Chapter 7

Disclaimer: I've snatched some characters for a bit of fun.

Thanks go to beaweasley2 for the beta read.

"What would you like to eat?" Hermione asked, gazing at the menu.

"I'll just have fish and chips, I think," Severus replied, placing his menu back in the napkin holder at the far side of the table.

"Good idea." She turned and waved to the waitress. "We're ready."

"Lovely. What'll ye have then?" the portly woman asked.

"Two orders of fish and chips please."

"And two Cokes," Severus added.

"Oh, right! Sorry."

"Be out shortly."

"So, Hermione, what did you want to tell me?" he asked, not beating around the bush any longer, eyes firmly holding hers.

"I think we were both mistaken where Harry is concerned."

He snorted. "I highly doubt that."

"When I was shopping for my nightgown, I bumped into Ron."

"Weasley was buying himself a new nightgown?" he asked jokingly, arching his eyebrows. "I always thought him to be a Nancy boy."

Hermione laughed loudly at his joke and quickly covered her mouth, looking around to see if anyone had noticed. "No," she said through stifled giggles. "He was there with Pansy and Daphne. They were the ones shopping."

"Ah, I see. And?"

"Harry didn't go to Rita Skeeter right away. He went to Scrimgeour to talk to him about releasing you."

"And Scrimgeour declined," he surmised.

"Yes, but not before he'd hoodwinked Harry into agreeing to work for him. Let me tell you the whole story." Here she explained all that Ron had told her, adding in her opinions. "So you see," she said as she finished, "it wasn't even his idea to go to her. Ron thought it's what I would have suggested since I've done so before, and he's probably right."

"Done so before?"

"When we were in our fifth year at Hogwarts, Fudge, Umbridge, much of the school, and most of the Wizarding world believed Harry and Dumbledore to be liars. And that was all because of the bloody Prophet and their biased articles and jokes." She shrugged. "I'd blackmailed Rita Skeeter into interviewing Harry and publishing the truth in Luna's Dad's Quibbler."

"Blackmailed?"

"Well, I'd caught her in her Animagus form, and since she wasn't registered, we made a deal... so maybe blackmail is a strong word."

He roared with laughter, his deep and rich chuckle filling the café. Unlike Hermione when she'd had her outburst, he didn't try to stifle his amusement or look around to see who might be looking their way.

"It did work, though, because after that, Harry started getting more support. Ron said it's happening again this time. People are rallying to support you, sending in owls and messages...Howlers to the Ministry."

"To support Potter you mean."

"Who happens to be supporting you."

Severus was quiet for a moment, reflecting on what she said. When he finally spoke, she was shocked. "Perhaps I may have been a little rough with him, but how could I not expect the worst when that's what usually happens when Potter is involved in something? He's always seemed to be an attention seeker, just like his father was, and I don't know that it's changed any since he left Hogwarts."

"Now that's a little unfair, don't you think? He's not his father, completely opposite in fact."

"Ah, here's our order," he said, ignoring her last comment.

"Here you go, love," the woman said as she set his plate in front of him. "And yours, honey," she said to Hermione. "Blast. Your Cokes. I'll be right back."

"Smells good."

"It does."

"Sorry about that," the kind lady said, placing their drinks before them. "Enjoy."

"Thank you," Hermione said with a smile.

"Not bad at all," Severus commented as he sampled a piece of fish.

"Mmm, very good," she agreed.

"So, what are you not telling me?" he asked casually.

"About?"

"When you were talking about Weasley, it seemed you were omitting something."

Damn Legilimens! she thought bitterly. "It's nothing that would interest you, I'm sure. Just personal things."

"I see."

"I didn't mean that as an insult," she said quickly, as he seemed offended.

He held up a hand. "I understand completely. As you know, I am also one who appreciates privacy without others prying about."

Hermione was certain this was a hint to her, but she decided to not say anything more on the subject. "We've been getting along terribly, haven't we? I hope you can believe me when I say that I am very sorry about everything so far."

