6

Chapter 6- September 1, 1998

"Is that everything?" Snape glanced up at Hermione as she stacked another box on top of several others in front of his Floo.

"Yes, finally. It's a shame so many things don't react well to Shrinking Spells. I wish I could have asked Harry and Ron for help again like last time, but, all things considered..."

Snape met her sheepish grimace with his own look of exasperation. "Indeed. No matter. I can assist you now that I'm recovered."

Hermione beamed at him, making his gut flutter again, and said, "That's right! I'm so glad Madam Pomfrey gave you a clean bill of health."

They each grabbed a box and stepped into the green flames, whirling onto the hearthrug at Spinner's End before they continued their conversation.

"As am I. I hope I never again have to suffer such a protracted convalescence or be stuck under yet another person's thumb." Snape flicked his wand to send the boxes sailing up the stairs to what was now Hermione's room.

Hermione made a moue of sympathy and said, "I can imagine! But you're your own man now, so enjoy it!"

Snape turned to pin her with an intense gaze, making her blink and flush as he murmured, "I am. Quite."

Averting her eyes in nervousness, Hermione said, "I'll get more boxes. Be right back."

Snape watched her retreat back through the Floo, a smirk tugging at his lips. This can only get better...

Once they had moved all of their things over to Spinner's End, they paused for a simple lunch of sandwiches before each turning their attention to unpacking their own belongings. Snape had moved back into what had originally been his parents' bedroom before they had died, leaving him the house. The smaller room that had served as his bedroom was cleared for Hermione's use, and he generously told her she was free to decorate it however she liked so she would feel at home.

That evening, they were both tired from spending the day unpacking and organizing. Neither wanted sandwiches again, but they also didn't want to bother with cooking. They were sitting at the dining table when Hermione admitted ruefully, "I would gladly support a house-elf's desire to cook for me right now."

Snape snorted and smirked at her, remembering the tales of her misguided S.P.E.W. "Well, why don't we go somewhere and let someone else cook? Granted, we'd have to pay for it, but I'm willing."

Hermione laughed and said, "Is there any take-away nearby?"

Snape shrugged. "I haven't looked. We have the Floo; we could always go to the Leaky Cauldron."

Hermione instantly sobered. "Are you sure you want to be in public? I know it's been a few months since the truth came out, and the Prophet wrote about your exoneration, but that may just make people gawk even more."

Snape's lips quirked in a faint smile. His voice was low as he said, "Still trying to protect me, Hermione?"

Hermione blushed and ducked her head as she said, "I just don't want to see you upset. You don't deserve that."

Feeling daring now that they were on his turf, Snape leant closer and lifted her chin with one gentle finger, capturing her gaze with his. "I don't deserve such fierce protection from you either. But it does please me. You please me."

Hermione stared at him, owl-eyed, for a beat, then offered him a pink-cheeked, tentative smile. "I'm glad."

Snape's expression slowly changed to a genuine smile, and Hermione's smile widened in response. Before removing his finger from her chin, he traced it along her jaw line in a faint caress. At the sound of Hermione's sharp gasp, he dropped that hand to grip hers and murmured, "Let me take you to dinner. You've taken such good care of me; it's high time I showed some appreciation."

Hermione glanced down at their work-rumpled attire. They were both in Muggle clothes: she wore a light jumper and jeans, and he was in black trousers and a white button-down shirt...he preferred collared shirts, since between them and his long hair, his scarred neck was better hidden...with the sleeves rolled up. "Dressed like this?"

Snape's heart leapt at the fact that she didn't reject his offer out of hand. Grinning, he said, "Nothing fancy. We can just find a pub and get some fish and chips...for take-away if you insist."

Hermione bit her lip, and Snape's grip tightened on hers spastically. Tired, hungry, and unsure what to make of the tingles racing through her from his touch on her face and hand and his consuming expression, she whispered, "All right. Let's go find the local. If we're to live here, we may as well get to know what's around the village."

Snape crowed in triumph in his head, shooting to his feet and pulling her along with him. She blinked up at him, startled by his instant response. He maintained his grip on her hand and led her to the front door. "If we need to, we can ask someone, but we could just head out for a walk. Take a chance on a little adventure."

Hermione gazed up at his mischievous excitement and laughed. "Look at you! You're like a little kid!"

Snape pulled her closer and murmured, "You make me feel young, Hermione."

His confession was followed by a long moment of silence, in which a flush crept up Hermione's throat to suffuse her cheeks. Snape's playful smirk faded into a sober, intense expression, his eyes managing to turn even blacker. Feeling his heartbeat thundering in his chest, he finally sucked in a steadying breath and tilted his head toward the door.

