Unavoidable Attraction

Professor McGonagall

Hermione squeezed Severus' hand tightly inside his cloak pocket. Jackson was leading them and severus' auror was following closely behind. The halls were quiet except for the occasional stir of a painting.

"Stop worrying." Came a voice in her head. She shot a panicked eye to Severus who gave her a slight nod. "The worst thing she can do is fire me."

Hermione concentrated hard. Harry had taught her Legilimency while they were camping to help pass time. "Are you insane Severus?! What would you do if you got fired?!"

"My dear, there are plenty of things for me to do besides teaching, and there's no way they could find a replacement for me before the end of the year."

She squeezed his hand tighter as the griffin came into view from around the corner. "Severus, I'll be expelled."

"I won't let that happen. Now let go of my hand before you break it."

Hermione's hand slipped out of his pocket and joined her other in front of her. She watched as the staircase up to Professor McGonagall's office appear after a password was muttered by Jackson.

They climbed the stairs and knocked on the door. A puzzled "come in" came from the other side.

When the four of them entered, a tired looking headmistress looked up and them confused. Jackson went over to her and spoke to her quietly. Her expression turned from confused to shocked and slightly sick as he left her side.

"Thank you Jackson. You and Max may leave us." The aurors exited the room slowly giving a disappointed head shake as they shut the door behind them.

"Is it true?" McGonagall asked glaring at Severus.

"Is what true Minerva?"

"Are you and Hermione in an inappropriate relationship?"

"Define inappropriate."

"GOOD GOD SEVERUS! I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR YOUR GAMES!" She slammed her hand on the desk causing Hermione to jump. She had only seen Professor McGonagall this angry once before. During the final battle at Hogwarts.

"Minerva I'd like you to consider that Hermione is eighteen years of age. This was a decision made together."

McGonagall sank into her chair and began to rub her temples. "Oh god. I don't believe Im hearing this.

"Professor." Hermione stepped closer to the desk and sat down on the edge of the seat across from her. She took a deep breath before speaking. "This was me. All me. You cannot punish Severus for this."

"Forgive me my dear but I need time to let this sink in. I do have to ask though, did any uh..." She paused looking for the right words. "Did you two have.... Physical relations?"

"No!" Hermione inserted before Severus could say anything. "Believe me professor, the furthest we ever got was kissing."

She winced at this. Imagining her brightest student and the potions professor kissing was absolutely horrifying for her. "And I take it that nobody else knows about this?"

"No professor." Hermione tried to say but Severus stepped up behind her and growled.

"Then you lied to me?"

"Lied to you?" Hermione questioned.

"I thought you said to me that Miss Weasley knew. Or was that just to get a rise out of me?"

"Oh god. Ginny."

"So miss Weasley is aware of this relationship?"

Hermione hung her head down before giving a small yes.

Professor McGonagall stood and sighed. She placed the parchment she had been working on in her desk drawer and walked around. "Then I must go fetch her myself. You two stay here." She exited quietly before Hermione blew up.

"Are you insane?! Why on earth are you bringing Ginny into this?!" She yelled at Severus as she stood up and punched his chest.

"You know I do recall that you were the one that told her! She wouldn't be involved in this if you had kept your bloody mouth shut!"

"That's not my fault! She followed me!" Hermione grabbed a fistful of her hair and began to pave the office mumbling frantically to herself.

"Hermione. Stop." He reached out to her and touched her shoulder but she pushed him away.

"Don't touch me."

"Don't you realize I'm in as much jeopardy as you?" His tone was quiet and she could sense a slight bit of panic. "Don't you realize I'm scared too? We're in this together."

She turned to him slowly. Her face was streaked with tears and she was breathing heavily. He took her hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeeze. They watched each other as they waited in silence for Professor McGonagall to return.