Between Lessons and Lies

Chapter 2 : Slughorn's party, an unpromising beginning

When they arrived at Slughorn's party, the room was filled with chatter and the clinking of glasses. Students and professors mingled in a sea of fine robes and glittering decorations. Hermione scanned the crowd, her breath catching slightly as her eyes darted from one familiar face to another. Her heart raced. Was Snape even here?

Ginny leaned in, nudging her slightly. "You're looking for someone, aren't you?"

Hermione forced a laugh, shaking her head. "No, just... seeing who's around."

But in truth, she couldn't stop herself from wondering—Would she see him tonight? Would he even notice her?

Hermione's thoughts spiraled as she tried to make sense of the strange pull she felt. (No, I don't like him), she reminded herself firmly. It was the same argument she had been rehearsing over and over in her mind. Snape was cold, harsh, impossible to please—everything she had always despised in a teacher. Yet, despite all that, here she was, wondering why she cared so much whether he'd show up tonight.

(Why do I want to see him?), she questioned herself, frustration creeping in. It wasn't logical. He was just her professor, nothing more. The advanced lessons were purely academic—necessary, even. But something about his presence, the intensity in his eyes during those late-night lessons, made her restless in a way she didn't quite understand.

She frowned, trying to shake off the thought. (It's just because I want to learn), she reasoned. (I'm doing this for my grades, my future). But the little voice in the back of her mind wouldn't be quiet. Was that really all there was to it? If so, why was she scanning the crowd, secretly hoping he'd be there?

(Because he's brilliant), a traitorous voice in her mind whispered. (Smart, talented...). She could feel her heart quicken as she listed all the reasons she admired him. His precision with potions, the way he could effortlessly command a room with just a few words. His deep, smooth voice—

Her eyes widened. (What?) she thought, horrified at her own trail of thoughts. (Why am I thinking about his voice?). She shook her head quickly, trying to dismiss the unsettling feelings. (This isn't right). She shouldn't be thinking about Snape like this. He was just a professor, nothing more. And yet, there was something about him she couldn't quite push away. Something that made her want to see him, to hear him speak again.

Hermione's eyes flickered anxiously around the room, scanning every corner for a glimpse of Snape, but there was no sign of him. Her stomach knotted as she tried to suppress the disappointment creeping in. (Stop it, Hermione), she scolded herself. (Just stop it).

Sensing her own unease, she turned to Ginny and blurted out, "So, have you talked to Luna lately? She's always up to something interesting, isn't she?"

Ginny raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the sudden shift in topic. "Luna? Uh, yeah, I guess. She's been going on about Nargles again, something about them infesting the mistletoe."

Hermione forced a laugh, nodding a little too quickly. "Right. That sounds like her." She glanced around the room again, hoping the conversation would distract her from the unsettling absence of the one person she couldn't stop thinking about.

Ginny, perceptive as ever, narrowed her eyes slightly but let it go, continuing to chat casually about Luna's latest peculiarities. But Hermione wasn't really listening. She could feel her pulse quicken every time someone in black robes passed by, only to realize it wasn't him.

"So... how are things with Dean? Any better? You two were fighting a lot the last time we talked."

Ginny sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Yeah, we've... we've been better, I guess. The fighting isn't as bad as before, but it's still there, you know? He's just, well, he can be a bit overbearing sometimes. Like, always wanting to carry my books or help me with things I don't need help with."