She watched him stalk out of the room.

"I don't think it worked.." Remus said from beside her and she turned to him to see he'd watched Severus leave as well.

Hermione had enlisted the help of Remus in an attempt to drive Severus into asking her out with jealousy.

But once again, it had failed.

She had the slight idea that he fancied her, and Remus was quick to assure her that that was indeed true.

Apparently whenever she walked in a room, Remus would watch as Snape ran his eyes over her form, and he would even gasp or frown in frustration if she were to bend over in front of him, or smile in his direction..

Hermione, although reluctant to believe a man such as Snape would be interested in her, was very keen to get to the bottom of this.

She had, after all, tried to gain his affections many times.

She had worn clothes of his favourite colour, often, in an attempt to draw his eye. She had 'accidentally' touched him as she walked by, smiling apologetically, but keeping eye contact for just that moment longer.

But still, nothing.

Remus had stared at her incredulously for at least a whole minute when she told him she liked Severus.. And when he loudly asked her what was wrong with her, she explained..

It was the way he looked, sure, tall and dark was what most women liked. But, without wanting to be cliché, there was something mysterious about him, in the way he looked at her and in the way he spoke and moved.

To watch Ron or Harry walk, sloppily, quickly, tripping over themselves, and to see them when they looked her in the eyes, with such an open, honest expression, it was easy to find intrigue in the man who walked with pure purpose. No step was taken without reason, his looks filled with secrets and a past that was as painful as it was interesting.

And anyone who knew Hermione knew she needed a challenge. And to unearth the secrets that Severus held in his mind, to have him let HER and only her know his pain, and for her to help him ease that pain.. That would truly be heaven to her.

She dreaded the thought that someone else would get to him first. Some pathetic hussy with huge breasts and a beaming smile with fake teeth and fake lips.

But she knew Severus wouldn't go for that.

In fact, she was sure he wouldn't go for any sort of female.

Or male, if that's what you're thinking.

No. She didn't think she had a shadow of a chance with the man.

But if she did, she was going to try.