Hermione was thrilled by how things unfolded with Severus. He proved to be a complete gentleman, allowing her to navigate their first romantic encounter. While she hesitated to label it as a date, the experience exceeded all her expectations. He was respectful, kind, and didn't engage in snarky remarks as she had anticipated. The embrace they shared left her yearning for more from him. Skipping back to the common room, she couldn't contain the beaming smile on her face. Upon entering, Draco awaited her.
"Where were you all night, Granger?" Draco inquired, taken aback by her late arrival. He noticed the evident joy on her face, raising his eyebrows. "Were you with someone?" His suspicion deepened as he detected a dreamy gaze and a subtle spring in her step.
She didn't want Draco to discover the details of her evening activities. Aware of the forbidden nature of their connection, she feigned a yawn and uttered, "Goodnight, Draco." She climbed the stairs and closed the door behind her. Upon entering the room, she settled at her desk, ready to tackle her homework. Despite the late hour, the idea of falling behind in her studies was unbearable. Taking up her quill, she focused on her potions essay. As she penned her thoughts on the parchment, her mind wandered to reflections of Severus. The haunting images of him facing death in the Shrieking Shack were now supplanted by the sensations of his body and the warmth of his gentle hands cradling her against his chest. Dismissing these thoughts to concentrate on her essay, she pressed on with her writing, oblivious to the creeping fatigue. As the hours passed, her eyelids grew heavy, and she succumbed to sleep at her desk.
The next morning, Hermione was jolted awake by the cheerful chirping of birds. Lifting her head from the desk, she scowled at the limited progress on her essay – a mere two pages covering the introduction. With classes imminent, she couldn't dwell on her incomplete work. Standing up, she stretched her sore muscles and rubbed the back of her aching neck. Glancing at the time, she realized she was running late, prompting a loud curse. Swiftly heading for the bathroom, she opted for a brisk body wash and thorough hair washing instead of her usual leisurely shower.
Having hastily finished her shower, she used her wand to dry off and swiftly styled her hair. Exiting the bathroom, she dressed in a hurry, aware that time was slipping away. After packing her belongings into her school bag, she dashed to the Great Hall. With only ten minutes remaining, she quickly grabbed a seat next to Ginny. Opting for a speedy meal, given the limited time before class, she grabbed a few pieces of toast and began to eat.
Ginny nudged Hermione with her shoulder and remarked, "Why are you so late this morning? I thought you were going to miss breakfast."
Hermione finished the few bites she took and responded, "I stayed up too late working on my essay. I barely got anything done." She furrowed her eyebrows with distaste.
Ginny rolled her eyes and said, "Why is everything always about homework with you?" Remembering Severus's words from last night echoing the same sentiment, a smile formed on Hermione's lips. She finished her toast and gulped down her juice.
"What's your first class today?" Ginny asked quizzically.
A sense of disappointment filled her stomach knowing that Potions would not be happening today. She longed to see her professor again. "Ancient Runes," she responded. She winced at how sad she sounded about it. Get a grip, Hermione. Focus on your studies. There will be time for other things later. Breakfast concluded quickly. Students filed out of the Great Hall. Ginny and Hermione parted ways, with Ginny heading to Herbology and Hermione to Ancient Runes.
Hermione diligently immersed herself in her work. With Ancient Runes class going smoothly, she found herself with a free period before her next class. Making the most of this time, she headed straight to the library, unpacking her books and essay scrolls. Determined to stay more focused than the previous night, she opted to work on her Transfiguration essay.
Effortlessly delving into her essay, she was determined to complete it before her next class. Opening her textbook, she quickly found the necessary information and began writing eloquently on the parchment. The first page was completed without any distractions, but just as she started on the second piece of parchment, Draco startled her by sitting down next to her. Her eyes narrowed slightly in annoyance at the interruption while she was trying to concentrate on her work. "Draco, don't you have someone else to bother?" She asked tiredly as she continued to write along the parchment.
Draco smiled at her annoyance. "What kind of friend would I be if I don't find time to bother you any chance I get?" He reclined in the back of the chair and said nonchalantly, "All day I have been wondering what could have possibly made you so happy last night." Seeing the look of panic in her eyes, he continued to pry. "You looked like a kid on Christmas. That blissful look in your eye, the pep in your step. I have never seen you that happy before. Now I know it couldn't be homework. As much as you love agonizing over your schoolwork, I know that stresses you out. Tell me, where were you last night?"
She glared at him, gritting her teeth with anger. "Mind your own business," she seethed angrily. I promise I wouldn't tell anyone. He would murder me if he knew I went around telling anyone about our evening.
Draco shrugged and said, "Suit yourself, but just know that whatever it is agrees with you." He stood up from the table and headed out of the library.
Grateful for the solitude, she continued to work with determination. As she reached the final paragraphs of her essay, her mind, however, betrayed her, flooding with thoughts of Severus. Imagining herself back in his comforting rooms, she pictured sharing a kiss with him while he held her close. Swiftly dispelling the daydream, she concluded the last sentences and packed her backpack as her next class was on the verge of starting.
The day crawled by, filled with more daydreaming than Hermione desired. Each time her thoughts strayed, she felt herself growing increasingly flustered. Blushes colored her cheeks as her mind conjured up provocative ideas. Maintaining focus on her classes became an arduous task. When the final class concluded, she compelled herself to go to the Great Hall, determined not to let Ginny persist in worrying about her. Entering the Great Hall just as dinner commenced, she was irked to find Ginny seated on the opposite side of the table, facing the teachers. Avoiding any confrontation, she reluctantly took a seat beside Ginny and immersed herself in the food before her.
