Summary: More missed chances.

A/N: Thanks for reading! I'll try and post two chappies a week of this to get it up before Christmas.

Chapter 2

Both Severus and Hermione became buried in the everyday routine of classes, but in their minds always lingered thoughts of the other.

Severus glanced over at Hermione as they had breakfast in the Great Hall. Time after time, he'd wanted to ask her on some sort of excursion, but every time something had come up–students interrupting, owls delivering posts, one of them forgetting something important and having to rush off. It had been incredibly frustrating.

He had a plan today, though. He'd catch her after morning classes before lunch and ask her to dine with him at Hogsmeade. It would be casual enough to not arouse suspicions if she wasn't interested in him in that way.

"Do you know what Albert Simmons did yesterday?" Hermione asked, making small talk.

"I heard. I didn't think it was possible to blow up a desk simply by figuring out an arithmantic equation incorrectly."

Hermione almost choked on her tea.

"Well, if he hadn't been trying to summon a demon, I don't think the desk would have burst into flames."

Severus arched a brow at her. "He did what?"

She looked directly at him. "He was trying to summon a demon. A Kappa, I think."

"A Kappa? What on earth did he want to do with a Kappa?"

"He said he wanted to release it in the Black Lake so it would attack the giant squid."

Severus chuckled. "It would more than likely strangle the boy instead," Severus mused. "I'll have a talk with him. We can't have students willy-nilly trying to summon demons."

"Definitely not."

"You should make an announcement, Severus," Minerva commented from his other side.

"Yes, I will, but I'll need to talk to the boy first."

He stood then. "No time like the present."

Descending from the High Table, he moved down to the Ravenclaw one.

"Mr. Simmons, a word in my office when you are finished."

The sixth-year boy paled but nodded. Severus continued down along the table and out the door. He shook his head. These students came up with the strangest things. At least once a week there was an incident like the one with Simmons.

He would take care of that in a few minutes. Now he needed to contemplate how to ask Hermione out to lunch.

oooOOOooo

Severus waited outside of Hermione's classroom nervously. You'd think after ten failed attempts, he'd be used to this, but no. His heart was beating so fast it was like it was trying to escape his chest. He straightened himself as students began to emerge from her classroom. Nodding at a couple who said hello to him, he waited until no one else was coming out of the doorway. Leaning his head in, he saw the classroom was now empty.

He moved through the door and bowed his head in greeting to Hermione.

"Oh, Severus! How can I help you?"

He moved up to her. "Well, I thought maybe we could…"

"Hermione!"

Hermione looked at the entryway and gasped.

"Harry! Oh, it's so good to see you!"

She rushed over to the Boy Wonder and threw her arms around him.

"I came by to see if you could go to lunch."

"Perfect timing. My class just ended."

Severus grimaced at the pair.

"Do you want to eat here, or head over to Hogsmeade?"

"Oh, let's go to the Three Broomsticks. I have been craving some shepherd's pie."

"Great, let's get going then," Harry said.

Hermione turned to Severus. "What were you going to say, Severus?"

"Nothing. It was nothing important," Severus said tartly.

"Okay. I'll see you later at dinner," she said gleefully.

She disappeared with her arm hooked in Potter's. Severus watched them go as he noted that once again his opportunity had been foiled. He grumbled to himself. Evidently, he wasn't supposed to try with Hermione Granger.

Storming out of her classroom, he returned to his office and barricaded himself within it so he could sulk in peace.

oooOOOooo

"So, why was Snape hanging around in your classroom?" Harry asked.

"He is the Headmaster, you know."

"Of course, but he seemed a little put out that I had interrupted you."

"Do you think so?"

"Yes, his eyes narrowed at me. I mean, they always narrow at me, but they seemed narrower this time."

Hermione laughed before taking a sip of her Butterbeer. "I doubt he narrowed his eyes at you any more than usual."

Harry shook his head. "I can't explain it. There was something more there."

"I don't know…"

"So, you guys get along, right?"

Hermione looked up at him. "Of course. Maybe a little too well," she muttered under her breath.

"Whoa, what does that mean?" Harry asked as his eyes grew wide.

Hermione looked down at her glass. She took in a deep breath before looking back at Harry.

"I may have… developed… feelings for him."

"For Snape?" Harry cried. "How?"

Hermione gave him a cross look. "You know, he's not the ogre we thought he was as kids. You have said yourself that he's the bravest man you've ever known."

"Being brave and being someone I'd be friends with are two different things."

"Granted, but just like when we were kids, he's not what he appears to be. First of all, he's a lot less nasty in general. With me, he's… well, he's… I feel like he's a friend."

Harry looked at her with concern. "Okay. A friend is okay. But you're implying you want more than that, right?"

She nodded and returned her gaze to her glass.

"So, what is that like? What has captivated the amazing Hermione Granger that she feels she would want to be involved with the caustic Severus Snape?"

Hermione blushed. "Harry…"

"I'm serious. You're fantastic. You deserve someone who also is fantastic."

