I hope I have not inconvenienced you, Dumbledore said benignly, thoughtfully nibbling a leg off his chocolate frog. He twirled his white beard playfully, and beamed at both of us. I felt Granger rise beside me. , she began, a panicky look on her face, are we free to leave now?. He smiled amusedly and nodded, his white glasses completely opaque in the dim light. She gave both of us one more horrified, backward glance and flew out of the doorway, nearly tumbling down the stairs.

, he said, and glided towards me, his magnificent robes shimmering. I blinked several times, not seeming to be able to tear my gaze away from the open door. I turned slowly to him, feeling odly achy and fatigued. He settled himself quite comfortably at his desk, and placed his face in his hands. I assume you and Professor Granger have overcome past difficulties?, he asked, in all seriousness. I sighed, never liking to be interrogated by one of the world's most subtly manipulative wizards.

I have no idea what you're talking about, Albus, I said stiffly, feeling awkwardly aware that he knew perfectly well what had transpired. Is all well between yourself and Miss Granger?, he asked again, his tone slightly less patronizing. , I said, my voice clipped. I was already confused enough as it was.

I hadn't any idea what to make of this rather pesky situation. Granger was obviously not feeling herself, for what other explanation would be offered if she was caught kissing possibly the most despised person in Hogwarts? And, if this was just a temporary lapse of sanity and inhibitions, why could I still feel the firmly hot flesh of her mouth against mine, and the perfect way into which she molded into me?

Hermione Granger, as a girl, was never an ideal example of beauty. She never seemed to grow into her ungovernable hair and embarrassingly large teeth. Her body remained bony well after the others in her class had rounded out, and from the almost rageful way in which she kissed, her experience was somewhat limited. There was anger in her passion, an unrequited desire so fierce, it was dumbfounding. Her eyes, usually light brown, bordering on dark hazel, seemed so pliable usually, almost instantaneously filling with tears. But, tonight, there was something different behind them, some kind of fervent fire that bathed her whole face in dark fire. I shivered, involuntarily. That was a Hermione Granger that I found myself dangerously drawn to, yet slightly fearful of.

Dumbledore cleared his throat, and when I looked up, his eyes were stern. Severus, you know perfectly well what you cannot hide from me. Life is not so simple that you can go about trying to deny feelings,he said, the gaiety dissolved from his voice. What feelings? I have no feelings for the stupid chit! It was a
momentary lapse,the heat from the fire. She was emotional, needy, pesky. I'm not denying she has grown....to be an attractive woman, Albus, but I'm in no way emotionally tied to her. She's just recouping from having lusted after Potter for nearly all of her adult life, and she's improperly transferring her feelings to me, I said angrily, standing up and pacing, my dark shoes making a clatter in the echous room.

So you freely admit that the kiss meant nothing? That you feel nothing? That in the three minutes of silence that have passed, that you weren't thinking of Hermione Granger?, he persisted, his gaze leveling my own. He turned from his desk, to reach and retrieve a volume from behind him. His vast and imposing library contained many secrets. I remember as a child, stumbling into his office after the James Potter incident, and my jaw slackening in awe at the sight. I put my head in my hands, not knowing what else to do. I had the ridiculous urge to crawl into a dark hole and scream bloody murder.

Stupid child. What had she done? Effectively tangled other people's emotions into such an impossible knot, the end would never be found. It disgusted me to think that I was a Harry Potter replacement, but in the same instant, I felt an acutely painful need that burned somewhere south of my belly. One of the seven deadly muggle sins burned brightly in my mind. I felt even more despondent, something like the poor wretch in the Scarlet Letter'.

I feel nothing. She means nothing. Granted it would be a terrible waste of a mind if she decided to depart, but I feel nothing, I said calmly, but it came out in a hiss. I found it very threatening that I suddenly had no control over my voice. Dumbledore gave me a very disappointed stare. His shoulders sagged a bit, and I saw a flicker of his true age seep through his perpetual cheer. You are the only obstacle in your pursuit of happiness, he said quietly.

As if Hermione Granger would be the universal solution to my problems, I sneered, the girl does little more than snivel and weep. , Dumbledore corrected. I looked up at him, annoyed and confused, . Perhaps you are so oblivious to change, Severus, that you have not noticed that Hermione Granger is no longer a girl. She is a woman, a fully functioning independent soul, with or without Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter, he finished. Why are we discussing Granger's precipitating womanhood?, I asked, uncomfortable.

Because you speak about her as if she were still an awkward adolescent, who was still frightened of you, whom you could still bully, intimidate, take points from. She is changed, Severus, whether you admit it or not. She is wiser now, he said loftily. I rose from my seat, and went to the door. I am not discussing this, I said, the finality in my tone inarguable.

He sighed again and hesitantly took out another candy. He offered it to me, but I waved impatiently.

Severus, why does happiness elude you so?











A/N: I didn't want Dumbly Dore to come off as lecherous in this chapter. Sorry if he did. Snape's feelings are meant to remain ambigious. After all, who knows how long it's been since he's gotten some? *chuckles naughtily*