Three days after the first owl, the second one arrived. Hermione initially thought about blasting the owl, but then again, it wasn't the feathered creatures fault.. no, no, It was the bats fault not the owls.

"He hasn't given up I see." Harry said with a grin as he sat down at the kitchen table with Hermione.

"I wish he would. I've got a date tonight and I don't want this looming over my head the entire time."

"Who?" Harry asked, "It's not that Mark guys again is it – that one's a closet poof and nothing you say will make me thing otherwise."

"He's not a poof... Just sensitive." she responded with a smile.

Harry shook his head and stood from the table, "He's not just sensitive, Hermione, The man dresses better then you, knows what clothes were designed and by what designer, he has in infatuation with the doilies that Mrs. Weasley made and I'm pretty sure he was wearing a bra the last time he was here.. He's a poof."

Hermione grinned as Harry pulled the orange juice from the ice box. She had noticed the bra and quickly decided to never see him again.

"Well, regardless of his.. preference, I'm not seeing Mark tonight, I'm seeing Steve."

"Who the hell is Steve?"

"Guy I met at the bookstore when I was buying a book on Potions from the middle ages."

"Does this one wear a bra?"

"No, this one is much different then Mark.. Steve has a backbone."

"When and where. I need to know so I can kill him if he tries anything funny."

Hermione laughed, Harry was always nervous when she went out on a date and demanded to know where she was going, what time, and when she expected to be home. He wasn't trying to be an ass, just protective over his best friend.

"Leaky Cauldron, 7 tonight, and should be back by 10."

Harry nodded and sat back down at the table, "So are you going to read the letter from batman?"

Hermione furrowed her brow, she had forgotten about the damned owl who was looking at her like she was dense. She untied the note and quickly opened it.

Hermione,

Meet me tonight so we can discuss our relationship. This is not a question and I demand you see me.

The Git, as you have called me many times.

Hermione chuckled at the name he signed and quickly scribbled a note back.

Git,

No.

Hermione

Sweet and to the point. She tied the note around the owls leg, gave him a treat and sent him on his way.

Jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj

Severus sat in his chambers, glaring at the mirror he had set up. He had placed a charm on the owl to see and hear whatever the owl did.

"A date huh." He muttered, "We will see about that."

He quickly rose from his spot on the couch and made his way into his bedroom... he had a date to ruin.

Llllllllllllllllllllllllll

At exactly 7 pm. Hermione showed up with a man that he had never seen. This Steve fellow had blond hair, hansom face and a body most wizards worked hard at gaining – he hated him already.

He watched silently as Steve, lead Hermione to a table, being every bit the gentle man. He knew he was stupid for ending thing's with her but at the time, he was thinking of himself and himself alone.. he was Slytherin after all.

He wanted to apologize a few days later but he had pride and didn't want to seem like a love sick puppy... he was Severus Snape, ex spy, ex death eater and the base of every first years nightmares.. he had a reputation to protect after all.

He tried to just forget about her but nothing worked. The bushy haired girl had broken the ice that surround his heart and he wanted her back. He had spent the last three months trying to figure out what to do and once he made his decision, he was going to stop at nothing to have her back in his life.

He continued to wait patiently. Hermione and Steve seemed to be getting along rather well but he remained there at his corner table, waiting for her to make her customary trip the the loo for an appearance check... he had learned a lot about her and knew her like a book.

When the time finally came, He watched as she slide the chair out, made her excuse and left for the bathroom.

"Let the games begin." He muttered as he stood from his table and made his way over to Steve.

He walked through the leaky cauldron with a smirk on his face and sat down in Hermione's chair.

"Dude, I'm on a date here." Steve said quickly, trying to get rid of the evil looking man.

"No, You were on a date." Severus corrected, "You see, Hermione is mine and no snot nosed little shit is going to move in on her."

Steve raised an eyebrow at the man, he wasn't going down that easy.

"She can see who she wants to see and she happens to be on a date with me."

Severus checked over his shoulder, He knew he still had two minutes before she came back so he decided to use it wisely.

"I am not man to be toyed with. I have been dating her for three years and you will not get in the way." He leaned closer to Steve.

"I have done things that would send you crying to Mummy, I have seen things that would leave you sitting in a corner, rocking back and forth while you sucked your thumb."

He then allowed his forearm to show briefly, acting like it was an accident. Steve noticed the mark immediately and instantly stiffened.

"I want you to walk out of the restaurant, never contact her again, and don't look back." He then showed an evil face, "I would hate to see something happen you."

He knew using the mark was playing dirty pool, but he wanted to make his point clear.

Steve quickly stood, "Fine man, she is all yours." and with that he walked out, leaving behind a grinning Potions Master.

Hermione arrived back at her table, noticed Steve had taken off and decided to just go home... Steve was a little conceded anyway so she really had no problems with his departure.

She reached for her purse and quickly left the Leaky cauldron. Severus grinned, He would owl her again in the morning.