A Chance of Breath. A Severus Snape Fanfiction (Stopped)

Chapter 12: Open and Unafraid

Hermione grimaced at herself in the mirror. She looked, prim. Elegant. Sophisticated. And she had to bite back a laugh at how ridiculous it was to see herself in such a way.

"Like it?" Ginny asked, standing behind her and smiling. Hermione caught her eyes in the reflection of the mirror and had to stop herself once more from laughing.

"Yeah. It doesn't look like me though. I'm probably going to face plant the floor in this." She replied, kicking the gown out from under her feet to emphasis it. She had to admit though, she liked what she saw, and she hoped Severus would as well. "Thank you." She murmered to Ginny, who smiled in return. 

"You're welcome. Make sure old Prof behaves himself tonight though. He may not be able to keep his hands off you in this." A wink followed this, and Hermione gasped, turning around to slap the redhead.

Eventually they made their way down to the Hall. Not much changed as they walked in. Hermione felt eyes on her as she walked. But not from anyone who she noticed. She scanned over the crown before she finally found the gaze of the person she was looking for. Sending a quick smile his way, she gave the tiniest of nods to the side door. He gave an equally small nod in return, and she headed through the door. It lead out to a dark back corridor. Following that for a little while, she went through another door into an old office. 

Within two minutes, she heard the door open again, and close as softly a possible. Snape walked into the office, and smirked when he saw her. He was dressed as he normally would. But there was something different about him. He looked, fresh. And to Hermione, utterly delicious. 

"Great minds think alike it would seem." His voice was low, dark, and Hermione swallowed before grinning, aware that her cheeks must be scarlet.

"Indeed." Snape smiled, and closed the door. A flick of his wand had charms swirling around the room, covering the door and a comfortable silence fell over the pair. 

"You look..." Snape began, letting his eyes roam over her. He shook his head and let out a small breath. "There are no words. You are beautiful." A sort of sad smile followed this and Hermione had to bite her cheek to stop herself from disagreeing. She knew he wouldn't lie to her. And hearing it come from from him, for the first time in her life, she felt it. She felt beautiful. The heat of tears burned at her eyes, and she went to him. His arms wrapped around her, and she rested her head on his chest. Closing her eyes, she let his scent and warmth wrap around her. She felt the heat again at the proximity. It was different this time though. A warmth spread through her chest. It was, intoxicating. Moving back slightly, she stared up at him and realised just how much taller than her he was. Easily a foot above her. She smiled as he caught her gaze once more.

"What is wrong my dear?" He asked, his voice soft. She shook her head and tugged on the lapels of his jacket gently, bringing his head lower so she could reach his mouth. Their lips touched and she let the warm glow spread as his hands pulled her tight against him. After only a few seconds however, he pulled away. "You didn't answer my question Hermione." He was staring down at her, his hand at her cheek, and she closed her eyes at the contact.

"Nothing. Nothings wrong." She replied, almost in a murmer. But even to her own ears she sounded unsure. 

"Hermione, look at me." She met his gaze. There was a depth there that she could get lost in. Dark orbs that absorbed her wholly, completely... Merlins little apples did she want to get lost there.

"What is love Severus?" She asked him quietly. He stopped, the silence surrounding them becoming defening. Hermione held her breath, resting her head on his chest. She couldn't look at him. But his fingertips found her chin, lifting her gaze to meet his as he looked at her with a warmth so rarely seen in his eyes.