Hermione spent the rest of her holidays at her house, shut off from the rest of the world. She didn't even go for the New Year's Party at the Weasleys. She had a lot to figure out for herself.
She was sure about one thing: she didn't have a stupid crush on her professor, she was falling in love with him.
But what does she do now? Keep her distance? It would be the best thing for her to do since there was no future for her inappropriate feeling for her professor. It will only be wise to steady herself before she felt further in love with him and it's impossible for her to recover.
But what about Professor Snape? He had been so kind to her; she even owed her life to him. She was probably the first person in years that he had become comfortable with, after his fallout with Lily Evans. She couldn't just stop talking to him without any significant reason; he would think it was his own fault. She couldn't be so selfish; if she really loved him, she should put his happiness above her own.
But he must never know about her feelings. He would feel betrayed and hurt; and this was the last thing Hermione wanted him to be.
The answer was simple: Occlumency. Hermione had some basic training that she had started in her sixth year, when she had first learnt about it from Harry. Knowing that they were up against one of the most skilled Legilimens of the world, she had researched about the subject. Despite Harry and Ron's disinterest, Hermione had learnt Occlumency from whatever books she could find on it.
She was still unsure about her Occlummency skills, but she decided to tone them up. Snape was a Legilimens himself, and she didn't want to take any risks.
At the New Year's Eve, Hermione had sent a card to professor Snape among all her other friends, and was awarded with a short and formal greeting card from him as well. She wasn't disappointed, she hadn't even expected a reply.
The holidays were soon over, between her Occlumency practices and the new Potions book on Elixirs that she had found out to be an excellent read.
Hermione met Ginny at the King's Cross station when the second term began.
"You should've come at the New Year's Eve, 'mione. I was bored to death among all those old people." complained Ginny.
"I'm sorry, Ginny. I just didn't feel much like celebrating." she answered.
"Yeah, you looked like that even at the Christmas. Anything wrong, 'mione? You know you can tell me anything." Ginny said, rubbing her arm.
"I'll tell you when we reach the castle. I don't want anyone overhearing our conversation. Besides, you have your duties." Hermione said.
That seemed to satisfy Ginny and she didn't bother her for the rest of the journey.
When they were finally alone in the Head Girl room, and Ginny had forced her to let her paint her nails; Hermione told her about the Christmas night. She left out the part about Snape's nightmares and the breakfast; she wasn't comfortable sharing them with anyone yet.
"You could've died, 'mione. But of course, Professor Snape saved the day. He does have a lot of enemies, doesn't he?" Ginny commented.
"Yeah, the Death Eaters must hate him for his role in bringing about Voldemort's downfall. Even the common people don't trust him completely, despite Harry's declarations." Hermione sighed.
"Are you holding out some of the good part, though? Did anything happen at the night?" Ginny asked, filled with excitement.
"No, Ginny. We just slept. In separate rooms."
"What? You can be so thick sometimes, Hermione. I would've just barged into his room and taken my chance." Ginny said, rolling her eyes.
"You do know how inappropriate that sounds, right?" said Hermione. But she knew that deep inside her heart, she wanted exactly those inappropriate things.
"Hmm…okay, tell me what you feel about him now?"
"I really like him. I think he is one of the best persons I know. Brave as well as intelligent."
"Look, who's all lost in thoughts. So, you've graduated from 'crush' to 'liking'. How long is that gonna change into 'loving', huh? Should I inform Harry and Ron already?"
"No. It'll stay at 'liking' permanently. And promise me, you won't breathe a word of it to those two before I've told them myself." Hermione said in a serious tone.
"Okay, okay. I'll keep this a secret. After all, since my boyfriend is gone and my love life is restricted to mushy letters, I only have yours to live through." Ginny sighed.
"This is beautiful, Ginny." Hermione commented on her nails, trying to divert Ginny's attention from their sad love lives.
"You like it? Thanks." Ginny's answering grin was sincere.
Hermione was treated by one of the Snape's rare smiles when she went to his office that evening. He told her to carry on with her usual studies. But he didn't leave his office; instead he remained sitting in his chair and carried on with his work. Hermione did notice that he was wearing a different cloak today.
She tried to read the book that was opened in front of her, but she couldn't take in a single word. She was acutely aware of Snape just a desk away from her, while she stared hopelessly at the same page for a few good minutes.
"Nice work on the nails, Miss Granger." Snape suddenly commented.
Hermione instinctively hid her hands beneath the desk. "It was actually Ginny's work, professor."
"No good trying to hide them now, Miss Granger; I've already seen them. Besides, you shouldn't undermine Miss Weasley's hard work by concealing them."
