Easy, Miss. I’ve Got You.

Chapter Eight - Easy, Miss.  I've Got You.

 

She looked lovely in a low cut, deep burgundy jumper and a tight skirt that flared just slightly at the ends, stopping just at her knees.  Her black knee boots hugged her shapely calves, the high heels bringing her in height to his shoulder.  Her hair was pulled up in a loose twist.  Before he could check to see that Draco had indeed made it down the hall, she pulled him into a quick hug.  He loved the way her head tucked perfectly under his chin.

 

As quickly as she had come into his arms, she had already pulled away, grinning up at him shyly.

 

"So, Severus.  Where are we going tonight?"

 

He felt the blood rush from his face.  Going?  He'd spent so much time hiding from the fact that she had actually said yes and stressing over what he was going to wear that he had forgotten the very important task of actually planning said date.

 

"Severus... what's wrong?"

 

Apparently his face had gone as pale as he suspected.  "Nothing at all.  As to plans... I thought I would let you decide, as you are far more familiar with London than I."

 

Nice recovery.

 

"You forgot to make plans, didn't you?"

 

He balked, hoping to cover his faux pas.  "No, certainly not!  I just thought that you..."

 

"Don't worry, Severus.  I have a plan."  Retrieving her wand, she Summoned her coat and bag, and upon donning them, pulled him in close.  Before he could ask what her plan was, she spun them, her office blurring around them.

 

They appeared in a dark bricked-in alcove.  She stumbled as they landed, and he pulled her closer to keep her from falling.

 

She looked up at him and smirked.  "Sorry, I've only done that once before."

 

"Indeed."  He took in his bearings...they seemed to be in an Underground station.  "And where have you brought us, then?"

 

"Come along and see."  She extricated herself from his embrace and, grabbing his hand, led him towards the street exit.

 

As they walked down the street, they approached the main entrance to the Royal Botanical Garden, Kew.  He smiled...this would be the perfect place for a long, slow walk.  And, should the temperature dip even slightly, an excuse for him to put his arm about her shoulder and pull her close.

 

As they approached the attendant, she began rummaging in her purse.  He reached out and staid her hand, and she looked up confused.

 

"I may be allowing you to call the shots, Hermione.  But there is no way in hell I'm letting you pay for tonight."

 

She looked like she wanted desperately to protest but held her tongue.

 

Taking care of their entrance fees, they entered the gardens.  He exhaled sharply when her hand slid up his forearm and slipped into the crook of his elbow.  Irritated that he hadn't thought to offer her his arm, especially in those shoes, he bent his arm and brought his hand up to awkwardly pat her hand.  He smiled inwardly as her head came to rest against his shoulder briefly.

 

They continued their meandering a few minutes before she broke the amiable silence.

 

"I love this garden.  My parents always brought me here at Christmastime for the horse and carriage rides.  My father always smuggled a thermos of hot cocoa in his coat, and the three of us would ride as long as they would allow us."

 

He grimaced.  He hated conversations that got personal like this.  He didn't have many happy memories of childhood, especially at Christmas.  He searched for anything he could use in response.

 

"I still wear the Slytherin scarf my mother knitted for me for Christmas to all of the matches.  During school, my mates mocked it for being homemade.  By the time your classmates were attending games, they thought it was a novel antique."  He cringed, realizing he'd just thrown their massive age difference out there for scrutiny.

 

"I remember the scarf.  I always thought it looked warmer than ours."

 

Possible awkward conversation avoided.  He had to be more careful.

 

"Do you know why I brought you here, Severus?"

 

He honestly had no clue.  "No."

 

"I thought it might give you some ideas on perfume ingredients."

 

He was floored by her gesture of kindness and support.  She could have brought him to any generic place in London, but even in the short time she'd had to choose the venue, she'd still been kind enough to really think about something he'd like.

 

She led him towards a bright white bloom, a gardenia, and brought it to her nose.  "Would this be useful, for instance?  It smells lovely."

 

Of course you like it.  Its oils are all over your skin.

 

"I've used it in the past."

