Chapter 11: When I kissed the teacher (Inspired by ABBA)
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Hermione and Severus talk properly for the first time. Draco actually goes into the common room and the Gryffindors (though shocked) let him stay. At lunch Severus is sent to fetch her to go and see Dumbledore. They think that he knows (and he does) but he is just warning her about letting Draco into the Gryffindor tower. He bends the rules and even lets Malfoy sleep in the boys' dorm. However on their way out he hints that he knows about them. Hermione starts feeling some of the pressure and wishes that, like Ginny and Draco, that their secret could just come out and people would accept it.
(A cute poem I wanted u to hear)
"To A Friend
There is a magic upon your lips
There is a chasm to your gaze
And the sound of your voice
Ethereal music of a dream portrays.'
There is a serenity on your browThere is a darkness in your hair
A flurry of floral spirit all around,
Where'er you walk, floating in the air.
There is a treasure if eternal wisdomIn the dimple of your cheek
A fount of health flowing from your mind,
Which to all hearts doth speak.
Within you is a world of spring,That soulful, chaotic season
Which I cannot possibly forget
But dote upon, without a need to reason."
Emil Aarestrup 1838
Hermione was in heaven, if heaven was this good. She was lying on the large leather couch in front of the enormous fireplace with Severus. Her head was lying on his moving chest.
They had not spoken once but... it might ruin the atmosphere.
Hermione shuffled a tiny bit closer to him and he held her tighter beside him. He was leaning against the arm of the sofa, half upright. His beetle black eyes did not move from her face. He had a hand resting on her upper arm gently. She was wearing a sleeveless shirt and jeans so the touch on her arm felt more electric than usual.
Her curls spilled over her shoulders and she closed her eyes, sighing. He could feel her frame rise and fall in his grasp. He was clad in his usual black gothic Victorian style clothes and robes. The slender, fine-boned fingers that brushed the warmth of her skin made her want to shiver.
Their legs were spread out in front of them, entangled loosely. The heat of their bodies mingled and in the cold of the dungeons, Hermione was kept sufficiently warm. The way he held her was as though she was delicate and precious and if not handled correctly would fall apart. He rested his chin at her temple as he watched the radiating glow emitted from the writhing amber flames.
She placed her hand softly on top of his that rested on her arm. Several stray strands of straight black hair brushed her cheeks and she closed her eyes. The sensation of being held in such a way made her sure her life was complete.
Severus breathed in deeply. Beneath the smell of her sweet hair was the soft milky scent of woman. He would never have imagined that he might one day hold the warm body of a young, intelligent woman such as Hermione. It was too much for him to contemplate so he left the thought to rest while he watched the fire burn brightly.
There was a sharp crackle from the sputtering fireplace and he felt Hermione shift slightly against him, sighing again. He looked away from the fire and into her large brown eyes that were looking back up at him. He kept his features cool and intense and she smiled at him before pressing her head against his chest once more.
His eyes slid over to the small table beside them on which lay a good-sized book of poetry. They had been reading together for a while before they had decided to settle for silence. He lowered his gaze from the red backed book, to the flames and rested his chin back on her temple.
She closed her eyes again, her lashes stroking the thick black material of his long robes. This was the most wonderful feeling she had ever experienced and it filled her up like a warm creamy liquid.
"I love you Severus," she whispered soothingly. Severus was caught off guard. She loved him...? ... loved him... It seemed surreal. Things were in their early stages yet and those words were not ones easily taken back. So she must have meant them...
Then it led to the question... Did he love Hermione? Her presence calmed him and he felt so free of his own chains that he had locked himself in. She affected him in ways he had never thought possible... so... did he? It wasn't proper... It wasn't supposed to be...
"I love you too, Hermione..." he replied, his silky voice also in a whisper. But he was met by her slow rhythmic breathing and he realized she had fallen asleep in his arms while he had paused. He looked down at her to be sure and indeed her eyes were softly closed and her face was relaxed.
It was his turn to sigh and he held the sleeping Hermione tighter. He was unsure of what to do next. He did not want to wake her. Could he sleep here tonight? He hardly ever slept properly anyway. And often he was unable to sleep in his own bed. He saw no reason why not so he shifted into a more comfortable position and, with his head resting on hers, he closed his eyes too...
"Where were you?!" asked a panicked Harry when she trundled into the Great Hall at breakfast to sit with her friends. She was on cloud nine so she was not really listening fully to all he said but replied as if everything was normal.
She sat down on the hard wooden bench next to Ginny and looked over the table at Harry and Ron. "I woke up a few hours early and couldn't sleep so I went down to the Library to read poetry," she smiled sweetly. She picked up a piece of toast and dropped it breezily onto her plate. The smile remained on her lips as Harry and Ron shrugged at each other, finding her excuse a valid one.
"Then where were you last night...?" Ginny said quietly while the boys across from her were immersed in their discussions of Quidditch. While Ginny was turned away from him, Draco pulled a face over her shoulder at Hermione. Their looks were accusing. "You were out all night..." she frowned, glancing across the table to be sure they were not heard.
Hermione suddenly felt patronized. She glared at their blameful looks. "Since when do I need to ask permission for what I do from you?" she snapped. Draco leaned across Ginny and stared at her hard.
