Disclaimer: I do not own anything to do with Harry Potter, just the plot, so please don't sue j.k.
Author's Note: Here it is, chapter 6! Sorry I didn't update yesterday, I went shopping and got the coolest top! Enjoy, and please review!
When Hermione awoke the next morning her first thought was that of sheer bliss. She was lying in a magnificent four-poster bed; adorned with red drapes and a matching bed spread. Hermione stretched in bed, a small smile on her face, before she remembered. The all too familiar tears filled her eyes, and Hermione curled into a tight ball and cried until she could no more. Remaining in her foetal position, she wished she could least have Crookshanks to cuddle up to, but he had been killed by the deatheaters just last night, during the attack. Crawling out of bed, Hermione braced herself for the day ahead.
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Severus Snape scowled as he walked into the Great Hall for breakfast. The rest of the staff that had decided to remain at Hogwarts for the summer were already seated, and looked up from their food and conversations as he burst moodily in, barely noticing the extortionate End Of Year decorations from two nights ago, and slamming the door behind him. He stalked down the length of the Hall, which felt strangely but pleasantly empty without the students.
*Ah, finally time to think in peace,* he thought in appreciation. As he approached the Head Table, Dumbledore spoke.
"Ah. My dear Severus! And where is Miss Granger this morning?" That man! How was he supposed to know? As if he even cared.
*Ah, but you do care, don't you?* said a little voice inside him, which he pushed down fiercely.
"How am I supposed to know? I'm not her keeper!" he snapped as he sat down in his usual place, Minerva being his closest neighbour, as Professor Sprout who sat next to him had returned home, leaving an empty space. Severus shot a glare at Minerva, who was smirking at him smugly from her place next to Dumbledore. Dismissing all thoughts of the young woman he had 'rescued' last night, Severus picked up the coffee pot and prepared himself for what he was sure was going to be a very long day.
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Hermione stepped into the almost scalding shower, and the warm water cascaded down her shoulders, relaxing the muscles that had become taut after last night. Picking up a bottle of sweet-smelling pink liquid, Hermione massaged it into her body; circling round her creamy breasts, and paying extra attention to her aching shoulders. but no matter how hard she scrubbed, the feeling of disgust and dirtiness would not go away. Stepping out of the shower, her body red-raw, Hermione wrapped a fluffy scarlet towel around her. Padding across the luxurious dark blue carpet and sitting upon her cushy bed, Hermione quickly muttered a drying charm, and grabbed a comb from the bedside table and pulled it roughly through her chestnut curls, wincing slightly. She quickly dressed in fresh black robes that a house elf had brought earlier. Leaving her room briskly, Hermione stepped out onto the staircase, gripping the handrail as she descended from the dizzying height.
When she finally reached the bottom, Hermione headed towards the combined entrance and exit of Dumbledore's quarters. She stood before the stone gargoyle, shifting her weight from one foot to the other, unsure of what to do. Would she need the password to get out as well as in? before she could ponder any longer over it, her question was answered as the gargoyle leapt aside, revealing the corridor behind the wall. Smoothing her robes, Hermione checked her watch. The teachers would probably still be in the Great Hall eating breakfast. She walked swiftly down the corridor, radiating a confidence she did not feel inside.
The sky in the Great Hall was a dark blue, and fluffy white clouds drifted here and there. Hermione's entrance into the Hall elicited a response from all of the Professors sat at the Head Table.
"Miss Granger," Albus said as she approached the table, and, sensing her nervousness beckoned her forward. "Please have a seat!" Hermione took the seat next to Professor McGonagall, which happened to also be next to Professor Snape. Hermione womb contracted as she looked at him. He was silent and his face resilient as he stared down at his cup of black coffee, so she was startled when he spoke.
"I trust you are feeling much refreshed this morning Miss Granger?" He turned his face to look into her eyes, and as raven met cinnamon, she immediately knew it was said in complete earnest.
"Yes, thank you," she replied, her voice strangely husky. Removing his gaze from her, he grunted in response and pushed back from the table, his chair scraping noisily on the stone slabs, his coffee cup full and still steaming. Hermione blinked in astonishment. There was no way she had said something to upset him, so why on earth would he storm off like that? Mentally slapping herself for getting so het up over the 'heartless bastard', she pushed back the tears and turned to talk to Professor McGonagall, only to find her deep in conversation with Dumbledore. Slumping back in her chair, Hermione found she was no longer hungry, and so stood from the table and, holding her head high, began to walk the length of the hall.
"Oh, Miss Granger, could I please see you in my office after breakfast?" Dumbledore called out to her.
"Of course, Professor Dumbledore," she replied, and with that slipped out into the entrance hall.
A/N: So, what did you think? I tried to make this chapter longer, but I'm not sure it worked! Thanx to all reviewers, please keep at it and help me get 50 reviews! Sorry this chapter was not up earlier, I tried to get it up this morning, but my computer's got a virus and it wouldn't let me on fanfiction! Bloody thing!
Dark-Knight, lol, many thanx, glad u like it! I totally love ur story, it is brilliant!
Kylee, heya, I'm guessing when u wrote its sweat, u meant its sweet right? Lol! Many thanx for ur lovely review, it was great to read!
Cherry 7-up, thank u for ur review – it made me feel great!
Darkfire, I bet you will lol! Thanx, I hope u like this chapter! BTW, thanx for putting me on ur faves!
Mysticjedi, glad u like it, and I hope you like this chapter!
Ladyofthewinter, thanx for ur very sweet comment, and although there will definitely be no resentment between them, there might be a little bit of tension between them in later chapters (I'm undecided as of yet)
Kaira, oooooooh, glad to hear so, that's the effect I was going for!
Potionsmistress, no probs I love ur fic, please update soon! Thanks for your kind words, please keep reviewing!
Slut Queen Virgin King, thanks for the comment, I know the chapters are too short, and yeh, I guess snape is a bit OOC, but I like him like that!
Kura, thanx for such a sweet review! Hope you liked this chapter.
Thanx to anybody else who reviewed, please keep it up! Chapter 7 is long, I promise and I will try to get it up later today.