"We'll just take more care to be amicable in the future." His eyebrow arched. "However, I will still not tolerate that beast of yours in the lab."

She grinned. "Nor I."

"That's settled then."

A peaceful silence set in while they both finished their meals. Hermione covertly watched as he chewed his food, lips moving slowly as he savored each bite. Every now and then, she'd see him eyeing her as well, which quickly caused her to smile and look away, finding something on the wall suddenly interesting. When she'd eaten her fill, she pushed her plate away and took another drink from her glass.

"Are you finished?" he asked, eyeing her plate.

"Yes." She patted her stomach. "I'm full."

Without asking, he reached over and swiped the pieces of fish left in her plate. She grinned and blurted, "What do you think of Pansy Parkinson?"

"Sorry?"

"Is she nice? I mean, if you are someone whom she likes, would she be a good friend?"

"Thinking of making nice with Parkinson, are you?"

Hermione snorted. "Heavens, no! But she says she's interested in Ron. I just wondered..."

His brow furrowed for a moment. "I thought that Weasley was your beau?"

"Not any longer. We've decided to part ways."

"That's what was bothering you then."

"A little," she said honestly. "Would she be good to him you think?"

"Miss Parkinson has always been a spoiled girl, coming from older, wealthy parents, and I know she can be spiteful at times, as you know, but I've found that she's fiercely loyal to those she cares for, such as Draco for instance, which is what landed her in this position in the first place." He looked away. "If she is sincere in her interest about Weasley, then I think you can say he is safe from her less desirable attributes."

With a nod, Hermione said, "That's good then."

"Indeed." His eyes bored into hers. "Sometimes knowing someone you care for is happy has to be enough. If it takes someone else to give the person what you can't, no matter how much you'd like to, then don't stand in the way...even if it's with someone you don't particularly care for."

And Hermione knew he was speaking through past experience. Was that how he'd looked at Lily's relationship with James Potter? She didn't dare ask him and simply smiled. "Thank you. You're right of course."

"Would you like anything else? Something for afters?" the waitress asked.

"Not me," Hermione said, looking over to Severus who shook his head.

"Just come pay when you're ready then."

"Daphne told me about her brother. I think it's unfair what's happened to her," Hermione said after a moment. "What we're doing," she placed a hand over his in her enthusiasm, "will help so many people. Thank you so much for this." When his eyes travelled down to her hand, she removed it quickly but without apology.

"I, too, want to help as many people as I can. It's the least I can do," he said quietly, eyes still drawn to the spot her hand had been.

"Let's go home and see how the potion is going. I have some ice cream we can splurge on if you're interested."

"Certainly." He stood and extended his hand for the bill, which Hermione had taken from the waitress. "I'll take care of this if you don't mind."

"Oh... thank you."

He said nothing, leaving Hermione alone at the table. She quickly pulled out some money to leave for a tip and waited for him at the doorway. When they left, she asked, "Where did you get Muggle money?"

"They returned my effects when they brought me to your flat," he said with a shrug. "I live in a Muggle neighborhood and use pounds often enough."

"You're full of surprises, aren't you?" When he didn't reply, she added, "Did you get what you need in Diagon Alley?"

"I did." He pulled her into a darkened alcove. "You may Disapparate us from here. No Muggles should notice."

Getting much closer than she should have, she placed her hands on his waist and brought them back to her flat. Once there, they lingered for a moment before she stepped away reluctantly, as the scent of his aftershave or cologne was simply heaven. "I'll get the ice cream?"

"And I'll check on the potion."

"Meet you back here."

"All right."

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Severus couldn't believe how easily she'd forgiven him when he'd apologized to her for the hurtful things he'd said to her...completely and sincerely. It simply showed him that not everyone tried to hold things over his head. The evening had been a good one, both talking like friends instead of captor and captive. And of course that wasn't how she looked at it, and truthfully, he didn't see it that way any longer. He would, however, enjoy being able to Disapparate at will.

