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Chapter 5 – The Attention She Desires

Saturday came all too quickly for Severus' liking. He was looking over his shoulder every chance he got. As he was finished checking all the students he turned to sprint to his dungeons when he ran into Hermione and Abby directly behind him.

"Oi! Severus, you're ready. Abby here thought you weren't going to show up for your date." Severus glared at Hermione.

"Actually, I think I caught a bit of the cold." He said trying to retreat.

"Oh then you must be getting to the apothecary then. I'm sure Abby will take good care of you." Hermione said as she lifted her brow to Severus in a dangerous manner that made him turn around, intertwine his hand in Abby's, and smile fiercely at Hermione and concur.

Hermione watched them leave and almost wet herself at thewide smileSeverus had on his face.

"You're such a Slytherin." Ginny laughed as she witness the whole seen.

"Ginny! How could you say such a thing? I'm a Gryffindor through and through. Now go get your bloody jacket so we can spy on the wankers." She said feigning seriousness.

Severus was beside himself with anger. He was definitely going to have a few specific words to say to his friend. Some mate. This Abbott girl was just as entertaining as watching your nails grow. He was sitting at a restaurant awaiting Abbott to come back from powdering her nose. He hoped she choked on it. "How did I get myself in this position?" He asked himself. "Use your inner eye!" He heard a voice sounding exactly like Hermione's say as he heard Ginny laugh. Hermione was how.

Oh, how he was going to get her back. She was the reason he was in this position. And all he wanted to do was to be on a date with her. Or even better, teaching her his method. Anything rather than being in the position he was in now. And it had just gotten worse as Abbott had returned in perfect health. After they left Hogsmade Severus told Abbott that he couldn't feel the way she felt, so he would feel better if they didn't ever go out again. Ever. Severus sat on his desk grading some papers when he heard her enter. He knew it was her so he didn't bother look up.

"Did you enjoy yourself this afternoon Miss Granger?" He asked. She smiled and sat at her usual spot on his desk.

"The question Snape is, did you?" She asked.

"You know I didn't enjoy myself. Everytime she opened her mouth her idiocy was confirmed further. She had nothing intelligent to say. All she spoke of was gossip." He said. "Did you know that Montague was seen more than once with Lovegood? It is rumored that they're together." He added.

"Really? Montague and Lovegood? She doesn't seem his type. Do you think it could be true?"

"Of course not-! Miss Granger, I would really appreciate it if you would stop trying to set me up. When I want to go out with someone I'll ask." He said. She sighed.

"I guess. But when you fancy someone, ask them. If you don't strike out once in a while, you won't fully value what it is to win the game." She said. He raised his brow.

"You know you owe me big." He said. She nodded her head.

"Yeah, I know. Do you have anything in mind?" She asked.

"Actually yes. There is a Potions convention in three months for Potions Masters only. But it's in England. I was wondering if you'd accompany me." He said. She raised a brow. Severus' heart was beating rapidly hoping that she would say yes and spare him the embarrassment. He didn't even know why he asked. The silence was killing him. He had to say something.

"Were friends Hermione. And you owe me. It's the least you can do." He said. She smiled. "What a coincidence." She started as she moved closer to him. "Because I was going to ask you." She whispered against his cheek. She then stood up and headed out.

Severus just sat there with his eyes closed trying to remember how her skin felt against his skin. She was so soft. He could only imagine what she would feel like under him as she kissed him with her full lips and her tongue exploring his mouth fully. While he pulled her closer, her hands trying to undo his slacks. He suddenly snapped open his eyes open. 'What the hell am I doing? Daydreaming about a former student! Can I sink no lower?' He thought resentfully. 'She would never think of me like that, you dirty deatheater.' He thought saddened. He quickly headed to his quarters for a much needed cold shower.

Later that day he pulled on his cloak and headed down to the Great Hall for dinner. As he walked down he saw Hermione leave her room hastily. She was clad in muggle attire. She had on tight low-rise jeans, a dark green tank top, a black jacket, and black and green trainers. She looked as though she was leaving somewhere.

"Hermione," He called out.

She turned questioningly. "Oh, hey Severus, I really have no time to talk. I have to head into Hogsmade. I forgot to buy some ingredients for a potion I have to make for Ginny. And I need to start making it tomorrow morning, and I don't have much time before the store closes." She said.

"But dinnertime. Not to mention it's eight, and dark outside. You'll miss dinner."

"Yeah, I know. But I'm not that hungry anyways, I had lunch." She said.

"Merlin, Hermione, we all had lunch eight hours ago. I'll accompany you. It is too dark for you to be roaming alone. Afterwards we'll get something to eat." He said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Goodness Severus, I am a big girl. I can defend myself, but if you insist. Then let's go."

She said.

They went to the apothecary to get the ingredients. And after a half an hour of arguing Hermione let Severus pay. They then headed to the Leaky Cauldron to get some food.

"You know I haven't been here in a while." She said. "The last time I was here it was to celebrate my engagement." She added.

