Chapter 3
Remus glared over at the laughing figure of Severus Snape.
"Something amusing, Snape?"
Snape let his head fall forward and swallowed back the last bit of laughter that tried to bubble forth.
"Ah, Lupin!" he exclaimed, still chortling. "You always did have such a way with the fairer sex. Tell me, did you shed in her food? Because if I know Miss Granger, she wouldn't appreciate having a dog eat off her plate."
"Go poison yourself Snape," Remus muttered, tucking into Hermione's food again.
Snape just laughed, then pushed his plate away and stood to leave.
"Hey Snape!" Remus called, stopping Snape in his tracks. "You seem to have taken a liking to Hermione."
"What makes you think that?" Snape asked, turning to glare at Lupin.
"I've known you for a long time, Severus," Remus began, grinning smugly at him. "And I don't think I've ever seen you laugh like that before."
"Anything that makes you uncomfortable is funny to me, Lupin," Snape said, turning to leave again.
"Well, if you really do have a soft spot for her you may want to help her out," Remus called, ignoring Snape's last comment. "She ruined an entire batch of Dreamless Sleep Potion this morning and was, ah, pretty upset about it. In fact, she nearly took my head off with a flying beaker." He paused and smiled at the Potion Master's back. "Just a thought."
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Nighttime at Hogwarts during the summer holidays was a very peaceful time. No students were wandering the corridors, and Filch and Mrs. Norris retired to bed no later than 9:00 every night. Because of this, Severus Snape found it very simple to make his way to the hospital wing completely undetected.
The corridors were dark and gloomy, shadows jumping out at every turn, suits of armor resembling dark sentinels guarding the secrets hidden in the walls, but Severus took no notice of these things. Hogwarts was the only place he preferred to call home and he knew every nook and cranny, every creak and shadow of the castle.
He crept slowly to the door that led into the hospital wing and stopped, stooping over to put a large box outside the door. He quickly scratched a note on a small piece of parchment, folded it, and placed it on top of the box. He stood, smiled broadly, then turned and headed back down to the dungeons.
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"Good morning Crookshanks," Hermione said, looking down to the foot of her bed. Her large ginger cat was lounging comfortably on her feet and didn't look like he was going to move any time soon. "I'm sorry little boy but I have to get up." She pulled her feet out from under the cat, then climbed out of bed. She took a few moments to shower and dress, then started out to get some breakfast. She closed and locked the door to her quarters, went through her brightly-lit office and opened the door to the hallway beyond. She nearly toppled over the box that was sitting outside the door.
"What's this?" she asked, crouching down to look at the box. There was a note sitting on the top.
Miss Granger,
Professor Lupin informed me of your misfortune with the Dreamless Sleep Potion so I took the liberty of brewing a batch for you. I hope you will welcome my help now and in the future. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask.
Prof. S. Snape
Hermione opened the box and found twelve neatly arranged bottles of Dreamless Sleep Potion, each bottle neatly corked with a label attached that showed the date it was brewed along with Snape's initials. Hermione smiled, silently thanking the Potions Professor for his kindness and thoughtfulness. She picked up the box and took it into her office, depositing it on a table. She smiled down at the box then turned and headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast, hoping to get a moment to thank Professor Snape.
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"Good morning, Minerva!" Hermione called as she sat down at a small round table for breakfast.
"Good morning, Hermione," McGonagall greeted, smiling at Hermione. "Have some fruit." She filled a bowl with melon and handed it to the younger girl.
"Mmm, my favorite," Hermione murmured, spearing a piece with her fork and putting it in her mouth. She chewed slowly, savoring the sweet flavor of her favorite fruit.
"Have you seen Professor Snape this morning?"
"No, why do you ask?" Minerva asked, looking quizzically over at Hermione.
"Oh, he helped me out with something and I just wanted to thank him," Hermione answered, taking another bite of melon.
Minerva's fork clattered to her plate.
"He what?" she asked, both of her eyebrows raised in surprise.
"He helped me with something," Hermione repeated, grinning at the shock on the Transfiguration professor's face.
"Oh, that's wonderful!" Dumbledore exclaimed, smiling down at Hermione.
