Insufferable Attraction

SeverusxHermione

Rated NC-17

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters from the franchise. That honor belongs to JK Rowling

Insufferable Attraction

Chapter 3

Severus grumbled to himself as he stood outside of the flat that Hermione was currently living in. This was going to be one of the three days that they would be spending together to try and get to know each other before being wed. He honestly didn't want to, but he supposed he had to do like Narcissa said and make the best of the situation, whatever the best was going to be. Today he and Hermione were going on a "date" somewhere in the Muggle World. They both agreed it would be better to be away from prying Wizarding eyes, even though the Daily Prophet and everyone else would know about their soon to be union once they were wed. Hermione had given him her address and they agreed to leave at ten A.M. It was five minutes till, but Severus saw no reason to be late, therefore he was early, if only by five minutes.

Raising a hand, he knocked on the door and waited for it to be answered. A moment later the door opened to reveal the brunette he was to soon wed. Hermione gave him a small smile and said, "Hello Professor. Please, come in."

The man stepped inside of the young woman's flat and looked around, taking in how modest and homey it was. He almost chuckled in amusement seeing the stack of books she had next to the sofa, one of them open lying face down on the cushion. It was a nice little flat, but he already knew that she wouldn't be living in it long. Part of the Act they were being a part in required for not only marriage and prolonging the bloodline, but to also move into the family manor. So after they were wed, they were to move into Prince Manor, a place he hadn't been to since he was a young child.

Hermione looked at the older man and said, "You're early, but that's alright."

Severus sneered and questioned, "Would you rather I be late?"

"N-No, that's not what I meant. I just-" Hermione took in the way Severus was staring at her almost in annoyance before shaking her head. "Never mind."

She turned to grab her satchel and coat before stepping back to her former professor. Looking at him she said, "I'm ready."

Nodding Severus turned and walked out of Hermione's flat, waiting for Hermione to lock her door and ward her home before he took hold of her arm and Disapparated. When their feet hit the ground, Hermione looked around to see where Severus had taken them. Immediately she took notice of how all the buildings seemed to look the same, all brick and rather bleak. Hermione had never in her life been here before or could recall possibly passing by when she was younger.

"Where are we?" Hermione asked.

"Cokeworth," Severus replied.

The Potions Master began walking down the street, Hermione quickly following behind him to keep pace with his long strides. As they walked Hermione asked, "Do any Wizarding folk live around here?"

"The only Wizarding folk that have ever lived here are myself and Lily Potter."

Hermione's eyes widened in surprise. "You mean this is where you grew up?"

"I grew up on Spinner's End, but yes, Cokeworth is where I grew up."

Hermione found herself touched that her arranged betrothed had decided to bring her to his childhood town for their first outing together. It was like despite their situation, he was sharing with her a part of his life. She also made a mental note to tell Harry that their former professor had taken her to his and Harry's mother childhood town. With a small smile on her face, she followed Severus as they turned a corner and walked along the street, coming across more people as they went. Severus, realizing he was forcing the brunette to practically run to keep up with him, slowed his stride so that she could walk next to him. Once they were walking in step with each other, Hermione decided to take the time to look the Potions Master over.

He honestly didn't look much different since the last time she had seen him two years prior during the war. Granted, the last time she had seen him he was dying and had been presumed dead, but even so he didn't seem to have changed at all. Though, maybe his long hair was at least two inches longer and didn't seem to be as oily looking as it used to. There had been slight dark circles under his eyes back during her school days, but they were nearly gone now. His skin was still pale and stood out starkly from his usual black attire, but it also suited him in a way that didn't make him look sickly. She did wonder though if his mouth was set in a permanent frown. She knew his face could seemingly change expression, but his mouth never seemed to do anything but frown. Taking in his black attire, Hermione was surprised to see that he was sporting a sweater and jeans, black trainers on his feet, and a black jacket. He almost looked like a different person in normal clothes and not his usual robes. But if he grew up in a Muggle neighborhood, he obviously had a sense of normalcy as far as dressing went so he wouldn't stand out unnecessarily.

Stopping Severus looked up at the sign of the shop they were in front of before grabbing the handle to the door and held it open, motioning for his companion to walk inside first. Thanking him, Hermione walked inside and was pleasantly surprised to see that the building that they had entered was a little coffee shop with a bit of a library/reading area inside. Looking around Hermione couldn't help but smile.

Severus took in the brunette's expression, surprised that she seemed to find his chosen outing place pleasing to her, though he didn't let his surprise be shown on his face. He walked ahead of Hermione and led her to a table in the corner, sitting down in one of the chairs and Hermione doing the same in the other after taking off her coat. They sat in silence for a while before Hermione decided to fill the awkward silence. Clearing her throat she said, "So Professor, you seem to have been well since the war ended."

"As well as I suppose one can be after surviving a war and nearly being killed," Severus replied.

