Chapter 35

The day promised nothing good as he woke up with a headache. It wasn't a surprise, but until now he got used to snuggling up to Hermione for a few more hours of calm and peaceful snoozing. But this time the space beside him was empty.

The Slytherin rubbed his temples, they had a guest. Hermione was most likely attending the Abbott girl. He slowly got out of bed.

'Dating the muggle way… Are there any books on how a muggle courts? What have I got myself into?'

"I am afraid to ask, but what are you so happy about?" Hannah glanced at her friend curiously. Hermione took one more bite of her brownie and smiled even more widely.

"I have a plan of revenge, a perfect plan if you ask me." The Gryffindor glanced up at the Head Table where a certain dark haired Slytherin was nursing a cup of strong tea.

"What did you do to him? Snape looks like someone died or is about to at least."

"Yeah, his pride is mortally bruised. The only place where a good kick hurts a man more than the nuts. Well in Severus' case at least."

"What are you going to make him do? Crawl in the middle of the hall in just boxers and a collar for everyone to see?"

"I will not ask where you got so kinky, but no. My idea will be much much more painful!"

"I thought you wouldn't lower yourself to Unforgiveables."

"With Severus' duelling skills? Don't be daft. He would lock me up and throw away the key after taking my wand away."

"You will get him sacked?"

"And have to leave the school at the same time? No."

"So what?"

"I will tell you later, now we have to go. Defence against Lucifer... I mean the Dark Arts is coming up. How much did Hufflepuff lose last week from him?"

"25, awarded 2. Isn't he generous?"

"Very."

"Yeah. But at least he's better than Umbridge."

"A blast ended skrewt would have been better than her, so that doesn't say much."

"He has his eye on you."

"Which one? I will ask Severus to poke it out..."

"Is there something you want to tell me?"

"Yes. But unfortunately we have no time."

"Let's move then."

DADA was quick and uneventful, even if Lucius Malfoy did persist in looking at her. It was not only irritating but outrageous. Hermione did her best to ignore it while gritting her teeth.

"You ok?" Pansy asked slouching in the chair beside her, and whispering as they were taking notes from the book.

"Fine. Is he still looking at me?"

Pansy glanced up for a second...

"Yes. He looks deep in thought, now he's checking some essays."

"Good. Pansy? Why haven't you told me that if a wizard looks at me like that he is basically hitting on me?"

"You mean you didn't know?"

"Just how exactly could I know that? Not a pureblood remember?!"

"Oh..."

"Yes. Oh. Are you using the book now?"

"What? No. What are you going to do? I mean…"

"I know what you mean Pansy." Hermione glanced up to the Professor's table. "I told Severus about it. I think he will take care of it. It is all his fault after all." At those words there was a knock on the door.

"Come in!" Malfoy didn't even bother to rise from his seat, but he did raise an eyebrow as he saw who it was.

"Severus?"

The Potions Master entered in his usual swirl of black robes, a polite expression on his face. Too polite. Dangerously polite.

"Good morning Lucius."

"Morning Severus."

"I hope you're not too busy." The Head of Slytherin House looked around for a second.

"For you? Never my dear friend."

Hermione wanted to gag. How they were able to act like this was beyond her. She would prefer a barrage of violent curses, satisfying outward hostility, not this barely veiled hostility. But hey, it wasn't like anybody asked what she thought lately.

"Good. I would like to have a word with you. In private if that's alright."

"Of course."

Lucius' eye caught Hermione's for a moment. The witch smiled widely causing him to frown. Something here was not right, that smile just clinched it, it was too Slytherin an expression for a Gryffindor face. He wasn't sure what it meant, but he had a feeling that he wasn't going to like it.

And he was right, as he turned from closing his office door the blond wizard found himself being roughly slammed into a wall, a pair of dark and furious eyes were glaring at him with pure, unrefined hatred.

"Lucius. Listen well because I will say this only once. Stay clear of her. If I hear of you even glancing her way you will regret the day you set foot in Hogwarts. Do you understand?"

"Perfectly" Lucius wheezed back as the formidable Head of Slytherin finally released his throat. They just stood and glared at one another for a while until the blond finally smirked. "Afraid of losing her Severus? Afraid that she will decide that you are not worth her time and open her eyes to her other options?"

Severus sneered at that.

"She already chose me Lucius. She is not like Narcissa, she is not like you and we are making our marriage work. I would also like to say that she was disgusted as she noticed your attention, more so when I explained what it meant to her. What? Surprised that not all women fall for your angelic looks?"

"And what exactly does she see in you Severus? Not the looks that's for sure. Your golden heart maybe?" The blond snickered at his own joke. "I Forgot, you don't have one. What have you offered her? Your money?"

"I can assure you Malfoy that Hermione isn't the least bit interested in my finances. She doesn't need to be. She's more than rich enough herself."

"Rich? Her? In what sense?"

"In all senses. But the question is what do you see in her? Apart from the obvious of course. You have never suffered from the lack of female attention Lucius, and my wife is not typically the sort of witch that you would go for. What are you up to?"

