Chapter 7- Closer

My whole body ached when I opened my eyes. I groaned and rolled onto my side, and came face to face with a Severus Snape. He was still fast asleep and I held my breath.

What was he doing in my bed?

The memories of last night came back quickly but I still didn't understand why he wasn't in the second twin bed across from my bed. I inched away from him as silently as possible, unsure of weather I should be outraged by this. It was completely innocent, or it would be if he wasn't my professor. He wasn't even touching me and he was fully clothes, cloak and all.

I was angry, but I not at him. How could I be so stupid? Coming to America without telling anyone?

That thought made me remember that he hadn't really elaborated on his 'gifts'.

Against my better judgment I kicked him off the bed. I wasn't really myself, mostly because of being sick the day before and I just stared at him when he rolled off and awoke.

He coughed and sputter in outrage. "Just what the bloody hell were you thinking?"

"You were asleep." I said blankly. I felt tears rise in my eyes and they ran down my face. His anger disappeared. He stood and gripped my wrist.

"I fell asleep; I meant you no harm, Miss Granger. This whole situation had left me drained."

I rolled my eyes, "I know that. I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm sorry I pushed you off the bed."

He chuckled, "It's alright…as long as it never happens again. Ever. Under no circumstances."

I nodded automatically. It wasn't like we would ever end up in bed together…would we?

"You never answered my question." I said accusingly. He narrowed his eyes.

"I underestimated your intelligence. I thought I'd wiped the interest from you mind by insulting you. Obviously my plan failed." He huffed and looked over at the clock on the night stand.

"What time does the portkey leave?"

"In three minutes." I swallowed thickly and pulled the hair pin out of my hair for the second time. He smirked at me for some reason I couldn't fathom.

He gripped my wrist, he'd taken to doing that hadn't he, and we felt the air shift.

I felt better as soon as we landed in Hogsmeade. I started walking, putting my hair pin back in my hair. I heard his footsteps right behind me, but I couldn't bring myself to slow down and walk beside him. I wanted answers and I didn't know how to get them.

It started raining, very lightly, but enough to make my hair curl up messily. I shook my head, pushing my wild hair away from my face. I made it up to the castle in five minutes, almost forgetting Snape was right behind me.

I was so tired. I didn't understand what was happening and I just wanted to go sleep for a week.

"Miss Granger, I believe that you have detention."

I turned around and stared at him, jaw wide open. He smirked and motioned for me to go first. I stomped the whole way to the dungeons. This was beyond ridiculous. How dare he!

I threw open his door to his private rooms and sat on the nearest couch. I'd like to see him try and make me clean caldrons.

"I wont ask how you got into m private rooms. I never added you to my wards, though. Now, I think you said you wanted answers." He pulled off his cloak and sat down in an armchair across from me.

He gazed at me expectantly and I stared back.

"Can you read my mind?" I started instantly.

"Yes, but I can with or without the bond. I'm a Legilimens." He said in an emotionless voice.

"Does it make it easier to read my mind with it? The bond I mean."

"So much easier, all I really have to do is just look at you and you're an open book to me."

"Is there a way for me to do that to you?"

He raised an eyebrow, "Perhaps, but you'll never find out from me."

"Okay, is there a way for me to stop you from being able to read my mind?"

"Yes, just close your mind with Occulemency. It's extremely easy for logical minds like yours." I was feeling uneasy. Why was he suddenly giving me the information I wanted?

"Because the sooner you understand then the sooner we can just move on…as much as possible."

Fine.

"Why did I get so sick when I went to America?"

He took a deep breath, "Because the bond was activated by that potion. Before then, we weren't connected in any way, aside from teacher and student. When the potion named us, we were bonded. Magically, only, obviously. Your magic was fighting against your own body when it was away from mine."

I took that in, swallowing loudly.

"So is that permanent!" I asked in a soft voice, afraid of the answer.

He closed his eyes, "I don't know. Most likely. No one has ever been in our position. The bond is usually just excepted or sometimes already anticipated. Take Potter and Draco, they were together before the bond ever took place. While I could barely stand you before the bond."

"And after the bond?" I pried. He smirked just a little.

"Any other questions? I'm rather exhausted."

"What about meeting other people? What will happen then?"

He froze and looked up at me fearfully, "I've long given up on meeting someone so I never even thought about it. I guess we'll find out when you do meet someone. I have no idea what will happen. I hope that nothing does, for your sake."

"Okay, thanks. I just really need to go to sleep." I got to my feet uneasily and stumbled towards the door. My legs felt like jelly and a warm arm caught me before I fell.

"Thank you." I mumbled, overcome with exhaustion. Where had it come from anyway?

"You'll be weak for some time, Miss Granger. This isn't much I can do, just know I'll be going through the same thing."

I leaned on his arm, willing my feet to move. Some how I made it to the door and he kept walking me until we were outside of my dorm. Harry bounded out of the common room, Draco in tow, looking quite disheveled.

"Hermione…and Professor Snape." Harry finished oddly. He and Draco dropped each others hands.

"Miss Granger was foolish enough to overnight in America. She'll need to sleep for at least a day until our magic adjusts again."

"Why was that a problem? Draco went to Paris to see his mom without me just last week."

I frowned at that, but I was so close to sleep that I almost missed Snape's answer.

"That would be because you've had sex, I assume? "

Harry blushed, though Draco didn't.

"You and Hermione….havent? How can you even….not….I mean…"

"Potter, since when were you under any impression that Miss Granger and I were anything but teacher and student?"

Harry frowned, "When your names came out of the potion, of course."

"I'm older than Draco, so I know what you must be feeling. How are you resisting?"

I had no idea what Harry was going on about, and I knew I was seconds away from collapsing.

"Because I give her what she wants, and she doesn't want me, Potter. Now she really needs to sleep. If you'll excuse us."

I was asleep before he made it to my bed.

A/N:Reviews everybody! I've been getting ten reviews each chapter. Keep it up!