Hermione stood there in silence staring at her professor dumbfounded. She didn't know if she heard him right and wanted him to repeat what he said.
"This does not mean I care for you in any way," his eyes darted away for just a second and back to Hermione's.
"Strictly sexual?" Hermione gulped, almost hoping he would say something other than strictly sexual.
"Exactly," he said as he brushed a couple of hairs that had fallen in front of her face behind her ear. "But I want to make sure that you are protected from anyone that might want to enter your mind. I never want anyone to look into your mind and find something between us."
Hermione nodded.
"I feel as though it would be best if after the holidays, I need you to come back as my assistant," he said, "as I have stopped having you come in to help me, but as you can see," he gestured to his ungraded paperwork, "I do need the help."
Hermione wanted to say yes but she knew she had other engagements to attend. How would she tell Professor Snape without giving it away that they were practicing?
"Unless you have other engagements that happen in the Room of Requirement," he smirked.
Hermione furrowed her brows as she watched Professor Snape fold his arms. He was still on the desk so she felt small in front of him.
"How did y-you-" he cut her off by shaking his head and slightly laughing.
"I have seen into young Mr. Potter's mind Miss Granger," he said.
"Professor, you can't tell anyone," she started to stutter slightly as she stepped away from him.
"Stop," he jumped off his desk and walked over to Hermione, and softly grabbed her shoulders. "I know how to keep secrets, Miss Granger, and what you and those other dunderheads are doing is important for the future. What days do you practice?"
"Harry told the group we would be switching to Tuesdays and Thursdays," Hermione smiled.
"Then you will come and help me on Wednesdays and Fridays," he said, "I will let you have Monday to yourself as you will be exhausted."
"Thank you, Professor Snape," Hermione smiled.
"Doesn't mean I won't want you to come see me," he brushed her collarbone with his right thumb and guided it down her sternum. "We will keep your training and assistance strictly professional but after I don't know what will happen. We can make that decision when it comes."
"Sounds great, Professor," Hermione smiled.
"We will start up again when the new year comes," he said as he intertwined his fingers into hers. Professor Snape started to softly pull her towards his private chambers when Hermione stopped instantly.
"Missy, your house-elf, is she going to catch us again?"
Professor Snape slightly chuckled, "I spoke to her and let her know she needs to announce herself before she pops in," they started to walk towards the door again.
"Did she tell anyone?"
"Only her friend Dobby," Professor Snape said as they started to pick up the pace again.
Hermione stopped again, "Don't you think it's cruel to have a house-elf?"
Professor Snape groaned, "Why did I know the Gryffindor know-it-all would have an issue with me having a house-elf?" He started to grit his teeth.
"I think it's cruel and inhumane," Hermione let go of Professor Snape's hand and crossed her arms.
"Well, it's not your problem, Miss Granger, you either shut your mouth and get in there or you can go back to your dorm room," he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Professor Snape, do you not understand what I am saying?"
"Enough! Get out! I'm annoyed and would rather not see your face!"
His powerful and silky voice echoed in her ears which was enough to make her shudder, and not in a good way.
"Leave, Miss Granger!"
Hermione groaned and turned on her heel making her way out of the potions classroom. Now they would both be sexually frustrated.
oOo
Severus made his way into his private chambers and dropped down onto the couch. He knew she was right but hated to admit that to anyone. Then again he felt like he should've admitted to her that she was right just so he wasn't sexually frustrated. He didn't know how he would get through classes in the next three days or with her coming in to be his assistant. He also didn't know if she would come into the potions classroom to help him after this fight.
POP*
"Mr. Snape!" Severus looked up to see his house-elf with the biggest smile on her face, but that soon disappeared. She slightly groaned a little.
"Missy, what is wrong?"
"I was hoping to see Miss Hermione," Missy frowned.
"Why is that?"
"Missy thought Miss Hermione could be her friend, and Missy thinks it's nice to see Mr. Snape with a woman friend," she started to giggle.
Severus cleared his throat, "Miss Hermione is your friend," he felt strange calling her by her first name but felt it would be best to call her that in front of Missy. "And she will be back eventually." He hoped.
Missy loved Mr. Snape and wholeheartedly Severus loved Missy. He wanted to explain to Miss Granger why Missy was here with him but he let himself get angry and annoyed. Missy had been a part of his life for many years and she loved to serve him. He had even given her clothes so she would be a free elf but on her own accord she decided to stay. He never treated her poorly or inhumane. They would even have dinners together when he didn't want to go into the great hall.
oOo
Weeks turned into months since Professor Snape had yelled at Hermione to get out of his classroom. Dumbledore's Army had also been caught by Umbridge and her Inquisitorial Squad which wasn't making it easy for Hermione to get out of detention. Severus had been busy with the Dark Lord and his neediness. Severus didn't have time to have Miss Granger come to his classroom since he had always been called upon by the Dark Lord. He was also being called upon by Umbridge. She was the worst of all. Umbridge had him brewing Veritaserum like a madman and he couldn't risk Miss Granger coming into his office and having Umbridge walk in on them.
Missy of course was more angered by him lately than usual. She was mad that she hadn't come to visit but he knew it would be best. Miss Granger barely looked at him in class which made it easier for him to avoid her.
oOo
"Harry, are you sure?" Hermione asked as they were running up the stairs.
"I saw it. It's just like with Mr. Weasley. It's the door I've been dreaming about. I couldn't remember where I'd seen it before. Sirius said Voldemort was after something. Something he didn't have the last time, in the Department of Mysteries," Harry was in a panic.