"Did you sleep with him?" he hissed. Ginny pushed him away from Hermione sending him a disapproving look but not apologising to her for his actions. She wanted to know as well.
Hermione gaped at them. "Are you serious?!" she spat back. Ginny and Draco shared a look. "No! Not like that! I did sleep with him-" Draco paled drastically and Ginny's jaw dropped "-but I slept in his arms by the fire." They both relaxed immensely. Ginny even appeared happy.
"Oh... that's ok then..." she smiled at Hermione. "That's sweet..." Draco stuck out his tongue.
"I think it's disgusting!" he said brusquely, snaking an arm around Ginny as he did. Hermione just grinned back at him, squashing his bitterness with her ungrounded contentment.
"That's ok," she said cheerfully as she spread marmalade on her toast. "I don't care what you think!" Draco glared at her as she started to eat her breakfast but she ignored him. For some reason, Ginny liked this snarky, pompous Slytherin and so she was going to do her best to get on with him. That did not necessarily mean she would be friends with him.
But she was shocked when, after a while, Draco joined in Harry and Ron's discussion on which possible Quidditch team would win the world cup next year.
Ginny was just as surprised but even more relieved. It seemed that Draco was staring to fit in... How odd.
Nothing much else happened for a while. About ten minutes behind her, Severus swept past them up to the staff table. She breathed in deeply to catch the scent of musk and sandalwood but apart from that, breakfast was uneventful.
Hermione finished her toast quickly but as usual she stayed back to talk with Ginny and waste as much time as possible.
"When exactly is your Graduation again? I heard they moved it..." Ginny asked, turning to her before finishing off her pumpkin juice.
Hermione frowned, resting her head in her hands. "Hmm... It's right after the Hogsmead weekend which is two weeks from exams... so that would be about half a week from now..." She had mixed feelings about graduation. She would be finished with school and being a minor and student but at the same time she was leaving her home of seven years... She couldn't bear the thought.
"Oh! That's so soon..." Ginny sounded miserable. Hermione glanced at her. "I don't know what I'll do next year without Draco and you three... It's going to be hard... I'll miss you so much, Hermione..." Ginny unconsciously held Draco tighter.
"I'm not gone just yet!" she tried to lighten the sad mood. "Save the sorrow for the last day." She decided she may have room for a little more juice and helped herself to some.
Suddenly there was a sharp noise of a fork being tapped against a goblet that rang through the chatter and a silence spread over the hall. Hermione and Ginny stopped talking and Draco, Harry and Ron looked up at the head table. McGonagall had tapped her fork against her goblet in the way she always did when there was going to be an announcement.
While everyone else was watching Dumbledore, waiting for him to stand up and talk, Hermione stared at Severus who was looking as irritated with the world as usual. Their eyes met for a moment and just in that instant all general malice melted and faded from the deep blackness in his eyes. Hermione dared a smile at him, seeing as everyone else was distracted.
"I am sad to inform you," Dumbledore began in his usual speech voice, "that there have been some slight alterations in the schedule for the next Hogsmead weekend..." there were mutters of disappointment flittering across various groups of friends but Hermione stayed silent, frowning, "Instead of it being this weekend, or a weekend at all for that matter, it will be moved to two days after graduation... I would like to make clear that I am sorry for those who desperately wanted to go before." Hermione was sure he shot her a blatant glance but she had sincerely hoped she had imagined it.
But she remembered Severus' offer... he wanted to meet her at Hogsmead. Technically she would still be a student for a few more days but now... Graduation would come before Hogsmead making it so that if they were caught, Severus would not loose his position as Hogwarts Potions Master. Was this deliberate on Dumbledore's part? Hermione was unsure; he had done similar things before. It would not be unlike him. But on the other hand, was she being paranoid, thinking everything was about her somehow?
She looked back at Severus to see his reaction and saw he was rigid and she knew he was thinking the same thing.
Well, if it had been intentional it was definitely in their best interests...
"You cannot be serious!" gasped Hermione as Ron burst into a mischievous grin. His eyes lit up with mirth and there was a notable glint of something that reminded her of Fred and George. And speaking of Fred and George... "Not another Weasley Wizarding Wheezes!" Hermione looked shocked (although slightly tempted) by the notion.
Harry smirked a little to himself too. He watched the end of the corridor they walked down with pleasant interest as he listened to Ron convince Hermione. His black tufts of hair sticking out in every which direction seemed to be getting messier with each year.
The three of them, and Ginny and Draco (who were trailing a fair distance behind), were on their way out to enjoy the summer sunshine and despite the light and airy tone, were all savouring each and every second they had left in the castle. The sun shone bright through the window high up the walls causing bright shafts of light that highlighted squares of stone ahead of them. Their feet, though after the years they failed to notice it anymore, clacked loudly against the floor.
"I'm more than serious!" he said brightly, moving a little away from her to suggest mock offence. "I'm sure Malfoy would have no problems with it either! I mean... it's not like the Slytherins are his friends... any more..." he frowned a little but the mirth did not fade.
"But what kind of example will I be setting – being Head Girl?" she tried to argue. Ron just saw this as an opening. Hermione was not rebutting the idea but instead pointing out that it was inappropriate. So she did want to...
