Severus didn't know what to make of his life at the moment. He had given up on trying to find any happiness since the war. Through a strange twist of fate the venom didn't kill him. There was many theories being tossed around in the wizarding world but it was a true mystery. He had been in excruciating pain for a few days and then all of a sudden he lived. He wasn't sure that was much better. He was revered as a hero to the public, though in private people still sneered at him. His brush with death had helped him overcome his love for Lily and realize that every act he had done was in an effort to redeem himself. He was not proud about what he had done to his first love, but he spent many years and nearly lost his life to finally redeem himself. With feeling redeemed left him lost. He didn't know what to do anymore with himself. He kept to himself mostly, had opened up a potions shop, and trudged through his days. On a whim he made a choice to enlist in an anonymous owl service in a depressed attempt to reach out to someone, anyone, instead of suffering alone.

He was amazed when he had gotten in contact with an educated witch, one that didn't judge any of his vague details and tended to have an attitude in her words. She often helped him solve his potion issues and goading him on when he got tired of meeting dead ends. In return he helped her come up with profitable charm ideas. She apparently had released two books under a different identity to remain anonymous and liked being out of the spotlight after she didn't like the attention on her during the war. The two years of talking through letters of learning each other from the inside out had created a close relationship that was anything but conventional. If he had to place a word on his emotions for her, it would be tentative love. He was sure she felt the same. It was what brought them out from behind their quills to this location. Severus sat watching and waiting. They set it up so she would come into the muggle dinner and sit in the outside seat of the corner table and place her book in front of her. That way he could approach her and not bring a lot of attention to either. Finally, he saw a woman he never expected to see and paused waiting.

Hermione Granger walked nervously without looking around to the seat she was supposed to take. She gingerly sat down and pulled out a charms book out from her bag and sat it in front of her waiting. Severus hesitated for a second before stepping forward, "Miss Gra... Hermione? It is you?"

Hermione looked up at him startled, her eyes widening, "Severus? Really?!" She said slightly excited. He gave her a sharp nod. "Good, I have been close to a guy I knew for many years and now I can finally do this and I doubt you will resist." She said before lassoing in all of her Gryffindor courage before standing up and placing a hand on his shoulder to push herself up. She kissed him with every ounce of emotion in her being before pulling back. "I was right, you didn't resist." She said with a nervous smile now that she was losing her steam.

Severus looked at her for a second before quirking his lips up. "It is nice to know the woman I fell in love with really is so intelligent. Definitely beautiful." Severus said earning a glowing smile. "Though I could have gone without the Gryffindor part, that is a bit of a let out down." He said blandly causing her to let out a short bark of a laugh and smack his arm lightly.

"Okay, ignoring the Gryffindor part, what do you want to do now?" She asked resuming her seriousness and slight worry shining through.

Severus thought it over for a few seconds before giving her a slow kiss before pulling back, "Does that answer you or do I need to be more direct for your thick head?" He said with a raised eyebrow.

"No, that was pretty clear." Hermione said with a smile, someone cleared there throat and they looked to the waitress, "And now we should order." She said causing Severus to let out a low chuckle. The waitress gave them an embarrassed smile and quickly took their order. Hermione used the earnings from her next book to give half to the organization that helped them with a small note, and half to the diner. Each with the same note:

Thank you for helping me meet the love of my life against all odds. Fate led us together, so fate leads me to return the favor the best I can. I hope this amount serves you well.

Years later they brought their child to the diner to tell him their tale of fate's hand.