Chapter 9

Dumbledore paced back and forth in his office. He was thinking about Severus and how lonely he was. He hadn't been in a relationship in years, and that had turned him into a lonely, bitter person. Then he thought about Hermione. She was smart, young, and beautiful. Dumbledore thought that Hermione and Severus would be a perfect match. But still, he realized that it was against school rules.

Wait! Didn't I make that rule…yes I did. Well, in that case, to hell with it.

It was at that moment that Albus Dumbledore decided to play matchmaker. He knew he would succeed. He was usually right about guessing who was good for who. But, he had to admit, it had been awhile. He went over to his desk, sat down, and started thinking and planning.

Hermione was sitting in her Transfiguration class, attempting to turn her rabbit into a cotton ball. When she succeeded, she turned it back into a rabbit and continued to practice while her classmates were struggling to make their first attempt.

"Hey, Hermione. Guess what?" said Ron.

"What?" she said.

"Harry's got a new girlfriend."

"Oh, for the love of God. Another one?" she asked. Harry went through so many girlfriends they could hardly keep track of them. He was so popular, every girl wanted him, so that didn't help either. Hermione and Ron had tried talking to him on several occasions about slowing down, and taking his time to find a girl who actually liked him, and didn't just want him for popularity, or sex. He tried to listen to them, but that was just the way Harry was.

"What's this one's name?" asked Hermione, slightly annoyed.

" Amy something. I haven't met her yet, all I know is that she's in fifth year. Harry said that we could meet her at lunch."

"Oh boy, can't wait," said Hermione sarcastically.

As they finished class and made their way down to lunch, Hermione spotted Harry with a girl. She called him over.

"Hey Harry!" she said.

"Hey Hermione, hey Ron. There's someone I want you to meet. Her name is Amy Coalford."

"Hello," said Hermione, shaking her hand.

"Nice to meet you," said Amy.

Amy was short and thin, with light blond hair and light eyes. She was very pretty and seemed nice.

They walked into the Great Hall for lunch. Hermione sat down, and started eating. A few moments later, Ginny walked in, sat down, and gave a confused stare at Amy and then to Hermione.

New girlfriend, mouthed Hermione.

Oh, big surprise there, she mouthed back.

Hermione and Ginny left after they finished eating, and made their way back to the common room. On the way back, Hermione passed Snape in his storage cupboards in the hallway.

"Miss. Granger," he said, sounding surprised.

"I'll be in the common room," said Ginny, trying her best not to giggle.

Hermione, throwing Ginny death rays with her eyes, turned and looked into his eyes, not sure what to say.

All of a sudden, the door to the storage room slammed shut. Snape ran to it, but it was locked. He groaned and sank to the ground.

"It locks from the outside and the inside. Only the front opens with a key. I did that so if any student was able to get in here, they would not be able to get back out," he said.

"So were stuck?" she asked.

" Obviously, Miss Granger."

She sighed and sat down, while Snape pounded on the door next to her. Looks like I'm stuck here.

After a few seconds, he stopped trying to knock the door down.

"It's no use. We're just going to have to wait until someone comes looking for us," he said, annoyed.

TWO HOURS

LATER

Hermione and Snape were sitting there in silence, two hours later. She was extremely bored. She had attempted conversation earlier, but that didn't seem to work. So for the past two hours she had been thinking. Currently she had been thinking about all the embarrassing moments she had had in the past couple weeks. Wow, there has been A LOT. I guess it started when I left my notebook in his detention, and he accidentally kissed me. And when I left my diary in his office. I'm still cringing about that one. I wonder if he read it or not.

She was interrupted by a snort of laughter. She turned around. There was no one else in the room except for- Whoa, did Snape actually just laugh? She thought in disbelief.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothing, nothing," he said amused.

Hermione decided not to press it further and leaned back against the wall.

"By the way, I never read you diary," Snape said.

"What?"

"You were wondering if I read your diary. I didn't," he said.

Holy shit, how could I have been so stupid? He's a skilled Occlumens. Well, guess I can add that to my list of embarrassing moments, she thought, turning red.

She heard him laugh again.

"Whoa, I didn't know you even knew how to laugh," she retorted.

He glared at her and laughed again.

"Oh yea, I forgot one. The time I walked in on you naked," she said. She didn't know why she was being so mean spirited, but it sure was fun.

He glared again.

"Well, looks like we both have our embarrassing moments, so don't laugh at me," she said.

" Miss. Granger, there is nothing embarrassing about the human body. I wouldn't exactly call that an embarrassing moment," he said. He knew he was lying, but he didn't want to be reminded of what happened.

"Yea, well if the human body is nothing to be ashamed about, then how come you ran from the room," she asked.

"No, I believe it was YOU who ran from the room, leaving me there," he said, grinning.

She rolled her eyes, and leaned back against the wall. After a few minutes she turned back and found him staring at her.

"What?" she said, "Wanting to poke more fun at me?"

"No," he said, his voice shaking, "wanting to do this."

He leaned over and kissed her. This time she was used to the surprise, so she was able to enjoy herself.

Albus Dumbledore sat at his desk with a smile on his face. His plan had worked perfectly. He had sent Severus to get him a potion ingredient from his storage cupboard knowing that it was on the way back to the Gryffindor common room, from the Great Hall. He had hoped that Severus would say hi to her. He had shut the door with his wand, and disappeared. The only thing wrong with this plan had been that the youngest Weasley child had been there. He had grabbed her when he disappeared. She was now sitting on the other side of his desk. They had been chatting for a while.

"So, you also think that these two would make a good match," asked Ginny.

"I do," said Dumbledore. "At first I was worried about the whole student-teacher relationship rule, but once I realized I was the one who set up that rule years ago, I was okay."

Ginny laughed. "I was planning on doing this by myself, but oh well."

"Oh, well in that case, Miss. Weasley, by all means carry on by yourself. Just come to me if you need any assistance," he said, winking.

"How much longer are we going to leave them there?" asked Hermione.

"Oh, I'd say another couple of hours."

Ginny smiled and stood up.

"Well, I guess ill see you later, Headmaster," said Ginny, walking towards the door.

"Certainly, Miss Weasley. Have a wonderful day."

She left and made her way down the stairs. Dumbledore's actually really cool. I never expected him to actually even think about going along with this.

Ginny had two hours till her next class. Since Hermione was locked away in a closet, she decided to invite some friends to hang out outside.

Hermione and Snape were still in the closet, still making out. Hermione had expected this to just be another little kiss, but apparently had gotten carried away. He was laying on top of her, one arm around her neck, his fingers stroking her hair, the other hand on her hip. She had her arms around his waist, and she could feel the start of his arousal. He pulled away, and they locked eyes. He reached down and tried to undo her jeans.

"No," she whispered.

An apologetic look in his eyes, he leaned over and kissed her.

Sorry about the delay. Hope you like this chapter.