Disclaimer: Nothing HP belongs to me, they're all JKR's. I only write fanfic because I enjoy it so much. Please don't sue me, you will be wasting your money.
A/N: Soooo, another long chapter...is it long? I am not sure but I spent over 4 hrs on it! Now please please read and more importantly, REVIEW!! Plz tell me what you think...
To She-who-must-not-be-named: Omg you came back and review again!! I am so thrilled!!! I hope I can get more reviews soon, thankyou so much! Luv ya(and your stories)!
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It was a cool fall afternoon. The trees of the Forbidden Forest were changing from green to gold, the sky was pale blue and cloudless. A tender breeze passed by the couple walking along the trail beside the Great Lake. Apart from the sound of water flowing, it was completely quiet.
Hermione and Ron had been walking for fifteen minutes and they had not spoken a word.
It was amazing that we can walk together so peacefully without anybody else. I wonder when will he take my hand... Hermione blushed slightly at the thought, and became way too interested in the pebbles along the path, not daring to look up at Ron.
Suddenly Ron grabbed her shoulders gently and turned her to face him.
"Hermy..." he whispered.
This is it, Hermione felt her palms sweating. This is going to be the moment. We are going to share our first kiss... she had been waiting for this moment, hadn't she? But somehow there was something wrong...
"Oh no boy you are not going to kiss her," hissed a venomous voice. Hermione felt herself being yanked out of Ron's grip, and the next thing she knew, she was in someone's arms and her face was leaning against a soft warm chest. She immediately relaxed like a kitten in her basket with a warm blanket. She tried to look up , but couldn't because he had one hand gently pressing her head. All she could see... feel, was the cool black robes of the man.
"What, do you think, are you doing with my girl, walking alone down to the forest? So you think it would be, romantic?" The man said maliciously, Hermione could feel every word he said vibrating his ribcage.
"Wha- what? Sorry professor but I don't think I hear you right- your girl?" Stammered Ron.
Hermione thought hard, a professor? Yes, yes, he sounds familiar. But am I in love with a professor? Seriously? Who is he? She tried to look up again but the man just wouldn't let her. She felt her eyes watered, and slowly she turned herself to face a very pale Ron.
"Sorry, Ron," she caught herself sobbing. "I- I just don't...can't... love you. I am tired of your spider-phobia...Oh I am so sorry..."
Ron gave a small cry and bolted in tears.
Hermione looked in the direction Ron ran, feeling miserable as never. The last thing she wanted to do was to break her best friend's heart, but apparently she just did. She felt a finger gently wiping every tear on her face, as a result, even more fell.
"Now, now, Hermione, I am sure he will get over it soon. There's nothing to cry about," said the man quietly. He embraced her, and seeing that she was not going to stop, he placed his fingers on her chin and slowly lifted her face. "Look at me Hermione."
Hermione didn't want this man- whoever he was- to see her crying, but his touch though gentle, was insistent. She reluctantly looked up, and through her tears she saw-
- Professor Severus Snape.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!" Hermione screamed and jerked up. Parvati swore, throwing her pillow over her head. It was only a dream, only a dream, Hermione placed a sweating hand on her heaving chest, trying to reassure herself. Still panting, she looked around the dormitory. The earliest rays of sunlight had slipped through the blinds, making funny shapes across the brownish-red carpet. She narrowed her eyes as she try to read the grandfather clock in the dim light- it was only five thirty. She laid back down, trying to get some more sleep.
She sat up a few minutes later and ran her hand through her hair- only to find it a sticky mess. Oh for Pete's sake! she muttered a spell angrily and immediately her sweat-soaked bedspread was cleaned. She grasped her favorite shampoo and went into the bathroom.
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Lying in the bathtub comfortably, Hermione relaxed and closed her eyes. However she opened them immediately again because she could see Snape floating in her mind. Frustrated, she submerged herself into the tepid water.
What is happening? Why am I having these strange dreams, nightmares even? It's only the second week into the semester, surely it can't be overwork? Subconscious, my dear subconscious, what ARE you trying to tell me?
Hermione sat back up, rubbing her face. Feeling calmer, she thought, it must be the combined effects of the shock of seeing someone fancying Snape and the little talk last night with Ginny and Lav. Nothing special. I am not out of my mind. She rinsed her body one last time and dried herself. As she walked out of the bathroom, she convinced herself forcefully, I am NOT loving- liking Snape, and closed the bathroom door, determined to lock all stupid thoughts and dreams inside.
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The students sitting around the tables were chatting away, while helping themselves to scrambled eggs and sausages. Ron and Harry slept in as they had no lesson this morning. Hermione, on the other hand, had Ancient Runes. She sat with Ginny, munching her sausages absent-mindedly. Her eyes drifted away from the attractive food on the table, to the enchanted ceiling (a beautiful autumn morning with only the lightest wisps of clouds), then to the High Table. The teachers were all talking of nothing important, the atmosphere light. Of course, it was only the second week and naturally the workload had not gotten to them yet, unlike us, Hermione was about to look away when suddenly her eyes locked themselves onto a black-robed figure.
