Nope they are not mine....

Chapter 3 of my story

Enjoy!

Chapter 3: Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!

The Daily Prophet's Headliner was surprise to the entire Wizarding community, with the exception of Minister Arthur Weasley, Hermoine Granger and the man in the article himself, Severus Snape. Hermoine read Rita Skeeter's article with an increasing hatred towards the writer.

"The infamous Severus Snape, former Professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, renowned Death Eater, member of the Order and most popularly known as Albus Dumbledore's murderer…" she scoffed as she read the first line, "acquitted for charges filed against him is now appointed by Minister Arthur Weasley as the new Head of the Accreditation of Potions Committee. This happened after a few days of the former Head of the Committee, Siegfried Riverpool, mysteriously disappeared. Until now authorities have no idea to the whereabouts of Mr. Riverpool, but according to a reliable source that perhaps Mr. Snape has an idea since being appointed as the Head of the committee days after Mr. Riverpool's disappearance was no coincidence. Let's just hope that poor Mr. Riverpool would still be found alive and well since we all know what the new Head of the Accreditation of Potions Committee is capable of."

"Like what you reading Ms. Granger?" said the silky voice which Hermoine quickly replied without looking up, "Well, actually, no. How Rita Skeeter was able to cut her way into the journalism remains a mystery to me. Such rubbish!" the she slammed the news paper into the table and looked at the man in front of him. Snape was taken aback her anger towards the article; he did not expect her to have such reaction. In fact, he was expecting to see a happy faced Hermoine parading the Daily Prophet and stuffing it into his face. Her face was red and he can see her eyes that she was outraged. The man suddenly felt something, for the first time for a very long time, he was flattered by Hermoine's gesture but he wouldn't want to show it. After a moment of silence, Hermoine calmed herself.

"May I ask Mr. Snape why you are here?" she asked in a formal tone. Snape snapped back and cleared his throat.

"I'm here to tell you to arrange a formal meeting with all of the members to discuss some matters." And without even letting Hermoine speak, Snape strode off the office with less bellowing robes and drama as before when he was still in Hogwarts.

*****

Hermoine arrived first in the meeting room paring back and forth biting her lip as nervousness win over here. She knew that this meeting won't be a pleasant one. Some committee members have voiced their displeasure towards Snape and most especially Hermoine's promotion as the Deputy saying that they are more deserving to be in the position than Hermoine. Slowly the room was filled with committee members wearing flustered faces while some whispered at each other giving occasional glances at Hermoine. Her face felt embarrassed and hurt as she lowered her head and sat quietly near the end of the long table. The room became silent when Snape arrived and sat next to Hermoine at the end of the table. He sat with unreadable expression while everyone was looking at him except Hermoine.

"Miss Granger." He said without looking at her indicating for her to start the meeting. Hermoine was about to open her mouth when a member, one of the original three-member committee, cleared his throat. 'Ah, here it goes' Snape said to himself and sighed. He knew this would happened, in fact the real purpose of their meeting is to let the members vent their feelings towards the changes that happened in their committee so that they can all move on with their work.

"Yes Mr. Wigglypuff? You have something to say?" Snape asked innocently.

"Actually, I have. I'm sure that I speak in behalf of the members that we are not pleased to be under your leadership. We will not let our committee be tarnished by letting some criminal work here." This made some members nod in agreement. Snape remained calm while Hemoine balled her fist so tight trying to control her anger building inside which didn't slip past Snape unnoticed.

"So what are you suggesting then?" Snape then shifted hi weight to the other side. The man glanced at the others and said, "We would like for you to resign…"

"Rubbish!" Hermoine exclaimed this time her face flushed with fury. Everyone looked at her with surprise including Snape.

"Excuse me? Rubbish you say?" said the man whose brow is now raised.

"Yes, complete rubbish! How dare you say that?! Snape has more right to be working here that many of you here! He is more knowledgeable with potions than all of us combined and HE'S DAMN BLOODY GOOD AT BREWING THEM TOO!" Snape didn't expect to hear here utter those words, he tried not to show any emotion yet he knew he was failing miserably for he felt the heat flowing over his face.

"And what is this your saying he's criminal? He's not been convicted…" before Hermoine could even continue with her defense Snape stood and slammed both of his palms into the table.

"ENOUGH!" he yelled and then there was silence. Clearly Snape still hasn't lost his touch in silencing people. He had to stop her, nobody aside form Lily, defended him that way, it was too much for him to bear. If he hadn't stopped her might have lost his control and kiss her. 'Wait…what? Kiss here? Now where did that come from?" he told himself shaking off the possibility of him tasting her soft lips.

"Miss Granger, I did not ask for you to defend me nor I need your help. " He said in a calm voice without looking at the woman seated next to him. Hermoine felt that Snape had stabbed her in the heart. 'How dare he? After I've defended him whole heartedly and this is how he repays me? Such nerve!" she said to herself. She wanted to protest but decided that was not the right place, she planned to yell at him in his office.

"Of course she'll defend you, I'm sure it was you who recommended her for the position since we all know that she was your student. " said a bald man who was seated far across the table.

"True." Snape quickly replied which made Hermoine quickly turned to him. 'Well, that was a surprise. How come Arthur never told me that?' she pondered.

"There! He admitted it! Playing FAVORITES!" said the man pointing at Snape.

"Unfortunately, sir you are mistaken. Miss Granger is in fact never had been and will ever be MY favorite. Though I hate to admit it, but I knew what she is capable of and I daresay that she is competent enough for the position. In fact, I believe she is more qualified than you sir." Hermoine suddenly felt like she was in paradise. 'Was that a compliment?' she asked herself.

"Really?" said the man as he raised again his eyebrow and his nostrils are now flaring.

