Danger and Affection Down Diagon Alley

Disclaimer: This story's universe and characters were created by J.K. Rowling. I make no profit from it, and no copyright infringement is intended.

Thanks go to Moon Revel and EleanorRigby for their help with this story. It is much appreciated!

It was Monday, and Harry had just Floo-called Hermione again. He appeared upset and asked Hermione if she had time for a visit, but she could see that he really just wanted someone to talk to. Regrettably, but only for Harry's sake, she had to go meet Severus earlier than usual.

They were meeting in Diagon Alley to visit the Apothecary, as she would soon be frequenting the place for potion ingredients. She was excited to go, but Hermione was concerned by the dejected look on Harry's green fire-lit face, and she quickly assured him that she would be glad to meet him afterwards at the Barking Man.

The Barking Man was a special place for the trio...more than just a pub popular with young adult wizards. It had once been a store devoted to the sale of amulets and other charms questionably dark in nature, and it had belonged to the Black family for many generations. The shop had closed up, and their goods were sold to a shop in Knockturn Alley when Voldemort had fallen the first time. At that time, no person wanted to risk being in any way associated with anything remotely dark. It was worse now, after Voldemort's final defeat, since the Ministry had not a smidgeon of mercy for anyone suspected of serving the Dark Lord. The space was still owned, but had been neglected, by the Blacks for all these years.

Now that the war was finally over, the whole wizarding community had been working to bring pride back to their world. Cleanup was done everywhere: in Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade, and at Hogwarts. Everything was shined up and enhanced, as if by doing so people would feel they could start afresh in a thriving and beautiful wizarding world. A gilded splendor coating the ruins, trying in vain to make people forget the pain of grief and loss... A superficial shine hoping to dazzle the once-bright, but now dimmed light within them all...

And so Harry had been informed that the place was one of the many assets that had fallen into his ownership when his godfather, Sirius Black, died. He had been told to fix the place up...or sell it to someone who would.

Awash in emotional memories of Sirius once more, Harry had decided to do something with the space that would honor his godfather. He turned it into a friendly pub, a place where people could gather and have good times with their friends: eating, drinking, being merry...the whole lot. Then he had given it a special name and hired a general manager to run and staff it.

Hermione suggested to Harry a time she could meet him at the Barking Man, a time when she was sure she and Severus would be finished with their business. Harry had smiled, finally, and agreed, and Hermione wondered what could be bothering him. Well, she would find out later that day, and she would do all that she could to support him. But now... it was time to go see Severus.

"Ahh, yes. Yes, this one is even extra-strength. Perfect. So perfect. Just a swig will do, and no one will ever notice...."

Hermione approached Flourish and Blotts bookstore where she and Severus had arranged to meet. Oh, and there he was! He stood in the side alley between the bookstore and a store that specialized in divination tools. His feet were jutted out in front of him, supporting him as he leaned casually against the wall with his arms lightly crossed. He watched her approach with an intense, beckoning look in his eyes.

She felt a grin appear on her face and watched as he gave her one of his rare smiles...a treasured gift seemingly only ever for her. The moment they embraced and pulled together in a tight hug, she felt the now-familiar, but still exhilarating, wave of heat flow through her. She felt the comforting joy of being with him again, of being held so close by him.

She felt something else too. It was as if some kind of wind, carrying with it a mist filled with tiny sparks of magical energy, had rushed about them in a great, swooping arc, making a complete circle about them. Hermione was about to ask Severus if he knew what it was when he gently guided her chin so that she was looking at him, and he bent down to brush his lips against hers. The unfamiliar magic forgotten, she soon found herself wrapped up in Severus, their kiss intensifying with all the raw passion that new lovers have...excitement and an eagerness to explore one another further. Finally, they pulled away, panting slightly and staring at each other with awe and a certain disbelief that this was real.

"What is that magic that is circling us?"

"Oh, that," he said, withdrawing from their embrace and leaning against the wall once more. She continued to gaze at him questioningly, and so with a gentle sigh, he continued, "It was for invisibility...so that the intimacy we just shared would go unseen."

"I see."

Hermione wondered if he was afraid of them going public about their relationship. It would be wrong to hide it, as if it were a dirty secret, even if it is a relationship with a match as... unusual as Severus and I are.

She felt the mist swirl back around in the opposite direction, undoing the spell.

"Miss Granger," Severus began, his eyebrow raised and his lips quirked to let her know he was teasing, "surely you should be capable of ascertaining why such a precaution is necessary? We are not aspiring to cause an uproar in the wizarding world, are we?"

