Disclaimer: I own nothing in the Hp Kingdom. Except this terrible plot line...
Authors note: Been in school for a while and haven't had the chance to update. This chapter was written in the dead of night and with out beta reader approval but if I don't turn it in now, then I won't have another chance on the computer for a month. Sorry Katie and to my grammar afflicted readers.
Ch.6.
Darkness plunged into the innermost workings of Hogwarts, sucking up all the bits of yellow and orange sunlight left; and magical candles everywhere lit themselves making clear passage for everyone in the castle; letting the long corridors become warmer to the traveler. There was one place, however, that the candles did not reach. The dungeon. Which seemed so cold and lonely at that very moment had a visitor. It was just as Hermione had last remembered it so very long ago; she touched tenetively on the walls afraid something would pop out any moment ruining the silence and the feeling of safety. No matter that she was a " brave Gryffindor", the brunette had always fancied herself quite the chicken in such times.
" What are you doing?" A rather rude and loud voice said behind her, so close that she could feel the warmth of their breath on her neck. She swiveled 180 degrees around, wand in her hand, and curse on the tip of her tongue
A flare lit up showing the sinister face of Severus. But to her guilty conscious, his face wasn't at all evil and foreboding. The light only made him seem more erethral in a sense. His intense eyes seemed to stare down at her, showing that his mind was consumed with the thought of her. Ok probably, the thought of expelling her or taking a thousand pts away. But still.... It was the logic involved. He towered over her as he had done earlier in class; she could smell a fresh shower and sandalwood lingering on his pail skin. His hair even looked a bit damp.
" What are you doing here?!" She accused, mistakenly pointing her wand at him. He in turn pointed his at hers, jabbing her in the belly. She squealed and he raised a brow at the same time.
" It is my dungeon."
Simple as that.
He smiled as she squirmed. Funny, she wasn't so brave away from her audience now.
He was smiling?! Dear god was she imagining this? He was looking at her and smiling. Was that really a wand in her stomach? Oh bad thought. Hermione flushed, removing her wand from his face, and to her disappointment he removed his.
" I believe we have a detention-scheduled professor." She tried to sound calm and unperturbed. But it was too late. He knew it now, that she was afraid of the night or something along that nature. And it was true; she didn't like to be alone in the dark. He never fancied the idea that she could be afraid of anything. It was rather surprising and endearing the way she stood there, holding herself and staring up at him, wild curls in flying out in several directions. It surprised him how much he wanted to hug and comfort her.
Severus surprised Hermione when he gently took her arm and led her deeper into the halls telling her when to step down or turn. Not even mentioning the fact that she could have muttered lumnos in the first place. They reached the classroom and went inside where he lit several candles.
" So, how has your first week been?" He asked
" Fine."
" And you know why you're here ?"
" Because you wont let anyone be less than perfect." Touché. He turned around and shrugged.
" The world outside isn't going to be any nicer than I am. In fact, it's only going to be harder, do you really think that if something happens to Neville Longbottom in which case, he has to cast a difficult spell, that someone is going to walk him through the steps?"
" No, but isn't it the teachers job to be patient and help the student learn if they're not making any progress? You can't just shut us out."
He sat down motioning for her to do the same and then asked suddenly:
" Do you hate me?"
" No!" She coughed out " what kind of question is that?" .
" Then do you not respect me?"
" Where are you going with this? You know I do."
" Then why do you continue to question my teaching ability? After all, I did teach a remarkable young woman who became head girl ."
Her brow raised several inches before breaking out into a light chuckle.
" You're kidding right? Remarkable? When have I ever been remarkable? What have I ever done to be considered anything but a nuisance to the wizarding society?" He frowned at her so deeply, looking hurt.
" Miss Granger, I don't like to put up with people who pity themselves, I will not accept a self degrading attitude from yourself especially when you know you're better than half the witches and wizards at this institution." He set his jaw stubbornly and watched her shoulders slunk in defeat.
" You know, it's so hard to be someone I'm not. I came back here, my hair done up, my clothes freshly pressed, and my head held high. But still it's not me. Every morning I have to tell my self to keep going that there's something out there worth it. I don't know if I can keep on the charade." She confided, but he didn't say anything. Nothing at all. And as time passed and the night got darker, Hermione decided his silence was of disgust. She got up; her head hung in defeat sad that he had broken her so easily. She made her way to the door.
" There is something worth all of your time if you'd just turn around."