"Yes. Tell me sir, what is the difference between the male unicorn's mane and a female unicorn's when used to brew for anti-rheumatism potion?"

"Hah! There's no difference!" the man exclaimed. Snape scoffed.

"Miss Granger?" He then looked at Hermoine with a look that is asking for the correct answer.

"Well actually sir, there is a difference. The therapeutic effect of the anti-rheumatism potion would have a longer duration if you used the female unicorn's mane compared to the male unicorn."

"That is correct."

Then there were murmurs that echoed around the room. Snape on the other hand smirked and was pleased with Hermoine's answer.

"Still not satisfied sir?" Snape asked crossing his arm above his chest.

"How would I know that? Maybe you coached her!"

"Okay then, why won't we all ask both of them ask both of them questions about potions and let's see who is more deserving to be the Deputy." Hermoine looked at him with a confused face. 'What are you doing?' she asked quietly. And so, tons and tons of questions were asked to the man and Hermoine in which she confidently and correctly. She thought that her brain was about to explode because of some difficult questions that were asked courtesy of Severus Snape.

"Well!" Snape said clasping both of his hands together.

"After a series of questioning, I guess we can all agree that Miss Granger truly deserves to have the position." Everyone nodded and the bald man finally took his seat in defeat. He then glanced at Hermoine and he received a nod from her. Hemoine cleared her throat and began the meeting.

*****

Things went smoothly after their meeting. The members finally accepted Snape and everyone began to show respect to Hermoine except of course Severus Snape. She felt like he still thinks of her as child, not a woman worthy of such respect. Though her plan to protest his ingratitude towards her during their meeting was completely forgotten, there were time she want would walk towards his office to bicker yet finding herself unable to as she was very busy with her work. She was so hooked up with her work that she completely forgot Draco's party, good thing Draco was able remind her.

"You forgot didn't you?" Draco said when they passed each other.

"Sorry. I was so busy." Hermoine felt terrible but was relieved to see Draco laughed.

"I understand. And Potter and Weasley?"

"They can't come, Harry is away right now, Ginny, well…" she couldn't think of a better lie.

"I understand Hermoine." Draco said.

After arriving from the Ministry, Hermoine quickly changed her office clothes with a party dress. She wore a simple red dress plunging neckline revealing her healthy breasts. The dress was short, above the knee as a matter of fact and her upper back was seen. Draco welcomed her and gave her a big hug.

"You look wonderful!" Draco said though the sound of the music was so loud she almost didn't hear what he was saying.

"Nice party!" she lied.

"Please help yourself, there's plenty of food in the kitchen!" Draco said closer to her ear. And so she walked through the house and appreciated its interior. She noticed that none of his guests are from Hogwarts and they all seemed too sophisticated for her. She went inside the kitchen and was surprised to Snape in one corner drinking a punch, by his expression she guessed that he was not please to be in the party. Snape noticed her and acted as if he didn't recognize her. She took a glassful of punch at the counter and walked towards him. Snape continued looking at an empty space still not recognizing her presence.

"I didn't know you were invited." She said.

"Well I don't think its any of your business." He said calmly.

"What's your problem?" she snapped.

"You."

"Me?!" her voice was getting louder that people are starting to notice. Draco arrived in the scene and went directly to them.

"Now guys behave if you please. I have other guests here."

"Tell that to him." Hermoine said crossing her arms. There was a moment of silence wherein both Hermoine and Snape turned their backs at each other. Draco broke the silence and embraced Hermoine .

"Hermoine, can you please help me it something?"

"Sure. " Draco walked out of the room followed by Hermoine as Snape eye's followed them until they disappeared behind the door. While waiting for them to be back, Snape closed his eye and imagined the pleasing sight he had just witnessed a while ago. It was the first time he found Hermoine to be beautiful. ' Her red dress fits perfectly to her. Oh what am I saying! She's your former student dammit!' he said as he gulped his punch. After a moment of contemplation, Draco arrived with flushed faced. Snape's body became stiff.

"Where's Miss Granger?" he asked with worry written all over his face.

"Something happened, come with me!" Draco ran out of the room and Snape followed. No one seemed to notice that something had happened which made Snape wonder but shrug it off as his mind made images of Hermoine in trouble.

They arrived at a dark room, with a stair case connected at the door. It was the only light that filled the room is the light that comes from outside the window. Immediately Snape saw Hermoine lying unconscious on the floor.

"Hermoine!" Snape said rushing down the stairs pushing Draco aside. Snape grabbed her and patted her cheek calling her name then suddenly he heard Draco.

"Accio Snape's wand!" To Severus' surprise, he turned to see Draco holding his wand.

"Draco! What's the meaning of this?!" Snape said still grabbing Hermoine tightly into his arms.

"I'm sorry Snape, but I have to lock both of you here. You two seriously need to get along, your bickering is starting to annoy me to be honest. Well, have great time!" Draco closed the door and waved his wand locking the door from the outside. Holding both Hermoine and Severus' wands, he smirked and his them and made sure nobody can find them.

Severus, seating on the floor, sighed and watched Hermoine sleep peacefully. Her head was rested on his left arm that is on top of his lap while is other hand brushed off her bushy hair that was covering her face. The light coming from the window illuminated Hermoine's face. Snape stared at her with admiration stroking her cheeks with his thumb. Realizing what he was doing, he removed his hand from her face. 'Dammit! Severus stop it this instance! Arrrgghh!!! She's so beautiful!!'

"Draco! Draco! Open the door this instant! You're killing me here!" he yelled though he knew it was futile.

I hope you enjoyed reading!

Please review, I'm open to any comments or suggestions...the more reviews the more inspired i get...hehe