Hermione took the exit closest to the dungeons, hoping no one would be around as she lit her cigarette, feeling relieved to have this time to herself. So much had happened in the past few days, but what concerned her the most was her newfound desires. They puzzled her and excited her in a way she had never felt, even when she and Ron and been excited to take their relationship to the next level. After the first few times, sex had bored her. Sure it felt nice and at times she had climaxed, but she never felt fully sated the way Ron seemed to feel once he had slumped off her. As she took a drag, she remembered Professor Snape's hands, his lean but strong body, and the way his hips had looked like thrusting in the ginger woman Hermione had yet to formally meet. Her thoughts drifted towards the only professor she had ever had a crush; Gilderoy Lockhart, one of the few lapses of judgement on her part. She'd never been attracted to Professor Snape...until now. This was going to be a problem.
Unbeknownst to her, the very man occupying her thoughts had also stepped out to be alone, only to see his young apprentice smoking. He had decided to observe her, she had puzzled him earlier when she refuse to meet his eye. Granger had never shied away from him, even as a child she had always maintained a level confidence within his classes. He'd wondered at the sudden change in demeanor, seeing that she was almost done her cigarette, he decided now was the time to surprise her.
"Granger"
Hermione jumped at her name being spoken by the very man her thoughts had been swirling around. She wondered if she had summoned him somehow.
"Professor, I didn't hear you, I'm going straight back to work I was just-"
"No need to panic Miss Granger I myself just stepped out for some fresh air"
At this Professor Snape pulled out his own carton of cigarettes, usurpingly even his cigarettes were black.
"May I borrow your lighter Miss Granger?" Said Professor Snape as he put a cigarette between his lips.
"Of course sir" Hermione in an almost frantic fashion pulled out her lighter from her coat pocket and lit his cigarette.
"Thank you, would you care for one? I get them imported from America, I never enjoyed the tobacco here, nor having to roll them myself."
Hermione hesitated, but wanted to take advantage of this more relaxed and seemingly polite Professor Snape.
"Sure, thank you" Hermione smiled warmly as she took the cigarette from his hand.
"Tell me Miss Granger, how did you come to pick up this little habit? Before I would say you don't seem like the type but now...well I am no longer as surprised"
"I've been hearing that a lot lately, that I don't seem like a certain type. To answer your question, I picked it up during our time camping, hunting for horcruxes."
Hermione took a drag, as did Professor Snape as both contemplated in relatively comfortable silence.
"Thank you by the way, for the sword. We wouldn't have survived for long had there not been progress"
"I'm sure you would have found resources had you needed to-"
"We would have killed each other I mean, if Ron hadn't helped Harry I don't think I would have been so forgiving. Quite frankly I think I still resent him for leaving us the way he did."
"Weasley never did have a strong stomach for hard work nor dedication. He would still be in third year had you not let him copy off your homework."
Hermione giggled, took a drag and met Professor Snape's gaze. "Was it that obvious?"
"Incredibly so. The boy can barely spell his first and last name on exams, let alone define the use of a bezoar"
"Well aren't you just full of compliments today" Hermione smirked before realizing her lack of formality by quickly adding "Sir."
Professor Snape smirked, but as she looked into his eyes she realized this was as close to a smile as she was going to get.
"Just stating the obvious Miss Granger. Tell me, how is the youngest Weasley boy these days? Still following diligently in Potter's shadow?"
As soon as he had posed the question, whatever happiness he had seen on Granger's face disappeared. Ah, this is what has been altering her mood Professor Snape thought.
"He's...fine, he's currently on an assignment and can't tell me where or when he'll be back. Excuse me Professor I think I should head back and read those files. Thank you for the cigarette." Hermione hurriedly vanished the butt and went inside, leaving Professor Snape slightly puzzled and wishing he had never brought it up. He had gone as far as enjoyed Granger's company, but clearly something had transpired between the young couple which upset her.
"Trouble in paradise I suppose.." Professor Snape muttered to himself.
Once he was finished, Professor Snape went back inside and started planning for their upcoming trip, making a mental note to bring extra cigarettes for them to enjoy.
Two days later found the pair traveling by portkey to the outskirts of Greece in order not to alert the ministries of their magical footprint.
"Come along Granger, it's all by foot now, we should reach the border by nightfall."
Hermione being the apprentice, had been tasked to carry most of their gear, a task she had been less than pleased to take on. But it meant her mind was occupied as she simply put one foot after another and concentrated on not tipping over from the sheer weight of everything she was carrying. She would have to occasionally run to catch up with Professor Snape and his long strides.