"To Ron I assume." He said. "Yeah, others asked but I never said yes." She replied.

"Really like whom?" He asked a little amused as they looked over the menu. "Um, there was Krum. He asked me during the war."

"Weren't you with Ron at the time?" He asked.

"Yeah, he wanted me to run away with him. He wanted me to be safe from the war, and said that being with Ron was dangerous, and said at least he could take care of me." She said.

"Why didn't you go with him?"

"Because I didn't love him like that. He was a pretty boy who was too safe. I could just look at him and know exactly what my life was going to be like in ten years. I didn't want that. With Ron I had no idea, but I was willing to take the chance. And I really don't care if he was safe or not, because I felt safe when I was with him, you know?" She said. He didn't say anything.

"Do you still love him?" He asked wondering if there was any room in Hermione's heart for him. She took a while to answer the question as it took her by surprise.

"That was a long time ago. I was a different person. I don't think you could ever forget or stop loving your first love. But of course the love changes. I think if someone ran in here and told me that Ron had risen from the grave and that he was back I would be terribly sad. Because he would be the same and I would be different. There would be no way for us to be together. It's really a strange thing to give your heart to someone; you never get it back the same way." She said.

He said nothing for a while. "It is better to leave your heart where it belongs, I always say." He said. Hermione laughed aloud thinking it was some kind of a joke.

Severus found himself smiling, it was no joke, but her laugh was amazing and got him elated. The waitress came and they ordered. They continued to talk until they left. Talk with her was easy. Usually he had to try hard to get some common ground between him and the person he was talking to. But with her they already had a lot in common. And he found himself making her laugh and in turn making himself laugh. They made it to Hogwarts and they stood in front of Hermione's door.

"Thanks for going with me Severus, I had a fun time." She said as she reached up and hugged him. Severus' heart stopped and he seize to breath. Before he could even think to hug her back, she let go, said a quick goodbye, and slide into her rooms. Severus stood their and sighed. He needed to get a hold of this friends thing. He didn't like feeling these unwanted feelings for her.

In her rooms Hermione was leaning against her door. When she hugged him, her heart stopped and her heart raced. She had no idea why this happened. She then came up with the idea that she needed to go to a mediwitch, it could be asthma. She smiled at herself satisfied with the conclusion and went to take a shower. Shortly she came out of her bathroom ready for bed.

She was about to get in when she heard a knock on the door. She opened it wondering who it could be and saw Angelina.

"Wotcher Angie?" She said as she let her in.

"I want details." Was all she said.

"Details?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, why didn't you tell me you and Snape were going on a date today? A best mate needs to know these things." She smiled.

"Oh, that wasn't a date. I needed to go to the apothecary to get some ingredients for a potion that I need to make for her tomorrow morning. And I completely had forgotten earlier at Hogsmade so I had to go during dinner because it closes early and he didn't feel safe with me going alone." She said shrugging.

Angie still looked suspicious. "Scared for you, was he?" She said. "You know very well that it I told Snape that I was going to Hogsmade alone after dark, he'd wish me luck hoping that I got beaten up by wolves, robbed, and end up being eaten whole by a Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon." She said. Hermione laughed.

"A bit extreme don't you think?" She asked. Angie shook her head.

"Not for Severus, he's not the nicest person Hermione." She said. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"He really is nice once you get to know him. It's just a defense mechanism." She said. Angie again shook her head.

"No Hermione. Snape became a deatheater by choice. He switched sides, sure. But he used to rape muggleborns like you for breakfast. They were terrible people Hermione. I'm not telling you to stay away from him, because he's a bad person. I'm just saying be careful. I don't want you to get hurt, not exactly physically, but mentally." She said.

"Angie, he's a friend. He's a really good person; I'm not going to punish him for past mistakes. Okay so he trusted the wrong people and got into a really bad situation. But he's different, though he isn't a saint. I'm okay with that, no one is." She said. Angie stared at her for a while.

"Okay, if it's what you want then okay." She said with a sigh. "So it wasn't a date?" She asked.

"No, it wasn't." Hermione smiled.

"Darn, I thought you guys would be the next Montague and Lovegood. But oh well. Montague claims that he wants and has nothing to do with her, but the Daily Prophet continues to have photos of them each morning do things together. Kinda sweet.. In a weird way, no? Well anyways I gotta run. Fred'll be here any minute. Later Mione." She said making her exit.

Hermione fell into her bed. Her mind was racing. She knew Angie was right. She couldn't deny that. He did willingly become a deatheater, and there was no question that they did the most heinous things, but that wasn't Severus. She couldn't see him doing that. She decided not to think about it since she really didn't know much about that part of Severus' life, so she couldn't really put two and two together. She closed her eyes and drifted to sleep.

Sunday evening, Hermione found herself bored, with nothing to do. Angie was with Fred in Hogsmade, Ginny was in her quarters with Draco, and Abby was crying. She then thought of Severus. She had no idea what he was doing, so she decided to go to his quarters and find out.

