I own nothing! Just playing in J. K. Rowling's amazing universe!
Severus' POV
Severus was walking through the corridors, looking for Minerva. He was still shaken from when Hermione had touched him. She had put her small hands on his chest, making warmth spread through his whole body. This had truly been a surreal evening. Turning a corner, he could hear footsteps further down the corridor. He saw the figure of the Headmistress approaching him. He walked with light steps, making sure to not make any sound. He didn't really know if the spell had any effect on sounds.
When he got closer, he expected Minerva to see him. He was almost right in front of her. She walked towards him with her gaze in his direction, but didn't give any sign of knowing he was there. She can't see me. She really can't see me. He had to jump out of the way when she almost walked into him. She walked straight past him, and he stopped to look after her, stunned. Bloody Hell.
He walked down to the dungeons, and entered his office. He froze in his steps and gave a small gasp at the warm feeling spreading through his body again before disappearing completely. Catching his breath, he continued into his chambers.
The tiny balls of light were still floating in the air, and he marveled in the beauty of it. He had hoped Hermione forgot to remove them when leaving, and she had been so giddy with the thought of the library that she didn't even think about it. He was glad. He would have had to say yes to her removing them if she had asked him, to not admit that he would like to keep them a bit longer. And I can pester her with the fact that she forgot to remove them tomorrow. He smirked.
He had no plan of being all smiles and rainbows towards her. It wouldn't be him. But he could go easier on her. She had placed a lot of trust in him tonight, and it was a rare thing for him to experience. And if they were going to work together, they had to be at least civil towards each other. Maybe even friendly. He shook his head at the thought. Don't be a fool, she has no wish of being your friend.
He found himself intrigued at the idea of working with her. A bit enthusiastic even. Her newfound abilities peaked his curiosity, and he wondered what else she could do, and how far these powers reached. Curious, curious indeed.
He looked around the room again. The small orbs of light were still in place, shining as bright as ever. He walked over to one that was floating in the same height as his head, and looked at it. Reaching out, he flattened his hand, and lifted his palm up towards it. He froze when it moved. The tiny orb descended, and landed in his hand. "Oh." He hesitated for a moment. "Hello." He rolled his eyes. "Great, now I am talking to a ball of light. Though, this evening cannot become anymore surreal, so why not."
He looked down at the orb floating on his palm. It tingled a bit, and felt warm. "Would you like to come with me?" The orb settled on his hand, and he froze. "Very well then." He wandered around the room for a bit before he brought the orb with him into his bedroom, and looked at it. "I would like you to stay here, I'm going to read, but I need to get my book first, and maybe some of your friends." The orb ascended, hovering about an inch from over his hand. He was amazed. "Thank you."
He went to get more orbs, talking politely to them all as he walked. He felt like a utter fool, but they seemed to listen, so he kept doing it. I wonder if Hermione have tried talking to them. Probably not since she didn't show me. I will have to show her. He cringed at the thought. There was no way of showing this to Hermione without looking like a bloody idiot. Oh, by the way Hermione, I was talking to your orbs yesterday, and they listened to me. He cringed again. He would have to find a way to tell her without making a fool of himself. He sighed. Not likely.
In the end he had gathered about two dozen orbs, and they were now floating in the air over his bed. He looked at them; they were even more beautiful in the total darkness of his bedroom. The orbs were a bit too far away for him to read comfortable, but he didn't want to turn on any light. I wonder if they listen to me if I speak to them now? He decided to try, so he cleared his throat, feeling idiotic. "Perhaps you would come closer?" They flickered at the sound of his voice, and floated closer. Amazing. They hovered over him, and gave enough light for him to read. After a while, he put down the book and lay down to get some sleep. "Thank you very much, I would like to sleep now, maybe you could spread out in the room?" They did. He was amazed. After lying in his bed watching the orbs for a while, he fell asleep thinking about the orbs, and the feeling of the warmth Hermione had spread through his body with the touch of her hands. Curious indeed. With that thought, he drifted off to sleep.
When he woke up, he noticed that the orbs were indeed still there. He smirked. She will hear about this. Getting up, he looked at the orbs. "You make me feel foolish you know, I have never talked to orbs of light before." They didn't respond. Of course they don't respond, they are orbs of light. "Would you come with me?" The orbs floated after him as he went into his sitting room, and he turned towards them. "Thank you, you can stay here" He went to get dressed, and actually looked forward on starting his day.
