CRUSHED (Snamione) **On Going**

Cold Shoulders

Weeks had passed since the kiss they shared on that Sunday evening
Hermione still worked alongside him on weekday evenings and occasionally kept him company on the weekends, she wanted to give him his space
They hadn't kissed since that night, but they shared smiles and loving glances
Hermione understood that Severus would need time to adjust to the relationship between them
He had his concerns with boundaries and also his fears of being hurt
But it suited Hermione just fine, she knew that he cared about her, that he wanted her and that's all that mattered

Hermione had kept Harry up to date on all the gossip, naturally
Ron wasn't talking to her because he was being immature but she couldn't care less

"So Hermione, who are you going to the Yule Ball with?" Harry asked as he filled his plate with eggs and toast.
"I don't have anyone to go with Harry" she groaned
"Yes you do" Harry winked at her in jest
"I cannot go with Severus that would be totally inappropriate and besides, have you ever noticed that he's never on staff duty that night?" Hermione asked Harry
"Yeah, I guess now we know why" Harry nodded
"I just can't believe there's a nice person under that ice man image"
"I know it's hard to believe, I'm still struggling to get my head around it myself" she laughed

"Are you going with Cho?" Hermione asked
"No, we broke up" Harry said sadly
"What? Why?" Hermione asked putting her hand on his arm
"Just wasn't working out"
Harry looked glum
"We could go together, the two dateless losers" Hermione joked
"That's a great idea! I accept your offer my lady"

Hermione looked up at the staff table and saw that Severus was watching her intently
She gave him a warm smile and he smirked in return

"I need to go into Hogsmeade today, I need to rent a tux for the ball"
"I need a dress, I didn't think I would be going. And you Harry can help me choose!" Hermione grinned
"Oh no, I hate it when girls go clothes shopping they take ages" Harry nudged her arm

After she finished her Breakfast Hermione left the hall to meet Harry outside
Severus left the hall just after her and stopped her in her tracks
"And where are you going Miss Granger?" He inquired sexily
"Hogsmeade with Harry, I need a dress for the ball" she smiled
"You are going with Potter?" He asked looking disappointed
"Yes, I would have preferred to go with you but I knew that you detest that kind of thing, and you would never go with a student anyway"

"You know me well, But why him?" Severus asked casually trying his hardest not to look jealous
"Because he has just broken up with Cho and has no one to go with, and neither do I" Hermione smiled looking up into eyes lovingly
Severus started to relax, "I didn't know Mr Potter and Miss Chang were involved romantically"
"They were for a long time, but they broke up and Harry is really down in the dumps" she said sadly.

"We'll take this, but make sure it's green for your favourite Slytherin" he chuckled passing her a small bag of galleons
"I cant take this Severus" Hermione told him pushing the bag of coins back towards him
"You can, and you will, it is a gift" he smiled pushing the bag back to her, she reached up to kiss his cheek but he moved back "Not here" he said softly

She left the castle with Harry feeling very happy and went to catch the Hogwarts Express
They arrived in Hogsmeade and made their way to the shop they needed
Once inside they split up to look through the racks of clothing
Hermione picked out 3 green ball gowns to try on and Harry picked out 2 tuxedos
Harry went into the changing room and flicked his wand changing into the tux instantly
He stepped out for Hermione to see "Wow Harry you look amazing" she smiled and began feeling the material of the black tuxedo "It's nicely tailored too, it suits you perfectly"

"Right, I'll try the other one" He said before disappearing into the cubicle again
Harry stepped out a second time and Hermione screwed her face up
"No, it doesn't have the same pizazz of the first one, you should get the first one" she sighed
Harry agreed, she had good taste after all.

"Your turn" He gesture her to get a wriggle on
When she stepped out of the cubicle in the first dress Harry started laughing hysterically
"You look like one of those dolls people have to cover the toilet roll" he laughed tears streaming down his face, clutching at his chest because he laughed a little too hard

Hermione sighed and went back to try the next one
"Now that's lovely!" Harry told her as she stepped out and twirled
"I really like that one on you" Hermione liked it too
"Ok, just try the third one and we're done" Harry sighed slightly bored
Hermione shuffled back into the little room and seconds later emerged in the third and final dress
"Wow! Just wow!" Harry grinned rising to his feet
"Hermione you look amazing in this, and I mean it, you have to choose this one!" He demanded
Hermione laughed at his intense liking of the dress
"It's funny when I picked out the 3 I knew this was the one..."

After they had purchased their outfits they went into the three broomsticks for a drink
They say down and ordered two butter beers
"Tell me something, honestly... Do you think it's serious with Snape?" Harry asked
"Yes..I have never felt this way I think I'm in love with him" Hermione told him honestly
"Wow, I thought it would just be a bit of fun"
"It's different, he's different it's like when I'm with him nobody else matters"
"Have you?..." Harry arched an eyebrow
"No, but I want to" she smirked
"Jeez, that's crazy". He shook his head in disbelief
Hermione laughed as Harry blushed

"Are you talking to Ron again yet? Or does he still get the cold shoulder?"
"He doesn't get a cold shoulder he gets a frozen one, I really don't think we will be friends again"
Hermione looked sad as she thought about happier times
"You might as well make up and be friends again, I mean you're not gonna be hurt by him cos you have your Slytherin prince now" Harry teased
"Who can't wait to slytherin to you"
"Shut up Harry!" Hermione scolded him even though she was laughing
"He's gonna Slytherin to hermioneeeee" Harry panted in hysterics
"Oww!" Harry cried out as Hermione slapped him