Disclaimer--I own nothing...
"Missing?" Hermione sat bolt upright in her bed, eyes huge.
"Yes Miss Granger. I just thought you should know..."
"How can he be missing?" She had stood up now and was marching to the door. "People don't just disappear!"
Snape followed her into the living room.
"I don't know but no one can find him. Let me assure you that we are doing our best to search..."
"This is all my fault!" Hermione interrupted. She opened the door and started running to the Gryffindor common room. She had to see it to believe it. This must be an awful joke they were playing on her. Harry could not be missing.
"Miss Granger! Where are you going? This is not a time for irrational decisions!"
Hermione made it to the Fat Lady's corridor. Ron was pacing outside of it.
"Ron!" She ran to him and flung her arms around his shoulders. "Please don't hate me too."
"Why would I hate you?"
"You don't..." she stopped herself. Harry hadn't told him about her and Snape. Did this mean that he had never made it back to the common room? "Never mind. Oh Ron, where's Harry? What happened?"
"I have no idea." Ron's face was tired and concerned. It seemed like he had already been up for a few hours worrying.
"He never came back to the common room. I'm so worried."
He glanced at the clock. "Listen, I have to report to Dumbledore's office. I expect he'll be wanting a word with you soon as well. I have to go."
He hugged her again and departed.
Hermione was staring into space. She hadn't moved from the spot where she h been standing. She knew Snape was watching her, but she didn't care anymore.
"Miss Granger?" he whispered. "There is nothing you can do. We are doing our best. I don't know why you would think so, but this can't be your fault. I'm sure we'll find Potter soon. Now come along. Back to bed."
She didn't take a step or do anything. Instead, Hermione sank into a heap on the floor and began sobbing. Maybe she had been able to handle everything before this. Maybe then she could keep it all inside. But not now. She had hit rock bottom.
The poor girl was sobbing uncontrollably. Severus swiftly walked over to her and knelt before her.
"Shhh..."he whispered. "It'll all work out." He awkwardly rubbed her silky hair. "Hermione..." He had never said her name before. He liked the way it rolled off his tongue. Hermione. Such a beautiful name for such a beautiful girl. Woman, for that matter.
She looked up, eyes red from crying.
"What did you call me sir?"
"Hermione."
"My first name?"
"Yes." He gave her a small smile. "It got your attention didn't it?"
She didn't answer.
"Come along. It's late. Or I shall have to deduct points from Gryffindor."
She reluctantly smiled at him.
Severus offered his hand to her and she took it. When off of the floor she immediately let go.
When arriving back at their home, Hermione climbed into bed. There was a light rap at her door.
"Come in."
It was Snape, carrying a purple potion in a large goblet.
"Here, take this. It's a potion for dreamless sleep, and I daresay you need it tonight."
Hermione took the cold goblet into her hands and took a sip. Immediately she began drifting away into sleep before she could even say thank you...
As soon as Hermione was asleep, Severus returned to Dumbledore's office.
"No word on Potter?"
"None." Severus noticed that Minerva's eyes were red. He should have known how important Harry was to her. She loved him like a son.
"What in the world could have happened?"
Dumbledore sadly shook his head. "The entire school and grounds have been searched. He is nowhere to be found. We are sending out a search party at the moment."
Severus sank into a chair. "Miss Granger was in a horrible state. This is too much for her to handle."
McGonagall turned to face him. "Then do something nice for her."
"What?"
"Treat her to something. Something to take her mind off of all that is happening. I think she would enjoy it."
"Really? And this is coming from a woman who just a few nights ago felt that I was trying to force her into doing things she didn't want to?"
Her face fell. "Yes it is. And I'm sorry about that. I just get so worried about and attached to my students." Another tear fell from her worn face.
"Alright then. I'll do something nice for her."
It was the next night. Hermione had done nothing all day except sit in her room and worry. She hadn't even left to get something to eat. There was a knock on her door.
"Come in."
It was a house elf.
"Excuse me, Miss, but Master Snape wishes that you change into your dress robes and meet him in the living room."
"Why would he request that?" Her eyebrows narrowed in hesitation.
"Because Master Snape wishes to spend the evening with you. Please follow his orders." With that, the little elf left. Still confused, Hermione did as she was told. Her periwinkle dress robes from fourth year still fit surprisingly well. When she was finished changing she made her way into the living room. Immediately a hand was thrust over her eyes.
"I have a surprise for you Hermione." She knew it was Snape. Her heart started beating faster than usual. Where was he taking her?
"Do you trust me to lead you there?"
She nodded reluctantly.
Out of the room he led her by the hand, up steps and down steps...she lost track of where they were. Soon the two stopped. His hand left her eyes. They were at the head table in the Great Hall. It was decorated with candles and was extremely romantic. The table was set for a dinner for two.
"This is amazing," Hermione whispered. "Thank you."
He led her to the table and pulled out her chair for her. When she was seated he sat down himself.
"I just thought I would do something nice for you since you've had to endure so much."
"This is unbelievable."
Before she knew what she was doing, Hermione was leaning across the table to kiss him.
"Hermione, student-teacher relationships are against the rules. Do you really want to be expelled or I fired?"
She slowly smiled. "So you agree with me that something is there?" she whispered
"Yes."
So the two shared a deep romantic kiss across the candlelit table, finally revealing truly how they felt.
A/N-aww that was so sweet! Hope you liked it!