Title: Half the World Away
Author name: Calbee
Author email: Category: Romance
Sub Category: Humor
Keywords: Snape Hermione psychological
Rating: PG
Spoilers: SS/PS, CoS, PoA, GoF
Summary: Severus Snape and Hermione Granger. A Slytherin and a Gryffindor. Who would have thought that this could happen when the results of a psychological love test are assumed to have gone horribly wrong...
DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. This fic is inspired by an idea provided by josette the black pearl.
Author notes:

Thank you for everyone's reviews!

In one of the reviews for chapter 2, there is the mention of keeping the characters in character. Please indulge me here as I am not exactly exactly sure about characters in character.

All characters have their characteristics/ personalities, but I am a firm believer that when one is being pushed too far, either circumstances-wise or intentionally, people would snap and do things that people won't believe he or she would do. And I am afraid the coming few chapters are one of those occasions. So if you think that Hermione and the rest of them are out of character in here, I would like to apologize in advance.

Enough of me babbling here. Let's get on with the story, and enjoy!

Chapter 3 Hermione's nightmare

"Miss Granger, would you be so kind as to tell me what are you doing?"

Hermione jumped at the voice. Professor Snape? How... Oh shit. Potions lesson. "Nothing, Professor." When she stole a look around, she was surprised to see that she was the only one in the classroom.

"Miss Granger, obviously you are day-dreaming. Ten points from Gryffindor," Snape said, walking back to his office, and closing the door behind him. Hermione quickly scrambled her things back into her bag and ran out of the dungeon.

Snape sighed after he closed the office door behind him. He could 'understand' why she was 'preoccupied'. Who would want to find out that her perfect match would be him? Especially a student? Okay, he was old-fashioned not to believe in relationships between a teacher and a student, but him? No one would want to get into a relationship like that. Anyway, it was just an amateur test in a gossip magazine. He didn't need to worry about it. He was sure that Hermione would come to this same conclusion quickly. Anyway... it was quite frightening that the test did point out her character accurately, at least as far as he could tell.

Hermione had the same feelings that Snape had. Well, it was just a test, but surely there should be soof reference or proof for it to come up with a conclusion like this. Anyway, she wouldn't take it seriously, really. She was not really that 'desperate' for a lover or anything like that. She just hoped that Lavender and Pavarti would keep their mouths shut about the test. Although it was already a week since that incident, you never knew when the news could break out.

When she was about to tell the Fat Lady the password to enter her common room, the Fat Lady said instead, "I am really sorry about the test, Hermione. Obviously there is a fault there."

Shit! "It's alright, I don't believe it either. Spyglass." The portrait flung open, and Hermione went through the portrait hole. Once she was inside, she could feel the attention that was focused on her. She was going to kill Lavender and Pavarti. She looked around, and saw them sitting at the table near the fireplace, busy writing something. She walked towards them, and banged her fist on the table, "What the hell did you two think you were doing? Are you two crazy? Telling the Fat Lady about the test in Witches' Weekly?"

"Hermione, relax." Lavender pulled her down on the seat next to them and protested, "We are writing a letter with everyone's signature on to Witches' Weekly, to complain about your particular result."

Hermione was stunned. They what! "So you told everyone in Gryffindor about it, and..."

"... and the Fat Lady heard that by chance," Pavarti finished off.

"Are you two out of your minds!" Hermione screamed at Lavender and Pavarti, who were puzzled about Hermione's sudden anger. "What you are doing is exactly you shouldn't be doing! Do you know that you are spreading this ridiculous result when you are trying to defend me?"

"But Hermione! This test is obviously trying to ruin your reputation! Linking you with Snape!" Lavender still didn't get it why Hermione was so furious. They were just trying to protect her... Well, she didn't really try to, but surely, someone needed to care for her image! They knew she was intelligent and confident, but this was just not what she would need after graduation in the wizarding world, unless she was going back to the Muggle world...

"I don't want to hear anything about this again." Hermione took the letter and the signatures from the table. She turned around and said to everyone in the room, "I don't want to hear a word about this again, not in here, not outside. Never. Have I made myself clear?"

No one dared to say a word, not even Ron and Harry. "Good." Hermione burnt the letter and the signatures in front of everyone, and went back to her Head Girl room.

Although Hermione had left them, no one had the nerve to breathe too deeply, afraid that she would return any minute. Slowly, Ron said, "Wow, that is bloody impressive."

Suddenly, everyone freaked out.

To Be Continued

Updated: 10th November 2005