A/N: I don't own Harry Potter

This is for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Writing Club January

Amber's Attic: 1 - Aphrodite: Write about being unable to resist something/someone.

Lizzy's Loft: 7 - (occupation) Professor

Angel's Archives: 4. Gallimimus - write about something happening fast.

Scamander's Case: 1 - (trait) grumpy

Lyric Alley: 2 - Couldn't look you in the eye

Word Count: 935

He stalked the hallways, his footsteps silent upon the stone floors. No one ever managed to avoid him, he seemed to know every nook and cranny of the castle. He had done his sweep of the school when he started on his way back to his office. Something caught his attention. With a silent sigh, he started that direction. He had a feeling he was about to catch a student out of bed, the idea of forcing another dunderhead into detention with him almost made him smile.

The little blighters were the worst part of teaching. The way they ignored his instructions, the way they tried to do everything in their power to annoy him, the way Miss Granger, back for eighth year stared at him as if he were the most fascinating thing in the world. He shook the thoughts of Miss Granger to the back of his mind. The witch would be engaged to the youngest Mr. Weasley before year end if there rumors were to be believed. He should have retired after the war, after what had happened, but no, he was still here, still teaching these idiots how not to blow up his dungeon.

He turned his attention back to the movement he'd seen and scowled. Whoever it was had moved towards one of the empty classrooms. Most of them were kept locked after hours, but a simple alohamora and the student could use the room for whatever nefarious purpose they'd planned. He threw open the door, the idiotic student had left it unlocked and stared at the person he'd never thought he'd find sneaking into an empty classroom after hours, much less with tears streaked down her face.

"Miss Granger, would you care to explain why I have found you in an empty classroom after curfew?" he asked staring at her. She was in her nightdress, a pair of fuzzy lavender slippers on her feet, and her hair was its usual puff of floof. She turned to him, her eyes closed. He blinked. She was obviously sleepwalking. He knew better than to wake her, it would do more harm than good.

"Miss Granger," he stated trying to get her attention. In her asleep state she turned to him.

"I'm sorry, sir, I forgot to do the assignment."

He blinked. She was dreaming she was back at school?

"Miss Granger, please return to your dorm immediately," he ordered. She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him. He could smell her shampoo.

"Miss Granger, unhand me at once."

She burrowed her face against him. He stared at her. Part of him wanted nothing more than to shake her awake, and hopefully back to what senses she had, but part of him, a small part of him, wondered what would happen if he were to return this small bit of affection. She was sleepwalking, she would unlikely remember any of this in the morning.

A quick glance around showed him that they were indeed alone, with very little change of anyone walking in on them. The door to the classroom was still open. He left it that way. Merlin forbid anyone think he was doing anything untoward to the girl. Slowly, he brought his arms around her returning the hug. He couldn't help the way his body reacted to the touch, the mere touch of her. He nearly pulled back but suddenly she raised her head, her brilliant brown eyes wide open. She gasped slightly when she realized exactly who she was hugging. She released him and took a step back looking slightly embarrassed.

"I'm sorry, sir! Since the war... I have trouble sleeping, apparently I've started sleepwalking also. I..."

"Who were you dreaming about, Miss Granger?"

"I'm sorry, sir?"

"Who were you hugging in your dream, Miss Granger?" he repeated watching her face redden. He was honestly expecting her to say Mr. Weasley, instead she bit her lip and looked up into his eyes.

"You sir," she answered in a shaky voice. "I was dreaming about you, sir."

"Me, Miss Granger? Why would you be dreaming about me?"

"Because you're attractive, because you're brilliant, because Ron is neither of those things?" she suggested. "I should get back to my dorm."

"One moment, Miss Granger."

"Yes, sir?"

"You find me attractive?"

"Yes, sir."

"Despite the fact I've been nothing more than horrid to you and your friends?" he asked staring at the witch.

"Yes," she whispered. "You've changed, sir. Since the war, you're not nearly as horrid to the students now, actually. I mean, you still act like they're idiots, and most of them, well, most of them kind of are, but you're still just..."

"And how long have you been harboring this school girl crush on me, Miss Granger?"

"Since right before the war, when you took of Defense and I saw just how brilliant you truly were. I find intelligence very attractive."

"You're an idiot, Miss Granger. I'm a cruel old man, you should turn your attention elsewhere."

"The heart can't help liking who it likes, sir. Go on one date with me, that's it, one date and if you still feel the same way, I'll... I'll... go marry Ron or someone else?"

"Fine, one lunch at Hogsmeade, next month. Until then," he started to say. She smiled.

"Until then, I'll keep my emotions in check," she smirked.

"Good, now get back to your dorm before I change my mind about not giving you detention," he ordered. She gave him a quick smile before disappearing into the empty corridor leaving Severus wondering exactly what he'd gotten himself into.