Thanks so much to all those who reviewed. Please keep it up, it keeps me happy, and a happy writer… err… writes. Anyways
Someone complained about me not rushing into the climax, sorry about that but I want to establish the characters and the plot before I go bowling into the exciting stuff. If you want action without plot watch an Arnold Swarzenegger movie.
AN- Do not own Harry Potter am just messing with them a bit.
Sapphire Butterfly- Thanks for clearing up the whole go/reply button thing. Hope the party was fun!
Hunny Snow Bunny- the short chapter thing is frustrating me too. I'll seriously have to do something about that.
Da Bomb (Fire Black- Am a bit confused as to the whole Snape kid thing. Did I write somewhere he had a kid??? *Frowns confusedly* will have to read over my story. Okay reread story and I think I know where the mix up occurred. When Hermione says Snape is a bastard, it is Severus Snape that replies that his father won't appreciate that remark. Bastard literally means someone without a father. Does that clear it up??
Lindsey3- Hey. Thanks so much for reviewing again. I love it how you always compliment the things about my story that I'm pretty proud of. Thanks again!
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"Well I'm sorry Sirius but I did not see that at all, his temperament is as bad as always. In my opinion Snape is a complete and utter bastard!" Hermione declared.
"I really don't believe that my father would appreciate that remark Ms Granger," came an oily voice behind her.
Hermione whirled around to meet the dark, dangerous eyes of Severus Snape, the bastard himself. Ut-oh, now she was in trouble.
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Chapter 6
Severus watched the blushing, petite brunette in front of him. Her mouth opening and closing like some sort of demented fish. He took pleasure in her discomfort and sneered when Sirius bristled beside her. It really was too quaint. He raised one eyebrow awaiting her response.
Damn her luck! He had to have been around when she started cursing and raving about him, didn't he! She couldn't just simply insult a man behind his back and that be the end of it. Oh no. He just had to hear her less than pleasant comments about his parentage. What was he doing skulking around the hallways listening in on her conversations, well not really conversations, more like rantings, anyway?
"Professor Snape, I didn't, err, see you there," Hermione babbled out, blushing.
"I would say that was quite obvious Ms Granger," Snape smirked. She was just too adorable when she was blushing. Now where did that thought come from? Shaking his head to dismiss the ridiculous thought he focused his attention back on the bumbling professor.
"I was just showing Ms Granger around the school. Familiarising her with the college is probably more appropriate," Sirius interrupted, saving Hermione from her obvious discomfort, "and I was just about to show her to her rooms. Isn't that right Hermione?"
Hermione simply nodded, not trusting herself to speak less she incriminate herself further.
"I see," Severus raised an ebony eyebrow as one corner of his mouth turning up in a smirk. "and when did the discussion about my ancestry arise?"
Hermione huffed indignantly. Gods but that man was a sadistic bastard! How he could take so much pleasure in others discomfort. Something inside Hermione snapped. "Very droll Snape. I was simply telling the truth. It is common knowledge that you are a bastard I was merely voicing the fact. Don't tell me you hadn't yet realized."
Sirius shook his head in defeat. She really had been spending too much time with Harry and Ron. What had happened to the logical young girl who had far too much sense for someone her age, and who weighed any topic before commenting on it? Who was this fiery young woman standing before him openly insulting a wizard who was feared by many to his face? He had tried to cover for her, to smooth it over and at first he'd thought that it just might work. He knew that Severus was bound to make some sarcastic remark but the Sirius had hoped that he's let the subject drop. What he had not taken into consideration was that Hermione might start verbally attacking the man who was at current her boss. Why hadn't she just co-operated?
Hermione Granger was not, by nature, a cruel person, which just went to show how much she seriously disliked the sneering dark-haired man standing before her. Though she had to admit that the sneer that, not a moment ago had graced his face, seemed to have disappeared. And was that a look of shock and hurt on his face? Couldn't be! Whoever heard of a hurt Snape? She was simply imagining things.
"Well I thank you Ms Granger," Snape ground out, "for making me so aware of how despised I am by the rest of the Wizarding population. To tell the truth I did not realize people still had such a low opinion of me." Hermione flinched as if he'd slapped her. Oh dear, what had she done!
"Sirius," Severus turned and nodded to Sirius who replied with a sympathetic smile, "Ms Granger," he nodded at Hermione who could not meet his gaze. And with that he strode away, robes billowing behind him.
