Drive Each to Surprise

A/N: Much love and many thanks for the reviews! To Laralee and Sixpence Jones, for betaing for me and for general all around awesomeness: *massive hugs*

Chapter Two – Drive Each to Surprise

"A Gentleman is a man who will pay his gambling debts even when he knows he has been cheated." Leo Tolstoy

~oOOOo~

The snow was blowing down in swirls and spirals that caught Severus' cloak. The fabric whipped around him in wild flutters as he made his way from the nearest Apparation point toward his destination. Ahead, he could just make out small, glowing windows, a shining beacon in the sea of white. Thinking of the warmth that lay beyond the glass, he suppressed a shiver as he quickened his snow-muffled steps. An icy swirl of snow spun before him and blew into his face and along his neck. He paused his progress and muttered a quiet warming charm as he squinted through the white haze that temporarily shrouded his vision. Then as he scanned the distance intently for a moment, the light of the restaurant window once again became clear, and he continued resolutely on. He knew that if he was to have any hope of getting through this evening civilly, then he needed to get out of this blizzard as quickly as possible. Contrary to popular belief, Severus Snape hated the cold.

~oOOOo~

Hermione sat at a small table, tucked into an intimate, secluded alcove of Epine Noire. Dressing with particular care, she had managed to arrive at the restaurant exactly on time for her date, looking the picture of beauty. Sitting in a form-fitting green dress, she took delicate sips from a wine glass as her eyes idly gazed around the room.

From the small alcove, she could not see any of the other guests, not that she really cared to anyway. Hermione was well aware that the privacy charms protected each of the tables from the intrusive eyes of onlookers. All that she could make out around the room was the deep, dark wood of the walls and the glow of the candles floating hauntingly above each table. Strange, exotic music drifted across the space at just the right level to allow for conversation while still wrapping each table in a blanket of intimacy. She knew that her date would be arriving any moment and was doing her best to keep as calm and composed as possible. Hermione wasn't sure who she had been set up with, but she had every hope that Narcissa knew her well enough to make a good guess as to which sort of man could capture her interest.

The light spilling from the foyer of the restaurant flickered as a patron entered. The movement of a shadow obstructing the flow of light drew the attention of the watching woman. The new guest, who Hermione knew would most likely be her date, paused for a moment and shuffled with his clothing.

Removing his coat, Hermione thought as she continued to watch.

When the man emerged from the room accompanied by the maître d', the two spoke in quiet tones in the dim light of the restaurant, and then, after the maître d' nodded, they began to make their way across the room. Hermione squinted but could not make out the features of the new man. For a moment she was disappointed that the privacy charms would preserve his anonymity until he arrived at his table. It would have been nice to get a glimpse of her date, if this was him, before he got to her. What she could tell was that he was a tall, lean man with a quick, determined step. Though his clothes, too, were obscured, she could see that he was dressed in dark colours. When it became clear that they were indeed heading to her table, she took a final sip of wine and quickly composed herself for the coming evening.

~oOOOo~

Severus followed behind Gustave, scanning ahead for his date. The privacy charms of this blasted place were both a blessing and curse. He did appreciate that he could eat without the intrusive looks of former enemies and pupils, but the fact that he couldn't get a clear vision of his date disconcerted the spy in him.

As he neared the table, Gustave stopped and turned back to face him. Then, drawing his wand from a hidden pocket, the old man said, "If it pleases, sir, I will now add you to the charm for this table. It is for your privacy, of course. You and your dining companion shall be visible only to one another while sitting at this table or in physical contact within these walls. All charms placed upon you are set to terminate upon your re-entering the foyer of our establishment. Do you agree?"

Severus nodded curtly and felt the magic wash over him. Then, as Gustave nodded and faded into the back ground of the restaurant, the table before him shifted and then crystallized into clarity. His eyes, at first, simply adjusted to the newly clear surroundings, but after a second, they settled upon the woman sitting at the table and took in each small detail about her. First, he took in the tight green dress that accentuated her body in a most flattering manner and the exacting posture with which she sat in her chair. Her breasts, while modestly covered, were alluringly evident.

His eyes grazed over the turn of her waist, absently noting that it indicated a healthy body full of womanly curves. Approving of the lush form of her body and poised nature, he moved on with his examination. His eyes grazed over her hands, which had just set her wine glass upon the table. They were small and delicate.

She seems to be a small but well-made creature, he thought as his eyes continued on to her face.

For a quick moment, his eyes lit upon her pink lips, which were currently showcasing a small smile that quirked to one side. They were fresh, plump, and surely soft, and though he wouldn't mind contemplating the many things the lips could do, he did not linger there. Instead, he chose to move on to her eyes and hair. Her hair was pulled back into a wild, twisted knot. Negligent curls framed her face and brushed against the skin of her neck, just asking to be pushed aside in pursuit of the flesh hidden beneath. Her eyes were a deep cinnamon, and they washed over him in warm waves that were full of vibrant life. He began to step forward as the woman took in a deep breath and simultaneously moved to stand in order to properly greet him.

~oOOOo~

As he was spelled into the charm of the table, Hermione watched the shape of her date shimmer and shift into a fit and decidedly attractive form of a man. He wore expensive clothing that was clearly tailored to fit him and probably cost a small fortune. His hands, which hung casually at his side, had long, lean fingers. They looked to be rough and strong, as if this man used his hands each day in physical tasks that marked him. Hermione felt a small jolt run through her; this man worked for his living. She could not abide those who idled away their life, resting on laurels. A small quirk of approval lit up her face, and she moved on with her perusal. He was very tall and had dark hair that was pulled back into a queue. His skin, which was flush from the cold, was rather pale but not so much that it looked sickly. Wanting to greet him properly, she began to slide her legs to the side of her chair in order to stand, and that was when their eyes met.

Recognition and horror flooded the pair of them instantly as he froze mid-step, and she sat down hard in her chair, full of shock.

Fuck, Hermione thought as she realised exactly who was standing before her. She had been ogling her former professor, her very handsome bastard of a former professor.

"Fuck," Severus said bitterly under his breath, unknowingly echoing her unspoken curse. His jaw clenched in frustration as his eyes narrowed in annoyance. It would be just his luck that Lucius would pick one of the most beautiful and undoubtedly intelligent witches around while still ensuring that she would be absolutely unsuitable. There was no way he could ever be interested in the Princess of the Gryffindor trio, and Lucius knew it.

He growled out, his voice raw and feral, "Ms Granger."

Hermione startled at the sound of his voice as thousands of memories flooded her. The long-forgotten drawl of his acidic tones brought to the forefront of her mind the image of her intolerant Potions professor. Her heart began to race, causing her stomach to churn nervously. What had Narcissa thrown her into?

Gulping audibly, she returned in as quiet and calm a voice as she could manage, "Professor Snape."

~oOOOo~