Chapter Six

A/N: Well, onward with the story! I know many of you would like to give Severus a thorough spanking for his behavior, but patience! I'd like to give a huge thanks to JenniferLupinBlack for being my fantastic alpha and to TrisanaChandler13 for being my fantastic beta.

Disclaimer: JKR owns the world and characters of Harry Potter, not me. I am making no money from the posting of this story.

Chapter 6

Hermione spent the whole weekend moping around. She watched tear jerkers on her telly and ate three gallons of ice cream. She knew it was pathetic, but Severus had taken her heart and stomped on it.

That stupid git.

She dreaded seeing him today, but she would get over it. She had to continue teaching the class. There were only five more days of it, anyway.

She could do it. She would do it. She was Hermione Granger, for Merlin's sake! She wouldn't let some cranky, old man keep her down.

Yeah, that's right, Hermione. Go on and pretend you're not miserable.

Driving to the community center was awful. Every song on the radio made her want to burst into tears.

Martha had been absolutely no help either. She had called to see how their "tea date" had gone and Hermione responded by telling her it was absolutely awful. Martha, determined to see the two of them together, had pressed Hermione to call Severus and apologize.

It wasn't even my fault! Severus is the one who ruined the moment.

But those lips, sweet Merlin, she could not forget that kiss. That small kiss had lit a fire inside of Hermione that she had been unable to put out herself. And she attempted to find relief but none was found. She spent the nights tangled in her sheets, a sweaty, frustrated mess.

Walking into the center, she made her way to the classroom. Mentally, she braced herself for the awkwardness to come. Hopefully, he'd be his formal self. She didn't think she could handle any of his flirty teasing. Not after their disaster.

When Hermione entered the classroom, she found everyone but Severus was not there.

Strange, he's usually punctual, she thought to herself. Figuring he must have hit traffic or something, she decided to wait a few minutes before starting.

But once it was ten past, she knew she needed to start class. Hopefully he would turn up at some point.

Not that he wants me worrying for him or anything.

"Today, we'll be making some banana bread. Bread can be tricky because you don't want it to get too dry on the inside. You want it nice and moist. Here are the directions, you may begin. Feel free to ask me questions as you go along."

After getting everyone settled, Hermione stood back and watched. She didn't bake today, as she just wasn't in the mood.

Where was Severus? Despite the fact he was a snarky git, she hoped he was all right. She would hate if something had happened to him, especially after the way they had left things.

She wondered what had happened. Outside his house he had spoken her name. She had never thought her name to be sensual, but the way he had said it sent chills down her spine. It was beautiful.

And then he had prepared his tea the exact way she liked it. But how would he have known? Maybe he had asked Martha? He had to have cared for her. Why else would he have gone through so much trouble?

Or maybe he had just invited her over because Martha had practically forced him. Maybe he just wanted nothing to do with her. Maybe she was just a fool for imagining all of the flirting between them.

No, there was no way she imagined it. She had seen the lusty looks he had given her and the way his body would slightly turn towards hers. She saw the want in his eyes right before they kissed.

That kiss.

It was pure heaven. It was ecstasy. Whatever it was, Hermione desperately wanted more.

And then for him to just push her away like that… It wasn't fair. Maybe he was just conflicted? He had spent so much time alone that maybe he was just afraid to let anyone else in.

Yeah, maybe that was it. Maybe he was just afraid.

"Hermione, I have a question," April said, interrupting Hermione's thoughts.

Pushing Severus from her mind, Hermione went to assist April.

You're a fool, Severus.

Martha's words had stung him more than he had imagined they would. He knew he was an idiot; he didn't need to hear anyone else say it. But coming from her, it had hurt. He had thought that by putting distance between himself and Hermione; he would just be saving everyone trouble.

Hermione didn't know what she was getting into. She was a young witch with a whole future ahead of her. She probably wanted kids and a whole family, something he did not desire in the slightest. She deserved to live a happy life, not be dragged down by his guilt and misery.

And she barely knew anything about him. He barely knew anything about her.

It was just a bad idea. Even if they did get together, she would come to her senses and leave him anyway. That's what people do to him, isn't it?

Lily, Albus, Minerva… there was a long list of people who had deserted him. He had no desire to add Hermione to that list. He could not handle losing one more person he had let himself care for.

Best nip it in the bud before it can turn into something else.

Deciding to drop the baking class was a hard decision, not one that he made with a light heart. Severus had spent the weekend thinking about it. He had decided that after having Hermione in his home, after kissing her, he wouldn't be able to be around her.

There was no way he could do it.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Severus!" Martha shouted through the door. "Severus, open the damn door this minute!"

He snorted, shaking his head. I don't think so, Martha.

"Severus, stop doing this!" Martha cried. "Don't be an idiot."

No, he'd continue to ignore her and wallow in his misery. It's worked for him all these years and would continue to do so.