"Oh Sirius. What did I do?" Hermione turned to Sirius, shocked at her actions.
"Hermione! That was horrible!" Sirius turned to her disbelief written across his face.
"I know," she replied, misery evident in her voice.
"Hermione, I know Severus can be a bit, err, overbearing but you needn't have been so harsh." Suddenly a grin lit his face. "If someone had told me that one day I'd be defending Severus Snape I'd have had them sent straight to Mungo's."
Hermione smiled. " I think it might be a good idea to show me the way to my rooms Sirius. I think some time to myself might be in order."
Sirius nodded understandingly, crooked his arm for her to put hers through and led her to her rooms.
"Will I see you at dinner?" Sirius queried.
"I don't think so Sirius. I might spend the night in," Hermione smiled. Sirius grinned in return and then turned and strode down the hallway leaving Hermione to her own devices.
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Hermione sighed for what seemed like the tenth time since she had entered her rooms. And what lovely rooms they were. A vast living room with velvety pale gold walls and lovely maroon furnishings surrounding a grand white marble fire-place. To one wall was a beautifully ornate writing desk with thick quality parchment and lovely peacock feather quills. The opposite wall to the door through which one entered was simply comprised of large bay windows letting in a substantial amount of light in what would otherwise be a very dark room.
A lavish four-poster bed decked with dark maroon velvet curtains and sporting cream coloured sheets, bedspread and an extravagant display of cushions all with matching gold tassels was situated in the centre of her bedroom. Opposite the bed was a hearty red brick fire-place. On one wall were a mahogany dresser and a matching book-case, which, much to Hermione's delight was overflowing with books, not all to do with magic either. To her surprise, after a through perusal, there were also quite a few Muggle classics situated amongst the wizarding texts. The other wall housed a quaint little window seat with lace curtains for day-time and heavy matching maroon curtains for night. This little window seat was, in Hermione's view, quite a perfect reading spot.
The other room left was the bathroom, actually an en-suite but that word did not seem to befit the magnificence of the room adjoining Hermione's bedroom. Like the bedroom and the living-room, the bathroom was also decked in shades of gold, cream and maroon, obviously a tribute to her Gryffindor heritage. The walls were painted in a rich beige shade, the floor tiled in a similar colour. A luxurious claw bath, which could easily fit two people with room to spare, was situated against one wall with gold faucets and showerhead. A maroon shower curtain draped on a golden rod over the shower and bath duo and a matching golden towel rail with thick, soft maroon towels completed the ensemble. To another wall was a lovely cream and gold dressing table with a matching gold and maroon stool. Hermione had gaped open mouthed for quite some time upon entering this room, and the other rooms too for that matter. They were all so lovely and if she had chosen the décor herself they would have looked exactly as they did now. Whoever had furnished these rooms had exquisite taste.
Hermione sighed again. She really did have to stop sighing less she become one of those weeping, bewailing heroines in those trashy Muggle romance books. What she really ought to do was stop feeling sorry for herself and sit down and think what she could do to get her out of the sorry state she was in. Hermione could still not believe that she actually been so harsh to Severus. Though it must be admitted that the man had a tongue like a razor that cut into the poor victim that had incited Severus wrath very soul, he was not a heartless person nor a decidedly cruel one, he simply had high expectations of people. What most did not realize was that the expectations he held for himself were far greater than those he expected from any other.
Thinking about it now Hermione realised that she really ought to apologise. Just because Snape could be a harsh bastard did not mean she had to sink to his level. So squaring her shoulders and calling on some of that renowned Gryffindor courage Hermione strode out of her rooms and ended up standing in front of the entrance that led to the Headmaster's rooms. It was only then that she realized she had no idea what the password was.
Pondering what on earth to do, Hermione did not hear the footsteps approaching her until it was too late.
"Can I help you Ms Granger?" a silky voice whispered in her ear. Hermione shivered in response, not sure whether it was a result of fear or something else. Pulling herself together she turned and faced the smirking Headmaster.
"Yes actually," came her reply. Snape raised one eye-brow in question. "I came to apologise. I had no right to be so cruel and I'm sorry if I caused you any hurt."
"Eloquently put, Ms Granger," Severus sneered, "but is it not true that sometimes the truth hurts?"
