Chapter4: Losers and Compliments

Hermione followed Snape into his rooms, a large room looming up before her. It was stacked to the top with full bookshelves. There were so many books that there were even just random piles of them. In the left corner there was a big overstuffed chair and a lantern to read by; on the other side of the room there was a couch of the same style with a lantern on either end. In the middle of the room there was a table with only one chair.

Obviously he is not used to getting company. Hermione thought, some of her bitterness fading.

"I'll be right back," Severus said off handedly as he disappeared into the other room. He returned with a second chair. It didn't match the one at the table; something Hermione thought odd but decided it was best to keep it to herself. He then went over to a cupboard and removed a box, placing it on the table. Once opened it proved to be one of the most amazing chess sets she had ever seen.

The pieces were not just black and white but a darker stone; it appeared to be hematite and a lighter one which seemed to be quartz. The pieces also spoke, which proved to be entertaining.

"Back for more Severus," the quartz rook said haughtily… before he spotted Hermione. "Oh ho, who is this Severus? Someone come to play? She's quite the piece of…"

"Shut up Sigfreid," Snape spat. "This is Miss Granger, and you will behave if you know what's good for you." Snape pointed to the chair he had just brought in as the pieces started arranging themselves. "Sit Miss Granger."

Hermione simply nodded and pulled up a seat. The white pieces were not very… discreet. They were whistling and howling… and the blush in her cheeks was growing. She heard Professor Snape growl and they fell silent… well they were quieter anyway. "Shall we continue?" He asked coldly. "You're move."

Hermione assessed the board and finally, calmly said, "Pawn to H3."

The game progressed slowly but steadily. With the pieces, both black and white, shouting out insults at each other and the players. Eventually Snape was getting close to winning, but Hermione had a plan. "Night to H5," she said in a desperate tone while taking a black pawn.

"Hmm… King to E3," Severus said. "Check." It was triumphant, haughty.

"Oh, Sevy… I think you should reconsider…" Snape cut off the Black queen.

"Quiet." It was sharp and fast.

"Rook to E5. Check." Hermione tried not to smile as Snape's eyes squinted up in concentration.

"Knight to E5." He said at last. He continued over the screams of the Rook he had just demolished. "Really Miss Granger putting your Rook in the line of fire…"

"Queen to E5," Hermione interrupted. "Check mate."

"What?" Snape's eyes grew and grew as he searched for an out, but all he got was a disgruntled "I tried to warn you," from the black queen. Her Queen is on E5 that can get me 5 different ways; the knight on G5 would get me if I move there, the rook at D1 if I move there. Finally he let out an exasperated sigh and looked at the young woman before him. Hermione steeled herself waiting for the inevitable anger. He opened his mouth and, to her surprise, said, "Well played Miss Granger." Even more surprising was that he smiled. Her face must have showed the shock she felt because his smile faded. "It's been a while since I've had such a good game. I underestimated you."

They were silent for a while as the pieces pulled themselves together, literally, and put themselves away. "What are you thinking, Miss Granger," Snape said at last, getting up to put the game away.

"Nothing sir…. Ah!" She shouted softly as he turned her chair to face him. He was squatting now, so he was level to her eyes.

"Don't lie to a Death Eater," he said, his voice hard and cruel.

"Well, if you must know," She said indignantly, "I was just thinking how you should smile more." She tried to keep the red from her cheeks. "But you don't have to bully me so much."

Severus tried to hide his shock and probably succeeded, he was so used to it. "I… That is all Miss Granger, you may go." His voice wasn't cold, or warm… just flat. Hermione stopped and looked at her watch, just to be a pain, and sighed. It had been 2 hours. She could go.

"If you wish Professor," was all she said before getting up and leaving.

What is Wrong with him! Hermione thought furiously as she stomped her way to the dormitory. I win, he's happy, and then I pay him a compliment and he's angry? Oh of all the insufferable, irritating, greasy…

She stormed into the Griffindor common room after muttering "Fairies and Sprites" to the fat lady. In a moment Ron and Harry were upon her.

"Hey Hermione," Ron said. "You ok? You weren't at supper. Researching something were you?" Having become a nearly grown wizard Ron looked the part. He'd grown into his ears and freckles, but he was the same old Ron with an older face and a few new lessons, that was all. At least that was all Hermione saw. He was a Beater for the Griffindor quidditch team now as well as their captain; something that hadn't sat well with Harry at first.

But now Harry, who had become the spitting image of his father, was as happy for Ron as anyone… even if he had dark circles under his eyes. He was researching as much had Hermione these days. He wanted to learn everything and anything that could get Sirius back, and kill You-Know-Who.

"I… I have detentions with Snape all this week," she said lamely. "I forgot about dinner."

"Why did he do that!" Ron shouted.

"That's not fair!" Harry yelled. "I'm sure if you just talk to…"

"No it's no use." Hermione sighed. "I'm going to bed."

"What's up with her?" Ron asked.

"Dunno," Harry shrugged.

What is wrong with me! Snape had begun throwing things. Not that he had much to throw. She's the first person I've been able to play a decent game with in years and… and… Dumbledore's up to something. He thought, desperately trying to distract himself. But his thoughts started going back to thoughts of her lips. She may have thought it was impulse. I hope she did. I felt… compelled. It had nothing to do with her personally. He tried to convince himself. She's just a snarky mudblood…But again he found himself thinking of her lovely lips… and what she looked like under those bulky robes. Not naked of course… he'd trained himself better than that… but if she wasn't covered in those roomy yards of fabric, what would she look like? Curvy, straight, well endowed, flat? He shook his head vigorously. That's enough. I have to talk to Dumbledore.

Unceremoniously Snape went to bed.

In his office Dumbledore smiled, he knew a few tricks in his old age, and as such he wove their dreams together before carefully heading off to dream his own.

"If they can't hide then they can't deny. Whatever they dream tonight, they dream together." He laughed softly as he slipped on his long bobbled nightcap and slipped into bed.

AN and Disclaimer:

As always I do not own these characters or well anything but the plot really.