1 Disclaimer: Don't own anything, not making any money, no infringement intended. I just love these characters too much to leave them alone.

1.1 Rating: R for language

Summary: Hermione finds comfort from an unexpected source after Ron breaks up with her. Takes place 7th year, two months before the Trio graduate from Hogwarts. Severus/Hermione.

2

3 Rebound

by Auror Borealis



Chapter 5



Remus Lupin leaned against the first row of desks in the Potions classroom, arms crossed, as Snape continued to grade fourth year exams. He'd been ignoring Lupin for over twenty minutes, but the werewolf didn't show any signs of getting bored and going away. Finally, Snape put down his quill and looked up.

"What do you want?"

"Yes, I'm having a lovely day, thanks. You?"

"Fuck off."

"You almost made that sound elegant. Almost," he said, pleased to see the reluctant upward tug at the corner of Snape's mouth.

"Are you here for the pleasure of irritating me, or do you actually have something to say to me?"

"I don't see why I can't combine the two." This time, Snape did smile.

"You've already accomplished your goal, then, for you have spoken to me, and I am irritated with you. Have a pleasant afternoon."

"If you weren't irritated to begin with, you will be in just a moment. I want to talk to you about Hermione Granger."

"Talk, then." The Potions Master's head bent again to his work.

"You've heard the rumours?" Lupin watched him closely.

"I can't avoid them. The walls do talk here, you know."

"Ah yes, Violet's famously big mouth. She's been spending altogether too much time outside Gryffindor Tower. Sir Cadogan challenges Ron Weasley to a duel every time he walks by his painting."

"Sir Cadogan challenges everyone, when he's not passed out drunk."

"True enough. But the honor of a maiden fair, and all that. The rumour mill has it that he's going to start on you next."

Snape's head snapped up. "What the devil for?"

"Trifling with the affections of said maiden fair, apparently."

"He's mad."

"Tell me something I don't know. But the fact remains, Severus, that all of Hogwarts is talking about you and Hermione."

"There is no 'me and Hermione.'"

"I know. I talked to her today." Snape slowly laid down his quill.

"And you discussed what?"

"I'm betraying a confidence here, Severus, but I think it's for the greater good. She thinks she's in love with you, and she was crying her eyes out today in my office because, and I quote, 'he doesn't know I'm alive.'"

"Bloody, bloody hell." Snape dropped his forehead into his hands. "No good deed goes unpunished, does it?"

"That night in your office? She told me about it." Snape scowled at him. "And yes, I suspect it's the basis of her crush on you. She had just been rejected, and there you were, ready to be her knight in shining armor, so to speak."

"I trust that you have come here for some purpose other than baiting me with this? What do you suggest I do?"

"There's not much you can do. But just remember, Severus, teenage egos are fragile. Everything is the end of the world at that age. And although I have reason to know that she's a very resilient young woman, I'd like to ask as a personal favor that you treat this matter with care. If the subject happens to come up, let her down gently. They call them 'crushes' for a reason."

"Lupin, as much as I've enjoyed this cozy little chat, I must beg you to fuck off once more. I have papers to grade."

Lupin studied Severus for a long moment, and then nodded as if satisfied with what he saw.

"Thanks, Severus. I knew I could count on you to be kind to her."

"Don't mention it. Now get the hell out of my classroom."

After Remus departed, Snape stopped pretending to grade papers, and pressed his fingers against the bridge of his nose. He felt a headache coming on. The door to the classroom opened again. Snape did not look up.

"You can have nothing else to say to me that I wish to hear. Now get out."

"S-s-sorry, Professor." Hermione Granger gave a convulsive sob and ran back down the dungeon corridor.

Snape picked up his inkwell and hurled it across the room.