"Hermione!" The voice of Ginny Potter shouted through the flat. Hermione quickly ran to her sitting room where her fireplace was located. She was not at all suprised to see Ginny's head in the middle of green flames. "Hey Hermione! Can I come over? Are you free?"

"Yeah, sure! Come on over." Hermione replied at once. She had wondered when the witch would stop by. It had been two weeks since her Hogwarts visit and the girl still hadn't dropped by to ask all the details. She watched as Ginny pulled her head out and reappeared after a few seconds, now her whole body stepping out of the fire.

"Hi!" She said cheerfully, hugging her friend tightly. When they finally let go Ginny walked over to Hermione's couch and sat down. A big grin was now etched onto her features and she was looking at Hermione expectantly. "So?" She asked. "Aren't you going to tell me?"

Hermione looked into her friends face for a second before going and taking a seat in the armchair on one side of the couch that the redhead was sitting on. She wasn't sure how exactly to answer her question. She didn't know how much she should tell Ginny. Back at school it had been easier, for then she hadn't been married to her brother. But now that she was a Weasley herself, it seemed less appropriate of a subject. "I don't know what you're talking about, Gin." She thought that ignoring it just a while longer would be the way to go.

"Oh come off it, Hermione." Ginny said impatiently. "You know that I'm talking about your little trip to Hogwarts."

"It went fine." Hermione replied curtly. "The school seems in a good enough condition to -"

"Snape." Ginny interrupted Hermione. She only said the word casually, yet the atmosphere in the room changed immensely.

Hermione sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. She knew this was what Ginny had come here for. An explanation of what had happened when she met Snape. But it still wasn't something Hermione was willing to talk about. Since her visit two weeks ago she had tried with all her might to forget the incident. She had made sure her and Ron were spending more time together than they usually did and otherwise engrossed herself in more work than usual. She had even postponed looking for a new secretary so that she would have more work to distract herself. Unfortunately nothing seems to be working though... Hermione thought bitterly.

She looked up at Ginny with a defeated look in her eyes. "Well," she began slowly. "I saw him."

"Yeah, I figured as much!" Ginny said, now getting to the point where she looked annoyed out of impatience. "But what happened?"

"Nothing happened, Ginny." Hermione replied simply. "I went to ask him the questions I was supposed to ask and that was the end of it. Nothing more."

Hermione thought she saw a disappointed look flicker on Ginny's face, but was sure she had imagined it. Surely Ginny wouldn't want Hermione to cheat on her brother, would she? But anyways, that was a stupid thought, anyways. Hermione would never do something as cruel and low as that. She would never whore herself out and cheat on her husband. At least in real life...

"Oh." Ginny said simply. "No awkwardness? No weird attraction after five years? No questions asked? No tears? Just a professional conversation?" She asked now looking at her incredilously. "Come on, Hermione. He must've showed a little recognition!"

Hermione fell quiet again. Should she tell Ginny about Snape's question? Should she tell her about how intensely he had stared at her? Should she let her know of how she had broken down afterwards? How she had slumped down on the wall and cried because of the most pain she had felt ever since they had seperated? Hermione chose her next words very carefully. "Well, he did make one comment." She said slowly. "He asked if I had really married Ron. And then he told me he always knew I would."

Ginny's face lit up. It looked like this was exactly something she had been dying to hear. "How did he know you were married to Ron?" She asked curiously, now looking very alive and intereted.

"Well, I corrected him on my name when he called me Miss Granger." Hermione replied simply.

"Ouch!" Ginny said, her face screwed up in a painful scowl. "That was harsh Hermione!"

"What?" Hermione answered a little defensively. "It's not like we're together! Of course I'm going to correct him. I'm a married woman now!" She was reminding herself of that as much as she was Ginny.

"Yes, I know." Ginny answered. "But you guys do have a history. To throw the fact that you were married into his face like that..."

"It doesn't matter, Ginny." Hermione answered, her voice now calm again. "Whatever there was between me and him was just physical, stupid foolish schoolgirl stuff." She looked down at her hands and knew that she was lying through her teeth.

"Maybe for you, although I know that's a lie even on your part." Ginny said a little softer, too. "But Hermione he was a grown man during your relationship. Whatever he felt was real. I'm sure he couldn't just get over it in five years."