 

He saw a bloom he did not recognize, deep red in hue.  Leaning over, he inhaled its aroma...lovely.  Taking a quick look around, he slipped his wand from his sleeve holster and cast a quick Severing Charm.

 

"Severus!  You're not supposed to take any of the flowers!"

 

"Quiet, Hermione, or someone might find out."

 

"But why would you do that?"  She seemed exasperated.

 

"Because," he leaned towards her, flower in hand, "I failed to bring you a flower.  And this one does match your sweater so becomingly."

 

He held the flower up before her, tapping it with his wand.  "No one will be able to see it, save those who already know of its existence."  And before she could ruin the moment by protesting, he slipped the bloom into her hair, where it nestled in the twist of her curls.

 

"Lovely."  He took the opportunity to stroke her cheek as his hand passed her face.

 

Emotions played over her face.  Irritation, gratitude, nervousness.

 

Acceptance.

 

Oh God, she's going to kiss me.

 

Right as he was sure her lips were going to touch his, she deflected to the left, kissing his cheek just by his ear.

 

"Thank you," she whispered into his ear before leaning back and winking.

 

She walked towards the next exhibit, leaving him in stunned silence.

 

It took everything in his power not to cross the distance between them, spin her around and kiss her soundly.

 

Instead he caught up with her and stood behind her, his hands firmly in his pockets.

 

Her stomach grumbled.  She looked embarrassed.  "Had you given any thought to what you might be in the mood for dinner-wise?"

 

You.  "Food."

 

She rolled her eyes.  "Any particular type of food?"

 

"Surprise me."

 

She slipped her hand in his and led him behind a tree.  Between the hand holding, the random touches, and the hug, he'd been touched more in the last few hours than in the last year.  She was in his arms again, the bloom he had chosen for her wafting its perfume over him.  Reeling from the spiciness of the scent and the spinning of Apparation, he clung to her far more than he should.

 

Instead of a Tube station they appeared in a dark alley.

 

"Where are we now?"

 

"London."

 

He raised an eyebrow.  "Where in London?"

 

"Covent Garden."

 

They walked down the alley and slipped between the buildings to the main street.  As they walked down the lane, they approached a pub.

 

"The Maple Leaf?"

 

She shrugged.  "I know it's not very romantic, but I figured pub fare and low lights might at least be enjoyable."

 

He took in the Canadian flag over the doorway.  "Canadian pub fare?"

 

She took his hand once again.  "Trust me."

 

~~&~~

 

They sat in a corner booth, a plate of steaming poutine between them and a pint of Molson each.  He hated admitting that the beer wasn't terrible.  But he wasn't sure about this pile of chips, gravy, and cheese in front of them.

 

It certainly didn't lead him to any gastrointestinal conclusions that would be conducive to what his body was yearning for tonight.

 

Getting ahead of yourself, old man.

 

He made to pick up his fork, and she smacked at his hand.  "That's not how it's done."

 

She demonstrated, picking up a few of the chips in her hand, dipping them in the gravy and cheese before popping them in her mouth.

 

She licked the remnants from each finger, looking at him daring him to try.

 

He was ashamed by how turned on he was by her licking gravy from her fingers.

 

Not to be outdone, he picked up a particularly cheesy chip, and blowing on it gently, popped it in his mouth.  He delicately wiped the residual grease from his fingers with his napkin.

 

She giggled.  "I was just teasing.  You're more than welcome to use your fork, Severus."

 

He quelled the overwhelming urge to stick his tongue out at her and instead took a large gulp of his beer.

 

The overwhelming silence that comes when food has been served descended upon their table.  And in spite of his earlier misgivings, the food was good.

 

~~&&~~

Seemingly sated, Hermione put down her fork, withdrew her napkin from her lap, and placed it refolded on the table.

 

"Severus, I just though... I just thought you should know, well, my session with Draco went very well today."

 

His jaw tightened...the boy was the last thing he wanted to talk about tonight.  "Please, Hermione.  I would prefer to focus on you this evening and not discuss Draco."

 

"I understand."  She looked disappointed.

