Hermione found herself standing before a bubbling cauldron, Professor Snape's stern presence looming over her. His dark eyes bore into hers as he outlined her task.
"Today, your challenge is to brew Amortentia without the aid of your textbook," he declared, his tone firm. "You will receive no assistance from me. This task demands that you rely entirely on your senses."
Hermione raised an eyebrow, her resolve firm. "I thought this potion was prohibited by Hogwarts rules," she pointed out.
Professor Snape's lips curled into a faint smirk. "If you believe you're incapable of brewing it, then I suppose you'll have to concede that I'm superior," he retorted, his tone challenging.
Hermione did not respond to his taunting. She was determined to brew this potion successfully. Even though she was determined to prove herself, she felt a surge of apprehension about the challenge ahead. Brewing Amortentia, the most powerful love potion, without any guidance, was no small feat. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the task ahead.
With a nod, she began gathering the ingredients, relying on her memory and intuition to guide her. The familiar scents of the potion's components filled the air as she worked, and Hermione focused on identifying each one with her senses alone.
Severus watched her every move, his expression unreadable. He offered no assistance, leaving Hermione to navigate the brewing process entirely on her own. It was a test of her knowledge, skill, and intuition.
As the potion simmered in the cauldron, Hermione's heart raced with anticipation. She carefully monitored its progress, adjusting the heat and adding ingredients as needed. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she peered into the cauldron and saw the telltale steam rising—a sign that the Amortentia was complete.
With a mixture of relief and satisfaction, Hermione turned to Severus, meeting his gaze with a sense of accomplishment. She had risen to the challenge and succeeded, proving her ability to master even the most complex potions without assistance.
Though satisfied with her completed potion, Hermione was caught off guard by the aroma that filled the room. In her sixth year, she had detected scents of fresh-cut grass, parchment, and Ron's hair in Amortentia. However, this time, the fragrance was entirely unfamiliar.
This time, Hermione detected a blend of herbs, the distinct scent of the potion's classroom, and the rich aroma of sandalwood. Despite her efforts to maintain her composure, she felt a sense of unease creeping over her. She felt the urge to flee, to escape the unsettling emotions swirling within her, but her steadfast determination kept her rooted to the spot. Despite outward appearances of composure, Hermione's mind was in turmoil, her thoughts racing with uncertainty and apprehension.
"Excellent work, Miss Granger," Professor Snape commended, oblivious to the tumultuous thoughts brewing within Hermione. "You are dismissed for now, but I anticipate your presence at dinner tonight."
"Thank you, Professor," Hermione replied with a forced smile, grateful for the praise even as she struggled to mask her inner turmoil. She nodded in acknowledgment of his instructions before swiftly leaving the classroom. She endeavored not to appear as if she were fleeing, but the prospect of her feelings evolving into something beyond mere attraction filled her with profound unease.
With nowhere specific in mind, Hermione wandered out of the classroom and outside the castle, seeking solitude. The gentle breeze caressed her face, and the lively chirping of birds provided a soothing backdrop. Eventually, she found herself beneath a large tree, its branches shedding leaves in preparation for winter. Leaning against its sturdy trunk, she felt a slight weakness in her knees, prompting her to settle down against its comforting presence.
Seated on the grass, Hermione gazed out across the tranquil surface of the lake. She grappled with conflicting emotions, feeling as though she were betraying herself by harboring feelings for her professor. Doubts gnawed at her, questioning whether he could ever reciprocate her affection.
Alone by the lakeside, Hermione finally let go of her composure, burying her face in her hands as tears streamed down her cheeks. The weight of the unexpected emotions consumed her, leaving her vulnerable in the solitude of her thoughts.
Exhaustion enveloped Hermione as she sat in the refreshing coolness of the breeze. Despite her efforts to stay awake, her eyelids grew heavy, and before she knew it, she succumbed to sleep, leaning against the sturdy trunk of the tree.
Startled awake by the loud hooting of an owl, Hermione scrambled to her feet, cursing herself for dozing off. As she glanced around, she cursed again upon realizing that the sun had already set, indicating she was late for dinner—perhaps too late to make it back in time at all.
