Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

After Severus had left the previous night, Hermione had cleaned like a crazy woman. She had no idea why, her house wasn't dirty. She eventually fell asleep on her couch around 5 in the morning, exhausted.

She was woken a few hours later by an owl tapping at her window. She sat up quickly, rubbing the sleep from her eyes and rushing to let the poor creature in. He came in and landed in front of the fire, hooting softly and shaking his wings.

"Oh, poor thing..." She knelt down and pet him softly. She grabbed a blanket and made a little nest for him to rest in, so he could get warm before making the journey back. She took his letter and smiled as he curled up with a small coo.

She glanced out the window again. It had stopped snowing... She opened the letter and read over it. Her face never changed as she slowly put the letter back in it's envelope and dropped it into the trashcan.

She warmed up a little milk, gave it to the owl, and watched him depart. She smiled and went to the kitchen again, deciding to make breakfast. She made a lot of food, hoping Severus would come early. She had no idea why she was so anxious to see him... Maybe because he was the only polite company she enjoyed being around.

No, she had Harry for that... But a small knock at her door interrupted her thoughts. She blushed and wiped her hands on her apron, hurrying to the front door. She opened it and smiled. "Severus! Come in, please!" She stepped back, ushering the tall man into her home.

Severus stepped inside and nodded. "Good morning." He shook himself a bit to rid a bit of the cold before taking off his cloak. Hermione paused. She had... never seen Severus in casual wear before.

He looked so different wearing just a pair of black jeans and a long sleeved shirt. She... never... it took her breath away. His hair was back again. It... she was...

Severus looked up and noticed her staring. He blinked and looked down at himself, wondering if he had forgotten pants this morning. Hermione shook herself out of it and laughed, taking his cloak politely. "I trust you slept well?"

Actually, he hadn't slept at all. He had fretted over when he should arrive today. He had worried about whether he should bring something or not. He had stressed over every small detail. He felt like a school girl, honestly.

But he just nodded. "Yes, thank you." He bent to take off his shoes politely, setting them to the side as Hermione wandered back into the kitchen, resuming her cooking. He followed eventually, taking the spot he had sat in last night.

Again, he watched her. It didn't take him long to notice the bags under her eyes from lack of sleep... "Hermione." This time he did notice the slight shudder she had. He blinked for a moment before continuing. "Did you get enough sleep last night?"

"Oh, yes, plenty! Thank you." She smiled kindly and put some eggs and bacon on two plates. She set them on the island before pouring two cups of tea for them. She sat down and took a sip, grateful for the caffeine she knew would wake her up a little.

Severus watched her before politely taking a bite of the food. "Ms. Granger, I must say, if you promised to cook like this every day, I would marry you." Hermione choked a little on her food, her heart skipping a beat.

She coughed and grabbed a napkin, trying to breath. Why did that simple phrase make her so flustered. Severus just sat across the table, his fork suspended in midair. He had no idea what to do.

Hermione smiled and waved him off. "I'm... fine..." She coughed some more before settling herself down. She cleared her throat and took a small sip of tea. "Just... went down the wrong tube, I suppose." Her heart was still fluttering though. Just the thought of being married to him...

Severus looked down. Of course. Why would any self respecting girl want to be married to the traitor? He ate his food silently. When he finished he looked up with a smile. "Thank you."

"It was my pleasure. I need to clean up a bit. You can sit in the living room, if you like. I'll be there soon." Hermione stood and picked up their plates, walking to the sink. Severus obeyed her, walking into the living room. He noticed the blanket by the fireplace but didn't think about it too much.

He sat down and looked around. He thought the place looked... even cleaner than before. He paused on the rubbish bin for a moment. A very official looking letter was resting on the top, already opened. He glanced into the kitchen, his curiosity rising.

He knew it was rude to read other people's mail, but... He quickly charmed the letter into his pocket as Hermione walked in. She sat down opposite him again and smiled, tucking some hair behind her ear.

Their conversation started easily again, almost like they were picking up where they left off last night. But the entire time, the bit of parchment was rubbing against Severus' leg and he couldn't help but feel slightly guilty.

A few hours had passed before he stood. "May I use your rest room, please?"

"Oh, of course. Please..." She walked to the hall and pointed it out with a smile. He thanked her and walked inside, shaking a little as he pulled the letter out. He read it over carefully, his heart beginning to race. She... she was... accepted into the ministry. Into the Department of Muggle Studies. So why had she thrown the letter away?