"Keep up Granger"
"Well I wouldn't have a problem doing so if these bags weren't so fucking heavy" Hermione muttered under her breath.
"Did you say something Granger?"
"No sir" Hermione grumbled.
"Hmm, we're almost there just a few more miles and we'll set up camp."
"You mean I'll set up camp" Hermione muttered again.
"Precisely" Professor Snape clearly said over his shoulder.
Hermione couldn't help but roll her eyes as they continued walking. Finally, they had reached the Albanian border, as Hermione set up their respective tents she would periodically see Professor Snape pacing with the map in hand, muttering to himself. As night fell, Hermione started a fire in order to cook dinner for them, a task she hated just as much if not more than carrying their gear. After months of camping with the boys, the task of cooking befell on her as Harry and Ron were more adept to hunting and gathering. For months she would hear Ron bitching and moaning about her cooking, how his mother would be doing a much better job, and how hungry he was. She was about ready to snap when he had seen fit to leave them in the middle of the woods, choosing to go back to the burrow to his bed and his mother's cooking. Having to once again cook in the wilderness, Hermione couldn't help but have those feelings of resentment flooding back at a somewhat violent speed and intensity.
As she prepared tonight's chili she left for a few moments too long to gather some more supplies, and came back to find her chili had burned at the bottom. Figuring she could just avoid those parts she served two bowls and handed one to Professor Snape as he sat down.
"Thank you" Said Professor Snape absentmindedly as he continued to read the map and his notes. As both ate in silence, Hermione was practically seething at this point, unable to rid herself of the feelings of irritation and downright anger.
"Try not to burn the chili next time Granger" Snape commented as he got up to clean his plate.
This was the last straw for Hermione, she abruptly got up, fist clenched and started walking until she came back to face Professor Snape.
"Fuck you Snape, if you think you can do a better job do it yourself then!" Hermione practically screamed as she stormed off into the nearby woods.
Professor Snape was left somewhat stunned by her outburst having not seen it coming. He supposed she had a point, but it was the way she had snapped at him. He had never seen her so angry, nor had she ever disrespected a teacher. Deciding to let her cool down, Professor Snape set about cleaning up and getting ready to turn in all the while thinking about possibilities for what had set her off.
Once Hermione had walked away enough for the fire to be a distant light through the trees, she broke down in tears finally letting her feelings flow free. All of her anger was spilling out of her through sobs as she put her head between her knees and wrapped her arms around herself. It was only when she felt herself go numb did she stop crying and make her way back to camp, realizing she would have to apologize to Professor Snape for her outburst. Once she reached the firepit she saw Professor Snape calmy reading a book by the fire, she stood there for a minute waiting for him to acknoweldge her but he simply kept reading his book, ignoring her presence.
"Um...Professor Snape I just wanted to apologize for my behavior. There is no excuse for it and it won't happen again."
Professor Snape finally set the book down, once she had stopped speaking and pointedly looked at her.
"Explain yourself." Professor Snape said calmly.
Sheepishly Hermione looked down and entangled her hands, not being able to meet his intense gaze once more.
"When we went camping, it was my duty to cook, and clean, and do most of the womanly chores if you will. It infuriated me then and it infuriates me now. Ron would non-stop criticize me for my lack of cooking skills, even Harry made it known in his own little ways. As you saw I'm not very gifted in that area but I promise to be better. I-"
Professor Snape put his hand up, indicating for her to stop.
"I will endeavor to cook from now on.
"No it's fine Professor Snape I-"
"Granger. I will cook, you will clean. I'll not have you cursing at me and walking off into the woods every time I criticize your food. It must be as bad as they say if even Weasley can't stomach it." Professor Snape said sarcastically as he walked to his tent.
"Good night Granger, off to bed with you, we must get up before dawn. We have much ground to cover."
As Professor Snape entered his tent, Hermione was left somewhat speechless and unsure if she should laugh or cry at his comments. She decided a faint smile would do, if she were being honest, he and the boys were not wrong about the state of her cooking. Before turning in, she decided to stay by the fire a minute and reflect. Unbeknownst to her, Professor Snape was watching her from his tent, relieved she had taken his comments for the humor he had intended to convey. She was clearly fairly traumatized from her stay in the woods with those two idiots. He felt anger towards both Potter and Weasley for treating the female unit within the Golden Trio like a maid. He felt more and more disdain for the Weasley boy and wondered what Granger saw in him, let alone how she could redeem him so much as to take him as a paramour. The boy was lazy, unimaginative, and simply idiotic. At least Potter has some intelligence, even if it is buried deep, deep within him Thought Professor Snape. And I just complimented Potter, I really must be tired he thought begrudgingly as he got into his sleeping bag and turned off the light.
