"Play it again! Play it again!"
After several days, many of the students caught on to the Muggle music player at the High Table. The Headmistress was feeling generous and decided to turn up the music so all could listen in. of course, she hadn't told them about its magical properties. Daniel looked up from the Gryffindor table and smiled knowingly at Hermione.
She still wasn't quite sure how the device worked, but she knew that it didn't play songs based off the students' emotions, so its range had to be quite close. It had become somewhat of a game to guess whose song was playing at dinnertime. Usually, Madam Pince or Filch would take precedence. They were obviously falling hard for one another.
"I think it's very sweet," Hermione said, bouncing down the hallway beside Professors McGonagall and Snape. They were headed back to their respective rooms after dinner.
"That it is, that it is. Ah, love in the air. Say, Hermione, whatever happened to that Weasley boy of yours?"
Severus felt his hands clench for some unknown reason.
"Oh, Ronald? We're just friends. He's a bit clingy for me. I'm not sure I'm even cut out for romance, Headmistress."
"With a brain like yours, you'll be hard pressed to find a man that's perfect, dear. Don't set your standards too high. After all, love often comes to us in the most unexpected of places. Goodnight, both of you." She walked away without waiting for a response. Severus shifted uncomfortably in front of his door.
"Goodnight," he said through clenched teeth.
Hermione felt something odd stir within her. Did she actually want to talk to the snarky Potions Professor? Why?
"Professor?" she called just before the door shut completely. It immediately swung back open.
"Are…are you going to bed? Because I was just going to grade some papers and I…um…"
"You…?"
"I wondered if we could do it together." Boy, that came out wrong. "I mean, grade papers. I do get lonely sometimes with no one to talk to and all..."
He stared at her in complete bewilderment. Hermione Granger, ex-student and insufferable know-it-all, wanted to spend time with him? He didn't even know what to say. So, he went with a familiar response.
"I like to grade papers alone. Goodnight."
He shut the door in her face. For a moment, Hermione felt like crying, until she reminded herself that this was Severus Snape she was talking to. He wouldn't know friendship if it wacked him in the head. Standing up straighter with her head held high, Hermione marched into her room with dignity. "Fine. If he doesn't want anything to do with me, fine."
In the back of her mind, she knew it bothered her. But there was nothing more she could do. She had offered her hand in friendship, and he blatantly had refused. She angrily dug into her messenger bag for papers to grade.
…
Snape stood beside the door for five whole minutes, regretting this new turn of events. Why did I reject her? Merlin knows I haven't been friends with a woman in…well, years. He sighed and walked back to his desk. It was true that he preferred to work alone, but it wouldn't have been so bad to work alongside Hermione. She was, after all, a bright girl. And attractive. He sighed again as he thought of the hurt look on her face just seconds before he closed the door on her.
Oh well, he told himself. I've got work to do.
…
Hermione refused to turn on the mp3. "I don't want to hear my emotions in song-form right now," she reasoned. She simply continued to grade papers for two hours, perhaps making more red marks than she usually would have otherwise.
A knock on the door made her jump, but excited nonetheless. "Come in," she called in a singsong voice.
In walked Snape, looking as irritated as usual. Behind him stood an arrogant looking teenage boy. "I caught this student trying to steal out of my storage closet."
Hermione waited for further explanation.
"He's a Gryffindor," he said impatiently. Why else would I have brought him here?
"Okay. Thanks," she replied coldly. Maybe it was her imagination, but he seemed to linger a bit longer to see if she would say anything else. Or maybe it was to see how she was going to handle the situation. She wasn't sure which.
Putting on her sternest face, she asked the boy, "What is your name and year?"
"Ray Thompson. Year six," he replied lazily. He was muscular and had dark brown hair. Somehow he reminded her of Ron.
"Alright, Ray. Care to explain yourself?"
"Why should I? Snape's an old git that hates Gryffindors. He accused me without any proof."
She didn't even bother defending the Potions Master. "Interesting. So you were not, in fact, stealing out of his reserves?"
