So I have never posted a multi-chapter. And i have this idea laid out in my head, so it shouldn't take too, too long to update. Even though I am in crunch-month right now.

Well, cross your fingers (if you like it).

Also - the title is crap, suggestions are welcome. Betas are also welcome to apply.

As usual - it doesn't belong to me.

Hermione tried to concentrate on the titles as her fingers gently caressed the spines on the shelf of books at eye level. She looked down at the piece of paper in her left hand and read the title for the fifteenth time. She looked at the shelf again, but could not concentrate; not with Professor Snape standing with his back to her browsing the shelf opposite. Concentrate, she thought to herself, he's just a bloody man, stop this obscene stomach fluttering. Hermione sighed and leaned her head against a row of books, hoping he wouldn't turn around and look at her. She needed to get in control of this ridiculous schoolgirl crush. She would just leave and come back later. After all, her essay wasn't due for two weeks. She sighed and turned around to see Professor Snape looking at her with his head tilted, and only a ghost of his usual sneer on his face.

"Miss Granger…" he stopped, looking towards Madame Pince's desk, he lowered his voice. "What on earth are you doing?" Hermione couldn't think of a single relevant answer, she could only think of how he could twist everything she would say into some biting remark. She was too tired to deal with that right now, with him, trying to keep her emotional barriers in place. So she shrugged and held up her piece of parchment with the book title written on it.

In her numb state, she barely recognized her own shock as he stepped next to her to read the piece of parchment. She stared at him as he read, allowing herself this chance, watching his hair cover his face as he bent his head. She tilted her head with him, trying to see his face around the curtain of hair. When he straightened she realized she had been leaning towards him. Trying to be near him. The look of shock on his face to find her so close was enough to snap her out of her daze.

"S-sorry, sir. I was just looking for this book, but I seem to have left my brain in the common room." She winced and braced herself for the onslaught of abuse likely to come with the opening she had just given him. The sneer he gave her seemed half hearted,

"Miss Granger I can assure you…" he trailed off suddenly, "here." She looked down at the book he was holding out to her, and finally realized it was the one she had been looking for.

"Don't you need it, sir?" She asked, looking from the book up to his face.

"Miss Granger…" He stopped, and looked down at the book, as if reluctant to give it up.

"Yes Professor Snape?"

"Just take the book." His tone was so resigned she felt her heart clench for no reason. All of a sudden she wanted to make him smile. Instead, she reached for the book, willing her hand not to shake.

"Thank you sir. I-" She was cut off when she touched the book, her fingers brushing up against his. She saw a bright purple flash, and was suddenly thrown backwards against the bookshelf she had only moments ago been leaning on. A searing pain, not unlike electrocution, slammed into her. When she regained her breath she looked up to see her Potions Professor lifting himself to his feet, looking at the book between them with an odd, almost morbid fascination. She watched him walk towards her, careful to give the book a wide berth.

"What is going on here?" The stern voice of Madame Pince broke the eerie silence, and both student and professor looked up to see the librarian standing at the end of the stacks, hands on her hips. A few curious students crowded behind her, craning their necks to see what they could.

"Madame Pince, it seems a rather dangerous book has been shelved outside the restricted section." Snape said, looking down at the book again. Hermione was shocked when he reached out a hand to help her up. She darted her eyes to the on looking students, and quickly realized he was not paying attention to his actions. She decided to make the best of the situation; she could not remember ever touching him before. She put her hand in his, and saw him turn shocked eyes to her when another purple flash appeared. He braced himself as he went flying further down the stacks, away from Hermione and the book, slamming into a shelf, books threatening to fall on his head. Hermione held her breath as she was slammed back into the shelf she had been leaning away from in order to grasp Professor Snape's hand. As she opened her eyes she still retained the memory of a purple flash.

The gasp that came from Madame Pince and her followers brought Hermione back to herself. She shakily stood up and reached for the book.

"Miss Grang-" She heard Snape say, but he silenced himself as she picked up the harmless book, and looked back to him, brows furrowed with confusion. He stood slowly, stumbling slightly into the shelf.

"Professor?" Her voice was shaky, and she leaned against the shelf, dropping the book to the floor, eliciting a gasp from the staunch librarian.

"Miss Granger, I believe we should go to the Headmaster's office." He walked towards her, but hesitated slightly as she remained still. "Miss Granger," his voice had gone cold, the same kind of icy tone he used in his classroom, and his sneer was firmly in place when she looked up to meet his eyes, "would you prefer I carry you?"

Hermione snorted with laughter, trying to cover it with a cough. "No, sir, I'm afraid we would end up in the hospital wing."

"Then move." He said, eyes narrowing.

"Yes sir." And with that she turned and walked towards the chaos of the crowd, which seemed to have tripled in size. They parted quickly, uneasily eyeing the two as they headed out of the library.

I love reviews, they make my day, but I know how rushed life is, so that fact that you got to this note is good enough for me.