Granger stared at him in confusion, clearly trying to make sense of his words.
Severus hungrily took in her startled expression, her face dangerously close to his.
God, it had felt good to finally hear the girl stick up for herself.
Watching her this year had given him an insight into just how much she felt the need to constantly take on the burdens of others, while never defending herself in the same way.
He had never once seen her complain to Potter or Weasley for being useless when they partnered her in potions, and he had constantly witnessed her stop with her own homework to assist other students who clearly viewed her as little more than a walking encyclopaedia.
It shouldn't have given him such a thrill to hear her finally stand up for herself. If anybody else had snapped at Severus that way, they would have been given a month's detention. Which, he considered as he continued to stare at the younger girl, may not be a bad thing…
Working so close to her for the last half an hour had been torture, he had been able to smell her vanilla scent when she moved and had struggled to keep his expression neutral, to keep the clear desire off of his face.
Granger continued to stare back at him, apparently not breathing. They were so close, he could see tiny flecks of gold in her eyes.
"Granger. It has been 10 minutes. Chop more valerian root for me, while I watch to make sure you're doing it correctly." Severus's voice was low, but commanding.
The girl shook her head as if in a daze, before jumping up to grab the blade, apparently keen to get back to normalcy.
Severus leaned back on the wall beside the desk, his arms crossed as he drank in the sight before him.
Granger was avoiding his eyes as she worked, chopping the ingredients in quick and precise motions. She really was tantalisingly efficient. If anyone could appreciate this, it was Severus.
As he watched, he cast a silent warming spell to the cauldron, so that the potion started to boil to the correct temperature. Thick tendrils of steam billowed into the air, warming the room.
The sudden heat clearly had an effect on Granger, and as he observed her, he could see sweat forming on her forehead. She discreetly undone the top button of her white school shirt, loosening her tie before bending back over the desk to continue chopping.
From his vantage point, Severus could see a hint of her flushed chest, and the black strap of her bra was peeking through.
His eyes lingered there, as he spoke. "Well done, Granger. I've not seen many students who can work so efficiently as you. You're doing so well." He said in a low, measured voice, his words laced with approval.
Hermione's head shot up, her eyes wide with surprise as Snape's words of praise reached her ears.
"I - Th.. Thank you, Professor," she stammered, a shy and embarrassed smile tugging at her lips.
Severus only smirked back, his eyes never leaving her. It felt good to make her smile, how had he never done this before?
He kept his surveillance as Granger deposited the roots into the potion and got started on the next step, grinding bicorn horn. He watched for a while as she worked at a pace slower than his, before shifting away from the wall and silently circling the desk.
Severus smirked at the blush creeping onto her cheeks, as she tried to focus her preparations. He quietly continued his approach until he was directly behind her, breath ghosting her wild hair.
"Here," his cool voice breathed in her ear, as he stilled her arm with a strong hand, "Less force, more precision."
Severus noted Granger's startled eyes flying to his face at his touch and close proximity, and could practically hear her heart beating as he guided her hand to correctly grind the ingredient.
His pale hand enveloped her wrist as she moved with his rhythm, quickly finishing the step. She glanced up at him through her darkened eyelashes, a small smile of thanks on her lips.
Severus reluctantly let go of her arm, though he stayed where he was. He was over a head taller than her, and was standing only inches behind her. He could feel her body heat, and observed as she leaned forward to stir the crushed bicorn horn into the potion. He inwardly groaned as she bent forward, her school skirt raising and exposing more of her bare thighs above her knee high socks.
He watched as she stirred the potion and counted the rotations correctly without his instruction, four counter clockwise and three clockwise.
"Such a clever girl, Granger." He purred, unable to help himself from pressing closer - he could just barely feel her school skirt brushing against the front of his trousers.
He heard Granger swallow before she answered, "Thank you."
"Thank you, what, Granger?" He inclined his head as he cautioned in a smooth voice.
Her hands stilled for a moment before replying in a shaky voice, "Thank you, Professor Snape."
"Good girl." Severus whispered, his breath ghosting Granger's ear.
As the girl continued preparing the potion, Severus became fascinated with the way her hair seemed to move as if it had a life of its own. He was so close, and couldn't help himself from reaching out to brush one of the curls out of her eyes.
At this, she finally paused, looking up to him with a timid and slightly curious gaze.
Severus felt a sense of power in the small gesture, and it sent a thrill through him. He had never allowed himself to be so close to anyone, never mind a student, but Granger was different.
He watched the play of emotions in her eyes, and he couldn't help but admire the way she held herself, even in this unusual situation. Her confusion was evident, and it was intriguing to see her off-balance for a change.
Severus found himself contemplating how impractical this whole situation was, yet he couldn't bring himself to stop. Her curls were soft, and the way they fell around her face was almost poetic.
He let his hand stay behind her ear, watching with wonder as he wound one stray curl around his finger. "You know, although it may be impractical, I do think I much prefer your hair this way, Granger."
The girl's expression was a mix of confusion and curiosity, and she bit her lip as her eyes searched his. The tension in the room was palpable, and Severus sensed that they had entered uncharted territory.
Unable to resist the urge, Severus found himself asking, "Miss Granger, what exactly did Weasley say about your hair that appeared to have upset you?"
Granger hesitated for a moment, her eyes locked with Severus's, before finally answering in a soft, almost hesitant voice. "Ron said I usually don't bother to brush my hair, and that I should make more effort to look like a 'real girl'" she admitted. Her eyes flashed with sadness at the memory.
Severus's gaze darkened, and his fingers stilled in her hair. His disapproval was evident, and the idea of the ginger fool's thoughtless comment causing her any discomfort left a sour taste in his mouth.
"Mr. Weasley's tactlessness knows no bounds," Severus muttered under his breath. His thumb gently caressed the curl he held, as if offering a silent reassurance. Before he could stop himself, he added, "Are you two… involved?"
Granger looked down, clearly uncomfortable to discuss such a thing with her professor. However, as Severus continued to toy with her hair, she took a deep breath and replied, "No, not really. Things are complicated."
Severus raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "Complicated and Ron Weasley in the same sentence? That boy seems as simple as a plank of wood. Would you care to elaborate?"
Hermione sighed, her voice carrying a hint of frustration. "It's just... he said some things, and it made me question whether he truly values me for who I am. I feel like he wishes I was less focused on studying and was more carefree, and put more effort into my appearance, like Lavender. But that's not me, and I can't change to fit his expectations."
Severus leaned in slightly, his voice a low, suggestive whisper. "Miss Granger, I can't help but wonder why you would bother with someone like Weasley when you clearly deserve someone who appreciates you, for both your incredible intelligence and your beauty."
Grangers eyes widened in embarrassed surprise at Severus's bold words "Professor, I..."
Severus's thumb moved from her hair to gently ghost her cheekbone, and a sly smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Miss Granger, sometimes a person can be oblivious to what's right in front of them. I must admit, it wasn't until recently that I found your intelligence and determination to be…. incredibly alluring."
At this, Granger bit her lip, her blush deepening further at Severus's flirtatious remarks. She stammered, "I... I don't know what to say..."
Severus leaned in a little closer, his voice dropping to a seductive whisper. "You needn't say a word, Miss Granger. Sometimes, it's the unspoken desires that resonate the loudest."
Severus couldn't resist the magnetic pull between them any longer. He caressed her face softly with his hand, and he leaned in slowly, closing the gap between their lips. Their breaths mingled, and with a surge of desire, he pressed his mouth to hers.