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

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Chapter 7

Bay Magic Bar was a popular bar in San Francisco to locals—muggles and magical folk. The place was set up in one of the busiest areas in the city. During lunch, dinner, and happy hours, the place was crowded. The food and the drinks that were favorites among many that had become regulars.

They were both seated in the booth seat on the far end of the restaurant. They didn't have to wait for a table like some of the other guests. Hermione was a regular to the establishment, and knew the owner first hand through the years of dining at Bay Magic Bar.

"Like it?" Hermione asked as he took a bit out of his pulled pork sandwich. She was given the liberty to order for him since he didn't know exactly what was good.

"Pretty good," Severus replied as he wiped his mouth with a napkin. "Do you always have to drink?" he asked watching Hermione wave her mug in the air, signaling to the bartender at the bar that she needed a refill.

"Beer, burger and fries—can't go wrong with that combination," Hermione replied as she continued to eat her food.

"You know what I mean," Severus spoke. "You weren't an alcoholic before, not even a heavy drinker. What happened?"

"It's none of your business Severus," Hermione said firmly. "People change. You don't hear me asking about your fiancé."

"It has become my business. I live with you, and the other night you were drunk as hell," Severus reminded her. "You couldn't even stand up on your own feet that I had to bloody carry you up the stairs."

"No one asked you to."

"Alan did."

"So you're really just doing things for me because Alan's paying you to do so. Wonderful, an overpriced babysitter."

"Hey, don't turn things around witch!" Severus hissed.

"Admit it, if it weren't for Alan, you wouldn't be here," Hermione said angrily. "Just forget about your damned Slytherin pride and admit it."

"Like you forgot about your Gryffindor pride?" he sneered back in question.

"Damn you!" Hermione said above a whisper. That was a low blow, and she took it very personally. She looked at him as her eyes got teary, refusing to cry in a public place with many people that didn't know her. "You really do hate me that much."

"I never said I liked you either," Severus said. He knew what he had said, and could see the pain all over Hermione's face. He wasn't going to apologize for it though, or apologize to her at all. After all, she never apologized to him eight years ago.

"Two days with you and it's already hell," Hermione sniffled. "We're going to continue to argue and fight till Merlin knows when." Working and spending time with Severus was going to be hard for her. He was there, right in front of her, and was going to continue to be with her day and night until the project was over. Part of her was happy and the other part very sad. Even though Severus was hurting her feelings, she was going to accept him the way he was treating her. She still loved him, and with that, wanted to treasure whatever moments they would have together, even if it wasn't romantic. She had a feeling that after the project, she would never see him again.

"You're the one that's making it difficult," Severus sighed before he drank from his Coke can. He followed his principles clearly when it came to work, and that was not to mix work with personal life. Years ago, that line was crossed though with Hermione, and again, he was afraid that the line would blur, though not in a romantic way. Things were already getting personal between them, that they could only get worse later on.

"Maybe we should just not talk to each other except when it relates to work," Hermione suggested. "Let's put all our personal issues aside and get things done when we can.

"Let's," Severus said with a nod. He frowned when he watched her stand up and tossed a few bills on the table. "Now where are you going?"

"Out for a drink elsewhere," Hermione replied, putting her sun glasses on.

"Oh I think not!" Severus said through clenched teeth.

"It's a personal thing Severus, it's not work related. I'm sure you know how to get and find your way home." She gave him a single wave and walked away quickly.

Severus added some more bills with Hermione's, and quickly handed them to a waiter. Not bothering with the change, he exited the bar. "Shit!" he hissed softly as he ran a hand through his hair. When he looked left and right, he couldn't see Hermione, knowing that she had apparated somewhere, but where?

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The view of the city lights were quite a sight as Hermione sat in the middle of the helipad at Grand Tower where she worked. It was a place that she seldom went to when she needed time to think in the city. Above one of the tallest buildings, it was easier to get a breather, and get the mind space that was needed.

As the cool night wind blew, Hermione tugged on the hood of her sweatshirt, and took a gulp out from her flask. She closed her eyes, remembering her time with Severus in the past.

