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Chapter Six

Clouded Eyes

Hermione was sitting at her desk, trying to write her resignation, when someone knocked on the door. Isabel, who was sitting in one of the armchairs, looked at the door and then at her mother.

"Are you expecting someone?" they asked each other in unison. Both smiled at this, but shook their heads.

Chuckling a little and shaking her head, Hermione went to open the door.

"What is so funny, Mrs. Weasley?"

Her smile fell as she saw Severus hovering above her.

Oh, rats! She thought, but put on her best poker-face and eyed him, coldly.

"Professor." She nodded. "What can I do for you?"

Severus raised an eyebrow at her. Was that a tremble in her voice? He smirked.

"You can start by enlightening me about what happened this evening, at supper." He stared at her, as if searching for something in her eyes, as she sighed, turned around and walked back in to the room.

"There is nothing to explain, professor. I truly regret what happened, but I can not turn back the time, seeing as the Time turner broke sometime during my seventh year." Hermione threw her arms up in the air.

"I am sorry, but I wish I could!" she said, her voice thick with emotions, as she turned to face him again.

Shocked to see him leaning casually over the back of the arm chair Isabel was sitting in, she let her guard down for a split second.

That was all Severus needed. Being a spy and a teacher for so many years had taught him one thing, in particular: How to read people's emotions. Although he usually was correct in his readings, he couldn't be a hundred percent sure. And he didn't want to pry her mind. Because she was a really bad Occlumens, he figured it was unfair.

Right! I shouldn't even care!

He shook it off when she spoke again.

"I told Minerva that she would have my resignation on her desk by suppertime tomorrow. She never even flinched, so what are you really doing here, Severus?"

Her suspicious look was almost more than he could take. What was it, that made her build that wall around her soul? What was she running from?

Severus sighed and returned her look.

"Minerva and I have spent most of the evening discussing this very matter." He started, but she interrupted him by holding her hand up and turning to her daughter.

"Isabel, honey. Can you please go back to your dormitory? It's almost curfew and you do not want professor Snape here, to conduct any House Points from you. He is most likely to take two thirds of them." she chuckled.

Isabel smiled, understandingly, got up and hugged her mother.

"Good night, mum. Sleep well."

"You too, sweetie. I love you."

"Love you too, mum."

When Isabel closed the door behind her, Hermione turned back to Severus and asked him to continue.

"As I was saying; we spent the evening discussing the incident at supper, and we came to the conclusion that letting you go was not an option." He said, watching Hermione's jaw drop a few inches. He smirked.

"Not the most intelligent look I have seen on you, Miss Granger."

Hermione's jaw shot back into its regular position as she bowed her head and stared at the floor. She felt like a first year under his gaze. Why did he have this effect on her? She was his equal now, not some timid, little schoolgirl! This was outrageous!

Their eyes met and a well-known and bitter sweet pain shot through her body. Oh, those eyes! Just looking into them made her feel dizzy. She could easily drown in those eyes. Falling. She was falling into the dark wells that were his eyes.

And then she was in his arms.

"Oh, dear Gods…" was all she said before his lips caught hers in a soft kiss.

Finally! He thought as he lost himself in the kiss.

She didn't play cold or pretend she wasn't affected, in fact, she moaned when his tongue moved along her bottom lip and she opened her mouth, granting him access. The kiss was loving, soulful and filled with suppressed desire. Severus deepened the kiss, tasting, exploring and seducing, until her mouth and tongue no longer could satisfy the desire he felt. He wanted…more! His hands loosened the clasp that held her hair up and tangled in her hair. Gently, he broke the kiss and pulled her head back a bit, looking at her.

"Hermione?" he said, cursing in his mind for talking.

"Mmm." Her eyes was still closed, her hands resting on his chest and her lips red and swollen from the kiss.

She looked like a goddess.

"This is not enough for me. I want you. All of you." he sighed. "Please, look at me, love."

Her eyes fluttered open and he saw the haze in them, like a veil. Struggling with himself, he tried to decide whether or not to invade her mind.

Hermione tried to think, but couldn't focus properly. All she knew was that she was exactly where she wanted to be at he moment. Her hands found their way up his chest and settled around his face, pulling him back down to her. Their lips met again and her tongue quickly found his.

Severus, thinking the kiss was the answer to his unspoken question, moaned and pressed her against the wall. His hands was wandering, caressing her body. He couldn't wait any longer. He wanted her now!

But not here, you idiot! She deserves better than up against the wall!

For once, he agreed with the voice in the back of his mind. Not braking the kiss, he pulled her close and lead her towards her bedroom. Too late, he realized he'd knocked something over in the process.

The loud crash seemed to lift Hermione's daze in a second. She pulled away and glared at him, her fingers on her lips and the other hand fisted at her chest, as if to protect herself from him. Her voice was just a whisper when she finally broke the silence that had crept upon them.

"Leave." Tears welled up in her eyes as she said it.

It took Severus a moment to understand what she was saying, but only a moment.

"This isn't over, Hermione." He said in his old professor manner.

"What are you talking about?" she whispered.

"This!" Severus moved his hand back and forth between them. "You. Me. Us!"

He felt the cold snaking through his body when she responded.

"I'm sorry, Professor Snape, but there is no us. There never was, and there never will be, an us!" she sighed. "Now, please leave. Leave me alone."

He ignored the sorrow in her voice, turned his back on her, and left, his robes billowing behind him.

Hermione stood where he left her.

And she felt so lost.

Yes, yes! Sorry! 'ducks to prevent any flying objects' I know it's short! Again! But I like the short chapters. And longer stories they make.

Besides, I have so many ideas, but I have to figure out a way to braid them into the story. And for that, I need some time. But, hopefully, it will be worth it in the end.

Please, review. It's much appreciated.