Six

Chapter 6

Two days had gone by, and no more advances had taken place. Oh, he’d looked at her as if he wanted to undress her with his eyes. He’d come close to her, held her hand off and on, but nothing more ever came of it. Hermione Granger was going insane.

She did know one thing now that she didn’t know before. He was attracted to her. The looks, the caressing of her hands, the things he said. He was carefully seducing her, and she knew it.

”You do realize, Hermione, if you worked back in the lab with me, I’d get nothing done.”

“If you hadn’t found your ex-husband in that precarious position, you’d still be with the lout, and I would be a very lonely man.”

Flirting. The man had been flirting shamelessly with her for the past two days, and she’d drunk every word up to the point that she ached for him. She narrowed her eyes, understanding coming to her.

It’s some Slytherin form of courtship. He’s trying to make me want him so much that I would never say no to his advances if they ever do come along. He’d better hurry, though, or I’ll just jump him myself.”

At that point in her daydreaming, Severus glided from the back room.

“Will you join me for dinner tonight at my home?” he asked. His eyebrow arched as he awaited her answer.

Oh, how she wanted to say no, just to see what he would do or say, but her subconscious beat her to it. She found herself accepting with a broad grin. Severus gave a slight nod and disappeared back into his lab. Merlin, he was sexy when he billowed.

Dinner was perfect. He’d cooked, and she was happy to say everything was delicious. They sat down to a candlelit dinner of steak and garlic mashed potatoes. The conversation was intense as they discussed the latest Potions almanac and its findings on ragweed as an intensifier in healing draughts.

“Honestly, Severus, I find it hard to believe that something that causes allergic reactions in many could be used to heal.”

Severus scoffed. “It’s a topical balm, so the ragweed won’t affect the lungs as it usually does.”

The debate had gone on for well over an hour, and the two had moved from the table to the sofa, where they sat next to one another, their eyes excited with the debate. At long last, Hermione ceded Severus’ point.

“I’m sure the findings are right, but Severus, you have to admit that further study is needed.”

Severus eyed her with respect. “I do believe that, Hermione. Until more research is done, these findings will not be fully conclusive.”

Hermione smiled at him. “I always love debating with you, Severus. It awakens a part of my mind that usually doesn’t get used with any of my other friends.”

“I enjoy hearing your opinions on these matters also,” Severus agreed. He moved closer and grasped her hand.

Hermione looked down at her hand and then up into his eyes. That intense look was back again, and she smiled warmly at him.

“Hermione... I...”

A furious tapping made him break off. He glowered at the window, where a black owl was tapping crazily.

“Merlin, can one not get peace in their own home!” he raged. Turning back to Hermione, Severus calmed himself. “Excuse me a moment,” he offered as he stood.

Opening the window, he let the owl in.

“Zenthro, is that you?” Hermione exclaimed.

Severus was removing the parchment from the owl, who had turned his head and hooted at Hermione. “You know this bird?”

“Yes! It’s...”

“Viktor Krum’s.” Severus finished as he read the name of the sender. “Whatever could he want?”

Opening the parchment, Severus read a few lines, then his eyes rose to Hermione. “You did this?”

Hermione blushed. “I just wanted you to have a chance, Severus.”

Severus’ face hardened to the passionless wall that had been so prevalent when she had been his student. She hadn’t seen such a closed look on him in years. “I specifically told you to stay out of this, Hermione.” Within two seconds he had crumpled up the letter and flung it to the floor. He strode over to her, rage filling his eyes. His voice was steady, although you could hear the anger in it. “I explained that I didn’t want to sell myself short. I asked you to stay out of this.”

Hermione stood to defend herself. “But Severus, Viktor owns his own company.”

“Yes, a sell out! Cover my name with his, and no one will be the wiser,” he raged. “Why, Hermione? Why must you always be the do-gooder? Why must you always try to fix things that don’t need fixing? First it was that ridiculous charade with the house-elves while you were a student. Then it was your bleeding-heart tactics with the centaurs. And your husband... he was a project too, wasn’t he? Do you not understand that some people don’t want or need your help?”

“But... I specifically told Viktor...”

“Why did you tell him anything? This is my work, and I will sell it as my work!” He was nose to nose with her now.

“He uses the creator’s name! He...”

“Get out!”

“Severus, I was just trying to help!”

Severus took her arm, spun her around, and pushed her toward the door. “You wonder why Weasley took solace in another woman’s arms? He probably was just trying to escape the harpy he’d married!”

Hermione stopped dead. She turned to Severus, her eyes filled with hurt. She couldn’t believe he’d said such a thing to her. Not after she’d opened her heart to him and bore her soul about her relationship with Ron. Turning toward Severus, she raised her hands up and pushed him.

“How dare you! How could you say that to me? I trusted you! Ron was never a project! How could you say such horrible things, Severus Snape? I thought you cared about me!”

She pushed him again, glaring at him in fury. “I was trying to help you. If you’d read that letter completely, you’d see that Viktor’s company labels each potion with the name of the Potions master who created it. If he sent you a letter, then he’s offering the same deal to you! Why must you be so hateful? Why must you tear down everything that has been building between us?”

Tears were now streaming down her face. Severus moved forward, but she backed away from him. “Don’t!” she cried. “If I’m such a thorn in your side, you won’t have to deal with me any more! You won’t need to worry about me meddling in your business ever again. I quit! I will never cross your path again purposely for as long as I live!”

Storming out, she Apparated away as soon as her feet hit the sidewalk. She appeared in her flat, great sobs escaping her as she let her emotions boil to the surface. Hermione crumpled to the floor and wept.

It only took half an hour before Severus was knocking on her door. By that time her fit of crying was over, and Hermione was sitting on her couch, staring off into space trying not to remember the horrible fight that had just happened. The knock surprised her somewhat. She hadn’t thought Severus Snape was the kind to come begging.

“Hermione?”

She stared at her fireplace.

“Hermione, please open the door.”

Tears started again.

“Please, Hermione. I overreacted, I’m sorry.”

She mustered all her strength to say only three words. “Go away, Severus.” She felt dead inside. She really didn’t care if she ever spoke to Severus Snape again. In fact, she was so despondent that hiding away in her flat indefinitely was sounding like a good plan. She just wished everything and everyone would be quiet.

“Hermione, please let me in.”

Standing, she pointed her wand at the door, electrifying it to shock Severus when he knocked again. She heard him yell in surprise as the mild shock coursed through his body.

“Leave me alone, Severus,” she said, almost to herself, but loud enough for him to hear it through the door. Turning, she made her way to her bedroom, where she closed the door quietly behind her. Sleep would be welcome, if it ever came.