Fancy Seeing You Here.

Hermione hadn’t slept well, her sleep broken by odd dreams. Once awake, snatches of old memories she had thought long forgotten as well as the most recent memory – Severus in his black suit – kept coming back to her over and over again. She should have said hello, and she was beating herself up about it. What must he think of her? But she was so embarrassed to be so obviously stood up by Rory that she had left as soon as his back was turned. He was probably laughing at her anyway, she mused.

She threw the bedclothes back and wandered into the bathroom, turning the shower on full, letting the steam fill the room and start to frizz her hair. It didn’t matter; she was going to wash it anyway. She stared at herself in the mirror. Her face was lightly tanned, and the sun had streaked her hair with blonde highlights. She wondered what to do with her day and remembered the old bookshop her dad had found. Smiling and pleased she had a purpose for her day, she stepped under the water and allowed it to pound her flesh.

Wrapped in a towel, her hair still dripping, Hermione parted the curtains of her suite to look at the weather. It wasn’t as sunny as the day before. Darker clouds were on the horizon, and the sea looked a little choppy. That was okay. She only needed to know what to wear. She pulled her jeans from her bottom drawer and grabbed her pink t-shirt and matching cardigan. She lifted her wand and cast a drying spell on her hair, deciding to leave it naturally curly for a change.

****

Severus closed his front door and wordlessly locked and warded it. He knew it wasn't necessary. No one of any significance knew he had a house here, but it was a habit he couldn’t break. He fastened his jacket and put his wand into the front pocket of his jeans. He turned and walked down the street, the tang of the sea hitting his nostrils as he inhaled deeply. It had been good for him, spending time by the coast. For a few years, he had actually been content to spend his holidays here, totally cut off from his normal life.

The wind started to pick up, and Severus increased his pace. His mind was invaded with thoughts of Hermione’s sudden disappearance the previous night, and he wondered if she had made it up with her boyfriend. He hoped he deserved her. She certainly had grown into a beautiful witch.

He reached the shop he was heading for and pushed the door open, the small bell attached to it tinkling over his head. He scowled. It irritated him no end, but it had been the same since he had first visited. He was sure that George wasn’t going to get rid of it just to please him, even though he was undoubtedly his best customer.

‘Mr Snape.’ The round, friendly man behind the counter smiled at him and reached to the shelf below, lifting a large parcel wrapped in brown paper and string.

‘George,’ Severus intoned. ‘Mine, I assume.’ He nodded at the parcel.

‘That’s right. Arrived this morning, although I don’t know why you don’t just put your own address on the parcels, then they can come straight to your door.’ He beamed at Severus jovially. It was a regular conversation between them. George obviously thought he was a mysterious man, trying to keep his location secret. George and his wife had many theories, and between them, they joked that he was probably a spy. They didn’t know how close to the truth they were.

‘I prefer privacy,’ Severus offered him by way of explanation, lifting the parcel from his hands. ‘Thank you.’ He nodded and turned to leave.

Hermione shoved the door open, clutching her cardigan around herself as she was battered by the now blustering wind. Her hair had blown over her face, and she walked on blindly, forcing the door closed behind her as she tried to push her curls from her eyes. She took a step forward and found herself being stopped by a firm hand on her shoulder. With a gasp, she saw a pair of black leather shoes and looked up slowly into his eyes in surprise.

‘Professor!’ she exclaimed. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to walk into you.’ Hermione tried a small smile and was rewarded with a smirk.

‘I see you still have difficulties controlling your hair,’ he said smoothly, removing his hand.

‘Nice to see you too.’ She flashed her eyes angrily at him. ‘Obviously, if I had I known I was going to walk into you, I would have tied my hair back especially.’

There was an awkward silence as Hermione glared at him and Severus stood looking at her, clutching his parcel. George stood behind the counter and smiled at their exchange. Professor, eh? He made a mental note to tell his wife later.

‘I bought you a drink last night, but you had already left,’ he stated.

Hermione’s eyes widened a little. ‘Did you? Oh... That was nice of you. I had to go…’ She drifted off. In her head, she kicked herself for not staying.

‘Naturally. I hope you were able to resolve things?’ he answered her. He was in no hurry to leave, for some reason.

‘Resolve things?’ Hermione’s forehead creased. What was he talking about?

‘Your boyfriend… he left without you?’ He looked at her, incredulous. Was he really talking to Hermione Granger about her love life?

‘I don’t have a boyfriend. I met Rory last night, and he bought me a drink. I’m guessing that when he realised he wasn’t getting anywhere, he gave up.’ Her lips pursed, and she frowned at the memory, her cheeks reddening slightly.

‘Do you often accept drinks from strange men in bars?’ He sneered at her slightly.

‘The only “strange” men I’ve seen in bars recently have been Potions masters,’ she responded and laughed at him. His sneer had no effect on her now, and she couldn’t help but feel smug as his mouth twitched at her smart retort.

‘Well…' Severus motioned towards the door.

‘Yes, well…’ Hermione stepped aside to let him pass. ‘Seriously, it’s nice to see you looking so well, Professor.’ She smiled at him warmly, and her eyes brightened, lighting up her face.

Severus paused and looked at her.

‘And you, Miss Granger.’ He smiled lightly and opened the door, stepping out into the inclement weather.

Hermione watched the door close behind him and sighed. She bit her lip thoughtfully and opened the door, running down the road after him, the wind hitting her with a blast.

‘Professor Snape!’ she shouted. Damn, he could walk fast.

Severus heard her shout and spun round to face her. He was irritated. He was plain 'Mr Snape' here, and that was how he liked it.

‘Miss Granger, if you must insist on shouting at me, drop the ’Professor,’ if you please. I prefer to keep that side of my life separate.’ He looked down at her.

Hermione was out of breath and gasping slightly, her breasts rising and falling. The cold wind had made her nipples erect, and Severus licked his bottom lip, unable to draw his eyes away from her chest.

‘I’m sorry, sir… I mean… Severus?’ She looked at him, and he nodded permission.

He liked the way she said his name, enunciating each syllable.

‘Was there something?’ he asked her, patiently. He was content to stare at her breasts while she decided to speak.

‘Yes… I was just wondering… will you be at the bar again tonight?’ She looked at him, her eyes wide.

‘Only… I’m here on my own, and, well… I could use some company.’

Severus looked at her, and his mouth opened slightly. She must be desperate, to want his company. ‘I usually visit the bar most nights.’ His smooth answer was non-committal, but Hermione didn’t care.

‘Great! I can pay you back for the drink I missed.' She smiled brightly. ‘See you later, then… Severus.’ With a small wave, she trotted back to the bookshop, looking back over her shoulder once.

He stood staring at her until she had disappeared and shook his head slightly. He smiled and wondered what she would be wearing.

Thanks to kizzy7 for super-fast beta'ing!