Escape from the Darkness: Chapter 3
The next few weeks were, to Hermione's relief, uneventful. Selene had progressed quickly in her studies, and would most likely be caught up within the next month, before the end of the summer. She had also not had anymore nightmares. Hermione suspected that Snape had been giving her dreamless sleep potion, because Selene seemed refreshed every morning.
Although she still couldn't stand Snape, Hermione had to admit that he was not completely heartless. He truly seemed to care about both his niece and his late brother. However, the biggest surprise came one Saturday morning after breakfast.
Selene was off somewhere with Dennis Creevey, who was the only other student younger than fifteen staying over the summer. The rest of the students had gone to Hogsmeade, so Hermione was free to indulge herself in reading without interruption. She was walking out of the Great Hall, preparing to spend the entire day in the library. As she stepped out of the door, she nearly ran into Snape.
"Professor Snape!" Hermione exclaimed. She felt her face flush with embarrassment at not paying attention to where she was walking. At least it's the summer, so he's not allowed to take away house points, she thought.
"Miss Granger, I was wondering if I might have a word with you," he told her. Without waiting for her to answer, he continued. "Apparently it's not enough that Professor McGonagall gave you a permanent pass to the Restricted Section. Now the headmaster has requested that I allow you access to my personal library." A sour expression formed on his face while he spoke. "I suppose that out of all the students at Hogwarts, you are one of the most trustworthy when it comes to books. Nevertheless, I expect you to ask for my permission before taking any of them out of that room."
Even the obvious displeasure in Snape's demeanor could not stop the happiness that was flowing through Hermione. "Of course, Professor Snape! Thank you so much!" Her eyes lit up with delight when she recalled his library. She had only been inside a few times, but Hermione had managed to glimpse several books that she had been yearning to read, which could not be found in the Hogwarts library.
After Snape dismissed her, Hermione immediately walked in the direction of his library. She wondered how Dumbledore had convinced him to give her this privilege. She hoped that Snape was beginning to dislike her less now that she was helping Selene. It would certainly be nice, and it would sure make life a lot easier. Hermione hated the way the Potions professor constantly criticized all Gryffindor students, especially her. Although his disapproval sometimes prompted her to work even harder, it was discouraging to most of her friends, causing them to make mistakes in class.
Hermione gave the password to the painting in front of the door, then walked into Snape's library. This was the first time she had ever been inside without Selene. Happy to be alone with all the volumes of Snape's collection, she gazed around the room in amazement, wondering where she should start. She finally settled on a version of Hogwarts: A History that had been published nearly fifty years earlier. She spent the next few hours poring over it, astounded by the amount of information that had been cut out of the most recent edition. She wondered where Snape had gotten such a rare book… and whether or not he actually read it.
About halfway through the day, Hermione looked at her watch in alarm, realizing that she had missed lunchtime because she had been so absorbed in her reading. She ended up going to the kitchen to make herself something. Well, at least that had been her plan. She was immediately accosted by house-elves who insisted that she let them do all the work. Remembering all of the clothes she had knitted for them in her fifth year and the attempts she had made in her second year, she frowned, realizing that most of her efforts had been fruitless. How frustrating.
She wished she hadn't been reminded of the futility of her efforts with S.P.E.W. She hated the feeling that she had failed at something, especially since she had been working so hard to change things.
Suddenly, a wave of sadness washed over her. It didn't help that she was practically alone at Hogwarts. It was strange to be there without Harry and Ron. She was also depressed that she hadn't seen her parents in eight months. Hermione felt tears form in her eyes, but held them back, deciding to go directly to her room to curl up with Crookshanks and write several letters to her parents and friends. Surprisingly, that had the affect she had been hoping for. After she arrived back from sending her letters at the owlery, her melancholy had nearly vanished. Hermione decided to go back to Snape's library.
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Severus walked away from the Great Hall, feeling the beginnings of a headache which, most likely, came from the insipid chatter of his fellow professors during their meal. He had spent the entire day in his potions lab and couldn't wait to be alone in his study, with nothing but a warm fire and a good book. However, as he reached his library, he saw the one obstacle to his peaceful night. Granger.
He inwardly cursed Albus and Minerva for suggesting he give the girl the right to use his library. It was infuriating that Minerva was using him to help her pamper her favorite Gryffindor. And it's not as if they don't indulge her enough already, Severus thought to himself with a sneer on his face. He was still unsure why he had actually agreed with them. Perhaps he had been experiencing a rare moment of weakness. Although, he had to admit that she was one of the few students who actually knew how to treat books properly. Most of the others saw the library as a cursed place, and visited it only when they had exams or projects. Severus shuddered as he imagined Potter, Weasley, or Longbottom having access to his collection. No, he thought, it could have been much worse than her. He watched her for several moments, noticing how engrossed she seemed in whatever she was reading. Finally he spoke.
"Good evening, Miss Granger," he said to her brusquely. He was pleased to see her jump at the sound of his voice.
"Professor Snape!" she gasped. "I'm sorry; I can leave if you'd like." Severus was about to tell her to do just that, when his eyes fell on the book she was reading. It was one of the most valuable in his collection, and also one of the most fascinating. It was the only edition of Hogwarts: A History in the school that told the events during Tom Riddle's time at Hogwarts exactly as they happened, without leaving out the more interesting information.
"I suppose that this is the reason you skipped two meals today. That book is an excellent choice, by the way," he told her, realizing too late that his voice contained a hint of approval in it. Severus scowled to himself as he grabbed a book and sank down in an armchair.
"I agree," she said with a smile. "I've been reading it the entire day."
For several minutes, Severus was absorbed in his reading. Until he became conscious of a pair of eyes watching him.
"Miss Granger," he said dryly, without looking up, "do you plan on staring at me for the rest of the night? It's very distracting."
He heard a sharp intake of breath, which confirmed that she indeed had been looking at him. A smirk formed on his face. He turned to look at a mortified Hermione Granger. She was apparently at a loss for words—probably for the first time in her life—which only encouraged him to embarrass her more.
"Tell me, Miss Granger, have you been gazing at me this entire time because you find me attractive?"
"Absolutely not!" she snapped back at him quickly. Her face suddenly became pale, most likely at the realization that she had just insulted a teacher. "I-I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean that! What I meant was—"
Severus interrupted her with a laugh, one of the few sincere ones he had ever let any of his students hear. "I know what you meant, Miss Granger. You're no beauty either, so I won't hold it against you."
He took pleasure the blush that crept onto her cheeks. She seemed uncertain as to how she should respond, and finally took that opportunity to bury her face in her book again.
Severus sneered, pleased that he had caused the Gryffindor know-it-all to become speechless. He turned back to his own book, but was unable to concentrate. For some reason, his eyes kept drifting to the girl sitting near him. She seemed completely captivated by her book. Severus briefly considered asking which passage she was reading, but decided against that. I am actually considering making friendly conversation with Granger, he thought incredulously. What is wrong with me? A strange feeling came over him. Was it possible that he enjoyed having her in the same room with him? She was certainly more interesting and intelligent than the rest of the students at Hogwarts, and much of the staff. However, she was still Hermione Granger, the nauseatingly perfect Gryffindor, and one of the most annoying students he would probably ever teach.
With an exasperated sigh, Severus gave up on his book. "Good night, Miss Granger. Put that book away when you finish," he said abruptly. In a flurry of black robes, he swept out of the room.