Her eyes met his in determination. "You know, you're right. I do deserve someone fantastic. The thing is, I feel like he is fantastic. I mean, he's not perfect by any means."

"That's for sure," Harry interjected, causing Hermione to glare at him.

"Are you going to listen to me or draw your own conclusions?"

Harry looked duly chastised. "Sorry, Hermione. Go ahead. What's fantastic about him?"

"Well, believe it or not, he's caring… and loyal."

"I can definitely believe he's loyal. Look at his affection for my mum."

She frowned. "Yes, that's true. Anyway, as I said, we're friends. Believe it or not, he's easy to talk to. He's brilliant, and we can discuss minutiae for hours. I find him fascinating."

Harry looked at Hermione for a bit. "I guess I can see it. You're both smarter than you deserve to be. He's a bit older than you, though."

She shrugged. "So? I'm attracted to older men in general. Yes, I know Ron was my age, thanks," she said as she saw his skeptical look. "But Viktor was older, and I've dated a couple of other older wizards, and I like their maturity. Honestly, I don't care what people think about our ages. We're both adults."

Harry nodded. "So, have you discussed your feelings with him?"

Hermione huffed. "I have wanted to do something like ask him to Hogsmeade or to a meal here at the Three Broomsticks, but every time I try, something happens so I can't do it."

"Do you think he has feelings for you?"

"I honestly don't know. My insecurities say there's no way he would be interested, but I try to ignore those."

"Well, he'd be a fool not to notice you, Hermione. You should just up and ask him out."

She bit her lower lip. "Some days I'm positive that I should too, then other days I feel like it's a foolish idea."

"Unless you ask, you'll never know."

"That's true," Hermione conceded. "You're right, of course. I need to just be bold and ask him."

"Good luck."

She smiled at him as their lunches arrived and they tucked in.

oooOOOooo

Hermione returned to the school with renewed determination to talk to Severus about her feelings. Well, maybe not quite divulge her feelings to him, but to at least ask him out. Heading to her classroom, she finished teaching as she contemplated talking to Severus about a trip to Hogsmeade.

She headed into the Great Hall and sat next to Severus, ready to ask him on an afternoon date. As she settled in, she heard Severus discussing something with Minerva.

"I'll need to be gone for a week. I'm sorry to leave you at the last minute with this, but my grandmother was insistent that I come as soon as possible."

"Don't worry, Severus, I will have everything under control. You don't need to worry about anything with the school while you're away."

"You're heading out of town?" Hermione asked, hiding her disappointment with a curious look.

"I am. Immediately after this meal," he explained. "My grandmother is too old to take care of her home anymore, so she is selling it and moving to a large flat. She wants my help in moving."

"Sounds like fun."

"Indeed," Severus said with an eye roll. "Don't get me wrong, I love my gran, but she can be… a handful."

"Evidently the apple doesn't fall far from the tree," Minerva commented.

Severus turned and looked at her. "I would argue with you, but you would then give me several examples as to how I am like her, so I will refrain."

"Well, I do know both of you rather well. Give her my regards. Maybe I'll visit her during the holidays."

"She would enjoy that."

"You know her, Minerva?"

"We attended Hogwarts together. We've been friends ever since. Unfortunately, life gets in the way, and it's been a bit since I've seen her."

"It is well known to avoid those two like the plague if they are ever in the same room together," Severus quipped.

Hermione chuckled at him. "Well, we will miss you here, Headmaster."

He gave her a sideways glance. "Yes, I'm sure. The students especially will be mourning my disappearance."

Hermione laughed again. "They may not mourn, but they will miss you in their own way."

"Whatever you say."

"Even if they don't, I'll miss you," Hermione said softly.

Turning fully toward her, he arched a brow.

"I will miss you, too."

They stared at one another, and Hermione swore she felt electricity shoot between the two of them. Severus was the first to break the mood by clearing his throat and turning back to his roast beef. He proceeded to be engrossed in his dinner for the next five minutes.

Hermione didn't know what to say. She didn't want to acknowledge their glances just now, and she gave up on asking him to lunch the minute she sat down at the table and heard he'd be away. Looking down at her plate, she moved her roast beef around in its gravy, feeling glum.

Severus glanced over at her. "Is there something wrong with your meal?"

Hermione startled out of her self-flagellation. "Oh! No. I was just thinking."

"Ah. Something sad? You were frowning and looking upset."

"No, not really. Just thinking about classes tomorrow."

"Definitely something to frown about," he teased.

"I love my job, and you know it, Severus Snape."

He smirked at her. "I do."

She huffed. "You just like to get a rise out of me."

"I will admit that I do."

He rose then and nodded to both Minerva and her.

"I should be off. I will see you both in about a week."

"Have a safe trip, Severus," Minerva said.

"Yes, be safe," Hermione agreed.

With that, he took his leave. Hermione stared after him. It seemed like every time she tried to advance her relationship with Severus, something got in the way.

oooOOOooo

Severus waved his wand and the last of the furniture that his grandmother was keeping shrunk and placed itself in the large box on the floor.

"Are you sure you don't want any of these other things?" he asked.

