Chapter 3: Talking With Snape
Severus quickly got through with the essays, most of them in his opinion however were barely worth the grades he'd given, but he was being lenient. To his surprise Potter and Weasley had done rather well on their essays, and the way they were written he knew they hadn't gotten any help from Granger. And secretly the brave know-it-all Gryffindor was his favorite pupil, she was highly intelligent and was the only one who actually paid attention in the class other than his godson.
He decided to go around the room to check on the students progress. As usual Snape found himself disappointed with the bulk of the potions he saw bubbling precariously in the cauldrons. He'd purposely chose this potion because it was the most difficult they would have to learn and it was his job to challenge his students.
As he walked by /Hermione's cauldron he stopped. "It seems that Miss Granger is the only student in this class competent enough to follow the instructions without error." he proclaimed to the class around him. He tried to force his voice to sound strain while inwardly he smiled as he made his next statement. "Twenty points to Gryffindor for being the only one to have correctly brewed the assigned potion. However since you're finished you can go around the room and help your classmates correct theirs," he sneered at Ron's cauldron disgustedly. "That is if they are indeed correctable, five points from Gryffindor Mr. Weasley for horrendous potion making." Snape Waved his wand over the dark ash gray contents of the cauldron thus vanishing them. "That will be a zero for the day and a foot and a half essay on where you went wrong and why you didn't follow the assigned instructions properly." Snape walked back to his desk and sat fingers on temples.
Hermione did as she was told and managed to save most of the potions by the time that their class was over. Snape dismissed the class with an essay on the love potion and its effects used in excess. Hermione stayed behind and told the boys to go ahead. "I'll catch up to you in a minute." when they left the room she approached the Potions Master. Severus stood and walked over to her. "May I help you with something Miss Granger?"
"Sir please permit me to inquire as to why you were so, that is to say, pleasant to Gryffindor… I mean myself in class today?" Hermione asked trying to avoid his deep ever searching eyes.
Severus considered the girl before him, "Well Miss Granger, no teacher, even I, can deny good work when it presents itself to it's fullest in their class. Even when it was done by a pretentious Gryffindor know-it-all."
Hermione nodded staring at her shoes. "If that's all Miss Granger you should go to your next class or risk detention." Snape turned to walk back to his desk but got stopped mid-step and pulled back to where he was previously standing. He let out a sound that was like a mix between a growl and a groan then looked above their heads, Hermione followed his vision and gasped. There above them as though mocking them was the smallest sprig of mistletoe. Her heart began to race, pounding in her ears, and her breathing became shallow.
"It, uh, seems as though we have a slight predicament, Professor." Hermione stuttered breathlessly now looking Severus in the eyes. She tried to mask the slight and very sudden pang of joy she felt, without the knowledge that he was doing the same.
Snape pulled Hermione closer by placing an arm around her waist and gently pushed some of her hair out of her face. They didn't break eye contact as he lowered his head to hers still holder her waist. She placed her hands on his chest and met him halfway locking their lips together and closing her eyes.