The meeting was over and everyone was glad. The professors had heard Snape's retelling of Hermione's attack and the events prior to it, they were not happy, McGonagall and Pomfrey had gasped in all of the right places and the twinkle that was normally present in Dumbledore's eyes had vanished to be replaced with an anger that had not been seen for a very long time.
They had agreed that Hermione should stay at Hogwarts for the remainder of the holidays and that guardianship be removed from her parents and passed over to McGonagall who had approved most copiously.
It had been established that they were to leave Hermione to tell whom she wanted and in her own time, much to the displeasure of Sirius Black who believed that Harry had a right to know about his best friend and that she was staying at Hogwarts, but Lupin pointed out, very wisely, that Hermione might not like that and it was her comfort which they sought for.
The professors filed out one by one and headed to their respective places, all except Snape who was drawn back to the infirmary and it's sleeping occupant.
"If anything is amiss when she awakens then just give me a call" spoke Poppy quietly, and with a slight nod from Snape was gone without so much as a glance back or thought as to why this usually cold and sarcastic man could not leave the small form of Hermione Granger, an 'annoying little Gryffindor' as he so often put it.
Snape sat in the chair he had occupied in the morning and watched the girl with fascination.
"How is it that this tiny girl can invade my mind and bewitch me?" he asked himself with awe,
"She looks at me with those big brown eyes and I can do nothing but fall. What is the world bloody coming too, the dreaded Potions Master being spellbound by a mere child and a Gryffindor child at that!" he spoke to himself with disgust,
"You must be getting old Severus to start caring about a Gryffindor, -I don't care about her!
-Then what are you still doing here?" asked his somewhat logical side, and his own 'personal demon',
"I'm here because I was asked to stay with the little brat!
-But you weren't old chap you came here of your own accord!
-Shit!" he was brought out of his thoughts by the soft mumblings of the sleeping figure on the bed.
"Oh bugger she's coming too and I'm still bloody here.
-Then just get up and walk away, unless of course you want to stay?
-You know perfectly well that I do, don't sorry don't, oh fuck,
-So Severus there's your answer old mate, stay put!
-Fine, just perfect." Snape said to himself grudgingly and somewhat panicky, believing himself to be losing his sanity,
"Great, just great they'll be carting me off to St.Mungo's any day now, the reason? I was having a nice little argument with ones self!"
"Professor?" was the quiet question, which brought Snape back to earth with a bump,
"You missed your chance, what a shame!
-Piss off!" was his last remark for a while to his inner logic
"Miss Granger, I hope you that you ah, slept well?"
"Yes thank you professor I did much better, I think it's most probably because I'm here, you know at Hogwarts, I always seem to sleep better when I'm…" she was babbling and so decided to stop, blushing at the thought of who she was babbling too.
Snape had to withhold the smile that was trying to make its way apparent on his features, and also had to mentally slap himself at his next thought,
"My God she is beautiful when she blushes!"
"You know professor you don't have to stay with me if you have more important thing's to attend to" hoping with all her heart that he would not up and leave as soon as possible, due to her announcement.
Snape could read her emotions like an open book, they were pleading with him to stay and he could not deny them.
"It's quite alright Hermione I have done all I need to do, I will stay if you wish" at this declaration he could see her visibly relax,
"If, of course you don't mind professor," she asked in a very quiet voice,
"Of course not" he answered stiffly not really believing that he was talking freely with a student and stiffened even more at what he was about to say,
"You know Hermione…" her name becoming easier on his tongue every second,
"If you wish you may call me by my given name, as it's in the vacation" he said rather quickly,
Hermione started, surprise evident on her features
"I couldn't do that your-you're my professor, are you sure?"
Snape gave a low and deep chuckle, which sent a jolt of something unknown through Hermione's entire body
"Oh my God what was that?" she cried to herself.
"Of course, I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it. I never do or say thing's that I don't want or mean Hermione," he said with a voice made of velvet, making Hermione swallow, which amused Snape immensely, but,
"What the hell are you doing old boy I thought you weren't interested?
-FUCK OFF!" and that was the end of his inner struggle,
"As I told the girl, I never do or say thing's that I don't want or mean so piss off and leave me be!" he told the 'demon' furiously.
"O-okay…" Hermione said oblivious to Snape's internal battle,
"Severus." She replied Snape's name feeling very strange on her tongue, Snape, however was also having problems, his being lower. He was having difficulty controlling the quantity of blood that flowed to his groin after he heard his name whispered so softly.
"I'm a bloody ex-death eater a master of control, among other things but now to be ruined by this girl, just great!"
They spoke quietly, long into the night, stiffly at first, on both parts, but both soon found it much easier as time went by. Both Hermione and Severus found each other's company comforting and friendly which alarmed and excited each in equal quantities. It was nearing 1.00am and Hermione could no longer stifle her yawn,
"I think that it is time that I left to give you some much needed rest."
"Oh no, please…" she began,
"Hermione I will be here when you awake and if I'm not just ask Madame Pomfrey to send for me, okay?"
"Yes I understand… Severus" she answered smiling slightly,
Snape gave an answering smile and waited until she had fallen asleep to make his departure, he was about to walk through the door when he turned to take a final look at the girl who had so easily stolen his heart and was amazed by the sight, the moon was washing over her face giving it an angelic quality, one that no man could ever resist, and Snape was no different. With that final picture carved forever in his mind he walked out into the darkness, his robes billowing out malevolently behind him.
I hope that you like this chapter and I'm trying to make them longer hope the length is not that bad! Also sorry about my grammar and what not but that comes with the story I'm afraid but please keep up the reviews.
Luv Holly.