT this 27, and I'm just a sophmore! Shessh. Life sucks when you are me.

Please review. :)
I'll try to answer back later!! Swear. :D

-Zelucius