AN: Okay this is AU, set in Hermione's seventh year with Snape as the Potions Professor. So I guess that means Dumbledore is alive… Yes, I'm living in my own little fantasy world. No warnings needed! By the way – not beta'd so all the mistakes are mine! But thanks to Lux for bouncing ideas with me. :) REVISED ON 8/9/07
Disclaimer: Not my characters, just playing with them! I'll be sure to return them when I'm done.
Always a Spy
oOo
The two girls were huddled together at a back library table, intently discussing the older girl's secret crush.
"But I still don't see the attraction," the younger girl stated quietly.
The older girl wrung her hands and tried to find the words to make the other understand. "I overheard him once, talking with the other teachers, and he was brilliant. His knowledge of charms surpassed even professor Flitwicks and he's like that with every subject."
A soft laugh escaped from the redheaded girl's mouth. "Okay, he's brilliant but still, there has to be something more than that. What is it?"
oOo
"Well," the brunette sighed. "Have you noticed his hands? When he prepares ingredients - they way his hands move- they're so graceful." She said with a faraway look in her eyes. "He has beautiful hands."
The younger girl stifled a laugh. "Are you serious, Hermione?
"Well they are. He is." She said indignantly, daring Ginny to challenge her opinion.
"Beautiful? Are you speaking of the same greasy haired git of a professor that bullies his students every chance he gets? Because that's the only Potions Professor I know at Hogwarts."
"I told you. I told you that you'd never understand."
oOo
"You're right, Hermione. I don't get it. Snape's mean and sarcastic. I don't mean to be cruel but he'll never see you as more than a muggleborn know-it-all." Ginny paused and shook her head. "He's also your professor and twice your age."
"Professor Snape," she corrected out of habit. "Anyway, I'm of age and he won't be my professor in another week. He's not mean, maybe a little prickly but not malicious. And I happen to like his sarcastic wit; I find humor in his remarks.
Do you think he'd take me as an apprentice?"
Ginny stared at Hermione skeptically.
oOo
"No, Hermione," she said forcefully. "He never takes apprentices and he'd never take you. What would his precious Slytherins say? You have to stop this! I know you, you get some outrageous idea in your head and have to see it to completion. I don't want to see you wasting opportunities because you're set on pursuing Snape." Seeing the expression on her friends face she quickly amended, "Professor Snape."
"I can't, Ginny. There's something about him, I feel connected to him somehow. Your right, I can't let go. I have to try."
"You know this will end badly, don't you?"
oOo
The girls fell silent, lost in their own thoughts, neither noticing the man hidden in the shadows. He stared at the witches with an unfamiliar look on his face. A look that softened his features, a look that reduced lines of worry and stress until they were almost unnoticeable. He looked hopeful, happy even.
Restoring his usual scowl, he stepped out of the shadows. "Ms Granger, a word," he commanded and immediately marched to the door.
Horrified, Hermione rose to follow.
"Whoops!" Ginny shrugged. "Ask, Hermione, maybe I'm wrong!"
She hoped she'd never have to say I told you so.
oOo
AN: Forgot to say - this was written for the prompt Whoops! from GS100 on LJ.