 

He sighed.  She probably wouldn't be happy until she finished whatever she had to say.  Before he could tell her to continue, she continued.

 

"I'm sorry, I just have to say this.  I was unfair to you at the restaurant last week.  Draco has changed so much since we were students, and it can't possibly just be because of the war.  It has to be because of living with you, at least on some level.

 

"You're just so different than you were when we were students, and I guess... I guess my prejudices got in the way of me seeing that, at first.  Not that I was prejudiced towards you.  More just convinced that you would never treat me like a friend.  Malfoy, I'll admit, I had strong feelings about.  When your parents raise you to reject those who judge you based on things you can't control... like blood status... well, it's hard to change your opinion about that person.  Even when it means you're judging them in the same way ultimately."

 

She paused to take a sip of her drink.  He didn't dare interrupt her now.

 

"I guess what I'm saying is... if someone had told me even a year ago that today I would have a relatively nice chat with Draco Malfoy in my office followed by a lovely evening with you... well, my response would not have been kind.  And I'm sorry for that."  She shrugged, casting her eyes downward as if afraid of what his response might be.

 

He hadn't expected an apology from her...hell, he hadn't even wanted one.  All he wanted was to make it through this date tonight with his dignity intact and with another date a distinct possibility.

 

Frankly, he didn't know what to say.

 

He slid his hand across the table and slipped his over hers.  Rubbing her hand with his thumb in what he hoped was a reassuring gesture, he waited till she looked up at him and smiled.

 

"No need to apologize, Hermione.  You're here now.  And I, too, am having a 'lovely evening.'"

 

She turned her hand in his until their palms were touching and squeezed.  "I'm glad, Severus."

 

~~&~~

 

They sat at the table, munching on maple biscuits and sipping coffee.  They'd talked about everything and nothing since her little soliloquy.  It felt... right.  There was no other word for it.

 

He'd never been out with a woman and had such a good time just talking.  Hell, he hadn't had a good time talking to someone about himself since he was a child, prattling on to Lily about a "potion" he had just concocted, which more often than not was just a jar of mud, sticks, and an unfortunate centipede mixed together.

 

"Ok, Severus.  Your turn to ask me a question."

 

He hesitated.  There was one question he'd been dying to ask since Draco came home from his first visit with her, but he had thought it inappropriate.  It was probably still inappropriate, but now he at least felt comfortable asking.

 

"Why are you working for the Ministry?  We all expected... well, a more academic route for you.  Not that I'm criticizing... I just..."  He trailed off, feeling stupid for even having asked.

 

She cradled her cup between her hands, staring into the dark liquid like one might gaze into a crystal ball.  "Well, after the war, Harry, Ron and I were given the option of studying for and taking our NEWTs or having NEWT scores issued based on our sixth year work.  Harry and Ron obviously opted for the latter.  They knew they'd never be able to pass NEWT-level Potions, for instance."  She looked up to see his response.

 

He smirked.  "Indeed, especially had I come back to teach as everyone expected."

 

"Exactly."  She kept eye contact with him as she continued.  "Anyways, I actually wanted to learn the material, so I entered into private tutoring and eventually sat my NEWTs.  By the time I finished that process, it was too late to apply to any apprenticing programs for that academic year, and honestly, I was just tired from all the studying.  I hadn't really had a break... That year on the run, and the Final Battle...through the funerals and celebrations, I'd gone straight into studying.  A break seemed like a lovely idea."

 

"More coffee?"  Neither had noticed the server approach.

 

"No thank you, sir." Severus responded.  "Just the bill, if you please."

 

The server nodded before leaving them.

 

Severus picked up where she had left off.  "Why do you think I quit teaching?  Going back into any situation with a schedule, and a boss...hell, anyone telling me what to do or expecting anything from me...well, it seemed like the worst idea in the world.  I didn't want to be responsible for anyone save myself."

 

"So you moved back home?  When did Draco move in with you?  I suppose that changed things quite a lot for you."

 

"Not long after the end of the war.  He and his father had problems from the outset of the end of the war.  Draco got it in his head that he had to fix his family's image.  Unfortunately, Lucius disagreed with Draco's use of his money for reparations projects and promptly threw him out."

