"Yes I'm alright. Could we stop by Flourish and Botts?" She inquired as she moved her hand down to hold his. Severus smiled down at her and led them from the apparition point toward Knockturn Alley.
"I only need to grab a few things for the Alchemy class; Knockturn Alley is not as bad as it used to be." Severus explained at the look of almost horror on her face. She nodded and tilted her chin up in a display of Gryffindor bravery as they walked towards the shop. It was a small hole in the wall place that once you stepped in you couldn't help but feel in a homey and cozy environment. "See not so bad is it?" Severus asked with a chuckle as she let go of his hand to look at the large bookcases. A man and young woman stepped out from somewhere behind the counter. The girl had bright blue eyes and beautiful long strawberry blonde hair. She only looked to be about 11 or 12.
"Welcome to Broaden and Kurin's Alchemy Circle~!" The little girl piped up excitedly. The man chuckled and she beamed up at him.
"Hello." Hermione greeted the young girl. She came out from behind the counter and walked over to Hermione to let the man talk to Severus.
"Hi, I'm Kalina Shurski (sure-ski)." Hermione smiled at the little girl and they walked throughout the bookcases. "I'm starting school this year, I'm going to Hogwarts. I can't wait! But I will miss working here." She admitted quietly. "But I get to take Alchemy there, although only 5th years are really allowed, but I passed the entrance test for it." She stated proudly.
"That's great, sweetie!" Hermione praised the little girl. Kalina beamed up at her and with a little bounce, causing her curls to bounce slightly. Her hair wasn't as curly as Hermione's used to be, more like it was curled with a large barrel, but it looked more natural; not uniform like a barrel curler would have left. "Well, my name is Hermione Granger." Hermione introduced herself; she crouched down in a squat and held out her hand in a welcoming gesture. Kalina bypassed the hand and hugged her tightly around the neck, almost knocking the both of them over in the process. Hermione hugged the little girl back with a little laugh.
"I can't believe I actually met -the- Hermione Granger! And hugged her!" The little girl squealed then let go and Hermione smiled with a small laugh and stood back up.
"I'm not that famous. And you know, I teach at Hogwarts, well I apprentice, but will be teaching after I finish it out." Hermione explained to the little girl as they strolled down the aisles of books.
"Oh, who will you be assisting?" Kalina asked as Hermione looked at a book, "Alchemy; the Functions and Practices".
"Professor Snape; we have Potion's and Alchemy. I might also be helping Professor Right with Ancient Runes." The older witch plucked the book of the shelf; skimmed the back and contents.
"B-but everyone says Professor Snape is so scary!" The little girl looked almost mortified.
"I know, I had him for about 6 years, he isn't that bad. And if you understand his sense of humor and yes he has one, he is really funny." She explained as they made their way back to the front of the shop. Severus and the man, most likely named Broaden, were in a deep discussion.
"Ah there they are." The man -still possibly Broaden- said as he looked up at them when they arrived at the front of the store. Severus looked at Hermione and eyed the book in her hand with a smirk.
"Father, this is Hermione Granger. Professor Granger, this is my father, Broaden." Kalina introduced them.
"It's nice to meet you, you have a very lovely daughter. I look forward to having her in class." Hermione smiled as she moved next to Severus who took her book and added it to the pile of things he was purchasing. Hermione was about to object but he waved her away. Hermione closed her mouth and tried to hold in a blush the best she could. Hermione and Severus left the store after saying their goodbyes and made their way back to Diagon Alley.
"I have to go the Apothecary, would you like to go to the book store and meet in front of the Leaky Cauldron in about 30 minutes?" Severus asked as he took her bag to put her book in his bag.
"Yes, that should be alright." Hermione nodded her head and they went their separate ways. Hermione made her way to Flourish and Botts. She was about to open the door when someone stepped in front of her, opening the door for her.
"After you." He offered in that high class aristocratic tone that she could only assume was Lucius Malfoy, as if she couldn't tell by his hair.
"Thank you, Mister Malfoy." She went through the door and he followed in after her.
