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Chapter 4 – The Inner Eye

The next day the Hogwarts Express was due to come. Severus was busy up to his neck with things to do. Before he knew it, it was a few minutes till the feast. There was a knock on the door. He was too distracted to look up, but her said "Enter," anyways. Hermione strode in.

"Are you busy?" She asked as she stood next to his seat behind his desk and sat on it. He hadn't talk to her since last night. His stomach did some familiar flips when he looked up and saw her. She was wearing a simple v-neck black dress with her hair down. She sat legs crossed on his desk holding her black robes in hand.

"N-No, not anymore." He said as she raised a brow at his stammer.

"Are you ready for the feast?" She asked.

"Yes, I suppose." He said gathering his notes on his desk. His first and seventh years would have three pop quizzes the first week alone.

"If you've been to one, you've been to them all." He said. She shrugged.

"I guess, I'm a bit nervous though." She said.

"I wonder how the kids are going to be. I heard about what happened to the last Potions professor, Kentrecta, was it?" She asked. He nodded.

"But she was brainless as far as potions brewing is concerned." He said. She smiled.

"I guess." She said. "So are you ready? It's about that time." She said.

"Yes, let's get going." He said as they both stood up. Before they left he grabbed his cloak. They entered the Great Hall and sat next to each other. A few minutes later students came streaming through the doors.

After the first years got sorted, Headmistress McGonagall started her speech.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. Some of you guys are returning, and others are here for the first time. First I would like to introduce two new professors this year. Our new Charms teacher, Professor Angelina Weasley. You might remember her as Angelina Johnson, one of the best Chasers Hogwarts has seen!" She said as everyone cheered. "You're hott!" shouted one of the older students. Angelina stood up and took a bow. "And our new potions teacher, Professor Hermione Granger. One of the smartest witches to hit Hogwarts, no question!" She said as they cheered just the same. "You're a bloody fox!" shouted another one of the older students. Hermione stood up and curtsied.

After dinner the students headed out and the professors went to their rooms to get some much needed rest.

The next day, Severus sat in his desk during his free period and graded the pop quiz. Most of them failed miserably. He sighed. He had his work cut out for him.

"Rough morning?" Hermione asked standing in front of his desk.

"Only two of my students passed my pop quiz. Their all dunderheads. What is it that they do over the summer that makes them loose the information they retained during the school year?" He asked as she walked behind his desk and seated herself on top of it.

"I don't know. There was a first year Slytherin who argued with me all class, then presumed to ask me on a date to Hogsmade." She laughed. Severus lifted a brow. "What was his name?" He asked.

"Carter, Jack Carter. But he's harmless; it was just a good laugh." She laughed.

"What was a good laugh?" Professor Abbott asked walking into the room. "Doesn't anyone knock?" Severus asked himself.

"Oh, I was just telling Severus that Carter asked me to accompany him to Hogsmade, after he questioned me at every turn in class." She said. "The first year Slytherin?" She asked. Hermione nodded.

"Yeah, can you believe it? He actually told me that if I said no, he'd ask Professor Weasley." She smiled. Abby laughed.

"Is there something that you wanted Abbott?" Severus asked irriated that she interrupted their conversation.

Abby raised a brow. "Did I interrupt something?" She asked.

"No, we were just talking." Hermione replied.

"Oh, w-well I-I was just looking for Hermione. I wanted to borrow one of you books. One about history- since that's what I teach, History of Magic." Abby struggled.

At this Severus and Hermione both cocked a brow. "Are you okay Abbott?" Severus asked.

"Yes, and please call me Abby or Hannah." She smiled. His brow rose higher.

"Okay, let's go to my rooms then." Hermione said as she strode off with Abby. Outside of his classroom, Abby hit herself.

"I'm so stupid! I acted like such an oaf in front of him." She said. Hermione looked at the girl confused. "I don't understand."

"I like Snape. I like him a lot. And all I do is act like an utter fool in front of him. I wanted to ask him out." She said.

