Don't Do This
Chapter One – Someone I Used to Know

Hermione and Snape belong to JK Rowling but all plot bunnies belong to me.

Thank you all for reading this story, it's still in the works, of course, but please bear with me. I would love to hear what you all think and where you think this story should go. I've been inspired by Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (movie) and I need to write this story. It's been brewing for a while. Anyway, please enjoy and please review! Thanks!

Severus Snape had been dead for years... at least, that's what the wizarding world believed. No one had found his body after the war had ended but Harry Potter and Hermione Granger were certain that they had seen the Potions Master's very last breath. They had witnessed that horrible snake, Nagini, rip through Snape's neck as if it was nothing but paper. The blood gushed, flowing freely from his jugular, his precious memories seeping out through every orifice on his face. Harry and Hermione had seen that man die and after a long and grueling body hunt that the Ministry is still partaking in, the wizarding world had accepted that Snape was dead and wherever his body is may it rest in peace. Snape had finally been given that Order of Merlin he so desperately craved. He was now considered a hero in the eyes of many, his Headmaster painting the only remains the world had.

None of that mattered. The wizarding world was so oblivious really.

Severus Snape was right under their little nose. Of course, he wasn't in the wizarding world. He had been living in the Muggle world for quite some time now, under a new name, Tobias Panes, but if anyone had really been looking hard enough it would be easy to find him. His name was obviously just his middle name and his last just scrambled, I mean really. He hadn't miraculously changed his appearance except for his hair, which was now a reasonable length just a little passed his ears, and instead of his voluminous robes he wore standard Muggle slacks, black of course, and a white button down shirt most of the time. Severus had seen to his teeth and seeing as how he didn't tend to potions as much as his teaching days, his hair was not as greasy and limp. He knew he would never be attractive, and that really didn't matter, he just needed to make a new life for himself, and changing his appearance was one way of going about it. He had reinvented himself and he was enjoying every minute of it. The only thing that would make it better would be if Lily were there, but of course, that's impossible. Yes, his death scene was perfect. He had fooled the world yet again, and escaped death in the process. The scars were still there - those deep puncture wounds that he usually covered up with just a collared shirt and occasionally if need be, the every now and then glamour spell. That was one of a few things Severus still used magic for, the few necessary spells for comfort and the like. But Severus was quite content living as a Muggle, he'd been doing it for years anyway at Spinner's End. What difference does it make if he really was trying to be a Muggle? Hell, he even bought a car. Nothing too fancy, just a green MINI Cooper. It was a standard which really was the only way to drive a car properly, and it had to be green. Snape still had a little pride for Slytherin. Yes, Snape was living quite fine and all of it was just dandy.

And then she ruined it all.

If only he had stayed home and ordered Chinese take out, rather than actually going shopping for food (his pantry definitely was lacking in the food department) he wouldn't have to worry about some washed up widower with bushy hair and an inability to just be quiet. No, Hermione Weasley - nay, Granger now, her husband and two kids had died in a car accident - just had to butt in to his perfect, albeit a bit lonely, life.

Damn her.

As it were, Severus was just about to load his few groceries into the backseat of his car when he had heard someone walking up to him. Her voice was timid but curious as she inquired, "Excuse me, sir, do I know you?" Severus knew the sound of her voice instantly, it was one of the ones that had grated his ears for years in the classroom, and so he was hesitant to look up. After considering for a second on whether or not he should play deaf he decided it was best if he looked up. So he did and was curious as to what the hell happened to the woman in front of him.

Hermione Granger looked years older. Of course it had been years, but damn, she did not age well. Her hair was as mad as ever and Snape would bet a couple of bucks that he saw the signs of gray hair coming in at her temples. Her eyes were sad and rather bloodshot, the edges starting to resemble crow's feet. You would think after a year of grieving the woman would've stopped crying by now but apparently not. To say Hermione was a bit on the thin side would be an understatement. Severus looked at her unusually thin frame. Her clothes clung to her and she looked fragile. Severus sneered because he knew exactly what that thin frame meant as he had been down that road before. The woman had not been eating. He continued to examine her, his eyes roaming down to her left hand which still had a wedding band on it. He hadn't a shred of pity for her, and indeed he should've. He knew what it was like to loose someone so dear but he couldn't pity her. He couldn't let this girl ruin what he so desperately needed.

