DEAR SEVERUS

P1

…

"Am I to expect such a simple letter will work Potter!" Pansy snapped at him tossing the note at him.

Picking it up, "You forget Pansy that it is not the letters their selves that is doing the work, but the people to whom they're addressed. And trust me I know Snape. He is always hovering on the border between displeasure and anger. All he needs is a little push in the right direction and he'll do the rest."

"Are you bonkers Potter," she placed her hands on her narrow waste, "You said that this would work."

Nodding, "Just give it time. You'll see."

"I better or the deals off and you'll personally find out how Slytherin got its name."

"Just deliver the letter."

…

Something was strange about this week and it wasn't the warm gust of wind that disturbed a usually cold autumn morning nor was it the fact that Slytherin and Gryffindor seemed to come to terms with each other.

In fact all seemed rather pleasant or at least as pleasant as life could be for a snarky Potion's Master until he received a note. It was as descriptive as it was long, but it was from Hermione and read:

Dear Severus,

I wish our time together would last forever. But our romance must be hush hush so please rush and meet me in the Forbidden Forest at ten. I'll see you then.

-Hermione

His original impression was that the letter was dull, the obvious rhyming scheme was reminiscent of the writings of youth, and the lack of detail made him want to grade it an troll, which is why he couldn't understand why his heart was beating faster than the flutter of pixy wings.

Teeth curving into a smile he held the letter to his chest as he dressed for the day. His walk almost had a skip to it which is why he wasn't able to stop himself when his body collided with another bringing out the second reason why the week had become so strange.

"Sorry," a woman he had never seen before with soft brown hair he just wanted to run his hand through apologized, "I didn't see you there."

"Then perhaps you should get your eyes checked." There went his good mood.

The woman finally raised her head to him turning the most vibrant eyes his way, "Perhaps I wasn't the one who wasn't looking where they were going."

"You dare blame me for this?" His tone softened considerably.

Batting her eyelashes invitingly, "Of course not." He watched her walk pass him. Her hips were perfectly framed on her body and as if she could tell he was looking she looked back at him and offered a knowing wink.

The whole incident wouldn't have been strange except for the fact that she was beautiful and it seemed a law of nature that beautiful women weren't attracted to him saves for Hermione that is. Thinking she may be one of those apprentices out to steal ingredients from well-known Potion Masters he headed to his personal stores this time bumping into McGonagall who seemed in high spirits.

"I wasn't aware Gryffindor won the house cup." He stated nonchalantly noticing the suitcases in her arm.

"While I am gone your ever bright personality will be the foremost missed attribute of Hogwarts to me."

"I'm touched," he motioned to her bags, "The Ministry finally forced you into retirement?"

Still in a happy mood but clearly annoyed with his petty jab at her age, "I simply wish to take a vacation seeing as how I have yet to take one in nearly seventy two years."

"After all that time one would question as to why you are leaving."

Raising an eyebrow, "I can't just leave to leave?"

"The Minerva that taught me never ever believed in frolicking about the countryside while there were still students eager to learn."

"I do have a replacement. Please be kind to her Severus," she said doubtfully, "I will be announcing my departure at breakfast."

"Then by all means don't allow me to stop you."

"As if I planned to."

No sooner than she had disappeared from his line of vision did the Headmaster appear.

"Severus my boy," Albus caught up with him , "I need a favor of you."

"No."

Eyes twinkling, "Won't you at least here me out?"

"No."

Talking anyway, "Minerva will be announcing her leave as of today meaning that someone will need to oversee her detention as well as watch over her replacement."

"Need I remind you that there are other capable witches and wizards here who can just as easily babysit?"

"Of course of course," Dumbledore turned to leave, "Too bad I'll just have to reward someone else with a text from Merlin's own scriptures …"

"What text?"

Not hiding his smile in the least, "Doesn't matter since you are so busy and as you rightly pointed out there are others …"

"I said what text old man."

"As cheerful as always you are Severus," he reached into his pockets pulling out two old scrolls, "It is a spell that allows you to see those for what they truly are. Unfortunately I can't understand all the text. He seemed to write half of them in Apathec."