If what she'd said about Potter were true, then he could expect his release sooner than he'd thought. That made him feel much better about the situation. Freedom to do what he wanted, when he wanted... for so long it had been an unfathomable dream. No masters. No more simply surviving to help Lily's son.

That time had past. As he thought this, his eyes were drawn to the bathroom door, which was partially open. He could see Hermione brushing her teeth through the crack. While he wished she'd put on her new nightgown, he was quite glad that she hadn't. It would have been too tempting. Being so close to her lately was wearing on him more than he wanted to admit.

It had been too long since he'd had sex, and he needed it. Earlier when he'd silently dared her to shower while he was getting ready, he'd been surprised that she'd not fled the room. Instead, she proudly, albeit quickly, shed her clothes and stepped in under the spray. She didn't know it, but the angle of the mirror had given him a clear, full view of her perfect body, making him harden in lust for what he couldn't have. She was definitely a girl no more. All woman indeed. And how had Weasley let her slip away? It was obvious she cared for the brat, and yet, she'd bowed out gracefully when Pansy had made her feelings for him known.

The sly part of him knew that she was quite vulnerable and that he could profit from that, likely by plying her with drinks and talking her into bed, but the logical part of him knew that nothing could ever work out for them. Once he helped the hexed people, he would begin his life anew, possibly not even in the UK. He couldn't ask that of her...nor did he really want to.

His body was simply craving the touch of a woman. Badly. His eyes drifted shut, and he relaxed back into the couch, listening to the weather report on the telly. The next day would be quite rainy according to the bloke, and it was that one word, rainy, which gave Severus an idea.

I'll go to see Rainie tomorrow. It's been a long time, but she'd been plain when she'd said that I'd always be welcome...no matter what happened (Potter winning or the Dark Lord winning). His eyes opened, and his gaze was again drawn to Hermione, who'd now tied up her hair and had commenced washing her face. That's what I'll do. I'll go to Rainie, compensate her quite well for thirty minutes of her time, and then I'll be able to remain here without thinking like some randy seventh year at Hogwarts. The plan would work well...unless the woman happened to be unavailable or elsewhere. If she can't do it, then I will quickly find someone who will. That's all there is to it.

He'd only have to figure out what to do with Hermione, as he couldn't be very far from her and needed her to Apparate him. It wasn't as though he could come out and tell her that he wanted to see an old friend of his, one he paid for intercourse.

At that moment, Hermione came out of the bathroom. "It's all yours," she said, smiling at him beatifically.

If only she knew where his thoughts had been, she'd not have reserved such an angelic expression for him. He cleared his throat. "Would you mind terribly escorting me to Knockturn Alley?"

"What time?"

"Early morning would be fine, I'm certain. Seven? There's an old friend whom I sometimes do business with."

"I don't mind at all. Just let me know when, and we can go see him."

"Ah, well, she doesn't take kindly to strangers. I wonder if you'd allow me some privacy while we discuss my proposition." He tried to word things so that they were as true as possible without outright lying to her, and he felt a slight pang of regret when the curious light dimmed in her eyes.

"I understand."

"There's a shop just across from there...books and whatnot, though used...that you might browse through." He added slyly, "I don't think I'll take very long at all."

"That sounds like fun. As you know, I don't make a habit of going to Knockturn Alley, so looking around would be okay... especially with you there with me."

"Indeed."

"Good night, Severus."

"Good night, Hermione."

His eyes never left her form as she retreated into her room. What would it be like to have a woman such as she in his life? For his own. It had been many years since any woman had treated him in such a way. Not since Lily. He smiled sadly as he thought of his fiery Lily, who'd never failed to speak her mind, who'd blown up spectacularly when angry, who'd given as good as she'd received, who'd been kind to everyone, who had given him a chance when nobody else would. If Hermione were older and perhaps not such a close friend of another Potter...he'd never put himself in that position again...then he might try to woo her, for they were certainly compatible.

But she was young indeed and likely fickle. Yesterday she'd loved Weasley while today left her uncertain, so what would tomorrow bring and all the tomorrows after that? He frowned then and looked towards his crotch.