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A sigh of content left Hermione's lips as she felt strong arms pull at her from behind. She had given herself to Severus—the man she loved. For hours on end, they made passionate love with each other. And to top it all off, it was a life changing experience for her.

"You alright?" Severus asked, lightly kissing the back of her neck. He inhaled the sweet scent of her hair, never seeming to get enough of it.

"I'm perfect Sev," Hermione replied, bringing his hand up between her breasts. "It's just… wow. I never expected it to be like that."

"Like how?" Severus asked curiously against the skin of Hermione's shoulder.

Hermione turned around in his arms, and threw her leg of his. "Like… perfect. I've heard stories from other girls, and they were nothing compared to what we just did."

"Who?" Severus's eyes narrowed. "A few of your classmates I presume? Why am I not surprised that they would be humping behind the corridors? Randy teenagers!" he muttered.

Hermione chuckled and kissed furrow between Severus's eyes. "You really are one to complain. And it's former classmates. I've graduated a few weeks ago, and will soon apprentice for someone in potions."

"Really now?" Severus asked curiously as he arched a brow at her. This was news to him. "Potions you say? There are very few masters and mistresses out there that do accept apprentices."

Hermione smirked. "Yes. But I've contacted Horace Slughorn and he said that he's willing to take me under his wing. You see, there's this potions master in Hogwarts that is such a git. I'm afraid that he won't accept my apprenticeship. All the others that have applied for him in the past were all rejected."

"All of them must've been dunderheads," Severus mumbled. He then grabbed hold of Hermione's hips, making her squeal in surprise when he turned the both of them so that he could be in top of her. "But I'm sure that this git potions master will say yes to you."

Hermione looked up in Severus in shock. "Really?" she gasped.

"Why do you seem so shocked?" he questioned back. "Of course I'll accept you. All you had to do was ask."

"But you've never had an apprentice in the past—ever."

"It's because no one was ever capable before. You on the other hand are."

Right away, Hermione pulled Severus in for a quick kiss, and then squealed in excitement. She clapped her hands a few times, and smiled brightly. "You have no idea how happy I am." For anyone that wanted to apprentice, it was a dream to work for someone like Severus, or anyone in his stature in the industry. He was the best of the best.

The corner of Severus's mouth slightly lifted. Seeing Hermione smile and knowing that he was the reason that made her smile meant so much to him. It was hard for him to believe that Hermione herself was the one that captured his heart, and he loved her unconditionally, as did she in return.

"I love you," Hermione said softly, pushing his hair away from his face.

"My Rose," Severus said softly, as he kissed the inner palm of her hand. He rarely said those three words, but did once in a while.

Hermione traced his lips with her finger, knowing that he loved her. Severus wasn't the kind of man to say those three words a lot. Usually, he responded with other words, which she knew meant 'I love you.' Though once in awhile, he would say those exact three words, and it would catch her by surprise.

Severus rubbed his nose against hers, giving her a quick peck on her lips. He looked deep into her amber colored eyes. If he were to see them when he every day for the rest of his life, he couldn't care less about any sunset or sunrise. "I don't deserve you," he admitted softly.

Hermione wrapped her arms around Severus and reassured him. "I love you."

Severus lowered his lips to hers, and captured them into a slow and tender kiss. "Are we going to join the party upstairs in the Great Hall and reveal our secret relationship now that the Dark Lord is dead? Or are we going to stay here and in my bed and continue our little celebration?"

For her reply, she pulled Severus into a deeper, heated and passionate kiss. Revealing her relationship with Severus was the last thing on her mind. Even if people were going to disapprove about it, she was going to stay with Severus no matter what.

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Hermione shook her head as she hung it between her knees. She hated herself with so much pain. Severus's words echoed in her head all the time.

"I don't deserve you."

For eight years, she was bitching to herself, trying to drown all her sorrows away. It was she that didn't deserve him. Even though she didn't mean to, she betrayed their love. His hatred towards her after eight years, though harsh, that is what she deserved. Her life was shitty and miserable.

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AN – Okay, some of you are complaining that it's Hermione's fault and all. Don't blame her yet, there is something more. Review!