Something to Talk About by Sara Lady Dalian

A/N: This is an immediate continuation of "Man to... Man?" and I suggest you read that story before you read "Something To Talk About." MtM was written from Severus' POV, but this story is from Hermione's POV.

Chapter 5

If she had looked behind her she would have seen a tall man walking out of the Potions section, his eyebrows raised and his mouth slightly pursed. But his eyes were following the tall, angry brunette storming out of the library.

Hermione didn't know precisely where her feet were taking her, but she was content to let them guide her. The portion of her mind that was thinking of her destination was glad that her feet seemed to know where they were going. They wandered down the corridors and away from the Great Hall.

As sometimes happens when one doesn't care where one is going, Hermione's attention wavered. It wasn't long until she bumped into someone standing at a window, looking out at the Hogwarts grounds.

"Ah, Miss Granger. Do be careful. You could hurt yourself." The voice was as old as the man who placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Yes, Professor Dumbledore." She steadied her pack back on her shoulder. "I'm sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going."

He laughed a little bit. "Yes, that is something the young often do. But it is an interesting way to find new things."

It was then that she realized that Hogwarts had put her somewhere she had never been.

"I wouldn't worry over much about it." He pointed to a small bench on the opposite of the corridor. "Why don't we sit down and have a chat. There is still time before first class."

Hermione wasn't sure if she wanted a chat with Dumbledore, but she sat down anyway.

"How are you doing this term, Miss Granger? I know you must be busy. I've been told you are doing admittance projects in Charms and Potions. That is quite a workload." He looked over his nose at her. In most people it would have been condescending, but somehow, coming from the Headmaster, it was merely questioning.

"Yes, sir. I haven't decided which field I want to go into. There were also questions I wanted to pose in both fields." She put her book bag down on the ground next to her and crossed her ankles. She wasn't sure how long she and the Headmaster would be on that bench, and her sack was heavy.

"Your theory on Quietness Potions is interesting. Professor Snape showed me the thesis you presented him prior to his approval." His look had a questioning quality about it. Somehow she knew this is why he had wanted to talk to her.

"Yes, sir. I was glad he approved the paper. I start trials next week during the New Moon. Hagrid will take me out to collect the spent statice and lichens involved in the first trials. Professor Snape insisted that they be freshly collected." As she spoke of the first trials, her mind seemed to replace some of her anger with a sense of anticipation at the potions trials she was soon to work on. She really wanted them to work, but understood that even if she did perfect the change in the Quietness Potion she wanted, it would likely take many trials. If only there was enough time!

"You have always been capable of whatever you wanted to take on, so I will not worry about this. I will say, though, that there are many people willing to lend you an ear if you wish to discuss your projects. Or anything else." He was silent once again for a moment.

"I do believe that you need to get to Charms, Miss Granger. If you follow this corridor to the end, you will find a staircase. Ask it politely to take you to the Charms corridor and it will do so." He smiled at her again before he stood up and walked down the corridor towards the Main Hall.

When he had turned the corner, humming slightly to himself and chewing happily on a lemon drop, she remembered what Harry had asked Percy Weasley the night they were all sorted, about Dumbledore being mad. Sometimes Hermione thought he was more than a bit mad. But she agreed he was brilliant.

AN: I know this one is very short, but it was a necessary evil. I'm working on the next chapters even before you are reading this. The next chapter shows some interaction between the Trio. Hopefully you won't have a long wait