Severus Snape walked out of his chambers and into his office, and sat down to write a note. On an impulse, he went back to his chambers and found a small box, finishing the note and called a house elf to deliver it. He sent it off with a smug smile.
Hermione's POV
Hermione woke up with a crack. She sat up in slight panic, and reached for the wand she had stashed under her pillow. Wand at the ready in a flash, she turned around to look at her attacker. What she saw was a terrified house elf, shivering at the end of her bed. She instantly put down her wand. "Oh Gods, I'm sorry! I'm just a bit jumpy these days; it is not your fault. What can I help you with?" The house elf relaxed, and gave her a rather large envelope and a small box. "Master Snape has told us to deliver for Miss Granger. He says; open it alone." Hermione nodded, and the house elf disappeared with a crack.
Hermione threw a silent charm, and picked up the envelope. Miss Granger was written with spiky letters on it. She could recognize Professor Snape's writing anywhere. Maybe he wants to tell me if the spell worked. I wonder what is in the box?
She opened the envelope. It contained a letter, and a small black notebook. She put down the notebook, and opened the parchment. She looked at Professor Snape's characteristic handwriting. He has a quite beautiful handwriting. She thought before setting her eyes on the top line and started to read.
Miss Granger
I hope you managed to restrain yourself from dressing the house elf I sent you.
You will find enclosed with this letter, a notebook. When you write in it, the text will appear in an identical book that I own. The same goes the other way around, if I write, you will see it in your book. I have put a charm on the book, so that only you are able to see the text in it. Everyone else will only see blank pages. This is a Never-Ending-Notebook, meaning every time a page is filled, the book will add another without becoming thicker. It's quite a fascinating piece of magic.
Since we will be working together, and with the new information you shared with me yesterday, I thought this could be a practical way to communicate.
If you discover something new, or if you have something you would like to tell me, you can write it in the book. I found it might be easier than you having to come down to the dungeons, chatting my head off every time you have something to share.
You can of course come down if you have anything new to show me, but with information already written in the book, it will save us time.
Keep it hidden. I'm guessing you already suspected that, but I will mention it anyway. The charm used on it is a very powerful one, and there aren't many of these books in existence. Do be careful with it.
On another note, the spell worked. I have a feeling that your persistent curious nature would like to know.
Be sure no one is around you when you open the box. I will see you soon.
SS
I will see you soon? She frowned. Maybe I will understand why he wrote that when I open the box.
She looked at the book. Wow, this is rare. And he gave it to me. Amazing. Then she remembered the box, and picked it up. She opened it, and cringed. Oh no! It contained a tiny glowing orb. Oh Gods, I forgot about the orbs! They are still active! How did he get one into the box? She sat up, looking at the time. It was still an hour until she actually had to get up. She groaned. I have to get down there. Well, I have time before breakfast. And this is of course why I will see him soon. She cringed again and went to get ready.
After she had showered and gotten ready, she was about to head down to the dungeons. He may not even be there. I can try the book. Sitting down on the bed, she picked up the book and a quill. She opened it, and looked at the blank pages. She put the quill on the paper and started to write.
Professor Snape? Are you awake?
She cringed. Of course he is awake, he sent you all this.
Sorry sir, of course you are awake, you sent me this after all. What I meant was; are you there, Professor?
She waited a bit, staring at the page. Then she gasped when writing appeared.
Well good morning to you too Miss Granger. And what a lovely day we're having.
She cringed. I'm so rude! She wrote back.
I'm sorry Professor; I was just excited to try the book. Good morning sir!
She could almost feel him smirking at that. After a few seconds writing appeared again.
I had a feeling you would be. Were there anything in particular you wanted to tell me, or did you just fancy a chat? Because I do rarely chat, Miss Granger.
She rolled her eyes at this. He is messing with me! He knows this is about the orbs.
No sir, I did not write to you because I fancied a chat, even though I find talking with you much easier than I would have thought. I'm writing to you because you sent me a light orb. Am I correct in the assumption that the light orbs are still there? Would you like me to come down and remove them, perhaps?
She cringed at her own words. She had just told him she liked talking with him. More or less. And she was slightly rude. Gods, I hope he is in a good mood. Waiting for about a minute, the answer finally appeared.