"Albus!" Hermione exclaimed. He had just appeared out of nowhere and frightened Hermione considerably. "You startled me. And what's wonderful?"
"Severus, my dear," Dumbledore replied, taking the chair on Hermione's right. "I don't remember the last time he has done anyone here a favor, not counting myself of course." He poured a cup of tea and added a considerable amount of sugar. "Take Minerva for example. Minerva, when was the last time Severus did something for you without your asking first?"
"I really don't recall," McGonagall answered, smiling into her teacup. "It's not that he's unwilling to help, I just usually have to ask him first."
"Oh." Hermione couldn't think of anything else to say she was too shocked by the morning's revelation. Perhaps the impossible could happen. Perhaps she could become friends with the brooding professor. She smiled as she imagined the looks she would get from Harry and Ron if she and Snape ever did become friends. Horror, revulsion, shock, and total disbelief were the words she would use to describe their feelings toward their friendship. Oh well, there was no reason to count her chickens before they hatched, she thought. "Albus, have you seen him?"
"No dear," he replied. "What is today?"
"Friday," Minerva told him as she buttered a piece of toast.
"Ah, then Severus will be out on his morning run."
Hermione sputtered, choking on a piece of melon. "He's what?!"
"Running." Dumbledore repeated, twinkling at Hermione from the corner of his eye. "He runs three times a week to keep in shape." He laughed merrily. "I think most of the students would do just what you did if they were to find out that their frightening Potions Professor was something of a health nut." He patted Hermione's hand reassuringly. "But don't tell anyone. Severus would be most annoyed if anyone outside these walls were to find out."
"Oh I won't tell anyone," Hermione said, shaking her head. "I'm still not sure I believe it myself. I couldn't imagine what Ron and Harry would say." She looked at Dumbledore, then couldn't hold it back anymore. They both burst out laughing, heads thrown back in merriment, tears leaking down their cheeks.
Minerva glanced over at the laughing pair of teachers and shook her head, smiling knowingly.
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Severus skidded to a halt at the edge of the lake, puffing great breaths of air in and out of his lungs. He stretched briefly, then turned and headed back toward the castle for a quick shower then some breakfast. Instead of going in the main doors, he skirted around the perimeter of the castle and entered through a low door nearly hidden in a stand of pine trees. It opened right into his office. He stepped down the few stone steps head down, then stopped in shock to find Hermione Granger seated in one of the armchairs before his desk.
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Hermione's mouth fell open in shock as the door on the far wall creaked open. Severus Snape started down the stairs, the sun streaming in behind him, looking no less than godly. She never would have believed it; Professor Snape was hot! He was clad only in athletic shorts and trainers, bare chest and stomach rippling with muscle that was shining with sweat.
'Oh. My. God.' Hermione thought to herself. It kept running through her mind over and over again as she watched him descend the stairs. She wanted to bolt out of there right then but found that her body wouldn't budge from the chair. She was glued to the spot and witnessing something she never would have believed possible.
He looked up.
"Miss Granger!" he exclaimed, halting on the last step. "What are you doing here? And how did you get in?"
"I, uh," she stammered, finding it difficult to speak. Her throat seemed to have closed up in the last few seconds. "That is, I came in through the door." She gestured lamely at the door behind her chair.
"Yes, I would have guessed that much," he said sarcastically, narrowing his eyes at her. "But how did you get through my wards?"
"There were no wards sir," Hermione answered, raising her eyebrows in surprise.
"What? Don't be ridiculous! I always cast wards before I leave my office."
"Sorry, but you must have forgotten," Hermione told him, blushing slightly as he came to stand right in front of her. "I knocked and there was no answer, so I let myself in." Her eyes wandered down to his collarbone, then on down to the thin line of hair that started below his belly button and disappeared under the waistband of his shorts. She swallowed hard. "No wards."
"Indeed." He bent low and looked her square in the eye. "You're not telling me something."
"Sorry, but I'm telling you the truth," Hermione muttered, holding his steady gaze with her own, her breathing becoming shallower by the second. His nearness was having a profound effect on her body. "No wards," she repeated, shaking her head slightly for emphasis.