"Can't I try and redeem my sins?"

"By teaching? To you redemption is giving 1000 galleons to some charity making sure that there is a photographer and journalist on hand to record the event and paint you in the best possible light of course."

"What little faith you have in me my friend."

"I do have faith in you Lucius, probably almost as much as you have in me."

"Touché" The blond smirked.

"Lucius don't cross me in this. I won't take it kindly."

"Is that a threat?"

"More than that. It's a promise. I don't intend to lose her in anyway. Just letting you know."

"We'll see. You can't make her stay with you if she no longer wishes to be with you." He watched Severus closely. His cold calculating mind ticking over like an expensive watch.

"Well then it is a good thing that she wants to be with me." It was a game of words, not to lie, but not to tell the truth either where at all possible. Game in the game where everyone has their own rules. The play of Masters.

"Really? How very fortunate for you. I would love to stay and chat, but I have a class that will not continue to teach itself. So if you will excuse me."

"Of course. Have a nice day."

"You too."

'And May the best wizard win.'

"What do you think my dear Head of House wants with Malfoy?" Pansy whispered as soon as the Professor left the room.

"How should I know? OR… Maybe I do know..."

"Well?"

"I kind of complained about him watching me."

"You what? Snape will..."

".. Not do anything stupid… Or at least, I hope not."

"Keep on hoping... Hope Hard Hermione" Pansy sniffed in exasperation. "Sometimes you believe in people a little too much."

"Gryffindor remember?"

"No one is perfect I guess."

"Oh shut it." Hermione glanced at the door, while she did want Lucius to get his arse kicked… legs broken… arms twisted and head shaved bald, she also didn't want Severus to get into trouble. She had her own plans for him.

"What can they be doing in there for so long?" she muttered under her breath, but not quietly enough as Pansy's ears pricked up.

"Well…"

"Say it and I will put Silencio on you Pans."

"Aren't you a little ray of sunshine today?"

"I have double Potions to look forward to."

"Oh please, you have nothing to worry about when it comes to classes; you are so far ahead you scare me… unless there is something you aren't telling me…"

"No. You pretty much know everything."

"Merlin I hope so."

"I don't think that it will be all that bad. Severus is trying to get on my good side…"

"Oh. Oh... I have a feeling that that is not quite working out for him"

"Not quite. But that doesn't mean he won't keep trying."

"That should be good."

"Oh yeah. That's what I am afraid of …"

Professor Malfoy finally came back from his talk with the Slytherin Head of House. Hermione frowned. He looked normal. No bleeding, no bruised or broken limbs.

'Oh well… At least I can still dream…'

After Defence was finally over Gryffindor had lost 20 points. All of them from Harry.

Hermione dragged herself to their next class. Potions.

She was tired just from thinking about it. Not that she didn't enjoy the subject, because she did, she just had a nagging feeling that something would happen. Hermione had usually gotten that feeling before one the "Golden Trios" many infamous escapades. Her imagination conjured a picture: Severus' head attached to a Basilisks body. She cringed.

'Ok, let's not get carried away'

Since there weren't as many people attending Double Advanced Potions there were lots of empty desks to choose from. Hermione opted for one in the back row, farthest away from a certain Slytherin.

As bad as it can be when something does happen, it can be even worse when nothing happens and you are expecting it to.

Hermione chewed on the end of her sugar quill and glanced at the back of her significant other.

'What is he up to?' Severus was explaining something to Neville and managed not to look too intimidating. Lavender from the second row cocked a brow looking questioningly at Hermione but she could only shrug. 'Don't look at me Lav; I have no idea what he is up to.'

The lesson was actually quite interesting as the potion they were making was challenging to brew. Hermione loved a challenge; it gave her mind something to work on and didn't allow her to dwell on other things.

Hermione glanced at her notes and back to the shimmering liquid.

"How is it coming?" Hermione almost dropped her stirrer into the potion as his voice disturbed her.

"Fine Professor. Just fine." She looked around quickly. Everyone was too engrossed in their own work to notice the conversation they were having. It was no longer Potions for beginners so it was a bit more flexible, they didn't have to keep silent as they worked and there were small hushed discussions going on while everyone worked on their assignments.

Hermione watched as Severus looked over her notes. The Wizard was as formidable looking as always. Strict jaw, large hooked nose, thin lips. From this angle she couldn't see his eyes but she knew how darkly they could burn. Her gaze dropped to his hands, pale, barely visible scars marked long artistic fingers.

His hand had been so warm when he had first touched her cheek.

Hermione turned away suddenly, feeling heat rise up her collar and pretended to be very intensively reading the text book.

"Your notes are done well." She turned her head sharply at the man standing next to her head and their eyes met. She had to will herself not to look away. The dark eyes looking at her were slightly guarded. She couldn't see any emotions clearly, but she could feel them, right there under the dark surface. Close. So close to her.

And a small genuine smile graced her lips against her will.

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