Here we are again! Hermione has gotten herself into a...situation! Will luck be a lady tonight? Please remember, I don't own any of this. Which explains why I have to use a worthless computer that prefers to not work, hence impacting my regular updating capability. Enjoy!
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Hermione peered cautiously around the corner. Seeing no one, she slipped down the corridor toward the library. Once again, she was out after curfew seeking a book. This time, however, Hermione was determined to run into no one. Especially not him. She did not want a repeat of last week. Hermione shook her head in an attempt to push out the memories of her last sojourn through the corridors after curfew. NO! I definitely do NOT want a repeat. Of course not. Why would I want a repeat of that? Why, I was practically accosted by Professor Snape in the corridor. Nevermind that he smelled delicious, and that he was the best kisser I've ever had. Or that he practically had his hands on my-! DAMN! Determinedly, Hermione shoved the intrusive thoughts from her mind, squared her slim shoulders and pushed open the heavy doors to the library.
The dark, cool room calmed her. Closing her eyes, Hermione breathed in the scent of old vellum and leather. She could stay here for hours. Lifting her wand and casting a light spell, Hermione ventured into the shelves looking for a book. Preferably a nice, long one that would keep her from thinking too much. Her fingers danced over the spines of the books as Hermione trailed up one aisle and down the next. Unfortunately, nothing was standing out to her. She couldn't seem to concentrate long enough to pick a book. One would think Hermione Granger was too distracted to choose. Suddenly, Hermione heard the telltale sound of the heavy wooden doors to the library opening and closing. Someone had entered her sanctuary.
Hermione quickly extinguished her lumos spell. She wasn't certain who would be in the library at this hour, but she definitely didn't want whoever it was to know she was here. Slipping quietly around the bookshelves, Hermione positioned herself so she could see anyone that had entered. If she was lucky, it was just a couple of students, looking for a quiet place to snog. She'd be able to escape unseen and return to her room. Carefully, she peeked around the shelf she was hiding behind. Luck, it seemed, was not on Hermione's side tonight.
Professor Snape stood near a large stack of books piled on Mrs. Pence's desk. It appeared the librarian had pulled some books for the professor, and he had chosen this time to peruse them. Hermione watched, captivated, while his slim, pale fingers ruffled the pages of book after book. Apparently, Professor Snape was searching for something specific. The pile of searched books grew, but he showed no sign of finding the information he was seeking.
Hermione began to feel the chill of the large room seeping into her bones. It started with her feet, clad only in thin slippers, and worked its way up her legs and spine. She could feel her skin prickling with goose bumps. Hermione almost let out a groan. If Professor Snape didn't finish soon, she'd be a Hermione-cicle. Rubbing her cold hands over her cold arms did nothing to bring heat. Suddenly, she noticed Professor Snape stiffening. His hands tightened on the book in his hands. Apparently, he had found what he was searching for. Finally, thought Hermione, rolling her eyes. All thoughts of retrieving a book of her own had long since disappeared. At this point, Hermione only wanted to return to her room with its crackling fire. She breathed out a nearly silent sigh of relief.
Unfortunately for Hermione, Professor Snape seemed in no hurry to leave. Rather, he turned quickly and settled himself at one of the large tables in the room. Directly in front of the door. Hermione bit her lip to keep a wail from bursting forth. Now what? I can't stay here all night! Hermione's mind searched for a solution to her problem. She couldn't cast any spells. Professor Snape would be sure to notice. There was no hope of sneaking past him to the door. All she could do was wait. Maybe he would finish quickly. Hermione sank down to the floor and wrapped her arms around her bare legs. Perhaps she should start making a habit of putting on a bit more if she was going to wander the castle at night. It was becoming apparent that her penchant for wearing little more than tank tops and shorts to bed was going to cost her in one way or another. Hermione leaned her head back against the books behind her.
Apparently, no one had used those books for some time. They were coated in a thick layer of dust. Dust that puffed up around her head. Oh no! Please, Merlin! Please don't let me-! Hermione sneezed. She'd tried to stifle the coming sneeze in her arm. Hopefully Professor Snape was too engrossed in his book to notice. Twisting about, Hermione once again peered around the shelf to see him. He was still sitting at the table. With a sigh of relief, Hermione saw that he had not appeared to hear a thing. As she watched, he turned a few more pages before setting the book down, and swiftly rising from his chair. He disappeared down the aisle on the other side of the room.
At last! Hermione came to her feet quickly. If she hurried, she'd be able to reach the doors before he returned from his latest search. Cautiously, Hermione moved to the end of the shelves closest to the door. Still no sign of her dark professor. With luck, Professor Snape would be kept busy in the far end of the library and never even know another person had been in the library that night. Clutching her wand tightly in her hand, Hermione dashed across the open space in the center of the library toward the door. Her hands stretched out to push against the wood.
Luck, once again, was against Hermione. Just as her fingers brushed the wood of the door, two arms, clad in the deepest black, slammed against the door on either side of her. Hermione became aware of the heat of a body behind her. One hand delicately removed her wand from Hermione's now lifeless fingers. A lock of soft black hair fell over her shoulder as a voice rumbled darkly against her ear, "Well, Miss Granger. We meet again. After curfew, might I add." Hermione swallowed as a rush of heat filled her belly.