Disclaimer: The characters of this story are owned by J. K. Rowling. Lucky woman.
A/N: Thanks everyone for the continuing reviews. Like I said, I'll try to update more often, so here is another chappie! I love reviews, so don't be bashful, and enjoy!
Flabbergasted
Part 11: Nook
Hermione walked down the aisle, fingers trailing over the ledges, and every now and then tucking a precariously placed book snugly back into its spot on the shelf. It was early morning, much too early on a Saturday for students to be hanging out in the library, and she was taking advantage of it. Finding a book she'd never read (the list was growing shorter daily, since her return to Hogwarts), she turned and spotted a table dappled with light, dust motes floating lazily through the illuminated beams. Sitting herself down, she basked in the warmth, a sure sign that spring was soon to come.
Engrossed as she was, she didn't notice that someone was approaching until too late. With a muffled squeak, she was dragged unceremoniously into one of the various nooks in the library, her book falling to the floor. Looking up to her captor's face, she saw two glinting eyes examining her. Huffing, she pulled her wrists away from Severus Snape's hands and placed them on her hips.
"If you wanted to talk, you could've just asked, instead of risk damaging library property." She gestured at the unfortunate book lying on the ground.
"The book is fine. I felt an urgent need to speak to you, and I think you know why. You've been avoiding me, so I assumed the only way you would bother talking to me would be by being forced to." His smirk belied his gruff tone, showing that he wasn't too annoyed.
Hermione had indeed been avoiding the man, not knowing what to think about her recent interactions with him. She hoped he didn't expect an explanation, as she was in no way inclined to give one. "I've been busy fixing the syllabus for the next half of the school year. I'm new at this, so you can't expect me to be done so soon."
Severus scoffed, "You probably had the new syllabus fit to use by your second month here, if not within your second week." Hermione's cheeks turned a bit red at this. She had indeed finished the last touches to the new class schedule not a month and a half after school started.
"There's always room for improvement, especially dealing with education." She replied primly, trying to keep up the façade of busyness, but she could tell from his growing smirk that Severus wasn't buying it.
"I hear nothing but excuses coming from your mouth," His gaze was a bit more intent than usual, as it slid down her face to her lips, and she drew a sharp breath. The breath was held as he bent closer to whisper in her ear. "I'm sure there are better things I could get to come out of there, Hermione."
The held breath was let loose in a timely fashion, corresponding with the sharp sound of a slap. Hermione left the aggravating but enticing man behind, his shock echoing through the library. She paused before turning the corner and decided that a parting shot was in order. She always did like to have the last word. "You know, a bit of color on your face is quite a nice change, Severus." With that, she left the man, whose hand was slowly rising to gingerly touch his reddened cheek.
A/N: Hahaha! Hope you liked this one! It's decidedly feisty, but I thought it would be nice to change things up a little and give Severus more of a chase. Hermione's not supposed to be too easy to woo. Anyways, make sure to review! Thanks!
Next Chapter: Cranny