 

"That's awful!" she interjected.  "Surely Mr. Malfoy could understand Draco's actions?"

 

Severus let out a bark of amusement.  "Far from it!  Malfoys may always play to those in power, but they don't do 'nice' in public.  Draco was giving money to war orphans and talking with Potter.  Lucius has always been behind the scenes:  secret deals with the Ministry, anonymous donations to the Minister's favorite pet project, and the like.  The last time he did anything public was donate those brooms to Slytherin, and even then the only reason the entire school knew was because Draco couldn't keep his mouth shut about it.  Your lot never heard the Howler Lucius sent him for that one."

 

Hermione smiled.  "No, but we would have loved to have heard it..."

 

"Remind me to show you the memory sometime."  He took a bit of biscuit, washing it down with some coffee.

 

"Draco shows up on my stoop last year, with everything he could magically cram into a duffel bag, and demands 'sanctuary' so to speak.  I let him stay on the condition that he earn his keep."

 

"And how did he end up at the bar?"

 

"He started as a patron at nights after looking for employment during the days.  He grumbled about his unemployed status one night, and the owner offered him a job."

 

"And does he like it?"

 

"He likes the mundane quality of it, to be sure.  He remarked once about how nice it was to not have to think about every single action."

 

She nodded.  "I can imagine that being the scion of the Malfoy and the Black families would carry a lot of perceived responsibilities."  A look of pity crossed her features.

 

"No more so than being part of the Golden Trio, I'd imagine."

 

"True.  When everyone began to find out I was working for Percy Weasley of all people, well, they weren't as supportive as I'd hoped.  But I felt like I had something I could offer ARDEC... a Muggle perspective.  I never imagined I'd end up with Draco as my first assignment!"

 

"I suppose not.  How is working for Percy?"

 

"About what you would expect...I spent the first several months compiling reports and crunching numbers.  But Percy really does care about the Agency.  I think he feels the need to make... reparations after his lack of involvement in the war itself."

 

The server brought their cheque, sliding it as unobtrusively on the table as he could.  She gave Severus an amused look as he quickly snatched up the bill, reviewing it before removing some notes from his billfold.

 

The server had interrupted the flow of conversation.  She looked at him nervously, and the same feelings lodged themselves deep within his core.

 

He coughed, trying to break the tense silence.  It didn't have the effect he hoped for.

 

"So, shall we go then Severus?"

 

"I suppose.  May I escort you home?  It is rather late."

 

"Absolutely."

 

He stood and retrieved her coat from the hook next to the booth, helping her to put it on.  Her arm slipped around his waist and without thinking, his arm went around her shoulder, pulling her into his side.  As they walked out, an older couple smiled at them, confirming what he was thinking:  we fit together perfectly.

 

They walked to the same alleyway.  She once again pulled him close and spun.  As they Apparated, he could have sworn he heard her whisper, "You smell amazing..."

 

They appeared by a streetlight in Diagon Alley, in front of Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes.

 

He was confused.  "You live here?"

 

She took his hand in hers and walked to a red door next to the entrance of the shop.  "Actually, I live in the third floor flat above the store.  George leased it to me when I got the job with Percy."

 

"But I thought you were no longer associating with the Weasleys?"

 

"I see Draco tells you everything.  That's not quite true.  Relations with Ron and Harry, and by correlation Ginny, have been rather strained as of late.  But George and I are quite close.  We both were emotionally... lost after the war, and becoming friends has helped that a great deal."

 

They had reached her door.  The end of the date was closing in on him.  The next minutes could mean... well... everything.

 

She reached a hand up and plucked her flower from her hair.  "Thank you for my flower, Severus."  She brought the flower to her nose and inhaled its scent deeply.  She lifted her hand and, taking his left lapel in hand, slipped the bloom through the buttonhole.

 

When Draco would ask him later tonight if he kissed her or if she had kissed him, the answer then and forevermore would be, "I don't know."  It all happened so... perfectly.

