Chapter 14 – You

The hours passed by and Severus realized that it was time for dinner. Hermione had fallen asleep, leaning on Severus' chest, when they'd sat down in the sofa, two hours earlier. The professor watched his student with an affection he hadn't shown anyone for many years. Carefully, he poked Hermione's arm a little and she groaned a little. He lifted her body off his chest and made her sit up in a decent way.

"Hey, why did you have to wake me up? It can't be morning yet." She rubbed her eyes and sent him an annoyed glance.

"Because it's time for dinner and I would find it rather pleasant with something to eat. Also, Albus would find it rather weird if we didn't show up for dinner. And, what if someone entered my quarters and saw you leaning on my chest? I do not think that would be such a good idea." Severus explained in his usual I-am-a-professor-and-I-demand-respect-voice.

"You don't have to be so formal always, do you?" Hermione gazed at him for a few a couple of seconds, as though she was hoping to find the answer to her question in his face.

"Someone has to be it." He snapped.

"Hey, stop it! I know you too well to believe that is really you." She said amused.

"Damn…" Severus cursed, with a little grin on his lips.

"You know you like me." She whispered and pecked him on the cheek.

"Aww. Miss Granger, that was very inappropriate. Who could expect that from you?"

"Have I just dreamt the last couple of hours?" Hermione mused.

"Of course not, Hermione." He answered and pulled her into comfortable hug. "Yes, I know I like you." His masculine hands caressed Hermione's hair and he breathed in her scent.

"Yep, you better do. Otherwise, I would have to… Never mind."
"Let's go. I'm hungry. And…" He paused. "Please be careful with what you say about me. I don't want any…Hrm… rumours to circle. You know what I mean. Can you do me a favour, please?" Severus said, smiling a little at Hermione.

"I get what you mean. Yes, of course I can do you a favour. What do you want me to do?" She ran a hand through his hair and made it kind of messy, which actually suited him.

"Eat. That's all I ask of you." Severus said seriously. "If you don't, I'll force you to eat here, after the dinner." He added, half-joking.

"I should have guessed. I'll try, okay?" Hermione promised.

"Yes, love. Um. How does my hair look? I guess it's pretty messy, isn't it?"

"Perhaps, but it really suits you." She said frankly, caressing his back of the neck.
"Stop it." He muttered.

"What shall I stop, this?" She said innocently and touched him a little harder to show him what she meant.

"You know what I mean, Miss Granger." He retorted dryly.

"Oh, right. I just forgot. Sorry, Professor Snape." She moved her hand away from his body.

"Sure. You know, I never said I didn't like it when you touch me…"

"You're right. I just supposed you didn't." She lied.

"Don't assume things before you've checked fact." He kissed her gently on her mouth.

"Okay. Please do it again…" She mumbled.

"This?" The man kissed her again.

"Yes.. That." She smiled pleasantly.

"Time for dinner now, get up." Severus stood up and offered Hermione his arm.

"You're such a gentleman." Hermione giggled.

"I am." He shrugged.

"I like you very much…" She whispered into his ear.
"Because I'm a gentleman?" Severus joked. "Just kidding. I like you too."

Only a few of the teachers looked up when they heard Severus sit down at the table. As always, he started to eat his dinner in silence, listening to what the other professors said. It was mostly senseless nonsense. Bullshit, in Severus' ears.

"…think Mrs. Woolsey can be foolish sometimes, don't you think so Poppy?" Rolanda said.

"Definitely, like when she trusted her…."

'Blah blah blah, they're ridiculous', Severus thought.

"Severus, how is Miss Granger feeling? I heard you were sick, but at least you seem to be all right now." Minerva asked, not hiding that she was concerned about Hermione.

"Yes, you haven't poisoned her, have you?" Poppy chipped in.

"Of course not. She's quite all right." Severus sighed.

"Good, because if you harm her in any way I'll…" Minerva added.
"Minerva, she's not your child for Merlin's sake!" He protested.

"Why isn't she eating? Are you sure you haven't poisoned her, Severus?" Poppy asked, gazing at Hermione.

"I'm sure Miss Granger can take care of her eating-habits as well as we do. It's not like she's five years old. Probably she's just not hungry." Severus retorted dryly.

"I still think it's quite pity that Albus chose you to take care of her." Minerva muttered.

"Minerva, I'm sure Severus does his duty very well. I do not doubt that he can take care of Miss Granger." Albus chipped in, his voice a bit amused. He was used to Severus and Minerva disputes.

"I suppose I must trust you then." Minerva said, defeated. "I just don't get why he, of all teachers, was the one who got to be her guardian. He doesn't even want it! I'm sure I'd do it better." Minerva snapped.

"Because obviously Albus thought I was the one who'd take care of her the best…" Severus added scornfully, smiling inside.

"You don't believe that, do you?" Minerva hissed.

"I beg your pardon?" Severus shot back.

"I…" Minerva stopped but Severus interrupted her.
"I won't listen to any of your stupidities. Frankly speaking, I'm not happy to have that Granger girl living with me, but I have no choice. You of all should know that one cannot refuse to protect one of Voldemort's victims. I can assure you that I can take care of your little favourite-Gryffindor." He snapped.

"I don't give her any preferential treatment. You should look at yourself; you give the students of your house such a preferential treatment." Minerva muttered.
"Good day, Minerva." Severus voice was cold as ice as he stood up and headed towards the Gryffindor table where Hermione was sitting.

"Miss Granger." He said as he stood behind Hermione.

"Oh, I'm ready." Hermione tried hard not to smile to the sight of her favourite-professor.

"Good." Severus added dryly.

A couple of heads turned to them as they walked out of the Great Hall, most of the eyes were filled with compassion for Hermione. As soon as they entered Severus' quarters, they dropped their formal images.

"You didn't eat." Severus stated and put his arm around Hermione's shoulders.

"I wasn't hungry." She protested and looked away from his eyes. "I'm sorry."

"I see. Minerva thought I had something to do with your non-eating." He led her to the couch, sat down next to her and started massaging her.

"Sorry." She closed her eyes and enjoyed the massage. "I just can't eat. And, it isn't very pleasant to talk to Ron and Harry. Not anyone else in Gryffindor, by the way."
"It's not your fault you can't eat, so don't be sorry. I'm sure you can find other pleasant company in your house." Severus stated, placing a soft kiss on her forehead.