Snape heard the frontdoor open and close.

Norries excited voice carried through the hallway into the library where Snape had taken his refuge. For the first time in a long time, he was unsure of what to do. He was used to be able to relax at all times in his own home, confident that there was no one around but the house elves to see him, and they would never judge him no matter what he would do. Now the outer world had intruded on his piece of mind once again.

For once at home Snape had to think about how he wanted to be percieved. There was an outer shell he always put on when amongst other people, and that even included a small incantation that was put on when ever he had to deal with anyone that was not a business partner. It was modified from the spell that kept both muggles and wizards from his own land, and made all who dealt with him feel that they had no inclination to stay around him for longer than they had to. The clercs at the store did not chitchat and people who recognized him on the streets simply nodded before hurring away to conclude their own errands.

Snape realized that in the small confines of a house, even though it was rather large that perticular spell might cause more trouble than it was worth. Granger would feel that she had to stay away from him and might have to feel that she had to hide in her own room at all times. That was perhaps not an unpleasant thought, but she was there to get his help, and she would have to trust him if she was to open her whole mind up for him like an open landscape that he could wander through at will.

Snape wanted the ordeal to be over as fast as possible so that he could get back to his solitary life, so what ever he had to do to make sure the girl was cooperative, had to be done. For a second he thought that perhaps he should even try to smile, but dismissed the thought with a huff.

Snape heard Norrie walk up the stairs with the luggage and thought that the moment when he had to meet the girl would be slightly persponed. But then he heard the smallest little knock on the door.

Hermione took a deep breath as she knocked on the door to the Library, where Norrie had informed her that his master was.

After a second a deep rumbling voice said that she could come in. Hermione felt trepidation but bucked up the courage that she had, and opened the door.

There in a dark room with bookshelves lining each wall going up almost 15 feet sat a man on a wingback chair in front of a fireplace. His dark features were accentuated since almost all of the light was coming from behind him. He looked like a dark brooding specter looking at her as if she was something the cat had dragged in.

Then he rose up from the chair, and Hermione caught her breath. Standing up he was even more intimidating than she had thought. Clad all in black with raven hair to his shoulders and eyes that looked like they were black ponds, he looked like he had stepped straight out of a Poe novel.

Hermione walked forward slowly and stretched out her hand, that was almost shiver free towards Snape.

"Mister Snape, I am miss Granger, pleased to make your aquaintance."

Snape took a few steps forward and took Hermiones hand. After a few moments where he merely looked appraisingly at her, making her feel more than a little uncomfortable he said, "Well well, Granger, I know you do not remember me, but I remember you. I guess I should welcome you to my house. I do wish that you will make yoursef at home for the hopefully brief time that you will spend here. If there is anything you want just ask Norrie, he is instructed to make sure you get what ever you wish for." And with that he turned back to his seat and sat back down and picked up a glass of amber colored liquid sipping at it slowly while looking into the flames.

Hermione felt she had been excused with as little nicety as possible, but could take a hint. She quickly walked out of the room and as she shut the door behind her she saw that a smiling Norrie was waiting for her at the bottom of the staircase leading to her room.

"Come Missus, I will show you Missuses room now." He said and scurried up the stairs.

Hermione followed in a slower pace letting out a breath she did not know she had held.

...

Snape leaned against the backrest and sighed. Just before Hermione had entered he had decided to be pleasant or at least cordial towards the girl, but as soon as he lay his eyes on her all of his good intentions went out the window. He had of course intellectually realized that she would not be the annoying 17 year old bundle of knowitallness that she had been the last time he saw her. But he still got a bit of a shock that before him instead of the girl he had known, stood a woman with more than pleasant curves, her once so unruly hair in a thick braid across her shoulder and on her, the most sensual mouth he had ever encountered.

Snape was not as adverse to female company as was widely believed. But every time the need had risen, he had engaged in a mutually beneficial arrangement with someone who wanted their physical relationship hidden as much as he. It had usually been married women or well to do widows with a soft spot for warheroes. These relationships had been without emotions, from his part at least, but were all he had needed. Psysical satisfaction and no emotional investment.

Hermiones appearance had jolted a primitive part of him that had apparently decided that it wanted her.

So instead of calmly asking how she was doing and if the portkey trip had gone well, he had said as little as possible and dismissed her without a second look. The first had been far too long and intense anyway.

Now he was alone and had plenty of time to berate himself for acting so callously towards Hermione when it was counter productive to what he had to do as quickly as possible. He had to break the barriers in her mind that held out her old memories so that he could send her away before she disturbed his life even more.