Four Months Prior

Hermione sat awake in bed for what must have been the fifteenth time that month, reliving her conversation with Severus, and mentally chastising herself for thinking that it was a good idea. What had she expected? That he would immediately thaw his icy exterior and welcome her into his life with open arms? It wasn't often Hermione thought herself a fool, but now she most certainly did.

She punched her pillow in frustration as his harsh words replayed in her mind once more.

"Miss Granger, I do not know what you have deluded yourself into thinking, or what signs you may have assumed I had given you, but rest assured, I am not interested. For one thing, I am far too old for you. And for another, I am not a nice man. I have done reprehensible things in my past. Things you couldn't even imagine. Believe me when I say, you are seeing something in me that is not there. As much as it pains me to compliment you in the slightest, you could do better."

"Believe me, Severus. No one has ever been silly enough to be under the impression that you are a 'nice man.' But you are a good man. That much I know."

"Do not presume to think you know a thing about me!"

"Severus!" she called after, as he stormed away.

Hermione's eyes filled with tears as she remembered the way his eyes darkened before he turned his back on her. That was the last time they had spoken.

In the Great Hall during breakfast later that morning, Hermione poured herself a cup of coffee, and once again neglected her breakfast. She wished she knew why she had felt so strongly for Severus, and why he was pushing back so forcefully. Not only was he lying to her, she thought, he was lying to himself. The times that they had spent together, before everything went sour, she knew that he had begun to soften towards her. Why else would he have offered to supervise the detentions she handed out? Why had he given her the Dreamless Sleep Potion? Why had he made sure to take the seat next to her during meal times In The Great Hall, and during evenings in the Staff Lounge? Why had he engaged her in lengthy conversations, when he would barely grunt a hello to their fellow colleagues? As much as he tried to convince her otherwise, she was not delusional. He had feelings for her as well. And she would be damned if she didn't get him to admit it once and for all. No matter what it took.

As she dipped her head to take a sip of her coffee, taking time to inhale deeply before she did, she peeked sideways towards Severus. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw he was looking at her as well. It wasn't the first time that she had caught him stealing a glance at her. And it wasn't the first time that when she did, she saw that he was not looking at her with disdain. He watched her like a man who was looking directly into the sun. Like she was beautiful, yet painful to watch for a prolonged period of time. It elated her as much as it broke her heart.

After Hermione's classes were finished for the day, and she was making her way back to her rooms, Professor McGonagall came up behind her.

"Hermione, I was wondering if I may have a word in my office?" she asked.

Immediately Hermione began to panic. Was her work slipping due to her preoccupation with Severus? Had McGonagall noticed? Was she going to be sacked? Were her students all failing, because she was a terrible professor?

"Absolutely, Professor," Hermione answered in a small voice.

She tried to read the expression on McGonagall's face, but the woman gave nothing away. She only nodded and requested Hermione follow her to her office.

When they arrived to the Headmistress' office, Hermione took the seat in front of Professor McGonagall's desk, feeling very much like a student about to be scolded. McGonagall sat down in front of her, reached for a small box and pushed it towards her.

"Lemon drop?" McGonagall asked. Hermione's brow furrowed. The corner of McGonagall's lip lifted. "Albus was quite fond of them, and I've found myself growing partial to them as well."

Hermione shook her head. "No thank you, Professor."

"Minerva, please," McGonagall said as she put the box of sweets back on he desk.

Hermione gave a strained smile. "No thank you, Minerva." The name felt strange and foreign leaving her lips.

"Hermione, I'm sure you are wondering why I've asked to speak with you."

Hermione nodded, a lump formed in her throat.

McGonagall cracked a smile. "There's no reason to look so nervous. I assure you I am not about to doc you house points, or place you in detention."

A nervous giggle escaped Hermione. Her curiosity was piqued. Why had she called for her then?

McGonagall seemed to study Hermione closely. Her eyes travelled Hermione's face and slowly moved their way down to her rapidly thinning figure. The corners of her lips turned down, as it appeared she was worried about what she saw.

"Forgive me for being so blunt, but is everything alright with you lately? You're not feeling overworked, are you?" McGonagall asked. The concern she had for Hermione was clearly evident in her voice.

Of course Hermione was overworked. It was in her DNA to overwork herself, but that was hardly the issue, and she couldn't bring herself to admit to her former professor, and now current boss, why she had been looking so ragged as of late.

"Oh no, Minerva! Not at all. To be perfectly honest, I'm very much enjoying teaching. Far more than I thought I would have," she said and attempted to give the most genuine smile she could manage.

McGonagall's lips thinned. Hermione suspected she knew that she was only giving her half the truth.

"Is it the staff? Is everyone treating you well?" McGonagall continued to press.

That was when Hermione realized that McGonagall knew. It was something about the knowing look in her eyes that told Hermione that McGonagall hadn't thought she was overworked for a second.

Hermione swallowed and responded in a rough voice. "Everyone has been lovely," she lied.

Her heart pounded and she had a feeling McGonagall was very near finished beating around the bush.

McGonagall raised an eyebrow. "Even Severus?"

There it is, Hermione thought.

"Severus has been as cordial as one would expect him to be," she answered shortly.

McGonagall seemed unable to help herself and snorted at Hermione's response. Slowly her amused expression melted into one of sympathy. Hermione wanted to crawl under her seat. She did not want anyone's sympathy. Not even her former role model's.

"Just be patient with him, Hermione...he'll - he'll come around."

Is this real life?! she wondered. Had she been that obvious about the entire situation? Had Severus? In what universe would she have ever found herself getting love advice from Minerva McGonagall? And regarding Severus Snape for that matter? Hermione was rendered speechless.

She couldn't take one more moment of the embarrassment.

"Minerva, I honestly have no idea what you're talking about. And please forgive me for sounding rude, but I really think I ought to return to my lesson planning for the evening."

Hermione watched the softening in McGonagall's eyes as that loathsome look of pity returned to her face. It made her want to scream.

Without waiting to be dismissed, she stood up from her chair. "Goodnight, Professor," she said before briskly making her way out of the room and down the spiral staircase.

As she reached the bottom, her heart stopped. Severus was standing right before her.

He seemed just as surprised to see her as she was to see him.

"What are you doing here?" blurted from her mouth.

Severus' dark eyes locked frighteningly with hers.

"I do not see how that is any of your concern." He sighed. "But if you must known, Minerva requested to speak with me."

Merlin's Beard! Was McGonagall attempting to play matchmaker with the pair of them, Hermione thought in a panic. Hadn't the woman realized how much more damage that would cause?

For the first time in her life, Hermione felt a strong urge to hex he once favorite professor.

"Well don't let me stop you," Hermione said. "And just know that whatever she may say to you, I had absolutely nothing to do with."

Severus eyed her suspiciously. "Duly noted."

Without any parting words of goodbye, Hermione side stepped around Severus and hurried her way down the corridor. She wanted to place as much distance betwen herself and Severus, once he had left McGonagall's office. She was in no mood to deal with the fallout that conversation could potentially cause. Especially if it were to be anything similar to the one she had just had.

"Hermione? I-" she thought she heard him say from behind her. She didn't bother stopping. She could not handle another one of his, 'I'm too old.' 'I was a bad person.' 'I'm no good for you.' speeches. She felt she'd heard enough of those to span over several lifetimes.