After she left Ron, she didn't think she would fall in love again. She did have a few relationships, but they didn't last long. Until she came across him again. He came to her small bookstore at Diagon Alley.

The potions master, the war hero, the master spy, her teacher when she attended Hogwarts.

After the war, he returned to the teachers position at Hogwarts. He continued hanging around the dungeons, scowling at students.

He stood in her bookstore, looking around, as if he searched for something. She strode to him.

"Hello, professor Snape, can I help you?"

"Miss Granger, how becoming, you opened a bookstore." He looked down at her.

"Well, yes sir, I love books, you know." She answered.

"I could figure that out myself, thank you very much. I came here because Dumbledore sent me with a list of books he wishes to acquire." He gave her a list of about 15 titles. She took it and read it. Then, she motioned for Snape to follow him as she walked to the back of the store. She pulled some books of the shelves. While talking to Snape. "Most of them are in the storage room, but these two," she said, pointing at two titles, "will have to be ordered. They should arrive in about a week, I'll send you an owl when you can pick them up."

Snape nodded. "How much will all the books cost?"

"All 15 books? That'll be 124 galleons, sir."

"Good, I'll pay everything now."

She gave him the books, and with a nod, he left her store.

The moment when he closed the door, she sank on the floor. He was her schoolgirl crush, but she still liked him. He could make her heart beat faster with just one look. Sighing, she grabbed a quill and some parchment. She still had to order two books.

"Fizzing Whizbees"

Snape climbed the stairs to Dumbledore's office. He knocked on the door.

"Come in!"

"There are some books that weren't available yet, they are ordered and should arrive in a week."

"Severus, good to see you!"

Snape raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything.

"How is Miss Granger?" Dumbledore asked.

"You knew she was there?"

"Off course my boy, she has had that bookstore since she left Hogwarts."

Snape scowled, he put the books on Dumbledore's desk and left the room.

He stalked to the dungeons, his robes billowing behind him.

In his private quarters, he plumped down on his bench. "That meddling old fool."

Dumbledore knew Snape had a thing for Hermione. He intentionally sent him to that particular bookstore.

When two very special books arrived, Hermione began getting nervous. It wouldn't be long before she would see him again.

She took her quill in her hand and wrote a letter. After rereading it 3 times, she called her owl and sent the letter. She looked after her owl until he disappeared.

The next day, just before lunch, he was walking to her store. He was nervous, but he had a plan, and he would stick to it.

In front of her shop, he took a deep breath and opened the door. She stood behind the counter, and saw him immediately. He strode towards her, while she disappeared behind the counter. A few seconds later, he saw her again, she was holding the books he needed.

"Here are your books, professor Snape. Do you need anything else?" She smiled at him.

His courage vanished, but he had to pursue his plan. "Yes, actually, do you want to lunch with me?"

She blinked a few times. She took a deep breath. "I'd love to."