"It appears that I'm thinking with the wrong head."

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Hermione entered her room and resisted the urge to look back at him while she closed her door. He'd seemed so relaxed, more than she'd ever seen him, and she would have loved to join him again on the couch for another chat. However, she didn't want to intrude on his personal space. They'd come so far in just one day, and nothing would make her risk that.

After changing, she slipped into bed and helped Crookshanks under the cover where he liked to sleep. Her mind was too filled with thoughts to be able to drift off. What had he been thinking about? Did he feel the connection between them as she had? Was this what had been missing with Ron?

But how could this man, her old Potions professor, stir such feelings so quickly? She knew that it was not love, that was for certain, but there was definitely a kinship between them. Add that to the sudden longing to ease his pain...the one he'd been carrying around for all those years of his life. When he'd given her that advice about Ron, it had truly touched her and added another layer to the man she thought she knew.

Ron. How would she feel if he popped over to say that he and Pansy had become an item? Would she truly be happy for him? The memory of a smiling Severus wiping ice cream from her mouth came to mind. His touch, his dark and penetrating eyes, his voice... Yes, she would be happy for Ron. Why? Because she had someone else filling the empty spot in her life.

Nothing would ever come of it, of that she was certain, but she vowed to make the most of the rest of the time they had together. There was so much she could learn from him and so much she could teach him about friendship and mutual respect. They'd stayed up together quite late to tend to the potion's next step, instead of him having to wake her...which hadn't worked out the previous time, him claiming she wouldn't get up. It was possible. Sometimes she did sleep quite soundly. The best thing was the company they'd shared. The entire time they'd been working together, it had never gone so smoothly.

What if something were to develop? Was it too soon? Was it really what she wanted? She shrugged and pushed those thoughts away. She and he would simply deal with this spark one day at a time. "I'll not pressure you into anything," she whispered to the darkness, finally able to drift off into a slumber.

Crooks woke her up quite early the next morning, obviously wanting to be let out of her room. "I'll have to magically fix you a little door on there, won't I? Sorry, Crooks." She'd been sleeping with her door closed lately, forgetting to leave it partially open for her familiar's access.

She padded over to the kitchen to feed him and noticed that Severus had already been up to make coffee. "Does he never sleep?" she grumbled jealously. Her cat looked up at her, his squashed face tilted as if to say he couldn't care less about Snape. "Here. Eat up."

After she fixed herself a mug of coffee, she went to his bedroom door and knocked. She heard a little rustling within and waited for nearly a minute until he opened the door. "What time do you want to leave?" she asked, hoping he didn't mind the interruption. Her eyes roamed over his body briefly, taking in the fitted trousers and comfortable white linen shirt. He looked quite dashing, especially since his hair was freshly washed and dried.

"It's still a little early yet, but," he gazed at his timepiece, "she always did wake before the sun, so I'm certain she's awake. I can only hope she's available."

"You smell nice," she blurted. Before he could answer, she asked, "What time does the bookstore open?"

"It already is," he said. "I don't know if they ever close. The nutter who runs it claims to never sleep." His lips changed to a smirk. "And by the way he looks, I quite believe it."

"Good grief. Do I even want to go to this place?"

"You'll like it. Trust me."

Hermione flashed him a smile and said, "Just give me a few minutes."

"Oh, there was an owl...from Potter, I assume. I placed the letter under your door. Did you get it?"

She shook her head. "No, I didn't see it. I think I was still half asleep." Moving a little, she craned her head and nodded. "There it is. Thanks."

Once in the privacy of her room, she opened Harry's note.

Hermione,

Harry

With a broad grin, she placed the letter on her dresser. All would be well. Perhaps after Severus concluded his business appointment...whatever that was about...he and she might pop over to Grimmauld Place to see what was going on or maybe to the Burrow to check on Ginny. Anything to get out of the house again...together.

Southern's Notes: I'm sorry for taking longer to update. I've been so busy with the exchange that I've been lacking in other departments. Apologies.