Love

Hermione walked through the corridors, anticipation building inside her. This was it. Tonight, after months of slowly building up their friendship, tonight she would tell him. It was obvious to even the simplest of people that they were meant for each other. The anticipation was threatening to overwhelm, and she stopped a moment to relax again.

Memories of the past few months invaded her mind and took over. The two of them lying on the grass near the lake during vacation; cuddling up on the lounge in his dungeons when they were meant to be going over lesson plans. When she looked into his eyes, she was lost. Many nights had been spent with just the two of them staring unwaveringly into each others eyes. Clichéd and overused, but magical once it happened.

That was REAL magic. The practice of wand waving that dear Severus was so against, that wasn't real. Potions didn't even come close to being real. The feeling of losing ones self in another's eyes, of locking gazes and just knowing that no one else on earth matters in that moment, THAT is to know real magic. Anything else is just superficial obsequiousness.

To think that she, Hermione Granger, had found someone to share that with in the form of the sarcastic potions master was amazing. If she hadn't accepted the job as charms mistress when Flitwick had retired, she would be missing out on this whole world.

All the walls that were usually in place had disappeared easily and quickly when faced with Severus' friendship. Masks were unnecessary on both their parts. It was so easy for them to talk, so easy to share things that would normally be hidden from all.

Everyone had noticed the changes that had gradually occurred within them both. Severus' sarcasm was lighter, and had a teasing air to it. Hermione now walked around with a smile on her face, and was continually optimistic.

Finally after all those months spent together, she had decided that tonight, they would move up to the next level. Tonight she would finally be able to claim that he was hers, and she was his. No one can understand the full implications of those statements until they felt for themselves what she felt for him.

When she was fully relaxed, she started off once more towards the dungeons, and the happiness she was bound to find there.

****

Severus finished marking the first year papers at his desk and stretched. It was surprising to him that so many of his students were passing these days. Obviously each generation was getting more intelligent.

Looking around his rooms, Severus noted a book Hermione had left there the night before. Picking it up, he smiled and remembered the look of pure joy that had crossed her face as she'd been reading it in front of the fire.

It delighted him to think that he had found another human being that could take the same pleasure from reading as he did. Spending time with Hermione was making him feel things he thought he'd never feel again.

Of course he wasn't in love. The Potions Master of Hogwarts did not fall in love with know-it-all mudbloods. Or with anyone really. But it was good to be able to spend some time taking pleasure in another's company. Because that's all it is. Pleasure in other people's company. Both of them felt the same on the matter.

Although lately Severus had begun to get the impression that Hermione had more on her mind then just companionship. Hopefully she would come to her senses before potentially ruining what had become a good situation.

A light, feminine voice uttering the password to his rooms startled him out of his reverie. Looking up into the eyes of Hermione, he suddenly knew. Tonight she was going to tell him. He had to stop her from making a fool of herself... But how?

'Severus, you found my book. I was wondering where I had left that.'

'Ahh so you do visit other males at night to read books with then? I always suspected this was the case.'

'Hiding your jealousy behind a half joking, half sarcastic tone doesn't fool me Severus. You should know by now that you're the only male I like spending so much time with.'

'Hermione, stop. Wherever it is you're going with this... just don't.'

'I love you Severus. I know you love me too. We could make things so much better.'

'They don't need to be better... They're fine the way they are. Please Hermione, don't ruin this.'

'Ruin it? What are you talking about? Don't tell me you haven't thought about us as a possibility Severus. I know you have. Why are you doing this to me?'

'I think you should go and calm down. When you're less excited you'll be able to think clearly and see that all we have is a friendship.'

Disbelief was splashed all over Hermione's face. Slowly it was overcome with a stubbornness she'd possessed almost since birth.

'If this is what you want Severus, I'll leave. But I won't return. I'll leave Hogwarts tonight, and you will not see me again.'

'Hermione, you're over reacting. After you think about it, I'm sure you'll see...'

He was cut off by the slamming of his door. Her regression to muggle ways of temper tantrums belied just how upset she really was.

****

An hour later on his rounds about the school, he spotted her climbing into a carriage. Before her head disappeared he noted the tears trickling down her cheeks. It was in that moment that it struck him what he had just lost.

It was love, and he had let her slip away. Now they would both pay for the rest of their lives.