Monsters
Epilogue
"Miss Granger?"
Hermione's eyes fluttered open. Her mind was cloudy, as though she had been in a deep sleep; for a minute, she was sure she was dreaming.
"Professor Snape?" she said slowly, trying to imagine why she would be in the Great Hall, lying on a table, with her least-favorite teacher holding her hand.
He let go and sprang back. Was that embarassment on his face?
"There are better places to take a nap," he said softly. "Don't you think?"
She sat up and shuddered, rubbing her eyes. He watched her, not daring to say anything.
"I feel like I just had a bad dream," she said. "But I don't know why I was sleeping here. . ."
Well, the seal worked, he supposed. "Perhaps you should return to your room," he said.
Odd--there wasn't even a trace of malice in his voice.
"Right," she replied, eying him with suspicion.
"Well? Are you waiting for me to take points from Gryffindor, or are you going to be on your way?"
She turned beet red. "I'm so sorry, sir," she said, jumping down from the table and scurrying off--but just as she reached the exit, she turned back and called out to him.
"Goodnight, Professor Snape!"
She had a smile on her face, small and hopeful.
He waved. "Goodnight, Miss Granger."
She grinned, and ran away.
He watched her go.
He listened to her footsteps grow fainter with distance. . .
Suddenly he felt very heavy, and he needed to sit down.