Hermione looked up at her friend. There was a pained expression on her face. Ginny really wasn't making this easier for her. "Yeah, well..." She said. "It still doesn't change anything. It ended when it was supposed to and I'm happily married now. It's been five years and for me that was long enough to get over it. It was just weird for me to see him again, that's all."

"You sure?" Ginny asked, now looking a little scared. "Are you sure your old feelings didn't come rushing back when you saw him?" Her voice was tentative, as if afraid to make Hermione mad or receive the wrong answer. Hermione smiled sadly at Ginny. She knew that no matter what the true answer to the question was, there was only one thing she could say to her. Because, she was her sister-in-law, and thus telling her she still felt something with Snape would be telling her that she loved someone other than her brother.

"I'm sure, Ginny." Hermione replied. "It's over, I promise. I don't feel anything for that man anymore." With that she looked down and closed her eyes, knowing very well that if Ginny looked into her eyes right then, she would see how big of a lie that statement had just been.

Hermione kept herself more busy over the next week than she had ever before. She worked later hours at the office and attended more meetings and parties than she usually would. In one week she managed five meetings, three dinner parties, and to overlook about three thousands pieces of parchment. On Friday evening, she was once again the last one in the office. It was ten o'clock. Way past work time. She sighed when she saw the time and gave an exhausted grunt. She was so tired it was amazing she was even awake right now. She was just about to resign and go home to sleep, she saw as a memo flew through her open office door. She furrowed her eyebrows. Who could send a memo at this time of day? She picked it up and read its contents quickly.

Dear Hermione,

I heard that you recently visited Hogwarts for something to do with your job. I know you are a busy lady, but I would've thought you might want to pay me a visit.
But it seems you have forgotten about your old Rosmerta. I'm quite disappointed to tell you the truth! Please come visit as soon as possible so we can catch up! I would ask you to come tonight but I know the workaholic you are, that you are either still at work or have worked yourself so much overtime that you are passed out in bed at the moment. But whenever you can spare me moment, please don't hesitate. I'm dying to talk to you after all these years.

Love,
Rosmerta

Hermione smiled at the letter in her hand. She and the boys had become quite close to Rosmerta, the owner of the Three Broomsticks during their last year. Whether this was because Ron had always had a crush on her, or simply because they simply spent most of their weekends there together, she did not know. It was true, Hermione hadn't thought to visit her old friend and now felt guilty for it. She checked her watch again. Maybe she could pay the woman a little visit right now. Yes, she was tired, but it wouldn't hurt her to have a little drink.

Making up her mind, Hermione packed all her stuff away for the weekend and left her office. Once in the atrium, she once again apparated to the Hogsmead square. She took in the fresh air and sighed contently. Fresh air always helped her relax. She turned towards her destination and walked over to it. Once she reached the door, she opened it and entered the Three Broomsticks.

"Hermione!" She heard someone shout at her from across the bar. She smiled as she saw Rosmerta run towards her. "I knew you'd come if I sent you the letter! You never fail to please me!" She embraced her in a warm hug and they walked over to the bar, where Hermione sat down while Rosmerta went to the other side.

"How are you Rosmerta?" Hermione asked. "Sorry for not coming the other day..."

"Oh, it's all right dear! I know you're busy." Rosmerta waved it off carelessly with her hand. "I'm all right, but you, Hermione, look deathly ill. Have you been overworking yourself again?"

Hermione smiled. "Well there's a lot to do in the office..." She replied.

"But surely it can't just be your job to handle it all! Don't you have a secretary?"

"Actually, she's a stay-at-home mother now." Hermione answered taking a sip of the butterbeer that Rosmerta had just placed in front of her. "So no, at the moment I don't."

"Well if you don't get one soon, you're going to writher away!" Rosmerta exclaimed. "Look at you! You've become a walking stick!"

But thankfully Hermione didn't need to reply, because someone had just called Rosmerta over to order drinks. Hermione took another sip of her butterbeer and stared around the bar. It was full of local witches and wizards. No sight of anyone from Hogwarts, though. She sighed again. Who had she been expecting? It wasn't very likely that he would be sitting and having a drink at the Three Broomsticks, was it? But then again, she of course didn't care if he did or not. It's not like she wanted to see him...

