4. An Evening With Professor Snape

Disclaimer: JKR owns the world of Harry Potter and all the characters. I just play with them from time to time.

A/N: Many, many thanks to my wonderful beta, Southen_Witch_69!

An Evening With Professor Snape

After Harry left her rooms, Hermione didn't quite know what to say or do. It was Ginny who finally broke the silence. "Don't worry, Hermione. I'll talk to him. He just needs to get used to this."

Ron, who finally found his voice, asked, "What exactly is this, Hermione? I mean, what did Snape mean when he said he would see you around seven?"

Hermione sighed. "It's Professor Snape, Ronald. He asked me to dinner tonight, and I accepted."

"What kind of dinner?" Ron was starting to get a little worried.

"What do you mean? It's the kind of dinner where you sit down and eat. Honestly!"

"Is this a date, Hermione?" Ginny was positive this was going to be a very bad week.

Cocking an eyebrow, she inquired, "What if it is? It's no one's business except my own."

"Damn it, Hermione!" Ron screamed. "Have you lost your mind? Do you fancy Snape?"

Turning towards Ron, she answered, "I honestly don't know. I find him interesting and a great conversationalist. We get on well while working together, and I wouldn't mind seeing how we get on in a personal level, but this really does not concern you, does it, Won Won?"

Ron blanched. He knew this was Hermione's way of reminding him that he let her go for Lavender. He supposed he really didn't have a say as a boyfriend, but as a friend, he was concerned.

"Look, Hermione, I just don't understand, is all. He has always hated you, along with Harry and me. I just wonder why he is suddenly taking you out to dinner. I don't trust him. I mean, I know all about Professor Dumbledore, and why he had to do what he did but still. I just don't see him going from hate to... to... whatever this is in a week's time."

Hermione sighed. She didn't really feel like having this conversation. Harry and she had never, and apparently would never, agree on Severus. Now, Ron was starting. They were growing apart, the three of them, and it saddened her. However, she just couldn't live her life to suit them.

"Ron, I refuse to argue with you or Harry over this. If I want to go out to dinner with Severus, I will. Now, I have some things I need to take care of today, so if you don't mind? You guys can come around for tea tomorrow. How does that sound?"

"Sure, Hermione. Harry will probably be cooled off by then." Turning to Ginny, Ron told her, "Let's go, Gin."

When the brother and sister shut the door, Hermione leaned against it and thought to herself, You better take me someplace nice, Severus Snape!

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Hermione was just putting the last pin in her hair to secure it up when she heard a knock on her door. "Coming!" she called out.

She opened the door and allowed her date in. He started looking her up and down. She wore a simple, but elegant, Muggle dress of deep rose that came to the floor. Starting to get uncomfortable under his scrutiny, she inquired, "Well? Do I pass inspection, sir?"

Cheeky witch! "Yes, you look quite nice. I was a tad worried. I've seen the sort of stuff your lot wear."

Offended, she raised an eyebrow. "My lot?"

Immediately realizing his mistake, he tried to make amends. "Your generation, Hermione. Some of the people your age wear some outrageous things, you know."

He's one to talk with those billowing robes! Looks like a cross between batman and a vicar. "Well, I wasn't sure where we were going, so I choose to dress of either world, Wizarding or Muggle. If you don't think this is appropriate, I can change."

"No, you look perfect. Shall we?" He was going to have to work on his compliments.

She took his arm as he led her to the gates. He Apparated them both to a restaurant that he had Owled earlier for reservations. It was nice, and Hermione was impressed.

Severus found Hermione a quite pleasing dinner companion. She was well read on many subjects and could make her points when she disagreed with something. He enjoyed that. It had been a long time since he had such an interesting and fairly attractive date. He decided he would pursue a relationship with her and see where it led.

He thought of his Grandfather Prince just then. When his mother had married a Muggle man, his grandparents had disowned her. When Severus was born, and it was discovered he did have magical abilities, Grandfather Prince decided he needed a wizard to show him the way of things. Never date anyone except a Ravenclaw, boy. They are the only ones clever enough to keep up with us Slytherins, the old man's voice said in his mind. Severus shook his head at the thought of that. The man was old as dirt then and still going on about the Houses of Hogwarts.

