AN - I own nothing! I'm just borrowing from J.K. Rowling!

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Chapter 4

"Good evening Professor," Hermione greeted Severus as she took her seat across from him.

"You're fifteen minutes late," Severus stated dryly, as he looked at his watch. "Ten o'clock means ten o'clock."

"Sorry sir. Are you going to give me detention? We aren't in school anymore, and I am no longer your student," she said back with a smirk.

Severus's eyes narrowed. How dare she! After all, she was the one that asked him to come here for the favor. Or was she teasing him?

Hermione turned to look at the counter. There wasn't a line, and the coffee aroma that had flooded her senses, made her want a cup. "I'm going to order something. Do you want anything?"

"No!" Severus barked, as he stood up from his chair. "I'll get the orders. You might just take your bloody time again, which wastes more of my time."

"Oh, your treat?" Hermione smiled brightly up at him.

Severus rolled his eyes. "Yes!"

Hermione turned to look up the pastries that were available in the cooling shelf. She couldn't decide. "Hmmm…" she said as she tapped her finger on her lips.

"And you're still taking your time I see," Severus said as he stared.

"Hey! You're supposed to be patient and wait until the lady— which is me— is ready to place her order."

"Have I ever claimed to be a gentleman?" he argued back. He lowered his head, until he was millimeters from her ear. "Be careful witch, I might just slip some poison in your coffee."

Surprised, Hermione frowned and pulled back.

"Don't get your knickers in a twist. It was a joke," Severus snorted.

"A cappuccino and a caramel waffle then," Hermione said, making her mind up quickly. It was what she ordered most of the time anyhow. She was also baffled. Of all things, Severus Snape actually joked, and she didn't catch on. Hell must have frozen over.

"Very well then," Severus said as he turned on his heels and walked towards the counter.

Hermione continued to frown at Severus as she didn't take her eyes off him. If he was wearing his robes, she could still imagine them billowing behind him. His sour personality hadn't changed a single bit, but he did look… younger. He was a free man, and there was no need for him to be a double agent anymore.

Ever since the war ended, peoples' lives had changed in the British wizarding world. They felt freer and less fearful of what was to happen, knowing that the Dark Lord was truly gone.

As far as she knew, she was the only one that had left that world. It wasn't permanent. She did visit on occasion and catch up on things, even though it was once in a blue moon. Her friends were still there. Everyone else was happy that she became successful—everyone except Ron. He was always jealous of others; others who were more successful and richer. But Hermione didn't bother with him.

She thought that she was the only one searching for something more in her life. That was until she saw Severus; perhaps he too was searching for something else.

"They ran out of sleeves so I just double cupped it," Severus said as he placed Hermione's orders in front of her, and then placed his on his side.

"Thank you," she said. When she saw Severus sit himself down, she began to speak. "Again, sorry I was late. I had some business to deal with. Warner Bros. called me and is interested in making a movie out of my series."

"Good for you," Severus said flatly as he stirred his sugar into his coffee. He wasn't looking at Hermione, and wasn't really interested in what she was talking about.

"So Professor, what are you doing here in New York? Why fake your death and let everyone think you're dead? Why leave the wizarding world? Why don't do want to be found? Why do-"

"Must you ask so many questions?" he asked in annoyance. "I thought you were the know-it-all who knew everything? For once, you don't know everything."

Hermione set his insult aside and then said, "Which is why I am asking such questions."

"And I will answer none of them," Severus said firmly. "My life is none of your business."

"People mourned for you, you know that? Even Lucius did, along with his family. They, all of us, were hurt at the loss of a great man—a hero."

"Bullshit Miss Granger! I am no hero. If you didn't know, I joined Voldemort by choice in the beginning before turning to Albus. Lucius on the other hand joined by force, because of Bella who really was a follower of the dark. It was either him or his wife, or Draco would get hurt. He's the hero, not me." He glared at her with his intense black eyes. "It was my choice, and I have to live with that mistake," he said darkly.

Hermione shook her head. She wanted to cry, remembering that she too mourned for the man in front of her. However, she was more disappointed and angry, that the tears couldn't come out. "I also mourned for you!"

"Like I care Miss Granger."

"Did you know that Harry even said that you were the bravest man he ever knew, when he spoke at your funeral?"

"Really?" Severus asked as he raised an eyebrow. He was surprised, but kept his expression impassive. "Maybe Potter was talking about himself. And like I said before, 'like I care.'"

"What about Minerva?" Hermione spat. "She was the one that cried the most. Do you care for her?"

"How many times must I repeat myself? I – don't – care," he answered. It wasn't true though. When Hermione mentioned Minerva, it hurt him. Like Albus, he looked up to her too, like a mother even.

Hermione dropped her fork, and pushed herself up roughly from the table. "I'm done here. Good-bye."

"What?" Severus asked incredulously as he watched her leave out the door. He muttered a curse under his breath and went to go after her.

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"Miss Granger!" Severus growled as he walked quickly after her. In a few strides, he was at her side, and pulled her by the arm to make her face him. "If I remember correctly, you were the one that invited me for coffee. You pretended that we were together in front of that, that Adam, and asked me to become your date to some charity event. My life wasn't supposed to be the topic of discussion."

Hermione pulled her arm roughly away from him and gasped. "Remember, I stated that it was an on and off relationship? Well, now it's off. And with regards to finding a date, I don't mind flying solo as I do most of the time. I just don't want Adam around me because he's annoying! I don't want to owe you any favors Snape. And if you're worried that I will tell someone about you, don't be. You're secret's safe with me and I'll just pretend that I never saw you, and that you are still dead."

"Then why invite me in the first place?" he asked.

"Then why come here?" she questioned back. When she didn't get an answer, she shook her head. "To think, I thought so highly of you, and respected you." She snorted, "I was wrong. You're just the cold hearted and selfish bastard that some people say you are. Good riddance!" She started to walk away again, with her head hanging low. She felt like crying, and if she did, she refused to show her tears.

"Miss Granger," Severus called after her as he stood still, "it's late and you shouldn't be walking alone."

Hermione turned on her feet and walked back towards him. "Are you going to accompany me and make sure that I'm all safe? Like you said, you never claimed to be a gentleman, so why bother? I live around this area, just a few minutes away and I can take care of myself." With that, Hermione turned on her heel and didn't look back again.

Severus tightened his jaw as he ground his teeth. The woman hadn't changed much. The mouth on her was still the same, not afraid to speak her piece. It was worse than he could remember actually. Maybe it was because she was no longer his student that she didn't hold anything back from him. He watched her for a moment longer, and then decided that it was best to follow her home, and make sure that nothing happened to her.

He easily blended into the night, behind the shadows as he kept silent. When he saw her enter a building, he looked around and hissed in annoyance. There was a migraine that he could feel beginning to form in his head. She was getting to him for some odd reason, and it was making him feel uncertain.

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AN – Sev really can be a bastard. Isn't that why we all love him? Review!