Hermione woke up, feeling disoriented as she raised her head from the pillow and surveyed her surroundings, trying to orient herself. She blinked away sleep, drawing the covers down to her lap. Observing the white bandage on her arm from the previous night, the memories of the night rushed back. She couldn't comprehend how she ended up in her bed; the last recollection was sitting on the couch with a book. She swung her legs over the bed and made her way to the bathroom. Taking it slow, she indulged in a leisurely shower.
As Hermione stood under the warm spray of the shower, the events of the previous night played over in her mind like a blurry film reel. She remembered Professor Snape carefully bandaging up her arm and then returning with a book to read. She was feeling drowsy while reading, the words on the page blurring together until she couldn't keep her eyes open any longer. But how had she made it from the couch to her bed?
Finishing her shower, Hermione wrapped herself in a fluffy towel and stepped out into the steam-filled bathroom. She caught her reflection in the mirror and paused, studying herself for any clues. Other than the bandage on her arm, there were no obvious signs of anything out of the ordinary.
Hermione carefully put on her Potions Robes remembering that her Professor would not be pleased if she wore anything but them. With her hair neatly tied back, she emerged from her room and stepped into the shared living room, prepared to start the day.
Hermione's eyes fell on the book she had been reading the night before. It lay open on the coffee table, the pages slightly wrinkled from where she must have fallen asleep mid-sentence. She picked it up, flipping through the pages, but nothing seemed to jump out at her as a clue.
Feeling frustrated and confused, Hermione poured herself a cup of tea and settled onto the couch, determined to unravel the mystery of her missing memories. Perhaps a quiet moment of reflection would jog her memory and help her make sense of the inexplicable events of the night before.
As Hermione sipped her tea, the memory of Professor Snape's presence and his care in bandaging her arm flooded back to her. She remembered his stern yet surprisingly gentle demeanor as he tended to her injury, a side of him she didn't often see. The image of him returning with a book to read and not wanting to leave her alone was both comforting and puzzling.
But the question remained: how had she ended up in her bed?
Her mind raced with possibilities. Had Snape carried her there himself? It seemed unlikely, given his typically aloof nature. And yet, she couldn't think of any other explanation. Perhaps he had levitated her with magic? It was possible, though Hermione couldn't recall ever hearing of such a spell being used in such a manner.
Hermione had hoped Professor Snape was willing to mend their relationship, and he would permit her to resume teaching. Lost in thought, she barely noticed the sound of footsteps approaching from the hallway. She looked up to see Professor Snape himself standing in the doorway, his dark eyes fixed on her with a mixture of concern and curiosity.
"Miss Granger," he said, his voice as cold and clipped as ever. "I trust you are feeling better this morning?"
Hermione nodded, suddenly feeling self-conscious under his intense gaze. "Yes, thank you, Professor. I... I appreciate your help last night."
Observing him dressed and prepared for the day, Hermione couldn't suppress the small smile forming on her lips. Unable to contain herself, she immediately posed the question that had been waiting to burst out of her mouth. "Will I be allowed to teach again, Professor?"
Professor Snape paused in the doorway, his back rigid and his expression unreadable. Hermione held her breath, waiting for his response.
After a tense moment, Snape turned to face her, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Teaching is a privilege, Miss Granger," he said, his voice low and measured. "One that is earned through dedication, discipline, and, above all, responsibility."
Hermione's heart sank at the implication of his words. Had she jeopardized her chances of returning to her teaching duties with her rudeness and blatant disrespect?
Professor Snape seemed to sense her apprehension and softened his tone slightly. "However," he continued, "I am willing to allow you to teach again but I expect you to refrain from being so disobedient in the future."
Hermione felt a mix of relief and determination wash over her at Snape's words. She nodded, understanding the gravity of his expectations.
Professor Snape's expression remained inscrutable, but Hermione detected a faint hint of approval in his eyes. "Very well, Miss Granger. You may resume your teaching duties under my watchful eye. But remember, any further lapses in judgment will not be tolerated."
"I understand, Professor," Hermione said, her voice steady. "Thank you for giving me this opportunity." Feeling her stomach growl, she blushed and said, "Sir, may I go to breakfast?"
