Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns everything in the HP Kingdom, not me...Then again, would you believe me anyway?
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CH.5
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The very same night, Hermione received an note to meet the boys for their first, and one of many to come, 'stud' meetings.
" Well lads," Dean began as soon as all had arrived, "it's been a little over a month now, do we have a Gryffindor champion yet?"
The room and all its occupants, suddenly felt eerily uncomfortable sitting in the silence that had enveloped the group. Perhaps, Hermione pondered, it was because they were without the intoxicating amount of butter beer that had previously been invited to their last get together, or because none were too keen on the idea of sharing their sexual exploits at the present auspicious moment. Maybe, she thought with hope, she wasn't the only one to be having a bit of trouble in 'that' department. Neville broke into her thoughts as he bravely spoke.
" Um... Susan and I got to third base last night."
Maybe not.
His bright announcement acted like a hammer, crushing the ice in which caused a torrent of other tales to be told. The gossip that flooded the room put the head girl into a very bad mood indeed.
" Parvarti has this sensitive spot on her -"
" Well that's nothing, Blaise, oh Merlin, I can hardly keep her off me when we're alone, like this one time, we were-"
" So what! Ginny and I were in the astronomy tower last Thursday and -"
" Finish that sentence and die, Finnegan"
" Awh, come on Ron, it's only a game."
Ron blinked twice trying to decide whether Seamus had actually said that or not.(Seconds later concluding that the Irishman was guilty.)
During his indecisiveness, the head girl preoccupied her self by rubbing her temples in a circular motion, vainly trying to stop the migraine that started to form. But even as she massaged, it was impossible to drown out the dizzying spots that her headache had brought on. No.. wait; those weren't spots, but only the shadows of Ron tackling his friend in an attempt to castrate him.
" I'm going to go now, it's getting late." She voiced, tired and relieved for the chance to escape. Harry, being the intrusive prat he was, grabbed her hand and pulled her back down with a smile.
" Oh no you don't, we still haven't heard about you and Snape ."
" Not that we'd actually want to, mind you." Dean added with a disgusted frown.
" Don't worry, there's nothing to be said anyway."
" HAH!" Ron stopped choking Seamus for a moment to snort derisively, "Don't be ridiculous, Snape is a man, and every as a man, he was bound to notice the skirts you've been wearing." The boys nodded in solemn agreement, while Neville coughed.
"Those were skirts? I thought they were belts!"
Hermione rolled her eyes at this showing of stupidity, and took the opportunity to extricate herself from the group of gossiping men.
" I'll have you know, Professor Snape is a gentlemen and I'm quite positive he doesn't spend his free time peaking up my skirt as you all seem to think." The boys seemed to ponder this for a moment, even attempting to look thoughtful- all of which only served to make the young witch angrier.
"She's got a point... he is a bit old after all.... To old to even participate in the activity we seem to be betting on." The boy's grinned, understanding where he was going with this.
"Here we are complaining about not getting any from our young vivacious women, and poor mione has worse problems trying to figure out a way to have fun with ol'snapey poo without hurting his arthritis." The boy's were grinning madly, coming close to crossing a line in which she planned to hex their socks off.
" I never said he was old, Ron! You boy's are so immature, Severus isn't old at all and you know it. "
" Oh, but you were right Hermione, he's got loads of wrinkles already...can you imagine the other places he's got them?" Seamus added teasing, but regretfully ended up trying to keep from loosing his dinner at the very thought.
" Shut it, Finnegan! Don't you have someone's sister to shag?" Blushing, she swept out, slamming the door as loud as she could. The boy's exchanged amused looks and went on with their meeting par usual.
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UGH! I can't believe them! Insinuating that Severus is old. He's got to be what? 38? 40 at the very most. Not old at all, especially in the eyes of the wizarding community. For Merlin's sake, my own father beats him by a good 16 years. Hermione, angry at everyone in the castle who thought that she wasn't good enough for her potions professor, stomped down the stairs and out the doors which exited to the front of the castle.
"Miss Granger, where do you think you're going?" The cause of all her problems asked, blocking her path. Suddenly, the head girl felt too weary to stand any longer and perched down upon the steps, ready for whatever punishment her infatuation was feeling so gracious to give.
She waited.
And waited some more. Nothing seemed to make a sound within that short span of time; even the musical noise of crickets muted themselves as if for the couple's privacy. She looked up to see him regarding her with some uncertainty.
" I don't understand what you're doing." He commented quietly, shifting to take a seat next to her. She was stunned by his action and wondered momentarily what had moved him to do so.
" What do you mean?" She did not look at him, but at the stars which glimmered so brightly, so knowingly that she was unable to look at anything else for the time being. He didn't answer but instead followed her gaze, breathing slowly as if to keep himself in control. I don't know what I mean He wanted to say, I can't even think anymore. Severus felt exhilarated, stupid, brilliant, sick, angry and happy all at the same time. The stupid chit suffocated him with her deep eyes and lovely warm presence. But what surprised him most of all, was that he didn't even care. All he could think about was sitting next to Hermione Granger, watching the vast expanse of heaven open its arms up to them till sunrise. Poor Severus had never felt so alone in all his life, and yet at the same instance, he'd also never felt anything quite like the comforting presence she'd given him. This young woman, a student who he could never have.
He jerked out of his reverie, the sickening crunch of reality waking him up and catching her attention. They stared at each other, shocked, although for different reasons.
The potions master stood feeling rather disgusted with himself and left her alone, to weep.
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Authors note: I've been busy as of late and apologize to all who have been waiting for an update. This chapter, I know, is rather bad, and has countless grammar mistakes-
So sadly, everyone will have to cope until I can find myself a beta reader.
I promise this will be the first thing I remedy when I find the time.