"Who says they'll figure out who did it?" he grinned once more and Hermione couldn't help join him; the spark in his eye was contagious. Her smile was slightly guilty but broad all the same.
"They can guess-" she started but Harry cut her off reassuringly.
"But they won't have any proof..." he began to smirk as well and the three of them walked arm in arm around the corner and found themselves at the head of the large stairs of the Grand Entrance. Hermione struggled with her morals but part of her loved the ingenious inventions of Fred and George, despite all her attempts to drown these feelings. She tossed her hair back over her shoulder.
Behind her she could hear Ginny and Draco muttering softly between themselves and for a moment is compelled to dream of being in the arms of Severus. She forced her thoughts away from the graceful and sinister presence known as Severus Snape.
"It is a great idea..." she started reluctantly considering the effects of such a stunt. Ron grinned twice as hard, if possible and the edges of his enormous smirk almost touched his ears. He took his arm out of hers and clapped it on her back cheerily. Hermione stumbled a little under the strong slaps. Ron's strength has grown over the years and he appeared unaware of it.
"That's the spirit, Hermione!" he beamed and Hermione brushed aside the curls that had fallen back into her large brown eyes.
"But if I get in any sort of trouble, you two are coming down with me!" she added as a condition.
"Fair enough," Harry shrugged. He also slipped his arm out of hers as they neared the base of the elegant and wide steps.
"I can't wait to see the look on their faces when they wake up in the morning...!" Hermione notices that Ron hasn't looked so happy for a long time. But what they were about to do was something of his speciality. "We owe Fred and George so much..." he sighed in respect, however the smudgy smirk on his face revealed the better of him.
"How much would they charge for a stunt like that?" he glanced to Ron, past Hermione for his answer. His green eyes filled with a slight curiosity.
"Oh, they have to give us a discount, because... well... we're us!" Hermione snorted. "And I'm their brother... Plus the mere idea is going to make them proud. We'll be advertising their latest product to all of Hogwarts... so I would say that it would be a maximum of two galleons..." He scratched his head, messing up his bright red hair. His face scrunched up a little at having to calculate the simple math.
"The day of graduation then? Or shall we do it after?" Harry seemed to be thinking a lot more practically than Ron because although it was his idea, Hermione observed that he has not even considered these things until now.
Hermione spoke for him. "Graduation, although the most effective time, is probably not such a good idea because the place will be swarming with students and staff and we will probably get into worse trouble if we were to be caught. The day after we will no longer be students, which might mean they can no longer punish us."
Harry nodded. Ron just thought about what she said, as if he needed time to weigh the differences in value of being punished but making the Slytherins suffer more on Graduation. "Smart thinking..." he agreed and they got off of the bottom step together. Graduation was now closer than ever. Today was Saturday and Graduation was on Monday...
They strolled towards the wide open doors and the glowing sun outside that cast its rays gloriously over the grounds. There was a distinct smell of summer in the air. Hermione wished she had worn a skirt rather than jeans. She slipped her arms back into Ron's and Harry's to keep the atmosphere that she loved so much and would miss so dearly when they left for good.
She looked down at the three pairs of feet that keep in timing with each others and she felt relieved that she would be staying with Harry and Ron after she left Hogwarts. Maybe luck would have it that they would all get into the same university. She was torn between many and was going to send off to hundreds that she wanted to attend. Harry and Ron had no idea as to which schools were the best and so they planned to apply to all the ones she had.
Suddenly she felt both boys tense beside her. She raised her head, looking up from their feet, trying to find the source of the boys' sudden apprehension. She glanced at Harry and Ron. Both were radiating a stiffness that she recognised as being reserved for only one person.
Her eyes slowly moved up to confirm her suspect. Her gaze was met by a rough, black glare and once again she felt as if she was the only one there. She blinked hard to try and plant her feet firmly back on earth and looked to Harry to see his reaction.
Harry was staring back darkly at Snape as he shot a look of distrust their way. Severus did not stop to insult them; instead he just strode past with no more than a glint of contempt in his eyes at the sight of Harry and Ron flanking Hermione. She knew that he was keeping up appearances and for once she wished he wouldn't. She wished he would sweep over to her, black cloak flowing out behind him, and pull her away from Harry and Ron and into a soft kiss.
But alas, he passed them silently and Ron watched his back carefully until he was sure Snape was not going to turn back. Hermione sighed silently.
"Has either of you noticed," Harry leaned closer to them both, lowering his voice, "how Snape has been avoiding us lately..." Hermione and Ron frown together. Hermione tried to save this topic from becoming a serious curiosity.
"Avoiding us? He just hasn't bothered to come right up to us and insult us. I think he just can't wait to see us leave," she convinced him. He shot a disbelieving look to Ron who shrugged back.
"It just strikes me as out of the ordinary..." he made a final stand but Hermione's logical explanation crushed any final worries he may have.
"Of course, but school has finished, we haven't had classes so of course we are going to see less of him. It's not like he's avoiding us. And besides," she added, her tone had switched to her special tone reserved for explaining things in class and to people who could not understand their homework, "why would he want to see more of a person he hates?"
Harry nodded, feeling stupid and Ron shrugged once more.