Well, well, aren't you in a cheerful mood this morning. 5 points from Gryffindor, Miss Granger. Even though I am eternally grateful to have your approval, I will not be mistaken for someone who accepts cheeky attitude.
She put her head in her hands. Then she saw text appearing again.
5 points for Gryffindor for making my night much more interesting than I expected. Do not speak of it. And yes, do come down to remove the orbs.
She smiled. He had to be in a good mood. More text appeared.
Do not linger Miss Granger, I know you are sitting there, grinning. Get moving. I have something to show you.
She giggled. He was perfectly correct. She wrote.
On my way, Professor Snape
And she hurried towards the dungeons.
Severus' POV
Severus was sitting at his desk in his office when he heard a knock on the door. Not even glancing up, he answered. "Enter." Hermione carefully opened the door and stepped in.
"Well good morning Miss Granger, woke up on the cheeky side of the bed today I understand?" She visibly cringed, and he decided to give her a break. In the middle of her cheekiness she had given him a form of a compliment and he rarely got those. She started to stutter something, but he waved his hand dismissively and cut her off. "Never mind that Miss Granger, come along, I have something to show you." He walked to the bookcase, tapped the book like he had done the day before and entered the room.
Hermione's POV
Hermione walked into the room after him, cheeks blushing. The orbs of light were still hovering around the room, but she saw a bigger gathering of them where professor Snape was standing. He looked at her, and she thought he almost looked uncomfortable. What is going on? She looked curiously at Professor Snape. He cleared his throat before looking at one of the orbs.
"Have you tried interacting with them in anyway?" she looked confused. "No sir, I haven't even thought about anything like that. Why, Sir?" He gave her a furious look that made her flinch because it was so unexpected. "Miss granger." His gaze darkened even more. "I have a feeling that this is something I'm going to have to say often in these conversations with you, but no matter. You will not speak of this to anyone." She nodded, too nervous to say anything. "Very well." He cleared his throat again, and gave her a piercing black look. He is uncomfortable! What the Hell?
Turning his gaze to one of the orbs, he reached his hand towards it, Palm up, and spoke to it. "Come, please" he said, and she looked awestruck at him. And to her utter amazement, the orb moved! It floated down, and landed in his hand. She marveled at the sight. "Amazing, Professor Snape! I didn't know they could do that! How did you figure out?" That question earned her another dark look. Oh. To figure that out, he would actually have to talk to the orbs in the first place. He had been talking to the orbs? No wonder he is uncomfortable. She could feel a bubble of laughter emerge from the inside. Do not laugh, do not laugh!
She pressed her lips together, trying to hold back the laughter that was threatening to burst from her lips. She could feel her face slowly turning strawberry-red from the attempt at holding the laugh-bubble in check. She imagined the professor walking around in his chambers, talking to the orbs. The mental image was funny beyond belief. Get a grip! DO NOT LAUGH! She slowly managed to compose herself while Snape was glaring at her, a furious expression on his face. Hermione cleared her throat. "So.. The orbs respond to you when you speak to them?" She pressed her lips together again, laughter still bubbling like mad inside of her. He responded in an ice cold, Snape-like manner. "Obviously." He crossed his arms over his chest. "If you are quite finished acting like an immature child, Miss Granger, you may remove the orbs, and go for breakfast. Write in the book if you have any new discoveries." She immediately froze from his words. He was right. She was acting like an immature child. He had showed her something, and she had laughed at him. She felt her face fall, and with a sad face she nodded at the Professor. "I'm so sorry Professor Snape. I didn't mean to-" "Miss Granger! You heard me. Remove the orbs, and go away!" He looks really mad. She answered him in a small voice."Of course, Professor." She snapped her fingers, and the orbs zipped into her hand before fading. She turned to leave before flashing a glimpse back at him. "I wish you a good day Professor Snape." He didn't respond or look at her, and she went for breakfast.
The day passed slowly. Hermione sat on her bed thinking, going through the day in her head. She felt truly upset for being so rude towards the Professor, and she couldn't fix it. She despised not being able to fix things. She couldn't come up with anything to write in the book either, and no text showed up in it. She reluctantly let the thoughts of the whole thing go, and lay down to sleep.