Chapter 10 already? This is going to be a LONG fic, so buckle up. I hope you're all in it for the long haul. Thank you for your continued support as I guide you through this journey, I hope my fluff fic (Consequence of Laughing) helped ease the slow burn pain of this fic! (also can we appreciate that the previous chapter brought the word count of this fic to 32,999 words, and I'd like to think it's impressive that I didn't add one single more word to bring the count to 33,000 words)

Chapter 10. Speechless

"Miss Granger," Hermione was just heading into the Great Hall for dinner after her Ancient Runes lecture when she heard her name being called from behind her. She spun to see who it was and saw Professor McGonagall approaching her with a severe expression. For a moment, she wondered if she was about to get in trouble, but couldn't come up with a single rule she could have been caught breaking. "I would like to speak with you a moment, could you spare me some time before dinner?" Her professor asked, revealing a tender smile as she reached the paralyzed student.

"Absolutely, Professor, dinner can wait." The rumble in Hermione's stomach begged to differ, and she wondered why McGonagall hadn't grabbed her after her morning Transfigurations class or during Hermione's free period, but she held her tongue and smiled up at her Head of House. The older witch turned and Hermione followed her into a small corridor. McGonagall cast a quick Muffliato and caught Hermione's gaze, making her freeze once more.

"As you are likely aware, last night you fell asleep on the Astronomy tower. While I'm sure you dozed off prior to curfew, you were still, for all intents and purposes, breaking school rules by being out at that hour of the night without good reason. Therefore, I have deducted 20 points from Gryffindor," Hermione winced at the reveal of her punishment. I suppose there was that small rule-breaking, she confessed. "Thankfully I was doing my rounds and came across you. You were quite nearly frozen solid, thank Merlin for warming charms and Madam Pomfrey!" McGonagall stated cheerily, resting her hand on Hermione's shoulder.

"I am so sorry, Professor, I- it won't happen again, I promise." Embarrassment clouded Hermione's sense of doubt as she bowed her head. "Thank you, for rescuing me." Hermione acknowledged, digging her nails into her palm. Well that answers that question, she thought, but her stomach was churning from her stupidity. How on earth did I let myself fall asleep outside in the middle of bloody winter? The witch shuttered as if the chilly breeze from that night had somehow returned to her form. She was greatly looking forward to the spring.

"Of course, Miss Granger, I would hardly let a student freeze to death on principle. Now, please enjoy your dinner." Suddenly, Hermione didn't feel quite as hungry as she had when she started the conversation. Hermione nodded at her professor then strode back out towards the Great Hall. She stopped abruptly upon seeing Harry and Ron seated with Ginny and Lavender. She pondered briefly sitting with them and letting them off the hook, but she held firm and found a gap close to the entrance. Piling some food onto a plate, the young witch gathered her dinner and hurried back to her common room as to avoid anyone noticing her. Taking the stairs at a brisk pace, she made it to the Gryffindor tower and found a seat on the couch.

It seemed the majority, if not all of her housemates were at dinner and she could eat her meal in peace. Not only did the quiet afford her time to digest the fact that she had lost her house more points in the last few weeks from her stupid crush on a professor, but she could also calm her stomach from the excited energy in anticipation of her lesson that evening. Her consistent inability to perform non-verbal magic was embarrassing in the least, and she had even spent her free period practising the art in the library to no avail. Thankfully, Ancient Runes was not one of the classes that demanded she perform magic wordlessly and so she had ended her day on a positive note. She took a bite of her dinner and swallowed it forcefully.

