-=Disclaimer- I write HP fanfiction for fun not funds=-

Fame isn't everything

Panting and hustling down Diagon Alley. "Sorry I'm not going to be great company today." Hermione breathed as she threw herself into chair across from Severus. Catching the server's eye, "espresso, make that a double."

"Yeah?" The dry tone belied the teasing smirk.

"I'm ready to Avada Kedavra myself. Strangers in the street taking liberties with me, hugging, kissing, and then to cap it taking my photo. I feel like I'm being raped of my identity." With her hair standing on end, she looked quite mad.

Waving away Hermione's rant, "smile, and wave to the camera. Give speeches, heroes love that tripe." Severus loved getting under her skin.

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that. I'm going on vacation." Drinking her espresso, the demitasse pinched between thumb and forefinger, pinkie saluting.

Severus raised an eyebrow."Where to?"

"A cave, in an undisclosed location." Seeing a group people meander up the street, she ducked behind the Daily Prophet. Once they passed she continued in a harsh whisper. "But I need a long term solution to the problem."

Too amused by Hermione's predicament, he offered. "You could have tetchy midget, witches love that stuff."

"What? You're a absolute caveman sometimes. You know that, don't you. It's a good thing I know your kidding."

"I'd be willing to assist in your endeavour." Hermione chocked on the biscuit at Severus flippant suggestion.

Clearing her airway, tears filling her eyes, "that's positively frightening; a tall-gangly-bushy-headed-know-it-all-potions-master. Severus, I think that's child abuse." Hermione wasn't ready to let the subject die. "How have you handled it all these years?"

Snape shrugged. "I'm a git. I'm not mistaken for warm and fuzzy."

Seeing that suggestion wasn't going to help her, she carried on. "Then there are the people who hang on my neck, crying for a loved one. We all lost people we care about."

Curious Severus dropped the paper on the table. "Is that why you've been spending so much time with Muggles?"

"Yes. I know you think it's a hideous idea. What choice do I have? Muggles don't give a damn who I am." Ramped up into rant-mode again. "If that isn't bad enough; every Muggleborn and blood-traitor wizard within a kilometre hone in on me trying to chat me up. I can't carry on like this any more." Hermione slumped in her seat finishing her espresso moodily.

"You could get married, then you won't have to chase the rabid blokes away. Barring that, how about you fall in love with French food and give up fitness? Get nice an' fat."

"Tempting, I love French cuisine. I think I'll move into the cave permanently." Severus paid the check. They left the café to go for a walk.

Severus stopped abruptly, "Ms. Granger I think I have just the thing." Hermione turned to him expectantly. "You could always ruin your reputation, you would certainly be less approachable."

"I kind of like the sound of that. But how?" Severus held both sides of her face, kissing her deeply in the middle of the thoroughfare.

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AN/ Additional chapters have been requested. I may expand the story...but it won't be right away.

End

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AN/ This one-shot was inspired by Frou Frou's Maddening Shroud. It was a lot of fun writing.