My dear readers, here is chapter 4! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! I worked hard to get it up tonight, cause you all are just so wonderful and you deserve it :) This chapter is pretty long, so I hope you love it!
The next chapter will be in Snape's POV. It will be something a little different, but will give you insight into what he's thinking. I also just wanted to give a quick reminder that this is fanfiction, and that if something isn't exactly 'true to the book', its most likely because I did it on purpose to fit the needs of my story. So please keep that in mind while reading :)
As always, I do not own Harry Potter, unfortunately. J.K. Rowling is amazing, and I'm just playing around with her genius. On with the show!
"Come in, Ms. Granger. The door is open." The monotone voice welcomed her in, and promising herself that she wouldn't lose her temper, Hermione opened the door and walked in.
The heavy iron door squeeked as Hermione opened and closed it behind her, and walked up to the professor's wooden desk at the head of the classroom. Snape was scribbling on a piece of parchment, and did not look up when she stood before him. She waited patiently. Five minutes. Ten minutes. She cleared her throat.
"Excuse me, Professor? I'm here for my, um, detention." He finished what appeared to be a sentence, and put his quill down before looking up.
"Why Ms. Granger, right on time. This evening you will be sitting here for an hour, doing precisely 'nothing', as you seem so fond of doing that during my class time. You may sit there." He pointed to the seat directly in front of his desk. With a single nod, Hermione sat herself down and folded her hands on the table top.
Not ten minutes had passed when the silence and boredom became too much for the young Gryffindor girl to handle. "Excuse me sir?" she began. Snape looked up from the book he was reading. Hermione was startled to see that it was the muggle book Pride and Prejudice. She shook off her surprise to continue. "I really didn't mean to... disrespect you by talking during today's class. I apologize. But this is just... I mean to say, sir... I'm utterly bored."
The Potion's professor raised his eyebrows and put his book down. "Bored, Ms. Granger? Oh, why I'm so sorry that your rude behavior must be punished and resulted in your lack of entertainment." Hermione rolled her eyes at his obvious sarcasm. "But since the silence is so tortuous for you, I present you with an alternative. You may sit in silence, or... Talk to me."
Hermione's mouth popped open. Talk, to Snape? Have a discussion with her Potion's master? With the exception of speaking to his unconscious form in the lake house, she had never truly talked to him. She actually couldn't imagine him carrying on a conversation with anyone, let alone herself. But, she thought to herself, glancing up at his waiting face. It would be better than this deafening silence. Buck up, Hermione. Where's that Gryffindor courage?
Satisfied with her inner monologue, she twiddled her thumbs and looked into his black eyes, her decision made. "Well, what shall we talk about?" He seemed to smile for just a moment, but then it was gone, and he was regarding her with cold indifference.
"So, you believe me to be trustworthy, do you?" Hermione's cheeks grew pink, and Snape smirked at her obvious embarrassment. She had hoped he wouldn't bring that up. After all, it had been meant for Ginny's ears alone.
"Yes, sir. Yes I do," she mumbled out, suddenly finding the wood grain on the desk very interesting and not meeting his eyes.
"Pray tell, why is that? I've never shown you any particular kindness or favor." Snape stood up, coming around to lean on the front of his desk, now directly in front of his student. He searched her face, sincerely looking for an answer.
"Well..." Hermione was praying that the dungeon's stone floor would open up and swallow her whole before she had to answer, but no such luck. "You are brave, and courageous, and forgiving. The war would have been a lost cause without your sacrifice. I know everyone says Harry did it all, but he didn't. He would have been nothing without you, and..." She realized that she had been rambling, and that Snape's eyebrows were now so far raised they were nearly in his hair line. "And that, sir, is why I think you are trustworthy." And why I trust you, she added as an after thought to herself. Her brown orbs were now glued to the floor, and her breaths were shallow. Why had she said all those things? She should of just opted for silence. What have I got myself into?
"Why thank you for clearing that up, Ms. Granger." Snape said this softly, with only his usual hint of sarcasm. Minutes passed without either party making any noise. The dungeon was deathly quiet, and the stone walls and iron doors blocked out any sound that might be happening beyond the room they were currently in. More minutes ticked by.
