Always Kiss Me Goodnight

Chapter Eleven - Shadows

Hermione and Severus walked into the Great Hall for breakfast. They were met with the familiar sound of noisy students and the clattering of plates. Nobody batted an eyelid as it had become somewhat common knowledge that the two of them were together although, Severus felt that students had been threatened with point losses should anyone utter a negative observation.

As they made their way up to the main table he became aware that Minerva and Dumbledore were smiling in their direction.

"Any reason as to why they are grinning at us?" Hermione whispered as they sat down.

"It's probably because of your glowing complexion Miss Granger," he said monotonously while devouring his scrambled eggs.
She blushed and continued to butter her toast.

"Good morning Miss Granger.....and Professor Snape," Remus said with too much enthusiasm for that time of the morning.
He noted Severus's glare and took a seat next to Pomona Sprout.

"There's no need to be like that you know. He's just being friendly and he did help me when I was knocked out,"

"I just cannot abide his cheeriness in the morning," came his dulcet tone.

Frederick looked at Hermione and his head of house with a bitter feeling.

"That's disgusting. Imagine a Snape with a Mudblood. It's bad enough that he is one too without  shacking up with one,"

Eric, his friend by fear, almost chocked on his pumpkin juice after hearing the slang expression.
Frederick looked at Eric in the hopes he would agree with his short rant.

"Well, Surely you do not agree with this set up. Wait till my uncle gets word of this. He will tear that Snape apart," he said while Eric anxiously nodded so as not to provoke him even more.

"Does anyone know that you knocked out Miss Granger?" Eric asked timidly as Frederick  kicked him under the table.

"Bloody hell Eric! No of course no one knows it was me. The simple fool had her back turned," he said with a sinister tone.

Severus instinctively looked at Frederick with a piercing stare that went right through the boy who put his head down to try and act normal.
Severus had always been known for his unnerving atmosphere and even the most disobedient student had broken while in his looking presence.

The Great Hall became quieter as the students finished up their morning meal and gradually filtered out to the corridors. Severus rose out of his seat and put his hand on Hermione's shoulder.

"I shall see you later. Rose will be of service to you should you need anything. Enjoy your day of rest while I teach this ungrateful lot," he said while routinely nodding at Dumbledore who was on his second round of toast.
As he stalked down the hall is black robe billowed around him before flapping around the corner.

Hermione was captivated by him and didn't notice that Minerva had taken his place.

"How are you deary? I hope Severus is looking after you accordingly. In my day, it would be unheard of for male and female living in the same quarters without being married. How times have changed," she sighed.

"I'm very well thank you. Yes, he is being the perfect gentleman. It's quite nice to have him around I dare say. He does appear to be a bit distant this morning?"

"Hmm. I believe he needs to get to the bottom of your recent predicament as it was quite serious and goes against the law even if it was an amateur attempt," Minerva replied sipping her recently poured tea.

"I feel so useless. I had my back turned and I can think any of my students would hate me that much. Anyway, I better be off. I need to prepare for Arithmancy tomorrow," she stood up and made her way from the table and chatted to a few of the younger first years on her way out, as usual they were enchanted by her.