Surprised by her sudden change of respect this morning, he replied, "Yes, I'll join you." The two of them walked silently to breakfast.
Hermione couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as she walked alongside Professor Snape towards the Great Hall. She was grateful for his company, yet she couldn't shake the feeling of apprehension that lingered between them.
Neither one of them was willing to talk about what happened last night. Hermione was still a bit embarrassed by what transpired, while Severus just didn't want to mention it ever again.
As they entered the bustling hall, Hermione glanced around at the students and teachers going about their morning routines. They took their respective seats at the Head Table and began eating.
Hermione ate with gusto, completely famished from barely eating a thing yesterday. She savored the bountiful breakfast in front of her. Hogwarts had some of her favorite food, and she relished its mouthwatering and truly delectable offerings. No other place could make food taste as good as Hogwarts did. Catching Professor Snape's gaze, she set down her fork and blushed deeply. "Sorry, I didn't eat anything yesterday."
Professor Snape's gaze softened slightly as he observed Hermione's blush, though his expression remained impassive. Recalling his harsh attitude towards her the previous day, he quickly averted his eyes, feeling a sense of remorse. "By all means, eat," he muttered, lifting his teacup for a sip. "We have first years, third years, sixth years, and seventh years today."
Hermione nodded in confirmation. "Yes, sir. I will be prepared to teach the first years today. I won't let you down." Her determination shone in her eyes as she made her commitment to him.
Once more, he was uneasy with her persistent need to apologize and prove herself to him today. As odd as it may sound, he appreciated witnessing the fire and determination in her. He wasn't fond of this newfound attitude of hers, knowing well that he was the cause of it. He clenched his teeth, acknowledging that he should apologize, but his stubbornness held him back. He angrily stabbed at his barely touched breakfast, frustrated with himself. "Saturday, you can be free to do what you want," he eventually stated.
Hermione glanced up, surprised by Snape's sudden change in demeanor. His offer of freedom on Saturday caught her off guard, but she couldn't deny the relief that flooded through her at the prospect of a break from the pressure of proving herself to him.
Hermione's eyes lit up in astonishment. "I thought you said we would be very busy this weekend."
Reluctantly admitting she was right, he set down his fork and added, "I will allow you to have one day a week to do whatever you please. Don't make me regret this decision."
"Thank you, Professor," she said sincerely, her voice soft with gratitude. "I appreciate the gesture."
Professor Snape grunted in response, his expression unreadable as he continued to toy with his food. Hermione watched him for a moment, sensing the conflict within him, before turning her attention back to her own meal.
As they finished their breakfast in silence, Hermione couldn't help but feel a sense of hope that perhaps Professor Snape's offer was a sign of thawing between them, a small step towards understanding and mutual respect.
As time passed, Hermione felt a deep sense of gratitude for being permitted to remain in the classroom rather than being relegated to her quarters. She found herself thoroughly engrossed in observing Professor Snape's teaching methods, carefully documenting his techniques and strategies.
Taking meticulous notes, she absorbed every detail of his instruction, recognizing the nuances of his approach and the effectiveness of his methods. As the opportunity presented itself, she seized the chance to apply what she had learned, confidently leading her own lesson for the first-year students.
With each passing moment, Hermione was keenly aware of the weight of Professor Snape's expectations upon her. She was determined to prove herself worthy of being his apprentice, striving to emulate his expertise and dedication to the craft of teaching.
As the last lesson concluded and the students were dismissed for the day, Hermione's mind drifted back to the events of the previous night. Despite the hustle and bustle of the classroom, she couldn't shake the memory of Professor Snape's unexpected kindness.
It had been a stark contrast to his usual demeanor, catching her off guard and leaving her feeling both grateful and puzzled. Snape didn't have to stay with her; he could have easily left her to fend for herself. But instead, he had chosen to remain by her side, offering his support and companionship when she needed it most.
The realization filled Hermione with a mix of emotions—gratitude for Snape's unexpected act of compassion, but also confusion over the motivations behind it. She couldn't help but wonder what had prompted him to reach out to her in such a way, and whether there was more to their complicated relationship than meets the eye.
Hermione's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she realized that Professor Snape had been attempting to gain her attention for the past few minutes. Hastily pushing aside her confusing thoughts, she refocused on the present moment and addressed him with a sheepish apology.
