Unavoidable Attraction

Parents and Professions

The next few months at Hogwarts seemed to repeat like clockwork. Hermione would wake up and attend her classes making sure to eat meals with her friends and spend some time with them. After dinner, she'd make her way down to the potions classroom where she and Severus would both sit at his desk. He would be hunched over essays while she thoughtfully studied her books and wrote essays.

Occasionally, professor McGonagall would stop in to make sure they were still following the rules, and shed peer in the door and witness their intense focus but their hands were always intertwined.

Once curfew approached, Hermione would kiss Severus goodnight, and travel up the stairs to the Gryffindor common room where she'd continue to study with Ginny and Neville.

This same pattern continued day in and day out, and they both enjoyed it. Routine was calming to both of them. That's one reason she and Ron didn't work out. He was so disorganized and ready to do anything on a whim, that their days were so different.

One day, as Hermione was bent over her history of magic book, Severus cleared his throat and turned to her. She was confused by his state of discomfort and tilted her head like a small puppy.

"Hermione...?"

"Yes Severus?"

"I have an important question for you, and I would really appreciate it if you didn't laugh."

Hermione was slightly stunned and confused. "Um... Alright. What is it?"

"Could we uh...." He paused and took in a deep breath while closing his eyes. "Could we go and see your parents?"

a huge grin broke across Hermione's face. She placed a hand on his cheek and giggled slightly. "Of course Severus! I've been meaning to ask you for weeks now, I just thought you might freak out."

He gave a low chuckle and leaned in to peck her lips. "Good, because I've already sent them an owl."

Hermione's grin quickly turned into shock. "You what?!"

"I sent them an owl asking if we could join them for tea Saturday afternoon. They've agreed."

"I can't imagine what they are thinking. I haven't told them about you yet."

Severus gave a devious smile and turned back to his grading. Hermione huffed a little but left the conversation there. Her thoughts wandered from how her parents would react, to why Severus was so eager to meet them. It worried her enough that she couldn't focus on her homework anymore and slammed the book shut.

Severus jumped a little, but his eyes didn't stray from the long piece of parchment in front of him. She sat there watching him scribble angry notes in the margins and crossing off several lines at a time. He was so harsh with his grading , she questioned how anyone ever passed one of his classes.

An hour ticked by before the door creaked open and professor McGonagall stepped through. She had a large smile on her face as she approached the desk.

Severus glared at her and continued to grade once he realized she wasn't there for him.

"Oh Hermione! I have wonderful news!"

Hermione looked around for a moment before asking what the exciting news was.

"Well, professor Flitwick has decided that he will retire at the end of this term, and we are in need of a new charms professor!"

Hermione was confused was again as she just stared at McGonagall.

Professor McGonagall laughed and continued. "Well, the two of us were talking, and you have always done so well in his classes, we were curious to see if you would like to take over his position starting next year. You would have to be an apprentice until the end of term, and he would continue to train you during the summer months, but we both thought it was a marvelous idea!"

Hermione got a large smile and turned to Severus who stared blankly at the two of them.

"Professor, I'm honored. Honestly, I couldn't think of a better job!" She stood up and walked around to hug professor McGonagall tightly. "I mean I would have to discuss it with my parents, but I would be absolutely overjoyed to accept!"

The two women began talking excitedly and Severus tried to ignore them. He couldn't think of anything better than to work with her and he hid a small smile. Things would work out perfectly for them, and he knew this next year was going to be an amazing one.