Chapter 24

Hermione used her wand to extinguish the lights in the lab. She locked and warded the door behind her and softly padded her way to her private rooms.

She changed clothes and crawled into bed. She lay there, deep in thought, not even the least bit tired. So much had happened this day that she didn't even know where to begin. Ginny, she was one problem that was easily solved. However, now that Ginny knew about her former Potions Professor coming here so often, she wondered what she would think of her now. Hermione inwardly cringed at the conversion she had with Ginny on their way back to Hermione's home. 'Is he cute?' she asked. 'Is he fun to be around?' Both of these things Hermione had answered no to. But was that the truth?

She considered her former Professor. He wasn't much to look at when compared to other men. He was tall, but not above average. He wore such billowing robes, she never knew what sort of body type he had beneath them. His hair, could be nicer, if he were to take proper care of it. His skin, she remembered that very well. How soft his hands were and she wondered if his face was just as soft. His eyes were what kept Hermione entranced. They were deep black orbs. The blackest she had ever seen anyone's eyes before. Usually, they showed no emotion. She couldn't think of a time, in the seven years she was his student, that his eyes glittered with anything other than malice. Now, in just one day, she saw different emotions, fleeting though they were, flash in his eyes.

Hermione remembered a time when she thought her potions Professor hung he moon. He was skilled and very bookish. Things she admired in both males and females. He was knowledgeable of just about everything and that was what drew him to her. But what no one else had was the bravery that she knew he possessed.

Now, as an adult, Hermione saw that he still had the same qualities she looked for in all people she associated with. Hermione couldn't stand being with fussy girls or stupid men. She was best friends with Ginny because Ginny was capable of way more than anyone knew. She kept most of it very secret, but Hermione knew Ginny had even dabbled in wandless magic. Something very few wizards or witches could do in this day and age.

No man had yet been able to match the level she had set for a possible mate. She knew now that she probably set the bar so high because no one could reach it. None but one. She wondered about that as she lay in the darkness of her rooms. What was it about him? In her she had a need to nurture, a need to love things at all cost. In him was a need to be nurtured and a wanton desire to be loved. She knew it was crazy, and knew it was hopeless, but she knew that no matter what, her desire for the Potions Master would never fade. It wouldn't fade in time, nor would it fade with age.

But what to do? Should she jeopardize everything just to sate her desires? No. Perhaps afterwards. When everything was finished she would take a leap of faith. She could wait until after the potion was brewed and perfected. Of course, they would have to test it. Then copyright it was well. She had to follow protocol first, then, when he was released from his contract…maybe.

Severus apparated back to Hogwarts to spend the night in the wonderful solitude of his rooms. The first thing he did was pour a glass of Firewhiskey and drink the burning liquid down quickly. Making loud noises afterwards, Severus breathed through his mouth, trying to relieve the pain in his mouth and throat. They didn't call it Firewhiskey for nothing.

Severus sat before his fire and sipped the second drink. How could this happen? How could he have thought that he desired the Ms. Granger? She was beautiful now, yes. She was incredibly intelligent and had no fear. She seemed to be at ease with him. Which was rare because most people weren't.

If he had half a brain he would walk from this arrangement and never go back. That's what he should do. But, there is such a …attraction between Severus and the unknown. Here, his thoughts delved further into the implications of the experiment. He wanted his name on that potion. He needed his name on that potion. His dreams of leaving Hogwarts and the wizarding world together were there, on the forethought out of his mind.

But in the back, way in the back of his mind, there was a voice. A voice saying the most dreadful things. It all started when he walked into her sitting room and the mirror spoke to him

"Ewwww…who are you?" an arrogant voice asked. Severus had turned in circles trying to locate the phantom voice. "It's no use Mr. You look that way from every angle." Severus turned and faced his reflection. The voice was coming from the mirror.

"What are you?"

"Oh, I am what people call a mirror. That person you see, that's you! I am afraid it is true. You really look that way."

Severus' face twisted with anger as he approached Elmer.

"Oh my, it doesn't get any better close up. By the way, who are you?"

"None of your business."

"Is the Professor be needing anything? Sylvester will be back later. Don't go talking with that thing there." he pointed to Elmer. "it's a wicked, wicked thing my mistress done made. He is an accident, if you be understanding me. One that should be broken. The misses will return shortly. She took off with the devil woman." Sylvester winked from the room and Severus stood with his back to the mirror. Devil woman? What was going on here?

"So….you are the professor? The Professor? The one and only Professor? My, my, my how I have wanted to meet you, Professor, far a long time." Elmer's voice changed to a feigned sweetness.

"What do you mean, the Professor?' Severus eyed the mirror and wondered if it had a sticking spell on it. Perhaps he could accidentally drop it?

"Well, you' re Ms. Granger's assistant aren't you? You are the one…in her dreams? Hmmm? The one she really wants? The one whom she doesn't want to admit that she wants? That is you, right?" Severus couldn't speak. He couldn't move. All he could do was stare at his own reflection while the mirror laughed at him.

That's when the witches had walked in.

If the talking mirror was right, it was possible Ms. Granger had feelings for him. Or, it was lying. Ms. Granger said that it insulted her everyday. So it cold have been just attempting to irritate him. Severus argued with himself that that was the solution. That the mirror had heard all this dream talk and turned it around to mean something more.

But once the seed of doubt is planted. Nothing in the world could undo it. Severus would sit for hours listening to the small voice in the back of his mind tell him that it was possible. It was possible that the brilliant, beautiful and exciting Hermione Granger wanted him. He tried not to listen, but it was useless.