Hogwarts castle. Morning. The Whomping Willow sways in a light breeze.

The Black Lake shimmers, clouds drifting in its glassy mirror. Moments later in the great hall, Ron stands amid a circle of excited Gryffindors.

"Stand back, I said! Or I'll take it upstairs if you don't settle".

As Harry arrives, he glances at Hermione, who clears her throat loudly. The others turn, begin all speaking at once.

"Harry. Where did you get it?"

"Can I have a go, Harry? After you, of course".

"What are you talking about?"

"Quiet". said Ron as they obliged. "Let the man through".

Mystified, Harry steps forward, the boys peeling away, clearing his view of the broomstick in Ron's hands. The label gleams Firebolt.

"I didn't mean to open it, Harry. It was badly wrapped. They made me do it".

Ron points at Fred, George and Percy. "Did not".

"It's a Firebolt. It's the fastest broom in the world".

"For me? But who sent it?" ask Harry.

"No one knows. This came with it".

Harry turns, sees Hermione holding up a feather. As Harry stops short, Hermione raises her eyebrow. As they share a secret glance.

The huge vertical doors burst open and Harry, trailed by the others, exits with the Firebolt.

As he strides off, others join the assembly Hagrid, Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle among them curious to see what the commotion is all about.

As Harry stops, an expectant hush hangs over the moment. "Go on, Harry!"

"Yeah, let's see how fast it is, Harry?"

Harry's eye shifts to Ron and Hermione. A wink. As everyone turns .. WHOOSH! Harry jets off and Harry shoots straight into the blue on the Firebolt.

A scream grows louder as he approaches. It's Harry screaming up from the sky.

Hermione shakes her head in a smile. She pushed herself through the crowd, her foot walking back inside the castle, to the corridor.

And her foot began to change directions to the dungeons. Meeting Snape in his office.

She knocks at his door, hears him voice behind the door. Swung the door half open. All she sees is, full back body of Severus Snape.

His pacing himself on the shelves. His collection of jars he keeps as his hobbies. Hermione admired Snape.

He may be old for her but.. something makes her smile as Harry's say.. becoming protective over her. Doesn't make any sense.

She entered his office, cleared her throat and smiled. "Good morning, Professor Snape". He stops what he's doing as he hears his witch's voice behind him.

"I'd say good morning, Professor Snape". He didn't reply. "Well, I guess I guess I know why.. does not bother me".

Snape hears her footsteps approach behind him. "I want to say.. Thank you. You try to protect us.. but Harry seems to misunderstand what you did. He'd attack you".

Hermione chuckles a bit. "Are you hurt? I didn't ask you at the Hospital wing of yours, I believe it hurt. And I'm here not to attend to you like Madame Pomfrey did. So I suggest if you get hurt, Madame Pomfrey will wait for you there".

She is about to leave.. Snape stops her. "Stay..." Snape slowly turns to her. "Stay.. there's something I need to say to you Miss Granger".

Snape used his wand, shut the door behind her, sealed his office with a silencing charm so that no one couldn't hear the two were talking inside Snape's office.

He laid his wand on desk. His eyes met her brown eyes. "Are you here for an apology?"

"No".

Snape nodded his head. "Miss Granger I..." His lips stutter. "I mean you must know why I'm protective over you because.." He walked a bit towards her. "Because.. I suddenly found my chance to be in love again".

"Who? Me?" Snape nods. "W.. what?! Is this some kind of joke? Professor, hadn't you realized what you just said.. or you bumped your head so hard that your words are out of your mind, out of control".

Snape shake head. He spoke. "I'm feeling fine. I didn't bump my head harder than I thought. And my words are still my words".

"Then why are your words so ridiculous to hear!"

"Because my words to you are loyal". Both Hermione and Snape went silent for a moment.

Snape spoke again. "Love Miss Granger. My heart to you".

"Impossible. You're my teacher! And we can't!"

"You flashed my robes while I was watching the games. I didn't complain to your head house Professor McGonagall. If she finds out.. I will hate myself to do so".

Snape approaches her as Hermione backs away. Where should she run? Everything is sealed around her.

"I know She gives you that time turner so then you can learn without skipping your classes, with that you save Black's and another innocent creature out there. I didn't complain while I'm proud because you reminded me of someone I used to love when I was your age".

His mouth gaped a bit. "Someone I love dearly and she betrayed it. Until she dies.. and she gives you to me".

"Professor, are you alright? I don't understand this matter.. I may be brilliant but.. still I don't know what you are talking about".

"True. Because you are just a child I fell in love with. It wasn't an obsession, Miss Granger, don't worry about that. I'd just admire you".

He studied her. "I'm too old for you. And I know you cannot accept this old man, this girl like me pleading, begging you to stay beside me. Because I cannot do that, you have your own life".

"Professor Snape? Love between a student and a Professor isn't allowed in school by the Ministry of Magic. Unless the students with students are. Why me, Professor?"

Hermione studied Snape. "You call me insufferable, know it all by your words. You asked the question and I answered it. Why? That's why I'm asking.. why did you choose me".

"I didn't. I didn't choose you. But my heart does". Snape turns his shelves back. "You may go, Miss Granger. I do believe your friends Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley are looking for you around the castle".

Snape takes his wand from desk, lifts his silencing charm and the door behind Hermione half open, waiting for her body to walk through it.

"Because I don't want any of them to look suspicious on me while you are in my office all by yourself".

Without words. Hermione bolts out from Snape's office. Then the door slamming shut behind her and locked from the inside.

Snape sighs relieved. He had the courage to confess. A confession that he loves his little witch.

What an.. stupid ideas I become. Snape muttered. Miss Granger... Hermione. My Hermione.

THE END.