Chapter 2
The next day classes went by as normal, which was until lunch time. As she was the only one to raise a hand to the simplest of questions. The witches and wizards of her generation were becoming lazy, or stupid, in any case she felt knowledgeable when she arrived at the Great Hall. That was until Malfoy showed up.
'Oh why did Merlin have to grace me with your presence?' she thought to herself before smiling sweetly at him, passing him as she did so.
"Not so fast Granger. I want a word with you." He spoke maliciously.
'Oh what now?' she thought to herself as she turned around to take whatever his insults were today.
"Yes Draco?" she said politely. Just because he was a disgusting maggot breathing ferret didn't mean she was going to stoop down to his level.
"What the hell do you think you're doing with Snape." He spat at her, his face barely a millimetre from her own.
"I don't have the faintest idea what you are speaking of. Would you care to enlighten me?" she replied sweetly.
"The Greasy Bats decided to give me detention for last period because of that fat oaf in your house. Now, we all know you've been spending time with him and as an effect of that even his own house is getting punished. Just stop shagging him and bugger off Mudblood." He whispered dangerously.
"What in Merlin's name are you talking about Malfoy!" she yelled.
Every eye rose from their dinner plates to stare at the commotion building up at the entrance to the Great Hall. Anticipation from the Gryffindors as they knew the anger that their Lioness possessed. No one dared anger her as they knew the repercussions of said act would be disastrous.
The temptation to look on at this commotion was too big to resist and no one could take their eyes away from this scene. Even members at the staff table looked up. McGonagall, Dumbledore, Flitwick and even our infamous Potions Master.
"You heard me," he spat back, "we all know why you joined him on your special project. You've fancied him for ages but never had the guts to do anything about it. Just back off and leave our house alone. He may be a git but he's our git and our family, in our family we look out for each other."
With this comment the lioness let loose her anger to the slithery snake in front of her. As his malicious sneer stood prominent on his pale face her hand connected with the side of it.
"How dare you!" she said with disgust in her voice, "Professor Severus Snape has one of the greatest minds in the world and all you can do is calling him a git? He's looked out for his house and the students of this castle and all you can do is try to degrade him? I guess family doesn't mean very much to you if that's the way you treat them. I would think that you would learn to respect someone that has saved your life mort times than I can count on my hands. But I guess you're just the low life scum people have denied you were because they were too scared of your father." She wiped a tear from her eyes and glared at him, "I just hope that if you risk your life in the future for someone that they are more grateful for it then you are to the Professor."
Malfoy stood cradling his left cheek but no sneer came after the bashing he got; only shame was present in his essence. Tears were welling down Hermione's face as she turned and stormed out of the Great Hall, not knowing that one person had been touched by her caring show.
Dumbledore caught a glimpse of the black billowing robes he looked as he looked at the staff exit, the small oak door gently drifting to a close. He always knew what could and would happen but he let the smile on his face fade so as not to draw any attention to himself.
Hermione's heart was racing and as she stopped, leaning against the wall for support, she collapsed to the floor; powerful sobs over taking her control.
How could people be so callous? Uncaring? Heartless?
Severus Snape had repeatedly land down his life for some ungrateful brats. Of course, he had the tendency to be a little cruel and heartless at times but having to do what he did all the time? I would bet everyone would go out of their minds.
She wiped a few tears from her eyes and gave in to the racking sobs she was then expressing. Was that really what the school thought about her? Willing to sleep with the teacher for extra credit?
As she snaked her arms around her knees and tucked her head under them, all that was seen was a mass of bushy brown hair.
As someone stood over her a dark shadow covered her.
"Come to gloat have you Malfoy? Just piss off and leave me alone. You've got what you wanted." She muffled from under her robes and mass of unruly hair.
Professor Snape stood there for a moment, utterly gob smacked. The pain that was radiating from her was so powerful. One small comment could bring that out from her. Her use of language was very intriging.
"I haven't come to gloat. I've come to see if you are alright." He said softly.
Hermione's head shot up at the sound of his voice.
"Professor! I'm…I'm…I'm so sorry. I…I didn't mean to say that. I didn't realise it was you." She said stumbling over a few of the words and hastily wiping the tears from her eyes.
"I gathered that." He said smiling gently. So unlike the Potions Master we all know.
Hermione noticed this and had a puzzled look on her face. Was he smiling? He was!
"What?" he said, looking back at her just as puzzled.
"Oh, nothing…I…I just wanted to apologise for the scene I made. It was completely wrong of me to disrupt everyone's lunch," she paused, "actually I am not sorry! Well, I am but not for hitting Malfoy and giving him a few home truths." She said and looked up to him. He was at least half a head taller than her when she was stood up, when collapsed in a heap upon the floor like now, he looked like a giraffe. He also had those dark penetrating eyes. What? No, no, no! I did not just say that. Did I? Oh great, now he's staring at me, like…
As he looked at her face he could see a lot of different expressions speeding their way across. Her chocolate brown eyes gave away the most though. He wiped the thoughts from his mind and offered his hand to her.
With mixed emotions she took his hand, delicately but firmly he pulled her from her position. When she was up their hands held on a little longer than necessary and as black eyes met brown their hands grasped a little tighter before quickly repelling each other in embarrassment.
"I really should be getting back to class before Professor McGonagall begins to think I'm plotting Draco's death. Which I might do with some doodles later," she smiled, "Thank you." She said in a more serious tone.
"My pleasure Miss Granger. Just be a little… more controlled in future." He grinned wickedly.
"Sir, Yes Sir!" she saluted him, standing to attention then broke into a fit of giggles.
"Hermione," he growled warningly, "off with you before my cover as an over grown bat with no feelings is blown. It wouldn't do for people to see a part that only Albus, Minerva and you have seen."
