I know it's rather short, and I think it sucks, but at least it's another chapter. Please review!
When Severus and the trio emerged from the movie theatre, all three men had a slightly disgusted look on their faces while Hermione literally glowed with happiness.
"Honestly, Hermione, I would have thought that you had a better taste," Ron said. He hadn't liked the movie and couldn't understand how Hermione could be so taken with it. The film had been about some hair dressing competition, and Alan Rickman's character had been left by his wife for some girl. And of course he was a former champion of these competitions. Ron shuddered at the pure thought of the movie.
"You just don't understand that, Ron." Hermione said, raising her head a bit higher. But she still had the dreamy look on her face.
"Well, it wasn't that bad," Severus said. Certainly, this wasn't his kind of movie but he had seen worse. Contrary to common belief, he wasn't unaccustomed with muggle habits, and he even visited movie theatres every once in a while.
Harry and Ron looked at Snape in what seemed to be a mild shock. They couldn't believe what they had just heard. Snape was the last person they expected to say something like that.
"What?" Severus looked at the boys with what seemed to be a smile – which shocked them even more. Though they had become accustomed to being around him and had gotten to know him better, they still weren't used to seeing something else than his usual sneer on his face.
"Oh please… even Professor Snape is more open-minded than you – no offence, Professor." Hermione grinned at him apologetically. It was truly amazing how much she had learned about her professors during the last days and weeks. She had even come to like Snape in a way.
Now Harry and Ron were mumbling now under their breaths but Hermione and Snape ignored them, talking about the movie while walking out of town to their apparation site. After checking a watch, Severus had decided that it was late; Albus and Minerva should have had enough time to enjoy themselves. Plus he still had some work to do before he called it a night.
They arrived at the McGonagall manor a couple of minutes later. There was no sign of either Albus or Minerva, so Severus concluded that they had retired to their room. He turned to the trio.
"Well, I guess we should go to bed. It's rather late, and we'll continue with your lessons tomorrow morning. So I suggest you get some rest." He nodded curtly before he left for the provisional laboratory where he conducted some tests on a potion he had developed.
Ron, Harry and Hermione climbed up the stairs. Though none of them was really tired, they decided that Snape was right. Tomorrow would be another exhausting day. Minerva had started some more complicated spells lately, and even Hermione had to concentrate hard in order to get them right.
"Well, see you tomorrow then. Good night." Hermione waved at the boys and then turned towards her bedroom which was right next to the one where Ron and Harry slept.
"Night, Hermione. And sweet dreams," Ron said with a snigger. He knew what Hermione would be dreaming of this night. She had nearly drooled over Alan Rickman in the movie theatre.
"Night. Sleep tight." Harry grinned and disappeared into the boys' room.
Hermione rolled her eyes at Ron and then entered her room. It had been quite a nice evening. And she thought that Albus and Minerva had definitely deserved to be left alone for a change; there was definitely more excitement in the house than usually during the holidays. But on the other hand they seemed to enjoy having her and the boys around.
She let her thoughts wander while she brushed out her hair and pulled it back into a braid for the night. At first she had been quite annoyed at the thought of Snape staying here with them. But then she had realized that he could be a completely other person than the strict and feared professor they all knew from Hogwarts. She had never suspected that Snape might have another side to him, a softer side. But some things, Minerva had said about him, explained his behaviour. And though Hermione was still rather young, she understood that certain events could change a person. In that case not necessarily for the better, but then again, as Hermione had just found out, Severus' mean behaviour was just the exterior of a person who had been hurt too many times.
Changing into her nightgown, Hermione let out a sigh and then climbed into her bed. Suddenly she was very tired and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Just before she completely drifted away, she wondered if she was about to develop a crush on her potions teacher but decided that she had just started liking him.