Hermione was taken back."You like, Professor Snape? Really?" She said. She couldn't imagine anyone liking him.

"Yeah, I thought you did too. You're always flirting with him and laughing at his sarcasm, and you're always with him." She said.

"No I actually don't like him. We're just friends." She said. 'But obviously we're not if you're willing to ask him out thinking I liked him.' She thought a little perturbed.

"There's a Hogsmade trip this weekend. You can ask him to go with you." She said.

"Yeah I was thinking of that too." She agreed. "He really needs some sunlight. And it would be good for him to go out on a date. Just make sure he knows it's a date, not just a trip to the apothecary." She said. Abby nodded.

"Oh, and do it quickly before he makes any plans." She added. "Thanks Hermione, you're such a good friend." Abby said giving her a hug.

Later on while Hermione was checking on her itinerary forMonday after dinner Severus strode in. "The strangest thing happened to me today." He started. Hermione said nothing though she lifted a brow. "Hannah Abbott asked me to Hogsmade." He said sharply as he sat on one of the student desk.

"So you said yes then. I didn't expect her to ask so soon." She said placing a worksheet on each desk.

"You knew and you didn't tell me! What in the bloody hell kind of friendship is this?" He snapped.

"The kind I also have with Abby." She said nonchalantly.

"Well the next time this happens would you please notify me in advance? I would like to be prepared." He said feigning sweetness.

"Um, okay, well I heard Nessa talking about a crush she's had on you for months now at dinner today." She said indifferently. "But I don't think she's going to ask you on an outing." She then let out a laugh and stopped what she was doing. "It was so funny; Sybil was actually telling her that she saw that you two were going to be together in the near future. With kids at that. She also added that she didn't see how the rest of the staff didn't see it. 'Use your inner eye,' what rubbish." She laughed.

"You guys actually talked about it during dinner?" He said incredulously.

"Why yes Severus, you're our favorite subject to talk about over dinner. Why it was just yesterday when Angie was telling me she would gladly leave Fred for just one shag with you. A snog even." She said apathetically as she continued to put the worksheets on the desks. Color rose in his cheeks.

"I can't believe-."

"Severus I sat next to you at the feast yesterday." She said rolling her eyes.

"Honestly Severus." She said smiling. He scoffed slightly embarrassed.

"Well I said no of course to Abbott's proposal. I don't know who gave her the idea that I would go parading around Hogsmade with her." He said. "Well I did. I thought it would be a good idea. You do need some sunlight Severus. You look deathly pale. And plus, when's the last time you went on a date?" She asked.

"That is none of your business."

"That long, huh?" She said.

"You are wearing my patience Granger." He said.

"Yes, well, you're definitely going to have a date on Saturday. Which reminds me, we have to reschedule our date, remember you said that you'd show me your method?" She said putting some extra worksheets on her desk as she started walking towards Severus as he nodded.

"You know there are chairs." She whispered against his cheek. Severus felt the lack of something he needed in his lungs. He forgot what it was called, but he was sure it was important. The hairs on his neck rose and his heart sped up. His hands got clammy and his stomach was going through a whirlwind. Before he could think of reacting she pulled away smiling and shaking her head.

"Such a hypocrite." She said. He said nothing as he was too busy trying to regain his composure. "Walk me to my room?" She asked as she put on her cloak. Severus merely nodded. As they walked Hermione noticed his silence.

"You know I was joking about you being a hypocrite." She said hoping she didn't hurt his feelings.

"No, yes, I mean yes, I know you were joking. I was just thinking." He said. "About what?" She asked.

"About how long it would take you to ruin the perfectly comfortable silence." He smirked. She rolled her eyes as they reached her rooms.

"Okay well, be sure to be ready on Saturday cause you're going. And don't even think about fighting me on this or you'll see how Slytherin I can get." She smiled as she disappeared into her room leaving a worried Severus behind.


a/n - Okay so this was a lighter chapter compared to the others, but I gotta establish a friendship of sorts, before anything can happen. Thanks to everyone who reviewed. Review and tell me how I'm doing.