AN: Thank you for all the support! It is very deeply appreciated!
Hermione had forgotten how much she enjoyed the Hogwarts library. Parchment ink was an intoxicating scent few appreciated. Rows and rows of endless books was enough to relax every muscle in her body. It was a needed change from the few boxes still cluttered about her rooms.
She shifted her position in the silver padded chair. Few students had explored the library as thoroughly as she had, meaning they didn't know about the little gems of comfort hidden amongst the shelves. The color of the chair may not have been her favorite, but nobody could deny its comfortable cushion.
"You're in my chair."
Hermione lowered her book and glanced at her black clad intruder.
"I request that you leave my chair immediately."
She stared at him. Of course Professor Snape would intrude the second the book became interesting.
"Now." His voice was louder.
"I would leave, but I was here first."
"It matters little who was here first. The chair is mine."
"I wasn't aware that your name was on it," she said.
"I haven't gotten around to branding it," Professor Snape argued.
"Surprising. Usually, you're on top of things such as claiming what is yours."
"Until now there has been no need to lay ownership to it since everyone knows it's mine."
"Perhaps you should make it your mission to brand the chair, or at least move it to the dungeons."
"Until now, there has been no need for either course of action."
"Then I suppose you now have something to do other than snark at people."
Hermione returned her attention to the book. Perhaps if she ignored Professor Snape he would grow bored and decide to grace someone else with his pleasant presence.
"I am not playing games." Professor Snape slammed the book he'd been carrying onto the oaken table separating them. "Get out of my chair so I can conduct my research."
"Well when you ask that nicely." She shift her position so she was more comfortable. "I shall have to stay here longer."
"I refuse to play childish games with you. Leave my chair immediately."
"What do you plan to do to me if I do not comply with your demands?"
"Things which would make you regret ever hearing my name."
"What kinds of things?" She looked at him.
"Is your hearing impaired? I told you that I would do things to you which would make you regret ever hearing my name."
"Now my interest is piqued." She closed her book. "What sorts of things do you have in mind?"
"I will leave them to your imagination."
"My imagination goes in so many places though. I doubt you intend to make all my fantasies come true."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means I am trying to imagine if you would spend my entire tenure here running to Minerva with my every misstep, if you would entice the students to revolt against me, or if you would exploit some other weakness."
"I am no first year tattler, nor do I ask students to fight my battles. I am an expert at exploiting weaknesses, though."
"Before you could do so, you'll need to find my weakness." She shifted in her chair. "That will take up a significant portion of your time given how few weaknesses I have."
"I have more time than you realize."
"Time enough to continue these pleasant visits?"
"I would not need to speak with you," he said. "Neville would be more than happy to enlighten me on your every nuance, even if he did so unintentionally."
"So you are capable of calling someone by their first name." She set her book on the table.
"I call everyone I respect by their first name," he emphasized the next two words, "Ms. Granger."
"I suppose you would be forced to have a modicum of respect for the person who killed Nagini, given the trouble you had with her."
"Neville has done more to earn my respect than kill a blasted snake." He rubbed the scar on his neck.
"Like what?"
"Things which you could only hope to accomplish."
"Are you saying I am less accomplished than Neville?" She sat up straighter.
"I suppose you are more accomplished than he is in being a nuisance."
"What is it about me that is such a nuisance?"
"To begin with, you sit in other people's chairs,"
"What exactly is so special about this chair?"
"It is mine," he argued. "Isn't that enough to convince you to leave it?"
"If it is your chair, then why is it not in the dungeons?"
"Because Madame Pince is even more fond of it than I am." His frown deepened.
"So it's her chair then," She noted.
"In name only," Professor Snape argued. "In practice it is all but mine."
"Well, if you can convince Madame Pince to tell me to leave your chair, I will leave immediately. Otherwise, I will remain here."
"Are you suggesting that I go running to Madame Pince as if I am some first year tattler?"
"You said that, not me."
Professor Snape gritted his teeth.
"What else annoys you about me?" She asked.
"Your hair needs to be tamed."
"Are you seriously giving me hair advice?"
Professor Snape closed his mouth, silently conceding her point.
"Are there any other annoyances you have towards me, or is my hair the basis of your distaste towards me?"
"You smile too much," Professor Snape argued.
"There's a critique I've never heard before." She gave him the widest, most playful smile she could. "What is it about my smile which annoys you so?"
"You are deceptive in your friendliness."
"Do you think I mean to be cruel to you?"
"I think you mean to give me a migraine."
"I assure you that is not my intention."
"Perhaps not consciously," he said.
"How could I do so unconsciously?"
"By behaving as every other woman."
"You don't like women?"
"I don't like women such as you who cause little else other than trouble."
"What kind of trouble have I caused you?" She asked.
"What kind of trouble have you not caused me?"
"Are you still bitter about your singed robes and stolen potions ingredients?"
"Stolen potions ingredients?" His eyes grew.
Before Hermione could answer, a wispy mare appeared. With Ginny's voice, it said, "we're having an emergency tea time at Neville's now. Please be there as soon as you can."
Hermione smirked once it dissipated. "Well, it looks like you'll get your chair back."
"Not until you tell me about the stolen potions ingredients," he snapped.
"First you want me to get out of your chair, and now you want me to stay and converse with you?" She asked. "You are quite a confusing man."
"I want to know what you took from me."
"Fine," she exhaled, "In my second year I stole some of your potions ingredient to investigate Draco as the heir to Slytherin. As a result, I had a very unfortunate incident with Polyjuice potion."
"Oh that," Professor Snape smirked. "I always wondered how you could be idiotic enough to transform yourself into a cat. Dumbledore never gave me a straight answer. I now understand why."
"You knew I was a cat?" The bravado she'd developed instantly dissipated.
"Not only did I know you were a cat, but I saw it for myself." There was a gleam in his eyes. "It was amongst the most ridiculous things I'd seen. Then again, it did bring me a laugh when it was sorely needed in my life. For that I suppose I should appreciate your existence more."
Hermione hoped she wasn't blushing. The last thing she needed was for him to have ammunition on how to humiliate her.
"It is by far the most pleasant memory I have of you," he continued.
"I suppose I'll have to give you more pleasant memories of me then."
"Will you transform yourself into a dog next?"
"Only if I'm in the mood to be a bitch."
"It isn't a stretch to imagine you as one."
"On that lovely note." Hermione grabbed a book without looking down. "I have a tea party to attend, and you have a chair to claim."
"Do not forget that this is my chair, and my corner."
"Your corner?"
"Indeed." He gestured to the books. "It's in the potions section where most of my research occurs. It is the perfect place for me to sit undisturbed by students and bushy haired know-it-alls."
"I still don't see the sign designating this as your spot."
"The sign is at the printing shop."
"Sure it is." She stepped away. "Have a good day, and enjoy my chair."
A smile tugged at her lips as she left.
She loved getting in the last word.