Chapter One

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Severus Snape was well aware of how attractive women found him. That is, not at all. He had been made aware of this at a very early age, and nothing had even suggested otherwise since. He was well aware that everyone called him names and thought he was evil and ugly. Like most people, he did his best to live up to the expectations put upon him. Being nice didn't pay off if you were Severus Snape.

Another important fact about Severus was that he was an observant man. He was far from being an idiot, and when the occasion called for it he could be extremely perceptive. So, when Molly Weasley forced him to sit in between Nymphadora Tonks and Roger Whippet at breakfast he wondered why. Cutting up his pancakes, he surreptitiously glanced around the room.

Strangely enough, Molly Weasley was making frantic gestures in his direction. Frowning at his plate, he quickly took a sip of his orange juice.

"Are you enjoying your breakfast?" asked Tonks, interrupting Severus's suspicious line of thought. Of course, there was no way she actually wanted to converse with him. Occasionally, some kind deluded soul would feel obligated to try and make small talk with him. This impulse was soon thwarted by one of Severus's infamous glares.

She didn't seem to be getting the hint. "Do anything fun last night, Severus?" she continued obliviously. "Or should I say anyone?" she added with a wink.

Severus's jaw dropped slightly. What was wrong with this woman? Recovering himself, he attempted to reestablish the boundaries which usually surrounded him. "Unlike some people, I don't view others as sport or playthings to have fun with," he sneered at her.

Instead of cringing away from him, Tonks replied sagely, "Ah, well, for that matter neither do I." She nodded, looking only mildly deranged. Clearly, she'd bumped her head getting out of bed this morning. Shaking his head, Severus turned back to his pancakes resolutely.

Unbelievably, Tonks continued talking. "So, how did you spend your evening then? I don't suppose you have any hobbies?" She almost looked genuinely interested.

"Please, Nymphadora, do not feel the need to converse with me on my account, " Severus sneered in a final attempt to deter the metamorphigus.

"I certainly shall keep that in mind, Severus!" she responded cheerfully. "You don't mind if I call you Severus, do you?"

There was no stopping this woman. Sarcastically, Severus muttered, "Oh please; go ahead." As quickly as he could he shoved the rest of his pancakes into his mouth and escaped. Some people just couldn't be accounted for. Better to stay as far away from them as possible.

She was probably only talking to him because of some idiotic dare or bet from that mutt, Black. Wouldn't be the first time something like that had happened.

Some hours later, Severus finally finished the potion he'd be working on for Dumbledore. Wiping the sweat off his brow, he took a deep breath. He had just enough time to clean up and shower before going to the headquarters. It was almost tea time, and Molly Weasley had specifically told him that she was baking his favorite cookies.

Molly Weasley. Molly was one of the kindest people Severus knew, and she was one of the few whom Severus felt obliged to show respect to. Some days she was the only reason he remembered to eat; she was constantly forcing food down the throat of all the Order members, and Severus was begrudgingly grateful for it. She was the closest thing he had to a friend. Or a mother.

Arriving at headquarters via floo, Severus brushed the soot off his robes. Despite the fact that he was ten minutes late, the whole place was surprisingly quiet. It smelled like a trap.

Severus carefully walked towards the kitchen, keeping an eye out for whatever prank had no doubt cleared the other members from the house. Opening the kitchen door, he couldn't help but stare at the sight which met his eyes.

Nymphadora Tonks was sitting at the table, and she was devouring the plate of peanut butter biscuits in front of her. He couldn't help but be a little impressed with how quickly she was going through the plate.

Looking up, she greeted him awkwardly. Severus just looked at her, before sitting down and grabbing one of the biscuits before they were all gone.

Clearly feeling uncomfortable, Tonks stood up to leave. Severus noted with surprise that he was actually a bit disappointed with how quickly he'd succeeded in driving her away. However, Tonks didn't leave. Instead she muttered something about tea and started a pot. Most people would have left. He'd been incredibly rude to her this morning. Why was Tonks still here? And where was everyone else? He asked her where the other members were, adding snarkily, "Not that I'm complaining."

Unexplainably, Tonks blushed. "Well, uh, it seems that somehow word got out that there would be not tea today. Guess we didn't get the memo, huh?" Severus raised an eyebrow. "More tea for us, right?" she continued in a nervous way.

"Indeed." How curious. Why would Tonks tell anyone that there was no tea today? And yet she was acting distinctly guilty.

The tea was finished, and Tonks poured him a cup. It was surprisingly good. Severus took a long sip and relaxed just a little.

"What are you doing after tea?" Tonks asked. Really? She was still attempting to make small talk after how rude he'd been to her?

Briefly, Severus replied, "I am done with work for the day."
"

Me too!" Tonks exclaimed far too happily for such an uninteresting piece of information. "You gonna do anything fun? I know I could use a bit of fun right now; I've been doing paperwork all day."

Severus wondered if she'd realized that she'd just implied that she could do something fun with him. Judging by the stricken look on her face, she had. He glared at her a bit, waiting for some sort of clarifying statement.

"Uh, you alright there?" Tonks asked.

Severus arched his eyebrow again, but he stopped glaring at her. He was just reading too much into her words. In a rather dry voice, Severus replied, "I was not planning on having fun, no."

"Well, Severus," Tonks started and paused for a moment. Almost hesitantly she said, "I'm thinking of going for a swim in the Black Lake myself."

It really did sound as though she were implying that Severus was welcome to join her. Carefully, Severus responded, "It is rather hot out..." In a nonchalant voice he continued, "Perhaps I might go for a swim as well." And he swore, Tonks's face brightened at this. Could it be that Tonks actually want him to join her?

The door opened with a bang, and Harry Potter entered the room. Looking at him, Severus remembered that Tonks was friends with Harry Potter. He remembered that he was an evil, greasy, old bat. He remembered that a kind, beautiful woman like Tonks would never voluntarily spend time with him. And he felt inordinately foolish for even having entertained any other idea.

Standing up quickly, Severus left before he could embarrass himself further. He'd practically suggested that he would go swimming with the woman.

She was probably repulsed.