Chapter 9

Breakfast the next morning was unusually loud considering just how few students had actually stayed at the castle for winter break. The teachers seemed to be trying to compensate their students' rowdiness with being abnormally quiet. Indeed, Professor Grene, who was perhaps normally the most talkative, was practically silent. She was smiling, almost absently, as she picked at her food, nibbling on a bit of toast here or there. When she did speak, her words were directed at Professor Snape, who was sitting beside her in his usual chair and listened carefully to everything that she was saying. The fact that he seemed at least moderately interested in her was not as surprising as the way that he listened so patiently.

None of this went unnoticed by Hermione. She had been watching the pair ever since Professor Grene had practically floated into the room on a cloud, dazed and lost in a daydream. Hermione had, of course, heard all the rumors about how the two of them had been caught snogging in the teachers lounge, or how they were seen sneaking off to a secret rendezvous (The girls dormitory had been all atwitter with ideas of soft kisses and passionate embraces before the holidays). Hermione had never put much faith in the rumor mill—until today.

Something was different—things just were…off.

Studying her professors carefully, Hermione's eyes widened as she noticed Professor Grene's hand sliding over Professor Snape's under the table. It was a subtle gesture, hardly noticeable unless you were watching intently, but it was there nonetheless. She smiled when she saw the uncomfortable look that flashed across Professor Snape's face, realizing the natural aversion he had to touch and to emotion. Professor Grene said something to him softly, but he did not relax, and eventually she pulled her hand away.

"Did you see that ?" hissed Hermione.

"Fee mwutt?" asked Ron, his mouth full of potatoes.

"Professor Grene and Professor Snape were holding hands under the table!"

"You're crazy," said Ron dismissively.

"Yeah, Hermione," agreed Harry, "this is Snape you're talking about. He doesn't have human emotion."

"You're wrong," sniffed Hermione. "I saw them."

"Don't be stupid," chided Ron.

"All right then, if you're so sure of yourself, I'll bet you two galleons each that I'm right."

"Aw come on Hermione, don't be stupid," Ron repeated. "Why does it matter?"

"Because I'm right."

"Whatever; if you want to give us your money, then who are we to complain, right Harry?"

Harry grinned. "Right."

"It's settled then," said Hermione, eyeing the teachers carefully. "Meet me in front of Professor Grene's office, tonight at 8:30. Bring the cloak."

Ron watched as she got up and left the table. "We really are a bad influence on her," he said thoughtfully.

Harry shrugged. "It's not like we're doing anything wrong," he muttered, taking a swig of pumpkin juice.

Meanwhile, on the teacher's dais, Severus was talking quietly with Rosemary.

"I have something that I would like to give to you," he explained softly. "However, now is not the appropriate time."

"I can meet you tonight," said Rosemary, making sure to hide her curiosity. "Is nine o'clock too late?"

"No," answered Severus. "That will do."

Rosemary smiled gently and began fixing her coffee, wondering just what he had in store.