Obligatory disclaimer: JK Rowling owns all of the characters in this story (no, I won't be creating any originals), I just borrow them and occasionally use them as my love slaves *pets Severus*

What Is, And What Should Never Be

Chapter Six Hermione's legs turned to jelly and she struggled to maintain her balance. Snape looked as though he was feeling the same. Slowly, he walked around from behind his desk. Hermione inched towards him hesitantly, not daring to even believe this was anything more than another daydream. As they neared each other, she could feel the warm heat radiating from his body and as he reached out to put his hand on her shoulder, she realized how very real it was. She could hardly see straight - all she could do was stare into his eyes. Her brain felt as though it was rattling inside her skull. Feeling as though she would faint or throw up if she did not succumb to what had been plaguing her for the last three days, she gently placed her right hand on his chest and reached her lips up to his.

They were soft and moist and welcoming. The kiss lasted only brief seconds before she pulled away again, waiting for Snape to make the next move. He bit his lip, not taking his eyes off of her. Hermione could feel his heart beating faintly in his chest; she wished he would do something. As though he had heard her silent prayer, Snape's hand gently slid off her shoulder, onto the small of her back and pulled her closer to him. He kissed her tenderly on her forehead, bringing his other arm around her to stroke her hair. Hermione let herself fall into his embrace, placing her head on his torso and drawing her left arm around his back. She felt so safe as she quietly listened to his breathing, savouring every rise and fall. Without warning, she felt hot tears prickling in her eyes and flowing down her cheeks - a culmination of the confusion and longing she had been feeling. She buried her face into Snape's robes as he continued to stroke her hair delicately, his fingers teasing the back of her neck.

'Why are you crying?' he asked quietly.

'I don't know,' whispered Hermione. 'I don't know why. I'm sorry.'

'Don't be sorry. I understand.' He held her tighter and Hermione knew that if he hadn't been there to support her, she would've collapsed onto the floor. Her breath was coming in quick, shaky gasps as she struggled against more tears.

'Let's sit down,' Snape said, leading her to a small, hard backed sofa in the corner of the office.

'Thank you,' Hermione mumbled, still trying to control her haywire emotions. Snape rubbed her back gently with one hand.

'Maybe you should get down to dinner,' he said. 'It'll look suspicious if you don't show up. Potter will wonder.'

Hermione felt sorry to have to return to reality so soon, and realize what was actually happening. She raised her head and took a deep breath. 'You're right,' she replied.

'Come back tonight, at seven. You can continue work on your project.' He helped her to her feet. 'We can talk properly then.'

Hermione nodded. The situation still didn't seem real - the man standing before her was acting as she had never seen him before, as she would never have even thought possible. She didn't feel capable of returning to the bustle of students in the Great Hall, even though she knew she needed to. Nothing would ever be the same again, she though with a jolt in her stomach, half happiness, half fear. She glanced up, smiling slightly, at the man who stood changed and new in front of her. He smiled back and bent down to give her a small kiss on the cheek.

'I'll see you later,' he whispered in her ear.

Hermione moved towards the door. Snape called at her back 'Seven o'clock, then, Miss Granger.'

'Seven o'clock, professor.'

***

Argh. I haven't written in SO LONG. I'm sorry! Hope there are still some readers out there. This one was short, again I'm sorry, but I just needed to write something. I know it was a little weird, awkward, out of character. but, hey, feelings like that do weird things to people. Tell me what you think!