Sorry for the long wait, but I am back and ready to continue my weekly updates! This chapter things are beginning to heat up! I have so much more planned to come, it is going to be a wild ride from here to Deathly Hallows.
Chapter 4
Despite Snape's advice, Penelope couldn't help making a daily excursion out on the grounds near the forest. After all, walking would help keep her in fighting shape. Some days, she stopped by Hagrid's cabin to share a cup of tea. He was tearful about his hippogriff, Buckbeak, but she tried to keep him distracted by gossiping about the students. "Now, I know you are close with Potter. Do you know what's gotten between him, Granger, and Weasley? Those three were inseparable two weeks ago. Now the boys look at Granger like she's dragon dung, poor girl."
"Oh tha', well tha's a sorry case really. I hate to see it happen, really do. Lit'l Hermione was jus in 'ere today cryin over those boys ignorin 'er. I've some'at to say to them abou' it." His brow wrinkled in fierce protection. "Now Hermione done nothin' wrong, nothin' in the world. Ron's got it inta 'is head that 'er cat ate 'is rat, Scabbers. Now that's nothin' to end a friendship over. Only nature, y'know?" He shook his head in disapproval. They sat there a while longer before she had emptied her cup. Well, I'd best be going. See you around, Hagrid!"
Outside, she caught a movement in the corner of her vision. A black spot, darting along the fence to Hagrid's pumpkin patch. "You!" She exclaimed. The black dog from the forest paused in his tracks, looking at her intently. There was something about those eyes that was a bit unnerving. They were just a little too intelligent, too…human-like. "I remember you, you fluffball. What are you doing out here?" The dog's mouth split back open in the same goofy grin from before. She chuckled. "Not talking, eh?" She scratched him behind the ears and his tail started to wag frantically. She remembered a sausage stick that she was saving in her pocket as a snack. "I have a little surprise for you, dog." She grabbed the treat and held it out for him. Just before he lunged for it, she raised it higher. "Hold on, hold on. Sit down and have some manners. Let's be civilized about this." He looked at her with narrowed eyes. Still, he promptly sat down. She laughed and gave him the sausage. "Good boy. I'll bring you some more tomorrow for being so smart." He licked her hand politely and then scampered off towards the Whomping Willow.
That night she was up late in her office grading an endless stack of papers. Whose stupid idea was it to assign a long essay? And then read said essays when they were done? She yawned and stood to stretch. The rest would just have to wait for tomorrow. She glanced at the clock on the wall of her office and gasped. Five o'clock already? She was going to be late for dinner again. Ugh.
Penelope strode down a dim corridor, making her way to the hall. She kept daydreaming about meeting Snape in his office, her hand in his. She snatched the clip at the top of her head and released it. Her long dark hair fell in a smooth curtain against her back, letting her scalp relax. Much better. Suddenly, Something grasped her arm and dragged her behind a statue. Instinctively, her arm drew up to his throat, ready to crush his windpipe. Her other hand dropped the hair clip in favor of her wand. "Severus?" She asked furiously. He didn't seem to mind how she was prepared to attack him, in fact he looked amused. He released her arm and placed his hand against the wall behind her. His voice was low and mischievous as he asked, "What did you mean when you said you still have a little crush? Why don't you admit it to yourself? Why keep denying it? You want to be with me." He leaned in close enough that she felt his breath on her nose. How would he know… "You read my THOUGHTS?!" She had known that Snape was a talented legilimens, but to think that he violated her privacy. He seemed unashamed. Wait, did that mean… he saw her DAYDREAMS TOO? Her face was turning extremely red. He smirked. "No, I didn't. But you've just confirmed that what I said is true." She was speechless in indignation. She turned to march off, fuming. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. Electricity ran through her at his touch, making her more angry. "Well? Are you going to keep denying it, or come clean?" Through clenched teeth, she looked him in the eye. "I want you, Severus. I am completely attracted to you, and I have been since we were kids. You are one of the most talented wizards I know, the most infuriating man, you are incredibly sexy, and you have bewitched me entirely. I would like nothing more than to wake up to your face and kiss you. Now is that what you wanted to hear?" she was practically shouting. Finally speaking her secret desire was a weight of her chest. But it also filled her with dread because she knew it was way too much to say and would definitely scare him off.
"Yes. Because maybe you haven't considered that I want you too." He kissed her then. He held her tight and kissed her deeply, everything she had imagined.