Hermione was not going to make an issue of it now, so she shrugged. If they were going to have a real relationship, sooner or later people would have to learn of it, right? No one, not even society, should make people feel pressured to keep parts of themselves hidden.

"Now, look there," Severus said, pointing at the cobbled, twisting road that was bustling with people going about their shopping. "See how many heads are turning our way?"

Hermione looked, and sure enough, several passersby stopped to gawk at them. She was starting to get used to the excessive attention she had been receiving since being awarded an Order of Merlin, but she was not used to seeing Severus get so much attention...and he was definitely getting some looks. And Hermione noticed, with a certain disconcertment, that he was especially receiving looks of admiration from the witches who were passing by. Hermione knew Severus must have been dealing with his share of fame, too, since he was declared a War Hero, but it was still strange seeing it when people used to go out of their way to avoid the dark and enigmatic man. It must be a pleasant change for him.

She knew what Severus meant: the public seeing two of their beloved heroes in the same day? It was overwhelming for them, and no wonder. Everyone who passed looked their way, well... except for one dark-cloaked man walking quickly past with too much purpose to pay any mind to anyone.

Some witches had inexplicably arrested themselves on the corner, and she glared at them as they stole covetous looks at Severus, but these mindless witches took no notice of her jaded stare. Others stopped to look, smiling and waving in appreciation, then moved on with their business.

"And this display is only due to our part in the downfall of the Dark Lord. Imagine how much worse it would be if they saw the two of us together." Looking sternly at the women, he said, "How... delightful... Those two ladies are debating over whether or not to approach us. There is simply nothing more pleasurable then being forever encumbered by the presence of effervescent admirers." He pulled out his wand, holding it loosely in one hand, running a finger down its length as he smirked. "Heh, I need a bigger stick."

"There's no need to beat them off. I can take care of it," Hermione said. She saw they were taking the first steps to approach them...approach Severus, that was to say. She discretely aimed her wand at the corner, the wand being mostly covered by the sleeve of her robe, and muttered, "Ne turbare!"

"Well done, Hermione," Severus said approvingly. "The 'Do-Not-Disturb' Charm... That spell is not commonly known. Where, might I inquire, did you learn of it?"

"Er...well, some of the boys were throwing... er...Dungbombs at one of the dormitory doors..." she began reluctantly, knowing how Severus would be affected by hearing about this bout of rule breaking-gone-unpunished.

His eyes widened, and he managed to spit out, "Despicable!" before Hermione continued her explanation.

"Well, see, these other boys, uh..." she stuttered, not wanting to tell Severus they were Harry and Ron, "...yeah, well, they had started a food fight at one of the Gryffindor celebrations we had after winning a Quidditch match. It got carried away when they went into their dormitory to get a batch of spattergroit-inducing, exploding orbs and then chucked them down the stairs at people. They had to retreat so as not to get hit by the retaliatory Dungbombs."

"The maturity of youth these days simply astounds me..."

"So, the Dungbombs were so putrid that they peeled the top coat of paint right off the door. Underneath had been the words 'Ne turbare' written in everlasting ink."

Severus laughed, clearly finding amusement in something Hermione did not understand. He wore a proud smirk as he said, "She was always so brilliant."

"Who?"

His smirk became a slight frown. "The Muggle-born witch who created that spell...a very special spell it is, too. It never caught on, having a Muggle catch phrase and because a successful result was never guaranteed. People have an inordinate ability to walk past signs without seeing them, and there are others, remarkably rude sorts, who after reading a 'Do Not Disturb' sign subsequently disregard it. So casting the spell will work, depending on the level of awareness and respect that others have. She enhanced the spell, using a charm I taught her, making it one that works when read in written format. And that is not everlasting ink. They needn't have painted over it. There is a spell to vanish it."

"Wow!" Hermione was impressed. "What a creative way to tell people you do not wish to be bothered."

"Indeed." He was frowning again as he asked, "You said they found that on the door of a boys' dormitory. Which?"

"The seventh years'..." Hermione said, speaking sheepishly again.

His face darkened, and Hermione thought it might be because she had just implicated the boys in her year...the same ones whom Severus severely despised for never having appropriate consequences for their rule-breaking.

Hermione had a sudden idea, and if she was right, Harry would be interested to know...

"Er...Severus? May I ask... er...was Lily Potter the Muggle-born witch who invented the spell?"

"Lily Evans," Severus corrected. She was not married until after Hogwarts, which is where she was when she put the spell on that door."

"I'm glad it worked on those witches over there." Hermione watched them walking slowly away, looking over their shoulders at them and giggling.

