149Chapter 24
However strange it was to be in the past of Hogwarts Hermione felt the familiar thrill of the year's first class. The promise of unknown knowledge gave her a rush nothing else could; it made her skin tingle with anticipation, oh the curiosity! She had already read half of the courses' required books for the year but that couldn't stop her from hoping Professor Flitwick would introduce something new today(grab their attention for the newts, hopefully something difficult and tantalizing!). She felt as if she was walking on a cloud, bubbles of excitement forcing her to grin, she couldn't help it. Hermione could have been in a different time, a Slytherin and without any friends but knowledge was beckoning to her. And to a 'book worm' like her, the world couldn't be a better place to live in. Too soon she was outside the Charm's classroom, still 7 minutes to go (which translated to 10 minutes but it was ok Professor Flitwick started late he usually kept them 20 minutes over. And beside Flitwick always let her talk to him whenever and for however long whenever she wants to). Still grinning she pressed her books to her chest, hugging them in her exuberance. Hermione sighed and looked out the window opposite her, smiling softly drifting into her world of facts and incantations.
He wanted to get there early so he could his favorite seat, and preserve the seats next to him for Evan (only if no giggling females where in the vicinity) and for their books. He felt himself rushing even though he had an obscene amount of time before the classroom even was opened. He kept telling himself to slow down, but part of him wanted to be active and practically sprinting up three flights of stairs was the way to curb this urge. He wasn't out of breath when he got to the third floor (he had gotten in shape the last few summers, you had to do a bit of running about during raids) but his heart was hammering a bit. He checked his books one more time and glanced up towards the door. In retrospect Severus was quiet sure his heart literally stopped for a moment. She didn't look at all like the girl from last spring but he was sure that this was the Ms. Grey that had everyone in a tizzy. Leaning up against the classroom's door she was hugging her books close to her chest. That part of the corridor was flooded with sunlight from the window she was presently staring dreamily out of. Upon her face she wore a soft thoughtful smile. It wasn't wide, and it didn't necessarily seem to imply amusement or some great glee. Rather it was a smile that had escaped her flowing from her thoughts implying she was in an over all state of content with whatever her mind was commenting on. The light caught her hair making some strands glisten, and the light made her skin glow. Her eye where wide and innocent, lashes light and long- over all she was the sweetest looking Slytherin he had ever seen. Severus felt as if he was trespassing on some personal moment. However much he was convinced that he had never met this girl before, part of him felt as if she was the girl he had been chasing for so long. Only fate could be so cruel if it was her. She shifted her books
"Now don't be a bad influence on me guys. It's bad enough no one knows me without me acting the know-it-all the first day.-"
In a high squeaky voice she responded acting as the voice of her books
"Hermione! We would never be a bad influence, besides you're the one who acts like a fool! But why dear-heart wouldn't you want to show everyone how clever you are?" said the book ever so sweetly
"Oh no you don't I- Oh my God how long have you been standing there?! I must sound like an insane-" Hermione was completely freaking out I mean how long had that boy been watching her?!
After witnesses her moment of silliness Severus was put off seeing this calm girl so frazzled.
A warm deep laugh shattered the awkward silence. Severus moved into the sunny part of the hallway smiling slightly.
"I've done more ermm strange things. I'm sure that you don't do that all the time."
Hermione was standing silent and still. Like a deer watching the wolf circle closer and closer…
"I'm-"
"Severus Snape."
"I knew you'd spoken to Evan but I didn't know he had mentioned me-"
"He didn't. Evan is your…?"
"Friend, Best Friend more like annoying mind reading twin. Well in some matters, we come from very different worlds Evan and I"
Hermione stayed silent. Staring at him, her face expressionless, she didn't fidget even though the books in her arms where heavy.
He watched her watching him. Her face was even more attractive close up, even though she wasn't smiling any more. Pretty eyes now cautious, non-descript nose, perfectly shaped lips. You could tell that she took care of herself, her eyebrows where perfectly shaped and….and she a freckle above her right eyebrow.
Hermione had watched Snape's face change from curious, examining to realization. His black pools called eyes hardened and his expression was lost in his mask of non-expression.
"Miss Grey?" squeaked a small voice
"Hermione turned around so quickly she almost knocked over the diminutive professor.
"Hello"
"I'm Professor Flitwick, your charms professor. I was wondering if you could come speak to me now, so we can see what you need if you need to learn any thing."
And so Hermione made her 3rd escape, away from the angry young Severus Snape. Too bad she had potions in three periods.