His freckles were suddenly pushed up his cheeks as he broke into a sunny grin. "But isn't my plan just ingenious!" he said brightly. He had steered away this boring topic and back to his area of expertise.
"Yes, Ron. Ingenious," agreed Harry. "Although there are only so many times we can continue to praise you for your thinking..." Hermione laughed softly, her shoulders shook with amusement.
"We're going to have to enlighten Malfoy on this," he ignores Harry's comment at his expense. "He's the one with the password to the Slytherin common room; we'll need his help..." he frowned once more in thought and slowed, dropping behind Hermione and Harry.
Hermione was the first to react and slow down too, then Harry dawdled too. He rolled his eyes at Ron, who still seemed unrealistically boyish in his actions. He was scampering over to his sister and her boyfriend who were contented to stay behind until rudely interrupted by him.
"Yes?" said Draco coldly but politely. His silver eyes fixed on the unsure characteristics of Ron but all hinting in his stare was lost on Ron's lack of ability to pick up on subtly.
"Don't get so prickly!" he grinned back, quashing Draco's icy glare. "You may like what I've got to say..." his blonde eyebrows twitched up in interest, just as Harry and Hermione approached them.
Pacing was a habit of the past yet Severus was unable to shake it off. He continued to strut up and down in front of the over-warm fireplace. He knew that it was too hot but he was unprepared to change it just yet, until it became totally unbearable.
The thick material of his robes weighed him down and suffocated him. They were retaining his own heat and he finally, after trying to distract himself from the growing warmth, he stopped his pacing. He put his fingers up to his chest and pulled off his outer robes in one fluid movement. He folded them twice loosely and laid them on the chair that Hermione had not transfigured.
Then his fingers rested on the stiff buttons of his frock coat but he hesitated and left it on.
The dark mark was still burning black under his skin fresh from the Dark Lord's unexpected meeting last night.
"Severus?" a soft female voice that caressed the chords of his heart. He dropped his hands quickly and turned to face the source of his name. He came eye to eye with Hermione who was smiling gently at him.
"Hermione..." her name still sounded peculiar on his tongue. She came to him. He looked her up and down. Was it possible she had grown more beautiful in the day they had been apart? She looked wonderful in her white summer skirt and light blue camisole. Her hair spilled over her shoulders, half way down to her waist in large golden brown curls. Her eyes were shining and it was hard for him to believe that she was so pleased to see him again.
Once she was right in front of him he put his hand on her waist and kissed her shortly on the lips. He pulled back and glanced at her questioningly. His pitch black eyes searched for any signs of worry but he found none.
"Is there something the matter?" She saw the concern lighting his stare. The comfort that filled her at his protectiveness made her smile.
"Not at all." As he watched her, he couldn't help adore the sweetness of her smile. He took a hand from her waist and gently brushed the tips of his fingers against her jaw. "I missed you..." her voice quietened mainly because she was so snug the way she was right now that she daren't disturb the moment.
She slipped her hands up around his neck and lightly slid her fingers into his long black hair. She knew that she could never feel this way again with any other person. The warmth of his breath against her cheeks made her close her eyes and she sighed quietly.
He leaned forward to kiss her again. She complied more than willingly. His straight raven hair brushed the curve of her cheeks and made her heart flutter against her chest.
But before he got to taste her once more she laid a finger delicately on his lips to hold him at the close distance for a moment. He stopped, but kissed the tip of her finger softly, while looking into her light chocolate brown eyes.
"What's wrong?" he wondered, frowning a little. Hermione smiled again and any doubt he may have had was sufficiently put to rest.
"I just want..." she paused, she was looking apologetic and maybe even a pinch guilty, "...to savour this..." she hurriedly continues as if she has to explain "because soon I'll have to leave Hogwarts and I won't be able to see you again for a long time..." she sighs deeply and she is unaware of the sadness she reveals in her features as she looks away from his face.
His scowl deepened. "I see... What exactly are you planning on doing once you depart?" He was never really bothered what a student did once they were out of his care but... it still sounded too strange yet he knew he loved her... he could not for a moment remember feeling otherwise.
He stroked the skin of her neck and smirked slightly when she shivered and leaned into the touch.
She opened her eyes again and tried to stay as serious as possible, staring straight at him. "I'm planning on becoming a Charms Mistress..." his smirk broadened with a faint pride.
"A wise choice," he nodded approvingly. "However, you're skills in potions are no less than perfect. I would have thought you would choose something in that field..." Hermione smiled at his subtle teasing. There was a tingle under her skin where his fingers traced the line of her neck. She couldn't concentrate but somehow managed to.
"I'll be gone for two years at college..." she tried not to think about it, but she knew she had to tell him. It was important and a decision of life. "But I can spend the three years of practical under the instructions of Professor Flitwick." His black eyes glazed with puzzlement and the scowl spread across his face easily.
"But Flitwick is not a Master of Charms..."
"I know, but he has more than thirty years experience. That's good enough by their standards... then I will be able to enter a proper establishment that will take me to the level of Mistress... that alone should take four years. After that, I am unsure but if Flitwick should ever retire, I plan on applying for his position... So that's about nine years altogether..." Hermione suddenly looked daunted. That was more time than she had spent studying at Hogwarts... She hadn't thought of it so far. Yet learning was what she loved to do and the thought of never having to learn again was scary in itself so she was happy to prolong it with her aim of becoming a Charms Mistress.
