Title: Courage

Author: Feral Geek

Disclaimer: No, I don't own Harry Potter, be grateful.

Warnings: If Granger/Snape isn't your cup of tea, leave now

Summary: The day of graduation, Hermione reveals how she truly feels about one snarky potions professor.

Author Note: My first attempt at Harry Potter fan fiction so please be forgiving. Constructive criticism is welcome, and if you don't like this, say so...I'm only in the HP fandom for a moment...writing for the sake of writing you see.

ONWARDS!

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She had been waiting for this moment since the end of her sixth year.

No, Miss Granger was not thinking of her graduation, the ceremony had passed hours ago and the ball thrown in their honor was slowly winding down; most of the couples already departed, opting for a more private location.

Thus she stood in silence, watching the stiff form of her former Potions Professor stalking the grounds and blasting apart the decorative shrubbery.

At first she had only seen a shadow in the night, the man lost in the darkness and swirling black robes.
However her eyes adjusted to the dim light and she was able to discern various features and was content to watch him, lost in thought.

So deep in her mind she never noticed that the object of her scrutiny was no longer in view, instead he now stood directly behind her, one eyebrow arched as he studied her former student.

"Miss Granger...should you not be inside with your little friends?"

The silky voice was laced with condescension as usual, startling her out of her reverie.
Once the initial shock wore off, she wondered how her name would sound coming from his lips.

"Seeing as how I am no longer your student...you may call my by my given name...Severus."

Silence on his end, but he was clearly about to say something when she cut him off.

"And I was admiring the scenery." she replied calmly, 'which you were destroying' she added mentally, staring up at her teacher.

Former teacher.

Hesitantly she took one step back, placing herself beside the dreaded 'Bat of the Dungeons', reminding herself that Gryffindors were supposed to be known for their courage, before finally slipping one of her hands into his.

When she looked up there was no reaction on his face, years of working as a spy for the order had allowed him to keep himself in control...or at least in the appearance of control.

An acerbic reply was waiting for fall from his lips as he scanned her face for some sign of a joke.

He found none.

Severus looked away, but did not drop her hand.

A few minutes later he spoke, "Would you care to dance, Miss Gr- Hermione?"

The young woman smiled and led him back inside.

-fin-