Perhaps I could ask Professor Snape to help me with non-verbals tonight, Hermione allowed herself to think of her coming lesson even though she knew a blush would develop with the mental image of her brooding professor. He is an incredible wizard and a fantastic teacher, she contemplated, admittedly falling into a spiral of introspection. Hermione was sitting on a couch, his hand on her knee as they spoke about novels and held each other's gaze. His brown eyes were delving deep into her soul and awakening a force within her she didn't know she had. She felt herself folding her other leg over his hand, leaning into him and brushing her lips against his. "Kiss me," she teased breathlessly. Without hesitation, he captured her lips and pulled his hand from between her legs to rest it on her thigh. Slowly, he pushed up her skirt as he assaulted her mouth, Hermione melting into him. With a firm grasp of her buttocks, Severus pulled her onto his lap so she was straddling his hips. He moved to kiss her neck and her head fell back in pleasure as a moan escaped her lips. "Fuck me, Severus." She whispered.

"I think you have me mistaken," the male voice did not belong to Severus and Hermione was quickly pulled from her growing heat. She gawked down at the man who was beneath her and attempted to escape his grasp.

"Draco." The shift in her daydream brought her back to the present, and Hermione realised she must have fallen asleep as she tested her dinner. It was cold, but she noted she wasn't terribly hungry. Especially not after that little mental break, the witch shuddered and stood up, casting a Tempus charm. "Shit." She swore as it was nearing the end of dinner. Luckily, no Gryffindors had returned from their meal, so Hermione was allowed the time to clean up her plate and rush back to her room.

The girl quickly changed from her uniform into a simple pair of jeans and a pink cardigan. She picked up the novel she had been reserving for Snape from the few muggle books she had brought with her from home. Originally, Hermione thought she would lend her professor Catcher in the Rye, but noted she had left that particular classic at home. Instead, she decided on Wuthering Heights. It was likely he had read the book before, but it was one of her favourites and she was determined to share it with someone. Upon examining herself in the mirror, she noted her hair was even more of a mess than normal and quickly tamed it into a braid on her back. While she was still dissatisfied with her appearance, it would do for now because she was in no mood to dedicate the time. Anyway, Snape has seen me at my absolute worst, nothing I can do in ten minutes can erase that, she thought with a sigh. Hermione remembered back to the hair she had laboured over for the yule ball and how stunning she looked in her periwinkle dress. Ron had to go and ruin that night for me too. What a git, she spat mentally, turning around and walking out of the dormitories.

Her heart sank as she stepped down into the common room just as Ron, Lavender, and Harry came through the portrait. Harry stiffened upon seeing her and sent her an apologetic gaze, but the witch just frowned and kept forward. She manoeuvred around the group, but Harry caught her arm. "Hermione, wait, please, I want to talk to you, where are you going?" Harry asked. Ron and Lavender hadn't stopped with their dark-haired friend, and Hermione resigned herself to staying back and giving the boy a chance.

"Just going for a walk, perhaps the library to study some non-verbal spells," She answered simply, avoiding his eyes as she lied.

"I want to apologize, I'm not sure what you heard, but Ron was being a prat. I should have stood up for you, there was no reason for me to go along with what he said, you're amazing Hermione." He spoke. The genuine tone of his voice melted the ice Hermione was producing, and she met his gaze. "I told him to sod off after you left if that counts for anything. Please start sitting with us again, Ginny and I miss you." The witch cracked a grin at the comment.

"Who else could you talk to about your blooming romance, I understand." She knew there was more to it, but she felt the need to play with her friend. Secretly, she was hoping to draw out the apology just a bit longer, make him beg for her a touch. Hermione liked to feel needed, and she was beginning to hate needing people. Like I need Severus.

"You know it's more than that, 'mione, but that's part of it, yeah," Harry smiled, which made Hermione laugh in return. She threw her arms around her friend, careful to hold tight on the thick novel in her hand, and gave him a hug, which he returned. "So come and sit with us, Ginny will be joining us later."

"No, I really ought to go study, but thanks for the offer. If you're still up when I come back, I'll join you." She offered, making Harry shrug.

"Alright, we'll try to wait up for you." With that permission, she turned to leave the tower and sped up her pace once she was fully out of the line of sight of the fat lady. She made her way to Snape's office, as she had more times that week, it seemed, than she had in her entire academic career, and knocked on the door.

