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Chapter Four

I hugged my school bag to my chest as I strode down the dungeon corridor which was cold, as it was untouched by the sun. I let out a sigh of near exasperation and stopped to lean my shoulder against the wall. I knew I didn't need to think about what I wanted. I knew from the moment I allowed him inside of me I did. I wanted him. I had a lot of thoughts on my mind, but none questioning what I wanted. I had been doing a lot of reminiscing all day, as I was currently.

The previous night was nothing short of magical. I knew even proud as Severus Snape was, he would admit to that. Though I was completely inexperienced when it came to making love, I did believe I figured out how to please him, or at least I hoped so.

He was rather...skilled. It was almost as if he knew exactly what I'd find pleasurable. Where to kiss, where to touch...

Yes, I was relieved to see a different side of Professor Snape, rather than his snarky, sarcastic side. I'd seen a raw, passionate side. Tender, even.

On the downside, At age 35, he was more twice my own age and I was in fact a minor. The last thing I wanted now was to see him wind up in Azkaban because of conspiring with me.

But then again, I'd never realized how...attractive he was, how eloquently he spoke when he wasn't sniping at me, how full and sensuous his lips were, How graceful his touch was.. Even his aquiline nose now proved to be adorable, rather than just oversized.

When the bell rang a few minutes later, I stopped daydreaming and began to my first class.

Being one to read muggle romance novels and watch the daytime Soap Opera's, I thought risking everything for love would be worth it. Maybe I was just naive in that sense. Maybe this had more to it than any muggle romance novel or trashy Soap Opera ever did.

My classes seemed much longer than they usually did that day, and I didn't feel...there. My mind was in other places. I spent most of my time contemplating how I'd react if he ended up rejecting me. I had a distinct feeling he'd argue with me about it, try to convince me that it was wrong for us to associate romantically, though I knew he wanted me. Maybe he could even talk me into it. I knew he had to of felt something, that the words mut of meant something, for he'd said them, plain as day. He wanted to be with me, but he also felt there was too much to risk. It was a depressing thought that maybe, just maybe, he was right. .

The lunch bell rang, and I proceeded on my way to the great hall, slinging my bag over my shoulder, with an abnormally heavy heart. Professor Snape had told me to think on it, and I came to realize I was thinking on it too much.

"Hermione, hey, wait up!"

I nearly spun around on my heel to see Harry and Ron running down the hall waving their arms. They stopped upon meeting me, catching their breath. "Hey Harry, Hullo Ron.." I said softly, not very enthused to see them.

"We've been trying to catch up with you all day." Harry stated. "There's a trip to Hogsmede in an hour.."

"Really." I stated dully.

"We've noticed you've been a bit off today, Hermione.." Ron stated, putting a friendly arm to my shoulder as we walked nearer to the Great Hall. "Why don't you tell Uncle Ronny and Auntie Harry what's up?"

I gave a small chuckle, seeing the expression of distaste on Harry's face. "Its nothing. I'm just kind of stressed today."

"Well do us a favor Mione.." Harry said, twisting a lock of my hair around his finger and smiling. "Calm down, You're no fun when you're like this. We've barely talked since Snape gave us all detention..I didn't even see you come up to the common last night..." My heart skipped a beat at his last sentence.

"What does he have you two doing?" I questioned curiously, trying not to show my nervousness. I felt almost as if everyone knew, even though the secret was safe between Professor Snape and myself.

"We've got detentions with Filch. He makes us do all sorts of rotten things..." Ron said, screwing up his nose. "Clean out Mrs. Norris's litter box, Wash out the toilets in the lavatories with toothbrushes..Things like that." Ron told me, his face contorted with a mixture of anger and the inability to do anything about being in detention at the whim of Mr. Filch.

"What kind of torture is Snape putting you through, Hermy?" Harry asked, holding the door to the hall open for me.