"Shall we?"

Hermione's head was swimming, and she wondered just how much was really being asked with that innocuous question. Unsure what she wanted to say in response, she merely ducked her head and strode to the front door. Snape followed, letting his elation show for a fleeting moment with a brief grin.

They strolled around the village, but not quite leisurely, as they were hungry. When they found a pub, they gratefully sank into a worn wooden booth, inhaling the aromas of grease and ale.

Hermione was staring at the chalkboard menu, frowning. Snape cocked an eyebrow at her and said, "What's wrong?"

Wrinkling her nose, she said, "I can't decide which I want more. Everything sounds good, and I'm so hungry I could eat a hippogriff."

Snape snorted and said, "Well, I'll be ordering the curry and rice, and you're welcome to share it if you like."

She licked her lips in appreciation, making Snape's breath catch, and said, "Oooh, that would be lovely. I'll get the fish and chips and you can have some of that too if you want."

Snape inclined his head in acknowledgement and crossed to the bar to order, with Hermione a step behind him, hovering at his shoulder.

"Welcome to the Dog and Duck. What'll you have?"

Snape said, "A pint of stout, please. The lady will have the fish and chips, and I'll take your curry and rice. Hermione, what would you like to drink?"

Hermione bit her lip to stop herself from asking for a Butterbeer, then said, "I'll try a pint of lager."

The barmaid nodded and moved away to get their drinks. Hermione took the opportunity to gaze about at the rest of the pub, and Snape watched her with a faint smile on his face. When she noticed his expression, she couldn't help but grin in enjoyment. Laughter coloured her voice as she said, "Something tells me we'll be seeing a lot of this place."

Snape chuckled. "What? Afraid of cooking after all?"

She pulled a face and said, "It's not that! It's just... this is fun, and one tends to want to repeat fun experiences."

Her haughty tone was belied by her blush, but Snape held his tongue, unwilling to tease her too much, lest she no longer have fun and decide to not repeat their outing.

Soon enough, their food joined their pints on the bar before them, and Snape fished a wad of notes from his pocket as he nodded to Hermione to take her meal back to the table.

The meal was quite tasty, and Snape made so bold as to repeat his offer of his curry and rice, but only if she ate it off the fork he offered to her. He realized that watching her lips close around the utensil each time she accepted his gesture sent more and more tingles of heat racing through him, and he had to remind himself to eat his own dinner too, instead of simply feeding her.

He had been stealthily sneaking chips off her plate with each bite he offered, but after several times, she saw his hand retreating with its prize, and she squawked around her mouthful as she clapped her hand down on his, capturing it. Snape affected an innocent expression, and Hermione swallowed quickly so she could say, "I said we could share! Why are you being so sneaky?"

Snape's innocent look disappeared, replaced by a wicked grin. "Old habits die hard."

Hermione snorted and released his hand. Deliberately, she picked up a piece of fish and held it in front of Snape's face. "Nonsense. You're starting fresh, remember? Now, turnabout is fair play. Try it."

At her pointed nod toward the fish, he affected obedience and took a bite, holding her gaze while he reached forward and snagged another chip. She was watching him, waiting for him to comment on the fish, so her surprised expression when he lifted the chip to his mouth and said, "They're both good," was comical.

She snapped her gaze to her plate, then back to him chewing the chip he had sneaked right under her nose. Her indignant glare of exasperation was too much for him, and Snape dissolved into laughter, trying not to choke on his food.

"Oh, for mercy's sake, Severus!" She pinned him with a glare, but the sight of him laughing was too much to resist for long, and she eventually crumbled into giggles. "Honestly, if you want anything from me, you don't have to be so sneaky, you can just ask."

He abruptly stopped laughing, once again gazing at her intently. She was taken aback by his quick change, especially when he murmured, "I'll keep that in mind."

The following charged silence was broken by a peal of laughter from a knot of patrons nearby. Snape drained his drink and Hermione pulled her money out of her pocket to offer her half to Snape, but froze at the trenchant glare he shot her way. Flustered, Hermione mumbled, "I can pay for my own dinner."

Snape growled, "I said I wanted to take you to dinner. That implies that I pay for said dinner. You agreed. End of discussion."

She narrowed her eyes and grimaced at him for his high-handed manner. "But I am quite capable of paying for my own meal!"

Snape heaved a put-upon sigh and rolled his eyes. Covering her hand with his, he said, "Hermione, you said that if I want something I can just ask. I'm asking you to please allow me to show my appreciation for all you've done for me by letting me pay for your bloody dinner!"

Cutting a sulky glance at him, she huffed and said, "If you're going to put it that way, then fine. I just want it known that I did not agree to come with you because I expected a free meal."

