Final Test:
The Tension Grows

Severus still can't belive what Albus told him only an hour ago. Him and that goddess of a brunette would work together in prepairing for the up coming dance. That would mean spending more time together then what he thought. He looked down at his desk and shook his head. "Dumbledore you nit!" he said aloud. "You planned this all along!"
'Now why would he do that'
"To drive me completely crazy."
"Professor?" a small voice brought him back to his class room. He looked to see where the voice had come from. It was non-other then the brunette.
"Miss Granger." he tried to regain his composure. "What brings you down here?" She smiled at him.
"Well, lets see. I haven't been down here since I left last year and I wanted to see if you have changed anything. Also, you told me to come down here later. Or did you mean later as in tomorrow?" He had forgotten that he invited her down to the dungons to discuss the dance.
"No, now is as good of time as any." he stood from his chair and looked at her. 'Oh, goddess is she beautiful. It should be a crime to look that good. Let me be the punisher'
"Is something the matter?" she asked innocently. 'He looks frustraited. By the gods, those eyes. His eyes'
"Not at all." he said calmly. "Please, have a seat." Hermione walked up to the desk and took a seat at the potion table right in front of Severus' deak. She looked him over. She prayed that he couldn't tell that she was eyeing him.
'Is she eyeing me?' he asked himself. 'No, she can't be.'

"So." she said, bringing them both back from inappropriate thoughts.
"Yes." was all he could say.
"Who where you talking to when I came in?" she asked.
"Myself." he said quickly, whishing he could take that back. She giggled a bit and shook her head.
"Well I would say it's ok as long as you don't answer but it's obvious that you do. And I thought I was the only one that needs to talk to themselves."
"Let us get this over with." grunted Severus. "Granted it's only the first day of school, we should get this out of the way."
"It's going to take more then just a few days." "I know this. I just want to get it over with. I can't stand these school dances." he crossed his arms across his chest. One would think it was childish but when he did it it was graceful.
"It's not like I want to go to this thing ither." she sighed. "To be honest I would rather face twenty deatheaters then to have to go to this thing." A slight chuckle came from Severus but he covered it up as a cough.
"And why wouldn't you want to go? Isn't this what people like you look fowared to all year, or something?" asked Severus.
"You people?" she raised her eyebrow.
"Girls." It was Hermione's turn to chuckle.
"Please, I wouldn't show up to a school dance if my life depended on it." she laughed. "Every dance since the Yule Ball my fourth year I've gone to the Library. I can't stand having to have to be in the Great Hall with the whole school thrashing about like idiots."
"I've avoided them as well."
"How is that possible? Your a teacher." asked Hermione.
"Oh, I have my ways." a sneer appeard on Severus' face. "Got any to get out of this one?" he shook his head.
"Ever since Flickwick retired two years ago, Albus feels that us teachers should take turns planning and what-not for these school functions."
"What does Flickwick's leaving the school have to do with anything?" she asked.
"It was him who decorated Hogwarts. He, for some reason, enjoyed it." "So that is why Madame Hooch is now the head of Ravenclaw." he nodded. "What where the dances like when you where in school?"
"I didn't really care for the dances when I was still in school." he answered. He stood up from his chair again and walked around it. Hermione looked up at him. His eyes seemed different from what she remembered. "I have to make some potions for Poppy. Maybe we can continue this later." "Later as in?" asked Hermione, standing up. "I don't want to bother you again."
"Why not tomorrow night. After supper." she nodded. Severus walked Hermione to the door and opened it for her. He could smell her purfume as she walked past him, like milk and honey.

Hermione leaned against the door she had just exited and sighed. Why did he look at her like that? Her mind just couldn't help but think she saw something in his eyes. Almost like longing. But that wasn't possible. He was a teacher and she...she...was a childish girl with hopes of something that could never happen. She sighed once more and pushed herself from the door and headed back to her chambers. She wanted to prepair for her classes tomorrow. But she just hoped that her mind would let her concentrate long enough.

Severus walked back to his desk. He had already a pile of papers to grade, even if it was the first night of the new term. His advance potions class had been told to write the ingrediants of a flying potion. He was most impressed that at least this year the students where as dence as they have been the past few years. He sat down at his desk and looked at the papers. His mind couldn't stop thinking about Hermione's scent. It was sweet, like candy. He was interupted by a knock on the class room door.

"Enter!" he yelled. As the door opened the tall older headmast walked in. "My, my, my...Albus I never thought you would ever knock before entering one of my rooms."
"I'm hurt, Severus." Albus stood and looked as if he was really hurt by the coment. "I have come to see how you are doing."
"I'm quite alright." Severus went about looking at the student papers that littered his desk. Hoping that the headmaster would get the point and leave. No such luck.
"How was Hermione's first day?" Severus quickly looked up. How was he suppose to know.
"She did not confide in my on her day." said Severus 'What is with his eyes? Oh, no! That damn twinkle. He's up to something'
"Have you two gotten together about the dance yet?" Albus asked, innocently. Severus nodded. "Good, good. I'm sure you and Professor Granger can make this one of our best dances."
"Alright, Albus. Out with it."
"I beg your pardon?" a slight smile formed on his face.
"What are you up to?"
"I don't know what your talking about, Severus. I mearly came down here to say hello and wish you a good day." Albus' voice was charming and soft. But the twinkle in his eyes became brighter. "I have also come to ask a favor."
"I knew there was a reason why you came down here."
"I just simply would like it if you would keep an eye on our new professor. Make sure she...finds her way around." a slight smerk formed on Albus' face. "So to speak."
'Great! Just great!' Severus head screamed.
"I'm quite sure Minerva would be more then happy to keep an eye on Her-Miss Granger."
"Maybe but I'm sure Minerva wouldn't...how should I say this..."
"She wouldn't what? Want to? Please, Hermione is Minerva's favorite student."
"True, but I feel you would be better at the job of watching our 'Hermione' then Minerva."
"If I said 'No' would you take that for an answer." Albus shook his head.
"You wouldn't say no. I have a feeling that this is just what you wanted."

I know I know...I haven't updated in a while. I'm at work all the time now and I don't really have time to work on this but I promise I will update again soon. I left the story here for the whole keeping people on the edge of their seats. Plus I've been told that it was Flickwick who was head of Ravenclaw so I worked that into my story. So hope you like it and review please.