With her wand casting a bright light, Hermione whispered, "Lumos Maxima," illuminating her path back to the castle. Upon entering, she cautiously peered into the Great Hall, finding it empty. Frowning, she descended to the dungeons, knowing she would have to face her professor and explain her absence from dinner.
As Hermione hurried through the corridors, she couldn't help but overhear snippets of whispered conversation among the students. Mortification washed over her as she realized they were discussing seeing her crying by the lake. Determined to escape their prying eyes and avoid further speculation, she hastened her steps, eager to reach the relative privacy of the dungeons.
Feeling a mix of embarrassment and vulnerability, Hermione leaned against the wall of her quarters, her mind racing with thoughts of how to handle the situation. She knew she couldn't avoid Severus forever, but she also wasn't prepared to face him and explain her emotional outburst. Taking a deep breath, she resolved to gather her thoughts and confront the inevitable conversation with him.
Hermione's heart skipped a beat as Severus entered the room, his presence commanding attention despite her attempts to avoid his gaze. She kept her eyes fixed on the floor, feeling a mix of guilt and apprehension. "I fell asleep," she murmured softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Feeling vulnerable and exposed, Hermione wished she possessed the skill of Occlumency, the ability to shield her mind from intrusion. Though she lacked such proficiency, she imagined mental barriers rising around her thoughts, hoping to conceal the tumultuous emotions swirling within her.
Severus's intense gaze bore into Hermione, his presence looming over her like a storm cloud. With each step he took, the air seemed to grow heavier, suffused with tension and unspoken words.
Severus's voice was low and measured, carrying the weight of accusation. "Are you aware that students have been gossiping about your activities today?" he questioned, his tone laced with a mixture of curiosity and concern. Hermione nodded silently, acknowledging that she had heard the students' whispers.
Severus's anger was palpable as he posed the question. "Do you understand that your reputation means everything if you are planning on becoming a professor?"
Hermione winced at the tone of his voice. "I apologize," she offered, hoping her words would be enough to appease him.
Severus persisted, his gaze unwavering as he awaited her response. "Why were you crying?" he pressed, his tone insistent.
Hermione felt a lump form in the back of her throat. She tried to keep her emotions in check. "Is crying not within your expectations?" she retorted suddenly, her tone tinged with frustration.
Severus frowned. "No one is saying you aren't allowed to have emotions, but the fact that you were outright sobbing, according to the students, naturally raises concerns," he explained, his tone softer now, laced with genuine worry.
Hermione lifted her head from the floor, scowling at him. "I was not sobbing," she defended. "I just..." Her voice trailed off, unable to formulate a plausible excuse. "I was just exhausted, and I fell asleep. That's it. Students talk all the time. Who cares what they think they saw?" She retorted, her tone defensive.
"If you didn't put up walls inside your head," Severus pointed out, "I might believe that. But one push is all I need to find out."
Severus's words struck a nerve, causing Hermione to tense. "I have a right to privacy," she stated firmly, her gaze meeting his challengingly.
Severus chuckled, his tone laced with a hint of amusement. "Not with me, you don't. I've grown accustomed to having you around. You'll learn that I have a knack for uncovering everything I need to know."
Hermione felt panic starting to take hold of her. Unintentionally, she pleaded, "Please."
Severus raised an eyebrow. "Please, what?"
Hermione fought to control the frustration bubbling within her. He was clearly toying with her. She attempted to sidestep him, but he intercepted her, blocking her path. She attempted once more to circumvent him, but he anticipated her movement and blocked her path again, his expression unreadable.
"Leave me alone!" Hermione shouted, her composure shattering in the heat of the moment. As soon as the words escaped her lips, she regretted them, realizing the futility of trying to keep him out of her thoughts. Panic surged within her as she stood in his presence, acutely aware of the fragile barriers she had erected in her mind. She braced herself for his inevitable intrusion, her apprehension intensifying with each passing moment.
