Disclaimer:- I didn't invent any of the characters that I am going to use in my story. That honour belongs to J.K.Rowling.
Next installment for those following the story. Thank you for all your reviews. I love seeing the email saying that someone has reviewed. It makes me so happy :)
Chapter 12 – Tears and Smiles
Snape watched her expression. He could see that she was confused. Torn between wanting to accept his offer as an act of kindness, and suspicion because of his change of attitude. Her eyes flickered between the tea set and the Potions Master's face.
To her, his eyes seemed to gleam with a kind of excitement, a kind of hunger. She remembered this look from a film she had watched late one night last summer. Dracula. She enjoyed watching this kind of films, just to compare the Muggle fantasies of these creatures, to what she had actually learnt at Hogwarts. He leant across his desk, edging his body slightly closer to hers. She could feel the heat from his breath, and smell the sickly odour that emitted from his mouth as he breathed. She looked him straight in the eye, noting his paler than normal complexion and the way his robes seem to hang off his shoulders, seemingly looser than before. "No thank you Professor," she replied in a clear voice.
Outwardly Snape showed no sign of surprise. Inwardly, he cursed himself for being so blazé about the operation. He had known from the beginning that Hermione would be the most difficult to entice to take a drink, that why he had left till last. The last one this year, the last one this…
"Very well Granger," said Snape sharply, "Don't expect me to offer again."
Hermione winced at the tone of his voice. She felt like she'd hurt him, by not trusting him. She now believed he'd generally offered kindness, and she had rebuked him because of his past manner. She felt guilty. She led her eyes wander down to her lap, her fingers wringing themselves furiously.
Snape, after a moment of irritation, praised himself on his brilliance of Plan B. He'd have to gain her trust first, and then offer the drink. Hermione, he now understood, was too intelligent to fall for anything so simple. He admired that quality in her, and gazed intently at the girl as she stared at her hands.
With a flick of his wand the silver tea set disappeared, and in its place lay a book. Hermione raised her eyes in surprise, and shifted in her seat to catch a glimpse of the title. Snape rested a protective hand over the cover, and smirked at the look of frustration upon Hermione's face.
"This, Miss Granger," Snape began indicating the book, " is 'Pōtiō acc Prōvectus Gēns 1'. It is the standard text used by students who sit the OWL Potions Extension paper and practical. Participating in the extension allows exceptional students to surpass their own standards, and offers them the chance to obtain a grade above their own expectations. An O+. Only students who have been recommended by the teacher are asked to sit the examination. Do you understand Miss Granger?"
Hermione paled. Her mouth open and closed like a fish, but lacked the capacity to form any word, or indeed any kind of sound whatsoever. She remained motionless, gaping at the Professor.
"I see," said Snape, mildly amused by the appearance of her face.
"I am saying, Miss Granger, that I see you as an exceptional pupil of Potions which is why I have proposed to the Headmaster that you be put forward for the examination. It'll will mean more work, and include private sessions, three nights weekly, with me."
Hermione still didn't reply.
"Perhaps Miss Granger, if you incapable of producing any indication that you actually acknowledge what I am saying, then I was wrong about you, and I will remove your application forthwith."
Hermione shook her head, and began to cry. "Do you mean it Professor? Do you really think I'm good enough?" she sobbed, looking up at him, her eyes shining with tears.
Snape was taken aback with such a display of emotion. He'd expected a gracious thank you at most, not full on waterworks. "Granger!" he shouted, the vein in his temple throbbing ominously, "Pull yourself together. Yes I do mean it. Why would I say otherwise?"
Hermione stopped weeping, and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. Then she smiled, jumped up from her seat, and threw her arms around his neck, holding him close. "Oh thank you Professor, thank you."
Fireworks exploded in Snape's chest, and he found himself smiling too, and embracing her back. He could feel the warmth of her body pressing against him. He could smell the sweetness of her perfume, and the scent of her hair. Her damp cheek was pressed against his. Bliss! He felt his arms tightening around her body, and she reciprocated the motion.
Suddenly he felt his body freeze, and in the same instant, her grip loosened. He was hugging a student. He pushed her away, and stared at her in disbelief. Hermione had the same look upon her face. Shock, which quickly turned to embarrassment. Her cheeks burned scarlet beneath his gaze.
"I…I…" she began.
"Leave now Miss Granger," snapped Snape more angrily than he had intended, "Be here next Monday, 7 o'clock sharp."
Hermione turned and fled the dungeon, holding her face in her hands. Snape watched the door that she had run through. What had just happened? He couldn't quite get his head around it. A student had just genuinely shown him affection. He had made someone smile and be happy, admittedly cry first, but still. And then he had returned her sentiments. What was that feeling that had burst alive inside his heart as she had held him? That electricity that had surged through his body? The happiness that had flooded down his limbs? Could he be developing feelings for Hermione? Mentally he told himself that he was being ridiculous. She was a student, he was a teacher. It couldn't happen, wouldn't happen. There was so many complications.
In the end he put it down to shock at her open display of emotion, but as he lay in bed that night, tossing and turning between his sheets, he couldn't help but wonder…