"Well, yes, I suppose that's right, however what I said to you before wasn't the truth. I have to admit that quite a few people look up to you now that you helped get rid of Voldemort. I was simply tired, and confused and quite worried and I took my distress out on you," Hermione shrugged, "not that that's much of an excuse of course."
"Quite. If it makes you feel any better Ms Granger, you are forgiven. Now do please run along, I have work to do," Snape replied waving her away with his hand.
Hermione could feel her blood start to boil again but quickly regained control of her emotions. She would simply have to get used to the fact that Severus Snape would never treat her any differently than to her days in his classroom. Being treated like a mere student was something she would just have to live with. So with a sad shake of her head, Hermione Granger headed back to her rooms to curl up in a cozy armchair and read a good book.
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Hermione Granger awoke to a loud knocking coming from the door to her right. Glancing around at her surroundings in confusion it was then that Hermione realized that she'd fallen asleep in the armchair, the book sitting in her lap. Trying to get some of the strain out of her neck, Hermione opened the door to see a grinning Sirius Black with a silver platter in his hands. Hermione gave him a quizzical look before moving to the side so he could enter.
"I brought breakfast, you don't mind do you?" Sirius asked as he placed the tray on the small coffee table in the middle of the living-room.
"No. Of course not. Thank-you Sirius. Just give me a moment and I'll be right with you," she said as she strode towards the bathroom.
When she returned, rejuvenated after a nice warm shower, her tied up in a messy bun, wearing black slacks and a pale blue jumper, Sirius was sitting in an armchair pouring chilled pumpkin juice into two glasses. He looked up as Hermione entered and smiled and Hermione could not help but grin in return.
Easing herself into the armchair opposite Sirius' she took a closer look at the breakfast provided and her eyes lit up. There was a platter of fruit and a side plate of yoghurt. There was also bacon, eggs, tomatoes, and mushrooms and another huge plate of pancakes topped with banana, strawberries and maple syrup. Hermione hadn't seen such enormous amounts of delicious food since, well, her days at Hogwarts. Eyes dancing with pleasure she looked up to see Sirius watching her, gauging her reaction.
"It's perfect Sirius, thank you."
"No problem, love. Now lets dig in. I'm absolutely bloody starving," Sirius declared with mock conviction.
Hermione couldn't help but laugh at his theatrics and then decided to take his advice and helped herself to a large serving of pancakes. This was followed by some bacon and eggs and was finished of with a bowl of fruit and yoghurt.
"That was absolutely delicious," Hermione said, licking her lips in emphasis.
Sirius nodded in agreement, "I'm completely stuffed."
Hermione laughed and eased herself into a more comfortable position in the armchair, wincing when she moved her head too suddenly. It seemed that her neck was not at all happy about her sleeping arrangements the night before. Seeing Sirius' concerned look she told him this. She was most surprised when Sirius got out of his chair walked over to stand behind her chair and continued to give her neck a massage. Hermione sighed in contentment and closed her eyes, shutting out everything but Sirius' fingers easing the pain out of her neck.
She opened her eyes blearily when Sirius gently pulled his hands away, and almost gave a whimper at the loss of the lovely sensations Sirius' hands had produced. Sirius grinned at her and Hermione stretched her neck checking for any tenderness. There was neither pain nor any stiffness.
"Well I'd better be off. I'm sure you have lots of work to do. Planning classes and all," Sirius chuckled when Hermione groaned. He placed all the breakfast dishes back on the silver tray and with a flick of his wand they disappeared.
Hermione could not help but feel disappointed that he did not want to spend any more time with her, but she supposed he was right. She did have an awful lot to do.
"When you've finished your work, though, maybe you'd like to go for a walk or something?" Sirius queried with a hopeful expression.
Hermione's spirits lifted and she nodded enthusiastically in response. "That would be very nice."
Hermione walked Sirius to the door. "Thank-you very much Sirius, for everything."
"No problems Hermione, anytime," he replied, leaning in to give her a quick peck on the cheek before turning and strolling away.
Hermione smiled. Maybe things wouldn't be so bad after all.
AN- Never fear this will still be SSHG. For some reason Sirius seems to keep worming his way in though. Oh well, his character can be used to aggravate Snape further in the story. More Hermione Snape interaction (argumentation) in the next chapter. Please review and let me know what u think. I tried to make it longer and cut down on dialogue a bit. Did I succeed? Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed the chapter, this was actually a fun one to write.