SUMMARY: Hermione looses her two best friends in the war against Voldemort. Because of this, she becomes depressed and flees from the world she loves. To London she goes and chooses to live as a muggle. Six years pass. Hermione slowly begins to forget how to use magic. Will the staff of Hogwarts be able to teach her again before the damage becomes permanent?

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter.

PAIRINGS: Hermione Granger, Severus Snape (eventually); Rated M

A/N: Thank you to cordyangel, KellyRoxton, iloveseverussnape, GerryPhanatic, Mirlanthiriel, Katyes, bRaTsKi, SeverusSnape'sLove, and Fuuruma for your reviews.

CHAPTER TEN

With Snape three doors down, sleep did not come that night.

Hermione blamed herself. If she hadn't have got caught up in all the excitement in the first place, she would be sleeping right now, and not thinking about her old potions professor in a non teacher like way.

And oh, how she thought of him. She began to imagine what it would be like to give him a real kiss, to feel his hands on her body...

Of course, Hermione immediately pushed the thoughts aside. But, every time she began to doze off, she was met with Snape's piercing black eyes.

His dreamy...black eyes...

"NO! No dreamy black eyes!" screamed Hermione for the one millionth time as she paced the floor. She would probably fall through it in a couple of hours. "Just cold, malicious, unattractive eyeballs!"

Hermione argued with herself throughout the night. She kept saying things like, 'why me?' and 'how could this have happened?'

"How am I ever to face him again? It's bad enough that Snape is so intimidating. You hate to go to him for anything. I'm certain he'll want to speak with me." She flopped down on her bed, gazing at the ceiling. Hermione sighed. "He'll probably hunt me down like a werewolf..."

"I'm sure it was an accident." Snape assured himself as he get dressed for the day. "Most definitely."

Like Hermione, Snape contemplated the kiss. Though he didn't pace in the darkness, his sleep was indeed limited.

What if, and this is a big 'what if'. What if Hermione had meant to kiss him? Snape found that hard to believe. He pushed the thought away. A girl...no wait, Hermione was a woman. A woman like that would never want a man like him.

And besides, he was once her professor. It would be highly inappropriate.

As Snape fastened his black cloak around his neck, he walked to the door, preparing to go to the Great Hall for breakfast. When he opened the door, he saw Hermione, standing there with her arms crossed over her chest, her foot tapping on the stone floor, waiting for him.

Snape was beyond surprised. He hadn't expected to see Hermione for...well, he hadn't expected to see Hermione ever again. He knew she had to be embarrassed.

Hermione thought it best to take the snake head on. Lets just get this over with, she thought. And she prayed her thoughts of Snape would go away. She figured she would find him first, rather than him finding her. Hermione felt this way she had the upper hand.

"You're up a little early, aren't you? I thought you didn't eat breakfast."

"I eat breakfast!" she said defensively. "And besides, I'm not here to talk about breakfast."

"Clearly." Snape said as he closed the door behind his exit. He began to walk. Hermione fell in step with him. "Well?" This should be interesting, he thought.

"Um, I would like to thank you for baring with me last night as I tried to make the potion." started Hermione.

"And your real reason for this visit would be?"

"Oh, you know perfectly well why I'm here! Don't make this any harder than it has to be!" she screamed. "I'm sure you want to talk about...what happen last night."

"Actually," he yawned, "I don't."

"Good, because I ha-" She stopped. "Wait, what?" Did he not notice the kiss? Maybe he didn't. It did take Hermione about five minutes to register what had happened herself. "Do you not remember-"

"Oh, no, I remember. You're not that lucky, Ms. Granger." The upper hand Hermione thought she had was long gone.

"I'm sorry. Are you mad?"

"Well, I wouldn't go that far."

"So, you're not mad?" She gave a small smile.

"Your behavior was completely inappropriate." Her smile faded. "But..."

"But what?" she asked.

"But it was completely expected." Hermione's eyes lit with surprise. "You were rather spirited. Though the kiss, I thought was a little over the top." Hermione felt herself blush.

"So, do you pardon my action?" He sighed as they turned a corner.

"Yes."

"Just like that?" asked Hermione. "You're-"

"Yes. You are...forgiven, Ms. Granger. And coming from a Slytherin, I suggest you take it." Hermione became ecstatic. "And it's probably best we don't mention it to anyone."

"Thank you! Thank you so much! Oh, I could just hug you!" Snape raised an eyebrow. "But I won't!" she added quickly.

"Am I that irresistible?" Hermione gave a sarcastic laugh.

"Very funny."

"Nevertheless, in the future do try to restrain yourself, Ms. Granger."

"Excuse me?" She became somewhat offended. "You do know that kiss wasn't intentional, don't you?" She said to him as they entered the Great Hall.

"Whatever you makes you sleep at night..." he mumbled under his breath so only he could hear.

"What was that?"

"Nothing." he said casually. Hermione eyed him curiously, but thought nothing of it.

"Will I be brewing another potion tonight?" she asked.

"That all depends." he said. "Will I have to endure another outburst?"

"Didn't you just say we weren't going to mention that any more?" Hermione said annoyed.

"No. I said not to mention it to anyone." He smirked. "There's a difference." He gave half a smile. And Hermione found itwickedly attractive...

ALL REVIEWS WELCOMED