Hermione was finished the potion. She looked up towards Professor Snape who seemed lost in deep thought, staring at his parchments.
She cleared her throat.
Instantly he looked up, arching his brow.
'I'm done Professor.' He rose and went over to where she stood, his robes billowing in the process. He stopped when he was very near her. Near enough, that if he was someone else, she would've backed away slightly. Instead, she felt herself drawn to him. His dark robes were calling to her, asking to be touched. His pale face, leaning downwards examining her white potion, held no emotion. Why was she thinking this? Why couldn't she stop thinking of him? Why would her heart speed up each time he looked at her?
She was so close.
Close enough, that if he wanted to, he could reach out and hold her. Hold her like he'd done after she'd been attacked. It had felt so right, in the midst of something so wrong, to envelope her with his arms and to shield her from the rest of the world.
He'd felt so protective of her.
But that feeling wasn't new. He'd always been there, watching over her, Potter and Weasley, making sure the two dunderheads would listen to their more mature third party and wouldn't get hurt.
And now, to his right, stood an amazing woman, a woman who didn't entirely need his protection anymore.
He was so close that her scent encased him, the attractive aroma of Lavender drawing him nearer, calling out to him to touch her.
He couldn't bear being so close to her yet so far at the same time. His heart was beating hard in his chest, his breath was shorter, all signs clearly indicating the effect she had on him.
If he just reached out, he could grasp the mixing stick she was still holding, waiting for his verdict. He was still pretending to inspect her perfect Draught of Peace, his emotions carefully hidden behind a curtain of black hair. He lifted his face back up, slowly, then turned to face her.
She stood confidently in front of him. She knew her potion was good making it show in her eyes, stance and in the whole of her features.
They were such opposites in that regard; she wore her emotions like medals while he hide behind them, putting up his shields.
He knew he had to say something, but he just couldn't find the words to criticize her.
Before her eyes could search his face any more, before she could try to read him again, deftly but also as if he hadn't meant to do it, he looked away, raised his hand calmly to grasp the mixing stick she was holding.
As he did so, his fingertips brushed ever so lightly on the back of her soft hand.
Their eyes met, hers wide, curious, sparkling with intelligence.
He jerked his hand away from the small contact they'd sustained. He was facing the brewing table and she was facing him.
He still hadn't said anything. He needed to though, needed to keep up appearances.
So he sighed and as if it pained him, nodded, indicating his acceptance of her work.
'That will be all Miss Granger. You are dismissed.'
She smiled, a sort of sad, resigned smile, let go of the spoon and walked past him. She didn't speak nor did she brush against him while leaving, as she'd done what seemed like a lifetime ago.
The quiet closing of the door made him realize how alone he now felt.
Hermione walked into the Gryffindor common room. People were still up, milling around, most trying to finish some last minute homework.
Hermione didn't want to think just yet. She wasn't sure of what just happened.
So she went to sit down with Ron, Harry and Ginny. Both boys were finishing their homework, Ron seeming to be a bit more productive than Harry for once, probably because Harry was to caught up smiling at Ginny every two minutes. She sat down next to Ginny and for the next hour or so, attempted to ignore the past event.
Hermione was lying in bed, staring at the wood ceiling of her four poster bed.
She couldn't sleep.
All her thoughts were on a particular person.
Severus Snape
What had happened exactly? Had he meant to brush against her hand? Or was it simply an accident?
She brought the back of her hand up to her face and let it slide smoothly against her lips.
Why couldn't she stop thinking of him?
It wasn't normal, she told herself sternly. Thinking excessively of your Professor, even dreaming about him?
She hadn't had her nightmare again though. She reasoned that it was just a one time thing, just a momentary weakness, an aftershock of having been called by her first name by the cold man.
She didn't understand.
He seemed to be hesitating around her, quite unlike the sure, steady Professor she'd known all these years.
What was becoming of her?
She turned again in her bed, to stare at her dark red curtain.
She took a deep breath.
Exhaled shakily.
Closed her eyes.
Why was he everywhere?
Why was he always on her mind?
She fell asleep still wondering and still very confused.
The next day, at the end of the DADA class, Snape called out to her.
'Miss Granger, a word.'
She looked at Ron and Harry, indicating with her hand that she'd meet them outside, while they looked at her sympathetically. They'd just been complaining that very morning, about Snape's excessive detentions.
She approached him. His back was turned to her and he seemed to be looking for something on his desk.
All lesson, Hermione had tried hard not to look at him. Twice, their eyes had crossed, but she'd always broken the eye contact quickly, sadden by his emotionless stare.
In a precise movement, he swept around to hold a book out in front of him. She glanced down at it to read: A Beginner's Guide to Self-Defense.
She looked back up at him, cocking her head, internally chuckling.
Her eyes were lit up with curiosity and laughter that made Severus feel foolish.
'Here's a book on Self-Defense, which Professor Dumbledore had asked me to teach to you. You will read this, because I have no more time to deal with some idiotic private lessons.'
If his words hurt her, this time she'd didn't let it show.
'Thank you, Professor. I really didn't want you to have to deal with these idiotic lessons either.' Her sarcasm was evident and it stung Severus' heart.
She took the book out of his hands, rather harshly then proceeded to leave, her hair flapping out behind her.
The door slammed and Severus backed up to rest against his desk.
You need to do this, he reminded himself for what seemed to be the thousandth time.
You're her teacher, she only eighteen, you're twice her age, she's your student!
He brought his hand to his face and rubbed his eyes.
Whatever he did, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop wanting her.
She was going to drive him crazy, because there was no way in hell she'd ever want him like he needed her.
Author's note: This was sort of a transition chapter, so sorry if it was pretty short :)
Ahhh, so many reviews! I love it! Thank you all so much! It helps my writing and always makes me so happy! You guys are the best!
Thanks to my readers too!