Disclaimer: I still don't own any of this except my unchanging idea of what the Great Hall looks like (even after I have seen the movies I still imagine it differently). Even though possession is 9/10 of the law I still don't possess this.

"What on earth is the meaning of this!" he bellowed at Hermione

This time laughing was the furthest thing from Hermione's mind, well okay it was still funny but she feared more for her life now. She had seen Professor Snape upset before, but not like this, at least not since Sirius had been alive. Unfortunately, she was on the receiving side of his anger this time, a place that could make even the bravest wizards and witches tremble. So Hermione decided to take the high road, and respond in a calm and mature way.

"I'm sorry Sir; I didn't mean to offend you. This is a mixed CD that my aunt gave me, and this happens to be one of my favorite muggle songs. It is kind of funny though, don't you think?"

Well unfortunately for her, Professor Snape didn't seem to find this as amusing as she did; in fact he looked downright offended that she blew this off like it was no big deal.

"Funny, I don't find anything amusing about this at all. First, you come into my personal lab with, your muggle music toy (Hermione let out an indignant huff at this, her CD player wasn't a toy), then, when this vaguely offending song comes on, you laugh, at me. I figured, after working as my apprentice for almost 4 months, you would have learned not to cross me like that. Well, what do you have to say for yourself, or did you lose your voice from all of the laughing?"

By the end of this statement he had calmed down a little bit, even teasing her a little with the losing your voice comments. Sure he was still affronted, but he was seeing the humor of his situation more. Not that he was going to let Hermione know that. Even though she was what you would call his friend; and funny, and smart, and beautiful with the way just one strand of hair would fall out of her ponytail while she was working, just asking to be pushed behind her ear (by him, of course). Okay, so he admitted it, he had it bad for her. 'But I am almost old enough to be her father, he thought, plus even if the age weren't a factor, she would never fall for me, I am the 'Greasy Git' and "The Overgrown Bat' or my personal favorite, 'The Vampire of the Dungeons'. Vampire indeed, I am just a little pale. Anyway I am just not her type, not that I know what her type is, but she deserves better. Oh well, back to the task at hand.'

Hermione, however, was having the same conversation inside her own head. She was apologizing profusely, trying to get him to see that she was just joking around. After all, Hermione Granger doesn't like people upset at her for no particular reason. Especially people that she happens to be in love with. 'Oops, did I just think that? I know that I like him, but love? That is an awfully big step, especially since he would never like me back. I will always be the little insufferable school girl he has to deal with. And even I he did, he would probably be all chivalrous and say he's too old or something like that. Like I can't make my own decisions, humph.'

"Okay," he said, appearing to be fed up with the situation, "I guess it was just a misunderstanding. Just get back to work."

A few weeks later would find them working in his lab again. It had become a habit for them to listen to her radio, including Hermione's mixed CD. When the song would come on she would still blush violently, and he would sneer, but in his head he was always smiling. Severus had come to think of it as almost 'their song', not that he would ever admit it aloud. After the little incident, they had been on better terms that ever, and even when Hermione's work time was up, she would stay and talk for a while. And since it was summer, they didn't have to deal with usual stressors of the student teacher relationship as much. Of course Severus still let her know that he was in charge, not that she overstepped that boundary unless they were done working. He made it clear that there would be no fooling around while they made potions. Until one day when he went just a little too far.

"Well Miss Granger, I have a vaguely personal question for you. What ever happened to you and Mr. Weasley? It was obvious he liked you."

Hermione sighed, of course he didn't know. He is about the only person who didn't, and for that she had always considered herself lucky. Until now, that is. It was one the biggest scandals in the Wizarding world, headline news. Hottest Couple; Broken up at last?: Ronald Weasley found cheating on popular war heroine and girlfriend Hermione Granger with secretary. Blah, blah, blah. That was only one of many articles written like that, the only good thing was that they all blamed Ron for the breakup, which was entirely true. Well, I suppose I have to tell him now.

"Well Professor Snape, Ronald and I hit a bumpy patch and decided that it was best that we broke up." There, that was close enough to the truth.

"Really, what happened?"

"I don't really want to talk about it, if that's okay."

"Oh come on, you can't tell me that much and expect me to just forget about it."

"You are starting to sound disturbingly like Lavender Brown, Professor."

"Oh for god's sake woman, out with it already!"

"You want to know why we aren't together anymore. Because he cheated on me behind my back and I dumped him! Is that what you wanted to hear? You couldn't just respect my privacy and wish to drop it, could you? Noooo, you're the great "Professor Snape' and you just won't leave it alone! I have to go, I'll see you tomorrow!"

By the end of this little speech Hermione was screaming, her face was bright red, and she was crying. He had obviously hit a nerve, but being the male he was, never realized it. She then gathered up her things and slammed the door on her way out, leaving him with a lot of things to think about.

Hermione, on the other hand wasn't thinking at all. She was so upset that she didn't even realize that she had gotten back to her rooms, and said the password to get in. She was staying in the Head's dorm while she was there over the summer, and her room fit her perfectly. It had cream walls, mauve silk beddings, and a giant oak wardrobe. But in her fury she didn't notice any of the beauty, she instead got undressed, and hopped in the shower. She turned the water on hot, and had herself a good cry.

After she got out of the shower she felt a lot better, after all, she found that crying will help you feel better. As she padded out of her bathroom with her favorite bathrobe on, she noticed something sitting on her bed. Upon closer inspection she realized it was a red rose. She wondered who it was from, and when she picked it up she got her answer.

Hermione,

I am dreadfully sorry to have upset you like that; I should know when to stop. I didn't mean to hurt you.

Forgive me

Severus Snape

Hermione was shocked; she had never heard the man apologize for anything in all her years at Hogwarts, let alone to her. The rose was really the icing on the cake; it may have been the sweetest thing she had ever gotten. She would never tell this to anyone, but she was a freak for romance novels, and this definitely sounded like a one. Now if only the gorgeous hero would come and sweep her off of her feet… 'Yeah right, I doubt if Severus Snape has ever attempted to sweep someone off of their feet' the little voice in her head told her, 'and if he were going to, I doubt it would be you that he is sweeping'. "Damn voice" she muttered to herself while silently agreeing with it.

Yeah, I kinda based the whole romance novel thing after me, because I am in love with them, and my closest guy friend was teasing me about obsession with them. Then he said that he should have known, because all know-it-all's have a hidden love for romance, so why should I be any different. So I figured if he was right, and he usually is, that Hermione would be like me in that fashion. Comments are appreciate, but not necessary!