Giving his quarters a quick glance to assure that nothing had been touched or moved his eyes narrowed briefly as he looked at the girl and then swiftly strode to his desk, intent on continuing to ignore her for the rest of the evening. Unfortunately in the encompassing silence of his chambers every small noise was obvious, the sound of her even breaths, the soft crinkle of paper as she turned the page, each sound a constant reminder that he was indeed not alone. Each noise caused him to cringe, his mood darkening with each breath she exhaled, each page she turned, each small movement she made that would cause her robes to rustle against the settee.
"Have you eaten Miss Granger?" he finally asked, deciding that perhaps a little conversation would be more tolerable than the minute sounds that were made by her mere close proximity. Looking up somewhat startled, having expected Snape to ignore her for the entire holiday Hermione froze for a moment, unable to find her voice as she laid the large volume in her lap.
"What? I… Yes, Professor. I ate in the Great Hall with Madam Pomfrey and Professor Flitwick." Nodding slowly he continued to look at her for a moment longer, watching the light of the fire dance over the unruly mass of hair that spilled around her head like a great cloud, the cursed red ribbon still attempting to contain it rather unsuccessfully.
"Very good" he mumbled before looking away quickly and focusing on a large stack of scrolls on his desk, his hair falling over his face in a dark veil as he sank once again into a bitter silence.
The hours seemed to rush by as Snape became consumed with more research and Hermione engulfed by the book she was reading. Leaning back stiffly in his desk chair Snape just barely stifled a large yawn while raising his arms above his head as he stretched languidly like a rather large cat. Rubbing his angular face with long pale fingers he then proceeded to run them back through his thick black hair, pushing it back from his face only to have it fall back into his eyes again as soon as he removed his hands. Looking over to the settee where Hermione remained silently enthralled in her book, he found himself unable to draw his eyes away as he watched the firelight flicker over her skin, sending a mass of dancing shadows skittering across her face as her otherwise smooth brow furrowed slightly into a frown, her plump lower lip drawing into her mouth as she chewed it unconsciously.
"Do not think too hard Miss Granger, you may damage something" he scoffed caluously with a smirk, her frown of contemplation turning into a scowl deep enough to rival his own as she briefly looked at him before returning her attention to the book cradled in her arms.
Perhaps a little disappointed that his attempt to rouse her temper, to draw her out of the volume before her had failed he rolled his eyes in slight frustration and rising from the chair began to pace slowly back and forth in front of his desk, his head bowed in thought. Raising her eyes to look up at Snape through her thick lashes Hermione watched him pace ominously for several minutes before lowering her eyes and murmuring,
"You will wear a track in the floor Professor if you continue to pace like that for much longer." Pausing mid-stride to scowl at her for interrupting his thoughts he turned to face her, staring her down fiercely with no effect. This child is beginning to try my patience he thought as he rested his hands on his narrow hips, his robes flaring out around him in a shadow of inky black cloth.
"Well Miss Granger, as much as I enjoy your company, the hour is late and I have much more work to complete tomorrow so I will clean myself up quickly and leave you to sleep" he finally said to break the silence, his body quickly growing weary and sore, craving only sleep and quiet.
"Oh yes…" she began as a look of confusion swept across her face, and laying down the book slowly rose to her feet. "Where… I mean, I do not know where I should sleep" she all but stuttered.
"You will take my bed and I the settee I suppose" he muttered, immensely irritated at having to forfeit his own bed because of Dumbledore's cursed meddling in his life. "If you give me just a few minutes to take a shower I will leave my room to you."
"Oh no! I couldn't let you do that Professor…" she began as she looked into his shadowy face, his eyes narrowing for a brief moment before he snorted and giving a small nod replied,
"Suit yourself Miss Granger, I will fetch you a pillow and a blanket and then bid you goodnight."
Soon returning with a pillow and dark green blanket under his arm Snape laid them at the end of the settee and turning disappeared into his bedchamber letting the door slam shut, instantly reminding Hermione of how alone she was. Slumping back down onto the settee she drew the pillow and blanket into her lap, hugging them tightly to her chest as she fought the urge to bury her face in them and weep. A soft and subtle scent rose from the cloth bundled in her arms, the scent of dust, simmering cauldrons and musk, the scent of him, altogether it was not an entirely unpleasant smell. With a hiss of frustration she cast the pillow and blanket away letting them topple to the floor before with a sigh she rose and opening her trunk pulled out the oversized shirt that had once belonged to her father and now served as her nightshirt, stripping quickly to her bra and panties before slipping it over her head.
Neatly folding her clothes away into her trunk she lay down on the settee, curling herself into a small ball as she drew one of the green velvet cushions towards her, idly tracing the silver piping that ran along the edges. Closing her eyes she lay quiet and still, listening to the sound of her own breaths, the thundering of her heartbeat in her ears, the wind whistling along the outer walls of the castle, and then the sound of running water as Snape stepped into the shower. Instantly images of water cascading over his raven hair, running down the line of his neck and chest flashed through her mind. Heat and color rose in her cheeks as she imagined him running those long ink stained fingers over his own skin, leaving a trail of soap suds in their wake, perhaps trailing down to tease first one nipple and then the other, creeping ever lower towards… Hermione Jane Granger! What on earth are you thinking? Her mind shouted in disgust, get your mind out of the gutter, he is your Professor, and a miserable git to top it off, now go to sleep! Sighing heavily once more she closed her eyes firmly and laying her head upon the cushion tried to no avail to fall asleep.