"So... I won't be able to constantly see you for two years..." she noted the sadness in his voice and felt glad once again that he returned her feelings. "But you will be back at Hogwarts for a full three years..." there was a certain hope in his silky smooth voice.
"I don't want to be gone for so long..." she titled her head a little when his finger brushed a sensitive spot on her neck. She took a deep breath then continued. "But that won't keep me away from you... I'll make time." He appreciated the determination she had.
She looked back up at him and his face was mere centimeters away from hers. She dug her fingers deeper into his black hair as if it would comfort her.
"It still feels so... strange..." Severus lowered his hand slowly from her jaw and put it back on her waist. Hermione nodded slowly, missing the feel of his fingers already.
"I know..." she smiled soothingly at him and he did not understand the feeling that accompanied it. Her tenderness made him soften inside and he could not comprehend how a simple smile could affect him so.
She leaned closer and pressed her lips against his and once again he felt struck by feelings he had long forgotten existed. But the fact that what they had, however right it felt, was forbidden made it seem more exciting and yet he felt as if he shouldn't. The touch of a woman's lips against his made his heart speed up and he felt undeserving. After all, what had he done to deserve this?
He pulled her closer, delighting in the feeling of holding her.
"Weasley!" Draco gaped at Ron in a slight disbelief, "How surprisingly Slytherin of you!" his silver eyes sparked with a tint of evil glee. He smirked as he listened to his new adaptations of his original plan for the day after Graduation. His blonde hair fell loosely around his eyes and he shot a glance at Ginny sitting next to him. She was talking to Hermione in a low voice leaning over her dinner so did not catch his eye.
"Ok, so you admit I am a genius?" he dared to ask. Ron was reluctantly starting to enjoy Draco's company. He pushed his freckles aside with his normal lopsided grin. Draco glared sarcastically as he considered what Ron said.
"Watch it, Weasley..." he said softly with a strong warning. "Although I have to admit... it is not bad..." Ron grinned harder and Draco narrowed his eyes to make sure Ron kept in mind exactly where he should stand, which is a good thing because he almost slapped Draco on the back in a friendly gesture.
Harry just ate his pie quietly, keeping his eyes on both Draco and Ron with amusement. He was starting to come to terms with the fact that he and Ginny were together. He was also happy to find that his feelings for Ginny were fading slowly. They could not have been as strong as he had thought they were if they left so soon. So, in a weird way, he was grateful to find out this way instead of dating Ginny and finding that their relationship should fizzle out after a while.
Hermione and Ginny were muttering softly between themselves about her situation with Severus. Ginny was in awe about the star-struck look that came over Hermione when she spoke of him.
"So you're going to become a Charms Mistress!" Ginny chirped. "That is just perfectly adorable! The Charms Mistress and The Potions Master of Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry... together!" Ginny beamed perkily as she untied her hair to let it hang loose over the shoulders of her short- sleeved green shirt that did not clash with her straight dark red hair in the slightest.
Hermione mock shuddered. "That sounds so corny!" She shuddered again and Ginny laughed. "Don't do that." She brushed some brown curls over her shoulder to stop it from dropping into the plate of pie. Ginny, being particularly bold, stared up at the staff table and watched Severus as he glared sourly at the hall filled with students.
Hermione looked in her direction and her eyes landed on Severus. His brows were pulled into his trademark scowl and he eyed the hall in front of him with distaste. His elbows lay on the table and his fingers were neatly entwined, his black robes shrouding him as his shoulder-length black hair as if he wished to hide himself from the pointless cheerfulness.
Ginny quirked a brow and turned back to her, perplexed. "I still don't get what you see in him..." she added, totally befuddled in her tone. Hermione tore her eyes away from the dark stare of Severus.
"You don't have to," she said it softly as if she was half not listening to her own words, just dreaming. "If you saw what I did then I would find myself with unwanted competition-" Hermione was cut off by a loud snort from the seemingly delicate nose of Ginny.
"Believe me," she assured Hermione as she dug into her apple pie with her fork, "that is one thing you do NOT have to worry about..." Hermione smirked sleepily and turned back to look at the head table.
Tomorrow was Graduation. It seemed as if it had snuck up on Hermione when she was not ready for it. Not only was it Graduation, the day that turned them into adults officially, but it was the start of their last week at Hogwarts. Hermione did not want to leave, despite the fact she had always eagerly anticipated becoming an adult and being able to prove herself to the world.
As she crawled into bed she could have sworn she heard the rustle of long black robes but when she looked up she found herself deeply disappointed to see that it was merely the dark red curtains being ruffled by the night air. No matter. She would finally finish with being a student tomorrow and could be more at her ease and lax about hiding their... "thing" they had.
She closed her eyes and immediately images of Severus Snape sweeping amongst rows of simmering cauldrons dangerously smooth and deathly quiet in his steps. The sternness in his slitted black gaze that straightened backs and stiffened frightened students. The texture of his fine black hair. The touch of his fingertips against the skin of her neck.