 

Her hands slid from his lapel up his chest before taking his cheeks between her hands.  He thanked God that his hands seemed to know what to do, as one wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush to his body and the other cupping the back of her neck.  Even in those heels, he still had to bend to kiss her.  Her hands led his mouth towards hers, and his hands spasmed in response to knowing what was coming. 

 

As their lips met, his eyes slammed shut.  He didn't want to lose this moment...he just wanted to feel her.  She slanted her mouth over his and tugged at his bottom lip.  He parted his lips slightly to allow her better access, and she took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, her tongue twining with his own.

 

Her hands slid up into his hair, anchoring him to her.  He bent his knees slightly and tightened his grip around her waist to lift her to his height.  The kiss become even more intimate this way.  No woman was ever tall enough to kiss him levelly, except in bed.  As if responding to the lascivious turn his thoughts had taken, she moaned.

 

She broke the kiss, her breasts pressing into his chest with every breath.  He opened his eyes and looked into her blush-tinged face.  He felt her kicking her feet, the point of a boot striking him in the shin.  She giggled and brushed a lock of hair from his eyes.

 

"Could you put me down, Severus?  I don't know if you've heard... but I'm not a big fan of heights."  She smiled cheekily.

 

"I hadn't heard that, actually.  I suppose that means you won't appreciate this."  Shifting her higher, he secured his arms around her upper thighs, her arse resting on his forearms. She squeaked in surprise.

 

Her tits were close enough to his face that he could do unspeakable things to them with his mouth.  Luckily she hadn't noticed.  He took the opportunity to lose himself in feel of her in his arms, her scent surrounding him, the feel of cashmere against his cheek.

 

"What are you doing, Severus!"

 

He tipped her head back and looked up at her.  "You live on the third floor, correct?"

 

"Yes, Severus, but I fail to see how that's importAAAAA!"  She squealed as they began levitating.

 

"Severus Snape, I swear to everything that is holy if you don't land us this instant or if you drop me, I will end you!"

 

"Easy, miss.  I've got you."

 

"I somehow doubt this is the time for Superman references, Severus!"

 

He continued his slow ascent.  Without warning, he shifted her suddenly, swinging her so she was cradled in his arm, one arm behind her shoulder, the other under her knees.

 

Her arms came up around his neck, holding on for dear life.

 

"Please, miss, call me Clark."

 

"I will not, you arsehole!  Put me down!"

 

"You mean right now?"  He descended rapidly, only an inch or two.  It was enough to make her scream.

 

"Do shut up, woman.  You know you're secretly enjoying the hell out of this."  Using the fact that she was in his arms once again, he kissed her again, using the distraction to ascend closer and closer to her window.  He rose above the railing and landed them gently on her small balcony.

 

Breaking the kiss, he lowered her to her feet.  She shakily clung to him.

 

"Hate you.  So much."

 

"No, you don't."

 

She smacked his chest feebly in an attempt to prove her point, which caused him to laugh.  It was enough to make her smile.

 

He leaned down one last time, dragging his lips lightly over her neck.  "Goodnight... Lois," he growled into her ear, nuzzling her earlobe before taking it between his lips and sucking lightly.  He could feel her body sway towards his, and he knew if he didn't leave now, he wouldn't.

 

Without warning, he took off into the night sky.

 

~~&~~

 

Hermione opened the doors to her balcony and walked into her flat.  A hand came up and touched her kiss-swollen lips.

 

She walked into her living room and sat on the sofa.  Removing her wand from her pocket, she flicked it towards the fire, which erupted in flame.  Nearly an instant later, the fire glowed green, and a letter spat forth from the flames.

 

Hermione,

 

What the flying fuck (like the pun?) was that??

 

Love and hugs,

George

 

Tomorrow.  She would deal with George tomorrow.

 

---

AN:  Any references the RBG, Kew and to Covent Garden were gleaned from Google searches.  None of this stuff may have been in place in 1999, and there may not be alleyways near any of it, but I did my best.  Let me write a fic about Atlanta or Boston, and I could make it more accurate.  Just take it in the spirit it was intended.

 

This was my absolute favorite chapter to write.  I hope y'all enjoyed it!