"No. They won't fit in my flat."

"But isn't this the table Grandfather made for you?" he asked with a concerned glance.

"It is. It's time to move on from that time."

He gave her a sharp look. "Grandmother, you and Grandfather had a wonderful relationship. Don't tell me you're just going to forget about him!"

The small witch used her cane to hobble her way up to Severus.

"Severus, I would never forget your grandfather. I loved him with all my heart. It's just that…"

He reached out and grasped her arm.

"What is it, Gran?"

She closed her eyes. "Every time I look at that table, I miss your grandfather all the more. I can handle him being gone most days, but sometimes it's just unbearable. I think that if I can purge the items that bring back the most memories then maybe I'll be okay."

Severus wrapped his arms around his grandmother. "I'm sorry, Gran. I know it's been hard these past two years with him gone. Is there anything I can do?"

"Why, yes, there is. You can find a love of your own so I don't have to worry about you being alone for the rest of your life."

Severus stiffened. He'd fallen right into that one. He knew his grandmother was sincere about missing her husband, but she never missed a chance to chide him for not having found someone to keep his bed warm.

"Now, now, don't get all angry with me," she said as she pulled back. "I just want you to be happy, Severus. You've had such a hard life, and it would make my day to see you happy. And of course, becoming a great-grandmother would also be heavenly. I don't have much time left on this earth, you know. You'd better find someone, and find her quick!"

Severus wanted to be mad, but he couldn't help but chuckle. "You will live forever, I promise," he said cheekily.

"If only that were possible," she mused. "Now, what are your prospects?"

"Grandmother!"

"Seriously, boy. We need to get this going, and going fast."

"I do not want to discuss such things with you! I'm not five anymore, you know!"

"I certainly do, which is why I'm so concerned. Now tell me… are you interested in anyone?"

"No! Yes! I mean, mind your business, Gran!"

She drew near him again. "Ah, so there is someone who tickles your fancy. Who is she? She must be smart or she'd bore you. Tell me about her."

Severus sighed. He removed the sofa from the box and enlarged it, settling his gran into it before sitting beside her.

"She is a fellow teacher. She teaches Arithmancy."

"So, she's clever."

"Brilliant is more like it."

"Well suited to you then," Gran muttered.

"She's a bit younger than I…"

"How much younger?"

"About twenty years."

"Sheeeesh! Severus you cradle robber!" Her hand reached out and grasped his. "I'm just kidding. There's nothing wrong with falling in love with a twenty-something, you know."

"I don't want people to talk about her. You know my history. People think I'm every bad thing one could think of. If we were to become a couple, the papers would have a field day."

"And you're concerned about this, why?" his gran asked.

He gave her an incredulous look. "People can badmouth me all they want. I just don't want her to be affected."

She squeezed his hand. "That's very thoughtful of you, Severus. But maybe you should let her decide how much press she's willing to take about the two of you. Now, does this witch have a name? She is a witch, right?"

Severus waved his hand. "Of course, she's a witch! I said she worked with me."

"Oh, yes. I was just so excited that I forgot. Now, her name?"

"It's Hermione Granger."

His grandmother's mouth dropped open. "The war hero? Oh, Severus, you do set your sights high, don't you?"

He frowned and looked away, causing his gran to shake his hand so he'd turn back to her.

"Does she like you too?"

"I honestly don't know. We're… friends. I've tried to ask her out several times, but something always interrupts. It's like the fates are against me."

"Look at me, Severus."

His eyes rose to hers.

"You are a good man. I know life has been hard on you, and you may not feel like you're worthy of someone like Hermione Granger, but you need to believe me when I say you are. She seems like a lovely woman. Muggleborn, right?"

He nodded.

"Well, thank heavens your grandfather is gone, or he'd have a heart attack when he heard about that."

"That's for sure," Severus muttered.

"You know that kind of thing never mattered to me. I went along with the Pureblood talk, but I've known some lovely Muggle-born witches and wizards and they are on par with the rest of us."

Severus gave her a shy smile.

"Thanks, Gran. I'm glad you'll approve if anything ever happens."

"Now stop with that defeatist thinking!"

"What? What are you talking about?" Severus asked and gave her a puzzled look.

"If anything happens. Nothing will happen if you come at it like that! You need to go for it. Have confidence in yourself, take that step, and ask the woman out! I want to still be alive to see you be married, boy, and sitting on your arse thinking you don't deserve someone like Hermione Granger is not going to get you to the altar any time soon!"

"Gran! Stop it! I haven't even asked her out yet."

"And who's fault is that?"

"I told you, it's fate. It's always against me."

So, figure out how to beat fate, yeah? Quit making excuses and just ask her out!"

"Yes, grandmother," he said with a sigh.

She reached out and cupped his cheek. "You know I love you, Severus."

His eyes flashed to her, and he smirked. "I do. Now let's get the rest of this stuff taken care of," he said as he stood.

He held his hand out to help his grandmother stand. She smiled at him.

"I can't wait to meet her."

He scoffed as he shrunk the sofa and placed it back in the box.