Hermione followed Harry and Ron into the Great Hall. She was unusually quiet, but they were not concerned with her brooding. It was not unusual. The cause of her concern, however, would shock them. She was still reeling from her dream about Snape the previous night. She had a crush on the man, but never had she dreamed of him before.
Snape's coal black eyes gazed into hers as she sat down. She immediately turned away, blushing at her inappropriate inner musings. Snape, too, looked away. Albus gave him a knowing glance, which Snape ignored. "Stupid man," he thought, "it's Dumbledore's fault that I'm lusting over her now. She's my student and my friend, and my feelings certainly aren't appropriate."
Snape abruptly stood up. His interactions with the lovely Miss Granger must end at once, for her sake at least, he told himself. He would no longer sit and talk with her; he would ban her from brewing with him. He could not let his admiration for her dictate his actions. If the girl found out his affection for her, him, the greasy bat of the dungeons, she would surely be horrified beyond repair.