Forbidden Lover

Chapter Two
A Snape Doesn't Know How To Get A Girl

Hermione didn't think much of the kiss she had given Professor Snape. It did occur to her that she was grateful that Harry or Ron hadn't been around to see it. She would have never lived it down in view of the way they kept referring to Snape as her boyfriend. She sighed. At times she did wish she had a real boyfriend. The friendship that she'd had two years ago with Viktor hadn't lasted. He'd tried to sleep with her and she'd said no in a hurry. She'd liked Ron then, and he had been jealous, but after breaking it off with Viktor, he'd not even asked her out once.

Snape was a grown man, much older than her. There was nothing she could think of that would even make her think he would be looking at her as anything other than a pain in his ass. He'd made that quite clear to her over the past six years. Ron and Harry were mistaken if they even thought Snape would want her. She thought glumly to herself that at least she had her studies to occupy her time. The wallflower would remain.

In the days that followed, Snape made a point to keep his eye on Hermione. He wished that he had courage enough to strike up a conversation with her, but he didn't have a clue. Talking was not one of his finer points. So he stood in silence, watching and wanting. He was a stickler when it came to rules, at least for others, but in Hermione's case, he would break them all if he had to, in order to get her attention. He continued magically leaving roses on her pillow, hoping against hope that she might figure out where they were coming from, but she apparently didn't. As the days went by slowly, he grew irritated and restless, wanting an opening that didn't happen.

Finally, at Christmas, he was surprised when Hermione chose to stay at Hogwarts with Harry and Ron. He'd stationed himself in one of the upper halls where he could look downwards and see students depart, but the three never appeared. Potter never left, and Snape expected that, but the other two usually went home for the holidays.
Snape had no need to roam the halls, as there was only a couple of shy Ravenclaws besides the golden trio who stayed. Dumbledore's rule was that the teachers, other than himself and his lover, Minerva McGonagall, got their own holidays as well. It was up to the teacher whether or not he or she stayed, and in truth, most of them did.

Snape made it his own business to be in the halls, and was there when luck smiled on him. Hermione, left alone, as Harry and Ron played Wizard's chess, had taken her books back to the deserted library to leave for Madame Pince, who had left to visit relatives. She was coming back empty handed for once.

"Good morning, Professor," she said politely not expecting anything from him except a glare.

"Good morning, Miss Granger," he replied, his mind frantically trying to think of a way to keep her from walking away. Then he added: "You didn't find anything else to read?"

She looked at him in surprise. He'd never attempted to really talk to her before.

"N..no, I didn't." She stumbled on the words. He was looking her without malice, his eyes not narrowed with hate for once. That made her nervous.

"Why not?"

He was still trying to talk to her? Hermione Granger, his pain in the ass?

"I've read most of the books," she explained, hoping he wouldn't ask why she had so much time on her hands. "Except for the restricted section of course."

"I see." Think, Severus! Don't let her walk off now. "What sort of things do you like to read?"

"I read just about anything."

She would, he thought. That was why she was the class know-it-all.

"Would you be interested in some books on advanced potion making?" Why are you offering your own books? You don't share. Idiot! Think of something else.

"Do you... I mean...are you offering....to loan me books?"

Answer her, fool! You've got her attention.

Shut up, he told his conscience.

"Yes, I was, Miss Granger. You see, I do read," he said stiffly.

"I didn't imply that you didn't," she said, wondering if she'd offended him already.

"I have a collection of books that you are welcome to look at and perhaps borrow if you like." Go ahead you stupid twit, ask her! "If you would like to come downstairs, I can let you see them."

She looked back up the stairs over his shoulders, thinking about Ron and Harry. They wouldn't miss her, no telling where the Ravenclaws were, and there would be no one to see her walking around with Professor Snape.

She's going to say no, he thought, steeling himself for her words.

"If you don't mind showing me," she said, "I don't mind looking."

He stared at her, almost not believing her words.

"Are you all right, Professor?"

"I'm fine, Miss Granger." He turned and began walking back downstairs, towards the dungeons, hoping that he hadn't heard her wrong and that she was following him. He didn't dare turn around and look, but he could hear her footfalls behind him.

Hermione was following him, trembling inside. She didn't understand it, except that he scared the hell out of her, and this was no exception. She was still in shock from him engaging her in conversation without yelling or screaming at her. She watched his cape as it billowed out behind him, and the way his hair flowed as he walked. Her heart beat a little harder.

She followed him into the classroom, and then into the large lab that also served as an office. She expected the books to be there, but no. He kept moving, and opened a heavy door, obviously expecting her to follow him. She hesitated, wondering if these weren't his private rooms, and if she should even be in them.
"Come along, Miss Granger," he said impatiently, half turning to see her still standing in the doorway.

"Coming," she answered, deciding to follow him anyway.

He led her through a living area, a dining area, and into what was obviously a personal study. The room was cozy stone, with tapestries on the wall to keep heat, and a nice marbled fireplace where flames danced merrily. All of the furnishings were dark and burnished with age. Several bookcases full of books stood near the tapestries. He gestured to them.

"You are welcome to look," he said. "You can borrow what you want to read."

Her mouth was suddenly dry as it dawned on her that they were completely alone, and he was being nice. Well, as close to nice as he would ever come. She wasn't sure Snape knew how to be nice. He was looking at her, and she was irresistibly drawn to stare at him.

They were silent for a long while, only the popping of the fire breaking the silence as teacher and student stared at one another. For some reason she didn't feel threatened by him any more. It was almost like he was scared of her. She didn't think Snape was afraid of anything. It was almost laughable, but she wouldn't dare do that to him.

She went over to the bookshelves and knelt down, then sat by one, pulling out books and leafing through them. He had sat down at the massive desk and taken up his quill, scratching away at one of his endless parchments that always seemed to be on hand.

In reality, his mind was racing, and his heart was pounding in his throat. He was uncomfortable. He had a growing erection, and didn't dare do anything with it. He was relishing having her here in the room with him, even with nothing happening. He kept sneaking glances at her, drinking her in hungrily. She was sort of pretty in his eyes.

The entire morning went in a flash. Hermione was absorbing in reading one of the potions books. Her legs were going numb when he cleared his throat. She looked up to see him standing there.
"I do believe it is time for lunch, Miss Granger," he said.
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize I'd stayed so long," she apologized.
"No need to apologize," he replied. "I just thought that perhaps you would care to eat."
She almost hated to leave the solicitude they were sharing, but she nodded instead.
"Are...are you coming also?" she asked.

He wished he could come. In her. Behave, Severus! She's what, sixteen, seventeen?
"Yes, I believe I will, shall we retire upstairs, Miss Granger?"
She still held the book, her place held with a finger.
"It's okay, you can come back for the book, I'm not tossing you out, silly girl," he said for good measure. Remember Severus, no vulnerability!!!!! Think MEAN!!!
Shut up, he thought as the two walked off to get lunch. He'd finally made some progress. He didn't have the girl, but it was a start.