Chapter 2
Hermione stared at her porridge and pushed it around with her spoon. Her chin was resting in her upturned palm, and occasionally she would let out a long sigh. Finally Ginny set her glass down and said questioningly, "Ok Mione, you have been sulking for three days now. I understand detention with Snape isn't your customary after dinner activity, but I am sure the library appreciates the break." Sydney Parker, one of Ginny's friends stuffed a piece of cake into her open mouth and looked up. "Come on Ginny, give her some slack! A week's detention is bad, but a week with Snape is quite possibly the worst thing that could happen. So exactly how bad is it?"
"Wellll…" Hermione started to say something and then trailed off. "Fine I guess…But I shouldn't be there! It isn't MY fault he is a careless, unfeeling prick! He could have some mercy! If he hadn't been standing so close to me, he wouldn't have hit my arm! But above ALL of that, I don't get credit on that assignment!! What cant he think about what this will do to my average in potions? Just once, he could show some…."
"STOP!!" Ginny ordered. "Mione. You're sulking. It wont do any good to wish it had never happened. Obviously you and Snape don't see eye to eye on this, but maybe he will change his mind. You never know, after all, even Snape is human."
"Yeah. Maybe. But I wont be counting on it. And I have to see that wretched git for a week, A WEEK!" Hermione rushed off again on her tangent. "Oh Lord," She groaned, "If we don't hurry we'll be late for potions. And God knows I am in enough trouble.
* * *
Ginny, Sydney and Hermione opened the heavily paneled potions door slowly, well aware that they were late. Sydney caught her breath and marched into the room, holding her head high. Ginny followed ssuit behind her. But Hermione, who brought up the rear, slouched slightly as she entered, keep her head down and her eyes fixed on the floor. The eyes of ever member of Gryfinndor and Ravenclaw followed their movements, quite glad their places were not switched. The three friends took their seats, the foremost three in proximity to Snape's desk, and slowly pulled them out. The scraping of the chairs against the floor created an almost painful noise, very close to the sound of nails on a chalkboard.
"Well, well," Snape sneered "I assume all three of you know the penalty for tardiness." Snape smiled evilly, greatly enjoying metting out punishment to Gryfinndor students. "Ten points a piece taken from Gryffindor, and for you Ms. Granger…" Snape chuckeled "You arrived just as the clock struck ten minutes late. Hmmm…I believe that constitutes detention for a week."
Hermione couldn't believe this. Another week!?! She raised her head to protest, and then stopped. Snape locked eyes with her and smiled. Hermione didn't know exactly what stopped her resistance, but there was something in his expression that told her it might not be as bad as she thought. Or quite possibly it could be much worse, she thought wryly. But maybe…
Snape's next words stalled her thoughts. "Ms. Granger, there is another matter I wish to address with you. I have your grade for the assignment you stayed after to make up." How unfeeling, Hermione thought silently. It's one thing to ruin my grade, it's another entirely to reveal it in front of the entire class. "Excellent work, Ms. Granger. A perfect potion. Only, wasn't the assignment to make a disappearing solution? Because I believe I received a levitation potion….Hmmmm…but because you care so much Ms. Granger, enough to stay after class, You get a hundred for effort."
Hermione's eyes almost popped out of her skull. Snape?!?! Give a hundred for late work? Work she hadn't even turned in? But what was this crap about a mixed up potion? Hermione was sure no one in that room believe that SHE of all people had COMPLETELY mixed up an assignment. What had happened???
* * *
Later…
Snape drummed his fingers against his oak desk. Why had he shown mercy on Ms. Granger? He had every intent of flunking her on that assignment. She did after all deserve a zero. But….it had just come out. Snape pulled out his pocket watch to check the time. Five minutes left until Hermione's detention…five blissful minutes. Snape leaned back into his chair, content for the moment. Oh blessed silence! The only good thing that existed in his life now. The time he had away from humanity.He closed his eyes, trying to make the most of…
*WHAM*
Snape jerked, surprised, and stood up. The door hit the stone wall with a resounding boom. Hermione stumbled in, breathless and flushed. She extended her palm, placing it on the wall to steady herself, at the same time reaching back to slam the door. She then threw herself around and drew the iron bolt across the door. Her hand dove into her robe pocket, fumbled around, and produced her wand. She brandished it high into the air and muttered a locking curse. It was thoroughly clear she wished nothing to enter the room, or leave it. She crumpled, her knees and hands flat on the floor as she struggled to catch her breath.
