A/N: I was reading a random Harry Potter list a while ago and it noted that Severus Snape was short and I was surprised. Oh course, I looked it up and though it never says that he is short, it does say that he is shorter than Sirius. I've always thought of him as being the tallest person in the room and so this short fic popped into my head. I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me.

Hermione squeaked in surprise as Severus slipped his arms around her waist.

"Severus! What have I told you about making more noise!" she complained playfully.

He chuckled and she relaxed against him as she felt it rumble through his body.

"Would you like a cuppa? I was just preparing myself one," she asked before adding, "that is before you so rudely interrupted me."

"In a minute, witch. I have something important to do first."

He turned her around and lowered his head to kiss her firmly while still holding her body close. Hermione sighed in appreciation. It was a slow languid kiss, full of warmth and love, with the promise of passion to come. When their lips came apart, Hermione snuggled her head into his chest, over his heart.

"It's so nice to have you home."

"I was only gone for a week." She couldn't help but smile as the words rumbled through his chest.

They were silent for a moment, just enjoying the warmth of the other. Then Hermione let out a soft giggle.

"What?" Severus asked with wry amusement.

"I just had a silly thought, is all."

"Oh, pray, do tell."

"I just realized that you're shorter than I would have supposed."

He raised an eyebrow as though scandalized.

She giggled again, "I saw Ron and Harry earlier today and gave each of them a hug when we parted."

He grunted at the mention of her two best friends and pulled her more tightly against him at the mention of bodily contact with said best friends who happened to be male. Hermione swatted him with a smile. He liked to act overly jealous and protective, but she knew that he trusted her and he knew that she wouldn't put up with anything like petty jealousy. No, he knew Hermione would damn well do whatever she pleased.

"Anyway, when Ron hugged me, I only came up to about his collarbone whereas I fit perfectly under your chin. I would have sworn that you were taller than him."

Severus harrumphed in amusement while Hermione paused in thought.

"I suppose it has to do with your presence," she commented absentmindedly, "No offence to Ron, but you certainly have a larger presence."

Severus snorted. "My dear, it seems that you have had too much time on your hands in my absence."

That earned him another swat.

"I'll have you know that I finished working on my paper and was just about to do a final read through before sending it in."

She turned her nose up, as if affronted with him, but that only lasted a second until she peaked out of her eye to see the glitter of mirth in his eyes.

"Well that deserves a celebration," he said, his voice deep and silky, sending a pleasurable jolt through her.

Her grin was cut short as he swept her up in his arms and she let out a small yelp of surprise, before laughing. It really was wonderful to have him home.

He swept them out of the kitchen towards their bedroom, the pot of tea forgotten until the morning.