Hermione heard him command something from his office, so she pushed open the door and stepped through. "Good evening, Professor," she spoke with confidence as she took out her nervous energy on her book. Before she could convince herself out of asking for his help in non-verbal magic, she continued, "I was hoping I might request something we learn today." She started, her voice wobbling as she worked her way through her poorly worded request. "Unless you already have something planned, that is." She added as she let herself fall into her normal chair across from his desk. She watched as he examined her. She thought his face seemed to soften whenever she was around, but she was certain she was likely just imagining things she hoped were true.

"Of course, Miss Granger, these are, after all, solely for your benefit." He sounded almost as if the young witch was a burden on him, and she winced at the blow to her ever-diminishing ego. As Hermione attempted to gather her bearings, she watched her professor's eyes wander to the book she held in her grasp. The girl smiled, having strategically placed her fingers over the title so he would have to wait until after their lesson to find out what book she intended on offering up. She was partly embarrassed at her choice, a gothic romance, but at the same time, it was one that would at the very least spark a conversation. Smoothly, Snape reached behind himself and produced a small piece of parchment, handing it to her. She took it eagerly as he explained, "a list of texts for homework, should you find it beneficial. They are all available in the library, I'm certain you've read one or two, but I thought I'd offer them up." Hermione was reading over the list, her eyes wide with wonder as she read the titles of books she hadn't even heard of before. Now, this is a little bit of light reading, she commented internally, allowing a smile to dance over her lips. "What is it you would like to learn this evening, Miss Granger?" It took her a moment for her to register what he had asked her, as she was already planning her next library visit.

"Non-verbal magic, Sir. We're learning it in all our classes, and I am finding it impossibly difficult." Hermione thought it would be harder for her to make that particular confession, but it seemed to roll off her tongue. I must trust him not to completely obliterate me, she mused, though she had been given plenty of reasons not to trust him in such a fashion.

She watched as he flicked his wrist with a suggestion to stand up from her seat. Still keeping her book close to her and making sure she continued to mask the title, the witch obliged."What context would you like to learn first? Defence? Potions? Transfigurations? Charms, perhaps?" She took a moment to consider the options. Would any of the other topics really benefit me? I mean I'm still doing exceptionally in all the other classes, the only one I'm really fundamentally struggling with is Defence. And it is his subject currently, she debated before deciding.

"Defence," Hermione said with confidence, meeting his gaze as she realised she'd been making eyes with the floor nearly the entire time they'd been speaking. When she looked into his dark irises, she remembered why she had made that decision. Her breath was stolen from her and she took a moment to adjust herself as she examined his features. Just as fast as she had met his stare, he flicked his own to the bookshelf.

"The room of requirements, then."

-x-

"Miss Granger, you've been at this for nearly half an hour, I thought you were bright!" Severus nagged jokingly, which only proved to enrage Hermione more. She had been trying to block his spells by conjuring a Protego spell but she could barely cover her leg, let alone her whole body. He had suggested she practice meditation, that she calm herself before attempting a spell. Needless to say, I'm not easily calmed, Hermione thought as she once again took a deep breath and readied herself for the assault. "Forget about being the best, just focus on putting up a shield." He said, his voice less intense than he had been previously. Obviously, he's trying hard to hold back the mockery, she sighed, rolling her shoulders and stretching her neck.

As she inhaled, she pictured her body being enveloped in a large bubble, poising her wand as she watched him. "Pungo," Severus commanded, to which Hermione whispered Protego in her mind. Shock set in when the stinging hex failed to reach her. "Well done Miss Granger, what changed?" He asked, but Hermione was far too preoccupied with her sudden success.

"Again!" She demanded, posing once more and watching him. He barked the hex once more and she repeated the process of producing her shield. Once again, she was successful in deflecting the hex and jumped excitedly. "I did it! Professor, I did it!"