Apathec was an ancient potions master language. One he was fluent in, "Just one detention?"

"Yes."

"How long."

"Just an hour."

"At what time?"

"Nine to ten my boy. That way it will give you plenty of time to attend to your … previous engagements. Thank you for doing this for me Severus."

And the strangest part of the week was coming into his class to find a happy Ron Weasley and a smirking Harry Potter. The two actions, considering previous events, didn't bode well. They seemed to know something that he did not.

"Morning Professor Snape." Hermione smiled brightly at him. Her cheeks carrying a slight pink hue. Seeing her made him want to smile but he wouldn't give his students the satisfaction.

…

It was 9:59 finally. He was beginning to think someone charmed the clock to go slower. He was sure he had to be scowling at his students from behind this desk on the most uncomfortable chair possible for at least three hours.

"You're dismissed." He said the second the 10:00 approached. As fast as he could walk while still holding a somewhat dignified posture he made his way to the forest. What did Hermione want to talk about there? Had she been waiting long? Did his breath smell good? Should he bring her something? Did she want to discuss sex?

The possibilities only made him lengthen his stride. Reaching the wood in record time he ventured forth calling for Hermione only to be answered with the scurrying of creatures amongst the forest floor. "Hermione! Hermione!" he chanted her name again and again until his throat grew hoarse and his heart heavy.

Where was she? Had he took too long to get here and she left? Judging by the placement of the moon he had been searching for her for hours. Defeated and somewhat heartbroken he made his way back to his dungeons.

…

Dear Hermione,

Tonight I will show you how much I love you. Meet me in corridor two at ten.

See you then,

-Severus

She read the note again as if by somehow reading it a little faster would bring Severus to her. She was here on time as asked and he was nowhere to be seen. Depressed she slid down the wall. She had waited an hour. Perhaps he was busy or caught up in a potion. Trying to believe her conjured scenarios she solemnly made her way back to her room.

…

The following day Hermione joined him at the head table for lunch. "Long night Severus?" she inquired over her mince pie.

Removing his thin lips from the rim of his golden goblet, "I took a long stroll in the Forbidden Forest."

"Presumably while I was patrolling the halls? Especially corridor two?"

"Perhaps."

Dabbing her napkin at the corner of her mouth, "I've noticed that your class techniques have went from hands on to a more written approach."

"Speaking of which your notes could use some length."

Not bothering to ask what that meant seeing how her class notes could be mistaken for an A-Z encyclopedia she turned back to her food. Severus had the feeling that she was strangely put off although how could she be when it was her who abandoned him?

…

After class he was sent an owl from the headmaster about dealing with a Slytherin on Slytherin fight in the owlery directly after class and when he returned he noticed a gift with a note attached reading:

Sorry dearest that I was not there.

Albus had me otherwise occupied.

Let me make it up to you with this gift.

Use it well 3

Inside the green wrapped present was a bathing kit with the note use especially this on the shampoo. Hand reaching for his hair he thought it did feel a little oily. Had he not been properly groomed in her eyes? Picking up the shampoo bottle he ran to the nearest sink to fix it somewhat wondering why she didn't just tell them in person.

A little ways away Hermione came in carrying a gift. "When did Severus place this here?"

Her black friend eyed the gift warily, "I just got in a moment ago an I aint see it there."

"I guess he's just fast."

"Or it's a trap."

"Look conspiracy sister I'll just open it and prove you wrong."

"Ok but when your missing your eyebrows don't complain to me."

Eyebrows intact she saw a note and read it:

Dear Hermione,

I was forced to oversee a detention by the headmaster and missed our previous engagement. Whilst your busy please know that I am thinking of you especially your armpits. So when I say I sent this gift with love I mean it.

-Severus

The inside of her gift held various deodorants. Taking a whiff she covered her arms. They didn't smell bad, but to a man with a nose like his she probably smelled like a nightmare. Horrified at the thought she ran to her bathroom to wash and deodorize. Her gift box left alone her roommate eyed the gift warily clearly suspicious.