Chapter 9
"Sev, where are we going?" Hermione held Professor Snape’s hand as they walked slowly together.
"Somewhere," he smirked, swinging their hands slightly.
"Urg…!!" She huffed, pouting at him. She hated how he always played surprises on her.
"We’re here."
Professor Snape came to a stop, and Hermione looked up at the grand, towering building before her. It was massive, connected to two other houses, all painted in a dark, somber color. A small, weathered wooden sign stood near the entrance, bearing the name "Snape Manor."
Her eyes widened. "You brought me to your house?"
Snape leaned against the doorframe, watching her reaction with amusement. "Are you coming in or not?"
"Wait!!" Hermione suddenly threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly before he could step inside. He let out a soft chuckle, wrapping an arm around her before leading her in.
As soon as they entered, Hermione gasped. "Woah… Your house is massive!"
Her voice echoed through the nearly empty corridors. The house was elegant yet eerily quiet, its dark wooden walls lined with old portraits, bookshelves, and dimly lit chandeliers.
"Granger, are you planning to stand there in awe for the rest of our date?" Snape crossed his arms, watching her with a raised brow.
She blinked, snapping out of her daze. "Oh—right… Sorry!" She gave him a sheepish smile before following him deeper inside.
They walked through a few hallways before reaching a door. Snape pushed it open. "This is my room."
Hermione stepped in and gasped again, this time for a very different reason. The room was an absolute disaster. Towering stacks of books were scattered across the floor, cauldrons lay abandoned in the corners, and parchment filled with notes covered nearly every surface.
"Sev… This is your room?" She tried to step forward but nearly tripped over a stack of books.
Snape chuckled. "Careful."
"Are you ever planning to tidy this up?" Hermione grabbed onto his arm for balance, staring at the mess in disbelief.
"That’s why I brought you here—so you could tidy it for me," he said with a smirk, turning to meet her gaze.
Hermione narrowed her eyes. "You mean tidy with you, not for you."
"Yes, yes," he muttered, handing her a pile of books while grabbing a broom himself.
As they started organizing the room, Hermione suddenly spotted a familiar title on the floor. She picked it up and gasped. "‘The Cure for Amortentia? Severus! You know the cure! Why didn’t you heal me last time?"
She looked up at him, remembering that mortifying kiss—the moment she had practically begged him for one. Her cheeks burned at the memory.
The man smirked, taking the book from her hands and flipping through the pages lazily. "Oh, I had my reasons," he said smoothly.
Hermione crossed her arms. "Severus Snape, you let me embarrass myself on purpose, didn’t you?"
He looked up at her, his dark eyes twinkling with amusement. "I wouldn’t say ‘on purpose’… More like, I enjoyed the effects too much to interfere."
"Ugh! You are impossible!" Hermione groaned, throwing a cushion at him.
Snape caught it effortlessly, setting it down before pulling her into his arms. "And yet, you’re still here, Hermione Granger."
Hermione huffed, but she couldn’t stop the smile tugging at her lips. "Unfortunately."
"Unfortunately?" Snape raised an eyebrow, his fingers tracing her cheek softly.
She sighed dramatically. "Yes, unfortunately, I’m hopelessly in love with a smug, exasperating Potions Master who enjoys teasing me far too much."
He smirked. "A tragic fate, indeed."
Before she could protest, he leaned in and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to her forehead. Hermione melted slightly, burying her face in his robes.
"Fine, you’re forgiven… but only if you help me organize the rest of this mess."
Snape sighed. "I suppose that’s a fair trade."
Hand in hand, they continued tidying up, surrounded by books, laughter, and an unspoken warmth between them.