"Ms. Granger! I demand an explanation for your uncalled for behavior!"
Hermione panted and mumbled incoherently. "Draco....ran fast..." Snape managed to catch those three words. He stared down at the young woman laying at his feet. He watched her chest rise and fall with every stolen breath. His silver flecked eyes traveled over her curved back, and he felt an uncommon emotion consume his soul. Her brown wavy hair hung in disarray, fallen downward into her eyes. Her long black robes formed a puddle of soft material on the gray floor, and every gasp shook her delicate frame. A slight whisp of black hair fell into Snape's line of sight as he bent down. His slender fingers ficked forward forward and adjusted the strand just as his knees connected with the ground. Snape fastened his fingers firmly around Hermione's wrist. With his other hand he reached forward and gently took her chin into his palm.
"Hermione?" His voice betrayed a sense of deep concern. "Are you alright? What happened?" He gently angled her face upward until he was looking into her green eyes. Her tounge quickly darted over her lips, moistening them after the long run. "It was Draco." She whispered, hanging her head once more. "He...we were..." Snape pulled her chin up once more. "What is it Hermione? Did he hurt you?" Snape inquired with a mix or curiosity and worry. Hermione shook her head. "We were walking to the library," She stuttered, looking ashamed. "I stopped because my shoe was untied, and when I looked up," Hermione paused, trying to decide how much to reveal to Snape. Hermione made up her mind and continued. "And when I stood up he pushed me against the wall and...and tried to..." She stopped, a sob caught in her throat. Hermione broke own and threw herself against Snape's shoulder. Snape needed no other explanation, he understood what she didn't want to have to put into words. He brought one hand to the back of her head and ran his fingers through her tangled hair, trying vainly to comfort her. The other he rested on her back. She cried silently, sobs wracking her body as he held her close. "Oh child," He started, trailing off as he realized that having never been in her position, he could not offer verbal condolence. Snape grimaced. The poor girl. But even in the position of counselor and confidante that he had so abruptly been thrust into, he couldn't help but enjoy the situation. As terrible as this was, it had given him a chance that he had until now been deprived of. Snape sat calmly, experience a sweet serenity as he hugged her. He could feel her hot breath on his neck, the wet tears moistening his robe where she lay her head, her small arms encircling his waist. He felt her tiny breasts, a enticing warmth pressed against his own chest. He removed both hands and placed them on her chin and neck, lifting gently. She had stopped crying, the streaks of pain drying on her face. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..." She started, only to have her words cut off by his mouth. Hermione jerked straight. He had leaned forward, not wanting to hear an apology from her for the best thing that had happened to him in quite awhile. Instead he followed his desire, and pressed his lips to hers, softly, gently. It took her a moment to get over the initial shock, but soon she had calmed. Hermione still had her arms wrapped tight around his waist, hands flat against his back. Snape kissed her a little harder, and thrust his tounge forward. Like a lever he used it to gently part her lips and venture inside. He explored her mouth slowly, lovingly, and placed one hand one again against her hair. He tangled his fingers in it, cautiously, not wanting to hurt her. After a few moments Hermione reacted to his deft exploration and tentatively made her own move. She pushed her own tounge forward, searching for his. When found she started at the tip, gently making contact and sensuously stroking the length of it. This teasing contact continued for several minutes uninterrupted. Suddenly Professor Snape pulled away. He stood up quickly, letting go of Hermione, and turned so his back was to her. "Please, leave now." He uttered in an abnormally gruff voice. Hermione stood, stunned. Was he so revolted that he couldn't stand to see her now? She found her wand where she had dropped it on the floor, and undid the locking curse. Slowly she walked toward the door, twisting the knob and opening the door. She exited to the hall, glancing back only once as she reclosed the door. In the potions room Snape sank down to his knees. Carefully he lowered his head until his forehead rested on the cold stone. How chilly he felt now, without her body pressed against him. But his existence was no longer bleak, a small light burned ahead. A beacon that guided his thoughts away from dispair.
OH MY!!!! I had to change the plot and the characters and an entire scene!!! LHM!!! Well, that's done!! I don't know when I'll get a chance to put chapter 3 up.....but i will, i promise.
All my love to Peter Wiggin