"Indeed," Severus said. "We have dallied long enough now. Let's go." He turned toward the cobbled road and took a few steps.

Hermione, not wanting to miss a possible opportunity to unravel the elusive Severus Snape, hoped he would answer just one thing. "Wait. Severus, about Lily..."

He turned back and looked at her still standing by the wall. He gave her a placating smile. "Come along, Hermione. We haven't the time to spare. It would not do to be tardy for a professional appointment. We have also to acquire more ingredients for the Azkaban potions whilst we are there."

She stepped up next to him, and for the briefest moment, he brushed his fingers along hers. The contact spoke volumes and provided assurance, but was not entirely appeasing. Hermione wished she and Severus could stroll along Diagon Alley with their hands clasped together, like any other couple would do. But she supposed it was rather far-fetched to expect such from a man as private as Severus was.

Yes! Very good. I have just the information I needed. Now, let's see...

Severus and Hermione finished their business at the Apothecary. The owner, Mr. Sliggrick, had widened his eyes at the list of ingredients she needed, scrutinizing her as he remarked that they were a very unusual combination of ingredients. Severus, who had been perusing barrels of odorous, slimy creature portions, had coolly reprimanded him and demanded that he show Hermione the same discretion and service that he had given to Severus over the years, as they were working together on potion projects and she was his apprentice. Hermione was sure she disliked the man, but felt him acquiesce to Severus' requisition and knew he could be relied upon to have in-stock all the very best of the ingredients she would need throughout the year.

"Severus, I agreed to meet Harry at the pub after our work was done today..." Hermione said as they stepped out into the fresh air, delivering them from the noxious, pungent odors of the Apothecary.

"Is that so?" he said with an air of disinterest. "Well then, I will certainly not keep you." He nodded to her. "I can take these ingredients to the potions lab. I will see you on Thursday for your lesson, I presume?"

Severus had stepped away, looking as if he were about to Apparate away. This was just too formal. Hermione yanked on his sleeve and pulled him into the side alley between the Apothecary and the shop front next to it.

He smiled at her, and she felt him send out the invisible magic, encompassing them once again in a mist of invisibility to outsiders.

"How do you do that?" She was in explicit awe of his magical creations.

He took a step back from where she stood in front of the stone wall, regarding her with uncertainty. After a moment, he said, shaking his head slightly, "No, I feel sure you would not understand. I am not even certain I do." Hermione raised her brows. "I would tell you, Hermione, but it is a complex magic that has evolved into something new...even to me. At a more opportune time, I shall endeavor to explain it to you."

She must have looked offended to him. "Hermione..." he trailed off. She could see he was uncomfortable and sincerely did not want to upset her.

Hermione let it go. "Severus, it doesn't matter. Come here. I want..." He moved towards her as she spoke. He wrapped his arms around her as she finished, "to be close to you."

He pressed a few chaste kisses to her lips. Hermione then rested her head on his shoulder, one arm reaching up to run her fingers through the strands of his hair. "I love your long hair," she whispered into his neck.

"Do you? I am growing it even longer," he said silkily.

"Really?" She pulled back to look at him. His eyes glittered at her delight.

"Really. Long enough to tie back when I am brewing." He raised his brows and smirked, and Hermione knew what they were both remembering.

"That was when this all began," said Hermione, staring into Severus' eyes.

"It was, and I do not even begin to comprehend it. You will tell me, will you not, if you decide that this is just a passing fancy for you?"

"Severus! It could never be that. There is something stronger than that here. Something so real."

"Surreal, maybe." He sighed. He did not seem able to believe her so easily. "You do realize you are still young, and you may have several strong relationships before finding one that is, in truth, real for you?"

"Please... I have already been through something like that with Ron," Hermione said. Severus grimaced. "This feels different. I mean, it was surprising, but I know the way I feel about you is very real. There are so many things about you that just... wow! And there are so many things that are you, but I barely glimpse them, and I want to know them...to know you."

Severus smiled softly again, which filled Hermione with pleasure. He placed his hands against the wall on either side of her head. He leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Strange as it is, your... feelings... for me... I suppose we will have to wait and see if you continue to like the man you see before you."

"I will," Hermione said adamantly. She found his eyes, gazed into their soft blackness, and asked, "What about you? What is this for you?"

His voice a smooth, rhythmic cadence, he said, "You simply cannot begin to know the effect you have on me, Hermione. I can barely believe this is no dream."

Hermione nearly melted with Severus leaning over her, his eyes smoldering, his voice so... caressing. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him to her. "A dream come true, maybe."

"I do not understand it," he murmured as Hermione brought her lips to meet his.

