Severus caught himself staring at Hermione for the fifth time. She was just chopping some bloodroot, in the method he had taught her (the suggested potion technique was abysmal), but she had a look of intense concentration on her face. She looked beautiful while she was brewing potions. Her fingers were agile and worked carefully, reverently. She would constantly bit her lower lip, but otherwise her face was relaxed. Her hair would grow more and more wild with the heat of the fumes, until she would eventually put it up in a bun, exposing the pale arch of her neck. A neck he would love to pepper kisses on.
That thought brought him out of his thoughts. She hadn't noticed him staring or if she did thought of it as nothing more than supervision in completing her apprenticeship. She has making all manner of poisons for her mastery project and then working on creating antidotes. The bloodroot she was working on would create a deadly poison that could eat someone alive inside out.
And she was working efficiently as if she wasn't creating something so deadly. She was deadly, though, too.
It hadn't taken him long to agree to attend dinner with her and Longbottom. In fact, he had told her the very next morning over breakfast, and she rewarded him with a bright smile and a statement of excitement. He hadn't missed the rather pleased look on Minerva's face either. He knew the older woman worried about him.
And he really was looking forward to spending a little time with Hermione in a non academic situation and one when he wasn't surrounded by Weasleys.
But now he just needed to get through the rest of the week without her noticing his longing stares.
Hermione was looking forward to her "double date", as she was calling it in her head, with Severus that Friday night. Not that she would ever imagine telling him that it was a date. Well, maybe eventually she would.
It had been nice, that week, as he seemed more attentive in her brewing sessions. He oversaw all of her potion creation, which she normally completed during his free periods, but sometimes she would stay in the back of the classroom of her brew required it. Normally he would ensure that she knew all of the steps correctly, maybe show her a technique and then he would return to his desk to grade something. But this week he had stayed and watched her and gave her pointers every now and again.
It was nice. But it was also probably just because she was working with bloodroot, which was very dangerous to get on ones hands and required special precautions. He showed her a more effective way to cut the roots. Merlin, it was wonderful to watch him work. His long fingers were precise and controlled and made her wonder what else he could do with his hands. He had a confidence about him that made him all the more attractive to her.
He still wasn't afraid to tell her when she was being haughty or bossy though. Strangely, it wasn't nearly as irritating to her anymore and almost somewhat endearing. They often argued over the cutting techniques because he knew other ways to complete tasks than the way specifically outlined by potion books. Eventually, he would tell her that he was the potions master and she the apprentice, and she should do as told.
Although, she had to admit, all of her potions had turned out flawlessly. She would decided she would discuss it more with him on Friday evening.
Severus had fussed about his clothing so much by the time Friday had rolled around that he felt more confused than ever. He couldn't just ask for Hermione's help like last time, before his date with Draco's cousin. He didn't have much nice clothing that fit him well, but, wouldn't Hermione remember what she'd picked those clothes out for? Would she think that because he'd worn them on his last date that he thought this was a date? Did he want her too? Would she mind if it was a date?
He was so confused and frustrated, but there was really nothing left to do but put on the damn clothes. He'd taken extra care with his appearance that day, and he hoped it was noticeable, but not too noticeable. Like it was effortless.
When he met her in their shared parlor, all concerns about his appearance when out the window. Hermione looked radiant. She was just wearing a skirt and shirt with some riding boots, but she greeted him with a huge smile and a pink blush on her cheeks. "Severus, I am so glad you agreed to come with me tonight. I hope you'll have fun."
He murmured back some kind of a agreeable sentiment, before offering her his arm and guiding her towards the fireplace. His eyes were glued to her small hand resting on his arm. It was so warm and so dainty. His stomach was suddenly a mass of butterflies. "Shall we?" He asked, tentatively.
Hermione nodded and threw a handful of floo powder down. "The Three Broomsticks!" She called out clearly. Minerva had recently decided to open up the professors floo networks again. All of the professors personal fireplaces had been closed during Voldemort's second rise, but now that the threat was eliminated, the Headmistress figured that her teachers could be trusted to use the floo network responsibly.
They exited the other side without tumbling, which Severus was somewhat miffed about. He wanted to maybe catch Hermione again, to hold her in his arms one more time. Instead, he settled for silently spelling the ashes from their clothing. "Thank you, Severus." Hermione said warmly.
She walked over to the bar, where Neville and Hannah were already talking animatedly. "Hello Hannah!" Hermione said brightly. "You remember Professor Snape?" She asked before sitting down next to Neville.
"Merlin's beard!" Hannah said, softly, but Severus still heard it. He looked her over. She had certainly changed from the nervous pigtailed girl who lacked confidence in her abilities. Her long blonde hair was pulled up into a bun on the top of her head and her face was rosy pink and full of vitality. She seemed much more confident, and if he had to make a wager, he would guess it had something to do with Longbottom. "Of course, Neville told me about your accident, Professor, but I wasn't expecting...well, you look very well, Professor."
"Thank you." He said cautiously. As much as he loathed to think about Longbottom's love life, he had to admit that Hermione did have a point. Abbott and Longbottom did seem well suited. They both seemed brighter, happier in the same room and they looked good together.