"Have you ever heard of the muggle game Twenty Questions?" The sudden onset of Snape's question startled Hermione and she jumped slightly in her seat. He had not moved from his position against the front of his desk, and was looking at her expectantly.
"Why,yes...I used to play it quite a bit before coming to Hogwarts. Not many people know about it here... How do you know about it, Professor?" Her brows furrowed, not remembering that he had come from a muggle family, like herself.
The black haired teacher smirked. "Would you like that to count as your first question, Ms. Granger? I propose we play. You still have nearly forty minutes left." Hermione stared at him, wide eyed. Snape, Severus Snape, wanted to play a muggle game known for getting to know people? This night was getting very curious, indeed.
"Well alright, sure," the brunette conceded.
"I ask again, is that your first question?" Snape asked her.
"Hmm? Oh, um, no sir. If I am to go first, I ask..." She thought. Should she ask something personal? This could be her only chance to find out more about the personal life of her Potions teacher. But what if he got angry, and she was left in silence again? Finally she blurted out, "What's your favorite color?"
Snape chuckled. "Quite the intriguing first question indeed, Ms. Granger. It is green." Green? Hermione thought, looking at his entirely black wardrobe. If he noticed her staring, he didn't say anything. "Very well then, my turn. Why have you returned to Hogwarts, when the other two members of the Golden Trio have chosen not to?"
Jeesh, personal enough? I ask him about his favorite color, and I get this? She shook her head slightly before answering. "I wanted to complete my schooling here. Harry and..." Severus took note of her pause, but said nothing. "Harry and Ron chose to head straight into Auror training at the Ministry. I want more then that, simple enough." She was hoping he would not press for a more detailed answer, and was relieved when he continued.
"Quite the expected answer. Your turn." Oh, now I'm going to play hardball, she thought, internally smirking.
"Why have you returned to Hogwarts, sir?" It was one thing for her to answer; her answer was expected, natural. Wanting to finish her education was just something that people expected of the 'book worm know-it-all'. But it was entirely unknown why Snape had returned to his old teaching position, and Hermione hoped that he would be honest with her in his answer.
"Well, well, well Ms. Granger, I'm not sure asking the same question I just asked of you can be called fair play, but I shall humor you." He thought and was calculating with his choice of words before he began. "I returned to Hogwarts not to further my education, such as yourself, but because it has served as my home for the past several years. Being a 'double agent', so to speak, had made it difficult to live peacefully in wizarding world outside of Hogwarts. I find myself..." Here he stopped, and as if just now realizing what he was saying and whom he was saying it to, put his cold mask back on and did not continue his thought. "That is quite enough for one answer, Ms. Granger. It is my turn."
Hermione could only nod. The feelings she felt running through her body prevented her to speak. He had opened up to her, if just for a moment. He was having an actual conversation with her. And she had not felt repelled or put off, as most might have been. Instead she had felt drawn in, as if an invisible string were pulling her towards him... She tried to shake it off, as it made her uneasy and nervous. She paid more attention to him when she realized that he started speaking again.
"What happened between you and Mr. Weasely?" Snape's stare gave nothing away, but Hermione was shocked that he would ask a question that personal. Didn't it cross some type of teacher/student boundary? She was sure it must, but somehow it didn't feel it to her. His gaze had not wavered from her face. She met his eyes, brown against black, and spoke.
"Ron and I make wonderful friends. The best, in fact. But we made an average couple... I couldn't bring myself to be with him when I knew deep down that he felt for me stronger then I could ever feel for him. I couldn't be with him in, umm, any way. I want to feel something more then friendship for the man I intend on being with for the rest of my life. I just want... more." Throughout her explanation, her eyes had not left his, and he now slowly advanced towards her until he was leaning across the desk, his face mere inches from her own. Hermione noted that his breath smelled of peppermint and honey, and the scent drew her further into him.