Severus Snape was not joining in the conversation. Light workload or not, he was always keeping that stern, if not expressionless, face. His long hair was very tidy, as usual, not one piece out of place. He was wearing his black robes and black cloak- the usual, again. Hermione wondered whether he had ever wore anything else. Not in Hogwarts at least, she thought, amused. His eyebrows were thick. His eyes were quite round and big for a male, but didn't seem disproportional on his face. His nose was quite crooked, and looked like it had been punched by a gorilla. Hermione chuckled at this thought. His ears- no, couldn't see them cause they were always covered by his hair. His lips were always pursed so that his mouth looked like a thin line. His face was not too pale...funny, black usually did that to people. Making them pale and ghastly. But not to him. Black made him seem separated, stood out from the others, maybe even an outcast...but not pale. Or ugly. Yeah, black was his color, it brought his character out, and he looked- cool in it...
Being a spy for so many years had taught Severus Snape many things, one of them was to always stay watchful and alert. His constant vigilance had caused him to feel someone watching this morning. He had been spied plenty of times before of course, and every single time he could recognize it. He would perform what the spies wanted to see, and that was why he was still not dead. That familiar uneasy feeling was back, but it was different this time... he didn't feel like a frightened prey under the eyes of a calculating hunter, nor had he had the queer feeling that someone was out to get him. Just a lukewarm, harmless gaze he felt on his face- not giving any creeps at all.
He slowly, casually took a sip from his goblet and scanned the Hall. He expected to find cold eyes staring at him from the Slytherin table, but no one was looking at him. He turned and one by one checked the Hufflepuffs and the Ravenclaws. No one was paying him any attention. Finally he glanced through the Griffindors, and noticed instantly that a pair of brown eyes was staring at him. Her coffee-brown, frizzling hair was casually draping over her forehead. She sat with her left elbow on the table, and her right hand was holding a fork, constantly trying to poke a sausage but missing the plate by a few inches every strike. He found her ever-changing expression- from frowning to amusement to self-chuckling- quite entertaining.
Hermione Granger. Why is she staring at me like this? Surely she is planning something, but what? Anything to do with Potter? He leant back, arms folded, and put on his best look of animosity. Which was extremely horrifying, honestly. Students could almost inhale the venom radiating off him, and all turned away quickly. Who had angered our Potions Master this time? They murmured between themselves.
Hermione noticed neither the change of Snape nor the students. She was busy looking at Snape's slender and extraordinarily long fingers. Wouldn't they get entangled? She was wondering when suddenly, she too felt the uneasiness of someone watching. She looked up, and their gazes entwined. She could feel her cheeks going intensely hot. Oh God, how long had I been staring at him? And how LONG had he been observing me? Is that what he is doing? Observing me? I am so going to be the first witch that died of embarrassment in Hogwarts...and oh no why, why WHY had I stared at him in the first place??? Hermione felt like her mind was going to burst under all the questions and thoughts that had sprouted out of nowhere. She paid her full attention to the golden plates in front of her, not daring to look up again.
Snape curled his lips into a thin, triumphant smile. So he hadn't lost his touch after all, he was fearing so when Hermione hadn't look away. He was still the sternest professor in Hogwarts and the looks that he gave were still very terrifying and intimidating. Good. He thought for a moment, then bent over to Dumbledore, "Is there dirt on my face?"
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Ancient Runes and Arithmancy had been very satisfactory to Hermione, who had somewhat gotten over the shock during breakfast and was determined not to have her head in the clouds again. She worked extra hard in those lessons and nearly upset her inkbottle by writing so much and so quickly. She was now having her head in the parchments, silently revising the notes once more as she headed towards the dungeons for Potions. She was an expert in reading-while-walking, and effortlessly she approached the dungeons without bumping into anyone.
This part of the castle was dimmer, so she took out her wand and said Lumos, her eyes still fully focused on the parchment. She knew there would be a trick step ahead, so she skipped- a little too early, missing a step. No... Without a free hand for balancing, she readied herself for the coming pain.
Only the pain didn't come. A large, strong hand had seized her. Hermione opened her eyes, and steadied herself. She searched for the one who had just saved her, and her eyes locked with those of a scowling Snape.
"Do not read while walking. Ten points from Griffindor." He snarled, letting go of her, dusted his robes, and left. Hermione picked up the scattered notes and her wand, then hastily followed. On the way she scolded herself, why must I make a fool of myself in front of him twice a day? And why do I care, when he obviously thought I was stupid anyway, without me helping?
Entering the dungeon Hermione found two very refreshed boys. Harry and Ron flashed their brightest smiles, and gestured her to sit over.
"So, you had two long lessons already, eh? We slept in till eleven," said Ron cheerfully.
"What's wrong?" Asked Harry seeing her grumpy face.
"Nothing." Hermione grunted, and focused on Snape. She did not want Harry and Ron to know about her dreams and random thoughts, especially not her peculiar behaviors... yet. Not until she had found out what all these meant.
