Chapter 2: The Clock Tower

Severus Snape stood alone in the clock tower, thoughts racing. What had just happened? So many things didn't make sense. Hermione Granger asked me to dance, and I said yes. I enjoyed it. She enjoyed it. What is happening? At the same time, Hermione Granger stood alone, shocked at the professor's sudden departure. What happened? I saw that smile cross his face before he frowned. I know he didn't hate that dance as much as he let on...

Hermione set off after Snape, determined not to let this night go to waste. I started this, and I'm going to finish it. After all, what's the worst that can happen? I'm 18, I graduate at the end of this year. All he can do is ignore me for a few months… not that that wouldn't be hell though. She grimaced at that thought. Hurrying on, she saw a dark streak turn the corner, and sped up after it. Up the stairs, around another corner, up more stairs, and it stopped. Severus Snape stood on the edge of the clock tower, looking down over the lake. Hermione took a step forward, then stopped. What if he gets angry? Her resolve shook momentarily. No. I'm doing this.

"Professor." He glanced at her, then turned away.

"Granger. What do you want?"

"Why did you leave?"

"As if I need a reason to stop dancing with you, Miss Granger."

"And what's that supposed to mean?" No, this isn't going well, she thought. We're not supposed to be getting angry. I'm annoying him already, aren't I?

"Whatever you want it to mean." No, that's not what I meant to say, he thought. I'm not angry, just confused. What must she be thinking? And why do I care? It was at that moment that Professor Severus Snape realized just how much he did care. Since when do I care about Hermione Granger? Since when do I care what she thinks of me, or what she's feeling? I'm letting myself slip. But… she's so beautiful in the moonlight…

Snape noticed he'd been staring at her and thanked the gods that she wasn't a Legilimens. A Legilimens. Yes! He looked into her eyes and whispered the word, and suddenly he was in her mind.

This is all wrong. I shouldn't be here. I just wanted to… what did I want? Was I going to tell him I love him? What a stupid idea. He'll never love me back. Snape looked on as tears began to fill her eyes. He'll never love me back. What am I thinking? He pulled out of her mind as quickly as he entered, taken aback. Love? She loves me? Hermione began to turn away, hurt by her own thoughts, and his apparent indifference. Instinctively, he reached out and caught her by the hand. Shocked by his own action, he stared at her open-mouthed, and he stared back. Suddenly, she was close to him. Very close. And…

Their lips touched.

She pressed herself against him, arms wrapped around his neck as she held him close. She shook as she realized what she'd done, and that he wasn't moving. Until he did move. He closed the distance, wrapping his own arms around her and holding her close. He pressed harder against her lips, never wanting to let go. Then he realized what was happening. Tearing away from her, he took several steps back, panting. He looked at the ground, feeling far too good to scowl, but far too guilty to smile. Hermione looked up at him.

"Severus?" He'd never heard her use his first name before. It surprised him enough for him to look up to see her stepping closer again, smiling widely. He said nothing.

"I love you, Severus." He closed his eyes, and before thinking, he spoke.

"I know." And for the first time, as far as she knew, he truly smiled.