Let Me In

Chapter Twelve

The following morning Snape woke confused with a headache. He carefully opened his eyes, adjusting to the light - blinking rapidly as he did, and realised that he'd slept on his armchair next to the fire. On the floor next to him was an empty bottle of Firewhisky. Ah, that's right; after Granger had left last night he'd attempted to solve his problems the only way he knew how - the only thing his father had ever taught him: drinking. Granger had really struck a nerve with him last night. All he'd ever wanted his whole life was somebody to value him, appreciate him, be his friend. She offered him all of this yet he continued to push her away. She's your student! He argued with himself, twenty years your junior and a Gryffindor! She is seventeen though, his subconscious retaliated, meaning that she is of age. He sighed and rubbed his face, attempting to wake himself up. Granger was the first person to ever willingly be his friend since Lily. No, he wouldn't compare her to Lily; nobody could compare. Perhaps that was what intrigued him about Granger, the similarities her and Lily share: both hard-headed, intelligent, strong willed, muggleborn Gryffindors. If there was a God, maybe he'd sent Granger here to taunt him, to give him a daily reminder of Lily. Seems exactly the type of thing that so called 'benevolent' bastard would do, he thought. He ran his fingers through his greasy hair and reluctantly dragged himself down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Teachers weren't necessarily permitted to attend breakfast at weekends but Snape preferred to keep a close eye on the student body. After all, he was the head of Slytherin house and he knew first hand how dangerous students could be when left unsupervised.

He was sat at the head table, scowling into his porridge, when he heard the familiar voices of the 'Golden Trio' entering the Great Hall. He watched as they took their seats at Gryffindor table. Hermione looked up at him and smiled a warm, genuine smile - to which he nodded back in acknowledgement. A couple of seats down Dumbledore chuckled lightly in amusement; he'd obviously witnessed their brief interaction. Annoyed, Snape rose from his seat and stalked back to his chambers. Hermione watched him leave, confused.

Once back in his office, Snape sat at his desk to continue grading. He always regretted how much homework he handed out when it came time to mark it. Perhaps I could split some of this work with Granger, he thought. He then mentally scolded himself for thinking about her - damn that girl. He really ought to put a stop to all of this, it had gone too far already, it wasn't appropriate. What had gone too far? What wasn't appropriate? His subconscious argued back. The girl was a healing apprentice, he was obviously going to see her at some point; she's highly intelligent- though he loathes to admit it - and he has far too much work, which she is more than capable of doing for him; it only made sense. No, this justification and reasoning was exactly why it needed to be stopped. He rubbed his face, sighing, beyond exasperated.

Just as he was about to give up grading and retire back to his arm chair and Firewhisky, there was a knock at his office door

"Enter" he called. Granger, of course. Who else would it be? Snape sat in silence, waiting for her to speak first

"I've finished with these quizzes, sir" she told him. She seemed calm and relaxed, which annoyed him

"Put them on my desk, I have some more for you" Hermione dropped the file on his desk and he handed her a new one; she continued standing there, now looking slightly nervous

"Are you going to just stand there, looking lost, or are you going to ask me the question that you're obviously so desperate to ask?" He snapped

"I was just wondering, sir, whether I'd be able to work in here for a while? The common room is full and I can barely hear myself think in there" lucky you, he thought

"You really are relentless, aren't you? Very well, you may stay, on the condition that you remain quiet and allow me to work in peace"

"Of course, sir" she obliged happily and sat across from him. He had a horrible feeling that she was becoming far too comfortable around him, it unnerved him. They worked in silence for the next forty five minutes before Hermione inevitably spoke