"Well, what can I get you two to eat?"
"Oh, I want to try the half roasted chicken with potatoes this time Hannah. And some more of that wine, if you have any." Hermione said eagerly.
"Err, the same, I suppose." Severus told her. He felt singularly uncomfortable. It was just so odd for him to be interacting with three former students in this way, as if they were his peers. But in some ways, they were his peers now.
"Perfect, I will go get that started for you." Hannah disappeared into the back room. A beat of uncomfortable silence followed.
In the end, it was Neville who spoke first. "So, Professor, what are you going to do after this year? After Hermione becomes a potion mistress that is."
"Oh yes, I was wondering that as well." Hermione added, and turned to look at him.
"Well...I." He was somewhat uncomfortable having all of the attention on him. It wasn't something that he had ever really experienced. His "friends" were never interested in him just because...except for Lily, before James. "I hadn't really thought of it to be honest."
"Well, I had an idea of what you might do if you are interested." Hermione said with a smile on her face. Hannah returned from the kitchen and poured Severus and Hermione both a glass of Hermione's favorite red wine.
"Oh? Do tell." He tried to sound disinterested, but really, he was curious about what Hermione was thinking of his future.
"I think you should write potions texts. After all, you seem to have devised a method that is better in every single one of the potions I have made this year. Also, when Harry was using your Advanced Potions book, he was doing better than me! It was maddening."
Neville spoke up too. "Wow, that might not be such a bad idea...you'd be able to terrify first years for years to come."
Severus smiled. "Without having to interact with them either..." He was surprised. It really was a great idea. Hermione was so thoughtful. She had figured out something that he might actually like to do. "Well, Granger, I have to admit, that's not a terrible idea."
The four talked for a while, before two distinct conversations broke off between Hermione and Severus and Hannah and Neville. Severus was really enjoying himself in a way that he never would have expected. It was strange having these moments, as he truly hadn't experienced them before. Hermione was opening all kind of doors for him that he never would have imagined possible for him.
Before long, though, Hermione was yawning. "I think you and I had better get back to the castle." He told her.
"Yes, I suppose so." Hermione said, before turning to face Neville and Hannah. "Well, guys, I think we are going to head back to the castle. Hannah, thank you for the hospitality, your cooking is delicious as always. Neville, see you at breakfast, or maybe lunch?" She added with a wink, that had Neville blushing and Hannah giggling.
Severus helped her to the fireplace, and led her through the floo and back to his parlor. Hannah and Neville watched the pair go, before Hannah turned to Neville. "Did Hermione just take Professor Snape on a date?" Hannah asked him.
Neville smiled at her. "I think so."
Now that they were back in the quiet comfort of his parlor, Severus didn't want Hermione to leave him just yet, despite her tired eyes. He tried to think of what a more suave gentleman might do, to get to speak to her just a while longer. He couldn't very well invite her in, because well, she already was in. "A night cap." He said that out loud and Hermione looked at him curiously. "Would you like one? A night cap, that is. I have some brandy or perhaps a cup of tea might be more suitable."
"Well, I suppose a spot of brandy wouldn't hurt." She was surprised. She didn't want the night to end either, but she was rather tired. "But only a little, as I am really knackered." Her statement was punctuated by a yawn.
Severus nodded and went to get them each a glass. Hermione sat on the couch and pulled her boots off her feet before tucking them up under herself. "So, Severus, what are your plans for tomorrow?"
He handed her her glass before sitting beside her, groaning. "Oh, I've only just remembered. Miss Higgs has earned herself a coveted Saturday detention." He told her sarcastically.
Hermione bit her lip. She didn't really like the idea of Imogen Higgs and Severus spending a Saturday together. "What did she do?"
"I honestly don't know what she is doing in N.E.W.T. level potions. She is nearly as hopeless as Longbottom. She somehow managed to spill an entire litre of moondew on herself when they were making draught of the living death. Said she tripped while carrying it."
"Maybe she was trying to show off to someone. I am sure that much liquid would have left her uniform in a sorry state."
Severus just replied with a "Hn."
"Well, Severus, time for bed." She stood, leaving her empty glass on the table. He stood as well and Hermione was suddenly acutely aware of how close they were. He seemed impossibly tall, and she had to crane her neck to look into his eyes. His unique face seemed even more attractive to her than it ever had. She felt breathless.
Before she knew what was happening, Severus had brought a hand to her chin, and was dipping his face towards hers. Her heart was racing and it seemed like hours before their lips were pressed together. Her eyes fluttered closed and she let the feeling of his thin lips moving against her own wash over her. She felt alive and so happy.
But in an instant, he was pulling away. "Goodnight Hermione." He whispered, before he turned tail and made it back to the sanctuary of his room, without looking back at her to see the huge smile on her face.
A/N: Here is chapter ten! I hope you liked it, as the romance is ramping up a little bit. Keep in mind that there will be a little more drama next chapter - it can't all be sunshine and rainbows, right? I think that this will maybe be around fifteen chapters.
Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed, favorited and followed after last chapter. It really means a lot to me. I would love to hear what you thought about chapter ten, too! Be on the lookout for chapter eleven soon!