Chapter 3 - 'An execution'

Hermione woke up several hours earlier than usual. She didn't sleep well that night. And no wonder. Even with touching support of Harry and Ron, who left her only after Hermione threatened she'd go to Malfoy during dinner and thank him in front of everyone.

She had a hard time adjusting to the thought she was dependent on that git. The prospect of seeing Professor Snape didn't bright up her day either.

Harry and Ron were trying to cheer her up a little on their way to place of Herm's execution (not that it helped).

Halls were still empty when she approached Snape's cabinet and knocked at the door gently. After an invitation to come in she hesitantly entered Professor's lair.

"Well, well, well, Miss Granger", - Snape's voice was surprisingly calm and even indifferent, so Hermione became suspicious something wasn't right here, but she had nowhere to retreat - Harry and Ron was standing outside.

"Mr. Malfoy told me everything...", - quick nod towards a figure, standing in the shadows.

*Oh, that's such a bad beginning, it's a terrible beginning. I don't like it.*

"And though it's hard for me to approve such relationships, 16 years is a general age for hormones to overcome common sense and discretion".

Terrible conjectures was becoming more real with every single word Snape was declaring.


"Therefore you don't have to make up excuses and meet in improper place and time instead of a normal date in daytime."

"A date? A DATE?! It wasn't a date!" - Hermione became furious, - "I don't know what this git..."

"Miss Granger!"

"This Malfoy told you but it was anything but date!"

Then she heard that silky voice of The Worst Enemy Of All Times, commonly known as a pervert skunk.

"You have nothing to be ashamed of, luv, Professor Snape is our ally and..."

"There is nothing to be ashamed of only because there is nothing between us!"

"But the fact you came to the date yesterday indicates quite the opposite."

"We were studying!"

"No, we weren't"

"Were!"

"No!"

"Admit it!" - there was a threat in his voice.

She quickly turned to Professor Snape, and, gasping after verbal fight with Malfoy, blazed away.

"I love you", - she was going inhale a bit of air but as she saw Snape's expression she hurried to continue her thought - "no more than Malfoy!"

In other circumstances Snape would utterly believe her, but when a Slytherin confesses he's in love with a Gryffindor it should be a hell of a love.

Hermione never thought she'd say that, but she also never though she'll be imputed in dating Malfoy.

"For the God's sake! I'm a Mudblood!"

"That makes our love so special", - Draco was obviously enjoying this show.

*That's it, that's a last straw.*

"Professor Snape, I have to tell you the truth...", but she was interrupted by Malfoy.

"The truth that even Potter and Weasly", - meaningful glance at Hermione, - "accepted our relationship, right luv?"

*If I tell he's lying I'll have to tell about cheating with exam's papers, and then we all be expelled. And if I'll declare 'our-love-of-all-times' then Harry, Ron and me will have a chance, besides Snape isn't a gossip-type, so noone finds out.*

"Right, Harry and Ron accepted that he", - she still couldn't call him by first name, even in such situation, "loves me and I love him."

Along with feeling a relief of telling what she was supposed to, she also felt his lips on hers. It took her enormous amount of self-control not to shudder or just push Malfoy away.

And then she turned around to go to her place to calm down a bit before classes, emotionally exhausted and depressed, there were 30 pairs of eyes staring at her in deep, traumatic shock, not to mention disbelief and pry.