What Dreams May Come

A/N: I am horribly sorry in how long it's taken me to update this. I normally get most of my writing done on the weekends and with finals coming up, not to mention the opening of Goblet of Fire, I just haven't been able to write anything. But I've finally had some time to write this and the last chapter, so don't worry, there'll be no more disappearing acts from me :o)

Thanks again to my wonderful betas: Kat & Gemma.

Also many thanks to all the wonderful people who read and review.

Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling

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The steam wafted off the water in the tub as Hermione gingerly sank down into the water. Softly hissing as she lowered herself, her wild mane of hair piled sloppily on top of her head. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she leaned against the back of the tub. Inhaling the sweet fragrance of lavender and vanilla, she let out another sigh.

“Why?” she softly asked herself. “Why him? Of all the people in the world, why did I have to fall in love with him?” Only the silence of the room answered her; a single drop of water abandoning the safety of the faucet the only noise.

Lines showed in Hermione’s forehead as she thought back to the past two weeks, the whole love potion debacle being at the forefront of her mind. She remembered everything that she had done while under the influence of the potion. Some things in more vivid detail than others, but she remembered; the kiss between her and Professor Snape being the cause of the lines marring her forehead. At first she had thought the daydreams and residue feelings were aftereffects of the love potion. However, both Fred and George assured her that she wouldn’t be feeling any more effects of the potion since taking the antidote. Knowing that Fred and George weren’t always the most reliable when it came to potions, she also tried consulting Professor Snape. A lot of good that did me, she thought ruefully.

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Upon entering his office, he stayed on the opposite side of the room from her. Every time she had tried getting closer to him, he would immediately back up.

“Professor, what is the matter?”

“Nothing is the matter, Miss Granger.”

“Professor, if nothing is the matter, then why do you keep walking away every time I come near?” she asked as he rounded to put his desk between them.

“It would be most convenient, Miss Granger, if you could get to the point of what brought you to my office.”

Hermione sighed and dropped into a chair near his desk. Severus had his back to her, perusing the very bookshelves she had backed him up against earlier. Tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, she cleared her throat before speaking. “I had been merely curious, Professor, if there would be any possible side effects from the potion or the antidote.”

Severus stilled his motions at the mention of the love potion and the antidote. “No, Miss Granger, there wouldn’t be any side effects.” Turning to face Hermione, he seemed to be thinking, before turning to face the bookcase again. “In the case of research, why are you asking, Miss Granger?”

Hermione pursed her lips before finally standing up with the need to do something. “To get straight to the point, Professor, I’ve been having these feelings...about you.”

“Feelings?” Severus asked with the arch of an eyebrow.

“Yes. And, well, to be perfectly honest...” She felt herself start to falter as he turned those onyx eyes on her own chocolate ones.

“Please, do go on, Miss Granger. Either that or please stop wasting my time with talk of your feelings.”

Anger flashing in her eyes, what she was trying to say burst out. “To be perfectly honest, Professor, I think I’m in love with you.”

Severus took a step back, bumping into the bookshelf behind him. “Get out,” he growled.

“But Professor...” Hermione said.

“I said get out, Miss Granger. I do not take kindly to having my time wasted.”

“But Professor,” Hermione tried again, lost at what had caused him to be so angry.

Severus rounded the desk and took Hermione by the arm. “Good day, Miss Granger,” he said, giving her a push out of his office.

Turning to try to ask what she had done to upset him so, she was only greeted by the door slamming shut in her face.

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Hermione shook her head slightly to clear it of the memory. No, talking to him hadn’t done any good. Now it seemed he was actively trying to avoid her. Occasionally she would see the tail end of his signature robes fluttering down a side corridor, as if he had suddenly changed direction. She was half-tempted to ask Harry to borrow the Marauder’s Map to try to trap him into talking to her again, but knew it most likely wouldn’t work.

As she lay in the tub pondering what she should do now, her fingers seemed to move on their own to the damp tiles on the wall to trace a heart. Scowling, she caught herself as she had begun to trace her and Severus’ initials. “I can’t believe I’m acting like some bloody love-sick first year,” she muttered. Well, that’s what I am though, isn’t it? Love-sick? Fishing for the plug and finally giving it a tug, she watched as the water began to swirl down the drain. Standing, she wrapped a towel around herself, walking into her private chamber. I wanted to find love, and now I’m in love with someone who doesn’t even want to be in the same room with me. She gave a sad half-smile as she dried and got into her pyjamas. It’s almost sort of ironic.

Getting into bed, her thoughts took another turn as she settled down into her covers. But he’ll have to be in the same room with me on Friday. Since the fall of Lord Voldemort, Dumbledore had reinstated the Halloween Ball. A ball that every staff member was required to attend, whether they wanted to or not. Filch and Madam Pince normally stood as far away from the students as possible, while Severus always stood near the punch bowl to make sure nobody tried to spike it with anything. The three of them always looked like they would rather be Crucioed by Lucius or Bellatrix, but they were always there. He’ll be there, she thought with a smile as she laid her head down. Her last thoughts as she fell asleep were of being waltzed around the room by an out-of-character Severus.