Disclaimer: It's all J.K.'s, not mine.
Chapter 10: Preparing for Dinner
Severus sat at the High Table in his seat next to McGonagall. All of a sudden a black barn owl swooped down and dropped a small note in his plate.
"Bloody bird." After Severus said that he realized about half of the table was looking at him. "Everyone got a looking problem?"
So all the people staring went back to their food. 'What in the world could this be?' He then soon realized that it could be Hermiones reply. 'I didn't actually think that she would send something back to me. I thought she would come see me. Oh well.' He then opened the note and looked at the handwriting he knew so well. It was elegant in its own way. Neat and very clear to read. Instead of it being script it was more like a cursive type of writing.
Professor Snape,
I was going to some see you after the last class about assisting you. I would rather much enjoy sharing dinner with you, and discussing the Project. You did not include a time on your note. I will be there at 6:30. See you then.
Always,
Hermione GrangerSeverus couldn't believe that he forgot to include a time. It was like him not to be thinking with the right head. He couldn't help it though. He sat trying not to reread the note he had just received from Hermione. 'Should I ask her?' The answer would not come to him. He finished his tea and excused himself from the table.
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Hermione sat next to Ginny at the Gryffindor table. She stuffed her mouth full in seconds. After she drank two glasses of pumpkin juice, she slowed down.
"'Mione what are you in such a rush for?"
"I don't know. I just have a lot of things on my mind Gin."
"Where are the boys?" Hermione had been so busy eating she didn't realize that Harry and Ron were not at the table.
"They went to help Hagrid with some something or another. I wasn't paying attention."
"That sounds about right. Hey listen, I need a bit of help after classes to get kind of dolled up. Will you help?"
"Sure what for?"
"I'm helping this really cute guy with Arithmancy. We are going to work on it during dinner and then eat in the kitchen." Hermione was surprised at how believable that was. She had never been one for lying. She also didn't like to lie to her friends, but what was she supposed to say?
"Well I'm off to get my things from the common room. I'll see you after classes. Bye 'Mione."
"Bye Gin."
Hermione took another drink of her pumpkin juice and left the Great Hall. Little did she know that Snape had been watching her the whole time.
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Hermione, Ron, and Harry headed back to the Common Room after their last class of the day. Once they got inside the portrait hole Hermione found Ginny. They both went up to Hermiones' dorm.
"Ok Gin. How in the world do I make myself look half decent?"
"'Mione you are beautiful. We are just going to highlight your features. It should be fun! Now, what do you have to wear besides robes?"
They both dug through all of Hermiones things. Ginny decided on a green and red plaid mini skirt, and a white off the shoulders lace peasant shirt. Hermione didn't know what to think of the outfit, but she wore it anyway. Ginny went for a natural look on Hermione. For her hair Ginny kept half of it down, with the other half she separated it into two sections. She then twisted each section and clipped it in the back. For her makeup Ginny went with a light pink for her eyes, then just a dab of mascara. She put a little of a berry colour blush on, and to top it off a sheer pink lip-gloss. When Hermione saw herself she was speechless.
"Ginny! How in the world did you do this?"
"It's quite easy. What time were you supposed to meet him?"
"Um, about 6:30."
"You better hurry Hermione, it's 6:10"
"Darn, thank you so much Ginny. I'll be back late, I'm sure. Bye!" With that Hermione stormed out of the common room in a hurry.
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Hermione reached the dungeons on time. She was a little bit cold down here, but that was ok. If she had to she would ask Severus for a cloak. She lifted her hand to knock on the classroom door. No one answered, so she opened the door and walked in. There was a workstation like the two that were set up the previous day, except there was only one workstation. Hermione wondered what that was about. She walked up to Severus' office, and knocked once lightly.
"Please come in Ms. Granger." Hermione shivered at the silkiness of his voice. 'Oh, how seductive. I wonder why he is being so nice.' She walked into his office. She gasped when she saw what he was wearing. He was dressed in a white (pretty tight) button up shirt, and a pair of nice fitting black slacks. She had always thought he was just a scrawny man, and that he always only wore black robes.
"Ms. Granger, are you ok?"
"Yes, yes professor. You just look . . . different."
"I do have more in my wardrobe than black robes." With that Severus let a cruel slight smile on his face. Hermione had to smile at that.
"Are you ready for some dinner?
"Of course." Hermione said with a slight smile. At that Severus led her to a hidden door next to a bookshelf. He pushed a tiny button, and the wall reviled a passageway.
"It's a pretty long, and dark walk. Here hold on to my arm." Severus said it before he could bite his tongue, but Hermione linked her arm into his. They walked for what felt like five minutes. Finally they reached a grand room. The room was done up in ebony and dark green velvet. Hermione could not believe her eyes. There was so much furniture in this one room, and all of it looked overstuffed. And he had bookcases galore full to the brim with books. 'A soft side of a man of steel,' Hermione thought with a slight giggle.