"Yes, congratulations, you're now at the same level as every other student." His reality check hit her harder than his stinging hexes and she quickly folded into herself. "Shall we continue?" She nodded at his query and resumed her position once more. The two battled back and forth for a moment until she was able to produce her shield without any preparation. "Now, conjure a flower, Miss Granger. I hear you had struggled with that particular class assignment." A blush made its home on the girl's face before she hardened her expression. Orchideous, she cast mentally, a bouquet of mint green roses manifested themselves in front of her, before falling to the ground. "Well done, is there anything else you would like to practice? We will be learning Non-verbal magic next week and how to notice the cues of your opponents as to not fall victim unprepared." Snape vanished the bouquet before them.

"I think you've done more than enough to help me start working on this alone, thank you, Professor." She was inwardly growing proud of her progress and was genuinely looking forward to spending some time this weekend working on her non-verbal spells. "We can resume potions again next week if you had more material for me or anything you needed help with for Madam Pomfrey." He nodded slowly before she moved to gather her book and cardigan from the floor. He met her at the doorway, and he pushed it open, looking out into the corridor before leaning back.

"After you, Miss Granger." She was not accustomed to people holding the door for her, as Ron and Harry were both either raised with poor manners or simply were too preoccupied to care to hold the door for her. Not that she minded, she was perfectly capable of opening a door on her own, but it's always nice to feel that someone would go out of their way to help you.

"Thank you," she muttered as she passed in front of him, looking around the corridor.

-x-

Hermione had decidedly learned more about non-verbal magic in that one lesson, than all of her courses combined. She followed her professor back to his office and watched as he walked cautiously. He subtly flinched at every sigh and groan the castle immitted and spun his head to look in every direction as they moved throughout the halls. Resigning herself not to make mention of the odd behaviour, she kept quiet, clutching her novel to her backside as she puttered along next to him. They rounded the corner to his office and he quickly ushered her in.

"Tea?" He asked as she made herself comfortable in her seat. She nodded, looking back at him over her shoulder to witness him disappear into an adjoining room she hadn't noticed before. He returned after a moment and was followed by the crack of a house elf.

"Good evening, Master Snape, Dobby brought your tea, sir. And a cup for Miss Granger, sir." The creature tottered over, placing the silver tray on the desk in between them and sent Hermione a mischievous grin. It shocked her, and for a moment she was unsure of how to respond to his seemingly knowing expression. Hermione swallowed hard and sent him a strangled smile, holding her book on her knee. He disappeared with another pop and she shook herself from the odd feeling that was sitting on her shoulders. Her professor had helped himself to his tea and motioned for her to do the same. She repeated the actions she took when they first sat down for tea, and balanced her cup on the book.

"So, Miss Granger, you wanted to discuss the book I recommended to you?" Her stomach flipped at his question. She had been thinking about what she would discuss with him in the meeting for the past two days and yet was not even slightly prepared for the feeling that overtook her when it came down to the actual encounter.

"Yes, the ending sir," Hermione started. It felt as though her mouth had a mind of its own and was more prepared than the rest of her, as all her nerves seemed to tingle in a panic. "I can't imagine how it could possibly be her partner, he was just so... Obvious! How could they make the ending so obvious? I had been thinking of who it could possibly be for weeks, knowing full well they were setting us up to believe it was the partner, and then they revealed it to be true!" Her voice was full of offence and confusion as she described her problems with the novel.

"I completely agree, Miss Granger, that was an exceptionally mediocre ending." Part of her was shocked that he agreed with her, she had been readily prepared to debate the horrendous finale with someone who enjoyed it, not with someone who agreed with her. As she adjusted, Hermione decided that she would have to take the opposing position to steer the discussion.

"But what if that was their whole goal? To make us believe that it was far too obvious, so it must not be him. What if the writer was planning that all along and we fell for it?" She questioned, a grin developing on her face. Hermione watched as her professor considered the suggestion. His eyebrow raised in the way it always did when he had any sort of conflicting emotion, something that she found charming. His talent suited his face, and she became transfixed on the facial quirk when he spoke.