As she ate, she repeatedly urged herself to concentrate on the meal and engage in conversation with her friends. Despite her efforts, her gaze involuntarily drifted to the Head Table, searching for the man who occupied her thoughts. To her surprise, she found him already looking at her. Tentatively offering a subtle smile to avoid arousing suspicion, she noticed a slight softening in his eyes.
An aggressive nudge from Ginny jolted her, causing her to drop her gaze back to her plate. She scowled at Ginny, rubbing the sore spot from the forceful nudge. "What?" She grumbled irritably.
"I asked what you were doing after dinner tonight," Ginny responded with a shrug. "Sorry if I disturbed your ogling."
Hermione flinched at her words. "I was not," she muttered, a wave of embarrassment washing over her.
"I was only kidding, but now it seems like maybe I hit a nerve there. Is there something you wanted to share with me?" Ginny asked suspiciously.
Hermione didn't know what to say. She thought she was being discreet but realized the error in her ways. She hoped that Ginny would just drop it and leave it alone, but she knew Ginny far too well; she would not give up until she knew for sure. Hoping that a simple change of subject would keep her distracted enough to not mention it again. "I was planning on finishing my homework this evening," she said flatly, waiting and counting down the seconds for Ginny to respond.
Ginny wrinkled her nose and said, "Fine, but I expect you to get a butterbeer with me, on Saturday."
Hermione smiled and nodded eagerly. "Yes, we can do that for sure." Happy that Ginny accepted the new change of subject, she did not dare look back up at the table. She ignored the nagging feeling of regret when dinner ended and made her way up to her common room.
Entering the room, she immersed herself in completing another essay, leaving just two more to tackle. Considering that adequate progress, her thoughts drifted freely to her professor. While longing to see him, she refrained from heading to his classroom, mindful of potential disruptions during detentions or grading sessions. Frustrated with her mind's relentless wanderings, she opted for a brief stroll around the castle, aware that only thirty minutes remained before curfew.
She stealthily exited the common room, making every effort to avoid attracting Draco's attention. Her walk began innocently enough, intending to go to the Great Hall and return promptly. Nothing more, nothing less. However, her mind had different plans. Upon reaching the Great Hall, the desire to continue her walk took over. She wasn't ready to retire to bed. Lost in thought, she failed to notice that curfew had begun, and she found herself far from her common room.
Walking back to the common room, she noticed the once-lively hallway now enveloped in silence. The castle, once bathed in light, succumbed to darkness as all the candles on the walls extinguished simultaneously. A lump formed in her throat as she realized she had exceeded curfew. Retrieving her wand, she whispered, "Lumos," illuminating its tip to guide her hastily toward the common room. However, the echo of approaching footsteps reached her ears. Reacting swiftly, she silenced the light with a hushed "Nox," finding refuge in a concealed alcove and hoping the footsteps would pass. As she counted the seconds, it dawned on her that the steps had halted right in front of her hiding spot. Closing her eyes and suppressing her breath, she prayed the person hadn't detected her. Just when she began to feel a sense of relief, a brilliant light pierced the alcove, exposing her presence. Squinting against the brightness, she discerned Professor Snape standing there, lowering his wand to avoid blinding her.
Aware that she was in a public space, not the privacy of his rooms, she mumbled a quick apology. "I'm sorry, Professor Snape. I lost track of time."
Professor Snape observed the young witch with contemplation, wrestling with the inner turmoil of his dual role as her professor and admirer. Choosing audacity at that moment, he joined her in the alcove, weaving a silencing charm and a disillusionment charm around them. Content with his enchantments, he redirected his focus to Hermione. "Were you planning on earning another detention?" he asked teasingly.
She blushed at his words, grateful for his attention after a long day. "I just needed to clear my mind, that's all. I was heading back up to my common room when you caught me. I was trying to be quiet."
"You were, but you did not take into account that, being a spy for many years, I can sense when something is out of the ordinary," he warned. Leaning a little closer, he whispered, "The vanilla scent of your hair was what gave it away."
Hermione realized at that moment that her professor was subtly flirting with her. She sensed the warmth of his breath on her face, causing shivers to dance along her spine. Summoning her Gryffindor courage, she spoke with a hint of bashfulness, "Could you, perhaps, kiss me goodnight?"
His eyes flickered with intensity, scouring her face for any traces of jest. Discovering none, he delicately drew her closer, and their lips collided in a kiss charged with urgency and purpose. The shared yearning they harbored for each other became tangible. The initial gentleness of the kiss gradually morphed into a more fervent embrace. As their lips fervidly connected, Hermione felt a spark coursing through her, sending delightful tingles down her spine. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, and her heart raced with anticipation. She realized her arms had instinctively wound around his neck, pulling him even closer. Severus stroked his tongue against the seam of Hermione's lips, tasting her, demanding entry. Once granted, the taste of her was intoxicating and he couldn't get enough of it. His hand gripped the back of her head not wanting to release her from his mouth. Suddenly, with an awareness that things were progressing far too quickly, he delicately pulled away, meeting the disappointment in her eyes. "Hermione, we're still in the middle of a hallway," he reminded her, his breath catching slightly.
His words instantly cleared the passionate haze he left her in. Nodding quickly, she steadied her breathing now aware that she had to make it back to her common room. The feeling of disappointment lingered slightly. She wanted him to kiss her again.
Professor Snape was the first one to step out of the alcove and back into the hallway. Knowing that he was no longer disillusioned, and anyone could see him, he got into his role of professor quickly. "It is past curfew, Ms. Granger. I expect to see you in my classroom tomorrow at 7 for your detention. I better not see you again out of bed," he growled at her. He stalked back down the hallway leaving Hermione to her thoughts.