Night Watchman

Disclaimer: See chapter one

A/N: YAY! So many people love HIM! Therefore, I love you:D It's still short, but I didn't have too much time so bear with me!

The dim light of the sconces placed shadows over those who dared walk the castle halls at night. Snape of course had no problem with this as it was his night to patrol, and the shadows were what he liked best. He revelled in the time while the halls were still dark, quiet and free of the arrogant children. Yes, this was his favourite time. Approaching the kitchens, he noticed the painting was ajar. He sneered maliciously at the thought…he could chastise students without the emotional scarring that accompanies seeing couples ripping off each others clothes. Crouching through the portrait, he heard voices that prompted him to hide among the shadows. If there was one thing that Snape enjoyed, it was eavesdropping. Blackmail was how he thrived in life.

"We made it with absolutely NO run in with the Great Git of the dungeons!" he heard Ron cheer. Ah yes, Snape was well aware of the nicknames circulating through Hogwarts.

"Ron, he's you're Professor, have some respect," he heard Hermione intervene.

"Respect? How can anyone have respect for a bat? They're a nuisance that live in the same conditions they interact with…cold and dark." Of course, on Potter could think up something so…profound.

"For heavens sakes, he is not a bat! And even if he was I don't see why you'd admit it! You'd actually admit you were being taught by a bat, who's IQ, not to mention magical powers far surpassed your own by probably a thousand times?" Her swift rebuttal sent something akin to warmth radiating ever so slightly in the depths of Severus' heart.

"Geeze Hermione! What, do you love the git or something? You'd think by the way you were defending him," Ron muttered. A condescending glare could be seen crossing Hermione's face. It was Harry who answered though.

"Ron, honestly! How could anyone love him? It's not like he even deserves it!" A thoughtful sigh escaped Hermione's lips. She tilted her head up as if she was remembering something important to her.

"Love me when I least deserve it, for that's when I need it most," she quoted. It was simple and yet it touched Severus' heart in a way nothing else ever had. The boys looked at her in disgusted shock.

"Where did you ever hear that?" In any other situation the look on Ron's face would have been priceless.

"A book of Proverbs and Prayers I got when I was younger," she smiled absentmindedly but at the looks on their faces she let out a defeated huff. Severus could see this was ending and decided it would be least awkward to catch them out in the hallway, so soundlessly he crept back through the portrait and once more emerged into the shadows. The first to leave was Hermione, who left mere seconds after he was hidden from sight. Though Harry and Ron were no where no where to be seen behind her. After her little speech and his much larger dislike for the boys than her, he decided he'd let her pass and wait for the boys to leave. He didn't even think that normally he would have caught her first and then descended upon the boys once they left the portrait themselves. Oh well, what he didn't realize couldn't hurt him. She was well out of sight when the two boys were unfortunate enough to decide to leave.

"Potter, Weasley, let me be the first to inform you that the school rules do not infact, exclude the two of you. If there is one thing that displeases me most it is ignorance and you two, I'm afraid, are ignorance personified. Why don't we just skip the excuses and go right to detentions shall we?" Once this was over he knew he'd go to bed with a feeling of accomplishment. Their eyes were wide, expressions indignant. He lived for moments like these, which was a sad thought in itself. "Tomorrow night at eight with Filch. I'm sure your…assistance will be greatly appreciated." There was almost a cold sort of chuckle in his voice. "Oh, and twenty point from Gryffindor for being out after hours and stealing from the kitchen. I'd suggest you return before anyone else comes along, I hear Mrs. Norris has been quite restless lately," he sneered as he turned away. A good sleep he would have indeed.

Breakfast the next morning held only annoyance for Hermione. Honestly! Sometimes she didn't know why she even bothered with these boys. Luckily, over the years she had learned to tune them out when they were being particularly irritating. In a vain attempt to imply she wasn't listening or at least that she didn't care what they had to say, she flipped her long curls over her shoulder and held up the daily profit in front of her face. It was almost dizzying watching her almond eyes race across the words. Speed reading was essential, and quite simple with all the reading she did. Still the boys complained on. In the background she could vaguely hear, "And you respect him! With the lashing we got yesterday, all because we were hungry! Seriously, you're both mental!" Yes, there were times when tuning Ron out saved her IQ from dropping. Life was a constant struggle to keep her IQ from dropping let alone rising! With circumstances like that, why wouldn't anyone read the amount she does?