Chapter 3

Severus searched the map. She wasn't in the library. She wasn't in her classroom or her rooms. Where was she? Ah, there... in the kitchen. It seemed quite an appropriate time to head down for a late night snack. Severus folded the map and placed it into his pocket and headed for the kitchens. Several minutes later, he arrived there and entered.

"It's the Headmaster!" screeched the head house-elf. He rushed over and grabbed Severus' hand, dragging him over to a table where Hermione sat. The witch was looking at him nervously, her eyes wide.

"Sir, if you's wantin something, you needs just ask, sir. Never a need for yous to come down to the kitchens. Fleetle will gladly bring you any snacks yous wants!"

"Fleetle," Severus said in a commanding tone. "I just came down for some tea. I was wandering the castle, and a good cup of tea sounded quite nice at this time of the evening. Of course I will remember to ask aloud for anything I need from my office or room. You know I would."

Fleetle seemed appeased and not about to iron his hands or bang his head against a stove. Severus bent a little lower. "Would you kindly get me a spot of tea?"

Fleetle straightened up. "Yes, Professor, sir! Right away!"

Hermione smiled thinly at Severus as he nodded at her and sat beside her at the table. "Fancy meeting you here, Hermione," he said smoothly.

"Yes," she said breathily. "Fancy that." She immediately looked down at her sandwich, as if it had just changed before her eyes.

"I noticed you hardly ate anything at dinner tonight. You rushed out of the Great Hall as if chased by a Dementor. Is everything all right?"

Hermione hazarded a glance at Severus. "Yes, it's fine. I just have a lot to do is all."

Severus nodded. "Have you implemented your charm yet?"

She nodded. "It was very successful today. We should announce it to the faculty so everyone can use it."

"I will at the next staff meeting on Saturday," Severus said before sipping his tea. He covertly looked at Hermione through his curtain of hair. She seemed to be incredibly skittish tonight. He wondered what was wrong with her.

As if sensing his stare, Hermione stood quickly, grabbing her plate. "I should be off. Good night, Severus," she cried as she hastily retreated from his presence.

He watched her go, his eyebrows furrowing. This was most unusual and disturbing behavior. He really wasn't sure what to make of it.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Another long search of the map the next night found Hermione up in a lonely classroom on the 7th floor. Severus wondered at that. Was she trying to hide from him? Too bad, he wasn't going to let her. He'd deliver her rose, then search her out. She'd soon learn there was no hiding from Severus Snape.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Severus opened the door, his wand in front of him. "Why, Hermione! I thought a couple of students were in here messing around."

Hermione jumped in her chair. Her hand came up to her chest, and she looked at Severus with wide-eyes. "Goodness, Severus! I just about jumped out of my skin!"

"Sorry, I was just patrolling the halls, and I saw some light coming from this classroom." He waved his wand as an aside. "Can't have the dunderheads out after curfew."

Hermione looked at Severus angrily. "They're not dunderheads, Severus, and you know it."

Severus shrugged. "They have to prove that before I consider them to not be dunderheads, and anyone out after curfew is obviously just that."

Hermione shook her head at him, but she had a small curve upward in her lips. He wasn't going to deem it a smile or smirk, but he knew she'd been amused. He glided up to her seat at the desk at the front of the room.

"What are you hiding from, Hermione?"

She stammered at him as she gave him an innocent look. "I'm not hiding. I just... I just needed to get away from everyone for a bit." She motioned to the stack of papers to her right. "As you can see, I have a lot of grading to do."

Severus waved his wand, and a chair pulled up behind him. He sat determinedly as Hermione watched him. That nervous look had returned, and she shifted in her seat.

"If you have a lot to do, I'll help you grade." He conjured up a quill and his special red ink.

"No!"

Severus gave her a sharp look.

"I mean, no, you don't need to do that."

"I know I don't need to do that; I'd like to help you."

"Severus, I can do this myself. I am just a little behind. I..."

Severus held up one finger. "I will help you grade these so you can have some time in your evening before you need to retire."

She opened her mouth to continue, and Severus raised his eyebrow at her. She snapped her mouth shut. Reaching over, she handed him a small stack of papers and gave him a tight smile.

His hand brushed hers as he accepted the stack. He knew it was impossible, but he thought he felt more than just her touch. Her eyes widened slightly also, mirroring his surprise. They froze for a slight second before he recovered and took the papers, placing them in front of him.

"That's better," he stated gruffly before looking down and beginning to grade.