Severus thought there was a little of each House in everyone, if the truth be told. He himself was certainly as brave as any Gryffindor; he'd proved that by going back to the Dark Lord when he returned...not to mention having to kill Dumbledore. Well, best not to dwell on that. He was also clever as any Ravenclaw, spying without getting caught for all those years. Certainly, he was as loyal to Dumbledore and the Order as any Hufflepuff could have been. It was just that his high ambition outranked everything else when that hat had been placed on his head.

No, he decided that Hermione Granger was definitely worth getting to know better on a personal, adult level. He was looking forward to it. He had always wanted a family, but he'd never thought much on the subject whilst he had to spy. Now, he was free, and things were different. He was going to start living his life.

Hermione had never had such a fun date in her life...not that she had many dates before to compare it with. Severus was attentive and a great person to converse different subjects with. He definitely knew about more things than Quidditch and was able to keep up with her and spar some to boot. Not once since she started Hogwarts had she found someone who could keep up with her and her many interests until now. She really hated to see the evening end.

After dinner, neither was in a hurry to get back to the castle, so they walked around a small park in a part of Muggle London not far from Diagon Alley. They found a bench as they were walking and sat a bit in companionable silence. It was nice to just be able to sit and enjoy the other's company without unnecessary chatter. When Severus saw Hermione yawn, he decided it was time to head back.

Once back at Hogwarts, he escorted her to her chambers. "Do you miss living in the dungeons, Severus? I know you must miss your lab."

"I find my quarters pleasing. I don't miss the dreariness of the dungeons, nor do I miss not being able to have a window. The only complaint I may have is not being right by the Slytherin common room. As far as labs go, I miss having a lab, but it's not necessarily that lab. The one Minerva is having made for me is much larger than the one here. Until it is complete, I don't mind us sharing one, do you?"

"Not at all. I was worried about me invading your space!" As he chuckled, she asked him if he wanted to come in, which he declined. She was looking very tired. He told her he would be down the next day right before lunch to bring her the week's list of her apprentice duties, and if she wanted, she could go to Hogsmeade with him. He had some supplies to pick up, and they could lunch at Madam Rosmerta's.

Hermione thought of the different pop quizzes she wanted to prepare for all her classes, but she answered, "I would love to go with you. Thank you for tonight, Severus. I had a lovely time."

"As did I." He leaned forward, very lightly kissed her lips, and then strode toward his chambers. After he returned, he filled the tub with hot water and sank in. He very rarely allowed himself this luxury. He found himself smiling as he was thinking about his date. He could hardly believe the young woman he had taken out had been the same know-it-all child who had brought him nothing but headaches as a student.

He'd felt a spark when he'd touched his lips to hers. Although he wanted to take things slowly with her, that little jolt had awoken something in him that had lain dormant for quite some time. While he was remembering, he felt himself harden. Leaning his head back against the tub and thinking of Hermione's lips on his, he relieved himself slowly, enjoying the feel of his climax. Maybe I should not take things too slowly, he thought.

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Hermione practically floated to her bedroom. She had just had the most perfect date of her life! And that kiss! Hardly a touch, really, but the electricity that went through her veins when his lips touched hers was wonderful and scary all at once. She had never had those kinds of feelings before.

Getting into her pajamas and then bed, she wondered what to say to Ron, Harry, and Ginny the next day. Harry was most likely the one to cause the most problems. It was going to be even worse when he found out she was going to Hogsmeade with Severus to have lunch, as that could be seen as another date. Was it? Is that why he asked her? She sighed. She hated fighting with her friends, but she was not going to stop seeing Severus because Harry was too stubborn to accept the truth. Harry would just have to get over it or be done with her.

Christy's Notes: I wonder what everyone will say? Will Harry really end their friendship of seven years?

Southern's Notes: I think it was a nice date, and I'm with Snape. Why wait if the feelings are there? Muahahaha (I'm a wicked wench though.) I'm glad Ron wasn't too bratty, and I am wondering how much of an explosion the brat...er...I mean, Harry will have.

Quote from GOF: I've seen the sort of stuff your lot wear.