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 iloveseverussnape, bRaTsKi, kiwi6498, bloodwitch88, KellyRoxton, coldqueen, gigi, screwtheperfectlife, GerryPhanatic, Katyes, and SeverusSnape'sLove for your reviews.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Hermione planned to sleep in this morning, but her sweet slumber was interrupted by a loud thud on her door. She pulled the covers off her head and lifted it slightly looking at the door, eyes barely open. She reluctantly, and very slowly, got out of bed.
Hermione always looked a mess in the morning. All her joints were stiff, her curls were nothing more but wild frizzy knots, and the left side of her face contained her hand print after hours of sleeping on it.
As Hermione walked to the door, she wiped her eyes, trying to rid the sleep in them. Another loud knock came.
"I'm coming!" she screamed. Hermione was planning to kill who ever stand on the other side. She reached out and turned the door knob. At the same time she asked, "Who's there?" Her question was more than answered. The door wasn't even halfway opened when Snape came rushing through the entrance, closing the door behind him.
Before Hermione could protest, he grabbed her by her shoulders and pulled her to him, giving her a more than passionate kiss. Hermione remain frozen in place, completely surprised, letting him kiss her. His lips were unbelievably soft, almost like velvet. He was gentle, but firm and he didn't try to hid his hunger. It was probably the best kiss she had ever had in her life.
When Snape finally broke away, Hermione woke up, sweat beads dancing on her entire body. Her breath was heavy and she was just inches from falling off the bed.
KNOCK
Hermione's eyes shot to the door. Considering what her mind just conjured, she was wasn't so sure she should open it.
Snape would never do that...would he? Hermione didn't know what to believe. Though the dream was short, it held quite a bit of emotion. She couldn't stop thinking about it. The way Snape just appeared and took what he wanted. Or more accurately, who he wanted. She gave a small laugh.
Of course he wouldn't. That would just be...weird.
"It was that damn kiss!" she shouted out loud, remembering that night in Snape's classroom.
KNOCK
"Who is at that damn door!" She took a breath as she got out of bed. When she reached the door, she opened it.
There were two students fighting. Punching and kicking and pulling. Both boys, both Slytherins. They must have collided with her door several times.
"STOP!" The boys didn't stop. "STOP THIS!" She screamed as loud as she could and yet they didn't cease. The only other thing she could think of was to get Snape. He was the last person she wanted to see. She tried again. "STOP!" Nothing. She was given no choice. She ran door a couple doors and stopped at Snape's.
"Oh, boy. This is going to be so weird." Hermione unconsciously began to fiddle with her hair, smooth out her shirt, and wipe the sweat from her face. "What am I doing?" She knocked on the door. "Seve...Um, Professor?" she called.
She heard the lock click and the door opened. Seconds later, Snape stood before her. Hermione suddenly forgot what to say. The dream flooded her mind and she began to mix it with other thoughts...
"Ms. Granger?" Hermione shook her head. "Did you want something?"
"Um, yes." She slowly remembered her reason for knocking. "Yes. Two of your Slytherins are fighting in front of my door. I thought you might want to know."
"What?" he said as he looked down the hall. He saw them. "Joyner and Steele." He sighed as he closed his door, locking it as well. "It figures."
"They do this often?" Hermione fell into step with him.
"Every waking moment." he answered as he quicken his pace. Joyner had pulled out his wand and tried to jinx Steele. Steele dodged it and it went hurdling toward Hermione. She hadn't noticed. Hermione was too busy trying not to make contact with Snape. She didn't want to get too close to him.
"May I suggest a new type of discipline-" she stopped when Snape suddenly pulled her against him. Oh, no. Not again, she thought. Hermione's gaze was pulled to the right of her and saw the problem moving down the hall.
"A jinx." she said. It wasn't what she thought. Disappointment suddenly filled her. She felt Snape's gaze on her. Hermione looked up. "Um, thank you."
They must have stood like that for three minutes, complete unaware of the audience. Snape enjoyed the warmth of her body against his, the feel of her palms against his chest. The sudden urge to save her from a harmless jinx, only sealed the deal. He mentally slapped himself.
Have you gone crazy!
"Try to be more careful, Ms. Granger." Hermione had a feeling that he really wanted to say 'your welcome', but decided not to because of his students staring at them.
"I will." she said as they finally separated. Hermione felt displeased at their departure. Snape cleared his throat and went back to the matter at hand.
"Mister Joyner. Mister Steele. I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU TWO!" "YOU TWO ARE THE WORST STUDENTS HOGWARTS HAVE EVER SEEN!" Hermione jumped at his change in attitude and tone of voice. "The headmaster has persuaded my lenience for you. That is the only reason you still reside here. This is the last straw. You endangered another person-"
"But Professor Snape, I didn't even-"
"SILENCE!" Hermione found herself siding with the two delinquents. "You will wait for me in Professor Dumbledore office. Now, go." Joyner and Steele quickly scattered off.
"Are you going to expel them?"
"Probably. Why?" he said not moving to look at her.
"I just think its a little harsh." Snape slowly turned around. He saw her moving to got back into her room. "No one even got hurt." Snape put his arm in front of her stopping her movement. Hermione looked at him.
Why do I always voice my opinion at the wrong time?
"You almost did." he said.
"The key word there is 'almost'. I'm fine. There is no reason for you to expel them." Hermione proceed to move his arm but then said. "And if the jinx had hit me, nothing drastic would have happened."
"You would have spent all day in the hospital wing." Hermione sighed and cocked her head to the side. She smiled.
"You know Professor Dumbledore will convince you otherwise."
"I know."
"Then why send them to Dumbledore's office? Why not just give them a detention and be done with it?"
"I do have a reputation to up hold, you know." Hermione scowled. Snape did not expect that.
"So you can't show a little mercy every once and a while?" Snape went to say something, but Hermione cut him off. "I have to get dressed now. So, if you will excuse me." She moved his arm out of her way in an unfriendly fashion. Snape was surprised at her sudden contact. He watched her disappeared into her room. He, however, did not expect Hermione to slam the door in his face.
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