Disclaimer: Well I've gotten this far, I would hope you know that I get that I don't own any of this. I can, however, give you a detailed list of things I do own if you would like me to. Oh, wait, that isn't my job, I'm supposed to be writing beautiful fan fiction for you.

Chapter 3:

Severus Snape sat in his rooms, plagued by thoughts of his former student. Former is key word there. A small voice in his head reminded him.

"Oh shut up" he said out loud.

See, she bothers you that badly; you've even lost you calm and cool upper-hand in this situation by sending her that rose and note. You're an old fool.

Severus smiled, thinking about the rose, did Hermione honestly think he missed the romance novel she had been hiding in her bag every day? He didn't use to be a spy for nothing, after all. His keen observation skills had let him notice the tiny things about her, including her love for romance. He figured the rose would be a good touch, to get her to forgive him. He honestly hadn't meant to upset her, but when he got interested with something, he had a tendency to not give up. Unfortunately I ended up making one of the few people I trust mad at me in the process. Well I can only hope she will forgive me eventually. How else will we become friends, and eventually have her fall in love with me. Wait, did I just think that? Wow, that is a hell of a Slytherin-esque plan, even for me. Well I certainly can let Hermione know what I am thinking; especially she is still coming back tomorrow.

Well that settles it, I'm in love; that is the only thing I could think of that would make me think and act like this. I have to keep my cool, if Hermione notices something is up, I may just push her away even more. Just pretend like nothing has happened at all, no life changing revelations or anything.

The next morning Hermione was in a panic, she was having a girlie moment and had no idea what to do. Plus she was mad at herself for even thinking the most important question a girl could think of when they liked someone "Oh my god, what am I going to wear?" It wasn't something she was used to having to deal with, so she had to worry all by herself. It's not as if Professor Snape hasn't seen you every day for the past two months. He probably won't even notice what you are wearing. Then again it isn't every day he sends you a red rose too.

So on through her closet she went, she had to dress casual because she was going to be making potions all day, but it was cooler in the dungeons. Aha! The ideal outfit, a pair of Muggle low-rise blue jeans and a low cut, scoop-neck tee. The shirt was turquoise and made her skin glow. She threw on a touch of makeup, a pair of slip on brown shoes, and grabbed her robes to put on over that. Then, after saying goodbye to Crookshanks, she took one last deep breath and walked out the door, to what felt like her doom.

The walk to the dungeons was probably the longest walk it felt like she had ever taken. Things you are nervous about tend to do that, unfortunately. Hermione had developed what could be called a mantra 'I will not freak out. He probably didn't mean anything special. I will just make things worse if I show that it affected me' she kept repeating that in her head, trying to convince herself that it was true, but hoping with all of her heart that it wasn't.

As soon as the clock struck nine Severus looked at the door, Hermione was supposed to arrive at nine so she should be here any second. The next thing he knew, she had walked in the door.

"Good morning Ms. Granger, I hope you slept well" I am such an idiot I hope you slept well smooth move fuckwit. That was the lamest greeting on the face of the earth, she is going to think that you are insane.

"Hi," she mumbled, blushing profusely "I'm oka... okay, thanks." Wow Granger, that might be the most brilliant thing you've ever said. He probably thinks you are a bumbling idiot now. Great, that's exactly what you need.

Severus, on the other hand, was getting that annoying pang of hope that people get when they think things may finally be turning their way. He had noticed Hermione's nervous-ness, but he didn't think her to be a bumbling idiot. In fact, he thought it was sweet. Plus it boosts every male's ego when they can make a woman speechless, and he had definitely done that to Hermione Granger. He even let part of the smirk he was holding in come out, not that he thought that she had noticed, of course. She was too busy blushing as she got her things out of her bag.

But Hermione had noticed, Severus Snape wasn't the only observant one in the room, she noted with grim pleasure. She had seen the smirk, and it made her wonder. Wait, does that mean he cares? Why does he take pleasure in the fact that he embarrassed me? Maybe he likes me too, and thinks I may be showing interest, which I am. Maybe I should test out my theory.

"So, Professor Snape; what do you have planned for me today? I'm open for anything." Hermione asked in her most innocently seductive voice.

Holy shite, what the hell is she trying to do, kill me? Wait, maybe she is. She could have detected that something is up, and is trying to figure it out. Well then, two can play at this game…

"Well, I have a potion to work on, but it takes two people to make it, because you have to say a spell together, while holding hands. Will that be a problem for you Miss Granger?" he drawled in semi-flirting tone.

Hermione panicked, and thought to herself. Well crap, that's not exactly what I had planned, holding hands. I think I'm going to faint. I have enough trouble just being in the same room with him, any physical contact might just set me over the edge, Well, I most certainly can't let him know that this is bothering me. So you just need to act like this won't affect you at all. Wait, I get to hold hands with him, YAY !

"Sure Professor Snape, that sounds fine, when do we get to work?" if her voice sounded a little squeaky, no one acknowledged it.

"As soon as you finish getting your things out of your bag." That little chit has no idea what she is getting herself into. Oh, I'll hold her hand, but I'll be a little closer to her than normal hand holders. If Hermione were looking at that time, she would have seen a slightly evil looking smile on his face, and she would have known that she most definitely would be affected.

This was kind of a filler chapter, but I promise the next one will be better. It's going to be a flashback to the end of the year ball, when Hermione and Severus realized they like each other. Let's just say it involves swing music and a tipsy Professor McGonagall. Have fun trying to picture that.