"I know. Me neither," she said in a whisper before their mouths came together once more. This time they allowed the raging passion boiling within to burst out into a frenetic, consuming kiss. As they held each other, kissing, their hands moved: up and down backs, running through each other's hair, cupping cheeks and sliding down necks and arms.

She gasped as he gently nibbled her lower lip. He pulled back, his eyes as dark as his raven hair, but shining. His mouth twisted in a wry grin. He was beautiful. "Minds such as ours strongly disfavor not understanding something...especially powerful feelings such as these. It feels wrong not knowing. However, like you said..."

"That's what makes it interesting," Hermione finished. "Oh, and you really are. I hope you will let me get to know you, Severus."

He smiled briefly and placed a quick kiss on her lips. "You had better go, or you will be late for your meeting with Potter," he reminded her.

"Oh, gods, you are right. I am going to be so late!" Hermione felt the whirlwind of retreating magic and knew she and Severus were no longer invisible to passersby. "Goodbye, Severus. Can we... er..."

"Just go," he said kindly. She smiled brilliantly at him and turned to rush down the cobbled road. When she was out of sight, Severus Disapparated.

Hermione turned down a side alley. If she could zig-zag through the back ways, she could get to the pub faster without having to push through the crowds on the main road. She walked at a brisk pace, which soon turned into a jog when she realized Harry had been waiting for her for ten minutes already.

Alone! She's all alone. The stars must favor me today.

Hermione was feeling uneasy. She was late, yes... and Hermione was never late! Yet, this uneasiness was something more. It was a similar discomfort to how she had felt every day for the several months it had taken to track down Horcruxes and to find and finish Voldemort. She quickened her pace, and as she did so, she heard the sound of footsteps behind her...footsteps that matched the pace of her own. She cast a nervous glance behind her but did not see anyone. She tightened her grip on her wand and ran. Hopefully, it was not anything at all.

She heard the footsteps again. They were pounding. They were gaining on her. She looked back again and saw a cloaked and hooded man right behind her. "Expelliarmus!" a hoarse voice cried. She shrieked as her wand flew away from her. He grabbed her, and they tumbled forward from the momentum. She was pinned to the ground under his heavy weight. She could not see his face, but there was a real maliciousness in his voice as he sat back and said in a low tone, "Silencio!" and then, "Incarcerous!"

Hermione was bound with rope, with no wand, and unable to cry for help. She was in a dark, narrow alley with a dangerous man. Tears streamed down her face as her mind, in her panic, thought of all the horrible reasons this man would be doing this. Did he want to harm her? Kill her? Take her hostage? Any number of people could hate her for being the friend of the Chosen One and helping him to defeat the Dark Lord.

"You are a bright, young girl, aren't you?" The low, rumbly voice was speaking to her mockingly. "Head Girl last year? Then tell me, dear, how many possible ways are there for me to extract information from you against your will?"

Hermione blanked. What kind of information could she possibly have that someone else would know of and consider valuable? Hermione was still under the Silencing Spell, but her attacker did not even intend for her to answer.

"Let me help you with that one," he said with superiority. "Let's see... Yes, there are two ways. One is very simple: Veritaserum. I could have you spilling your guts about anything I wanted to know. However, the other way is certainly more efficient with its visual accompaniment. Painful, too, from what I've heard. It's much more satisfying and informative than the first way, and I will definitely, definitely get what I am looking for. I only wonder if a prodigious witch such as yourself can block it? We shall see..."

Hermione tried to cry out. Her mouth opened, but nothing audible came out. The man chuckled. "Have something to say?" He stuck the point of his wand in-between two of the layers of rope that wrapped around her chest. "Okay, let's hear it, but if you dare to scream you will be dead in an instant. Do you understand?"

Hermione's eyes widened in fear, and she nodded her head. She choked out, "Please, you don't have to invade my mind. Just let me tell you whatever you want to know!" Hermione had realized she was actually keeping quite a few secrets, many of them related to Harry and what the public did not need to know about him and Voldemort...the very fact that Voldemort had made Horcruxes was still unknown... There were the many Dark Magic spells she knew from her research into ways to destroy Horcruxes, and there were other things she ought not to reveal, her relationship with Severus, for one. And she also knew about...

"Azkaban." the man said succinctly. "You will tell me everything you know about the new security measures...specifically how to make the potion. Tell me now. Everything. Otherwise, I will delve deep into your mind and crudely take everything I need."

"I don't know anything more than you do!" Hermione declared.

