I'm back! And with a vengeance! I will finish this story darnit!

Disclaimer: I own nothing that pertains to Harry Potter

Cornered in the Classroom

Oh Merlin, thought Hermione. He touched me. He…SNIFFED me. I was incredibly…No! I will not go there. It's completely inappropriate. Who care if I am of legal age, he STILL thinks I'm physically much older than I really am. Although, mentally I could give him a run for his money.

She shook her head to clear her thoughts as she whispered her password to enter her rooms. Crookshanks quickly availed himself to his Mistress by reminding her that it was feeding time. She quickly found her scraps from dinner on her desk and placed them in a bowl onto the floor. He meowed his thanks.

"Oh Crooks. What am I to do?"

He looked at her quizzically as if to say, "Do what?"

"I'm fairly certain Professor Snape was putting the moves on me. Not as if I'd mind," she mumbles, "but I simply cannot give into basic instincts. I'm supposed to be AVOIDING his suspicions. Instead it's like a moth to the flame!" She threw her hands up in exasperation and plopped down upon her couch.

"When I was a student, I could ignore all of this…infatuation. There was no way he would notice me…a know-it-all." She sighed. "Tomorrow…tomorrow I will NOT let him control my actions. I will NOT be awkward and I will certainly NOT sit next to him!"

"Bugger me!" She hissed to herself. She couldn't believe she overslept. Well, perhaps overslept was a bit dramatic. But she did sleep later than usual? Certainly. And because of this, only one seat remained open at the High Table. And that chair was directly adjacent to one ex-spy.

"Good morning," he greeted as he looked up from his cup of tea.

"Professor," she replied while taking the seat to the right of him.

"I trust you slept well…Professor Garnder?"

"Why yes, I did."

She promptly took great interest in her toast and jam before her as a means of dismissal. Perhaps he will get the hint, she thought.

"Professor Gardner."

Or not.

"Yes?"

"I'm curious. Where is it that you hail?"

She looked at him for a moment, "I'm sorry?"

"Where are you from Professor?"

"Oh, I um, here."

"Here? That's not very specific. In fact, it's quite vague to what 'here' is."

"Well-"

"Professor Garnder," Poppy interrupted.

Hermione looked to her in thanks, "Yes Madame Pompfrey?"

"I'm terribly sorry to interrupt, but I was wondering If I could have a moment of your time later this afternoon. I have a few questions in regards to the paperwork that was forwarded to me about your last physical."

"Oh yes, of course. Two o'clock?"

"Yes. Very good."

Hermione looked back at Snape, "If you'll excuse me, I need to get ready for my lesson."

His eyebrows furrowed as he nodded in response.

Blast that woman! I won't be deterred. My suspicions are now clear. You WOMEN are up to something.

The days classes went by in a flurry of activity and with far more attentive students. After word had gotten around about her 'blow up,' many of them gave her a wide berth. No one wanted to set off the ticking time bomb.

She smiled to herself in thought, I'm turning into a mini-Snape. Feared by my students. Comical really.

She betgan to gather her materials when her hairs began to stand on end. Placing the papers in the crook of her left arm she grasped the wand encased within her right sleeve as she turned around.

"Professor Snape," she said in surprise. "What can I do for you?"

He moved from the opening of her classroom and shut the door with a silent click.

"Not avoiding my questions for a start."

She looked at him and smiled in what she hoped was very convincing, "What are you talking about?"

He narrowed his obsidian gaze upon her from across the room and stalked forward between the desks at a leisurely pace.

"You know exactly what I am talking about."

She huffed in exasperation, "Really Professor. You are far more paranoid that you need be."

"Oh?" He stopped a few feet from her person.

"Yes," she replied.

"Then where ARE you from?"

"If you must know, I'm from Ennistymon."

He kept his gaze locked upon her in the ensuing silence. Until she said, "I wish you would stop that."

"Stop what?"

"This! That! Staring at me with those eyes."

He moved forward, "What else do you suggest I use…Jane?" he murmured.

"Well, I don't know," she weekly replied.

He smirked to himself as he extended his right hand to lightly trace her jaw line.

"Are you attracted to me?"

Her eyes widened and she dropped her papers. "Wha--?" She glanced down at the papers and began to bend for them when he grasped her by her left shoulder, pushing into her personal space.

"Are you…attracted to me? It's a simple question Professor Gardner."

"Look," she huffed, "I don't have time for your games nor am I looking for a 'fling.'"

His brow quirked, "Really," he drawled, "what a coincidence. Neither am I."

His warm breath caressed her left ear as he leaned closer into her.

"Sir, I, um…"

"Sir?" he chuckled quizzically.

She shook her head, "Look, I don't know why you're so paranoid but really. There's nothing to worry about."

He murmured into her ear, "I may not know exactly what is going on, but do not be foolish enough to think that you are not being watched."

He quickly turned away from her and stalked to her door. Upon grasping it open he looked upon her one last time.

"Good day…madam." And with an ominous nod of his head he shut the door silently behind him.

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