AN: I do not, of course, own anything except the idea for the story below. JK Rowling did all the hard work first. If I had written Harry Potter there would have been some differences! This story is NOT DH compliant. Which should be obvious since Severus Snape has a starring role. Hope you like it! Review and let me know!
Hermione paced in front of the fire. She was waiting for him again. She hadn't intended to wait up. Each time he informed her it was unnecessary, but wait she did. This time she had a pile of essays to grade waiting on the couch for her. Hermione thought it might make it look as though she was doing work, not simply waiting for him to return. Of course, he would see straight through that excuse, but she was trying it anyway. Finally, after pacing for several hours, Hermione settled herself on the couch and stared absently into the fire. The flickering light helped her mind drift away and she reflected on the past years.
After Harry had defeated Voldemort, life in the Wizarding World had settled into a semi-peaceful state. There were still pockets of Dark Wizards that had to be hunted down and taken care of in some fashion. And that is where Severus Snape came in. Having survived Nagini's bites, thanks to quick thinking on Hermione's part (not to mention the bezoar in her bag) Snape had led many of the missions to trap any Dark Wizards that remained.
It was Severus Snape that Hermione waited for. She smirked to herself as she thought of how unlikely it would have seemed to her several years prior. Hermione had taken to smirking quite a bit. Apparently she was taking on some of Snape's qualities, admirable or no. Well, that is what she was there for. After all, she had gotten herself hired on as Snape's potions apprentice having finished her education. He had been somewhat (all right, completely) reluctant at first, until Minerva had informed him it was Hermione Granger or Neville Longbottom. Eventually, Snape had accepted her assistance, and even grudgingly acknowledged that she was of some use.
Once that had occurred, they had formed, if not a friendship, at least a companionship. They shared the same likes and dislikes. Both were interested in the same books and, certainly, in potions. Many an evening would find them heatedly debating an article or a new idea. Snape was willing to admit that Hermione did truly have a brilliant mind, and Hermione was willing to admit the same, as well as Snape had an incredibly caustic, but amazing sense of humor that was lost on those with less brain power. As time passed, Hermione began to feel more for her former professor. She would never tell him, but as Hermione learned more about how amazing he truly was, she fell more and more deeply.
His past would have ruined a lesser man. Instead, Severus Snape had turned his tumultuous life around and become an indispensable part of the Wizarding World. Hermione knew he was brave, and obviously skilled, but each time he went out to ensnare some Dark Wizard, her heart fell and she worried until he was safe at Hogwarts again. Each time she paced for hours until he returned. Each time she waited with bated breath for him to walk into his sitting room again and tell her to go to bed. Only his safe return allowed her to relax back in her rooms and drift off to sleep.
Another half an hour passed before Hermione heard the distinctive sound of the door to the potions classroom opening and his footsteps crossed the floor. Quickly, she grabbed a quill and the top essay from the pile determined to pretend to be working. The heavy door to Snape's sitting room swung open and he stepped through. Hermione raised her head and met his gaze.
His eyes looked tired, but he seemed to be pleased to see her. Hermione's heart leaped into her throat at seeing him in one piece. She rose to her feet somewhat unsteadily. Severus raised one eyebrow as if he could sense that something about Hermione was different. The air in the room suddenly felt charged.
Hermione hadn't meant to act so impulsively, she truly didn't. She meant to remain calm and collected and simply ask him how the hunt went. However, as he entered the room and shut the door behind him, Hermione lunged herself across the room and flew straight into his arms.