"Yes, yes you do. Today's edition of the Daily Prophet informed the community about their use of Black Flame. The Ministry wants to make sure people feel safe in their beds, knowing they are secure from the Dark Lord's loyal followers. They are confident in their new security system, aren't they? Overconfident, because you are going to tell me how to get through the flames. It is a potion, isn't it? Isn't it?" Hermione whimpered. "Tell me how to make it."

"I really do not know! I have never made it! You are filthy scum, and I am going to make sure the Aurors find you and lock you up behind those flames as well!"

There was a low chuckle again. "Somehow, I don't think so. I know what your job is, girl, and I know you are lying. Very well then, since you will not tell me..." He moved the wand and pointed it at Hermione's head. "Legilimens!"

There was an invading push, a whoosh that moved forcefully through the front of her mind. She felt as if cold, stabbing claws were pushing and snaking their way through the many layers of her brain. She saw before her, in her mind, a picture of the past Friday when Severus was making the Azkaban potions, and she had hardly done anything but monitor the simmering cauldron. The knifelike prodding went further, looking for more...

And a voice in the distance was calling, "Hermione...? Hermione!"

The force withdrew from her mind. The man growled, cursing under his breath. He stood up and Disapparated.

Hermione cried out, "Here! I am here! Help me!"

A minute later, a tall, large-framed man burst into the alleyway where Hermione layed tightly encircled with the binding rope. It was Ron.

Tears of relief washed down Hermione's face as he gasped aloud and frantically asked if she was okay. Meekly, she affirmed that she was with a soft, "Yes."

"Evanesco!" Ron said, banishing the ropes. He knelt down and wrapped his arms around a shaking Hermione, and she fell easily into the familiar embrace.

"I've got you, 'Mione. You're okay. Try to relax, and tell me what happened."

She tried to take in a deep breath. It quivered, and she took a couple more, finally breathing easily enough to speak. "Someone... a man... I could not see his face... chased me down and used Legilimency on me. He wanted to find out how to make the potions needed to enter Azkaban. Somehow he knew that one needs a potion to get through the flames and that I am brewing it."

"Oh Hermione! Did he hurt you? Are you all right? Is your head hurting?"

"It was just... I'm okay. I think I have a building migraine. I can take a remedy for it when I get home."

"We need to act on this immediately. First, we need to tell Harry and then Kingsley. Can you stand? Here, take my hand..."

Hermione rose. She looked into Ron's concerned eyes. "Thanks, Ron."

"Of course," he said, staring back at her. He asked, "Where's your wand?"

"It flew over that way." Hermione pointed at where it landed several yards down the road. Ron retrieved it and handed it to her. They started walking back up the alley in the direction of the pub, which was a few blocks away.

Still shaken, Hermione asked, "Ron, what were you doing? How did you find me?"

He hesitated. "I... er...I was waiting for you actually. I've been wanting to talk to you..." He reached out to take her hand again.

"Ron..." began Hermione in a soft, but warning tone. She wanted his comfort, but she did not want to take it if it meant...

"It's not like you think, okay? I knew Harry was meeting you, so I kind of... Well, I was waiting outside the pub, hoping to intercept you."

"Did Harry set this up for you?" Hermione asked indignantly.

"No! No, Harry told me you weren't ready to talk to me. He doesn't even know I was there! You were so late, so I started to worry. You are never late. I started walking down the roads, looking for you. I had a feeling something wasn't right."

"You have good instincts for an Auror," Hermione replied kindly. "Ron, I am so sorry about what happened between us. I know how angry you are..."

"Stop. It's okay, Hermione. You shouldn't be worrying about this right now. I'm not angry about it anymore. I know now that you were right. We thought the love we had for each other was more than the love that comes from years of friendship. We expected it to be more, but it wasn't. You just figured it out first... as usual!" He ended with an amused smirk.

"Wow, Ron! You know, I really have missed you. Is it too much to hope that we can be friends again without it being too strange?"

"Hermione, I miss you. I love you...as my friend if not as anything more. There's nothing that could break us apart for good. You know us. We're always having our fall-outs, but we come back each time."

Hermione smiled. She stopped walking and pulled Ron into a hug. "Ron, you are wonderful. Thank you. Thank you for saving me from that..." Her eyes welled with tears again. Fear... This was a feeling that had leapt out of the past to come and crush her when she had been feeling so content... when they were finally supposed to have peace...

Ron smiled at her reassuringly, and as they continued their walk, he said, "Don't worry, Hermione. We will track down that fucking prat and make sure he pays."

They had reached the entrance to the pub. There was a sign hanging overhead, which read "The Barking Man" and had a picture of a growling, huge, black dog baring its teeth. They opened the doors and went inside to find Harry.