The first thing she notices is his hair. No longer greasy and in his face, it flows down his back in a dark waterfall of silky ink.
The second thing is his eyes. Friendly, not contemptuous - glinting with wry humor in a face that is much younger looking than the last time she’d seen him. She flinches at that memory, and he is concerned.
“Professor Granger, are you well?” Oh, his voice. Has it always been so rich and sinful? She wonders at that thought. How is this possible?
“I am; thank you, Professor Snape. Just...memories of this place.” She’s not exactly lying. He has found her at the foot of the stairs into Hogwarts, unable or unwilling to take the final steps into the place that was once her home. Too many memories - both good and bad - flow through her head. It freezes her feet to the ground and has her questioning if this is the right thing for her. Did she make a mistake in coming here?
He nods, “I understand. It can be difficult living here, after everything that happened. I respect your choice to return, even after all these years.”
She has a flash of what it must have been like for him, hiding his allegiance from both sides. Looking at him, she realizes that he is only in his early fifties - not even middle age for a long-lived wizard. With the weight of the war lifted from him, the extra years have dropped away.
“Thank you, but I’m honored to be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts. And besides, I’ve had your excellent example to follow.” Is she flirting? She wonders if she has lost her mind.
“I’ve read your publications. Your thesis on wandless magic and defensive shields was nothing short of inspired. Was it something you developed in your time in the Ministry?”
She winces, unwilling to think too deeply about her previous career. He notices, of course. He has some idea of what she has been through, thrust into a life as an Unspeakable. It was what she thought she wanted, but the relentless hunting of lingering Death Eaters has worn her down, destroyed her marriage, and beaten down her spirit. She thinks that they may be more alike than she had realized. Two people with a new lease on life, coming out of the darkness of their past. She sees the spark of awareness and maybe...interest? It leaves her feeling flustered, yet intrigued. The man in front of her is not the evil git that darkened her school days. This man is friendly and strikingly handsome, and she understands his intellect would match hers. The thought gives her pause. It’s been so long since she’s been aware of another man. The idea that that man would be Severus Snape doesn’t bother her as it once would have.
“Close your eyes, give me your hand. Allow me to assist you.”
She opens her mouth to turn him down, then changes her mind and nods. His hand is warm and gentle as it grips her elbow and slides down her arm. She feels his other arm curl around her waist as he guides her up the remaining steps. The heat of his body warms her side, bringing light into the darkness inside her soul. When they reach the top of the stairs, Severus slowly releases her, his touch lingering. She opens her eyes and looks up into his, a question in her face.
Severus smiles as he steps back. “I’ve wasted over half my life so far. I don’t intend to continue the mistakes of my past. Now, if there is something I am interested in, I am willing to be courageous.”
Her smile is genuine, “Then I’m glad you find something of interest now.”
Severus offers her his elbow to escort her into the school. “Then, Professor Granger, may I show you to your new rooms?”
She tucks her hand into his arm and straightens her shoulders. “Please, Severus, call me Hermione.” With that, she headed into the school, and a brighter future.