He looked into her eyes for a moment longer, then abruptly stood up and walked around to his desk. He poured a glass of water out of the pitcher he always kept at his desk and downed it in one gulp.
"So tell me," he began, pouring another glass of water. "What compelled you to come into my office and wait for me to get here?"
Hermione let out the breath she had been holding.
"I just wanted to thank you for the Dreamless Sleep Potion," Hermione said, smiling up at him. "I really appreciate and welcome your help. I was having an awful morning and Remus just caught me at a bad time."
"You're quite welcome," Snape said, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly. "Lupin told me you nearly took his head off with a flying beaker." He chuckled lightly. "I never would have pictured you to be the type to throw valuable lab equipment."
"Well I can fix it," Hermione pointed out smugly. "I am a witch."
"You don't say?" Severus asked sarcastically. He perched on the edge of the desk and crossed his arms over his chest. "Do you need help with anything else?"
Hermione started back in surprise. "Um, not at the moment," she replied, blinking in wonderment. This would be the second time he offered to help her. What was going on?
She stood, walked over to him and rested her hand on his forearm. "Thank you again for your help."
He reached over and closed a warm hand over hers.
"You are very welcome," he said, smiling a real, genuine smile at her. "And I will be here if you need anything. Please don't hesitate to ask, I'm more than willing."
She nodded, then pulled her hand out from under his and left the office, skin tingling where he had touched her.
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"Professor Snape!" Hermione called, slamming open the door to his office. She twirled around, searching for his familiar figure. "Professor, where are you!"
She heard the sound of rapidly approaching feet. A moment later a door in the far wall crashed open and Snape rushed in, a look of horror on his face.
"What is it?" he demanded, breathing hard. "What's wrong?"
Hermione just stared at him for a moment, taking in his disheveled appearance. Everything from his hair standing wildly on end to the rumpled clothes he was wearing made her want to burst out laughing. But she knew better than to do that. Instead, she covered her mouth and coughed, trying to veil the amusement surely lurking in her eyes.
"Um, nothing's wrong," she began, looking up into his eyes, the corners of her mouth twitching involuntarily. She coughed again and shook her head. "I just need your help with something."
"Well, what is it?" he asked, glaring hard at her. He could tell how hard she was trying to hide her amusement and it was beginning to get on his nerves.
"I need you to teach me how to..." she paused, blushing to the roots of her hair.
"How to what?" he demanded, gesturing wildly for her to continue.
"Ride a broomstick," Hermione muttered, looking down at the floor.
"You're kidding me, right?" he asked sardonically, one eyebrow shooting up. "You came barging into my office screaming for me at six am to ask me to teach you to ride a broomstick?"
She glared up into his face and harrumphed.
"No, I'm not kidding you," Hermione answered, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "I've never been any good at it and I got this letter from Harry today telling me all about Padma's baby shower..." she paused and pulled a piece of parchment out of her pocket. "Read this."
Snape took the parchment and smoothed out as many wrinkles as he could.
Dear Hermione,
How are you? I hope you're all settled in at the school. I'm sure you're doing a wonderful job already. Snape isn't being a total prat, is he?
"Typical Potter." he murmured, shaking his head. He continued reading.
Ginny wanted me to let you know there is going to be a baby shower for Padma this coming Saturday. You absolutely have to come, no excuses! There will be tons of food courtesy of Mrs. Weasley and all kinds of games; most of them played on broomsticks! Sounds like fun, doesn't it?
Owl me back to let me know if you're coming. I can't wait to see you Mione! We all miss you. Lily keeps asking for Auntie Monee.
All my love,
Harry
Snape handed her the letter and sighed deeply.
"Well?" Hermione asked, folding the letter and stuffing it in a pocket of her robes. "Will you help me?"
"How can I say no when baby shower games are at stake?" he asked, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly.
"You're an angel!" she exclaimed, laughing aloud. "When can we start?"
"Well if you'll give me a few moments to clean up," he gestured to his hair. "I'll meet you outside in ten minutes."
"Great!" she exclaimed, dashing out of his office.
He watched her race down the hall, shining hair streaming out behind her and felt a slight warmth seep into his cheeks.