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Hermione was finding it hard to concentrate in Potions, not because it was boring like History of Magic, but because of the professor's voice. It was deep and silky, low at times that you need to listen with all your might to get what he was saying. There was usually a cynical tone in his voice, but it was never too cold. And there was a power in his words that told you how well he knew his potions. Yes, he sounded as though every potion ever created belonged to him. Any rumors about Snape that he did not know anything about potions and was only after the DADA job was plain nonsense. His eyes would start to glitter madly at the very beginning of the lesson, energy would radiate from him... it was obvious that he liked his job immensely. He remembered every single thing they needed to know about potions, and from the first potions lesson they had not seen him referring to any textbooks, but a magical chalk would write down every instruction he give on the blackboard behind him.
Amazing how his single tone could express so many emotions, he didn't even cock an eyebrow, just a slight change in tone... Hermione mused. She was making mental notes on the kinds of emotions his voice could describe when Snape told them to brew the potion. She walked over to her cauldron together with others this time, without a single idea of what she was going to make.
"Adopting Sip," she read from the blackboard, smiled, and let out a sigh of relief. I have read about that. She set up her cauldron merrily and wanted to hum, but thought better of it. Slicing the caterpillars and dicing the begonia roots skillfully, she placed all of them into the boiling cauldron.
"Morning glory vines, trout scales, dragonfly wings," she muttered to herself as she gently lowered each ingredient into the pinkish mixture. She pushed her stopwatch and started to stir. "Stir for three minutes precisely," she told herself.
"Miss Granger, what do you think you are doing?" Snape breathed the question onto her neck. She twirled to face him. Snape asked again in his most dangerous voice. "Haven't I quite clearly stated-" With a wave of wand he highlighted the words on the blackboard- "Do not stir the mixture. Wait three minutes before lowering the fire."
"But- but that is incorrect! According to The Essential Book of O.W.L. Potions-"
"Don't tell me what is in the book. Do what I told you."
"But- but- 'add three pairs of dragonfly wings and stir for three minutes precisely. Lower the fire and bring potion to simmer.' " She recited in a wailing tone. "You need to stir the potion, otherwise-"
"I am telling you. Don't. Stir. The. POTION!" Snape exploded, "Wait. Wait, yeah. Miss Granger, do it your way. You won't listen to me anyway. But bear in mind. I am going to test your potion on Mr. Weasley after class." he added seeing her stubborn face.
After everyone, even Neville had finished the potion, Snape had the class circled around his desk. He took a flask of Lavender's potion and another of Hermione's. Handing it to Harry and Ron, he smiled unpleasantly. "Drink it," he ordered. Ron looked at Hermione, you better be sure about this, then gulped the pink potion.
Simultaneously Harry and Ron changed, like a chameleon, slowly blending into their surroundings. In a few minutes both disappeared. The class looked bewildered, and wondered what would happen next. Meanwhile Hermione was restless, standing on one foot then swiftly shifting to another.
Twenty minutes passed by and nothing happened. Ron and Harry were told to stay motionless, and the class, originally anticipating patiently, started to feel disappointed, some even packing up their things. Hermione was about to throw a victorious glance at Snape when suddenly Parvati shrieked, "LOOK!"
Hermione turned to see Ron shimmered, then blended back in. Then he shimmered again, and started to flash in different colors like a bad light bulb. He was also shaking uncontrollably. Hermione stood stupefied, unable to react, as Snape washed the antidote down Ron's throat, who then coughed his guts out.
"Miss Brown, take Mr. Weasley to the hospital wing. Class, write a fifteen-inched essay on How Stirring affects Adoptive Sip and Why, to be handed in next lesson. You are dismissed," With that the class cleared up their tables and packed their belongings, then one by one edged towards the exit. Hermione gestured Harry, who was still invisible until he moved, to go first. She then walked up to Snape's large oak desk.
"What," demanded Snape, sitting behind the desk, arms folded again.
"Er, I- I am sorry professor," Hermione whispered, feeling very uneasy. She was not used to saying sorry, or being wrong for that matter. " I must have remembered the wrong text."
"You haven't. I am quite surprised by your ability to rote the whole book," Snape said idly. "I did that myself too. But then, potions are more than mere books. They contain power- magic- that no one could hope to inscribe on pages. Haven't you noticed?"
"Huh? Notice what, sir?"
"So you haven't. I am surprised, Little Miss Know-it-all." Hermione growled at this. "Can't you see, because I couldn't find enough Blue-eyed Dragonflies for you all I used Fierystripes as a sub."
"Of course! Of course it was Fierystripes' wings, they're red-streaked... they are more explosive... so that's why I shouldn't stir it... it would become too activated and unsteady after awhile..." Hermione calmly stated, realizing how dumb she had been.
"Nice observation. It would be nicer if you had noticed it an hour ago. Now a very important part of brewing potions is adopt. You still have a lot to learn, Miss Granger, although apparently, you think you know it all already," Snape said disapprovingly.
Hermione bit on her lip, suddenly realizing she was alone with him in the dungeons. Oh no don't blush, she warned herself. Why would I? retorted another voice in her head.
"Thank you Professor," she smiled genuinely. She knew she would never have learnt anything if Snape had forced her to stop stirring, but seeing her mistakes with her own eyes... she smiled at him again, then walked out of the dungeons.
Snape sat startled for two seconds, then snorted, and went back to his own business.
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