Snape had been silent in thought, thinking of possible uses for this concoction. Granger's blunder may have actually created a new potion. He wished he could be so lucky with all of Longbottom's mistakes. But, as useful as it may be in his endeavors with Voldemort, his stomach couldn't help but flip at the very thought of what that would be like- another Bellatrix. He flinched at the notion. Hermoine noticed the exaggerated sneer on her Professor's face, thinking it was in response to his intrusion.
"Those memories trouble me as well, sir." She said with her face scrunched, looking awkwardly aside.
"Conceited girl," The side of his mouth upturned, "not all of my physiological responses are about you."
She looked at him, at first confused, then a bit abashed for thinking so. Was that the flicker of a smile?
"Change of plans." He broke the silence, "God forbid we have another one of those potions floating around the castle. Instead, I will guide you in making the appropriate occlumency-shielding potion and you will tell me where you so surreptitiously screwed up." She winced. "Then," he persisted, "we will continue to have training sessions to see whether or not these effects are lasting and if they can be altered."
The Hermione a few days ago would protest, but now the idea of additional time with her Professor seemed to stir up feelings akin to excitement. It was odd. But in that anticipation was a tinge of fear, exactly how long would these effects last? Were her feelings gradually escalating due to the potion? Either way, Professor Snape's probing was the only foreseeable answer.
"Come." He instructed as he glided over to the table with the cauldron and ingredients. "I assume you have memorized the chapter, show me what to do." She followed and picked up the wormwood. He observed. She placed it into the pot and set a low flame. Then, she proceeded to pull the petals from the asphodel and dropped them in as well. She measured and stirred in the appropriate amount of elixir when she moved on to chopping hemlock roots.
"Stop!" He interrupted and she froze. He came up behind her. "You are doing it much too roughly, there are bits flying everywhere." He placed his hand over hers on the knife and demonstrated the smooth fluid motion. "Gently, as to not damage the vascular cambium." As he spoke, she could feel the vibrato on her back from his words breathed in her hair. She did not know Snape could be associated with gentle. The closeness was causing something to pool within and beneath her waist. He had prompted her hand over hand for the rest of the potion until it was a silvery, swirling substance.
Hermione then noted a difference in execution. "The book said to use something of the person that was trying to penetrate your mind so that it would be reflected back at them. How come we didn't add anything?"
Her Professor looked perplexed and then the answer came to him. "You read the oldest book on the subject, because you thought it would yield the best results?"
She nodded, "I have found the methods of older books to be tried and true, since they are closer to the roots of magic."
"I have bad news for you." He smirked, "The book that you chose was in the restricted section of the library, was it not?" Her face appeared frightened at being found out. "Admonishable. 30 points from Gryffindor." He chided, just because it was so fun to tease her, and to show her in fact how much she did not know. How foolish acts of bravery would get her nowhere. "This book was used secretly by witches. It is written in codes, using one spell for another that could not be done during a time of repression. I would suggest not attempting anything else from that book because what you see, is not what you will get." After reaching that conclusion he had another question to ask. He shifted his stance to one of accusation, "Now, what did you take of mine, and how did you get it?"
She balked. He continued, "I recall how you seemed to purposefully bump into me by the doorway on the way out of class the other day."
"I-it was your hair, I saw a strand on your robe pocket. It would have fallen off anyway. Please, I apologize for that." Her eyes were round and the light seemed to find new places to reflect within them.
What did he care about a strand of hair, really? It was so unimportant that her concern was laughable. But, her expression made him seek more. "You really are a naughty girl, aren't you Miss Granger," Oh yes, he was going to make a list, "going into the restricted section." She closed her eyes, "stealing from a Professor," her body cringed, "and-" he was curious about the response to this one, "making out with a Head of House."
She opened her eyes and they both stared at each other. Really, he thought she would have run crying out of the dungeon like so many of his students. The crimson bloomed across her cheeks like a field of peonies. They both seemed to be expecting something, but for the life of him he couldn't figure it out. He hadn't been equipped with the right experience. So he resorted to what he did know, "Another 30 points from Gryffindor. And this detention is over, Miss Granger, you are dismissed." He turned and his robes followed. As he approached the door to his room, he could feel her eyes upon him.
He glanced back at her still form. "I do not presume you would like to come in for a spot of tea." He said derisively. Her eyes seemed to brighten at the possibility of invitation. "That was sarcasm, Miss Granger. I already bade you good day, and I shall say it again. Now, leave before I take all of your house points." He said bitingly. That seemed to get the point across, she nodded and left swiftly without a word. He stood absentmindedly watching the door from which she had left for a while before entering his chambers.