A/N: Thanks for all the reviews! I am sorry about the wait. :)
Power in All its Glory
Chapter 35: Teacher's Pet
Hermione's optimism dwindled somewhat when she didn't hear from Professor Snape at all on Sunday. She trudged through classes Monday worrying about whether he had changed his mind. Really, it was just like him to make her wait!
But she could not still the voice in her head that said maybe he had, in fact, decided she was not worth the effort. After all, wasn't she disrupting his solitary lifestyle?
She had decided to confide in Harry. She really didn't want him to find out from someone else. He had listened to her without interruption for the most part. Of course, she had watered down the parts involving her and Professor Snape. No need to tell him everything! She did admit her feelings about Snape to him.
She also told him about the scene in Professor Dumbledore's office.
He hadn't been surprised about Neville. He had already suspected something due to the discussion they had early Sunday morning.
But he had been shocked when she told him about Draco and Trelawney. He kept shaking his head as if something just wasn't quite right. She swore him to secrecy about that. It wasn't her secret to tell, and she certainly didn't want Draco telling others about her and Snape.
Harry had also been shocked at Snape's declaration of love. He told her that although he didn't agree with it, if it was what would make her happy …
Of course, he told her, he would seriously destroy Snape if he hurt her. She smiled at this. He was such a good friend.
In the end, Harry was the one to finally tell Ron. Hermione didn't feel like she could do it. She just wasn't ready to deal with the other boy's drama.
Hermione hesitated at the door to the Potions classroom. She was nervous about how Snape would treat her now but also excited about seeing him again.
Ron just scowled at her as he walked on past. He had a different class this hour, and the look he threw her told her he was not ready to accept her decision. He was also hurt because she hadn't told him. Hermione knew he would get over it. She didn't have the energy to worry about it. Her mind was occupied with other things …
"Come on, Hermione," Harry said, guiding her into the classroom. "It's going to be fine," he whispered to her. He smiled at her encouragingly. She was still amazed at how well Harry was taking it considering how much he hated the other professor. She returned his smile and followed him into the classroom.
The class went by slowly. Hermione had a hard time concentrating on the lesson. Professor Snape ignored her, but she was not surprised at all by this.
As they were leaving the room after class, Snape called her over.
"Yes, Professor?" she said shyly.
"Miss Granger, I need to discuss your essay with you. I would like you to meet me in my office at 7 pm."
"Yes, sir," she answered. His face gave nothing away.
He must have noticed that his request missed his usual animosity, though, because he added severely, "And don't be late!"
She almost smiled at this, but she was able to hold herself in check.
She was just glad they were going to finally talk.
****
Draco waited until the end of the Divination class to approach his professor.
"Sib … Professor Trelawney?" He had to be more careful! It was difficult after all they had been through for him to address her by her professional title.
"Yes, Mr. Malfoy?" She gave him a small smile.
"I think I need some assistance. I am having difficulty with the palmistry lesson we had today. Do you think you could explain it to me again?"
He knew he was getting some strange looks from some of his fellow students; Draco did not usually ask for help or even care about Divination. He didn't really care. They would be giving him even stranger looks if he had done what he wanted to do … which was to kiss their professor right then and there. Oh, yes, that would have gotten him strange looks … and a visit to St. Mungos … and a visit from his father.
"Of course, Mr. Malfoy," she said. Then to his surprise she took his hand and started drawing her finger softly down the palm of his hand. What was she doing? He had wanted her to take the hint that he wanted them to be alone.
She mumbled softly to him explaining what each line meant but he was having difficulty concentrating. Her soft touch on his hand was making him dizzy, and he closed his eyes, focusing only on the sensations she was invoking.
"Draco?" she whispered, "Are you asleep?"
He smiled then and opened his eyes. The other students were gone and they were all alone.
"No," he answered.
"Good, because I want to talk to you."
"That's actually why I asked for help. I wanted to talk to you, too."
"Oh," she said. She sounded disappointed that he hadn't actually wanted her to explain palmistry to him.
She did not let go of his hand, though.
"You go first," Draco said.
"Well, I just … I know you will be graduating and that we won't see each other … and …"
She trailed off and he realized she was having some difficulty.
"Sibyll," he interrupted. "I don't fully understand what there is between us … it's not anything I've felt before … but I do want to get to know you better. Not what you choose to show others but how you are really. I also know that it cannot happen until after I graduate. So I guess what I am saying is that … if you let me, I would like to be a part of your life. I would like for us to be together."
"Oh, Draco," she breathed as she leaned into him and kissed him sweetly.
He allowed himself the luxury of kissing her back but only for a second. They were in her classroom and although someone would have to climb up the steps leading to them, they were still exposed. As much as he enjoyed kissing her, the consequences of them getting caught … even with Professor Dumbledore knowing … was too great.
He pulled away. "Sibyll," he sighed.
"I'm sorry, Draco," she said. "I just couldn't help myself."
"I know how you feel."
"Now," she continued, taking his hand once again. "Shall we continue with your lesson on the intricacies of palmistry?"
His hand tingled as she touched him. And although he knew better, Draco let her continue. It was a subject she was quite passionate about.