Severus sat on his settee reading a book when he was interrupted with a knock on his door. "Enter," he said as he continued to read. He felt the settee move. He looked up to see Hermione looking as ravishing as ever in muggle fashion. He pushed those thoughts out of his head.

"Hey Severus, are you busy?" She asked as he looked down and continued to read. "No," was all he said. She frowned. She got up and headed to his bookshelf and picked up a random book. She sat back down and started reading it.

After fifteen minutes she realized that she should stop reading the same paragraph over and over. She looked at Severus who was engrossed in his book. She frowned again. He wasn't paying her any attention. She closed the book and stared at him.

"Is there something you wanted Granger?" He asked still not looking up. "No," she said.

"Let's play a game." She said after a while. He looked at her and rose a brow.

"It's my version on twenty questions, We each have a turn asking each other twenty questions, and the other person has to answer the question in less than three seconds or they get shocked and continue to until they do. But you have to try and catch them off guard with a question so they take longer to answer and get shocked. And you can't lie or you'll get shocked also." She said. He said nothing, just stared at her.

"Come on Severus, please?" She asked smiling sweetly.

He could not resist her smile. "Very well, Hermione." He smiled.

"Great, first we have to switch wands, and tap them together." She said as they did it.

"Okay, hold it in your right hand and don't drop it, and I'll start." She said.

"Okay, favorite color?"

"Hunter's green."

"Favorite food."

"Steak."

"Favorite drink."

"firewhiskey."

"Favorite non-alcoholic drink."

"Iced tea."

"Mother's name."

"Kairos."

"Father's name?"

"Soren."

"How old are you?"

"Thirty-six."

"When's your birthday?"

"March 29th."

"Do you have any siblings?"

"No."

"Do you ever want children?"

"Yes."

"Do you ever want to get married?"

"No." At this Severus got a sharp shock in his hand. "What in the bloody hell! Yes, fine, yes!" He said harshly as Hermione laughed. Thoughhe was a spy and had been tortured before, the shock was intense and hurt like hell. 'What in the sodding hell kind of game was this?' He thought.

"Do you fancy anyone at the moment?"

"Yes, and don't you dare ask who, or I'll hex the living daylights out of you." He said callously. Hermione rolled her eyes, "fine." She said.

"What's you're biggest regret in your life?"

"Playing this bloody game." He got another shock. "Sod it, Granger, I'm not playing this childs game any longer." He said dropping her wand.

"Okay, fine Severus, sorry, forget that question. I'll ask you another." She said as he slowly picked up her wand.

"Do you think I'm beautiful?" Severus glared at her and dropped her wand.

"Yes Granger, this game is finished." He said picking back up his book. "Go to someone else to get the attention you desire." He said indifferently as he began reading.

"What's so bad with answering the question? Believe me you aren't going to hurt my feelings if you say no. Unless, you think I am beautiful, in which case you didn't answer the question to save yourself from the truth." She said smiling as Severus continued to read, ignoring her. She sighed and sat back. She then sat up.

"Let's go to Hogsmade." She said.

"No, we went last night." He said as he continued to read. She again sighed. She looked at the book that was taking all of Severus' attention. It didn't show a title.

"Then let's go somewhere else." She said. "No." He said. She sighed in frustration.

"What is in that bloody book that is so interesting?" She asked.

"I'll let you borrow it when I'm done. I've only just started." He said as he turned the page.

"What is it called?" She asked.

"Paracelsus, The Biography of Auroleus Phillipus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim." He said.

"I've wanted to read that book, but I can never find it." She said surprised that he had it.

"Should've looked harder." He said apathetically, inwardly grinning. She looked at him annoyed.

"Read it to me." She said. He looked up at her for a minute then went back to his book.

"I've already started; I don't want to start over." He said into the book. Hermione rolled her eyes and lifted his arms away from his legs and laid her head on the arm of the settee lying on his lap.

"You don't have to, just continue." She said closing her eyes. Severus was about to argue when she opened her eyes and said, "please?" Yes, she would be his undoing. He sighed and began reading aloud. Severus tried to push away the feeling of how right this was, and tried to think of how much she irritated him.

After a while he got tired, he looked down at her and saw that her breathing was slower, and her face was calm. She was sleeping. She looked absolutely gorgeous. He put the book down and brushed some stray hairs from her face. He was thought about taking her to his bed, and then he reprimanded himself.

He lifted her easily and held her close to his chest. Hermione snuggled herself closer to him. He then heard her mumbling something. He strained his ears to hear, but then she stopped. Then he heard her clear. "Merlin, do you smell unbelievable." She said smiling. He stilled, thinking she was awake and playing with him. After a few minutes he realized that she wasn't, and he smiled. He brought her to her rooms and left quickly before any thoughts came to his head. From that night on, that was how they spent their evenings, her laying in his lap while he read to her, or talking over a cup of tea.


a/n - okay, again a light chappie, but the next chapter is going to have some heavier stuff. Oh, and if you want to know what Severus smelled like, get a sample of True Star for men, it smells great! Thanks again to all of those who reviewed. And please review makes me update faster.