For a long while she remained unmoving and quiet upon the settee, continuing to listen to the creaks and groans of the castle, the soft crackle of the fire that had now begun to die down until only a few almost invisible flames licked at the charred logs and embers glowed brilliantly in the grate. She listened as the water of the shower finally shut off, to his soft footsteps padding across the chilling stone floor, and then the subtle creak of the bed as he slipped beneath the covers. It did not take long for Professor Snape to fall asleep, his aching and tired limbs soon giving up to sleep as he lay upon the bed, his even breaths floating on the air teasing and torturing Hermione's ears as she continued to fitfully and restlessly toss and turn on the settee.
In a sigh of resignation Hermione rose to her feet, shuddering as the coolness of the stone beneath her bare feet seeped into her body, chilling her to the core. Clutching the small Slytherin colored cushion to her chest she hesitantly and as quietly as possible inched towards Snape's closed bedchamber door. Reaching out a trembling hand she closed her now rather sweaty palm over the handle and cautiously turned it and pushed the door open. Giving little resistance the door creaked only slightly as she pushed it open just enough to slip into the dark room. As carefully as possible she slid the door shut behind her, pausing for a moment trying desperately to keep her breaths as even and quiet as possible as she let her eyes grow accustomed to the dark.
Glancing around she could see a door on the wall to her right standing open upon another equally dark room, no doubt the bathroom she assumed as she took a tentative step forward. The shadowy form of a chair stood in the distant right corner, the bulky dark mass of Professor Snape's robes draped over the back of it. To her left stood a large wardrobe that loomed over her, the minimal amount of light in the room gleaming on its full length mirror, reflecting her wide fearful eyes in the darkness. And there, in the center of the wall to her left stood the large lumbering shape of a four poster bed complete with draperies and a soundly sleeping Professor Snape, his breaths coming deep and slow.
Slowly inching towards the bed one anxious step at a time Hermione gripped the cushion all the tighter in her sweat slicked hands, her knuckles turning white as her fingers dug into the velvet beneath them.
"P… Professor?" she began in a voice barely above a whisper. Getting no response she took a few more shuffling steps towards the bed, once again repeating her plea,
"Professor?" A soft snort and unintelligible murmur were the only reply she received as she paused once more, her hands trembling as she clutched the cushion in a death grip. Taking several more steps towards the sleeping figure of Professor Snape Hermione stopped as the edge of the plush velvet blanket brushed against her legs eliciting a soft gasp from her.
"Professor Snape?" she continued, her voice catching in her throat as she saw the vague shape of him beneath the blanket turn towards her, sluggish with sleep for a moment before sitting bolt upright, the intensity of his glare obvious though she could not see it.
"Miss Granger what the hell are you…" he began only to be cut off by her high pitched and rapid response.
"I'm sorry Professor, I… I… can't sleep" she squeaked in a strained voice that spoke of her barely restrained terror.
She bowed her head at the sound of his sigh of frustration, watching as he reached up to rub his face slowly, attempting to rub some of the sleep from his eyes. Growling a curse under his breath he turned and swung his legs over the edge of the bed, pausing for a moment with his head lowered and elbows resting upon his knees.
"Very well Miss Granger" he mumbled sleepily as he rose to his feet, towering above her as he glowered down at her before striding towards the door. Spinning around like a puppet on a string she stammered,
"W… where are you going?" Pausing and rolling his eyes Snape turned back to face her, barely able to make out the shape of her in a ridiculously large shirt that fell almost to her knees.
"To sleep on the settee Miss Granger" he growled. Minerva's brightest pupil huh? Dimwitted fool more like it he grumbled to himself as he ran a hand back through his hair and then rubbed the back of his neck.
"But you can't!" she protested suddenly, her little outburst causing one of Snape's eyebrows to rise in a questioning arch. "I would feel… terrible if you had to sleep out there… and besides, I'll have you know that settee is bloody uncomfortable!" she groused, quickly adding "Sir" to the end of her little speech. Suppressing his chuckle of amusement Snape grinned, thankful for the darkness that concealed what could have been considered a smile.
"Then what would you suggest Miss Granger?" he asked in frustration, not wanting to spend what little was remaining of the night standing in his bedchambers in the dark on the cold stone floor conversing with the annoying girl.
"Well I… I'm not sure" she stammered almost incoherently, the small surge of courage quickly subsiding as she tried to think of an option to their little predicament. Sighing and turning back to the door Snape began to pull it open as she quickly spoke up again,
"Please Professor" she whined pathetically, the sound of it grating across his last few remaining nerves, quickly tearing them to shreds.
"Yes Miss Granger?" he growled through clenched teeth, not even turning around to dignify her plea.
"Can't… can't we both sleep in the bed? I mean… it seems rather large, plenty of room for the both of…"
"No!" he snapped before she could finish, "it is entirely inappropriate and uncouth for a teacher and student to share the same bed, I will not allow it. Now, I will bid you goodnight… again, Miss Granger and implore you to get some sleep and leave me to do the same." With that he stormed out the door, letting it slam harshly behind him leaving Hermione trembling and cold as she slowly crawled onto the large bed, curling up in the recently vacated warm spot left by Professor Snape.