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As Hermione opened the door to her empty flat, she once again rejoiced at her decision not to move in with Ron, despite the not too subtle remarks from both Ron and Molly. She had been determined to keep her own space and, moving in with her now ex-fiancée, would mean losing valuable book storage space in this little flat. Also it was a chance to be alone and quiet without being regaled with Ron's latest Qudditch triumph.
She had to admit, his failure to secure a position for next season's team was met with great relief. That was until he decided to take it all out on her. It was during this time she realised that she didn't love Ron, at least like a future wife should. Expectations from the public and their friends were what truly kept them together, at least in Hermione's eyes. She just hoped Ron would just let their sham of relationship go, and move on.
She just wished it could've ended on better terms.
As she pondered this thought, she tripped, just catching herself in time, over a pile of books, which Crookshanks must have knocked over in her absence. She glanced over at the culprit who was currently curled up asleep in his basket completely ignorant of his Mistress, as she made her way around her flat to her bedroom.
She kicked off her heels at the door, her feet sighing in relief despite the numerous cushioning charms she had placed on them. She winced at her now very bedraggled hair in the mirror. It looked almost as bad as it used to in her second year before Lavender thrust various hair potions in her direction. That was going to be fun to deal with in the morning!
As she got dressed into her pyjamas, the smirking face of her former potions professor and now Headmaster of Hogwarts flitted across her mind. He had been almost civil during their brief conversation, which conveniently ended her engagement.
Their conversation had also given her a chance to truly observe the man that is Severus Snape. The years had been kind to him since the War. The dark circles that once encompassed his eyes had disappeared and he also appeared to have gained weight. His eyes, which were once cold and empty, had glittered in amusement at her. He also must have done something to his hair as; his once greasy locks now had a healthy sheen, which had shimmered underneath the stars on the ceiling. All in all, Severus Snape was now quite an attractive man, and his immaculately tailored robes certainly did no harm.
Attractive?!
When did she decide that? He was her former professor; it would be unethical, surely? And it wasn't like he would ever be interested in her, she was the insufferable know-it-all who'd had nothing but a coarse bush for hair and crooked teeth. However, with his spy reflexes, he could've easily avoided the confrontation altogether.
So, was he interested in her as well?
As sleep crept ever closer that phrase kept ringing through her mind, and she found herself dreaming of silky black hair and glittering dark eyes…
Severus gazed into the crackling flames, ignoring the latest edition of Potions Monthly, which rested on his lap. He swilled his firewhiskey around in his glass, unable to shake the image of Hermione Granger in that damned dress.
If he was under any illusions that she was still the bushy know-it-all who he had once taught, their brief conversation had shattered that forever. He was very thankful for the fact that she had been caught off guard when she bumped into him, otherwise, she probably would have caught him not so discretely checking her out. Her dress had fitted her curves perfectly and quite frankly he wasn't surprised that Weasley's eyes were glued to her all night.
He always knew Weasley was bad for her and he'd heard the same thing many times from other professors in the staff room. Weasley had been a nightmare to deal with at school and becoming a Quidditch Star certainly hadn't helped him grow up into a mature individual. It had, instead, ensured he remain the same immature teen that he was at the end of the War. Weasley's fiery temper obviously hadn't mellowed either, and this latest crack at his pride appeared to be the final straw. Judging by the anxious glances Granger cast in her former fiancée's direction throughout the evening, he had already begun to take it out on her.
Snape just thanked Merlin that he hadn't physically abused her. After many years living under the tyrannical reign of his father and the Dark Lord, he was now all too aware of the difference between a person's expression when they're anticipating harsh words, and when they're anticipating a physical blow.
He'd seen Weasley's expression as he made his way towards them. Normally, he would have turned a blind eye to it, but for some reason he felt protective towards Granger.
Thankfully, she had held her own against him before he dared to do anything. Which, whilst keeping her from immediate harm, may lead to retribution from him in the future. Weasley hadn't done anything more harmful than dragging her against her will out of the Great Hall, and act like a monumental git. Whilst it did fuel Snape's desire to see the Dunderhead of the decade suffer, it didn't provide him with any ammunition. However, when the public discover that Granger had broken off the engagement, another blow to his ego, he was sure that Weasley would do something stupid.
That was the moment he was waiting for.
Snape downed his firewhiskey and made for his office to do some last bits of paperwork before heading to bed. He really needed a new transfiguration professor and he knew Granger would be perfect for the job. The only reason he had initially approached her at the ball was to ascertain her interest in his proposal. There was no doubt what or who was holding her back, and he'd meant it when he said to her that Weasley was not a decent man. Hopefully, he would be receiving an owl from her soon or better still a visit in person to accept the position.
Now that she was single again as well, he was all to keen to see her ensconced within the walls of Hogwarts where she would be safe, within his reach. Weasley would then have to make a move in a place Snape knew far better than he did about. Sometimes being Headmaster had its perks.