Chapter 10

Hermione looked apprehensively at the door to the class room as Harry gave her hand a squeeze before tugging her inside. Her heart beat erratically as she caught sight of Snape standing at the front of the room.

He didn't notice her as she hurried to take her seat. She wiped the palms of her hands off on her knees, as Snape began to address the class in a smooth voice that send a shiver of anticipation down her back.

Snape was thus far pleased with the course of his day . There had been no sentimental flash backs, no long lost memories uncovered, no close encounters with annoying young students, and soon his day would be over.

He looked out as he addressed his class, a satisfied sneer upon his lips, when he caught a glimpse of a head of brown curls. His sneer evaporated. He gripped the edge of his desk fiercely, bending his head down to take in a deep breath.

She was going to drive him mad. He looked up and continued on with his lecture, determined to ignore her presence.

Hermione might as well have been invisible to Snape. This is what she had wanted…what she had hoped for, wasn't it? So why did she find it so annoying, that he was clearly avoiding her. He had not called upon her once when she raised her hand, even when she was the only one to do so.

She now sat, glaring at him defiantly, almost daring him to look at her. Yet the entire class went by and he failed to lay his black eyes upon her, even once.

She was incensed, She had been prepared for his condescending words, his humiliating jeers. She had not been prepared to be treated as if she didn't exist. As if she were of no significance at all!

He thinks he can just pry out my innermost feelings and bask in my personal pain for his own entertainment and then toss me aside with no consideration.

This she could not take. Her cheeks flushed crimson as her heart drummed rapidly with rage. She wasn't going to let him get away with that.

Snape was relieved when the class had ended. He was finding it increasingly difficult to concentrate under Miss Granger's burning glare. As the students began to file out of the class room he called out, "Mr. Potter…I do believe we have a matter to discuss."

Harry backed up a few steps and turned around, "What is this about Professor?", he replied feigning innocence. "You are very well aware of why I….", Snape spun around, "What is it, Miss Granger?", he snapped.

Hermione snapped back, "I have detention remember?" "Of course I remember, you may go get started organizing the supply room them," He ordered with irritation, as he turned back around to finish with Harry.

"NO!" Both Harry and Snape turn to look at her with astonishment. "I need to talk to you …alone.", her body trembling with a mixture of anger and fear. "We have nothing to discuss….Now if you…" She was not going to be dismissed, "I have a question for you and I am not leaving here until I get an answer."

Snape did not take his eyes off her now, "Fifty points from Gryffindor for breaking school curfew Potter…you may leave now." Harry didn't move he looked from Hermione to Snape. "GO….NOW!", Snape pointed Harry to the door, while still staring down at Hermione.

With a worried expression Harry shut the door behind him, leaving Hermione and Snape alone, face to face.

Hermione didn't even give Snape a moment, as the door shut she advance on him, "You gave me something last night…what was it…what did you give me?, she demanded.

Snape took a few steps back, "I gave you a mild sedative, as you were beside yourself with grief.", He shot back sarcastically. "Did you enjoy yourself Professor?", she again stepped closer to him.

A glimmer of guilt flashed across his face as he recalled nearly kissing her upon her cheek, he stepped back further.

"ANSWER ME!", her body shook with rage. Snape was speechless, who was this fiery creature that had him cornered in his own class room. "Did you get pleasure from watching me crack before your eyes?"

How dare she accuse him of enjoying her... sobbing all over him, "You'd do well to hold your tongue, Miss Granger."

Hermione didn't back down she stepped closer still, until Snape's back was pressed firmly against the wall. "How much pleasure did it give you professor, did you practically bathe in my tears, did it warm your cold heart with satisfaction to see me suffering before you?"

A little voice inside Hermione told her she had gone too far, but she was unable to stop herself. She was consumed with fury, yet at the same time wanted nothing more than to throw herself into his arms again and bury her head against the safety of his chest.

Snape had , had enough, "PLEASURE!", He roared, "You think it was enjoyable to sit and listen to your petty childish heartaches." Hermione flinched. "Lets get one thing clear", he said as he grabbed her shoulders, brining his face down close to her, he was so close she could feel the warmth of his words upon her lips, "There is nothing….absolutely nothing I find pleasurable about being in your presence."

For a terrifying moment Hermione teetered on the edge of leaning forward to kiss those lips that hovered a mere breath away.

She felt near to fainting, as a sweet ache traveled from her heart and settled deep below her belly, her body leaned forward to pressed against him.

Snape starred down at her in confusion, one moment she was angry enough to perform the killing curse on him and now she peered up at him from half lidded eyes, her body pressed against him as if they were lovers.

Her luscious pink lips slightly parted, awaiting him. It took every ounce of restraint he possessed not to bend down and claim them.

They remained that way for an agonizing moment. Snape could take no more, he slide one hand up her neck, his long fingers lacing into her curls at the back of her head and gently pulled her to his chest, no longer able to withstand her gaze.

She melted against the length of his body, her tiny arms reaching around him, her hands possessively clutching the back of his robe. She held on tightly for her knees were so weak she feared she would collapse.

He murmured into her ear, "The answer is never Miss Granger….I could never find pleasure in your pain."

Before Snape could stop her, Hermione's hands reached up and dug deeply into his hair, pulling herself to him, her mouth came down upon him, kissing his neck feverishly. Snape's eyes rolled back, his body shuttered as he gave into the sensation of her soft lips upon his skin.

He could not let this go on, he feared he was close to losing control of himself. He held her firmly, torn between the desire to protect her from himself and his desire to devour her beyond reason.

Finding his control once more he pushed her away, "Don't do this", he whispered. She would not hear him, she was dazed with need. She reached up as if she were to caress his face, he caught her wrist as her fingertips lightly brushed upon his bottom lip.

He lowered her hand to her side, "Do not do this Miss Granger." Hermione was startled by the sound of her name.

She backed away from him in horror and turned around, shocked at what she had just done. She didn't know what to say, she opened her mouth, "I….I…." "It is already forgotten Miss Granger", Snape interjected quickly,

"Now if you will follow me to the supply room I will advise you on you duties for this evening." She followed him silently, her body aflame with embarrassment, the taste of his skin lingered wickedly upon her lips, her knees still threatening to give way beneath her.

Her stomach twisted into a knot of panic, at the thought of what she had just done and the realization that she may never have the courage to do it again.