I own nothing! Just playing in J. K. Rowling's amazing universe! Oh, and pardon my French in this chapter. And i mean that litterally. :)
Hermione's POV
Hermione was tired. November had come to an end, and Christmas was closing in. She was nervous, preparing for her exams, and she wasn't looking forward to the Christmas in itself either. She was planning to stay at the school.
After the whole embarrassing situation where she had humiliated Professor Snape that morning, she didn't see him much. She didn't really have time to explore or practice her magic with all the essays and homework she had, and preparing for NEWTS on top of it all. She visited him from time to time, showing him a few new things she discovered, and she wrote in the book, but he didn't write back often. It saddened her a bit more than she would like to admit, and she was looking forward to the holidays. At least she would have time then.
Severus' POV
Severus Snape was sitting at his desk in his private chambers, grading papers. He reached out to dip his quill in ink, and noticed the miniature statue of him. The resemblance was truly uncanny and he smiled at it. It felt unnatural to smile; he never was the smiling type. Not since Lily. He thought, feeling a small wave of sadness. It didn't feel so heavy anymore, though. Ever since they had defeated The Dark Lord he had felt lighter, happier. No surprise there. He thought, before realizing that the grief he had always carried with him over Lily had diminished as well. He was glad.
He never thought he would survive the war, so he had never really planned ahead. Now he was feeling kind of stagnant, just watching the time pass by, and the days blending together. He teached, ate, graded essays, brewed potions for the infirmary, slept, just to wake up and do the whole thing over again. The only thing that differed his days was a certain Gryffindor. He was actually starting to look forward to having her stop by, showing off new spells or things she had discovered. He checked the notebook more often too, sending her responses from time to time. He was pleased she had agreed to be his apprentice, truly looking forward to having something more to fill his days with. She would be a fascinating apprentice, with her skills in potions, and her new, extraordinary magic.
The morning he had told her about the orbs popped into his mind. Insufferable girl he thought, feeling a bubble of anger emerge. He hated being humiliated, and on top of it he had been humiliated by a student. A Gryffindor none the less. He hadn't seen her that often since then, but they were both busy, so it wasn't just because of the unfortunate event. He had let his guard down, and paid for it. He knew better than to let his guard down. He always regretted it afterwards. But he had trouble not letting his guard down with Hermione. With her relaxed behavior, her enthusiasm over pretty much everything, and bubbling, spontaneous laughter, it was hard to stay distant. He had to mentally force himself not to be too enthusiastic in their conversations, or openly laugh at her jokes. He enjoyed her humour. Her intelligent jokes, sharp sarcasm and at times surprisingly dark humour met his straight on. And she didn't fear him anymore. She behaved natural, bearing much more resemblance to the way he had seen her behave with her dunderhead friends. He still didn't see what she saw in them.
She came down to the dungeons on her own accord, smiling and chatting with him like a friend, and not her angry, intimidating former-death-eater professor. Her enthusiasm over showing him new spells, her face lighting up in a positively beaming smile at him made it hard not to smile back. Every time she entered the room, something in Severus Snape relaxed. He found it slightly disturbing.
Giving up grading papers for now, Severus picked up the Daily Prophet. Something stirred in him when he read the front page. Four people had disappeared in the last few days, and today's paper documented three more, just in the last twenty four hours. There was something about this that felt very wrong. He shook off the feeling of impending doom, and looked at the time. Dinner would be served in not too long. The grading will just have to wait then. He got up and went to eat.
Hermione's POV
The library was empty when she arrived. She was glad. All the tension she had felt the last days was taking a toll on her. She had almost snapped earlier in the day when she walked in to a fifth year Slytherin boy arguing with a first year Ravenclaw girl. The Slytherin threw a hex the first year just as she reached them, but Hermione raised her hand towards the Ravenclaw girl, throwing a wandless, silent shield charm. The hex hit the invisible barrier in front of the Ravenclaw, but the shield didn't even flash. Hermione proceeded to draw her wand from her sleeve and pointed it at the Slytherin. He backed down in a second, putting away his wand and put up empty hands in defeat. He looked terrified, and she didn't understand why. He blabbered words sounding somewhat like an apology, turned away and ran.