He folded the letter again while his mind raced. What did this mean? He walked back to the living room and sat down, thinking intensely.

Immediately, Hermione sensed something was wrong. She looked him over quietly before clearing her throat. "Is everything alright, Severus?"

He looked up at her, very serious, before saying, "You know I am a spy, correct?"

She nodded slowly, unsure of where this was going. "A very talented spy from what I hear..."

"Then, I will tell you, I have... snooped." He sat forward, playing with his fingertips. "In... your business." He looked down, feeling guilty.

Hermione ran a fingertip over the top of her tea cup slowly, waiting. "Are you... going to tell me what you know?"

"No." Severus looked up, smiling slightly. "I'm not done researching but... I'll let you know... I just... felt bad... not telling you... you know..." He looked back down again.

Hermione smiled and moved closer to him. "Well, thank you. How about we go out for lunch? I know a nice little place down the street." Severus looked up at her, blinking in surprise.

"You're not... angry?"

"No. I'm glad you told me..." She looked up thoughtfully. "I think we know each other well enough by now. I trust you with whatever information you may have." She smiled and looked back at him, taking a little sip of her tea.

Severus sat up and opened his mouth like he was going to say something before closing it quickly. He cleared his throat and looked away. Hermione reached a hand out like she was going to pet his hair in comfort... before she pulled it away and stood. "Lunch. Come on." She set her mug on the table and cheerfully walked to her front door.

Severus stood, shaking his head, placing her letter back into the garbage bin without a fuss. They got ready and left, walking side by side in the snow down the street. Severus was quiet, listening to her talk.

Without much warning, his legs came out from under him. He had a brief of memory of his school days, when a certain Potter would dangle him upside down by his ankles, but he snapped out of it when he landed on his back in the snow. He splayed his arms and legs to either side, looking up with a bewildered expression on his face.

Hermione gasped and quickly knelt down next to him, one hand on his arm. "Severus, are you alright?" Her other hand was on his shoulder, unsure of what to do. "It looks like you slipped on a patch of ice... Oh, dear, are you hurt?"

Severus looked up at her, their eyes meeting. Hermione discovered that it was difficult to breath. Severus discovered that his heart was racing a little faster. And neither of them could take their eyes away.

Then, before she could register the almost devious smile on his face, she was being flipped in the air, landing on her back next to him with a quiet, "Oof." It wasn't until she heard him laughing softly that she realized what happened. And how much she liked his laugh...

She looked up, pouting slightly. He looked so happy... She reached to her side and grabbed some snow, tossing it quickly into his face. Severus paused, blinking. He heard Hermione giggling and smiled again. "You little witch!"

He began tickling her without thinking, only wanting to make her laugh more. Which she did. She threw her head back and squirmed, laughing loudly. She didn't care who heard her at this point. "Sev- Severus! No, please!" But she kept laughing.

And he was laughing, too, happy that he could be the source of her pleasure. Finally, she managed to wrap her fingers around his wrists, stopping them. She laid in the snow, smiling still and panting, her eyes closed. She gave a few more breathless laughs before opening them again.

Severus just hovered over her, a smug smile on his face. At this point, neither of them cared that they were being ogled at. Muggles had been walking up and down the street, staring at them. Men and women alike had smiled at them, happy that their shy neighbor was coming out of her shell. She looked so happy...

Hermione brought a hand up to gently touch Severus' cheek, her fingers brushing the smooth skin delicately. She watched his dark eyes closing softly, enjoying her touch. His smile became gentle, joyful.

"Hermione..." A shudder went down her back again and she paused her fingers. She watched his eyes open again. They really were gorgeous. A deep black that she had never truly appreciated before...

Finally, she snapped herself out of it, laughing weakly and dropping her hand. She looked away and pushed herself up. "I'm sorry, that was... immature of me!" She tucked some hair behind her ear.

Severus sighed softly and sat up also. That moment had been nothing, he knew. But he would treasure it dearly. "Don't apologize." He stood and offered his hand, helping her up gracefully and brushing her off.

"There." He smiled and took a step back. "Now, let's get you warm before you catch a cold." He walked a few steps up the sidewalk, affectively hiding his breaking heart. He paused, giving her a moment to catch up.

Hermione joined him and silently, without looking at each other, they walked to lunch, both thinking about a moment they wished had gone very differently.