"Whatever it is, you must be afraid of me finding out," Severus remarked. He stepped back, his tone resigned. "Fine, keep your secrets for now, but I will find out eventually." Hermione's relief was short-lived as Severus continued to speak.
"You did a great job today completing your challenge, but I couldn't help but notice you seemed uncomfortable after brewing it," Severus commented, his observant eyes fixed on her.
Hermione's response came out with a hint of defensiveness as she denied feeling uncomfortable. "I wasn't uncomfortable," she lied. "I just wanted to make sure I brewed it correctly."
Severus raised an eyebrow at her defensive response. "Hermione, I have seen you brew everything under the sun. You can pretend all you want, but you knew you brewed it correctly without me needing to tell you that."
Hermione remained silent, unwilling to acknowledge the truth behind Severus's words. Deep down, she knew he was right. She didn't need his reassurance, but she couldn't bring herself to admit that the change in the potion's aroma had unsettled her.
Severus retreated to the couch, picking up a book with a bored look on his face. Hermione was surprised by his lack of further interrogation, but she welcomed the reprieve. Without a word, she settled on the opposite end of the couch, giving them both some space.
Hermione winced slightly as her stomach grumbled. She realized she hadn't eaten since breakfast, and even then, she had only managed to eat a few pieces of toast and some tea.
Severus didn't wait for her to decide. Instead, he summoned a house-elf to bring Hermione a meal. Within moments, the elf returned with a plate of roast beef, mashed potatoes, and vegetables, accompanied by a tall glass of water.
As Hermione ate her meal, she couldn't shake the feeling of Severus's eyes on her. It was as if he was dissecting her every move, analyzing her like she was a potion in one of his classes. She tried to ignore it, focusing instead on the food in front of her and pushing aside the unsettling sensation his gaze provoked. She set down the plate and glass after finishing the last bite.
Severus's voice cut through the quiet of the room, his words carrying a hint of warning. "You raised your voice at me today."
Hermione groaned, annoyed that he couldn't just sit and be quiet. "Yes, I acknowledge that I did yell at you, but I was frustrated," she admitted begrudgingly. "You yell at me all the time."
"As your professor, I have the right to raise my voice," he pointed out with amusement. "In all the years I have known you, you have never yelled at me before."
Hermione growled an explanation, "Sometimes you push too far."
Severus gave her a knowing look. "I thought you were up for the challenge," he remarked.
Hermione quickly averted her gaze, unsettled by his tone. It felt as though he could see through every thought and emotion she harbored. "Why are you always so cryptic?"
Severus maintained his enigmatic expression. "Perhaps because life itself is cryptic."
Hermione sighed, inwardly bracing herself for another cryptic conversation with Severus. His tendency to speak in riddles often left her feeling exasperated and uncertain. The brief respite of silence was shattered by his sudden remark.
"Amortentia is a powerful love potion, as you well know," he stated abruptly, his tone carrying a weight of significance.
Hermione tensed at his unexpected remark. "Yes, I'm aware," she replied cautiously, unsure of where this conversation was heading.
Severus studied her reaction intently, his gaze penetrating. "It's said to smell differently to each person, according to what attracts them," he continued, his tone measured.
Hermione's heart rate quickened as she realized the implication of his words. She fought to maintain her composure, masking the surge of anxiety that threatened to consume her. "Yes, I've read about that," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "I also learned about it in my sixth year, in case you've forgotten."
Severus noticed the nervousness in her voice and her fidgeting, making a mental note of these subtle signs. He gently prodded, "You seemed uncomfortable in the classroom earlier."
Hermione huffed in response, "Well, I wasn't exactly thrilled about losing the bet."
"You appear uneasy even now," he remarked. "Is there something on your mind that you wish to share?"
Hermione felt the urge to flee the conversation, her eyes darting momentarily to the portrait leading to the corridors of Hogwarts. However, she quickly realized the futility of escaping. "No sir," she eventually mumbled, resigning herself to the discussion.
Severus tutted in response but remained silent. He called for a house elf to bring him some tea as he picked back up his book. He ignored her for the rest of the night, leaving Hermione to her thoughts in the quiet of their shared space.