After making sure the Ravenclaw girl was feeling okay, Hermione walked the girl to her dormitory and went to dinner. The Slytherin boy stared at her through the whole meal. After finishing her food rather quickly, she left the Great Hall. She really needed some peace and quiet.
She found a table in a far corner of the library, safely hidden behind rows of massive bookshelves. She sighed with relief and sat down. After figuring out what homework and assignments were the most important, she fanned her books out on the table in front of her. Quill, ink and parchment in hand, she got to work.
Severus' POV
Severus Snape had finished grading papers, and was now walking silently around the halls of Hogwarts. Remembering he needed a book, he turned back and headed for the library.
Thoughts he would prefer not having were running through his head. He kept trying to think of other things, but it seemed vain. He couldn't shake them. Couldn't shake her. That insufferable-wild-haired-gryffindor!
He had walked into her earlier in the day. He was about to turn a corner when he heard a familiar voice shouting. He threw a See-Me-Not charm and looked around the corner, hiding in the shadows. Further down the hall he had seen her, walking with fury towards two students. He took in the situation. It seemed the boy he recognized as a fifth year student from his own house, was aiming his wand at a small girl. She was pressed against the far wall, panic written all over her face. He would have words with the boy later he decided; now he wanted to see how the furious Miss Granger dealt with the situation. The Slytherin boy threw a hex at the small girl, but just as he did, the wild haired Gryffindor raised her hand. The hex hit an invisible barrier, and he watched Hermione move so fast that he almost didn't catch it. In a flash she had her wand aimed at the Slytherin. Severus' jaw dropped. She drew her wand so fast that it was almost impossible to see her movements. And the shield charm impressed him. He knew that her new magic was strong, and she could do a lot of magic without a wand, but he hadn't seen her using any combat related spells so far. And he could feel the magic from the shield where he was standing, it was strong! It would surely hold, even to a hex from Severus himself. He was speechless.
He looked from the frightened girl back to Hermione. His eyes widened. She stood tall, wand fixated at the boy. She was an impressive sight, it almost made him gasp. Her hair, always wild, now surrounded her face like a lion's mane, and it glittered in silver and gold. What kind of magic is this?, he thought. What are you, Miss Granger? He had seen something similar to a glow in her hair before, but could now feel the magic coming off her in waves, and saw her hair flow around her head like it was suddenly windy in the castle corridor. Every stray of hair sparkled and glittered in silver and gold, and she looked otherworldly. Even The Dark Lord would have recoiled in fear from the sight of her, he was sure. Then he saw her eyes. This time he actually gasped. They weren't their usual golden-brown, but were positively feline, glowing yellow and gold. He could see them glow from meters away. Maybe she is an animagus, but doesn't know, he thought. That would explain some of it. He didn't know if her new magic could explain why her eyes were glowing like they were at the moment. But it would probably explain the power that surged from her, crackling like electricity. He had no idea it was so strong, though. He suspected she didn't either. The magic surrounding her was actually visible. Hermione Granger was encircled in gold. It was like she radiated with sunlight. He had never seen anything like it. Severus Snape was in this moment in awe of this woman.
The Slytherin boy threw up his hands, stuttered words that sounded like an apology, and ran. The insufferable-know-it-all otherworldly lioness watched him run with a very confused expression in her face. The sunlight around her faded and he saw her eyes return to normal. She then spoke to the Ravenclaw girl in a soothing voice, patted her shoulder and they walked away.
Severus Snape was frozen in place in the shadows. He didn't move for several minutes. When he did, he headed for the dungeons, forgetting about dinner or removing the See-me-not spell, startling almost everyone he passed on his way.