"So Hermione!" Rosmerta had come back and was now beaming at her. "Tell me! How have you been?"

The next hour was spent talking to Rosmerta about everything that was new in her life, which was not much. Most of it was work related, plus a little of the traveling that her and Ron had managed to fit into their busy schedules. Charlie had also gotten married to a beautiful Romanian witch, but the wedding had been small. Nothing like Bill and Fleur's, so barely anybody had heard of it. The more Hermione talked and the more she listened, the more at ease she felt. It was really good to talk to someone who didn't know everything about her or who she had to be afraid would know something was seriously wrong with her. It was very nice to just get away from everyone and simply talk with this woman who had no clue about anything Hermione was feeling at the moment.

Finally, Hermione realized that it was almost eleven thirty and that she really needed to be getting home now. "Thank you, Rosmerta." She said, standing up and grabbing into her pocket for money. "It was truly nice to talk to you again. Very refreshing." She pulled out a few coins but Rosmerta slapped her hand away.

"Don't be silly, Hermione." She smiled. "You don't have to pay - don't you try to resist me either!" she snapped when Hermione opened her mouth to protest. "I had a wonderful time, as well! It was very good talking with you. Please don't be a stranger!" They hugged and Hermione bade her a good night. She stepped out into the fresh air once more and again she was overcome with a feeling of relief as she breathed in the clear and cool breeze.

Hermione closed her eyes for a second, as if thinking about it, and then opened them and began walking. But instead of stopping in the middle of the square to disapparate, she kept on walking towards Hogwarts. She had made up her mind. She would take a late night stroll around the Hogwarts grounds. The air seemed to be re-energizing her and clearing her head of all thought, which was exactly what she needed.

So it was, half an hour later, that she found herself strolling around the edge of the lake which she knew the giant squid inhabited. She took her time and walked slowly, taking in all of her wonderful surroundings. She could smell the trees of the forrest behind her and the flowers that surrounded her, living their last moments before the harsh winter. After some time of walking, she sat herself at the edge of the lake, by a particular rock that she had sat by a lot during her years here. This is where she had always come to think when she was in fights with Harry and Ron... Or when you were thinking about someone else... Hermione smiled to herself as she remembered the three month period during her last year during which she had been not seeing Snape. How miserable she had been. How depressed over just a stupid, foolish, schoolgirl crush... Or about the man that you once loved... No! She told herself. She did not love him. Ever. She loved Ron. As a friend.... Hermione shook her head, trying to get rid of that stupid voice. But despite all her tries, her mind now drifted to the days she had spent with Snape, hidden behind the protective walls of this castle. She looked over to the Quidditch pitch and smiled. Oh yes, she remembered that day very clearly as well. She chuckled to herself...

"And what do we have here?" A voice drawled behind her. "A student out of bed?" Hermione whipped around and only then saw the tall figure that was standing by her, his wand lit and pointed at her. Speak of the devil... Hermione didn't know how she hadn't heard him approaching. She must've been too wrapped up in her thoughts. But then she heard him intake a rather sharp breath and new that he was suprised to see that it, in fact, wasn't a student out of bed, but Hermione herself.

"Mrs Weasley." He said curtly. Hermione's heart had began pounding rapidly in her chest again, but she regained composure quickly and stood up to face the man that had occupied her thoughts just a moment ago. "My apologies. I thought you were a student out of bed." He said, not sounding sorry at all.

"It's quite all right..." She murmured quietly and fixed her robes before looking up at him again. She could feel her cheeks flush and hoped he wouldn't see it in the dim light.

"May I inquire what you are doing on Hogwarts grounds at such time?" He asked. Hermione could hear the curiosity in his voice. Her heart pounded faster. She really hoped he hadn't thought that she came for him. Because that thought would be absurd. She would never do such thing...

"I was visiting Rosmerta." She replied after a second's hesitation. "She was quite disappointed I didn't see her on my previous trip to -"

"Which still doesn't explain why you are on Hogwarts hours at such late hours." Snape interrupted, his voice monotonous yet icy.

