Thanks buckets for the wonderful reviews! I haven't been doing this for very long, but this fanfic writing business is actually quite fun…heehee.

Erm…don't really know where exactly this plot is meandering yet, but we shall see eh?

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Chapter 3

Wild thoughts flashed through Hermione's head; she should run in the opposite direction as fast as humanly possible, she should Stun him right there and then and erase his memory, she should...she should... She couldn't do anything. Time seemed to stand still; she was worse off than a deer caught in the headlights. Her ears seemed to have gone funny, and none of her usual faculties seemed to work anymore.

He peered down at her, a look of mild shock etched on his calm features. "Ms. Granger? I said, may I help you?"

She blinked at him, "Err – well – erm... You..you see, Professor, I was on – on duty and I don't know how..." She trailed off miserably.

The man jerked his head up slightly and looked curiously at her, "Oh...I see." Seeing her confused and helpless expression, he offered, "Well, Ms. Granger, I was just heading out for a walk in the castle. Perhaps you'd like to accompany me and we'll...talk things over."

Hermione looked up, grateful, and said, "Of course, Professor, we could head toward the eastern corridors." She had already patrolled that area; they would probably not encounter any students. No one would see them together. She shook her head, chastising herself silently and felt of wave of shame at her reluctance to be seen with him. There was nothing wrong with her walking with Professor Snape at this hour, she thought, they were merely on duty in the corridors.

The oddly-matched pair set off. They walked in silence, both lost in their own thoughts, taking care not to brush up against one another. Hermione felt so calm; she felt no desire to do anything in particular at the moment, only to walk side by side with him. She chanced a glance at him out of the corner of her eye. His arms were folded carefully within the folds of his robes, his eyes unfocused and contemplative. He walked with an easy stride, graceful and floating, as though his even steps never touched the ground. There was a line of worry etched into his forehead. They continued their promenade through the sleeping castle.

Soon, they had wound their way toward the Astronomy Tower, and both seemed to understand the other's desire for stargazing. They ascended the stone steps and emerged into a crisp night air. Severus Snape breathed deeply. He felt clear-headed now, the refreshing stroll had reawakened his senses and untangled the mess in his mind. He felt ready to talk with her.

Hermione walked to the edge of the tower and gazed happily at the moonlit grounds. This is Hogwarts, she thought, this is the place I love best, my home away from home, my academic sanctuary. It is filled with the people I love and care about, my friends and family. She felt the vague sense that she truly belonged here, that the wizarding world was her true home.

She turned and smiled at her silent companion, "It's a lovely night, isn't it?"

He looked at her with kind eyes, "Yes, Ms. Granger, it certainly is."

An uneasy silence suddenly filled the air between them. Both seemed as though they had something to stay, but neither wanted to be the first to begin.

Feeling a slight pinkness in her cheeks, Hermione turned back towards the chill night breeze. Where in the world was she to begin? Should she speak up first or let him take the initiative? He was the adult here wasn't he? Well, she reminded herself, you are technically of age in the wizarding world as well, you're not a child anymore. Hermione didn't know what she expected out of this stroll. Surely they couldn't actually...what is the term?... 'be together'. A sad smile spread across her soft moonlit features at the very thought. She still had one more year of education to be completed and he...he was her teacher, for Christ's sake.

Severus Snape stood helplessly in the cool night air. For once in his life, he didn't know what to do. Though he had never been popular in his younger days, he had always had the reputation for a good head. Severus Snape always had the answers, and the fact that Potter and his gang had a different set of answers was of no consequence to him. He had never been stumped in academic classes, he had never hesitated a moment in his Death Eater days, he never flinched once at the thought of returning to those circles as a spy...and now? Now something else entirely had conquered his sense of confidence. He almost felt disgusted with himself. She's just a little girl, a student no less, a girl he'd watched grow up from 11 years old. His thin lips curled in a grin, he thought back to the first class he had with her. Her bushy hair covering her thin shoulders, her eager expectant face, her audacity for any possible subject. She had responded unusually well to any and all difficult potions he had thrown her way. Never once had she faltered in his class. What a talented young woman she is, he thought. Talented and beautiful. He stood watching her stray strands of hair blowing in the wind and wondered if she was cold, unaware that he had drifted nearer and nearer to her.

Hermione cleared her throat loudly and turned to face him and found herself in a rather familiar situation. Once more, there he was standing barely feet away from her and it was quite her own fault that she found herself in this position. This time, however, Severus stepped back.

"Ms. Granger, I...I want to talk to you about...that evening in my study."

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Blah, I'll have to think about what happens next. Stay tuned! (Sorry for the short chapter)