"You seem to want a great deal, girl." Snape's voice was now barely over a whisper. "You want more out of your education. You want more out of your relationship, not that I can blame you for breaking up with that red headed dunderhead... But you seem to be an awfully greedy girl." Here his nose was nearly touching hers, and she was all too aware of how his lips moved when he spoke. Her thoughts were a jumble, not one making sense in this moment of confusion. Just a little closer and their lips would meet... She didn't want this, she couldn't want this!... Right? Her tongue darted out to wet her dry lips, and it was as if this broke the deep trance that had taken over the Potions classroom. Snape sprang away from her as if burned, and turned his back on her at once.
Her breathing erratic, her thoughts a mess, Hermione got up and slowly walked towards him.
"Professor...?" She hated how timid and weak her voice sounded, even to her own ears.
"Detention is over, Ms. Granger. You may go back to your dorm now." Snape did not turn towards her to say this, as if refusing to meet her eyes.
"But Profess-"
"I said LEAVE!" He yelled at her, his voice booming around the small room and sounding even more frightening. Hermione jumped, and angry tears began to form around her eyes. She immediately turned on her heal and fled the room, not stopping until she reached the portrait of a concerned looking Dumbledore.
"Potions Lovers," she said, proud that she had managed to get her tears under control on the walk back and that her voice did not waver. The painted Dumbledore did not speak, but smiled sympathetically instead and swung open. Hermione walked into the shared living room to find Malfoy sprawled out on the black leather couch, reading.
Hearing her footsteps, Malfoy got up, saying, "Hello, Granger. Good night at the libra-" He stopped mid-jest upon seeing her tear stained face. "Jeesh, Granger, what happened? Are you alright?"
Hermione laughed sardonically and sniffed her nose. "What, the Slytherin Prince suddenly cares what happened to the little book worm?" She regretted saying it as soon as it came out of her mouth. The anger she felt at Snape's outburst had bubbled over in her conversation with Malfoy, and she knew he didn't deserve it. But if he was hurt or angry, he did not show it.
"Oh honestly, Granger. Cut the bullshit and come sit down in front of the fire." He lead her to the spot that he had previously occupied and laid out the dark gray knitted blanket for her. "Gilda?". He called the house elve's name quietly, knowing it didn't need to be loud for her to come. Sure enough, with a soft pop, she appeared.
"Yes, Mr. Draco sir? What is you be needing?" The house elf smiled at the two students.
"A cup of tea, if you please Gilda. Thank you." The wrinkled little thing nodded and disapparated. Draco's politeness at the house elf shocked Hermione. One of the many things that had changed, she supposed. Malfoy left her in front of the crackling fire, going to the kitchen. A minute later he was back, and shortly followed by Gilda carrying a tray of tea and handkerchiefs. With an appreciative smile Hermione noted that half of the handkerchiefs had little H's sewn into them, and the other half had little D's. She would have to thank Gilda later for the extra token of thoughtfulness.
"Thank you, Gilda. That will be all." The little house elf left, and Malfoy poured a cup of tea. Handing it to Hermione, he took out a small flask of fire whiskey and poured a little bit into her tea cup. Upon seeing her about to object, Draco chuckled and cut her off. "The tea will help with anything that's bothering you. Something I learned from my mother."
"And the fire whiskey?" The Gryffindor questioned with a small smile.
"Ahh, that I did not learn from my mother," Draco replied with a wink. He then turned seriously towards her. "Anything thats troubling you, Granger, tomorrow will be... Well, tomorrow will be better. Take your time by the fire. I'm heading up to bed." He left her with a smile, and climbed the winding staircase to his room.
Left by the fire with a cup of tea and fire whiskey, Hermione was struck by the sudden and unexpected act of kindness her roommate had shown her tonight. As she sipped the hot drink, she smiled to herself. It did help. Left alone to her thoughts about the hectic events of that night, Hermione only wished that tomorrow would in fact be better. The one thought that plagued her all night, even in sleep, was What happened tonight?
Please review, and if you liked it, make sure to give me or the story a follow and/or a favorite if you haven't already! Thank you all so much for your continued support. It means so much to me! Next chapter to be in Snapes POV ;) Stay tuned!