So sorry for the delay everyone; I was a bit preoccupied with another story. (And I wanted to put off actually coming up with a legitimate story line for this one.)

Oh dear, this is going to be one awkward chapter to write...

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Chapter 4

Hermione gulped, a shiver of dread coursing through her body. Here it was, they were about to discuss that fateful evening.

"Ms. Granger," he began, "Firstly, I want to...apologize for my actions that evening. They were highly inappropriate as a teacher to a student, and I regret them incredibly."

She looked up and said in a small voice, "You do?" Her face registered just a hint of hurt, and her eyes looked reproachful.

"Yes of cour – ..." He stopped. What was she saying? His eyes, which had been resolutely fixed upon the ground, now gazed at her penetratingly. "What did you say?"

Hermione took a shuddering breath. "I asked you, sir, if you really did regret your actions that evening. Because...because I didn't," she finished in a quiet voice.

The air between them seemed to be suddenly charged with electricity.

Severus stood there, dumbfounded. "Do you mean to tell me," he began slowly, "that...you..." He stopped. He couldn't say it. Somehow, saying it seemed the spark that would set the air between them on fire. He couldn't bring himself to utter the necessary words.

Hermione closed her eyes and breathed. She was, after all, of age and perfectly capable of thinking for herself. "Professor, we both need to stop pretending. Growing up, I always had the answers. I studied hard and absorbed knowledge well. I was always sure of myself." She looked at the ground. "But, after that evening, I couldn't help but question my thoughts. I tried to suppress it, I really did," she turned to him, tears shining in her eyes, "But somehow, my thoughts always returned...to you."

She spun around in frustration, facing the bitter night once night. "All the values I've been taught to believe in since childhood were crashing down around me. I felt...desire, I suppose...for a teacher. It felt so wrong. And yet, nothing in my life had ever felt more right." She turned to face him. "Professor, you're over 20 years my senior, you're my teacher, I would be expelled if they found out I had a relationship with you in any way, but – and I say it now with more conviction than ever I've put behind words – I love you. Deeply, sincerely, and forever."

His eyes bore into hers with such intensity she thought she would certainly catch fire at that very moment. He stepped toward her, "I can't believe what I'm hearing. You love me," he whispered more to himself than to her. "You don't know how happy I am right now." A genuine smile spread across his face. "Hermione," he breathed her name in relief, "I know now what love truly means. I was just waiting for the right person."

His face suddenly hardened, "What would the staff say? What would the other students say of you? Hermione, you mustn't tell anyone about this. It would ruin your career, you'd always be 'the girl who's with that horrible Snape'. They'd say 'How could such a sensible girl do such a stupid thing?' You'd be ridiculed." He turned, angry with himself and angry with the world. He knew his status in the wizarding world wasn't one of prestige and favor. And she was such a pure and innocent girl.

Hermione smiled. His worrying meant he really did care for her. "Professor," she put an emphasis on the words, "I frankly don't give a shit what other people think. We love each other; that's all I need to know. But, I see your point. While I'm at school, I'll keep this quiet; I am after all still a student." Severus opened his mouth to speak but she put up a hand, "Oh no, don't protest, I'll be careful while at and only while at school. Don't worry, I'm a practical person, and frankly I don't see why the hell we can't be open about this after I graduate. We'd just be two adults in love, wouldn't we?" Her face lit up with a smile.

"No Hermione, we wouldn't just be 'two adults', we'd be 'that slimy Potions freak' and 'that wonderful, charming girl who would never make a bad decision in her life'. Your friends wouldn't accept it," he finished quietly.

Hermione laughed, "It's not a bad decision, and my friends, they'll get used to it. Actually Harry and Ron have already noticed quite a change in you." She grinned, "They're actually calling you 'nice'. You'll have to be careful about that and uphold your reputation."

"Reputation?" he said with a mock-stern voice, "Oh right, I must remember to return to my greasy-overgrown-bat image and scare some first years for good measure." He stepped closer to her and wrapped his arms around her. "But how can I think evil thoughts when I'm so in love?" He couldn't think about the future at this moment; he'd put that off till later, and he knew he was going to regret it. But now, nothing mattered except the girl – no, woman – standing before him.

Hermione sighed and leaned into him, "I'm sure you'll manage somehow." Severus dipped his head and placed his mouth softly on her lips. She suppressed a grin and eagerly returned his kiss, encircling her arms around his neck. She felt his tongue brush her lips and parted them. Both lovers were much too preoccupied to hear footsteps coming up the tower.

"Severus! Ms. Granger! What do you think you're doing!"

They sprang apart, looking around wildly for the speaker.

Minerva McGonnagal had stepped onto the stone observation tower, positively shaking with fury in her tartan nightgown. "How dare you! Severus, she's a child and a student! Ms. Granger, I thought better of you, what were you thinking? Never in my entire career – you two should be ashamed – fifty points from Gryffindor – would you two please care to explain yourselves!"

Severus looked over at Hermione with an I-told-you-so look in his eyes but found her looking at the ground, looking frightened.

"P – Please Professor, I can explain all this. H – He didn't do anything...it was really my fault..." she trailed off, looking distressed.

Severus stepped forward, "Minerva, this really isn't what it looks like. Err, shall we go somewhere to discuss this?"

The other professor spun sharply around and muttered, "Follow me," and stalked off towards the direction of her office. They distinctly heard phrases like, "Isn't what it looks like – well I can't wait to hear a better explanation – I can't believe those two..."

Hermione's eyes shot heavenward and shakily followed Professor McGonnagal.

She's frightened, thought Severus, she thinks she's going to be expelled and I won't let that happen. He walked up behind her and put a comforting hand around her shoulder and she seemed to relax a bit, though still tense.

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Hmmm? New twist in the story, no? Whaddya think?