Hermione nodded and rubbed her arm awkwardly, looking around the little coffee shop while trying to think of something to talk about. While she was doing that, Severus was taking the time to look his former student over. Hermione Granger had turned into a…rather pretty…young woman from her little, awkward self when she had first started at Hogwarts as his student. Of course, she was still an insufferable know-it-all, a personality trait that was sure to irk him more than enough times in their forced marriage. But he could see why the young boys in Slytherin House were stating that they wanted to try their luck with Gryffindor's golden girl. Her brown hair, usually bushy, was now hanging in wavy curls that seemed much more manageable than they had been previous. Her expressive brown eyes were hidden behind long, sooty lashes, and she had a dusting of freckles across her nose and littered lightly along the tops of her cheeks. Not only that, but her lips were pink and had a natural pout, though it complimented her face well. And furthermore, he had seen how the blouse she was wearing hugged her curves, along with her casual jeans that hugged her legs nicely as well.

Realizing the observations he had just made, Severus frowned and shook his head to clear those thoughts away, not wanting them to be present any longer in his mind. Just as he did that a voice said, "Young Severus."

Turning his head, Severus looked up to see the owner of the shop, a man he hadn't seen in years. Nodding to him he said, "Hello Clyde."

Clyde smiled and said, "It is so good to see you again after all of these years. Look at how you've grown. You've grown into a fine young man.

"Thank you, Clyde."

"How have you been?"

"I've been alright."

"That's good. Are you still teaching?"

"No, I've retired."

"Oh, I see." Clyde looked at Hermione before his eyes widened in surprise. "And who is this young lady?"

Severus looked at Hermione before answering, "She is my…companion."

Clyde gave a curious look at the brunette before saying, "You mean she is your woman. She's rather young, but there is nothing wrong with that." He then smiled at Severus. "Love doesn't have an age number, nor a limit. And I know if my Ida was alive today, she would be happy that you've finally found someone to love and she love you. I'm happy for you, Severus."

Both Severus and Hermione blushed at the insinuation, not sure what to say in response to that. Hermione did take note that Severus' blush stood starkly out on his pale skin and she found it rather endearing. In fact, it made her smile and giggle softly before clearing her throat as the man turned his black gaze towards her. Clyde chuckled at how they reacted to his statement before patting the young man he had known since he was ten on the shoulder. Smiling at him he asked, "Should I bring you your usual?"

Nodding curtly Severus said, "Yes please."

Turning to Hermione Clyde asked, "And what can I get for you, Ms…?"

"Granger, Hermione Granger. And I'd like a cappuccino, please."

Clyde nodded and walked away to prepare their drinks, leaving the two of them sitting in further awkward silence. Even as Clyde returned later with their orders, they continued to sit quietly. Hermione took a sip of her cappuccino before asking, "So…you know him from your childhood?"

Severus nodded and answered, "Yes, I do. He and his late wife Ida looked after me here when my mother would be working late. I suppose they viewed me as their grandson in some ways. I'm honestly surprised Clyde is still living."

Hermione smiled softly behind her coffee mug before taking another sip, liking that her former professor had shared that with her. The two of them continued to sit and talk for a while, the awkwardness disappearing a little as they settled into easy conversation. An hour later they decided to leave, Severus leaving enough money on the table to pay for both his and Hermione's coffees and bid Clyde 'goodbye', Clyde telling them to stop by some time again. Walking down the street, Severus ducked into an alleyway, Hermione doing the same and allowing him to take her hand before Disapparating away.

Seconds later, their feet touched the ground right in front of Hermione's flat. Hermione turned to the tall wizard in front of her and said, "I had a nice time, Professor Snape. Thank you for today."

Severus nodded before saying, "Severus."

"What?"

"You called me 'Professor Snape'. I am no longer your professor, and we are to be wed in a few days. I think it would be wise that you begin calling me by my first name, Ms. Granger."

The brunette stood in shock for a moment before saying in return, "Only if you call me by mine."

The Potions Master stared at her for a moment before nodding in acknowledgement of what she said. It was rather fair after all to call her by her first name if she was to call him by his. Deciding that their required time together was over, Severus said, "Until next time, Hermione." And with that, he Disapparated away.

Hermione stood in front of her door for a moment before turning to enter her home. Closing the door and locking it behind her, Hermione hung up her coat before walking into her living room. Grabbing some Floo Poweder, she threw it into the fireplace and watched as the green flames erupted from the fireplace before saying, "Grimmauld Place."

The flames roared for a moment before settling down again, letting Hermione know her destination was available. Sticking her head in the flames, Hermione called out, "Harry! Harry, are you there? I'd like to come through, please?"

Harry appeared moments later and invited her through, Hermione stepping through from her living room into the library of Grimmauld Place. Dusting the soot off of her clothes, Hermione looked at her best friend and said, "Harry, I need to talk to you."

"About what?" Harry asked. Realization came over his face before saying, "Oh right, you had your outing with Snape today. How did that go?"

"Surprisingly well, believe it or not. Though, it was also terribly awkward for the most part. But you'll never believe where he took me."

Before Harry could ask Hermione more about her time with their former professor, a blonde woman walked into the library. Seeing who it was the woman said, "Hello, Granger."

Hermione blinked in surprise before saying slowly, "Hello, Greengrass."

Looking at Harry, Hermione silently asked him what was going on and why that woman was there. Scratching the back of his head nervously, Harry said, "Hermione, this is Daphne Greengrass. I'm sure you remember her from school; she was in our year in Slytherin. Daphne is…she's my chosen betrothed through the Bloodline Restoration Act."