"Oh yeah, I was."
"You…were? As in, you're admitting to the crime?"
"Of course. I just wanted to put in my two-cents about Snape before getting expelled." He spoke in such a nonchalant way that Hermione wanted to slap him. What kind of student could care less about being expelled?! She had to admit, Gryffindor students were becoming dumber and more reckless each year.
"I see. I am curious to know what you stole."
The boy was taken aback. "This is why I like you, Miss Granger. You're the coolest professor here."
"Flattery won't get you far, Mr. Thompson. What did you steal?"
The smile remained on his face. "Ingredients for Polyjuice potion."
Hermione couldn't help but laugh. "For what use?"
"To morph into a girl."
"And?"
"And see what she looked like naked. Probably touch myself a little, too."
Her jaw fell open. "Mr. Thompson! How outrageous!" His words mortified her. She had never thought about using Polyjuice for something so…vulgar. Plus, he was essentially talking to his professor about masturbating. The thought nearly made her gag.
"That's enough, Mr. Thompson. I don't feel that your actions require expulsion. However, I'm assigning you to a month's worth of detentions with Professor Snape."
He fell out of his chair. "Snape?! But I wanted detention with you!"
She smiled. "You're lucky I'm letting you off so easy. I'll talk to him and see what time fits his schedule best. Have a nice day."
The boy walked out grumbling, and Hermione waited until he was gone to collapse in laughter. "That…was…hilarious!"
Snape stood outside her doorway, observing. Miss Granger was on the floor in a fit of giggles and he wanted to know why.
"Professor Granger?" He asked slowly. "What on Earth are you doing?"
"Professor Snape! You'll never believe what this student just told me." She stood up to meet his eyes. They were deep and black with no trace of humor whatsoever. "On second thought, never mind…"
"Tell me." It wasn't a request; it was a demand. Hermione gulped.
"Um, well, it turns out he did actually steal from you."
Snape looked livid. "And…? What, I dare ask, is so hysterical about that?"
"He stole it so he could transform into a girl. So he could see her naked and do…other things." She started laughing again. I'm actually talking to Snape about masturbation. Can this get any better?
"Other things?"
Here goes nothing. "Pleasure himself, sir."
She could have sworn she saw a smile creep upon his face. He was definitely amused.
"I assigned him to a month's worth of detentions with you. Is that okay? What time should he come in?"
"I will let him know all the details," he said simply, trying to keep a straight face.
Snape turned on his heel and made his way to the door. "Oh, and Miss Granger?"
"Yes?"
"Is this yours?" He held out her purple hairbrush.
Well, this is creepy. "Yes…why do you have that?"
He smiled. "I found it in my closet. It appears that Mr. Thompson was attempting to morph into…none other than…yourself." He left without another word.
Hermione's jaw dropped. You have got to be kidding me.
…
The next morning, Hermione sat at the High Table next to Severus. Hagrid had become accustomed to sitting next to the Headmistress, forcing Hermione to eat just a few feet away from the menacing Potions Professor.
She wanted to talk to him desperately but held her tongue. He hates me, she reminded herself. The clattering noise of silverware against ceramic made her look up.
"So, Miss Granger. Do you wish to pursue further punishment for Mr. Thompson upon hearing the remaining details last night?"
She was so surprised that for a moment, she simply gaped at him. "Oh. Umm…I suppose not. Does it really matter who he was trying to morph into? I think it's the principle of the matter that we should focus on."
"Really?" Snape sounded truly surprised. "You're okay with some dirty teenager thinking of you like that?" The words came out before he could even stop them. This is going to be an interesting conversation.
Was it Hermione's imagination, or did Snape sound somewhat jealous? No, that's ridiculous.
"I can't control what other people think, Professor Snape. It's disgusting, but also a bit flattering to know that others think I'm attractive, you know?"
No, I don't know. "What do you mean by that?"
"Oh, you know. To some people I'm just an insufferable know-it-all with big teeth and bushy hair." Oops. I didn't mean to go that far. She blushed profusely.