'She certainly is beautiful,' he thought to himself. 'And she wants to spend time with you. Not Lupin or anyone else, just you.'
He shook his head, then made his way back to his rooms for a quick shower.
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"Now, Miss Granger," Snape began, pacing in front of her as if he were teaching class.
"Please, call me Hermione," she interrupted, smiling shyly at him. "Friends don't call each other Miss and Mr. whatever. I certainly don't plan on calling you Mr. Snape."
He started back, shock written all over his face. Friends? Did she just say they were friends? He cleared his throat and looked down at his booted feet.
"Very well...Hermione."
She shivered when he said her name. He made it sound like satin pulled through your fingers. Smooth, silky, and completely sensual.
"May I call you Severus?" she asked, wringing her hands.
He looked her in the eye for a moment before nodding his head.
"Of course you may," he answered, smiling lightly. "Are you ready to continue?"
"Yes sir," Hermione said, slipping back into the student/teacher persona.
He held out an old Nimbus 2000 for her to take.
"You know how to mount the broomstick, correct?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at her. She blushed at the sexual innuendo in his statement.
"Yes," she answered, taking the broomstick from him, a short snort of laughter escaping her throat. The eyebrow went up even further at that. "I'm sorry, it's just what you said..."
"Ah, you're referring to the old Gryffindor view on sexuality," he said, chuckling lightly. "I'll just go ahead and ignore that." He mounted his broomstick and instructed her to do the same. "The key to flying is balance. You must keep your weight balanced. Don't lean too much unless you are trying to turn. Try to stay centered."
She nodded her head and watched him kick off into the air.
"Kick off and come up to my level!" he called.
She kicked off hard, and flew shakily up to where he was hovering.
"That was abysmal!" he exclaimed, shaking his head. "Did no one ever try to teach you to fly?"
"It's not that they never tried," Hermione began, glaring at him, brown eyes flashing. "I'm just a little afraid, that's all."
"Oh is that all?" he asked, sarcasm dripping from his every word. "Hermione flying is wonderful! Don't let something as trivial as fear hold you back from this amazing experience! Do you even know what it feels like to really fly?"
She shook her head.
"Get on."
"Excuse me?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.
"Get on," he repeated, patting the broomstick behind him.
"Why?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at him.
"Honestly, you have brains now use them!" he scolded, glaring at her. "I'm going to take you for a real ride. Now get on!"
He held out his hand and pulled her over next to his broom. Shakily, she climbed on behind him and clamped her arms around his hard midsection, burying her face in the back of his robes.
"Hermione!" he gasped, clawing at her arms. "Loosen up a bit! I can't fly if I'm going to pass out from lack of air."
"Sorry," she mumbled, loosening her hold just slightly. She kept her face buried in his robes.
"Hermione, you have to look." He wriggled around a bit until she pulled her head up and looked around his shoulder.
"Satisfied?" she asked tersely.
"Very."
With that, he shot off into the sky, pulling complicated loops and spins, Hermione squealing in delight. They flew around the castle, dipping in and out of the courtyards and circling the towers, then went out over the lake, sometimes getting so close to the surface that she could skim her fingers through the very top of the water. It was wonderful!
She finally relaxed enough to enjoy not only the ride, but also the man in front of her. He smelled faintly of herbs and spices, and a few loose strands of his hair were brushing deliciously across the side of her neck. She could feel his muscles bunch and contract with every turn, twist, and dive and her body was beginning to respond. She was practically shaking with desire when he finally touched down. She jumped off the broom and backed up a few paces, grinning with glee.
"Severus that was wonderful!" she exclaimed, laughing. "I never knew it could be like that! Where did you learn that?"
He allowed a smile to grow on his face before answering. Her excitement was contagious.
"I was a Beater on the Slytherin Quidditch team for four years," he answered, shrugging his shoulders. "But I've always loved flying." He held out the broom for her to take. "Are you ready?"
"Oh, I can't possibly fly now," she said, twirling around. "That was too good to ruin." She ran over to his side and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. "Thank you so much."
He looked at her in wonder, then smiled.
"You are welcome Hermione."
She grinned up at him a moment longer then turned and ran up to the castle.