First of all, I have to admit that I am not a native speaker, so there might be a few mistakes, but if you were so kind as to write me a message to tell me of them, I would immediately correct them.

Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling and I don't earn my money with these stories.

The Empty Seat

It was the last staff meeting of the school year and although everything had worked out fine, even with the end of term exams, the teachers of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry were looking forward to the summer holidays.

"The best student of this year is Mr Thomas Carmichael from Ravenclaw," Headmistress Minerva announced during the meeting.

"Strange to hear another name than Hermione Granger," Filius chuckled.

Hermione blushed. After the war, she had continued her school life to graduate and then become Professor Snape's apprentice. It had been quite the spectacle when he walked into the Entrance Hall a few minutes after Voldemort's defeat. A miracle, Hermione had thought but, of course, as the Potions Master, he had an antidote against Nagini's venom with him at all times. He had even been able to heal his wounds after he had taken the antidote, so only a small scar remained.

He was formidable as always, but everyone had started to treat him more friendly, grateful for his part in the War. Hermione especially had started to admire him even further and it was like a dream come true when he had accepted her as his apprentice. In the last year, she had not only learned a great deal from him, they even had become something like friends – and she was allowed to call him by his first name!

"Last but not least," Minerva finally announced, "I'd like to invite you all to our annual staff party at the evening of the 30th of June when all the students have left."

There was a general cheer as the teachers heard the good news and Hermione was especially excited since this was her first year as a staff member and therefore her first staff party. It sounded like a wonderful opportunity to let off some steam after an interesting but also exhausting year.

"So, how does a staff party work?" Hermione asked her master after the meeting on their way to their chambers in the dungeons. "I must admit it's difficult to imagine any drinking or dancing." Even the thought of a partying Minerva made her giggle.

"I don't know," Severus replied coldly. "I haven't been to a staff party in many years."

"Why not?" she asked. She knew he wasn't too fond of spending more time than necessary with his colleagues, but there was something in his tone that made her suspicious, he sounded almost… hurt?

Soon, they had reached their chambers and entered the living-room. At first, it had been strange living so closely with her former professor, but they had soon realised that they had similar lifestyles (like reading in the evening or washing up the dishes directly after a meal and not days later). It was a comfortable life and most of all, a not-lonely life.

Severus sighed when they sat down on their places by the fire, he on an old, worn-out but still comfortable brown leather armchair and she on a matching sofa in front of him. There, he finally answered her question: "The last time I went to a staff party, I sat down on the edge of one of the sofas. At first, it was a joyful atmosphere and though I don't like to admit it, I enjoyed myself listening to the others. I kept to myself as always, but I was glad to be included regardless. I am not oblivious to how I am seen from the outside."

Hermione gave him a sad smile. It had taken them months before he had started to be more relaxed around her and show his true self. He was friendlier and funnier when they were alone, more honest and open, and she guessed that no one in the school, not even Minerva knew him the way she did.

"But then I realised that the seat next to me stayed unoccupied throughout the evening. At first, I thought it was because there were many other seats and no one had an interest in talking to me (which was fine by me), but then I noticed that the others would rather stand than sit down next to me. And it was then I realised that I wasn't truly a part of them. That's why I don't bother to show up anymore, it's better for everyone."

Hermione had become sad by his tale and once again her heart went out for him. He was such a great man and no one except her seemed to realise this. Instead of starting to cry or offering her condolences – two things Severus hated – she tried to sound cheerful when she replied: "Well, this year it's going to be different."

He raised an eyebrow. "And why would that be?"

"I'm here, am I not? And I promise you that I will sit beside you the whole evening." She beamed at him with all her warmth and admiration she felt for him.

He was moved by her outburst of friendship, but it wasn't fair to her. "I don't need a babysitter."

"But you need a friend. Everyone does."

"I don't want to spoil your evening by having to stay by my side the whole time."

She smiled at him again. "That could never spoil my evening."

He gulped, then changed the subject abruptly.

Hermione had the feeling that she had made him uncomfortable but to her surprise, the next week he didn't complain and even dressed in black dress robes for the evening. She wore the red dress she had worn on Bill and Fleur's wedding because she didn't own any other one. It still fit her perfectly and she was content.

They made their way to the staff room and when Hermione opened the door, loud music entered the corridor. It was actually a real party. There were a buffet and a dancing area where Filius and Pomona laughed while moving to the music.

After the initial shock, Hermione grinned happily, and her grin widened when she saw the absolute horror on Severus' face.

"I think I'd better leave," he mumbled but Hermione took his hand and dragged him over to the sofas where Minerva and Aurora talked heatedly about something.

"Hermione!" Minerva then exclaimed joyfully when she saw her favourite ex-student and even stood up to give her a hug. "And you, Severus?" she exclaimed when she noticed the figure behind Hermione. "What a pleasant surprise."

Severus merely gave a quick smile.

Hermione knew he was uncomfortable, so she made her way to a yet unoccupied sofa, diagonally from Aurora and Minerva, and gently pulled Severus with her, so he could sit down next to her. "So, what were you two discussing so ferociously?" she brought them into the conversation.

Later other teachers joined them, and Hermione noticed that indeed the seat on Severus' left side remained empty. She hoped it was just a coincidence but couldn't be sure; human creatures could be absolutely cruel and ignorant. At every opportunity, she tried, however, to find topics in which Severus could converse with them though he rarely spoke.

Then more teachers joined Filius and Pomona on the dance floor and when Severus noticed Hermione's longing stare, he whispered into her ear: "You can go dance if you want to. It's alright with me."