Snape was stunned. She certainly had nerve, there was no doubt about it. But so do I. "I suppose that's true."
"Excuse me, Severus Snape?!"
"Did I stutter?"
"You have NO idea how to talk to a woman!"
"A woman? You're barely in your twenties."
"I. Am. A. Woman!"
"Whatever you say, Miss Granger."
"My name is Hermione!" she screamed, throwing her napkin down on her plate. "It's no wonder everyone avoids you! You're…you're such a jerk!" She stormed out of the Great Hall, avoiding incredulous stares from professors and students alike.
…
Hermione skipped lunch, not wanting to see Snape or have a talk with the Headmistress about professionalism. All she wanted to do was make lesson plans and listen to her mp3.
She wondered briefly if Daniel saw the whole scene unfold this morning. Probably. Half the school heard your little outburst.
Against her best judgment, Hermione turned on the music player.
What if I wanted to break
Laugh it all off in your face
What would you do?
What if I fell to the floor
Couldn't take all this anymore
What would you do, do, do?
"Well, this is a bit extreme."
Come break me down
Bury me, bury me
I am finished with you
What if I wanted to fight
Beg for the rest of my life
What would you do?
You say you wanted more
What are you waiting for?
I'm not running from you.
Come break me down
Bury me, bury me
I am finished with you
Look in my eyes
You're killing me, killing me
All I wanted was you…
Hermione continued working. Is this really what I think of Snape? I don't want him though, do I? That's crazy.
She glanced up at the clock. Dinner was in fifteen minutes, and she was dreading it. Maybe it won't be so bad. Maybe I can just eat as quickly as humanly possible and leave.
She pulled on her robes and snatched the mp3. "I'm not running from you, Severus Snape."
…
She had been absent from lunch. She never missed meals. Why am I worried? This is ridiculous.
Snape looked up from the table and saw Hermione strutting up the Great Hall, her outlandish poise giving her away. She's nervous.
The professors got quiet as Hermione sat down. She offered no explanation and began eating straightaway.
"Professor Granger, do you happen to have that small musical device with you today?" Professor McGonagall asked hesitantly.
"Huh? Oh, yes." She carelessly threw it in the middle of the table. She felt Severus' eyes on her. Oh, why couldn't Hagrid have taken the hint and let her have her old seat back?!
Someone flipped the mp3 on. "So that's how it works! An on and off switch. Genius!" said Professor Sprout in awe.
Hermione and Severus rolled their eyes simultaneously without knowing it.
Severus was trying to get her attention without acting desperate. Look at me already, Granger.
Keep drinking coffee
Stare me down across the table,
While I look outside
So many things I'd say if only I were able,
But I just keep quiet,
And count the cars that pass by
Severus couldn't help but scoff. "Muggle cars? How cute."
Hermione whipped her head around and glared. Finally, I've got your attention, he mused.
You've got opinions, man,
We're all entitled to them,
But I never asked
So let me thank you for your time,
And try to not waste any more of mine,
Get out of here fast
I hate to break it to you, babe,
But I'm not drowning.
There's no one here to save
Who cares if you disagree?
You are not me,
Who made you king of anything?
Don't you dare tell me who to be,
Who died and made you king of anything?
Severus' smile faded. This is her song. Oh.
"How amusing," he drawled, Hermione's eyes still full of rage.
"Amusing. Ha. What's amusing is your complete lack of emotion. You haven't had a song play yet, have you?"
His back stiffened. "I do not wear my heart on my sleeve, Miss Granger. The mind is not a book, to be opened at will and examined at leisure."
She muttered something that sounded like "emotional range of a teaspoon."
Who cares if you disagree?
You are not me.
Who made you king of anything?
Don't you dare tell me who to be.
Who died and made you king of anything?
Let me hold your crown, babe.
"I believe I'm finished here. Excuse me, professors."
"Leaving already? You simply cannot accept losing an argument, can you?"