"Sorry, Professor," she said, her voice tinged with embarrassment. "My mind was elsewhere. Can you please repeat what you said?"
Snape regarded her with his characteristic stoicism, his dark eyes betraying nothing as he repeated his question. Hermione listened intently, determined not to let her thoughts wander again as she focused on the task at hand. "I said, tonight we have patrol duty. Since this will be your first time, we will have the same route together. It starts at exactly 9 o'clock when curfew begins, and we will return to our quarters by 11. Is that understood?"
Hermione nodded, her embarrassment fading as she focused on Snape's instructions. "Yes, Professor, I understand," she replied, her tone respectful and attentive.
She made a mental note of the details of their patrol duty, committing the timing and route to memory. Despite her initial apprehension at the prospect of working closely with her Professor outside of the classroom, she was determined to approach the task with professionalism and diligence.
In the hours leading up to 9 o'clock, Hermione occupied herself with a light dinner and the completion of the book she had left unfinished the previous night. As the clock struck 9 o'clock, she rose from the couch, a sense of anticipation coursing through her veins. She met the watchful gaze of Professor Snape, his dark eyes assessing her with a scrutiny that made her feel both nervous and determined.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Hermione squared her shoulders and approached him with a sense of purpose. She was ready to embark on this patrol duty, determined to prove herself capable and reliable in his eyes.
"Professor," she said respectfully, meeting his gaze with unwavering determination. "I'm ready to begin our patrol."
Professor Snape nodded in acknowledgment, his expression unreadable as he turned to lead the way out of the room. Hermione followed closely behind, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and apprehension at the prospect of what lay ahead. They entered the dimly lit corridor and began to patrol the hallways.
Hermione remained silent, keenly aware of Professor Snape's preference for minimal conversation during their patrols. As they quietly made their way through the dimly lit corridors of Hogwarts, her attention was drawn to a dark alcove ahead. She observed intently as Snape, without a word spoken, illuminated the area with a bright light from his wand, casting a revealing glow into the shadows.
Inside the alcove that was no longer hidden, Hermione saw two Hufflepuff students engaged in a sexual act. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she stumbled upon the unexpected scene inside the alcove. The sight of two students engaged in a compromising position took her aback, and she felt a wave of discomfort wash over her. However, before she could dwell on her own embarrassment, her attention was swiftly drawn to Professor Snape's authoritative voice, cutting through the silence like a thunderclap.
"10 points will be deducted from each of you. Now head up to your common room," Professor Snape's voice rang out, filled with unmistakable anger and disdain.
Hermione watched as the two students scrambled to their feet, their faces flushed with shame as they hastily retreated from the alcove. She couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for them, even as she recognized the seriousness of their transgression.
Turning her gaze back to Snape, Hermione was struck by the forcefulness of his reprimand. His stern demeanor left no room for argument or negotiation, and she couldn't help but admire his unwavering commitment to upholding the rules and standards of conduct at Hogwarts.
As they resumed their patrol, Hermione made a mental note to tread carefully and remain vigilant, knowing that even the most innocuous alcove could hold unexpected surprises.
As they made their way back to their quarters, Hermione couldn't shake the whimsical feeling that had settled over her. Despite the seriousness of their patrol duty, a small part of her couldn't help but yearn for something more, something romantic and adventurous.
As they walked in silence, Hermione's thoughts drifted to the people she surrounded herself with, her friends and classmates who, despite their loyalty and friendship, had never shown any romantic interest in her. The realization weighed heavily on her heart, and she couldn't help but feel a pang of loneliness.
It was a bittersweet realization, one that left Hermione feeling both wistful and resigned. She longed for the kind of connection that seemed to elude her, the kind of intimacy and companionship that she saw in the world around her.
But as they reached their quarters and Hermione bid Snape goodnight, she pushed aside those thoughts, focusing instead on the task at hand. She knew that she had responsibilities to fulfill and duties to carry out, and dwelling on her own loneliness would only distract her from her purpose.
With a sigh, Hermione resolved to bury her feelings for now and focus on the challenges that lay ahead. Perhaps one day, she told herself, she would find the companionship and love she longed for. But for now, she would continue to walk her path alone, determined to make the most of the life she had been given.