She looked up at him. "Are you sure?"

He nodded. "I'm sure I can manage a few minutes alone."

Biting her lip, she finally gave in. "I'll be right back." She didn't want to leave him alone but once in a while, she enjoyed dancing.

Severus scooped over to the end of the sofa so that only one seat had to remain empty because of him and was glad that Minerva continued to talk to him. While discussing the latest transfiguration problem, he observed Hermione's dancing style. It wasn't elaborate but it was endearing because she was obviously in her own world, oblivious to everything around her and having fun. He admired her for that – and not just for that.

To his joy but also surprise, she only danced through one song before she came back to him and sat right next to him. "That was fun," she beamed and panted slightly.

Now that Hermione had taken the cursed seat next to Severus, the rest of the teachers came nearer and sat on the sofas. It became a bit crowded when Filius squeezed himself next to Pomona where normally only one person would sit, so Hermione had to sit closer to Severus and her arm was pressed uncomfortably against his.

He noticed this as well and in defeat raised his arm and put it behind her on the sofa.

She pressed herself further towards him but now it felt nice and protective.

The evening continued in conversation and laughter, but soon Hermione grew tired. Having debated with her inner self for the last hour, she finally leaned her head against Severus' side. She could feel him look at her, but he neither said nor did anything so she concluded that he was okay with this.

Another half an hour later the first teachers said goodnight and went back to their chambers and when only Minerva and Filius remained, Severus felt comfortable enough to put his arm around Hermione's shoulders. She could have moved away from him when the space next to her got free but instead, she stayed right beside him, cuddling his side. Now he waited with a beating heart for her to look at him disgusted or slap him but instead, she sighed happily and nuzzled her cheek into his chest.

Minerva beamed at him but fortunately, didn't comment.

Not long after, Filius also bid them goodnight and Hermione fell asleep.

A companionable silence fell over the staff room while Minerva and Severus both smiled silently.

"Well," Minerva then announced when the clock struck two in the morning. "I best go to bed as well." Then she nodded at Hermione. "You should bring her to bed."

"In a minute," he whispered and then confided because Minerva had always been something like his friend: "I want to enjoy this as long as it lasts."

"I don't think you need to worry that she will react differently in the morning. She truly likes you."

He smiled at that and when Minerva had left them and only the crackling fire could be heard, he gave Hermione a soft kiss on the head. While contemplating the lovely witch, he fell asleep as well.

The next morning, Hermione woke up with a hurting neck. It took a moment before she realised, she had fallen asleep in the teacher's room. She looked around and saw Severus still sleeping right next to her. An instant blush crept over her cheeks, paired with a slight giggle: she had spent the night with Severus after a party. This sounded rather scandalous and she hoped that the other teachers didn't know, though she was a bit disappointed that it hadn't been even more scandalous…

When she moved, Severus awoke, and they stared at each other uncertainly. Never before had there been a moment of more than friendship between them, but they were both not the types to cuddle with their friends – or at all if they were honest.

"Good morning," Severus was the first to find his voice.

"Morning," she replied shyly, her cheeks red. The feeling of being at his side had been wonderful and it had seemed as if he hadn't minded, but everything looked different in the morning light after. "Did you sleep well?"

"Very much so."

Hermione nodded and looked around the room. Trash of used cups and plates lay around and not even the food on the buffet had been brought back to the kitchens. "It was quite the party, wasn't it?"

"Yes, it was." His voice was low and hesitant. It was as if they were both too scared to finally breach the topic that was so obvious.

Finally, Hermione collected her Gryffindor courage and looked him in the eyes. "I enjoyed last night. Immensely."

"Me, too."

"Especially the last hour."

"Me, too."

She swallowed and breathed slowly in and out. "So, what now?"

Severus stared at her, saw her beauty, both inner and outer, and decided to be bold. "I'd like to kiss you," he whispered. Now was the moment, she would finally slap him. Or laugh. Or tell him how inappropriate his behaviour as her master and former teacher was. But to his surprise, she smiled sheepishly.

"I would love that." Her voice was barely audible, but Severus had splendid ears.

Before he could lose his willpower, he slowly moved his head towards hers, gently placed his hand on her cheeks and finally descended his lips onto hers. He could feel her intake of breath before she slowly started to move her lips with his. They were careful as if a sudden movement could destroy the moment forever, but after a while, the kiss got more heated. Hermione stroked through his hair, Severus had his hands over her back, and the space between them grew almost non-existent.

When Severus became worried that he wouldn't be able to stop and tried to part from Hermione so that they wouldn't continue their intimacy in the teachers' room, the door opened and Minerva entered.

Hermione shrieked away at the sound of the door and then blushed furiously as she saw her old mentor.

"Oh, don't mind me," Minerva said and grinned widely. "I just came to get the coat I forgot last night." She went towards the sofa where she had sat last night and while retrieving her tartan coat, she winked at Severus. "Do carry on," she chuckled as she left the staff room again and closed the door behind her.

The momentum was ruined, Severus knew when he saw Hermione's tomato-like face. But it was also the perfect opportunity to start anew in a more appropriate place. So he stood in front of her and offered her his hand. "Why don't we go back to our place and continue there?"

Hermione smiled at him and took his hand. He expected her to let go of it when they reached the corridor, but she didn't. Instead, he could feel her drawing small circles on his hand's back and he couldn't wait to have her all by himself as soon as they reached their quarters. This seemed to turn out to be the best summer of his life.

THE END.