When the darkness draws near.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything you recognise from the Harry Potter series as much as I wish I did; I am merely playing with a wonderful woman's inventions.

Chapter 1:

"I do believe this corridor is out of bounds." he drawled, "But that has never stopped you before, has it Mr. Potter?" Severus Snape had trapped Harry Potter with a well-aimed and well time force field. He circled slowly around the glowing circle before stepping away and holding out his wand. "Remove it Potter." he spat, he knew it was Potter under his invisibility cloak and this game was getting rather tiring. "I know you are there as this spell only glows if there is something inside it. I, fortunately have no more pressing social engagements, so, stay like this for as long as you want, all night if you must." he gave a small smirk then added, "Though your punishment is going to get worse the longer we stand here." to make his point clear he folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the wall. Slowly the air inside the force field became distorted; he tensed slightly, casually unfolding his arms and holding his wand at the ready.

"Miss Granger." Snape converted his surprise into anger, "Miss Granger, what are you doing wondering around the school corridors at this time of the night?" he snarled at her, "And why above all in this corridor, surely you know it's out of bounds."

§§§§§

Hermione Granger stood in front of Professor Snape trapped inside a charmed force field. Her hair was pulled back loosely and she was still in her school robes. Slowly she began to speak,

"Professor, I can explain." she held her head high, but avoided Snape's eyes. She stood fidgeting until he finally spoke.

"Then Miss Granger, please enlighten me." he drawled fixing her with a sharp stare.

"Maybe you would be so kind as to remove the force field sir, the air temperature inside is always colder than the outside, and I'm not as warmly dressed as I should be." Hermione knew that she was taking a big risk with what she was about to do, but she couldn't be bothered to keep up her 'I'm a timid little know it all' façade so she continued anyway.

"Perhaps I could be of some assistance." he replied, as he twisted his wand, the glowing circle vanished leaving the two of them stood in complete darkness.

§§§§§

"Lumos" Snape stared at the spot where the Granger girl had been standing. Anger building up he raised his wand higher and let the light flow down the corridor, a door at the end swung shut noiselessly. "Nox." he smirked and placed a disillusionment charm upon himself and strode down the corridor 'Library,' he thought and in one quick movement tapped his wand against the wall and stepped into the library through the small archway that had appeared.

§§§§§

'That got rid of him, now which shelf was it on?' Hermione thought to herself, still congratulating herself on the fast thinking. She rounded the corner that led to the restricted section, pausing to drape the invisibility cloak over her arm; she opened the little gate that guarded the entrance. Walking to the end of the row, she turned the corner and walked straight into Snape.

"Miss Granger, what a surprise finding you here." he paused more for effect it seemed to her than anything else. "Accio cloak," Snape caught it deftly, shrank it and placed it in his pocket. Hermione stood watching him not caring in the least. "Now, would you care to tell me why you are here?"

"No Professor, I would not. I will though say that I am looking for a book and do not need any help." Hermione annoyed that Snape had found her moved purposefully to walk around him.

"This will not sit well with Headmaster, but, if you give me no other choice. One last chance Miss Granger, do not attempt to pass me child." Snape warned, his tone only made her more determined. "You give me no choice," he muttered then raised his wand and pointed it straight at her. "Geleré membrais."

Hermione found herself unable to move most of her body, she tried moving her feet, arms, knees and hands all with no luck, she could however move her head and neck.

"What have you done to me?" she asked the man standing in front of her with some interest.

"It's just so we can talk, I thought that you would listen and explain better while you were unable to be distracted." Snape sneered, "Just think yourself lucky I didn't use a full body bind."

Hermione studied Snape closely wondering if she could trust him.

"What do you want to know?" she asked quietly.

"Why are you in the library at this time of night?" he replied also quietly. She laughed and shook her head slowly.

"No need for me to repeat myself is there Sir? Oh well, I'm looking for a book, obviously Professor, as that is why one usually goes to a library." she smiled sweetly.

"Do not try and act smart with me, what book are you looking for? Answer me truthfully." Snape said coldly.

"It's a potions book. The only reason I'm getting it at this time is because nobody will understand why I want such a book. Now let me go." she said her voice strong but calm and her eyes blazing. Snape seemed to study her closely.

"And why Miss Granger, would you need to be looking at this particular potions text?" he asked slowly. Hermione rolled her eyes and blew at an annoying strand of hair.

"I wanted to research a particular potion, I happened across it sometime ago and can't help but think it might be useful in the near future." she paused and blew at her hair again. "Now release me," she said strongly and as an after thought added "Please."

"What potion would you be looking for? As Potions Master of this school I think I have the right to know what you intend to study." he sneered.

"Just let me be Snape. If you don't reverse this spell now then I know I'll do something I'll most likely regret." she made her voice sound as bored as she felt. Snape made no move to free her so she sighed and whispered two words, "Contrai charmai." Snape looked shocked, before he schooled his features. "Now if you don't mind." Hermione raised her wand "Accio Pensée soif." with the book in her hand she sat at the nearest table and began to read.

§§§§§

Snape stood and watched the Granger girl reading, mentally cursing himself for not drawing his wand when he had the chance. Silently he strode over to the table she was at.

"Miss Granger you will return the book this instant and report to me for detention after dinner." he sneered at the girl waiting for the murmured 'Yes sir' but it never came, instead she raised her head and stared at him.

"Good night Professor." she said and walked towards the library exit, thebook clutched to her chest. "Accio cloak." she un-shrank it and left, leaving him standing in the darkness alone again.

AN: Well what do you think?Please read and review as i love to know what people think!All comments welcome... but not all accepted with goodgrace, but you know how it is.XxX