Disclaimer: If Harry Potter were mine, I would be the world's richest fourteen-year-old. I am NOT the world's richest fourteen-year-old. Harry Potter is NOT mine. ::tear:: I am just a highly mature homeschooler (GASP!) with an obsession with writing and Harry Potter. JK is my hero. ::Curtseys::

Author's Note: Because I did not want to make my faithful reviewers sad (Greeknelo :-D) I updated as soon as I could and wrote this chapter as quickly as I could. Thanks to Greeknelo, RebelGal4ever, Jade 121, demoness of cosmos, themagicmare87, and Kbluesmom for reviewing my story. It really means a great deal to me that you took the time to read my story. ::Happy tear:: Also folks, Severus is going to go a little soft towards Hermione in this chapter, but that is ONLY because he is falling in love with her! He will NOT become Mr. Rogers! I promise he will not go ridiculously out of character! Love you all! On to chapter five! :-D

Chapter Five

"So Professor, will you allow me to escort you to dinner?" Hermione asked gently, not wanting to make him angry again.

"I suppose that would be alright," he spoke stiffly and his head was moving around as he spoke, as if he were trying to make eye contact with her, but had no idea where she was. She gently took his very large hand in her average sized one which looked tiny next to his and began to lead him out of her quarters.

Severus couldn't help but feel extremely vulnerable. He couldn't see anything at all and he was led through the long corridors of Hogwarts by a (supposedly) very beautiful, very young woman.

"Professor Snape, would you like to go with me to Hogsmead tomorrow? I don't have classes, and I needed to get a few things and didn't want to go alone," Hermione smiled at her cleverness. She knew that if she made it appear as if she needed him rather than the other way around, he would accompany her.

"I don't know Miss...Hermione," he said uncomfortably.

"I won't take no for an answer! I need you to come with me," her voice was slightly whining, and Snape knew he couldn't turn her down.

"Well, I suppose I will do it for your sake," he spoke sternly.

"Thank-you Professor," the next thing he felt was a warm pressure on his cheek and he knew she had kissed him. He felt his face getting hot and his hands began sweating as she still held one of them.

"Here we are, Pro-"

"Severus. Call me Severus, please."

Hermione's raised her eyebrows amazed and her jaw dropped.

"Err...alright...Severus," she liked the way his name rolled off of her tongue almost as much as he did.

The loud chattering of students and teachers could be heard throughout the hall as they entered. Lucious aromas filled the air and Severus took a deep whiff and could detect the smell of pies, puddings, cakes, fresh-baked breads, and pumpkin juice.

"Severus!" came the astonished voice of Albus Dumbledore, "It is so wonderful to see you out and about m'boy!" he stated as he patted Severus on the back, which made him feel like and awkward twelve-year old.

"Here, Severus, sit down," he could feel Hermione's breath on the side of his face as she spoke to him and gently pushed him down onto a seat at the staff's table. He then heard Hermione pull out a chair next to him and take a seat. He then felt her pat his knee reassuringly and he felt his trousers tighten.

Hermione noticed his head was lowered, she assumed so that no one could see his eyes. She sighed sadly. He really was a very interesting person. He had worked so hard for Dumbledore and the order and made it through the distruction of Voldemort, only to get blinded by Lucius Malfoy.

Damned Lucius Malfoy.

Hermione clenched her fists and looked at the face of the vulnerable man sitting next to her. His eyes were moving, almost frantically, around as if they were desperately trying to see something. Anything. His predominant, sophisticated nose, his pale, thin lips, his chiseled cheek and jaw line. He was really very attractive in his own, unique way. 'Chiseled? Attractive? Bugger! What the hell is wrong with me? I'm becoming attracted to Severus Snape!' she narrowed her eyes and focused on his hands nervously folded on the table in front of him. 'What's so wrong with that? He's an intelligent, witty man who has a lot to offer someone!' She gently reached out and took one of his hands under the table and squeezed it gently.

"Please eat something Pr- Severus. You need to keep up your strength."

"I didn't even know there was any food in front of me," his tone was bitter.

Hermione looked down at her lap, feeling quite foolish, "Here, let me help you." She picked up his fork and got him a bite of delicious herb and garlic roasted Cornish Hen and put her hand to his face, indicating that she wanted him to open his mouth. He reluctantly did so and he felt the fork enter his mouth and he took the fork from her hand as she guided him from his mouth to his food. Hermione was glad that they were in a corner and couldn't be easily seen by students. What she didn't realize was that a pair of blue twinkling eyes were watching them amusedly.

When dinner was over, Hermione helped Severus to his feet and held his hand as they walked through the corridors to his quarters. They walked in comfortable silence as they were both thinking about how they felt about the other.

When they arrived at Severus's quarters, things got awkward.

"Well, here we are!" her tone was so cheery, it let Severus know she was nervous about something.

"Would you come inside for a moment, Hermione? I'd like to give you something for helping me."

"Oh, alright."

They entered the dark chambers and Severus muttered 'Lumos' and the lights came on. She assumed that was for her comfort. He then slowly made his way to a closed door that he opened eagerly and motioned for Hermione to follow him, where ever she may be. Hermione gasped as she realized what the room was.

"I've never seen such a beautiful library!" she clapped her hands like a child and laughed. It wasn't overly large, but it had beautiful molding and was a cool emerald green.

'She has a beautiful laugh,' he thought to himself as he felt for a very large book sitting on an old oak table in the middle of the room.

"This is an old book of muggle poetry. I thought you may enjoy it. I always loved it before-"he didn't finish his sentence. He just placed the book in her hands and she took one of his hands and put it up to her face. He stiffened but then relaxed as she ran her fingers lightly over the thin skin on the back of his hand. He began to run his fingers lightly over her face, memorizing every nook and cranny. As his fingertips traveled over her skin, he remembered her immense beauty and so wished to feel her entire body to see how she had...changed. This urge frightened him and he reluctantly pulled his hands from her face. She opened her eyes to see a mixture of confusion, happiness, and fear on Severus's face.

"Thank-you so much, Severus. I will treasure it forever." She quickly kissed the very corner of his mouth and hurried out of the room, calling as she left, "I'll come get you for Hogsmeade at 8:30!"

Severus just stood completely stunned.

She had just kissed him.

She kissed him.

Suddenly, he let out a whoop and for the first time in a very, very long time, Severus Snape was truly happy.

Author's note:

::Sniff:: Haha...I wrote it as quickly as I could, so it may have several mistakes, I ask that you forgive me this time. I love you all!

I still need a beta-reader! Someone email me!...PLEASE!