Something Undefined

Ignored

Goosebumps invaded Hermione's body upon being met with those whispered words.

What did he need to know???

Most importantly.... why??

Why did it matter to him?

Why did she matter to him?

Explaining to herself that he was her teacher, with almost as much teaching experience as her age, she deferred to his orders.

Yeah so now you are going to confess your lil' schoolgirl crush for him, right?

Damn you, brain. Shut up for once!! He's right in front of me...!!

There's your chance. It'll take you just one move to close this distance.

Noooo.... you can NOT be doing this right now.

Just trynna imagine what he CAN BE doing with you right now...

Hermione mentally slapped herself.

Little did she realise that one of the best Legillimens was sitting across her.

Truth be told, with all of this NOTICING AND BEING NOTICED GAME and that toad of a lady, The Pinky Dolores Umbridge, and the things going on with The Order, Hermione's life was as if a fast forward.

The only serenity she was able to enjoy was such moments, like right now.

Her mind started again....

All alone.

In the Dungeons.

Complete silence.

No one to disturb.

No one to see.

No one to judge.

Only a few inches between...

The man you are head over heels for...

You can't run from me, lil' Hermio-ninny.

NOW IT WAS ENOUGH!!!!!

Hermione was about to debate aggressively with her subconscious self when the clearing of a throat in particular brought her back to her senses.

"Lost in your thoughts again, Miss Granger? If I were you, taken the circumstances as you are in right now, I would have followed what my punishment was." Hermione bowed her head and picked up the quill.

Gimme one chance, and I'll tell you what your punishment should be!!

Shut the hell up BRAINNN!

That was enough..

"Begin with your obsessions." Snape commanded.

Hermione began to write.

Obsessions
Books
Studies
Marks
Striving for Perfection
Helping friends whenever needed

The quill sent soft green sparks shooting out of it which made it clear that Hermione wasn't lying.

"You see right there, Miss Granger, as we go down in your list, we discover how cornered you are by such insignificant things on your mind."

Hermione's face turned red with embarrassment.

"I-I get your point, Professor," she somehow managed to speak.

It seemed to her as if she was a mere object of entertainment for that man.

"Time for your deepest desires."

Although he was a feet in front of her, her eyes looking down at the paper could sense as if he was hovering just above her.

She followed him.

To be an Auror
To always know everything
To get my unrequited love returned

Hermione couldn't stop herself from penning down what flowed through her mind via that special quil and inked itself on the parchment.

"Interesting! I see what you have written down there. This wasn't even my slightest expectation from you to have a schoolgirl crush on someone. This is your age to study, not fancy someone around. Nevertheless, it is you who we are talking about. You, Hermione Jean Granger, love someone??"

Hermione's eyes welled up with tears but she fought hard to keep them back.

Silence enveloped them both. A question about love??
And who was even asking? A man who is desperately in love since the age of just 11 with a girl who never loved him back. Even after her death, he can't get over her. He ... HEEE IS SAYING .... HE IS ASKING WHETHER SHE LOVE SOMEONE??

A hundred things occupied Hermione's brain. And it began again.

Tell him it is him only.

Tell him how you observe everything.

Tell him how much you admire his black cloak.

Tell him you cherish his company, even if he is directing insults towards you.

Tell him Granger...

Tell him...

Tell Severus Snape...

That you love him...

Infinitely.

Snape's eyes grew wide. But he did not allow his astonishment to reflect through his face or actions.

"Well I suppose you are unable to handle being confronted with your own thoughts. So I reckon that's it for today. You can leave, Miss Granger."
He was still his cruel persona.

Hermione left without a word lest he read her mind.

But little did she realise that he'd already done that and was now sitting alone pondering about how to handle his own emotions that had emerged because of her actions and heart.

He was so confunded at the moment when she was crying in front of him, that he ignored her. Ignored her feelings. He wholly knew that she wasn't a mere child, she was far beyond her age, far mature. And he also knew that she was going to be 18 soon, because of that time turner she'd used for a year. So the adrenaline rush was at blame here. She couldn't do it herself. She couldn't like him. He was an old dungeon bat, 23 years older than her. He was not good looking. She could get any guy she wanted. No, it was his wild imagination. She couldn't like him.

Severus himself did not understand for how long his own feelings had been ignored by himself.