The Subtle Command
Hermione Granger glared in his general direction as he continued to rant about her teaching methods. His arms flung about animatedly as she stood as still as a rock, wondering when he would end. What was she thinking letting him into her private chambers? Finally, after what seemed like minutes, she saw his hands drop to his sides and his mouth stop moving.
"Why was all of that necessary?" She questioned, him looking at her curiously.
"Weren't you listening?" He was strangely quiet, a polar opposite of his earlier behavior.
"For the first minute, I was. I don't understand why you feel you have the right to say I am an abysmal teacher. What is your problem?" She looked at him with rage emanating from her seemingly brown eyes.
"I don't know." She heard a tinge of pain in his voice that she had only heard in reference to the late Albus Dumbledore. "Thank you for your time." He went to leave, but she reached out for his arm.
"Wait."
"No, I have encroached on your time long enough." He pulled lightly but she would let him go.
"What did you come here for, Severus?" He looked at her, briefly catching a glimpse of worry in her eyes.
"I honestly don't know." He tried to smile, but couldn't. "I…"
"Severus, I am listening." She had let go of his sleeve and all he wanted to do was leave her room and run back to the dungeons, but he couldn't. He was rooted to the spot by her subtle command.
"I came here to tell you how…" He choked on his words.
"What, Severus? You can say anything."
"I came here to tell you how absolutely perfect you are. I came here to tell you how much I respect, care, and undeniably love you." She tried to breath, but was failing miserably. She could briefly feel her body falling.
The next thing she remembered was being in his arms in front of the fire. His eyes gazing into hers, a smile across his face, and what appeared to be tears, rolling down his cheeks.
"Severus?" She said weakly.
"I love you, Hermione." He kissed her forehead and she couldn't help but smile.
"But I am so insufferable." She protested.
"I know." She giggled lightly and moved off his lap to sit beside him.
"That is why you came to talk to me?"
"Yes." She took his hand in hers. He looked at her curiously.
"I love you." She smiled, causing him to release a large amount of air. She leaned into him and placed a very tender kiss on his lips.
AN: Both cheesy and short, but what can I say… I am a hopeless romantic. When I come up with a new way for Hermione and Severus to fall in love, I write about it. Hope you enjoy.