"Oh come now, I thought we agreed on Lucius. Or am I not permitted to call you Hermione?" He asked as they started to make their way to the book shelves.
"Right, my apologies. So what brings you here of all places, Lucius?" She made her way over to the Ancient Runes section. Lucius had to pick up an order but went with her, making polite conversation. Hermione found an interesting book on Ancient Runes in connection with Potions and Alchemy and made her way back to the front desk. "Yes, I have a preorder for Hermione Granger; I wish to add this to it." Hermione set her book on the counter and Lucius came to stand next to her. The lady rung up her order and gave the amount.
"Here, I'll get it for you." Lucius offered and pulled out some coins from his pocket. "Just add it to my order Rose." He smiled lightly and the woman behind the counter flushed and nodded. Hermione turned around to look at Lucius and tried not to laugh at the woman's reaction, Lucius looked down at her and smirked, the corner of his lips turning up in amusement as well.
"You know, you didn't have to do that, Lucius." She explained as they were walking out of the store, Hermione looked over at him.
"Yes, well think of it as a peace offering if you will." He handed Hermione her purchases and she thanked him.
"Well I will see you later, Lucius. I have to go find Severus." Hermione mused and headed off towards the Leaky Cauldron to find Lucius walking next to her.
"Seems we have a similar schedule." Lucius smirked and Hermione let out a small chuckle, shaking her head. As soon as she spotted Severus she went to his side after saying goodbye to Lucius. Severus nodded his head at Lucius in acknowledgement which Lucius returned and they went their separate ways.
"Where are we off to next?" She asked as she laced their fingers together after Severus took her bags.
"How about we head back for a light meal to hold us over for the train then relax a little until it is time to go?" Severus asked and Hermione looked up at him. She nodded and tucked herself against his side.
"That would be lovely, Severus." Hermione reached up and pecked his cheek. She didn't seem to care about the odd looks she got and Severus pulled her closer to him, trading her hand for wrapping his arm around her waist.
"Unless of course, you wish to eat out." Severus said after a few minutes of walking. Hermione looked up at him and smiled lightly, he was thinking of her, actually trying and it warmed her heart to think so.
"No, I would much rather cuddle with you on the couch." Severus stared down at her with bewilderment and shook his head before continuing to stare ahead and walk. "Would you not like to relax on the couch with me?" She asked apprehensively and Severus thought of a few things he would rather do than 'cuddle on the couch' as she so put it. Their morning together flashed through his mind and he fought hard not to smirk. Wait hadn't she asked him something? Oh yes, of course 'cuddling'.
"Of course, Hermione. Unless you would like to do something else." He purred suggestively near her ear. Hermione felt her thighs clench in response but hid it well.
"Well who am I to put a stop to 'further academic explorations'?" She raised an eyebrow with a sly smirk and Severus wondered how she was not sorted into Slytherin.
"Minx." He growled and gripped her waist a little tighter. Hermione smiled innocently up at him with big doe eyes.
"I haven't a clue what you are talking about, sir." She batted her eyelashes and Severus couldn't hold back the laugh that bellowed around them.
"You may fool anyone else with that but most certainly not me." He gasped out laughing and Hermione was laughing with him, holding onto him for support. "Since we are going to stay in I guess I could be bothered to eat out something entirely different." He purred against her ear then straightened up as if he hadn't said anything. Hermione kept her mouth shut and could feel a fresh wave of arousal dampening her core.
"If I could only bother you…" She moved their hands that were now intertwined closer to his leg and drew a nail lightly down his thigh. Severus suppressed a groan, but leant down to rumble into her ear.
"You had better understand with whom you are playing such dangerous games, Hermione." He traced the shell of her ear with his tongue before sealing his lips over it and gently worrying it with his teeth; only to sooth it once more with his tongue.
"Your voice may not be the only wicked thing about you, Severus." She peered up at him from under her lashes and Severus had the urge to stop right in the middle of the path they were on and kiss her; capturing her mouth with his and giving her everything he had. She just looked irresistibly sexy when she gave him that little gin and tried to look at him without being caught. Severus straightened up from her as if he was never there and led her off the main path.
