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Looking into Severus' obsidian eyes, Dumbledore said softly, "You and Miss Granger...are soul mates."
Severus POV
Severus Snape had never before been rendered speechless. Until this very moment anyway. He sat in Dumbledore's office, gaping at his longtime friend and employer.
"She, I, m-my...my what?!" Severus stared in disbelief.
"Close your mouth, Severus. You look like a fish" Dumbledore said with amusement. Severus' mouth snapped shut.
"Albus, I must have misunderstood you. Surely, Miss Granger can't be my, my..." Severus' head was spinning. He rubbed his temples with his fingers.
"Your soul mate? I assure you, my boy, it is true" Albus stated firmly.
"How do you know for sure, Albus?"
"It is on record in the Department of Marriage at the Ministry of Magic."
"How long have you known?" Severus asked suspiciously.
"I was informed at the same time Miss Granger received her Hogwarts letter" Dumbledore replied.
"WHAT?! You've known for three years?!" Severus roared.
"Calm down before you hurt yourself, Severus" Dumbledore chuckled. This only seemed to anger the potions master further.
"I hardly think this is funny, Albus! Were you ever planning to tell me?!" Severus spat.
"I was waiting for you to come to me, Severus. I knew it would only be a matter of time before you realized you had feelings for the girl. It was inevitable" said Dumbledore.
"My fee-, old man, I do NOT have feelings for Miss Granger" Severus blustered.
"My boy, you have a chance at happiness. Don't throw it away so easily" Dumbledore said gently.
"Albus, she is my student! She's fifteen...a child! The notion is entirely inappropriate!"
"I'm not suggesting you run to Gryffindor tower and profess your love for her at this very moment, Severus. However, I would urge you to accept your feelings. I'm not even telling you to reveal this information to her, as I'm sure she is entirely too young to understand it" said the Headmaster. Severus scoffed.
"Of course she wouldn't. I don't even understand it" Severus said, shaking his head.
"My boy, I know this has come as a shock to you. I know it's a lot to take in, but I assure you, it's the truth. Miss Granger is your soul mate. That is why you feel drawn to her. It explains the attraction, the jealousy of other men, the anger when someone hurts her. The ache in your heart when you saw her crying. When either of you feel pain, the other will feel it. Whether it be emotional or physical" Dumbledore explained.
"Well, that certainly does explain a lot of the odd feelings I've had towards her. It had upset me greatly to see her crying on the stai-" Severus paused. "Albus, does that mean Hermione will feel any pain that is inflicted upon my person" Severus asked worriedly.
"Do not fret, Severus. She has never been subjected to the curses the Dark Lord inflicts upon you. However, this and other gifts will also be given to her throughout her seventeenth year."
"What other gifts are you referring to, Albus" Severus asked cautiously.
"Not only will you be able to feel each other's pain, you will also be in tune with each other's emotions. You will be able to sense when the other is in danger and you will even be able to access each other's mind" Dumbledore explained further.
"This is unbelievable" Severus muttered to himself. Then he turned to his employer. "Albus, this is ridiculous! There is no way this could ever happen!"
"Why is that, Severus" Dumbledore asked inquisitively.
"Because she's almost twenty years my junior! Because she's pure and I'm tainted. Because she is beautiful and I'm the greasy bat of the dungeons. Because she is kind and I'm an old grouch. Because she is priceless and I'm...I'm nothing" Severus answered glumly, staring at the floor.
The old wizards eyes softened as he looked at his adoptive son. "Self deprecation doesn't suit you, Severus" Dumbledore replied softly. "Your worth is much greater than you give yourself credit for. I have a feeling there's a young witch who sees that as well. Even if you do not know it yet"
Severus looked up into Dumbledore's twinkling blue eyes. "What makes you think she sees me as anything but a greasy git? I'm not good enough for her."
"Severus, for a spy, you are rather unobservant" Dumbledore chuckled at the potion master's look of indignation. "I have noticed the way she looks at you. I think it's safe to say the girl has developed quite the crush on her potions professor" Dumbledore winked as he got up from his chair.
A look of utter disbelief flashed across Severus' features. Dismissing the crazy coot's words, he followed suit. Walking towards the door, he paused as he opened the door. Turning towards the old man, the dark wizard looked at him sadly. "There is no way she could ever think of me in that light, and she would be right not to do so."
With that, Severus swept out of the room. Dumbledore shook his head sadly, hoping his friend would not deny himself this chance at happiness. Severus could be seen stalking his way to the dungeons, a scowl set firmly upon his face. Taking points from the party stragglers who were unfortunate enough to cross his path.
Hermione POV
Meanwhile, in Gryffindor tower, Hermione Granger was lying in bed. Her eyes were puffy from crying over her row with Ron. However, the ginger menace was far from the forefronts of her mind. At the moment, her thoughts were filled with her potions professor.
Reflecting on the events of the ball earlier that night, Hermione was perplexed. Professor Snape had been uncharacteristically kind to her. She had always been under the impression that he hated her. Being called an insufferable know-it-all on a regular basis could make you think that. She also thought of an incident earlier that year. Draco had hexed her teeth and they had grown past her chin. She had told Professor Snape what had happened, expecting him to punish Draco. However, she was rather hurt when he'd looked down at her coldly and said "I see no difference." Hermione had fled the Great Hall, refusing to let him or anyone else see the tears that threatened to escape.
Tonight, however, he had been kind and caring. Offering her a handkerchief when she was crying. Allowing her to vent her frustrations and talk about what had happened between her and Ron. The most shocking thing was that Professor Snape had complimented her, albeit a veiled compliment. It was sweet nonetheless. Hermione chuckled at that. Severus Snape, sweet. Harry would have me committed to St. Mungo's if he knew what I was thinking!
Hermione had been speechless when Professor Snape complimented her. When she'd looked into his eyes, she saw an emotion in them she'd never seen before. She wasn't sure what it was exactly, but it had felt like a swarm of butterflies had been let loose in the pit of her stomach. Hermione smiled to herself.
There was no denying it, she had a crush on Professor Snape. He was intelligent, he was handsome, and tonight she had discovered that he was rather sweet. Although she had a feeling that wasn't something he wanted getting around. Then there was his voice...she could listen to him read the dictionary all day!
Sighing to herself, Hermione tried to put thoughts of Professor Snape from her mind. She knew there was nothing she could do but wait until she grew out of her silly crush. Besides, he'd never think of you as anything more than an annoying student, she thought. Despite what she told herself, Hermione's dreams were filled with her tall, dark and handsome professor.
