Chapter 11: Strolling the corridors at night(Severus's PoV)

I walked down the corridors like a cat searching for any students out of bed. Most particularly her, for I felt like an ass and had to apoligize for my harsh behavior towards my future wife. Where did my manners go to through these long years of my lonesome life. I have been given a chance to atone for my sins and I possibly blew it already. I sighed as I cut the corner and noticed a shadow moved. I then got up on my toes and strided quietly towards the shadow, with my wand in hand, ready for anything. The shadow cut the corner and I could hear his/her breathing rapid in hope they lost whom ever was following them.

I lit the tip of my wand with the lumos spell and no one was there. I sneered knowing my sight better than I was perceived. Then that was when I smelled it. A rose perfume filled my nostrils like a bloodhound hunting down an escaped convict. I followed my nose quietly to where this girl was leading me and I came to the door of the astronomy tower. I slowly opened the door and pulled it quietly shut behind me. I skipped a step as I stride to the top of the spiral stairwell. I can smell the rose scent get stronger through my nostrils. My heart began to race as my breath became ragged from climbing all the stairs. That was when my smell led me to her. There stood Hermione Granger out in the moonlight sitting on the edge of the ledge peering over the lake. My breath was taken away as I took noticed a timeless silouette with the gentle breeze blowing her loose curls that were unraveling from her lazy bun she had in her hair. The way she was sitting was a perfect snapshot to capture the moment of her depression. I wish I had a camera that night with me because I would take a picture and frame it. That is when I spoke to her as nicely as I could.

"You know that is a beautiful picture with you being there, and the moonlight reflecting off your skin gives you a timeless silouette.."I spoke and noticed she jumped.

"I am sorry I am out of bed, Prof-" Hermione began to apoligize to me, but I cut her short because I didn't deserve that.

"There is no need to apoligize to me, Miss Granger. I, too, often come up here on the astronomy tower to gaze over the lake and watch the moonlight reflect wonders of beauty into it. " I spoke as I sat down but a few feet in front of her. I kept eye contact upon those deep pools of chocolate, taken into a trance of pure mezmerization of the moment I wish that it would never end.

"Is there something you need, sir?" Hermione asked me, with some kind of hope in her features. I then legilmized my way into her mind and saw she was hoping for something delightful that I didn't think to bring, however, I noticed there was something about me being there with her made her day a little better. That made me smile deep inside, knowing that someone wanted me to be there with them. It is a feeling that I cannot explain at this time.

I snapped out of my thoughts quickly and spoke normally, "Well, I wanted to come up here for some air and to think." Dammit. "I mean, I was hoping I could.." I trailed off losing my nerve to tell her what I really wanted to say.

"You wanted to talk to me alone with no meddling dunderheads around to bother us." Hermione said humorously.

I found it to be funny, so I smiled at her. " Yes. I apoligize for ignoring you. It's just all the money I have is tied up in a WPB, or Wizard Protection Bond, which I cannot touch until Friday of this week. I will take you out and get you a ring. The WPB is like a.." I paused trying to find the word they use in them muggle banking facilities for storing money and getting slammed with fees when you touch them before the roll over date.

"You mean a CD?" Hermione rhetorically spoke. It then hit me.

"That is the bloody things name. Well the WPB is like a CD, but if you touch it,however, it will draw 1/2 a year from your life." I explained.

I saw Hermione's eyes widen and her lips parted slightly as her facial features filled up with concern.

"It's nothing to worry about. I know better trust me." I assured her to hopefully relieve her of the concern I have bestowed upon her.

Hermione only nodded, and she looked out over the view. She gave a small shiver at the breeze that blew by, and I stood up upon instinct and draped my cloak over her shoulders. I was now in my teaching robes with all the buttons. How much I love my buttons. With the draping of my cloak over her shoulders, I took the opportunity to sit closer to her. I noticed Hermione had a cautious nature;however, I wanted to use Legilimacy on her to see what was going through her mind at the time.

"Well, I think I will be getting to bed. Thank you for the talk, Professor." Hermione thanked me. Then when she began to take the cloak off, I stopped her.

"No, You can keep it. These hallways will get cold. I will be fine. Would you like me to escort you to your room?" I offered her.

Hermione nodded yes, so I followed her to her room. The walk was quiet, until we reached her prefect room.

She turned around to face me and spoke softly, "Goodnight Professor."

"Good night, Miss Granger." I stepped forward, cupped her chin, and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. Then I turned away and vanished into the shadows.


ok you all know what to do now. R&R!!!