"I now realize they are a bit…flashy."
"Shouldn't have expected anything else from our Head Girl. She is one proud Gryffindor and exploits every chance of showing that, even in the nail decorations."
"That's actually the best way to describe Ginny." Hermione said, laughing.
Snape was enthralled at the sound. Though, he composed his face expertly, not showing his fawning emotions.
"So, how was the rest of your holiday, Miss Granger?"
"After the Christmas? Uneventful. But, how was yours, professor? What about your house and your neighbors?"
"Everything's been taken care of, Miss Granger. You needn't worry much about me. I don't hold you responsible for that unfortunate incident in anyway. You were just in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Snape saw that Hermione was about to refute him but he shut her off.
"Miss Granger, I won't hear anything further on the topic. Speaking of, I may have to suspend your detention a bit early today."
Snape fought an urge to laugh, when Hermione appeared thoroughly disappointed on hearing him say that.
"I have a lead on the explosives that were sent in the present. That's why I need to cancel the detention, you certainly are not the reason. So, don't look so disappointed and enjoy the evening with your friends."
Hermione saw that this was an opportunity she couldn't miss. But, she was sure that this wouldn't be easy; she didn't like the easy way in any case.
"Professor, would you mind if I came with you on this mission?"
Snape could see the hesitancy in her words; though he was sure that it was due to the expected denial and not because she was afraid to go.
"Miss Granger, it won't be fair of me to put this additional responsibility on you. The war is over, and now I believe you should focus more on the other positive aspects of your life, rather than the negatives."
Snape saw that hesitancy change into fierceness in mere seconds.
"It's too late for that, professor. The war changed us, and I think it was for the better. You can't go back to treating us like children just because Voldemort is gone. I can't believe the Order is keeping us out of the loops for its missions; we have earned ourselves at least the information. I have been quiet about all this because of my staying in Hogwarts but don't think I will be keeping quiet after I take my N.E.W.T.S. And since you have told me about your tonight's plan, I want to come with you. And also clear your doubts about my incompetency as a fighter."
"Miss Granger, please calm down. I had no intention to imply that you are any less of a fighter. But tonight's mission doesn't involve fighting, it's more about spying."
But Hermione was adamant.
"Then I want to learn. I promise to stay out of your way and just observe. You are after all the greatest spy we've ever had."
Snape knew he had to give in or invoke Hermione's wrath not only upon himself but upon the whole Order. They eventually will blame him for not keeping their secret. He silently cursed himself for revealing anything about the mission to her.
"Fine, Miss Granger. But, dress inconspicuously and a hooded cloak will be recommended. You are a fairly known witch now; a part of the golden trio. And the first rule of spying is: not to be discovered spying."
Hermione knew she had hit the jackpot. A chance for spying with none other than Professor Snape! She could've agreed to wear a sack of old rags if he asked him to. She quickly went to her room to change, not wanting him to wait longer.
Snape knew that it was a bad idea. He didn't know how dangerous the mission was yet. He just had a tip about a rogue wizard and where he would be tonight. He needed to follow him carefully and see where it led him. Hermione could be a distraction he didn't want getting in his way but he had agreed to the mission and now there was no going back.
Hermione had quickly changed into some muggle clothes, a black hooded cloak wrapped securely around her.
Snape approved her dressing and led her outside the castle. When they were outside the castle boundaries, he offered her his arm. They were apparated to a now dark and almost closed Diagon Alley. They walked quietly in the narrow street, but Snape stopped at the corner with Hermione right behind him.
Snape instructed Hermione to keep her wand close but hidden. He then pointed to her the man they were supposed to tail. The man in question was having an ice cream outside the Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor.
The man finished his ice cream and proceeded to walk in the deserted alley. Snape and Hermione followed, keeping enough distance and keeping to the shadows. The man turned into the Knockturn Alley.
The Knockturn Alley, however was not so deserted. There were some shady witches and wizards on the street, and Hermione knew better than to look any closer. When they turned into a deserted street, she even saw a couple making out in a corner, and no one passing gave any attention to them. Hermione concluded that it must've been a common fashion here. She focused on the man ahead of him, carefully following Snape's steps.
Snape had a long spying career behind him. He knew when he had been made; the man had been walking in circle around the Knockturn Alley to make sure he wasn't being followed. They were likely to be caught soon if he didn't do anything. He stopped, and gave Hermione a warning glance and offered her his arm. He was relieved at her quick response and they quickly apparated to another dark and now deserted street in the Knockturn Alley.