Chapter 17

Two weeks later at dinner, Hermione was contemplating her impending detention with Prof. Snape, with the help of her friends of course.

"Maybe you'll have to cut up slugs for two hours," suggested Ginny.

"Or he'll legilimens you for two hours," Ron added.

"What about some outrageously long essay about the importance of proper behavior?" a smirking Harry offered.

"From Snape? That's rich!" exclaimed Ron.

"Yeah Harry, good one," Ginny said.

"I'm sure it won't be that bad." Hermione said. Will it?

"Anyway, enjoy quidditch practice, you lot, I have some first years to tutor, then detention. See you in the morning."

Hermione had given a lot thought to playing quidditch again. She missed the play and the flying sometimes, but she didn't feel like her heart was in it quite yet. She also felt like a quitter, but her parents had practically begged her not to play anymore after her "brush with death" as her mom had said.

Just a smidge dramatic, mum.

As Hermione was leaving the great hall, Ginny ran to catch up to her. "Hermione! Wait up!"

"What's up Ginny?"

"Can we talk later…in private… in your room, after you're done tonight?" Ginny asked hopefully.

"Sure Gin. I'll be done about nine. Is that alright?"

"Yes and thank you sooo much."

Detention that first night was not as bad as her friends had predicted. She graded papers and prepared potion ingredients, slug free. Snape barely said 10 words the whole two hours, looking at her from time to time, and Hermione's only words were the necessary "Yes sir" or "No sir." When nine o'clock approached, Snape broke the silence with,

"You may go. Same time tomorrow, Miss Granger."

Hermione arrived at the heads student entrance to a pacing Ginny.

"How was detention?"

"Not bad. He kept me busy. I was daydreaming a lot. Now what do you want to talk about?" she said as they entered her room.

The two young women settled comfortably in chairs by the bay window.

"Okay. Spill Ginny."

"Alright. Umm..whatdoyouthinkofDraco?" Ginny asked nervously.

"Huh? Repeat that please." Hermione asked.

"What do you think of Draco?" Ginny asked calmly that time.

"I think he's great. He transformed from a total horse's ass to good friend. You like him, don't you?" Hermione helped.

Not long before the conversation between the two started, Snape was "de-briefing" Dumbledore about Hermione's detention.

"Albus, what do you want me to say? It was quiet." Snape said. "I tried some light legilimens, but light mind you, because had I probed deeper, she would have sensed the intrusion and we would be having a altogether different discussion right now. Because her mind is so strong her thoughts are "hanging out there" so to speak. She's not trained in the mind arts, so she thought she was merely daydreaming. I saw nothing disturbing. There were images of her friends, the tutoring she's doing, some flying around on her broom, and images of sheet music." Snape replied irritated with himself.

"Calm down, Severus. I know you have no interest in the lives of students, and I wouldn't be asking you to do this if it wasn't necessary. So she behaved normally?"

"Yes, Albus, she behaved normal. What did you expect? She was a bit subdued, but that's how students usually are once they pass through my doors. It's my scintillating personality, I assume. She didn't lash out, start bawling or complain. Now, is that all?"

"Yes Severus, keep up the good work. Have a pleasant evening." Dumbledore replied.

When he settled in his bed in his private chambers, he finally let out a deep breath of relief. Hermione's behavior might have been alright, but his was not. Not at least on the outside. On the inside, he was a storm of emotion. It started when she strolled into his classroom every morning. His sensitive nose was bombarded with her scent. Lavender and strawberries to that morning be exact.

Merlin's robe, what a fragrance! Her warm brown eyes when she looked at me, how she licked her lips while grading the parchment, and she probably had no idea what it did to me when she started stretching and that little groan came out. It's sensuality bottled up like a potion. And I can't believe I'm thinking these things.

After Hermione left, he wanted quite frankly more of her. To see more of her, hear more of her.

This is crazy, not to mention dancing around decency. I'm just going to peek in then leave. That's it.

Leaving his bed, he took a little floo powder, just enough to peek his face through a fire. In a second he was looking out into her room, where he saw Hermione and Ginny talking by the window. He was completely unnoticed. This is where we rejoin the two young ladies' conversation:

"I think he's great. Do you wonder why he's the only person who can call me shorty and get away with it? He transformed from a total horse's ass to good friend. You like him, don't you?" Hermione asked.

Who? Snape wondered.

"Lucius Malfoy going to prison is the best thing that happened to Draco. He's free now to be the man we all know he can be. I know he likes you, he told me. And yes, we think it's great. You don't have to feel funny to be with him. Go for it." Hermione said.

"Umm, Mione, speaking of going for it, Harry and Ron wanted me to ask you something. Please don't get upset, but they wanted me to ask you if you are ready to start dating again."

"What?"

"Hermione, I don't know if you've noticed or not, but there are dozens of blokes here just waiting for a sign from you," Ginny said.

"Sign for what?"

"When you're eligible again, Ron's words, sorry."

"Oh merlin's robe Ginny! I don't know! I haven't even thought about it!"

"I'm sorry to upset you. I'll be leaving now," she started to leave.