Hermione woke up to the sound of her tent being shaken and Professor Snape grunting for her to get up. As both were clearly not morning people, breakfast was a mostly silent affair with Professor Snape staying true to his word and cooking them breakfast. As they both got their cups of coffee, they started to discuss what they had to do and what they needed to accomplish.
"There is one thing I may have...left out of the briefing. We will need to fly by broom to get to the point where the flower predominantly grows." Said Professor Snape, regarding Hermione with trepidation as he recalled her previous outburst.
Hermione visibly palled, looked down at the full plate of food she had just eaten, regretting every bite as she felt her stomach churn at the thought of flying.
"I see. And there is no way around this?"
"I am afraid not, it would take us days if not a full week to climb up then climb down the mountain and we do not have the luxury nor the resources for that amount of time. Flying is our best option seeing as there will be little to no villagers around." Professor Snape couldn't help but feel amused at the witches intense fear of flying. Facing The Dark Lord, no problem, but flying was out of the question.
"We will be sharing a broom Granger, I will be in control, you have no reason to be afraid."
"Easy for you to say" Grumbled Hermione as she set about cleaning their breakfast and tearing down their tents.
As they set off once again, Hermione noticed her load was noticeably lighter, looking towards Professor Snape she saw he was carrying a packsack of his own. Hermione couldn't help but smile at his efforts to help her. As they continued, the terrain got more and more difficult to navigate with rocks taking up more of the land than grass. Hermione was beginning to understand the need to fly.
"We need to stop here, this will be as close to the mountain as we'll be able to get to by foot." Professor Snape as he set down his bag.
Hermione once again set up their camp as Professor Snape walked around gathering different plants and soil. Once everything was done, Hermione noticed Professor Snape had set up an entire testing kit, curious as to what he was doing, she walked over to examine.
Feeling her presence, Professor Snape turned to where she was standing next time and moved aside for her to see better.
"Before you pester me with questions, I will endeavor to explain the process. I have collected the flora from this region in order to test the soil and plant enzymes. This will give us an idea for where the flower will grow. See how this strip is turning slightly pink? It is because the soil is slightly acidic, we are getting closer to where we need to be. Tomorrow we fly, I suggest you prepare yourself accordingly, I will not tolerate you being sick on my dragon hide boots." Drawled Professor Snape in a menacing tone, pointedly staring at her before turning back to the work station.
Hermione glared at him before answering "By preparing myself you mean starve?"
"If that is the process you must follow, so be it" Said Professor Snape somewhat distracted by the various other tests he was performing. The rest of the afternoon found the two making observations, testing other various types of plants found in the area, and writing their findings in their respective notebooks. Dinner was spent discussing recent potion findings both had read within the latest potion weekly magazine. By the time they finished their discussion and cleaning up, the moon was high in the sky and both retreated to their tents to rest.
Hermione woke up once again to the sound of her tent being assaulted by Professor Snape.
"Get up Granger. Time to fly"
Hermione groaned and rolled to her side, clutching her forehead and focusing on her breathing before getting out and facing what was to come. She had no appetite and no desire to consume anything lest she get sick on Professor Snape's precious dragon hide boots. Once Professor Snape had finished his breakfast, he pointedly looked at Hermione, trying to decipher her mood. She was clearly pale and looking incredibly nervous, but he saw that same gleam of determination he had seen when she had faced those sirens. This comforted him.
"We will be leaving in a few minutes, I suggest you grab what you need and place them in my bag here, we will be coming back to this campsite later tonight."
Hermione simply nodded, not trusting herself to speak and started grabbing some essentials for the day. As she finished, she saw Professor Snape leaning on the dreaded broom, staring at her, then looking up at her hair.
"Oh and one last thing Granger. Tie that horrid hair of yours, even from behind me that mop on top of your head could blind me."
"What my hair lacks in sleekness, yours lacks in volume Professor Snape" Hermione said boldly before tying her hair up into a bun.
"Watch your tongue Granger or I may feel inclined to make this ride...bumpy. Now get behind me and hold tightly, I will not have you falling off."
"I'm glad you care so much for my safety Professor"
"Don't flatter yourself Granger, the paperwork regarding an apprentice's death is enormous and incredibly tedious"
Hermione snorted as she climbed onto the back of the broom, wrapping her hands tightly around his waist before replying. "Speaking from experience are we?"
"As a matter of fact yes" Professor Snape said before roughly kicking off and flying through the air. He couldn't help but grin as the arms wrapped around his torso immediately tightened.