Snape smirked and drawled, "The thought never even crossed my mind. Nor should you think that I feel you owe me anything now. That's not what this is about. I've had enough of living a life ruled by obligation."

At that, Hermione softened and said, "I believe you."

She put her money away, and they stood, but Snape kept his hold on Hermione's hand to lead her out of the pub for the walk back to Spinner's End. There was a decided chill in the night air, and they found themselves walking close together, seeking body heat on the trek home. Snape reluctantly released Hermione's hand to roll his sleeves down. When his hand dropped back to his side, and Hermione twined her fingers with his again voluntarily, his gut clenched in triumph.

They hurried into the house, glad for the warmth inside, and Hermione turned to gaze up at Snape. "Thank you for dinner; I had a lovely time."

Snape smiled faintly and murmured, "It was my pleasure, indeed."

There was a pregnant pause, then Hermione blinked rapidly and ducked her head. "Well, I could really use a shower and bed. Do you need in there before I take it over?"

Snape exhaled at the break of tension between them and murmured, "No, thank you. I'm fine. I just have a few things to take care of before I follow your excellent example and turn in, myself."

Hermione smirked and crossed to the staircase. "I won't be very long."

Snape nodded and watched her, unable to look away from the sway of her arse as she climbed the stairs.

Later, Snape was in his room putting things away, his shirt already discarded into the hamper and his pyjamas waiting in a folded pile on his bed, when Hermione knocked on the jamb, peering in through the open door. Snape spun to see her in a fluffy robe with her hair twisted in a towel. Her eyes travelled from his face, down his chest, to where his line of dark hair disappeared beneath the waist of his trousers. Snape smirked at her wide eyes and snatched his pyjamas as he crossed to the doorway.

She jerked her gaze back up to his face, blushing, as she faintly said, "Bathroom's free. All yours."

Snape leant against the doorjamb, very close to Hermione where she remained rooted to the spot, and murmured, "Thank you. Sleep well, Hermione. I hope you'll find my home welcoming and comfortable."

Hermione licked her lips and sucked in a breath, trying to regain her composure with him standing half-clothed so near her. "It is...I mean...I do. I'll see you in the morning. Good night, Severus."

He nodded as she stepped back, and he crossed to the bathroom while she retreated to his old room. Snape tossed a light, "Good night" over his shoulder before shutting the bathroom door, leaving Hermione to sag against her doorjamb, heaving a sigh and swallowing against the trembling in her belly that underscored the jolts of heat streaking through her. Closing her door firmly, she finished getting ready for bed, noting her flushed cheeks in her vanity mirror.

Easy, girl. No need to rush things...

Back in the bathroom, Snape was in the shower, glad Hermione had already finished hers, so hopefully she wouldn't notice how long he was taking. The look on her face when she had raked him with her gaze had sent tingles of desire racing through him, and he had disappeared into the bathroom quickly in an attempt to keep her from noticing his burgeoning erection.

Thus it was that he stood under the water, one hand propped against the wall, holding himself up while the other stroked his cock feverishly, his muscles rippling at the sensations, and his breathing ragged. Replaying the feel of her embrace, the sight of her dilated pupils from minutes ago, he crested his peak and convulsed in orgasm, his legs shaking and sending him to lean against the tiles. Gulping in the steamy air, trying to steady himself, he watched his come swirling down the drain, feeling a delicious lethargy stealing over him.

He quickly finished his shower and made it back to his room, casting a hungry glance at Hermione's closed door on the way. Lying in bed, knowing she was so close, just in the other room, he smiled as he fell asleep.

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September 15, 1998

Snape and Hermione stood at the bar in the Dog and Duck, waiting for Kelly, the barmaid, to deliver their apple pie and custard. When Kelly set the treat on the bar, Hermione thrust her money forward before Snape could do so. She wrinkled her nose at his glare and said, "It's my turn and you know it, so keep your scowls to yourself, if you please."

Kelly snorted at Hermione's statement, smirking at Snape. Blissfully unaware of Snape's former persona and reputation, Kelly added, "She's right, you know. You paid for Sunday dinner."

Snape rolled his eyes and huffed. "For mercy's sake, are you keeping track?"

Kelly flashed a cheeky grin and said, "Well, it's in my best interests to make note of such nice, regular customers, now innit? I asked Laura, and she said you lot aren't here on my nights off, so I'm just grateful that I get you all to myself...coming in here three to four nights a week for the past two weeks already."

Hermione grimaced at Snape and said, "I guess we haven't made much headway in that whole cooking idea, have we?"