Severus raised an eyebrow and spoke, "No, I don't believe we've met. Sorry." He immediately went back to putting the groceries into the car and waited for her to leave, taking his time in arranging the bags perfectly in the back seat. She had not moved.

"I'm sorry, but you look so familiar… Are you sure we haven't met?" Her voice was even fragile, and Severus had the feeling she would cling to him as soon as she realized who he was. He had to escape and fast. When he heard a brief sniffle he couldn't help but cringe. Why did the girl have to start the water works? But when Severus looked up, all he saw were those bloodshot brown eyes, filled with hope. And Severus really hated to let down people.

"No," he replied curtly and then paused, "Perhaps you're mistaking me for someone you used to know?" He shut the door to his car and turned to her, crossing his arms.

Hermione looked down at her wringing hands and sighed, "Yes, that must be it. I'm terribly sorry to have bothered you. Good day." She turned around slowly and proceeded to walk down the street, perhaps towards a vehicle of her own.

Severus breathed a sigh of relief but stopped short when she looked back at him and frowned. She can't have heard him, could she? God damn it, she was walking back this way. And he was almost done with her. Get in the car, Severus, get in the car. Leave, before she ruins everything. But he couldn't move.

"You wouldn't happen to have a brother, perhaps, or maybe a twin?" God, the woman could be incredibly daft, but then again, he was supposedly dead so he could be a little lenient.

"No, I don't. Only child, I'm afraid," Severus replied smoothly. He knew she was searching and grasping for answers. What happened to that annoying, yet rather brilliant student he used to teach? Lost probably, lost in her own sorrow.

"No, I know you. I know I do… I know it…" Hermione reached forward to touch his hand and he quickly moved it from her grasp. She looked him in the eyes, wanting so much for it to be someone she knew. He hoped she would just leave, for her to suddenly realize she was being foolish and that she should go away. And then she gasped. "It can't be… No, you're dead. I saw you, on that floor, the blood was pouring from you, there's no way you could've survived." She reached up and roughly pulled his collar down. She was right, and Severus had not covered himself up in time for her to see the horrid scars on his neck. Her eyes widened and she whispered, "Severus Snape…"

He shut his eyes in horror. The witch was too smart, he needed to run. He worked too hard for all of this to just fall apart because of some needy widow. Snape grabbed her hand and pinned it to her side and seethed, "I'm not who you think I am. I don't know a 'Severus Snape' and I absolutely do not know you. Leave me alone before I call the cops." He released her hand and grabbed the door handle to the car.

Hermione had discreetly pulled out her wand and had it crammed tightly against his side and whispered, "No, I know it's you, don't you dare lie to me. If you don't talk to me right this instant, Snape, I will rat you out. Don't think I won't."

He looked down at her and knew she would indeed. She had a crazed look in her eyes that Severus had seen way too often in Bellatrix Lestrange, only Hermione's version was just the beginning of madness. Severus' jaw tightened, his hand reached for her wand and he quickly had the tables turned. He had her between him and the car and snapped, "Oh, I know you will, but you will not ruin this for me just because you need someone to cling to. I am not that person. Now, get in the car before I do something I'll regret, and I'll think about talking to you." He backed away and watched as she practically tripped over herself to get to the passenger side door. Hermione wrenched it open and flung herself unceremoniously down on to the seat. Severus looked down the street, pinched the bridge of his hooked nose, and shook his head. What the hell had he gotten himself into?

Thanks again for reading this fanfic, and please review, I'd love to hear your opinion, good or bad!

-Angelfangs. :)