Chapter 7

Diagon Alley was nearly empty. The increasing awareness that Voldemort was rising combined with sporadic Death Eater attacks left the Wizarding World in fear. The few people that were doing shopping huddled together in groups and walked at a brisk pace. Their heads were down.

Hermione and Severus on the other hand strolled hand in hand at a leisurely pace. She looked down at her hand in his. This was the first time she had held hands with someone. It was…nice. A light blush coloured her face. Why am I feeling hot? All of a sudden her thoughts drifted back to her actions on the night before. She had kissed him. Severus Snape. And it was her first kiss. Did I do it right? What if he did not like it? Hermione wanted to deny it with all her might, but she couldn't – she had enjoyed it. Thoroughly at that. His lips were lovely. They felt wonderful. She sighed even as she reddened further. Think of something else!

She cleared her throat. "Where do you need to go?" Maybe a change of subject will steer her thoughts in another direction.

Severus looked down, noticing her high colour and almost smirked. "I need to head to Flourish and Blotts as well as the apothecary. Do you require anything?"

"No, not really. Oh! Maybe we can go to Fortescue's afterwards and get some ice cream?" She grinned at the prospect.

Snape nodded. He saw no reason to deny her request.

They ambled into the bookshop which was nearly empty. Snape made his way to the potions books. Hermione wandered through the store lost in thought. Her fingertips lightly brushed along the spines of the books and stopped at the odd texture on one of them. It felt like silk, a texture out of place amongst the leathers. Curious, she pulled the book off the shelf and glanced at the title. Ways to please your husband in bed. Hermione turned scarlet and dropped the book as if it burned her hands. The sound echoed slightly in the nearly empty store. A nearby witch gave her a disapproving look before returning to survey the shelf in front of her. Why? Why would you need a book on such things?

She hurriedly put the book back on the shelf and went to find Severus. He was finalising his payments and looked at as when she approached. "Ready?" he asked. She nodded, furiously hoping her blush had vanished. He looked at the salesperson. "Deliver these to my home."

As they exited the shop, Hermione asked, "Severus, I need to buy some clothes. Are there shops nearby?"

"I believe so. We can head there after the apothecary." He reached for her hand. Hermione was surprised but pleased. She gave his hand a light squeeze as they heading to gather ingredients he required.

Severus noted the squeeze but said nothing. Sometimes the young witch's actions surprised him. She treated him with respect and was actually quite kind. And towards him. No other female extended that rare treatment towards him, save for Lily. And she was no more. Not to mention that he had long ago accepted the fact he was not a handsome man, so his hope at finding another woman died out. He'd be damned if he allowed himself to think that the young Miss Granger found him attractive. She simply tolerated him because of his ability to protect her. Nothing more.

After instructing the shopkeeper at the apothecary to do a home delivery, they made their way to the clothing shop – Madame Tilde's Fashion. It was the only store in Diagon Alley that carried clothes one could wear out in the muggle world without arousing suspicion.

Hermione made a beeline for the female section leaving Severus by himself. May as well pick up a few things. He walked around as he surveyed the clothes. Picking up a pair of black skinny jeans he made a sound of disgust. Is this the type of clothes that immature brats wear nowadays? Males wearing something like this…Uncomfortable. Unless their cock is too small to be affected by constricting clothes. Severus snickered and placed the jeans back on the rack.

Hermione was giddy with excitement. It had been so long since she last went shopping. A floating basket followed her around the store as she happily added clothes she wanted to the growing heap. Sneaking a peak to see if Snape wasn't around, she grinned before heading to the lingerie section.

After all, a girl could never have too much lingerie.

She perused the racks, plucking off styles from here and there. Laces, silks and satins filled the basket in all colours. Hermione looked up and sighed. There was a white lingerie set that was made entirely from silk and had a lace motif. The bottoms tied at the hips creating flattering bows. The matching nightgown had straps that tied at the shoulders, mimicking the bow design of the lingerie. Must. Have. Now. She hurriedly put it in the basket and searched for matching white thigh highs before dropping them on the pile of clothes she wanted.

"Are you ready Hermione?" a low voice whispered into her ear.

She shuddered and slowly spun around. "Eeek!"

Severus eyed the basket floating next to her. "Don't answer that." He walked away as abruptly as he appeared.

Hermione's mind boggled. What was that all about?

~~~ Meanwhile ~~~

Severus' thoughts were a mess. Rarely did this happen. The damned witch was buying more lingerie – a fact that left him irritated and slightly amused. Was what she had not enough? Was she planning to seduce him?

He scoffed at that last thought.

And with that, all of his insecurities arose at once. A witch trying to seduce him? A man with a hooked nose, pale skin and lank hair. Not to mention his personality. He let out a self-deprecating laugh. However, he did not forget about the marriage law and its requirement of a child. He knew he would have to bed her soon. But how? Should he concoct a potion and slip it in her drink? A lust potion would do well; she would be aroused beyond her wildest dreams. He shook his head. No. Hermione would figure it out and more than likely, she would be furious. On the other hand, the thought of having to slip her a potion just so that he could get her in his bed irritated him and he didn't know why – which only served to annoy him further. He would have to go about things the right way then. Looks like seduction was in the foreseeable future.

He grinned. Hermione was going to be a challenge. And he loved challenges. Pretty soon, she was going to be begging for him to take her.

While Severus planned the young witch's seduction, Hermione discreetly paid for her items and instructed for a delivery to Snape's house. She hurriedly put her coins back in her purse and searched for Severus. The man appeared to have walked out of the store, for she could not find him in it. She glanced outside and saw him standing tall and proud.

The few witches and wizards in the alley scuttled out of his way as he paced back and forth, his brow furrowed in thought.

Hermione took a deep breath and approached him. "Let's get ice cream now."

He looked down at her and his expression almost made the young witch inhale sharply. He looked so alone and vulnerable; which was quickly replaced with a blank look at her arrival. "Yes. Yes of course. Ice cream…" he said, voice trailing off.

What's gotten into him? "Something the matter Severus?"

"Nothing."

"But-"

"Let's go Hermione," he interjected.

"Severus, wait."

"No!" he snapped. He needed to gather his thoughts, not share them for heaven's sake.

She glared at him. "Did you just say 'no' to me?" She shoved him angrily, her voice rising. "I am your wife! I should know what's bothering you so that I can help you, you stupid man!" Another shove. "You don't have to deal with everything by yourself!" She turned and ran.

Severus stared in shock. What just happened? He sprinted after her. Stupid witch! Doesn't she realise the danger she's in? Gryffindor's and their emotions, always letting it getting the better of them! Especially the females!

Her bushy hair disappeared around the corner. He saw her skid to a stop in front of what used to be Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour. She hesitantly walked in.

The shop was in shambles. Broken glass was scattered everywhere, the door hanging off one hinge. A small spattering of blood marked the wall behind the counter.

Severus came up behind her. "It's a random Death Eater attack. Florean is most likely dead," he murmured.

"How do you know?"

"See those claw marks on the counter? It's Greyback. He's akin to leaving his mark like the animal that he is. And all animals eventually kill."

"Did you know about this?"

"No."

She studied his face with no emotion. "I'm going home." She apparated, leaving Severus alone in the store. Good thing too, because his Dark Mark began to burn. He grimaced before apparating as well.