She had to stop thinking this way she decided, as she buried her smile in her pillow. What would Pavarti and Lavender think if she went to bed every night smiling? But then again she didn't care what they thought.
"Oh-my-gosh, oh-my-gosh, oh-my-gosh, oh-my-gosh," Hermione was muttering beneath her breath rapidly in nervous excitement as she squeezed Ginny's hand. They were walking slowly down from the Gryffindor tower: she, Harry, Ron, Draco and Ginny. They were dressed in their special robes that had been provided just for the occasion and their special board hats with silver tassels, except Ginny who was forced to stay at Hogwarts for one more year.
Ron was looking pale with tenseness and his freckles on his nose stood out strongly in comparison. His lips were dry and parted slightly. His blue eyes refused to blink and his neatly brushed orange-red hair was parted down the middle properly for the first time Hermione could remember. Harry on the other hand looked purely blank.
At Hermione's constant muttering he looked over at her with no emotion in his emerald eyes. He nodded his black haired head in comforting understanding. "I know," he mumbled.
Draco was speechless like Ron but he outwardly appeared cool and collected, despite his lips being pressed hard together. His blonde hair was slicked backwards away from his face. He looked refined and Harry tried to ignore the resemblance with his father. His silver eyes remained fixed forward.
They were walking in two rows. Harry and Ron were walking ahead, looking equally unnerved as they went down the main steps. At the back Ginny was in the middle. Draco had an arm around her waist and Hermione was squeezing her hand tightly.
"Ouch!" Ginny pried her hand free of Hermione's as her grip tightened even further.
"Oh..." Hermione blushed guiltily, "Sorry, Gin..." Ginny rubbed it a little to make the stinging leave but looked back at Hermione with sympathy.
"It's OK..." she smiled, "I know how nervous you must be... You're graduating today!" she said brightly. There was a flake of remorse that escaped her lips that she failed to smother. She did not want to reveal to Hermione exactly how sad she was that she was going to be saying goodbye, seeing as this was supposed to be a happy day.
"Oh, Ginny..." she picked up on the miserable note and reached for her hand again. She was careful not to squeeze her too hard, "You'll join us next year, don't worry. Don't be sad..." Ginny nodded slowly, careful not to look Hermione in the eye, keeping her blue gaze on the passing marble steps in front of her.
Hermione had to stop walking for a second to untwist the base of her temporary robes provided for the day. She struggled for a moment with the thick stiff black material then trotted to catch up with the happy couple ahead of her. She flipped her hair back over her shoulders before plonking her hat squarely on her curly haired head.
When she was in line with Ginny and Draco again, she brushed the irritating silver tassel to the side of the hat instead of where it had been dangling before, tickling her nose.
Ginny felt out of place, being dressed in normal clothes: a plaid skirt and dark red tank top with an orange print that resembled smoke. She had her hair loose as did Hermione. Her scarlet strands stopped just below the base of her neck. Hermione had felt the need for something special today and had several small white flowers held into her locks by spells.
Parents were not going to be attending Graduation. They never did. For one it would reveal to more people than necessary as to the whereabouts of Hogwarts and for another, it was would be a hassle to cart hoards of parents all the way up to Hogwarts. This was just a simple acknowledgement of the fact they were now technically adults.
They started to head past the Great Hall and to the oversized doors of the Grand Entrance. The ceremony was to be held outside. Hermione held her breath and wanted to close her eyes as they walked through the doors. This was it. They were going to be free of school rules and regulations forever. Scary.
Ginny was now squeezing her hand in reply. There was a slight feeling of numbness spreading slowly through her but it was dulled by her overwhelming nerviness.
They stepped into the haze of light from the darkness of the hall and walked down the few front steps in silent unison. The sun was high in the sky to show that it was indeed late morning and the whole landscape was a bright vibrant green with the health that accompanied summer. The sun shone down harshly on them and the black of their graduation robes absorbed the heat and magnified it. As they reached the ground Hermione swore she was slowly baking already.
The large square hat shadowed her face keeping her cool and prevented the white flowers randomly spread about in her hair from wilting.
In front of her Ron jammed his own hat roughly on his head, messing his relatively neat hair. Harry kept his off for now, as did Draco. Hermione kept her eyes on the path they walked, letting the others lead her to the stage. She didn't feel she should look at it just yet, it might make it seem... real...
After a short while of strolling tensely Hermione dared to raise her head and look at the stage. Her large brown eyes rested on a high raised wooden platform with steps in the center. She thought it was maybe a little large for a ceremony with a moderate amount of people. There were rows of chairs before the platform, enough for the whole seventh year and some extra for those other students, like Ginny, who wanted to watch. There were ropes of ribbon lining the edges of the stage in the four colors of the separate houses and against the back, single wall were large embroideries of each houses' emblem.
In front of the steps of the stage, teachers were milling around tensely and they were talking in low voices to one another. The air was alight with mutterings of soon-to-be-graduates who had arrived before they had and were standing in loose clusters beside the chairs.
Harry and Ron stopped just before the back row and waited for Hermione, Ginny and Draco. Harry fiddled anxiously with the edges of his hat and Hermione slipped her hand out of Ginny's as they approached them.
