Let Me In

Chapter Fourteen

Dumbledore was sat in his office studying a cracked ring when a silver Otter came gliding through the window

"Professor Dumbledore, I'm here with Professor Snape. He doesn't look too badly injured, he looks a lot worse than he is"

"Get on with it" he heard Snape snap in the background

"Mind's definitely still intact" Dumbledore chuckled, he could practically hear her eyes rolling "just a few cuts and bruises, I'll fix him up" the Otter faded and he smiled knowingly. He knew his plan wouldn't fail. They challenged each other and made an impeccable pair. All a matter of time, he thought to himself happily.

It was one week into the Easter holidays and Grimmauld Place was as busy as ever. Although she normally adored this environment, Hermione had become noticeably depressed. It started with her not speaking much and avoiding eye-contact; progressing to her skipping meals and Ginny told Harry and Ron that she was sure she heard her crying every night through the thin walls of their conjoined bedrooms.

Harry and Ron decided they were just going to interrogate her, remind her that she had friends that she could speak to. Excusing themselves from the dinner table, they stormed up the stairs, surprised to find Hermione, just leaving her bedroom

"Hermione" Ron said "where are you going?"

"The library" she answered monotonously, avoiding their eyes, suddenly very interested in a loose thread on the end of her sleeve

"Hermione will you please talk to us?" Harry asked "you haven't been yourself in the past week, what's wrong?"

"There's nothing wrong Harry" she finally met his gaze "I just realised how close exams are and how little studying I've done; been trying to catch up on it all really"

"What are you going on about?" Ron asked incredulously "you've done more revision than Harry and me put together"

"And it's still not enough Ron! Do you have any idea how difficult it is trying to get all of my work done for the infirmary, keep on top of all my homework and make sure I get a sufficient amount of revision done for our exams? No, I didn't think so. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to the library" she stormed away from them, their mouths agape and their expressions dumbstruck.

She walked into the library, sitting in the armchair by the fire, bringing back bad memories as she did. She dropped her head into her hands thinking back to a few nights ago.

***

"Miss Granger, I think we need to talk"

"Yes sir, we do" neither of them knew what to say as they looked at each other, neither one daring to break eye contact

"Though I am flattered by your... affection, I don't believe it is appropriate"

"I know sir, I never had any intention of you finding out, I'm as mortified as you. I guess it's just a bit of a stupid school crush really" Snape sighed quietly, he knew exactly how dangerous a 'stupid school crush' could be.

"So we're in agreement then?" He asked her "that this isn't to be spoken about, to anyone; this is the end of the subject"

"Yes, sir" she felt slightly crushed

"And, Miss Granger, I think it wise that we limit our contact to the classroom and the Infirmary only. Me as your professor; you as my healer" Hermione dropped her head

"Yes, sir. I agree" Snape could sense her disappointment and felt, almost, sorry for her. This was the right thing to do, he reasoned with himself. Best to stop it before it starts. After all, it wasn't appropriate; it was against school rules. Though when had he ever been bothered by school rules? He scoffed inwardly. She was of age and surely anybody who knew Hermione Granger knew she was certainly wise enough to make her own decisions and, while she was youthful in looks, she was undoubtedly old in heart and in mind. No, he couldn't nor wouldn't justify this. He had to put an end to it