"No, Ginny. Don't leave. I'm not mad, just a bit self-conscious suddenly. I haven't talked about this with anyone yet. I just don't know about dating yet."

"I'll tell you this much: There is a whole Gryffindor group of girls ready and willing to set you up with someone. And like I said, a whole school full of blokes just waiting for an opportunity. Ayden Foote is asking around trying to find out about what flowers you like," Ginny said pointedly.

Foote? That Hufflepuff puff of a boy? Snape thought jealously.

"Ayden Foote? The seventh year prefect? I had no idea!"

Of course, you have no idea you dolt, you've been walking around with blinders on. Hermione thought.

"I do know this Ginny. I'm afraid they're all going to be disappointed."

"Why?"

"Because I really have no interest in dating any boys at this school."

"What? Why?"

"I've come to realize I really prefer older men."

Am I dreaming? thought Snape.

"Oh Hermione, you can't mean that!"

"Yes, I do. Older men know how to treat women. They know how to stimulate me both intellectually and physically. It's hard to explain, but I feel more comfortable with older men."

What light through yonder window breaks! thought Snape.

"What are you going to do 'Mione?"

"Well I know I can't barricade myself in this room. I'll just play it by ear and deal with things as they come along."

Ginny yawned. "On that note, Gin, I'll say good night. Are going to be alright? I mean, about Draco?" Hermione asked.

"Yes. Talking helped, so thanks. We don't mean to pry, we just get concerned. We don't want to see you alone."

"I'm not alone. I have you, and Harry, and-"

"That's not what I mean."

"I know." Hermione smiled. "Thanks for the concern, but I'm fine. Really. It's getting close to curfew, so you had better be heading back."

The two hugged and Ginny left. Snape was glad he had stayed for the conversation. She liked older men!

Now, just how old is the question? Is 36 too old? Snape mused.

Hermione emerged from the loo in her black silky knee length gown. Snape observed her get into bed, pull the covers up, then kick them away. She flopped onto her belly, propped herself up on her elbows, and said softly to a sleeping Crookshanks next to her,

"Crooks, who's gonna love me?" Hermione asked the sleeping feline. Snape knew the answer. His face then disappeared.

The next evening, Snape had an idea. She wanted intellectual stimulation? He would oblige. A potion she had never worked on in class and a strategically placed a copy of Potions Monthly at the corner of his desk where she would see it would get the ball rolling. There was a knock at the door.

"Enter."

She walked in. Tonight the fragrance that greeted him was that of roses and honey.

Mercy me. Snape thought.

"Miss Granger. You will be assisting me with brewing a special potion this evening."

He noticed her eyebrows raise a little.

"Yes professor."

"Could you clear this table while I gather the ingredients?" Snape asked.

"Of course sir."

Snape slyly noted her pick up the magazine when he went to the closet. She was about to put it on his bookshelf when she took a second glance at a headline on the cover: A Cure For Crucio? The Debate Over Hellebore Continues. See page 14.

"Miss Granger? This potion will take up most of detention time, we need to get started."

"Yes sir. I have one question."

"Yes?"

"Please sir, may I read this tonight and return it tomorrow?"

"On one condition Miss Granger. Tell me why. That periodical is slightly advanced for students to understand."

Hermione closed her eyes and pursed her lips.

Oh really? Hermione mused.

"That may be true sir, but there is an article that interests me."

"Oh? Which one would that be?"

Does he actually want to talk to me?

Hermione was hesitant to answer.

"Tut tut, Come now, Miss Granger. I won't bite. I want to hear what you have to say."

I don't believe it! she thought.

"Sir, do you remember earlier in the year I said I had an idea but wasn't willing to discuss it at the the time?"

"Yes?"

"It involves developing a potion to counter and eventually develop a resistance to crucio."

"My, that's ambitious Miss Granger. How's the study coming along?"

"Not so well, I'm afraid."

"How so?"

"It's all in my notes sir. It's hard to explain."

"I see you brought your bag. Let's see them Miss Granger." She smiled as she retrieved her bag.

Spreading her extensive notes on the table, she started,

"Well, I've run into a problem with the hellebore reacting……"

They discussed her ideas the whole detention time. Snape was pleasantly surprised. Her ideas were smart, fresh and intriguing. He was enchanted. Was it the way she kept tucking her hair behind her ears, or when she bit her bottom lip? The roses and honey fragrance was making him crazy. Seeing her reach all over the table, he was cognizant of her small, graceful hands, toned arms and her blouse that had the top buttons undone just enough for him to catch a glance of her ample cleavage.

And who is this detention for? You're torturing yourself, you sneaky bastard!

"Professor? It's close to nine," Hermione said gathering her notes, breaking him out of his musing.

"So it is. Till tomorrow Miss Granger. Good evening."

Hermione froze. Did he just say good evening? I can return the favor.

"Good night professor. Thank you."

Hermione left the potions dungeon with her mind swimming.

I got to talk to a potions master about my idea! Granted it was Snape, but we did talk. For two solid hours. Snark free at that. And was he looking down my shirt?