There was a moment's hush in which the five of them where they looked at each other's faces trying to read exactly how nervous the other was. Ron was the first to try and break the silence; it was starting to frustrate him. He sucked in a deep breath.
"So," he was speaking a little louder and more cheerfully than was necessary, "how long do you think it's gonna take?" Hermione took her eyes off of Harry and looked to Ron, fidgeting nervously.
"I think it's going to be much shorter than most..." she spoke what she thought as she tried to calculate how long it would take, "maybe as short as about twenty minutes... It's just the handing out of the degrees, and a few awards as well. I don't think there'll be any extras like a valedictorian..."
"Good," Draco nodded briskly, "I can't stand those tediously long ceremonies anyway." Ginny nodded in agreement and there were mutterings of opinions between them.
After a while the conversation fizzled out and they returned to their silence, shuffling and glancing at each other. Hermione checked her watch; the event should be starting any minute now... And just as she thought it, Dumbledore proceeded to climb up the steps of the large wooden stage. Hermione turned to watch and sparked the interest of the others, who chose to look in Hermione's direction.
Dumbledore strode across the platform with his periwinkle blue robes dragging at his feet. A deafening hush fell over the crowd as if silence was an ice cold liquid being spilled over their heads. A sea of eyes were now watching every move Dumbledore made across the stage and each step he took could be heard even from the back. The sound of the birds and swaying leaves seemed to stand still.
There was a podium to one side of the stage and it appeared to take forever for Dumbledore to reach it. He stood behind it and curled his fingers on the edges of the wooden stand.
"Please be seated," he said politely, gesturing with his right hand for them all to sit. His voice didn't need to be magnified for such a small ceremony. There was a light twinkle in his eyes that resembled pride.
Harry was the first to react, moving over to a chair near to the front. They followed, shuffling through the light green grass and walking in the aisle created down the middle of the grey chairs directly up to the stage.
They sat down together on the same row and turned back to look at Dumbledore who was waiting patiently for the rest of the seventh years to sit. Hermione's eye wandered down to the teachers who were lined up in front of the red, yellow, green and blue ribbons decorating the stage.
"As you all know," began Dumbledore in his usual knowing speech voice, "this graduation will only be a small recognition of your seven years learning here at this school... although I am sure that after exams your brains may not be able to be put to use for a while..." he smiled at them but all that could be seen was his beard twitching. "When I call your names you will come up and accept your degrees and then shake hands with each teacher in turn."
As if on cue (which it probably was), the professors turned and filed up the steps of the stage one after the other, McGonagall first. Dumbledore paused his speech to wait for all the teachers to line up behind him. McGonagall stopped in the wake of him and all the other teachers lined up beside her. All the sitting students watched good-naturedly as they waited for the teachers to finish getting into position.
Hermione noticed that Severus was the last one on the stage and he strode over to the very end of the line. Once he had swirled about on the spot to face the crowd with a look of loathing, Dumbledore continued.
"Before we begin I would like to say one thing... You all have been wonderful students and each of you has great potential-" it was all Severus could do to hold back a snort, "Work to the best of your abilities and contribute to the wizarding population as much as you can with your knowledge. I hope I will have the pleasure of seeing you all again someday." Did Dumbledore sigh? Hermione shook her head to herself. No, he was always strong and stead-fast. It wasn't like him to show signs of weakness like that.
Now Dumbledore stuck a withered hand into the large pocket at his side and he gently pulled out a scroll and his wand. He placed the scroll carefully on the podium before waving the wand. Under the sweeping motions he made with his wand, a small table appeared with a large pile of more scrolls, each with a calligraphic silver name imprinted on it.
He put his wand away and picked up the scroll on the podium again. He opened it grandly with one hand, with the other hand he straightened his half-moon spectacles to read better. The summer air was still and quiet and people waited as Dumbledore opened his mouth to speak again.
"Starting with the Hufflepuffs..."
...
Dumbledore called out the names of each Hufflepuff student. As he said their names, from the pile of scrolls beside him, one that belonged to the name called out would unbury itself from the rest and slowly rise into the air, hovering about a shoulder's height.
Dumbledore would take it out of the air and hand it to the graduate when they came up the stage. The first Hufflepuff on the platform hugged each teacher after shaking their hands. And for one moment it looked as if he was going to hug Professor Snape but when he was given a look that could kill from his former Potions teacher, he shrank away and just shook his hand before leaving the stage.
After that, no one dared to even consider hugging the glaring Potions Master. But no one really had planned to anyway.
Next it was the Ravenclaws and half way through Ginny mock yawned and started patting Hermione's tassel in a bored and playful manner. Hermione just let her do so, but threw her a disapproving look from beneath the square board.
Time went by slower than they had imagined but the nervousness only faded a little. Draco decided to place his hat carefully on his head at last and Harry wisely followed suit.
It seemed that the Gryffindors were going to be last because after the Ravenclaws Dumbledore started calling out the names of different Slytherins. When it was Draco's turn, Ginny gave him a quick kiss on the cheek but on his way up he received a record number of poisonous glowers from the other Slytherins.
