Disclaimer: I do not, nor will I ever own the Harry Potter series or any of the characters settings therein. This story is for entertainment purposes only and will not be used for profit.
pokes head around internet Errrm, hello readers. I. . .uh. . . decided to continue this story. . . and will be taking off of Hiatus. As of. . . .well now I suppose. I am sorry I stopped writing. I got caught up in the real world, and to be honest the only reason I remembered I had started this story was due to the Review notification I received in my Hotmail inbox. I re-read my progress and decided that I should finish the story, as it did have a promising start. So yah. On with the fic!
Severus Snape stretched and cast an irritated glance around his office. He had no idea as to why Albus insisted he hold Consultation hours. In the 2 years he had been forced to hold the time slot open for students, 'In need of his unique guidance' (he believed those were Albus's words. Glancing at the clock on the corner of his desk he sighed and settled back, another half-hour to go.
Hermione Granger stared blankly at the parchment in her hand, the same parchment she had read a half hour ago. The words, as much as she tried to will them, refused to change. She snorted, wasn't there some American-Muggle saying that went something like "Uncle Sam wants you", she remembered the poster from her Muggle Studies text. Suddenly her mind filled in Lucius Malfoy for 'Uncle Sam'.
Looking around her private chambers she espied her Potions text. It hit her then, Professor Snape. If anyone knew how to handle this situation it would be him. Rushing to her feet she checked her Potions Syllabus. It claimed that the Professor would be holding office hours for another half hour. If she hurried she could make it.
Tucking the Letter in the pocket of her school robe, she exited her bedroom. Unfortunately, in the common room was seated the reason she had gone hiding in her room to begin with. Draco. Malfoy. She bet he knew about this. It seemed just like the kind of thing Malfoy would relish in knowing. That Mudblood Granger was summoned by the Darklord, there were many comments she knew could be made on that one. Draco was an ass, but he wasn't stupid. He would put together that there had to be a reason the Dark Lord took an intrest in her. And it wouldn't take someone far above Goyle's intellect to eventually figure out what.
Walking quickly past the couch, Hermione noted, with some relief, that Draco appeared to be sleeping. Scurrying quickly past she never saw that cold blue eye crack open and watch her exit.
Hermione reached the dungeons, and consequentially Snape's office, just as the door began closing. Rushing forward Hermione thrust her arm between the door and it's frame.
"Professor Snape, Sir!" Hermione panted, shoving her way into a very shocked Potion Master's Office.
"Ms. Granger." He ground out between clenched teeth, "I would think that my closing door should indicate to you that office hours are past."
"Sir, please it's incredibly important!" Hermione begged, trying to reach for the parchment in her pocket.
Spying the parchment Granger seemed to be struggling to show him Severus ground his teeth and turned the girl around and re-opened his door.
"Ms. Granger, I have no time to help you with your homework. I have somewhere to be, and it does not, most assuredly, involve your company. "
Giving Hermione a shove out the door he ignored her somewhat desperate yells.
"Ms. Granger, should you still be having troubles with your Monkshood Essay by the time Wednesday comes about, feel free to visit during my hours. I sincerely doubt, however, that you have any pressing enough emergencies that cannot wait two days. That said Ms. Granger, good night."
With that Severus shut his door, sliding the lock in place, and setting his wards for the evening. On the other side of the door, in an almost pained shock, Hermione slid to the ground, and felt a tear escape her eye. Standing, and steeling herself, Hermione began the trek back to the Head-Student rooms.
Severus, after setting his wards, gave a moment's pause. Worrying, for a brief moment, that perhaps the Granger girl had an actual problem, it wasn't like her to go to any professor for help. Shaking his head, he continued on to his private rooms where he gathered his Death Eater robes. He would keep an eye on her for a week or so. After-all, if she truly did have a problem, she would surely have gone to Minerva. His spark of conscience assuaged, he continued on his preparations to rush to the Revel.
Hermione, upon entering the tower, noted Draco still sleeping on the Couch. Sighing at the maternal instincts in her, Hermione wandered over and put the blanket on the back of the couch over the sleeping teenager. Finishing her task she went into her room to contemplate what her actions would now be.