"Well I wanted to take a walk." Hermione shot back, her blood beginning to boil. "But I do not think I need to explain myself to you Mr. Snape. I am no longer your student and don't need to give you excuses for my actions." She emphasized the 'mr' part, making sure he understood that he was no longer her professor. She was now glaring at him and was even more upset when his mouth curled and he quirked an eyebrow at her.

"You are quite right, Mrs Weasley." He replied, sounding slightly amused. "You are no longer my student. But it is part of my job to ensure the safety of this -"

"Oh, come off it." This time it was Hermione who interrupted him. "I'm less of a threat to this castle than a flobberworm has ever been to any human and you know this! So please stay out of my business and leave me alone." Hermione didn't know what made her say it or why she was so angry at him at the moment. But right now all she could feel is hatered for the man who stood in front of her. For the man to still managed to sneak into her dreams after nearly six years of torture...

Snape had stepped towards Hermione and gazed down upon her with his black eyes. He looked quite intimidating in this light, Hermione thought, but she didn't let him get to her. "No need to get smart, Mrs Weasley." He drew out the name. Somehow, she didn't know how, but the use of her new surname stung her heart like a knife had been stuck right through it. Why it upset her so much, but it caused her more pain than she could handle at the moment and her defenses broke down. She watched his eyes lighten in satisfaction. "I was merely trying to make sure that no body was sneaking around the grounds. But I see you have kept the tendency to be insufferably stubborn and stuck up. Now if you don't mind, I will do exactly as you have asked and leave you to your business. Goodnight Mrs Wea -"

"Don't."

Hermione had spoken softly, nearly too soft to be heard. But she knew he had heard her, for he stopped mid sentence and looked down at her. She was avoiding his eyes. Somehow she couldn't look at him right now. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to regain composure.

"Excuse me?" He asked, his voice a near hiss and sounding more dangerously than ever.

"Please don't call me that name." Hermione replied, this time only a bit louder and stronger.

When she looked up at him she saw a small smirk on his face. "I believe it was you who so kindly reminded me that it is your new surname, was it not?" He asked her. "Or has your brain capacity run out at such young age? No suprise really, after you memorized the whole library during your years here."

Hermione knew he was trying to get to her. She took another deep breath and looked up at him. "I - I know I told you - told you to call me that, but..." her voice faded. She breathed in again. "I don't like how it sounds when you say it." She was gazing in his eyes now. She watched his expression change and his cold front seem to disappear. His muscles in his face relaxed and he simply stared down at her with the same intense gaze he had looked at her with three weeks ago. He didn't answer her. They looked at each other for a while. Hermione's confession seemed to change their whole relationship towards each other from now on. Before they had been cold and professional to each other, completely ignoring whatever they might've had before. But now Hermione had drawn light upon their past. Her admitting that she didn't like him calling her 'Weasley' brought up all unspoken words between them. As he continued to stare at her, Hermione once again felt that familiar lump rising in her throat.

She was first to break eye contact. She couldn't have him see her get all teary. Not like this. She cleared her throat. "I gotta get going then. Good evening, Professor." She mumbled, and with another moments hesitation made to step around Snape. But something stopped her. When she looked down she saw that he had stuck out his arm in order to prevent her from leaving. His forearm was now pressed against her belly and an involuntary shiver went down her spine. She looked up to her side to see him still looking at her.

"Don't go." He said in a barely recognizable voice. Hermione's eyes widened in shock and she felt transfixed to her spot. She didn't move or speak at all for the next thirty seconds or though. Her mind was working in overload, trying to process what he had just said. She didn't know what to do. What would happen if she stayed? She knew she couldn't find out, though, She couldn't risk losing what she had worked for for five years now. She couldn't give it up. No matter how badly she wanted to stay with him...

She cleared her throat and looked away. "Excuse me, Professor, it really is getting too late. I need to get going." And without another word she walked away. She didn't dare look back or stop, for now her heart was beating almost uncontrolably and she was sure that if she stopped moving her legs she would have another breakdown. She couldn't afford that at the moment. Not with him still standing there, as she was sure she had left him in shock. So she kept forcing her legs forward, taking long strides at top speed. Tears were streaming down her cheeks now but that didn't stop her either. As soon as she got out of the grounds, she turned on the spot and disapparated into the night.

And here is the second chapter! Hope you enjoyed! Don't forget to review!

xoxomrshmalfoyxoxo