A/N: Guys... I can't stay away! I am trying to write other things, but story ideas for these characters keep popping into my head. I will try to write/post as often as possible but bear with me, please! Life is busy but I promise to get these chapters up ASAP :)

I of course own none of these characters or this world they live in. I make no money from this, just love it!

It had been almost 23 years since the battle at Hogwarts. Rose was currently in her fourth year at the wizarding school, and Hugo had recently begun his second year. Hermione and Ron had, as usual, accompanied their children to King's Cross Station to ensure they got on the train and to say their good-byes.

This year had been especially hard on Hermione – and it had only been about a month since they left! She felt older this year for some reason even more than she had felt at her 40th birthday last year and the house was feeling larger and quieter than ever. The small moments of peace that she and Ron had enjoyed while the kids were around (such as reading the paper, curling up with a good book, gardening… or in Ron's case, working on model Quidditch sets), were now routine and comfortable, but left the pair spending very little time together throughout their days. Often the only time they really spent together was the weekly double date with Ginny and Harry.

One particularly beautiful autumn day, she called in to work and decided to spend the day roaming around London for a bit of a change. She dressed casually in an oversized and especially soft, gray woolen sweater, a comfortable pair of jeans, and some well-worn black wellies.

Stepping out into the cool air, she took a moment to turn her face to the sun and take a deep breath of crisp autumn air before Apparating away. Upon arriving in a back alley near Portobello Road, she smoothed out her sweater, tucked her wand in her sleeve and set out in search of a good bookstore.

A few hours later, as the sun was beginning its slow descent of the afternoon, Hermione strolled leisurely back down the road towards her Apparition point with a shrunken package of books under one arm and a neatly wrapped bundle containing quills, parchment, a few special seeds for her garden and her favorite tea in her other hand. She had just decided to pop into GAIL's Artisan Bakery for a quick bite when a dark figure stopped her in her tracks.

The man walking the opposite direction across the street from her was tall, thin, and pale. She squinted at him, marveling at the similarities between this man and her former Potions Professor. The man's hair was shorter and a bit unkempt, sporting strands of gray here and there. His face was long and thin but the nose was smaller – not the beak that Professor Snape's students had joked about behind his back.

She gazed nostalgically at the man for a few moments, remembering the kind words Harry had said about him at the small ceremony they held at Hogwarts for all the deceased. At that moment, the man glanced over and his eyes met hers. It gave her pause, the way the man's eyebrows subtly rose, and his eyes narrowed at her. It was only a moment but it felt as if it was happening in slow motion. Hermione's brow wrinkled as she stared at the man that was a shockingly accurate doppelganger to Severus. As if he sensed her thoughts, he turned his head away sharply, and quickly strode away, turning down a side street. She felt an urge to follow him, but common sense stopped her and instead she continued to the Bakery.

As she sat enjoying her scone and tea, she contemplated the man she had seen. It was impossible that it was, in fact, their old Professor. Could it be that he had a brother? Or a cousin, perhaps? She made a mental note to make inquiries as she wandered thoughtfully back to her Apparition point.

A/N: I know, I know it's short! Sorry!