The Mud-Blood Princess | Severus x Hermione

18 - Sneaking Around

The next morning, I awoke with anything but grace; my hair was untameable and my eyes were red and puffy. Never in my life had I experienced such vivid dreams until the start of this year. I didn't know what had gotten into me lately, but it definitely wasn't good. Breakfast was horrific, I felt like the ugly duckling, sticking out like a sore thumb and being everyone's topic of conversation. Even the professors looked shocked at my appearance. I was fully aware of everyone's eyes on me, or that's what I felt anyway.

Severus Snape. He had to be the reason. I'd never had any issues with learning or studying, sleeping, eating or anything until him and I got closer. I flicked my eyes up from my empty plate, finding Snape at the teachers' table and spotted him instantly. It was as though I'd tethered myself to him for life and everything he did caused a brand new obsession for me.

Scolding myself of my nonsense - having previously lost my appetite as soon as I entered the Hall - I grabbed my things and stormed out of the Hall, ignoring those who called after me in worry. I paced down the hallways and ended up at the bathroom in which Harry had attacked Draco that night; I knew no one would come up here and I was grateful I could sob without being found. Just as I expected, it was totally empty and silent so I let out a loud groan and threw my backpack across the floor. My heart was heavy from holding so many things in, hiding secrets from people I cared about and not knowing what I was doing with Snape.

I knew I needed to speak with Dumbledore about all this but how would I even start? "Hi sir, I've been having an illegal affair with one of your Professors!" It even sounded ridiculous, because it was! So deliciously ridiculous...

I rinsed my hands off in one of the old tattered sinks and stared into the musty mirror, splashing my face with the water. I watched as the droplets slid down my temples and cheeks, my messy hair stuck to the sides of my face. My bottom lip trembled, and I bit onto it to keep it in place. Despite my efforts, I let out a whimper of confusion and frustration, just before noticing a figure shift behind me. "What are you doing here?" I gasped, spinning around to see Draco standing before me, his hands hidden inside his black blazer pockets. He looked so mature and -dare I say- handsome in that suit. He knew it, too. He waltzed around all day wearing it, and I had no idea how he got away with it.

"Nothing," I lied. He saw straight through my lies, his empty eyes heavy with sleep deprivation, as were mine. He may have been vile, but he looked awful and it was rather unpleasant to witness his rapid unfolding. I wanted to help him deeply, he screamed lonely and desperate.

"Draco?" I said softly just as he turned on his heel to leave, wiping my face with my sleeve. He stopped in his tracks and his body turned rigid. Turning his head ever so slightly, I could see his jaw clenching with anger at the sound of my voice. My body tensed up as I watched his knuckles turn white with rage, I wanted so desperately to ask if he was alright, but my throat became dry and I couldn't muster the words. Draco knew I was terrified; he smirked, his eyes still avoiding me and his head turned back forward as he strutted out of the bathroom.

I exhaled as I watched him turn the corner and felt my eyes prick with tears once more. Quickly gathering some courage, I grabbed my bag and hurried after Draco, making sure to be as quiet as I could. I needed to know what he was up to. His platinum hair gently whisked in the breeze of the corridors as he turned corners harshly, one hand in the pocket of his slacks and the other hanging relaxed by his side. I crept down the halls behind him, watching his every move. I could feel my heart beating in my veins as he stopped in front of a wall - a blank wall. Draco stood still, and after a few seconds, a huge door emerged from the bricks before him.

"The Room of Requirement!" I mouthed silently, my eyes growing wide as he checked his surroundings. He checked his surroundings and I zipped back behind the wall I was hiding behind, hoping he didn't see nor hear me, then heard the door open and close. What would he be doing in there? Why did he have access to the Room of Requirement? Is that where the Cabinet is? Before I could find out the answers to all my questions, Draco had slipped through the large door, which vanished behind him.

Draco Malfoy was always one for showing off his net worth and father's power, but never had he been so secretive. Not that he'd share his secrets with a Mud-Blood such as myself. I had no worth whatsoever in comparison to Draco, so why would he dare speak to me in the first place?

"Sneaking around the castle... Miss Granger?" A deep, slow voice hummed. I jumped, spinning round and clutching my chest. My heart leaped as I faced Snape, who was glaring down at me as usual. "Some might say you're... up to something," he continued. Rolling my eyes, I straightened shoulders and cleared my throat. "I'm not up to anything - nothing that concerns you anyway!" I spoke confidently, though my twitching eyes likely read differently.

"You insolent -" He started, but was cut off by a stunned looking Professor McGonagall, who had just saved me from a haranguing. "Professor Snape," she snapped, her brows furrowed in concern, "I shall take it from here." She turned to me and her face softened. I could always count on the kind Witch to save me from Snape.
"My dear, the Headmaster requires your attendance right away." I gave Snape a sly smirk as I followed McGonagall, brushing my hand against his as I passed him. I didn't understand what was going on between the two of us but I loved the thrill of it. Pissing him off felt exhilarating.

As we reached the end of the hallway, I could still hear the faint grumbling of Snape as he sulked over the deprivation of punishment. I turned back and watched as he swooped around the corner on the opposite end of the hallway and couldn't help but smile to myself when his cloak was the last part of him to disappear. "Miss Granger, you'll have to ignore Severus' attitude. It's not my place to say but he has a lot on his plate as of late," McGonagall confessed, her voice sullen and her face revealed her concern for her friend and colleague. I just nodded, not wanting to butt in, but I instantly became curious. What could possibly bring Snape down of all people?

Once we reached Dumbledore's office, I could hear the muffled voices of the headmaster and someone familiar - Harry. Professor McGonagall opened the door for me and I thanked her, making my way into the office. Dumbledore and Harry were stood by a levitating dish filled with water, colours of blue and grey swirling around inside it. Harry had his face submerged in the pool, his hands clutching the sides. "Ah Miss Granger! Thank you for joining!" He ushered me over to them. I was confused as to why I was needed, but if it meant I was distracted from Draco and Snape then I was grateful.

"By now, you must recognise what this is?" Dumbledore asked, waving towards the floating dish of water  and I tilted my head. "Yes, I have read about Pensieves, thought I've never seen one in person before." He just smiled, as Harry's head emerged from the water and he returned his round glasses to his face. "Well?" Dumbledore asked Harry, who looked confused as he turned to face me. His shoulders shrugged, not quite understanding what Dumbledore was showing him. "No matter," he said, cutting Harry off before asking me, "Any luck with Draco?" I widened my eyes, having forgotten about that for a split moment. I gave him an excited smile. "Excellent! Sit, both of you!" He waved his hand over the floor before his desk and two armchairs appeared out of thin air.

I explained to both wizards what I'd seen earlier on and my findings were more than satisfactory. I was pleased that Dumbledore seemed content with my information, and suddenly my shoulders felt a little lighter. Harry and I were dismissed and escorted to the dungeons by Professor McGonagall, seeing as we had Potions with Slughorn now. Things with him and Harry were a little tense now that we knew about his hidden conversation with Tom Riddle back in the day, but Harry had assured him that it was for the greater good that Dumbledore knew the truth.

What we had to do now, was a total mystery.