"I haven't lost anything!" she exclaimed, standing over him and leaning in. "I am just tired of being treated like a dog by you. You have absolutely no right to talk to me the way you do."
"I know. Who made me king of anything?" He laughed. Severus Snape was actually laughing. Hermione would have thought it rather endearing if his amusement wasn't directed at her."Have you forgotten, dear Hermione, what you said to me this morning? That I 'have NO idea how to talk to women?' That was a bit insulting."
"You deserved it," she said in a small voice.
"Perhaps I did. I do not think you're unattractive, Hermione." He mentally slapped himself. Why, oh why did I just say that?
He called her Hermione. And he was being…nice? This is weird.
"Thanks, I guess."
"You're still a know-it-all, however."
"Ugh!" she grunted in frustration. "Why must you ruin something nice with an insult!"
The other professors were highly amused at the two's odd relationship. Everyone was so distracted that they didn't hear the new song playing in the background.
Well we all need time
To let our memories go,
You've struggled with your past
And dreams the that haunt your soul.
You were just a child
A foolish game was played
While the others laughed, it hurt so bad, it caused you so much pain
But now you have grown and you're ready for the world
Cause you're beautiful now
Yeah you're more than words can say
You're so beautiful now
You're so far from yesterday
So beautiful, oh yes you are
Snape hoped against hope that no one would pick up on the song. If they did, they would probably just think it was Filch being lovey-dovey again. He willed the music to stop, to no avail. How many blithering times does this song say 'beautiful?'
Hermione paused her pouting for a moment and listened. Could this be…? She looked at Snape, his face a dead giveaway. A smirk spread across her face.
Oh, great, he thought.
"So, Severus Snape. You think I'm beautiful, do you?"
"This isn't my song!"
"Well, it surely isn't mine," said Professor McGonagall.
"Mine neither."
"Nope."
Severus closed his eyes. This was highly embarrassing.
Hermione then did the last thing he expected. She leaned in close to his face – Merlin, so close to his lips – and whispered, "I find you attractive as well."
Then, in an instant, she was walking gracefully out of the room. Severus tried to calm his heart, as well as the growing problem in his pants. Did that really just happen?
…
"Did I really just say that?" Hermione wondered aloud as she strode down the hallway. "But he said I was attractive, too! This is so very odd."
She walked into her bedroom and prepared a cup of tea. Sitting on her fluffy white bed, she wondered what would be next for her and the Potions Professor.
"Do I like him? Does he fancy me? Oh, this is all too confusing."
It was certainly an odd situation. One minute she couldn't stand him and they were arguing about the most asinine of things; the next, she was dreaming about his dark, intense eyes and what lie beneath his heavy robes. Hmm…naked Snape. The thought was both highly embarrassing and highly arousing.
As Hermione sipped her tea, she caught a glimpse of the mp3 player sitting on her nightstand. She flipped it on.
Well I tried
But I won't give in
That's alright
'Cause I'm going to win
Now I know
I've got to let you go
Now I see
You were never meant for me
Looking for your hot stuff
Baby, I need it
Looking for your hot stuff
Baby, tonight
I want your hot stuff
I got to feel it
Got to have your hot stuff
Got to have your love tonight
"Ahem!" she cleared her throat and shut off the music immediately.
…
Severus excused himself from dinner early that night, fighting the urge to knock on Hermione's door as he passed by. Merlin, what is happening to me? It was completely unlike him to seek anyone's company at night. But Hermione…Hermione was different. It was as if she went from being a childish know-it-all to a scorching hot woman in two seconds flat, and all because of one sentence she muttered at dinner.
He had never thought of her in this way before. Perhaps it was just his mind playing tricks on him. After all, Severus Snape was not one to usually allow his emotions to guide his decisions.
"I will not go see her tonight," he remarked to himself, reluctantly keeping his promise.
…
A/N: They are finally beginning to warm up to one another! Yay! :D The songs in this chapter are: The Kill by 30 Seconds to Mars, King of Anything by Sara Bareilles, Beautiful by Stereo Fuse, and Hot Stuff by PCD.