Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, the original Harry Potter series belongs to J.K. Rowling (although I'm a bit miffed at the lady for killing off Severus Snape).

Thanks to the all-amazing Severus' Malfoy Maiden, her beta'ing keeps my writing sane so that I don't go off on random tangents!

The adrenaline beat through Hermione's veins. She always felt this way when she was making a potion in Professor Snape's class. Being fully aware of Snape's strict demeanor, she always vowed to never make a mistake. He would hover behind her cauldron and it would take all of her self-control not to shake and make a crucial mistake. As time passed, however, she began to learn that there were much worse things in the world than an intimidating professor.

And that was the first step. Her fear at his presence declined and she began to notice the smaller intricacies behind his tough façade. The way his mouth twitched slightly when someone cracked a joke and was unaware of him listening, the manner in which his shoulders hunched when someone decided to stand up to him by telling him what a bastard he truly was. She observed the wave of emotions that would pass through his eyes before he quickly hid his true feelings with his ever present scowl. It was through her scrutiny that she finally realized that the Professor Snape she thought she knew was a complete and total lie. The mask he constantly wore was not his true self, but only what he used to hide said self.

Hermione realized she suddenly had a desire to know the true Professor Snape. Through this desire, she began to see little bits of his personality when she looked beyond the façade he presented. She saw the caring touch he bestowed on the ingredients of his potions, the languorous way he stirred his concoction. As her observations increased, she began to notice his slender, yet strong, hands. She realized that his hair was oily not from a lack of washing, but rather from the constant overexposure to potion fumes.

She had begun to obsess over knowing the true Snape, and, as any Gryffindor could account, when Hermione Granger set her mind to something, there was no stopping her. She began to feel nervous for a completely different reason when he stood behind her, observing her potion-making. She could feel a bit of the heat emanating from his body and it furthered her understanding of the fact that there was oh-so-much-more to Snape than she might ever understand… but she as sure as hell was going to try and find it all out.

At the beginning of 7th year, Hermione was announced to the school as the Head Girl. Obviously, no one was surprised, but all were happy for her (and rather hoped she wouldn't take the position too seriously). Hermione got special privileges with her new role. She had a room all to herself that could connect to the other Common Rooms, but she also had new responsibilities, such as patrolling the corridors, and being on-call for any crying girl that wanted her listening ear.

One night, she decided she would prowl around the dungeons during her nightly patrol. She looked down corridors and tried to figure out where Professor Snape might live. She knew he stayed in the dungeons, but was not exactly sure where. Once she passed the Potions room, she realized it would look strange for her to be wandering there alone, thankfully, she had an easy solution (even if it was illegal).

She had learned how to become an Animagus back in the fifth year. After a few years, she figured she would register, but at the present time, she knew it could be convenient to be unknown in her animal form. She felt herself morph into a small kitten. She was the same age as a cat as she was human, so in cat years, she was about 3 1/2.

She began stalking through the halls, trying to find where an entrance might be hidden. Soon, she came across a picture with a man who sat at a table, looking forlornly out of a window. Somehow, Hermione just knew this was the portrait that led into his chambers. The picture fit his personality too perfectly. She suddenly realized the foolish thought on her part. Yes, she might have managed to figure out where his rooms were located, but she had absolutely no chance of getting in to them.

Someone must have been looking out for her; the door creaked open and Hermione glimpsed the train of Snape's sweeping, black robes. Of course, maybe whoever was looking out for Hermione was really just spiting her, as Snape directly continued to step on her tail.

"Meeee…..OWWWWW!"

"Gahh!" Snape jumped at Hermione's high-pitched screech of pain.

"Oh, insufferable cat, shouldn't you know to move out of the way of my feet?" His harsh tone was countered when Hermione felt Snape pick her up off the ground as his gentle fingers prodded her tail.

"Hmm, your tail seems to have a fracture. I'll fix you up inside. I was going to go try and catch some unsuspecting student out of their dorms, but I'm not really in the mood anyway."

As Snape walked into his rooms, Hermione noticed all the furniture and decoration. It was not exactly what she would have expected from him. The room itself was a bit Spartan, but it felt warm and cozy thanks to the roaring fire and big black couch. There were two deep green sitting chairs. What drew Hermione's eye most, however, was the multitude of books. He had bookshelves filled with everything imaginable. It took all of Hermione's self-control not to jump from Snape's arms and browse through his collection. Instead, she satisfied herself with cuddling closer to his chest and breathing in his smell of spices and potions.

"You know, kitty, you're probably the only female comfortable with being close to me."

Hermione looked up at Snape's face, seeing his brokenness with the pain of solitude displayed clearly. She butted her head against his chest, hoping to convey that he deserved someone who would love and care for him.

"I think I need to give you a name. If you're going to stay with me, which I rather hope you will, I'm not going to look completely foolish by acting like a young girl and calling you 'kitty'". I shall name you… Suplina."

Hermione smiled at her new name, she was starting to realize that being Snape's pet would help her learn more about the man behind the mask.

He fixed her tail with a few muttered incantations and then got her a glass of milk. Hermione sipped it gratefully.

"Do you want to stay in my company, Suplina? I could really use someone to remain with me at night. I used to be really good at hiding my loneliness with a snarky, standoffish personality; my whole demeanor demanded respect. And yet, recently, I've noticed that while I command most people's respect, or at least their fear, in the end, I'm still the one that's alone. I could definitely use someone who desires my presence. And even more so, I must be going insane from the loneliness, I am spilling my troubles to a cat! I'm clearing going off the deep end. But despite all this, what do you think Suplina, will you be my familiar?

Hermione, trying to keep her heart from breaking for the lonely professor in front of her, butted her head against his hand. She knew becoming Snape's "familiar" could be very difficult; she would have to plan all of her actions carefully, as well as watch everything she said and did very cautiously.

Even with all the difficulties, and even possibly regret, Hermione just knew that her efforts would be worth it. Professor Snape obviously needed a friend, and she felt that she could provide that through her animal form.

She climbed into the Professor's lap and looked at the Potions essays he was reading. The poor third year who wrote the essay would be depressed tomorrow when he saw all the red marks that graced every page. Hermione felt all the stress of the day catch up with her and she fell asleep in the infamous Professor Snape's lap, with his hand lightly caressing her fur.

If Professor Snape seems out of character, keep in mind that through all of the Harry Potter series, we see Snape from the point of view of someone who basically despises the man. Also, I'm trying to have him remove his mask toward Suplina/Hermione. I have other chapters written, so don't worry, this won't be one of those stories that is started and then just dropped.

Reviews are greatly appreciated!