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Chapter 9: The Tip of the Iceberg

HPOV

IT had been the start of another day waking up early and making sure, she was ready for another day of potion making. Though most of her time in a day was dedicated to her apprenticeship, she found great joy in it. With no one else in her life but her parents she let herself be absorbed in what would become her future. Suddenly an owl swooped down in front of her dropping a box that chinked every so lightly. It was rather early in the morning so only a few students littered the tables. There was a letter attached to the box and Hermione ripped open the letter quickly to realize it was from Snape.

Ms. Granger,

I had a thorough discussion with Dumbeldore about your wage and he has assured me you would receive payment. He also made it known to me that your parents will be under the protection of the Order. Hope this makes your day brighter. In addition, you have the day off from your apprenticeship today. Make sure to be ready to start again at nine tomorrow.

Snape

Hermione could only sigh as she read his scrawl his writing was so perfect and mysterious matching him so well. Thinking to what she was going to do for her day off she did not know she was well ahead in her two classes two classes ahead so there was nothing really for her to do but write her parents and relax. She had written them over a week ago and was happy to reply. They showed their worry for her being so alone. Placing Snape's letter on the table she reached for the box and opened it grabbing the letter that was placed on top of what looked like a sack.

Ms. Granger,

Enclosed is the wage you have earned for the past two weeks, you also have a pass if you ever want to make a trip to Hogsmeade. Thank you for your diligent work.

Albus Dumbeldore

It was short, sweet and annoying. Crumpling the letter she grabbed the coin purse that seemed packed full of coins. Hermione was not stupid pulling out coins like that in the great hall was very foolish so putting everything back in the box she left taking a piece of toast with her to escape to her rooms to see just how much she had made.

Eighteen galleons was a lot of money at least to her. Even if she did spend 8 to 10 hours five days a week slaving over a cauldron to make it, she was very happy to receive anything at all. She was being paid to fulfill her hours for her apprenticeship and she loved it. Putting her money in her little chest on her dresser, she decided to read ahead on the potions she was to make starting tomorrow. This was what it came to spending her entire day reading. Hermione gave a huff of annoyance at her life. Repetition filled it and nothing but. Snape was the highlight of her days and today she would not get to converse with him. There were no potion classes today so he was probably resting or marking papers. It was sad that the only person in her life was a snarky potions professor who probably did not care that much for her.

Grabbing the potions book Snape had given her she decided to go for a walk on the grounds and find a nice place to relax and simply just read. There was only a light breeze out so she just wore a tank top and yoga pants. The smell of grass invaded her senses as she headed towards the lake where the breeze on the lake would be refreshing and no one really went down there this early so she would have her solitude.

Beside the lake sat a flat rock only a foot off the ground, she immediately gravitated towards it and sat upon it cracking open the book to get lost in it. Little did she know that soon she would d be happily disturbed out of her reading by someone she had been missing.

SPOV

He gave Hermione the day off but already his classroom felt so empty without her there. He knew she needed some time to herself because he had her work the entire weekend brewing for him. She seemed to spend more and more time in his company always brewing and after the talk with Dumbeldore last night all he could think about was finding out if she truly returned his feelings. His day was now free and he had no idea what to do with it. The idea of reading in his study again seemed rather boring to him and since he had Hermione doing all the brewing for him there was no potions that had to be made.

He found himself walking onto the grounds towards the lake for some odd reason, he shook off the feeling of having to go down there for just his body being bored and wanting to go exploring. As he made it almost half way to the lake, he finally looked up to see none other than Hermione sitting upon the rock by the lake reading. He stopped walking as he peered at her. The breeze rustling her hair blowing it around her, as she was completely absorbed in the book she had open. The reaction in him was confusing him and he was so unsure of why this reaction had ever started. Finally able to stop his now teenage body from acting with his what seemed teenage brain he walked towards her.

When he was only five feet away, she looked up and smiled at him. She smiled a smile that was full of happiness.

"Good morning I did not expect to see you this morning I would think you would be sleeping in since you have the day off," he stated as she only closed her book making sure the bookmark was well in place.

"I am so use to waking up early to go see you that it is natural to not sleep in anymore besides for me nothing is more boring than to lay in bed all day and do nothing."

"I cannot agree more, I have the day off as well but yet I find myself down here," he stated gesturing with his hands. He peered down at her, as she looked up at him her caramel eyes full of emotion.

"You are welcome to join me sir, I would welcome the company it can be quite boring here when you have no friends and only have books as company," she stated as sadness filled her eyes.

"How about we take a walk around the grounds I find that because of my need to always be reading has my legs in need of a bit of a workout that is if you are inclined," Snape asked as he saw her smile he knew his answer.

"That sounds lovely."

She got up and they started walking as she held her book to her chest her head down ever so slightly. He peered at her she was at least nine inches shorter than his six foot three frame. He liked how short she was it felt as if she was so small and fragile he wanted to be his protector.

"I want to thank you so much Professor for all you have done for me, with all the work you are doing I will be starting my career before I know it and in almost half the time, and I can actually make a wage doing something I love."

"It is no problem helping those that want to work for it, there are not many people that would slave away with menial potion making but soon I will be teaching you much better potions and potion techniques but it always starts with the little tasks that build patience," Snape announced as his hands were held behind his back as they continued to walk. He could feel her shoulder brush him everyone once in awhile making his heartbeat ever so faster. He felt like a teenager again responding to even the slightest touch from an attractive woman.

"I must thank you as well for your company," Hermione stated.

"I do not understand what you mean." Severus stated as he stopped and Hermione looked up to him craning her neck slightly.

"I have been completely alone since the beginning of the semester and it's nice to just talk to someone, even when I was friends with the others the conversations I have with them do not even come close to what we talk about," Hermione stated as she continued to walk, Snape jogging slightly to get back up to pace.

"Well as you will see Ms. Granger we are of more mature beings we simply do not find joy in talking about Quittich and which clothes are in at the moment," he stated frankly," you are not like your classmates and you know that as well."

"Yes, I have known for some time and it has always left me secluded from everyone always feeling lonely."

"One day you will find a nice young man that will be just like you do not worry." Snape stated.

"I am afraid that a nice young man like me would not survive, I find I am not attracted to boys simply because their maturity level is that of a five year old and the changes of finding someone like me is about one in a billion, I have found myself accepting the fact that I will be alone much of my life because I am so different from everyone else." Snape could not believe the words coming out of her mouth as he realized that they were now walking back to the castle.

"How about we continue this conversation over some toast and tea in my library," Snape stated and with Hermione's nod, they started walking into the castle and towards the warm and food filled library.

So this is the tip of the iceberg the next chapter is going to be good trust me. I hope you like this none the less. Thanks for all the hits and taking time out of your day to read my story and if you have a bit more time Review and tell me, what you think about my writing. Even if I suck and you want to let me know give me a review I talk all opinions so that I can make my writing better. Thanks

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