So here's chapter five. It's a little longer than my other chapters have been for one reason who another.
I've got something important to say. I want to get more reviews. I know that a lot of people have this story on Story Alert yet there are only a handful that review consistently. So I'll make those quieter readers a deal. If you write a review that's at least two lines long on my story, then I'll write a review on one of yours. Sound good? That goes for everyone, of course. I'll start keeping track of who reviews after this chapter is posted. It may take a few days but I'll review your story ASAP.
We'll see if this works. Help me out!
Anyway, I tried to make Hermione and Snape seem like a more normal couple in this chapter. Why? The next chapters are going to mess with their relationship so I wanted to give them some peace for the time being. Wait for the next chapters to see what happens!
Finally, I don't own Harry Potter!
There weren't many students wandering the corridors at that time of night so Hermione's path to the dungeons was unobstructed. However, once she was there, she relaxed and turned a corner too quickly, running straight into the man she was coming to see and the Head of Gryffindor!
Blinking and stepping back, Hermione stuttered an apology for knocking the books out of Professor McGonagall's arms. Quickly, she knelt down to pick them up.
"Miss Granger! What are you doing out of your tower at this time at night?" The older woman's crow's feet crinkled in the corners of her eyes as she narrowed them at the much younger witch.
"And wandering around the dungeons, no less." Severus' voice was cool and dangerous. She chanced a glance at his eyes and they were dark.
Giving the books back to her Transfiguration professor, she stepped back to straighten her robes. "Please, professor. I was coming down here to borrow a few sprigs of lavender from the student supply. I only just arrived back today and I was having trouble sleeping. I thought to make myself a quick brew of tea."
"It's nearing curfew, Granger. And the student supply is locked within my classroom." Snape was keeping up his normal malevolent persona very well. It made Hermione feel uncomfortable.
"He's quite right, my dear." Minerva's voice was stern. "You mustn't be caught wandering about after hours. If you're in need of a sleeping draught, you should visit Madame Pomfrey in the Hospital Wing."
"Oh, but perhaps she wanted to make the brew herself, Minerva… Add that particular ability to her long list of boastful talents to put the other Seventh Years to shame…"
Hermione tried her best not to let his words get to her but she couldn't help but feel the slight sting of blushing on her cheeks. "None of that, Severus." Professor McGonagall's voice sounded a bit like the snapping of a mouse trap, curt and quick. "I doubt that that was her intention. No need to sound bitter that a member of my House surpasses all members of yours." Before he could retort, she added, "Why didn't you visit the Hospital Wing, Granger?"
She tried not to notice the daggers that Snape was sending Minerva's way from his eyes. She appeared not to see them either, or she didn't care. It was highly unusual to hear such talk amongst staff members. "Er… I didn't wish to wake her if she was already asleep. Professor Snape, could you please unlock the door for me? I'll be very quick so it's not an inconvenience to you."
Still flaring his nostrils to keep from shooting a retort back at his fellow professor, his eyes snapped back to the bushy haired girl. "I will. But it will cost ten points from Gryffindor for being in my wing after dark." He turned on his heel towards the Potions classroom.
She scuttled after him while the Transfiguration professor strode up the stairs. Before she got out of earshot, Hermione swore she heard "And ten points to Gryffindor for having a student who likes to deal with problems on her own." She tried not to smile as she followed the black billowing robes.
Snape led her down the hall and unlocked the Potions door with a tap from his wand. He allowed the girl to enter before him saying "Take what you need quickly before my patience runs out."
Acting as though she was heading towards the closet door, she stopped and turned when she heard him closing and locking the entrance. "You didn't have to be quite so… convincing, you know." Her hands went to her hips. Instantly, she was reminded of Mrs. Weasley. She folded her arms across her chest instead.
"You couldn't sleep after our… discussion?" He seemed to glide across the stone floor towards her but his eyes were still dark. They worried her slightly and she hoped that he wasn't upset with her.
She sighed and said, "No. I couldn't. But I had no intentions on coming up with a sleeping draught. I wanted to speak with you. In your office, if we could."
"My office is closed after hours, Miss Granger." He moved to unlock the door anyway and stepped inside. "However, my quarters are open if you seek a more private conference." With a small smile, she followed him down the hall that connected his office to his living arrangements. The door felt shut behind her with a snap.
"What was Professor McGonagall doing down here?"
Snape stopped at a wooden door and took out his wand to unlock it. "Minerva was kind enough to welcome me back."
He invited her into to the sitting room of his quarters. She stepped inside and was pleased to find a fire roaring in the grate. The furniture was plush and rather comfortable looking. The walls were lined with shelves full of books. She tried not to show the surprise on her face. She failed.
He moved past her so he could better see the look in her eyes. "Yes? Did you think that I lived as a slime ball in the dungeons? I should think that those are the rumors that circulate the halls."
Almost ashamed for not being able to hide herself better she bit her lip and muttered a small apology. Without warning, she closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around him. "And I'm sorry for earlier. I was unsure of how to react to what you were telling me. I came to apologize."
It took Severus a moment to catch on to the affection that she was exhibiting but, within a few moments, he returned her hug and bent his neck down to inhale the scent of her hair. "It was possibly unfair of me to expect a positive reaction from you. I apologize."
Lifting herself onto her tiptoes, she kissed him lightly on the lips, letting her own linger for just a moment. Then she laid her hand on the side of his face and stared into his eyes. "How are you feeling? Being back in the castle and everything."
"I'm glad to be home, back in my own space."
Being a wise-ass, she chirped "Didn't miss the students?"
"No. They didn't miss me, I'm sure. Did you see the way that they looked at us when we arrived?"
She let herself shrink down, step back, and cross her arms. "Yes, I did. I still feel like I'm being stared at in the corridors."
Taking her by the hand, he sat down and pulled her to sit next to him. "I noticed. It will settle eventually, I think."
Hermione didn't speak. For a few minutes, she was content to cuddle up next to him, his warmth keeping her comfortable in the dungeon room. Suddenly, when it was completely silent, she blurted out "I sent a letter to my mum, saying that I have a romantic interest."
"Oh?" Contrary to everything Severus was, she heard the surprise in his voice.
"Yeah… I suppose that I'll have to let her know that I'm dating at some point. But I don't know how to tell her that I've shagged my professor."
The seconds ticked by in silence before he found the words. "Well… must you tell her now? Wouldn't it be wiser to wait?"
"I'm not sure… She'll want to meet you, you know. Not long after I tell her."
"I…" He paused before finishing his sentence and the rest of his speech came out in a strangled whisper. "I… have to meet your parents?"