Chapter Five

A/N: Thank you all so much for your continued response! I'm so pleased so many of you are enjoying this little tale. I'd like to give a huge thanks to JenniferLupinBlack for being my fantastic alpha and to TrisanaChandler13 for being my fantastic beta.

Disclaimer: JKR owns the world of Harry Potter, not me. I am making no money from the posting of this story.

Chapter 5

Hermione carefully packaged her cookies, having decided to bring them over to Martha's house. She was eager to see her friend, as they had a lot to discuss...mainly, her neighbor.

When Hermione discussed Severus with Martha earlier in the week, her friend had been incredibly aloof about the situation. She was determined to find out why Martha was being so secretive. There wasn't any reason for it, was there? All she wanted to know was a little more about Severus, was that too much to ask?

Getting into her car, she drove to Martha's house while humming a song she had heard on the radio earlier in the day.

Pulling into the driveway, Hermione looked at the houses on each side of Martha's home. She wondered which one was Severus'.

"Hermione!" Martha called from the front porch. She waved, a warming smile on her.

"Hello, Martha!" Hermione called as she exited her car. "I brought over some cookies we made in class today." She placed the cookies on the table, taking a seat on the bench swing.

"Those smell absolutely delicious, Hermione," Martha gushed, immediately reaching for a cookie.

"And how's my favorite godson?" Hermione asked, taking the small babe from her friend's arms.

"Favorite godson?" Martha shook her head. "He's your only godson."

"Well, maybe, but once little James is born, I'll have two godsons."

"Oh, you lucky, lucky girl," Martha said with a snort. "But he's doing well. He was just fed and burped so I'm sure he'll fall asleep soon."

Hermione cuddled Jared while she sang to him softly.

Martha watched with a smile on her face. "You'd make a wonderful mother, Hermione."

At Martha's words, an image of Severus popped into her mind. She tried to push the idea of him and children away, but failed miserably. Ginny was right: she had developed a crush on her former professor.

"Hermione?" Martha asked. "Is there anything you want to talk about?" A knowing expression appeared on her face.

Hermione sighed. "Tell me about Severus, Martha. How long have you been neighbors? Is he decent to you? Has he mentioned the war or anything about the wizarding world to you? Has he said anything about his past?"

Martha laughed. "Hermione, one question at a time!" She took another cookie, biting into the soft center. "We've been neighbors for five years now. He moved in shortly after I bought my own house. He was a very private man then. He still is, of course, but now it isn't as bad. It took ages for me to get him to come over for a cup of tea. Although he can be snide and callous, he is a good man on the inside, which I'm sure you've noticed." Martha smirked, watching Hermione.

She blushed. "Er, yes, I may have noticed that Severus had changed from when I last spoke to him."

Her friend grinned. "I think he would do you some good, Hermione. You've been single for so long."

"I'm sorry, am I interrupting?"

Startled, both girls turned to the porch steps. Severus stood there, a plate of cookies in his hand.

Hermione's eyes widened in mortification as she wondered how much he had heard. "Hello, Severus," she said quickly.

"Oh, more cookies!" Martha said excitedly. "Thank you, Severus." Martha stood and took the plate from him. "He's been bringing me all his baked goods the past few days."

"Have you?" Hermione questioned, looking to Severus. His expression remained stoic.

"He's improved quite a bit, thanks to you," Martha said. "It seems Hermione's been doing you some good, Severus."

"Yes, well," he said, shifting on his feet. "I hope you enjoy."

"Actually, Severus, I was wondering if you'd do me a favor. You see, I was going to invite Hermione in for tea, but I actually don't have any."

He arched his brow. "Your point being?"

Martha gave him a look. "I know you have some tea at your house."

Severus let out a sigh. He turned to Hermione, an amused expression on his face. "Miss Granger, would you care to come over for tea?"

Embarrassed from Martha's antics, Hermione blushed. She nodded, sending a glare to Martha.

"Wonderful!" Martha said, standing. "Let me see Jared." She took the baby from Hermione's arms and grabbed her cookies. "Thanks again for the cookies." Entering her house, she closed the door behind her.

Hermione looked to Severus awkwardly. "So," she said, gently biting her lip.

"Come along, Miss Granger," he said, turning and walking down the sidewalk. "I invited you to tea."

"But only because of Martha," Hermione retorted, cursing herself for wishing he had invited her on his own accord. She looked down at her feet, wishing she was anywhere but here.

"Hermione," he said softly, saying her name for the first time.

Her head jerked upwards, eyes wide as she met his gaze. "Severus," she replied.

"Please, come in for tea," he said, pointing to his house. It was the one to the left of Martha's. A white house with grey shutters. Completely ordinary.

"All right," she said, following him to his house. As she walked inside, she quietly looked around.

His home was clean. Cleaner than she would have expected from a bachelor. But was he one? Her eyes widened when she realized she didn't know if he had anyone.

"Are you married?" she blurted out.

He paused, turning to look at her. "No, I'm not. Why would you ask that?"

"Well, your house is so clean, so I thought..."

"So you thought I was married," Severus finished for her. "No, Miss Granger, some people are simply capable of taking care of their home." He motioned for her to take a seat on the sofa.

"Miss Granger? I was Hermione five seconds ago," Hermione complained as he made them tea. She watched as his fingers moved quickly, preparing the tea exactly to her liking. How did he know how she liked her tea?

"That moment has passed," Severus retorted quickly.

She sighed, shaking her head. Her curls tumbled about. "I just can't read you." She accepted the cup of tea he handed her but didn't drink from it. She suddenly felt sick to her stomach.

Looking up at Severus, she saw his expression was once more cool. Hermione let out a small groan of frustration.

"Yes, Miss Granger?" he inquired, curious as to her behavior.

Hermione placed her cup of tea on the table. "You're just so hot and cold, Severus! One minute, I think you like me, and the next, you're treating me as if I'm an inconvenience. I can't stand it."

"Then don't," he said curtly. "Leave."

"It's just frustrating, Severus. I just want to know. I need an answer or at least something." She looked at him with pleading eyes. "Don't shut me out, Severus. Not when we've come so far."

He watched with guarded eyes as she stood and slowly approached him. She hated the coldness in his eyes. It reminded her too much of the past.

"Please, Severus. All this flirting and your behavior in class... Does it mean anything?"

He remained silent.

Hermione could scream in frustration. "Please, Severus, I want it to mean something."

Severus closed the distance between them, his lips landing on hers. Hermione immediately wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. She closed her eyes, savoring the sensation of his body pressed against hers.

It was pure heaven. Ecstasy bubbled within her body, spreading throughout her like a warm fire. He was everything she ever wanted. Yes, she wanted him. Oh, sweet Merlin, she did.

Abruptly, the kiss ended as Severus pushed her away.

"What?" she asked, looking up at him in a daze. Horror was written all over his face.

"Get out," he abruptly said, backing away from her.

The warm, fuzzy feeling slowly left her body. It was replaced with a dark, depressing coolness.

"Severus, I don't understand," Hermione whispered. "I thought that you..."

"Get out," he said, narrowing his eyes at her. "Get out of my house, Granger."

Tears filled her eyes. "Severus, please, talk to me."

"Get out of my house!" he shouted, pulling out his wand. Her eyes widened.

She didn't need to be told twice. Hermione ran from the room as quickly as possible, slamming his front door shut with unnecessary force.

She cried the whole way home.