Torture. That was exactly what he was putting me through today. Torture. Cruel and unusual punishment. Making me question my true feelings was the worst kind of punishment he ever could have inflicted on me "All sorts of things." And I left it at that. They questioned me no further, and we walked in and the three of us sat at the Gryffindor table, having a nice, civil, lunch with no more questions asked.

The Hogsmede trip, I hoped as I rode the train, trying my hardest to be cheerful for Harry and Ron, Would maybe take my mind off of what I had to face later that evening.

I strolled with Harry and Ron to a few shops, then decided to part from them, taking a walk of my own, just to clear my head.

The breeze that sunny day was slight, and the heat index I deemed comfortable. I looked up from staring down at my feet to the clear blue sky, with thin, whispy clouds littering it. I had to smile, despite my situation, it was a beautiful day. I probably should have been paying more attention to my surroundings, but the sky was so beautiful...

CRASH.

I fell to the ground, straight onto my back, after knocking into someone. I had hit my head hard on the ground and tears came to my eyes from the impact, but I blinked them back. As I pushed myself up on my elbows, I was offered a hand that I gladly took, because I wasn't too sure I could get up on my own, still being a bit disorented. I was pulled to my feet and once I was up, I tried to shake off the throbbing pain in the back of my head.

"Really sorry, I didn't see-" I looked up and gaped. "Professor."

And there he was. Today just wasn't my day. Of course it'd be the day Professor Snape would decide to go on the Hogsmede trip, I shouldn't have expected anything besides that...

"You should watch your step, Miss Granger." He told me quietly, looking down at me from his comfortable height of around six foot two. I never really noticed how tall he was. "I wouldn't want you to injure yourself, I was looking forward to tonights detention.." A ghost of a smile came to his lips.

I couldn't help but smile as well. "I'm sorry,Professor." I said, genuinely apologetic. "I..just didn't see you."

"All is forgiven, Miss Granger." He put. His tone turned to a concerned one. "Are you alright, then?"

"I've got a terrific pain in my head, actually." I told him honestly, hand still to the back of my head as if I could take the pain away by holding it there. It really did smart. The path was paved of cobblestone and I had fallen hard.

He frowned slightly, not knowing quite what to do. "May I suggest a drink? Maybe that will take some of the pain away until we arrive back at the castle and you can see Madam Pomphrey about it.."

"Are you offering or suggesting?" I question, slyly, grinning. It hurt to grin though, so I stopped.

He hesitated. "Offering." He said, defeated.

"Well you didn't have to talk in circles, Professor. It would have been a lot easier if you would have just-"

"Miss Granger," He interrupted. "Would you care to join me for a drink?" He reinstated.

I giggled, I took my hand away from my head and put it to my side. "Of course.."

We entered Three Broomsticks together, no one around seemed to notice. We walked all the way to the back of the pub and took our seats in the right hand corner. It was near a window and I liked sitting next to windows in places such as the one we were currently in. I liked that if things got awkward, I would have to stare at a salt shaker or something like that. I could merely look out the window and pretend I was somewhere else.

After we ordered our two fire whiskeys, I tapped my foot anxiously as we sat in silence. My eyes wandered over to examine Professor Snape. He looked completely inattentive as he sat, looking at nothing in particular, and certainly not at me. Maybe it was because he preferred not to be found in public places, sharing a drink with a girl who was his student. Or maybe he just regretted asking me in for a drink.

I didn't feel too happy with the situation either. I was miserable to tell the truth. I just wanted the day to end. I wanted to get my answer. I felt like it was written on a piece of paper and being waved before me, but much too far out of my reach. I didn't like that feeling. I found myself wishing the day would end and I would fall asleep, not to wake up for a very long time.

Our drinks came and after a few a couple more minutes of drinking in complete silence, I cleared my throat and spoke. "Professor...I just wanted to apologize for trying to coax you into something you don't want..." I chewed on the inside of my bottom lip. Within time, I'm sure it would become a habit, as I was doing it so often."I guess I was thinking only of myself.."

He took a long drink, finishing the contents of his mug. He looked at me and nodded. "I think I need a cigarette."