"Harry, please, just listen. What if Voldemort meant for you to see this? What if he's only hurting Sirius because he's trying to get to you?"
"What if he is? I'm supposed to just let him die?" Harry asked, "Hermione, he's the only family I've got left."
"What do we do?" Ron asked.
"We'll have to use the Floo Network."
"Umbridge has the chimneys under surveillance," Hermione said.
"Not all of them," Harry smiled," Alohomora," and the door opened wide.
"Alert the Order if you can," Harry informed his friends.
"Are you mental?" Ron asked.," We're going with you."
"It's too dangerous," Harry said.
"When are you going to get it into your head? We're in this together," Hermione smiled.
"That you are," Umbridge smiled.
"Caught this one trying to help the Weasley girl," Malfoy walked into her office.
"You were going to Dumbledore, weren't you?" Umbridge echoed.
"No," Harry said.
"Liar!" Umbridge yelled.
"You sent for me, headmistress?" Professor Snape walked into her pink cat-filled office.
"Severus, yes. The time has come for answers, whether he wants to give them to me or not. Have you brought the Veritaserum?" Umbridge asked Professor Snape.
"I'm afraid you've used up all my stores interrogating students. The last of it on Miss Chang," Professor Snape connected eyes with Miss Granger. Almost instantly they lost eye contact, "Unless you wish to poison him... And I assure you, I would have the greatest sympathy if you did. ...I cannot help you."
"He's got Padfoot. He's got Padfoot at the place where it's hidden," Harry breathed.
"Padfoot? What is Padfoot? Where what is hidden? What is he talking about, Severus?" Umbridge asked Professor Snape.
"No idea," he said.
Hermione was almost in a trance while thinking of Professor Snape but when she had heard Professor Umbridge bring up the Cruciartius Curse, "That's illegal."
Umbridge started to point her wand at Harry, "Tell her Harry."
"Tell me what?" Umbridge asked.
"Well if you don't tell her where it is, I will," Hermione said.
"Where what is?" Umbridge asked.
"Dumbledore's secret weapon," Hermione breathed.
oOo
Severus took a deep breath as he waited for the order to get back to him to see if the order was safe plus his students, especially, Miss Granger. He couldn't do much as he was working both sides. He would much rather been by their side fighting death eaters but he couldn't. It wasn't time for him to make his move.
POP*
"Mr. Snape!" Severus looked over his shoulder to see Missy with a hot cup of coffee. He slightly smiled at his house elf.
"Thank you, Missy," Severus grabbed the coffee from her small fragile hands and took a sip.
"Is Miss Hermione going to be okay, sir?"
"I hope, Missy, I hope," Severus took another sip.
After what felt like hours he finally got an answer back from the order.
The kids were safe, including Miss Granger, but Sirius Black was dead. Bellatrix had killed him in front of his godson.
oOo
Hermione was happy to be out of the Department of Ministry and safe back at Hogwarts. It was time to pack up her things and head home for the summer.
After packing up her things she had made her way down to the common room.
"I'll be back," Harry said, "I'm going to Dumbledore's office."
Hermione nodded.
"I'm going down to the Great Hall," Ron smiled, "would you like to join me, Hermione?"
"I would love to," Hermione smiled as the two made their way down to the Great Hall for their last dinner at Hogwarts until September.
They made their way down to the Great Hall for dinner. They were both hungry as they had just gotten back from fighting death eaters. Walking through the doors of the great hall they sat down next to the other Weasley clan.
She took a big bite of her bread and watched the Weasley twins smiling. They sure loved the outcome of what the three of them created to scare Umbridge. Yes, it was their idea.
"Miss Granger," Hermione paused as she felt a soft tingle go down her spine from his soft velvety voice.
"Yes?" She didn't turn around to look at him but stared at Ginny.
"May I speak to you?" He almost sounded nervous.
"I'm good," Hermione took another bite of her food as everyone stared at her in awe.
"Now!" His voice echoed making Ron jump.
Hermione nodded and stood up from her seat. Her body brushed against Professor Snape's cloak as she walked past him. They made their way down to the dungeons and Professor Snape opened the door to let her in.
"What do you want?" Hermione spoke as Professor Snape shut the door.
"I want to make sure you are okay," Professor Snape walked closer to Hermione.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Why do you care?"
Professor Snape sighed, "If I didn't care you wouldn't be standing here, you insufferable pain."
"Why did you ask me to come speak to you?" Hermione folded her arms and sat on his desk.
Professor Snape sighed again and brushed his hair between his fingers. "I want to let you know that I do not abuse my house elf. She is treated with the utmost respect, she is a free elf and can leave anytime she wants. That being said she likes to stay and help me."
Hermione nodded, "Thanks for letting me know, Professor but I must get back before my friends think you have done something to me," she got off his desk and started to walk away.
"Wait, please," Professor Snape begged.
"What do you want, Snape?" Hermione yelled.
"Please call me, Severus," he started to walk closer to Hermione as her mouth went ajar. "I just want you to forgive me and I would hope I could get a second chance."
Hermione smiled with a nod.
"Use your words, Miss Granger," Severus mouth started to curl.
"You can call me, Hermione," she paused, "S-Severus," she started to stutter.
Severus didn't know how he felt calling her by her first name. It felt all too real for him but he would try.
"Hermione," he nodded his head, "write to me this summer," he grabbed her hand softly and gave it a small kiss. His lips were cold and soft.
"I will, Severus," Hermione smiled.