Snape snorted and tossed his head, rippling his fingers in dismissal. "All in due time." Kelly strode off to the till and Snape pinned Hermione with a mischievous look. "Although, if we were to make headway, it would make sense to know what to try first. What's your favourite meal?"

Hermione blinked in surprise. "Well, if we're talking things that aren't horridly complex...honestly, I heard someone say something once that summed things up for me perfectly: If it involves more than four ingredients or four steps, I'm not that interested!...I'd say something like pasta alfredo, with garlic bread and a green salad alongside."

Snape smiled and nodded. "Fair enough. Perhaps we should make up a list of things to try and make sure we get everything at the market tomorrow. Wednesdays do seem to be the least busy days to shop there."

Hermione grinned. "Challenge accepted! We can make the list tonight instead of wrangling that latest batch of contacts. I'll admit: I'm not particularly looking forward to trying to interview those Death Eaters."

Her smile faded, and Snape reached out to cover her hand with his, stroking her knuckles soothingly. Kelly returned with the change and smirked knowingly at the pair who were so interested in each other...it was obvious to anyone with eyes. "Here you go, love. See you Thursday as usual?"

They both glanced up at her, startled out of their immersion with each other. Snape sneered...without any real rancour...and said, "We'll see. Ready, Hermione?"

Hermione stood and slipped into the jacket that Snape held out for her. She flicked a glance around the pub and said, "Kelly, how packed does it get in here on Saturday nights?"

Kelly shrugged and said, "It's pretty steady, but you shouldn't have much trouble ordering a pint, if you know what I mean. Why?"

Hermione grinned and said, "Well, I was thinking about having some mates 'round for some drinks Saturday night for my birthday, but I didn't know if it'd be too crowded."

Behind her, Snape's eyes widened in sudden interest. Making rapid mental calculations, a plan took shape, and he bit back a smug smirk. Smoothly cutting in, as if this wasn't all new information to him, he said, "What time were you thinking about meeting them here? If it's late enough, then the dinner crowd will have already gone, so there would be more room for those just having a few pints."

Hermione followed his lead just as he had hoped and said, "That's true. If we were to have folks meet here around nine, it would allow time for everyone to have had dinner already, and there'd still be a couple of hours to pass the time. Nothing elaborate, just a chance to be social."

Kelly nodded. "Bring as many as you like. We don't turn down business, here!"

Both women laughed and Snape guided Hermione out the door. As they walked the familiar route home, with Hermione's hand tucked into the crook of Snape's elbow, Snape said, "So, am I invited to this get-together?"

Hermione whirled to stare at him, aggrieved. "Of course! How could you even ask that?"

Snape raised his brows and said, "Well, this is the first I've heard about Saturday being your birthday. And we know how well your N.E.W.T.s party went."

Hermione's hand clamped over her open mouth and she goggled at Snape, aghast. "Oh, bloody hell! I forgot you didn't know! All my friends know, so naturally I thought you must, too. I'm sorry, Severus. Of course I want you there." She squeezed his arm, pressing closer to his side. "As for the debacle that was my party at Hogwarts, I see your point. I'm hoping that, since we'll be in public, Ron will have the decency to behave like a gentleman."

Snape inclined his head. "Who are you inviting?"

"Harry, Ron, Neville, Draco, George... I'd love to invite Ginny and Luna, but I doubt McGonagall would let them out so early in term."

"Good point. Anyone else?"

Hermione seemed to shrink in on herself for a moment, crowding closer to Snape as she murmured, "I wish I could invite Fred and Tonks and Remus, or even my parents."

Snape stopped short and turned to envelop her in a comforting embrace. Although her parents were alive, the Ministry had not met with any success in retrieving their memories from Hermione's modifications. To her, her parents were as dead as the others. She pressed her face against his chest and stayed there for a long while, leaning into his silent support. Finally, she backed away, passing a hand over her face, and Snape kept his arm around her shoulder as they resumed their slow walk home.

"A smaller gathering is often better...much more intimate and meaningful."

Hermione flashed a grateful smile up at Snape for his kind words. "Indeed. Thank you, Severus."

Snape squeezed her shoulder and snorted. "It was nothing." They eventually entered Spinner's End again and Snape said, "Now, why don't you send out your invitations? Don't forget to remind them all that it's a Muggle pub, so they need to be on their best behaviour, lest Kingsley have to send a team of Obliviators after us."

Hermione laughed as she ascended to her room and called back, "I will!"

Snape went straight into the kitchen to check for supplies, making note of what he needed to get at the market the next day, then went to the cluttered bookshelves to look for his mother's cookbook. Comparing his list with the recipe he found, he made some corrections, then tucked the cookbook in a kitchen drawer for easy access later and set the shopping list on the counter.

I do hope she'll like it.

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