Finally alone in his private chambers, Severus let out a long breath. He was still shaken from the experience of seeing Hermione like that. The girl he just had watched in the corridor of Hogwarts were nothing like the smiling, giggling girl that came to his office to show him things she was excited and happy about. She made him think of a beautiful, French poem he had read, about a fierce lioness, fighting to protect her cubs from the dangers of the world. The lioness fought with a deep passion fueled by the bottomless love for her children. The poem was called Féroce Comme une Lionne(Fierce like a lioness). He no longer thought of her as an annoying child. She was most definitely no child. She was a woman, a powerful witch, and an otherworldly lioness. He cringed at the last thought. Otherworldly lioness? He was obviously losing his mind. Her parents should have named her Lionne. He shook his head and rolled his eyes. Yes, that's it, I'm no doubt losing my mind. Sitting in my office reciting French poetry to myself because of a girl. What's next? Roses and poetry? That thought made him snap out of it. He huffed. She's still an annoying know-it-all though, he thought with a smirk.
Severus pushed the cringeworthy thoughts of French poetry out of his mind and entered the library. An image of a golden-eyed Lionne Granger still glued in his mind. He almost rolled his eyes at the name he'd just given her in his thoughts. I'm pathetic, he thought as he ventured further into the library. Silently walking along heavy bookshelves, he found the place he was looking for. He turned to get the book from the shelf, but froze as he saw someone sitting at the table beside it. Lionne, he thought. Then he actually rolled his eyes. Oh Gods, I really am pathetic. Realizing she hadn't noticed him yet, he stepped back, out of view. Sod the book, I can come back tomorrow. He wanted to walk away, but he couldn't. I am standing behind a bookshelf like a bloody stalker. Get a grip. He still didn't move. Rolling his eyes again, he threw a Disillusionment Charm on himself and took a silent step forward so he could see her.
He had to admit he was fascinated by her. She sat at a big table with at least 12 books spread in the shape of a fan in front of her, submerged in her own world. She was so engrossed with writing that he suspected he wouldn't have needed the Disillusionment Charm. He inspected her more closely. Her lion mane was in a messy bun on the top of her head, a few locks of hair had escaped. He almost laughed when he saw what she had used to put up her hair; several quills were sticking out in all directions. He counted at least five quills, and almost laughed again. All her fingers were spotted with ink, and she had fingerprint marks on her nose, right cheek and chin. This looked much more like the girl he knew.
She sat up. Had she somehow heard him? He stood frozen in place, but then she stretched her body and he relaxed. She raised her arms in the air and flexed her fingers while relaxing her body on the back of the chair. A quill fell out of her hair with the movement, and some more locks of hair fell down around her face. She groaned and bent to pick up the quill before trying to put it back. It didn't work and she gave up. Instead she removed the rest of the quills from her hair and put them on the table. Leaning back on the chair she tried to run her hands through the unruly mane. She sighed and shook her hair back. Severus was still unable to move, frozen in place, trapped by the sight of her. He watched her stretch her hands in the air a third time.
She leaned on the back of the chair, with an expression of utter peace on her face. She arched her back, which made it very important to not notice that the Know-It-All had developed breasts at some point. She put her hands in her hair and moved fingers in slow circles. That changed something Severus noticed. She started glowing, like she had earlier in the day. There were no windows nearby, but it looked like the sun was shining on her. Severus was mesmerized. She was lovely. Wait, what?! She was lovely?! He was obviously not only losing it, this was a case of extreme, brain-melting insanity. What the fuck am I doing, a voice in his head said. He was about to turn away and go, but what she did next made his knees weak. The Gryffindor Lionne was massaging her head, fingers moving in small circles in her silver-and gold colored hair. Then she arched her back even more, glowed brighter and moaned. Moaned! The sound of her moan went straight to the core of Severus Snape, making his whole body shiver. He felt his chest tighten and his heart pounding. I can't breathe, he thought. Am I having a heart attack? Unlikely. What's happening to me? I need to get out. He ran.