Isabel



Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, only the plot, the whole plot and nothing but the plot

***

Chapter 7

Realisation

As Saturday came, Hermione got more and more excited.

A golden sunbeam peeked through the curtains in Hermione's bedroom. She woke with a big yawn and checked the time, almost eight o'clock. She had one hour and a half to get dressed and eat breakfast, so she decided to have a bath first.

Because she was the Head Girl, she didn't only have her own bedroom, but had also a bathroom all for her. She put the tap on and the hot water filled the bathtub immediately. She was in the mood for a nice bath with some nice fumes, and she chose lilies for today's.

She sat in the bath and tried to relax herself, but she was too tensed to do so. She knew she was good at potions, but last night she had a dream that she screwed up and she knew if she did, Professor Snape wouldn't forgive her.

As she got dressed, she went downstairs to have some breakfast. Ron, Isabel and Harry were also in the Great Hall, making plans for that afternoon. She wished them a good morning and started to eat.

"Really, Hermione, I can't see why you're so happy about assisting Professor Snape, and on a Saturday, for Merlin's sake !!!"

"Ron, you don't have to see it, but it's really a good opportunity for me, and if I succeed, maybe he'll let me assist him more often".

"Well, it's your own decision, but you've only got one day off for this week, and you study way too hard, so I'm a little concerned that you take too much on your shoulders".

"I appreciate your worries, Ron, but they aren't necessary, I'm really capable to do this. But thanks for your concern".

***

She found herself humming a cheerful tune as she went down to the dungeon. As she stood in front of the door, she combed her hair with her fingers and pinched her cheeks to become red.

Then, she knocked on the door

"Come in" she heard Professor Snape and she stepped inside.

"Good morning, Miss Granger, you're exactly on time. I need to re-read my notes, so maybe you could take a look at the list of ingredients and collect what we need from the cupboard over there. Do you like some coffee?"

To Hermione's astonishment he'd said all this without his trademark-sneer. She nodded as she said, "Yes, please" and took the list of ingredients. She walked to the cupboard and noticed immediately that all the flasks and vials on the shelves were arranged perfectly. Just as she liked it. But she should have known; he was a perfectionist in any way, so why not in his private cupboard.

'Would he arrange his clothes in his wardrobe also this neat?' a little voice asked and she blushed at her own thoughts.

Quickly she got all the ingredients and put them on the table.

"Here is your coffee, drink it now before it's cold, after that we begin to prepare the ingredients."

He handed her the mug and their hands touched softly as she took it.

"Maybe it's better when you read the notes before we begin"

She began to read the notes and gave them back as she'd finished reading.

"O.K, let's start by preparing the ingredients. If you cut the lacewings, I'll do the mandrake-roots."

They worked in silence for more then an hour, but it was a pleasant silence. As Hermione was ready, she took a glance at her Professor from under her eyelashes. It was the first time she noticed that he was quite handsome.

'He's got beautiful hands; long, slender fingers, even nails. What would it feel like if he touches me with those hands' she thought and at the same time she became aware of his staring eyes.

"Eh. Miss Granger, the potion has to simmer a while. If you want to, you may come back later so we can finish it"

"I'd rather stay here, Professor. Maybe you could tell me more about restricted potions?" she heard herself say.

"That's fine, Miss Granger. It's really nice to teach such a brilliant mind"

Now, THAT was a compliment, no doubt about that !!! Hermione blushed and stammered "Thank you, Professor Snape, but you know I really like it to learn. My parents usually compare me with a sponge, the way I soak the knowledge"

Professor Snape began to laugh uncontrollably. It was like music to her ears.

"You are really handsome when you look like this," she said and immediately she felt as if she could sink through the floor.

He silenced at once.

Hermione stood there, watching her shoes. She wasn't capable of looking at him, o no, she could never look at him again !!!

"Do you really think so, Hermione?" he asked softly and she felt Goosebumps rise as he said here name. His hand took her chin and he forced her to look at him. "Do you?" he asked again and she could do nothing else then whisper "Yes, I do."

As she said this, a little bit of the Gryffindor-courage came back and more fiercely she said "You should laugh more often, professor, it makes you look younger"

"If I do, my students wouldn't recognise me anymore" he said as he still hold her chin.

"But, if I may say, you don't look bad yourself either today, Miss Granger. And, now we are busy with complimenting each other, I've really enjoyed our co-operation today and I do hope we could do this again"

Inwardly, Hermoine cheered.

"I'd love to, Professor"

"As we are here together, you can call me Severus, Hermione"

"I'd love to, Severus"

His hand left her chin.

"How about a game of chess while we are waiting? I could tell you anytime you wish about those potions, but I'm more in the mood for beating you at a game of chess"

"You can't beat me. I learnt from Ron, and as you know, he's the greatest chess-player at Hogwarts"

"The Weasley-guy? I bet I would beat his ass even with my eyes closed. But, come on, I'll take the challenge"

***

Later that afternoon, Hermione got back to the Common Room. She didn't notice her friends, who were playing a game of exploding snap.

"Hello, earth to Hermione," said Harry and he looked at her in a rather suspicious way.

"I'm sorry, what were you saying?"

"I asked.. Never mind. I already see that you've had a pleasant day. You look like you've had a whole birthday cake all for yourself".

Isabel took a better look at her friend. She saw something new in Hermoine.

Hermione smiled the sort of smiles only reserved for people who are in love.

Could Hermione be in love? For she knew, she had spent the whole day in the dungeon, together with professor Snape.

Immediately a warning-bell began to ring in Isabel's heads. Could it be possible that Hermione was in love with their professor? But that was ridiculous. Or wasn't it? As long as she knew Hermione, she'd thought Hermione was very mature for her age. And she also knew that her friend would fall in love only with a man who was her equal. And he was her equal, in many ways.

As soon as the game of exploding snap was over, Isabel hurried to Hermione, who was in her room. She knocked on her door. "Come in" she heard her friend's voice.

Hermione lay on her bed; her arms propped under her head.

"What's the matter, Hermione? You look so, so.. Happy"

"I am happy, Isabel my dear, I am SO happy. Sev. - eh. Professor Snape was very positive about our co-operation and he offered me to be his assistant"

"That's really good news, Hermione, but I think there's more"

"Oh, Isabel, I never noticed before, but he's quite handsome. And he really drives me crazy when he smiles, and."

"It seems to me you are in love, Hermione"

Hermione sat up immediately. "No, I can't be, Isabel. He's my teacher. I - he could never.."

"Relax, Hermione. You will graduate within a few months. Then you're no longer his student. For now, you only have to enjoy it. And besides, you don't have to do anything with this knowledge. Just enjoy it."

"You won't tell anyone, right?"

"I won't, it's out little secret"