Hermione was starting to get impatient by the time he finally got to the Gryffindors. She kept glancing at Severus and forgot her discreetness. In a few minutes she would no longer be a student... The second the degree touched the flesh of her hand she would be free to love whoever she pleased. She noticed Severus was hating this event and held back a smile. She could understand his thinking. He wanted to be down in the cool dungeons in the company of his books and potions, to him more intelligent than the whole graduating class.
She stared at him without really being aware that she was. She loved his black hair that framed his face perfectly and added a strong touch of character to his being. His choice in clothes reflected his behaviour more than his actual personality because beneath the shrouds of black cloth was hidden a multitude of colors. She was fascinated by the tall dark and sinister appearance he held throughout the years. In truth he probably needed her more than he would ever realise. For years he felt he could live without love and slowly the point of existence seemed to dissolve but Hermione wanted to change that. She already had.
She was yanked out of her reverie when Lavender's name was called. Soon it would be her; however, she kept her eye on Severus. She wished she could kiss him again and smiled smugly as she remembered the night she had spent in his arms by the fire. The way he touched her set off sparks under her skin. What was it about him that made him so... perfect for her? Maybe it was like the yin and yang.
"Hermione Granger." Dumbledore's voice rang through her thoughts and startled her. She jerked upright and in a daze she strode up to the steps of the stage. Slowly the reality sank in as she finished climbing the stairs and she shoved her dream-world to the back of her mind.
It seemed to take her way too long to walk across the wooden platform up to Dumbledore who grandly plucked her degree from the air and held it out for her to take.
She took it from him and the touch of scroll against her palm was frightening in what it represented. She was finished with school. He smiled at her with his benevolent old eyes. She smiled back. She reached over and gave him a quick hug before turning to McGonagall standing behind him. Now she had to work her way along the line of professors, shaking their hands and hugging them each in turn.
McGonagall hugged her so tightly that she couldn't breathe and of all the teachers she was the must reluctant to let go. Obviously she had been more attached to Hermione than she let on.
Severus watched as it was Hermione's turn to receive her degree. Now she was technically an adult but he knew she had been an adult for while already. She wore flowers in her hair and he thought they looked better on her than they possible could on anyone else. He wondered if she would dare to hug him like she did all the other professors. If she did how should he react? Should he glare her down for appearances sake? But if she wanted to then he didn't to singe her like that. He shook the irritating thoughts from his head. What will happen, will happen.
Beside him, Hermione was bending down to hug a beaming Professor Flitwick. The tassel dangling from her square hat swung over her eyes as she stood. She brushed it aside and moved over to Severus.
She stood in front of him for a quiet moment and just looked at him, studying his eyes. Not wanting to seem peculiar to the watching crowd behind her, she held out hand for him to shake, never taking her gaze off of his face.
He took her hand smoothly and Hermione relished the feeling of his soft, delicate touch. She really wanted to kiss him. Then, in a blinding instant, she realized she could. She had her degree in her other hand so she was free to kiss whichever teacher she wanted without getting them fired.
As she shook hand with Severus in front of the eyes of the seventh year, she glanced at Dumbledore standing by the podium. He was smiling warmly at her. The whole class was staring at her back. How would they react when they found out? There was always the possibility that they would not find out but the odds were not in their favour. If she were the one to enlighten them, would it be better? Yes it would, she concluded, because questions such as "why didn't you tell us?" were put to rest.
She looked back into the black irises and the delicate touch of his hand made her want to fling her arms around him in one rash movement. She had to control these sort of desires. They just made her want more than what she had, and she had a lot. There was a word for that: greedy.
She thought of the crowd behind her, and of Dumbledore's encouraging smile... he had said be careful until graduation... they didn't need to be careful any more...
When Hermione raised her hands, most people thought she was going to be so bold as to hug him. Severus even thought that. But instead, she pulled his face close to hers, before she could think about it and kissed him lightly on the lips.
There was a horrified silence and even the birds stopped singing to watch. Severus stiffened in surprise and sharply jerked away from her. What the hell did that girl think she was doing? Hermione did not want to turn around just yet to face the crowd of bewildered and disgusted graduates. She just kept her face close to his and he searched her eyes for an answer.
He had no idea what she was thinking. There was a whole crowd of people behind her and the whole teaching staff beside him.
"I think I'm hallucinating..." mumbled Ron, pale as a sheet of parchment although a lot greener, "Because I just thought I saw Hermione kiss Snape..." He turned to Harry who was also gaping and his face was also devoid of blood. "Did you see it too?"
"Yes..." Harry rasped, not once blinking. The shocked stillness blanketed the air and for a while nothing moved, nobody spoke and all eyes stayed glued to Hermione.
Ok ... more in the next chapter... thanks for sticking around so long.
My uncle is so nice!! This is his internet that he's paying for - very expensive so I dont have long. Thank u for hanging around (if you are hanging around). The writing's going slow - I'm about 1/3 done with 15 - but now I know this story should be done by about 25. Definitely no more than hirty.
ince I am doing this to improve my skills, please please please(!!!) tell me that you see come improvement from the first and latest chapter (this chapter). If not then I'm going to have to try harder (which means writing slower... hint hint! – no actually, be honest please.)
Note: dark mark burned on his arm at the beginning of the chapter (Oops... I'm being such a spoil-sport. I'll stop now.)
Snakecharmer.