~ Chapter 12 ~

Hermione paced up and down the hall, gnawing on her bottom lip. I have no idea how to approach him about a certain matter. Her sock-clad feet started to ache with her brisk movements down the carpet of the hall. She could hear him moving around in the kitchen, and he spoke occasionally — to which she assumed Penny was in there, since she doubted insanity would be upon him anytime soon.

I've run out of the necessities to get me through my period. She was firm in her beliefs of only using Muggle products, which meant they needed to go and find a supermarket for her to browse. I don't have any money; it only makes me worry more that I'll have to ask him to buy the things for me.

She squeaked in frustration then made her way into the kitchen. Snape lounged at the table with a cup of tea in his hand, and Penny lay before him. He turned to regard her with passive eyes as he glanced over her form. "Have you quite finished pacing?"

"Oh," she cringed at her forgetfulness of how alert he is to his surroundings. "I have."

With a flustered sigh, she joined him at the table and poured herself some tea. "Good morning, Penny," she reached out and stroked the feline, who purred in response and returned the common courtesy.

"Are you going to tell me what has bothered you so much?" he asked. "Another nightmare perhaps?"

"No!" she exclaimed. "Nothing like that...I just wanted to ask you if we could go shopping?"

"Certainly not."

"Why not?!" her outburst didn't faze him, and she found herself annoyed at his attitude. "I need to go shopping."

"Tell me what you need, and I'll purchase the items myself."

"No, no I'm afraid I have to do the shopping," she nervously played with her cup of tea. "I need to go into a Muggle supermarket."

"What for?"

The nosy bugger.

"Some female products."

"If you think that's going to stop me from asking-"

"I'm due on my period in a few days!" she snapped, and Penny let out a whine which could only be interpreted as a laugh. He seemed to brood over something, then he got to his feet with a cough.

"We'll be leaving in an hour, so get yourself ready."

Hermione ran out of the kitchen with flaming cheeks. It's a natural part of the female body, why is it so hard to talk about? Probably because it shouldn't be up for discussion with my professor.

She returned to her room and got changed into a red jumper and a black pair of jeans. I wonder if he'll change into normal clothes? The thought made her pause buttoning up her jeans. Normal clothes. It excited her for some reason.

Penny came prancing into the room with a sly look on her dark face. She jumped up onto the bed as Hermione moved over to the mirror to fix her hair.

"You're blushing," Penny stretched on the mattress.

"I'm not!" Hermione squeaked back.

Sure enough, her cheeks reddened even more in response. Why am I blushing? She started to clean up the things on the dresser that the mirror was on. Her diary lay open and she slammed it shut then sealed it with a charm.

I've been doing better recently. Nightmares were far and few; she couldn't say the same for Snape, but the air between them had relaxed a lot more.

Hermione finished fixing her environment, then walked over to scratch Penny behind the ears.

"Can I come in your bag?" she asked.

"Yes, but we may be there for a long time," Hermione pulled her larger bag from under the bed, and started to make a comfortable nest for Penny to lounge in.

A frustrated grumble came from down the hall, and Penny and Hermione followed the noise to Snape's open door. He turned to face them with his arms crossed.

"Are you ready?" he drawled, and she noticed his familiar teaching robes.

"Yes…" she bit her bottom lip. "Perhaps you should change?"

His eyes narrowed. "What's wrong with my attire, Miss Granger?"

"Nothing!" she exclaimed with a wave of her hands. "Well…do you have something more casual?"

"No," he stepped out into the hall. "Let's go."

Hermione wasn't sure where her confidence came from. A wicked smile spread out on her face, and she charged into his room and opened up the oak wardrobe.

"Miss Granger!" he bellowed. "Stop being so intrusive!"

She scanned the clothes that lined the wooden pole; it was obvious to her that none of them had been worn, she spotted a few with the tags still on. At the bottom, there was a pile of blankets, but underneath them, a blue shirt poked out.

"What about this?" she pulled it out and held it out to him.

Anger sparked in his eyes. Oh...bloody hell, think Hermione! She suddenly remembered that his deceased father had once lived in this house. His abusive father.

"I-I…" she lowered her arm. "I'm sorry, sir."

"Stop apologising," he snatched the item from her hand. "I'm capable of dressing myself, Miss Granger."

A blush flooded her cheeks and she returned to her room. Ten minutes later, Hermione waited downstairs with Penny's head sticking out of her bag. She had a bag of cat treats for her, so she kept teasing the feline until she swiped at her hand with her claws.

Professor Snape came downstairs and she found herself stunned by his appearance. He wore a pair of jeans with the blue shirt she'd picked out for him. He scowled at the look on her face.

"If you so much as breathe about this to anyone, I will end you."

She held up her hands in defence. "I'll take it to my grave, sir."

"Good."

…

Venturing out into the Muggle world with her potions professor/temporary carer, wasn't as bad as she expected. That was until they went inside the supermarket.

Hermione saw the moment he started to feel uncomfortable. Too many people rushed around him and it put him on edge. She wished to reach out and comfort him in some way, but knew that it would only further his discomfort.

They parted ways immediately, and he wandered off to browse the shelves, leaving her to search for the things she needed. Penny purred in her bag and she quickly shushed her. A few people gave her an odd look, then she quickly rushed off to get her things.

The green basket handle dug into her arm as she crouched down to reach the bottom shelf. She carefully put her bag on the floor and shushed Penny again.

"Do you need some help?" Hermione glanced up at the boy around her age. He wore the burgundy uniform associated with the supermarket, and bore a huge smile as he looked down at her.

"N-No!" she exclaimed, and her cheeks started to redden. As she moved to stand up, he held out his hand to help her. She placed her shaking hand in his and stood up straight.

I don't feel anything...that's an excellent thing! The idea that she was beyond the point of being repulsed by a random person's touch excited her. I have to tell Snape! A smile grew on her face and she pulled her hand away from him.

He opened his mouth to say something, but a call came through the tannoy for someone to get to the checkouts.

"I best go," he looked sad. "It was nice meeting you."

Hermione watched him walk off with an airy feeling resting in her chest. She gathered the things she needed and headed towards the checkouts. Professor Snape stood nearby, looking more annoyed by the second.

"I'm all ready, sir."

"Good," he grunted, and they got in the queue for the checkout. As they got closer, she spotted the young boy from before behind the till. She placed her things on the conveyor belt and waited to be served.

"Hello again!" he greeted after he waved goodbye to his previous customer.

"Hi," she replied sheepishly.

Eyes. Burning eyes stung her skin. She didn't turn to regard Snape, but sensed his brewing anger.

"I know this must be awkward in front of your dad, but I was wondering if I could get your number?"

It was like someone had poured a bucket of cold water over her. She scrunched up her face in annoyance. How dare he insult Snape like that? Well, it's true by Muggle standards that he could have a daughter my age...however, one shouldn't just assume!

With a tilt of her head, Hermione acted without thinking. She slid her arm around Snape's waist and leant against his body. He went stiff beneath her touch and his eyes went wide in surprise.

"Would you like to get something to eat after this, babe?" she asked, and his black eyes narrowed but he responded with a nod. "How much is it?"

"Erm…" the cashier shook his head. "That'll be six pounds."

She moved away from Snape so he could pay. They hurried from the supermarket, and as they crossed the car park, Snape decided to speak.

"Miss Granger—"

"Let's just not talk about it, ever again!"

AN: Hello again! Sorry for the long wait, I've just been offtrack for a while, but things are slowly becoming more sane now. I've already written ahead, so it gives me more time to get even further ahead! This chapter was just a bit of a filler, but I hope you enjoyed it! Please leave me your thoughts!