"Perhaps, that would be a rather interesting twist. I hadn't quite considered that." His subsequent silence made Hermione believe that he was taking the chance to consider her proposition, and that thought only fueled the smile pressing into her cheeks. "If that were the case, it would be a very different novel, how many times did you read the book before you..." She chuckled at his insinuation.

"Before I drooled all over it?" She finished his sentence playfully, "Once, but I remembered what was on that page, mostly, and rewrote out what I could remember and reread it twice more after that." His eyebrow began its journey once more, making her blush with pride. How can he be shocked at my determination to reread novels?

"Well then, perhaps you might enjoy another novel to occupy your time. I found another book in my collection I thought you might enjoy." Her eyes widened at his suggestion. While she had been determined to find him something to read, she was completely shocked to find he had also considered it.

"Absolutely, I-" She paused, looking down at the book within her grasp. Should I wait to find out what he suggests before I give him mine? What if his novel is another mystery and I'm ruining this by offering a bloody romance? Her anxiety made her question her choice, and she suddenly wished she had selected any other classic book from the limited collection she brought with her to Hogwarts. He seemed to be waiting for her to finish her sentence, staring at her intently. "I also brought you a book to read, if you would like to. It's classic Muggle literature, but you might have already read it, I just- I enjoyed this one and thought you might too." She stammered, avoiding his gaze.

"What is it called, Miss Granger?" Snape asked before he took a long swig of his tea.

"Wuthering Heights." She admitted, her voice cracking slightly. Matching his movement, she swallowed her own sip of her beverage and sat up slightly straighter in her chair.

"I have heard that title, but I have yet to read it, what is the genre?" Hermione swallowed hard, the word catching in her throat before she managed to pry her lips open long enough to tell him.

"A romance, sir." He nodded, his lips never betraying his internal monologue.

"Well, I also have a romance to share with you," Hermione's entire form perked up. "Have you heard of The Element of Perfection?" Hermione shook her head. "It was written by a rather infamous muggle-born wizard, it follows a fool on a journey to perfection and the woman who completely disrupts his view on magic and the universe. Professor McGonagall gave it to me for Christmas as a joke, but I found the writing to be astonishingly good and the plot to be riddled with History, Potions, and adventure. It's a bit of a long read, but definitely worth it." He explained, taking a final sip of his tea.

"I look forward to it, Wuthering Heights is about-" He held up his hand as she started to dive into the synopsis of her suggestion, interrupting her.

"I prefer a little mystery when it comes to the book I read." He flipped his palm out and she quickly handed him the hardcover she was holding onto. Her professor examined the covering and opened it, placing his cup on the table in front of him. His eyes flicked over the preface as she assessed his opinion, but was once more unable to tell anything from his expression. He nodded slowly, standing in a swift, elegant motion, before striding over to his bookshelf. His fingertips slid against the spines of his collection before he landed on a rather warn book, pulling it from its position. Moving back to her, he held out the novel.

The cover was a midnight blue and the inscription was in cursive. She opened the cover, as he had, and read over the preface to the book, losing herself in the author's words.

-x-

Hermione stepped through the threshold of her House, a smile stuck on her lips as she hugged the latest novel to her chest. She felt her cheeks warm as she sighed happily. Even with Ron, she never felt this sort of tenderness, this level of exhilaration. The common room was empty, and she decided that Harry and the others had likely gone to sleep, so she let a sigh escape her as she moved to walk up to her dormitory. She wished it was Friday, so she could curl up in her bed and read through the book all night, but she had to wait another day before she could allow herself that kind of luxury. Pushing open the door gingerly, she stepped into her room and noted Parvati's sleeping form. When she glanced over to Lavender's bed, she regarded the fact that while her sheets were unmade, the girl was not folded up inside them.

She must be with Ron, because the lights are not on in the loo, Hermione determined. She sighed, placing the novel on her bedside table and then moving to her trunk. She quickly changed from her clothes into a pair of shorts and a jumper before crawling under her own covers, guarding herself against the frigid castle air.