A/N: I know that it has been…..like forever since I last updated my other stories but…..life. I'm stuck in a rut and needed to put something out to get back in the swing of things. Sorry if this is crap.
"And here I thought I might be escaping the din," A deep, baritone voice drawled out in irritation. Dark honey eyes gazed up at the looming male figure. One that was impeccably dressed in a sleek charcoal suit with a smart looking espresso turtleneck. Amazing what a few Voldemort free years could do to a person. In her professor's case, he was a whole new man it seemed. He'd filled out some, signs of a leanly muscular frame evident even with the layers. His hair was different too. Longer, and pulled back into a low ponytail. He smelled good too although that wasn't exactly new. There was no denying that he was a superb example of masculine beauty. Broad shoulders and narrow hips, well-formed legs that looked amazing in dragonhide boots, and eyes so dark they were almost black were just a few features that she found most disconcerting. Too bad his new look did not come with a new attitude as well.
"One person reading hardly qualifies as a din, Professor Snape," she countered, momentarily distracted from reaching for the book she had come to get.
The fact that he was now suddenly closer made her breath hitch but she hid it well. "That may be so, Miss Granger," her old professor qualified, "However, seeing how it is you up here then inevitably the rest of your Gryffindor cronies will be here shortly trying to persuade you to return to the party. And it is just Snape. I haven't been your professor in quite some time and I no longer hold that position."
The party he was referring to was Harry's birthday party. Most of the surviving members of the Order and Dumbledore's Army had shown up. It was quite raucous downstairs. It seemed everyone was in the mood to party hard. All except Hermione. She'd just got back home from four years of wizarding college. She wanted to relax and get settled, not get drunk and dance all over Grimmauld Place. Which was why she was perfectly content with coming up to the Black library to read in peace and relative quiet. "I actually didn't expect to see you here, Pro- Er...Snape," Hermione admitted.
For the first time during their conversation, his annoyed countenance changed to one that was more aloof. "I needed to give something to Mr. Potter and was obliged to stay and enjoy the…..festivities."
The sarcasm and very put upon tone in his voice made Hermione smile. "Then don't mind me. There's plenty of books and enough room for us to share the library without getting in each other's way," she declared. He seemed to be contemplating her words until finally, Snape grudgingly accepted. As luck would have it, the two book lovers reached for the same volume. Still holding onto the book, Hermione looked at Snape with wide, curious eyes and he, for the most part, just looked annoyed.
"Miss Granger, do be so kind as to release my novel," He drawled with thin civility.
Hermione was shocked, "Your novel? I do believe this is Harry's library. As his best friend I have more rights to this book than you do. Plus, I was going to read this before you came sauntering in. Why on earth do you want to read a romance novel anyway?" She spat, although inwardly she was burning with curiosity. Professor Snape didn't seem like the kind of man who read romances at all.
Snape glared at her. "Pride and Prejudice happens to be one of the most popular novels in English literature and a personal favorite. Now let go," he demanded stressing the last two words, and then wrenching the book from the shelf and her grasp. Hermione let out an appalled gasp, lunging for the volume. The wizard was thoroughly surprised and thus was unable to stop the young witch from tackling him to the floor.
When he entered the library and saw Miss Granger there he had been instantly irritated by the presence of another human being. And knowing that unlike any other guests at Mr. Potter's party, Miss Granger would not quickly depart after his entrance, Severus was even more grieved. But that grief did not prevent him from noticing a few things. Like the way she sized him up and if he didn't know better there was a spark of attraction to his person in those fiery amber depths. Her actions led to him doing the same and he was awed by the changes in her appearance. She had always been a pretty child and in the years she spent at Hogwarts Severus watched as she matured in mind, face, and form into a lovely young woman and a scholar. He was not surprised that unlike her peers she went on to university, his alma mater to be exact. Personally, he could not wait to see what she would accomplish.
That aside, he was unprepared for the vision Miss Granger presented now. She was still petite and slender, but her curves though slight, were undeniable and sinfully clad in a most becoming glittery, mesh like dress. And instead of trashy Miss Granger managed to look regal and alluring in the outfit. A perfect mix of modern and classic beauty. He supposed his unabated attraction to her was what ultimately led to him insisting that she not refer to him as her professor. And then later consent to sharing the peace and quiet of the library with her. However, attraction quickly fell away to annoyance as they reached for the same book.
He had not expected for her to lunge for the text. Nor did he expect for them to fall to the floor, her young body on top of his, still reaching. All of her wiggling was causing unwanted reactions in his nether regions. Looking up at her focused expression he knew this had to stop. "Stop your squirming Miss Granger. Either you find something else to read, or you're going to have to share this one with me," Severus replied smugly. Surely she would recoil at such a prospect.
Or not.
By some rare twist, Severus found himself stiffly sitting next to an equally rigid Miss Granger. Pride and Prejudice was opened to the first page and their eyes roved the printed words together. He moved to turn the page, but hesitated- unable to tell if she was done yet. Another factor that would induce his wrath before they'd get far in the novel. Except, Hermione was ready for him to turn and subsequently hereafter it seemed they read at much the same pace. And then, as the night drew later and later their positions changed. A gradual process until they were sitting as they were now. With Hermione resting at his side, her hand on his chest; and his arm wrapped around her. The intimacy lost upon the two book lovers as they read heartily until they both fell asleep.