Against The Odds

Chapter 9 - The Hangover

Things had been fairly quiet after the teachers had warded the school with the Ministry. Hermione and Dillon were becoming friends, despite Severus' extreme distaste for it. Harry had been keeping Severus up on his findings about Dillon Dupont, but it all kept leading to dead ends.

Hermione sat in Severus' office, grading papers and feeling quite bored. "Sir, are you going to the Halloween Ball," she asked. Normally the wizarding world didn't recognize Halloween, in that sense, but Minerva figured that with the influx of muggle born wizards and witches coming in, they should change that. So she did, and she announced that there would be a masquerade ball for years four and up.

Severus made a snorting sound in his throat, not bothering to look up at the female. "Certainly not willingly. Unfortunately, Minerva is going to make it mandatory for all staff to be in attendance to make sure the students behave," he retorted as he slashed an F across the top of the parchment he was grading.

"Oh, yes I knew she was making it mandatory, I forgot," she blushed furiously. "Are you going to dress up," she then asked as she marked the parchment she had with a B minus.

That question made Severus choke on air. Of course Minerva had made a point to say that she preferred if everyone dressed up, but that in itself wasn't mandatory. He now looked up from the parchment and narrowed his eyes at her. "Do I look like the kind of person that would dress up in a silly costume," he asked snidely.

Hermione had to hold back her laugh remembering when Neville made the Snape boggart wear his grandmother's clothes. "No, sir," she mumbled, because if she spoke any louder, her laugh would burst forth.

"What's so funny," he asked, seeing the mirth in her eyes building up.

Hermione shut her eyes and shook her head. "Nothing," she replied as she got up to go grab a tissue.

Severus was out of his chair and spinning her around so fast that it was almost inhuman. "What is so funny," he articulated again as he backed her against the wall. His dark eyes probed her face and fell on her plump lips more than once.

"N-" before she could get the word out, his lips slammed against hers. The kiss wasn't unpleasant, just unexpected, and she didn't pull away.

After a moment, Severus quickly pulled away and backed up, shocked at what he had done. "Get out," he said coldly.

Hermione blinked in confusion. "I'm sorry, what," she asked.

"Out," he bellowed, making her sprint from his office. He began pacing and ran both his hands through his hair.

She's a student!

Correction, she WAS a student.

I'm so much older than her!

Correction, you WERE so much older than her.

A war was raging inside of him and it was driving him mad. He grabbed the work of the students and stormed to his room for a much needed drink.

Hermione sat on her couch, idly twirling a string for Princess to chase. She hadn't expected that kiss from Severus and she found that she didn't despise it.

He's the dungeon bat! The dreaded Potions Professor!

And while that was true, she seemed to find that in their quite moments, he was quite compatible and tolerable. Her head was spinning and for once, she actually wanted to have a drink to take the edge off. Hating to do what she was about to do, Hermione summoned a house Elf and asked her to bring up some firewhiskey and a glass for her. The house Elf nodded, making it's big ears flop and then it was gone with a pop.

Severus had heard the faint pop of a house elf in the other room and he was curious. He knew all about her stance with house Elf oppression and that rubbish, so it was curious for her of all people to summon one. He quickly walked to the door adjoining the rooms and listened to her request, which made him smirk slightly. He drank back his drink them went to pour another.

The following day, Hermione's head was throbbing when she woke up. "Drink this," a cool voice said as a pale hand holding a vial moved in front of her face.

"Severus," she asked as her sleepy eyes focused on his face. "Why are you here? What is that," she asked as she quickly covered herself. She wasn't naked, but still, she was in bed with a man staring at her.

Severus rolled his eyes. "I heard your request last night and so I decided you would need this, it's a potion I made for hangovers," he stated coolly. "Drink it."

Eyeing the bottle wearily, Hermione nodded and took it slowly from his hand before popping out the cork and drinking it down quickly. She coughed as the acrid taste seemed to burn into her tastebuds. "It tastes like tar," she choked as she reached for her glass of water.

That gained a chuckle from Severus. "Yes, I suppose it does, but it works fast," he replied as he quickly stood up after catching himself almost pushing some hair from her face.

It did work fast and she was able to watch him move away from her quickly. "Thank you," she replied softly as Severus began to head for the door.

"You're welcome," he replied without even looking back as he walked through the door. She took note that his robes weren't billowing behind him, but she couldn't concentrate on what he had been wearing.

After a befuddled moment, Hermione got up and decided to head down to Hogsmead to get a costume. She was annoyed that Severus had been spying on her, but grateful for the Potion he had supplied her with. Then of course, there was that kiss between them. That kiss that had caused her to drink, because her emotions were all over the place because of it. "Hey Hermione," Harry's familiar voice called, breaking her from her thoughts.

She looked up and smiled when she spotted Harry and Draco walking over to her. "You look like you've got a lot on your mind," Draco stated as the two got closer to her.

"Ah yes... Well..." She really didn't know how to reply, because everything on her mind would make them cringe.

Harry tilted his head. "Come on, you can tell us," he stated, knowing his best friend was turmoiled.

They headed to The Three Broomsticks and sat in a corner while they each had a drink Hermione told them everything. "Wait, Severus Snape kissed you," Harry asked as Draco smirked.

"Is that so hard to believe," she bit back.

"Well yeah... Ow," Draco had kicked Harry under the table.

"What he means to say is, While you are beautiful, Severus has never quite been one to show affection," Draco stated. Harry nodded in agreement realizing how rude he sounded.

Hermione smiled softly at the pair and nodded. "Well, I need a costume and then I need yo get back to the castle," she told them once their drinks were through. She hugged them both before heading to the costume shop.

I do apologize for the wait, had a bit of a cold that wouldn't go away. This is more of a filler chapter, but important things did happen. Hope you're enjoying the story!!