Secrets

Snape was in his room, pacing. He had practically fled from Hermione's room after he had kissed her. He couldn't believe his actions. He couldn't believe he'd been so familiar with her. What had he been thinking? Part of him wanted to be furious, not only with himself, but with her. She had ruined the glove he had made her so she was able to work, and then didn't even have the guts to face him. But a much larger part of him knew that she had been under a lot of stress lately, and that it wasn't necessarily her fault.

Another part of him felt embarrassed. He couldn't believe he had been so bold. And she had kissed him back, but...was it just in the heat of the moment? He found that he almost dreaded facing her again more than he used to dread facing Voldemort.

But...it had been so wonderful. She had kissed him back- he was sure of that. Until she had ruined one of his best shirts. He'd have to give her the rest of the week off, now. He couldn't risk any more accidents. Snape wanted a drink, but wanted to think without the haze of alcohol.


***


Hermione stood there after Snape left, looking at the door in disbelief. Had Snape just kissed her? Had it really just happened? The whole evening had been surreal and bizarre. What surprised Hermione the most was how gentle he had been. He kiss had been barely a kiss. He had brushed his lips over hers, no tongue, as if asking a question. There was none of his usual confidence (or arrogance, some would definitely argue). Hermione flung herself in the chair, careful to keep her hands held away from herself. She wondered if he was as angry with her as he had looked.

And...she had kissed him back. She found herself strongly attracted to the idea of a gentle Snape. She realized the whole day had been like a slow seduction. He hadn't been as angry as she thought he would be upon finding out about the glove and her hands. He had led her into the sitting room and tried to calm her down. Then he had actually washed her hair for her. No one have ever done that for Hermione unless she had paid them to. And, perhaps the best thing he had done for her (besides the kiss, she thought with a sly smile) was to give her the potion for her hair. She had tried other potions, but found they never worked quite how she wanted.

Hermione got up again and went into the bathroom, looking at herself. Her hair was still tied back, and after thinking it over for a second, she managed to wrestle the ribbon out of her hair by gripping it between her forearms and pulling. She shook her hair out, and stared into the mirror. Hermione wasn't one to be vain, but she couldn't believe how much her now straight her changed her face. And there was no frizz. It made her feel amazing...and Professor Snape had done that for her.

She walked back to her chair, not knowing what to think or how to feel. Snape had kissed her. Did this mean he had feelings for her? Hell, did this mean he had feelings at all? These thoughts kept spinning around in her head until she realized how hungry she was. She hadn't gone to lunch and now she couldn't even eat on her own. Suddenly getting an idea, she called out, "Excuse me?"

A house elf immediately popped into her room, bowing low. "You called, Miss?"
"Um...yes. I was wondering if someone could bring me some food- if it isn't too much trouble."
The elf squeaked excitedly, "Oh yes, Miss. Bitsy is here to helps, Miss." The elf popped out, and a few short minutes later came back with a tray piled high. Bitsy put it in front of her, looking up expectantly. Hermione, looking miserable, said, "Um, Bitsy, is it? Well, I had a bit of an accident with my hands. Could you help me?" The house elf nodded enthusiastically and hopped into Hermione's lap, feeding her. She was soon full, and only had a bit that had spilled on her.
"Wills you be needing anything else, Miss?" Bitsy said.

"Well, I have a huge favor to ask." Bitsy wiggled her ears in excitement. House elves loved a challenge, and Bitsy was no different.
"I can't use my hands for the rest of the week, because of my accident. So...I'm going to need help. Can you be with me for the rest of the week, if you can stay away from your other work for that long?"
Bitsy was so excited at the prospect of waiting on someone hand and foot for an entire week, Hermione thought the elf would never stop shaking and bobbing up and down saying, "Oh, yes, Miss! Bitsy would be so honored to serve you!" Bitsy jumped in the air, wiggling her ears again.

"Thank you," Hermione said. She hated to have to ask, but knew she had no other choice. The thought of asking Snape briefly flitted through her mind, and she giggled in spite of herself. The thought of Snape, of all people, waiting on her, feeding her...bathing her. She shuddered suddenly, as the image swept over her.
Perhaps it was a good thing Bitsy was here.






------------------------------------------------------------------------
A/N- I'm sorry this chapter is so short and nothing really happens, but I swear the story will be moving along very soon.
Anyway, thanks to everybody who commented and everybody who reads this. I truly appreciate it.