Authors note: You lucky, lucky people :) We finally have something close to an admittance here. I will say no more, only enjoy =D And reviews, again, are all appreciated. I don;t know how long it'll be before I post the next chapter for this, I think I'm going to do some work on a Snape one shot, we need to laugh at him sometimes after all.

Hermione

Severus had given Hermione the necessary books for the quiz and she had very happily absorbed the contents, the first time to learn and the second for enjoyment. They were fascinating books to read, some of the most fascinating books that she had ever laid her hands on and it really was a pleasure to read them. She enjoyed the books that much that she scribbled down the titles and authors on a small scrap of parchment so she could find them and buy them the next time she was in Flourish and Blotts. If Severus was anything like her concerning books, which she suspected would be true, then this loan of books was an exception to the rule and would probably never happen again. So if she wished to ever read these books in her lifetime again then she would have to purchase her own copies or somehow manage to snatch some few moments during breaks of her new work at Severus' and read a few pages. The first option would be preferable to her.

Hermione was well prepared for the quiz and didn't particularly have anything else to do so she decided that she might as well go to Flourish and Blotts and get the books. It would be enjoyable for a trip out of the house and the chances of her meeting anybody she didn't want to was very small. So Hermione had dressed herself in a simple pale yellow summer dress and a pair of small gold heels, cloak wrapped tightly around her so that the soot mark her dress. She had her bronze coloured purse with her and was standing in front of her fireplace, floo powder held tightly in her hand. She threw it into the fireplace, watched the flames turn green, stepped in and allowed herself to be whoosed off to Diagon Alley.

It was a very warm day, hence Hermione's choice of clothing, and she revelled in the feeling of the sun on her skin as she casually strolled down the Alley, heading towards Flourish and Blotts, scrap of parchment with the books scrawled on it. She reached into her purse and pulled out a pair of sunglasses, much happier now that she wasn't squinting to see through the suns rays. She passed Madam Malkins, the magical menagirie, Ollivanders and the apothecary till Flourish and Blotts was in her sight. She made a beeline for the shop but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder. Hermione stiffened and whirled round, frightened to see who had touched her. She was surprised, and not very happy, to see Ronald Weasley looking at her in admiration. So much for the chances if meeting anyone you don't want to being very small Hermione, you idiot Hermione thought to herself as she took a few steps away from Ron so there was a more comfortable enough distance between them.

"What can I do for you Ronald?" Hermione asked, her voice clipped to show that she wasn't at all pleased that he was there and that they were talking

"I just couldn't believe that was you Hermione, I had to check. You look fantastic" Ron complimented her as smoothly as he could. All Hermione could think of was that Severus Snape had done a better job of complimenting her than Ron had just done there. She mulled over the idea of saying that for a moment or two before deciding she might as well.

"Was that meant to be a compliment Ron? If it was, it was very poor. I've heard better recently, from Severus Snape nonetheless" Hermione retorted venomously. She really disliked Ron, now that she had finally managed to get over him. It had taken her long enough but finally she had been freed from him only to fall into the trap of another man. He really was tall, dark and handsome, with an intelligence that eclipsed her own rather than being lower than hers. He was not an immature, childish boy who would abandon her because a prettier set of legs and bigger tits walked past him with a flirtatious glance. Unlike the red head who was standing in front of her, shock written all over his face

"Snape complimented you!" Ron asked, completely amazed at what Hermione had just said, he couldn't believe that it was true.

"Yes, he did. You said I was fantastic and he told me I was enchanting. You really need to up your game Ronald" Hermione replied, trying to deliberately be nasty. She wanted him gone but manners dictated that she stayed until he left.

"Why are you being so nasty Hermione? What did I ever do to you?" Hermione stood there, silent for a few moments. She sucked in a deep breath then released it again, shutting her eyes as she did so. A moment later she opened them again and they were filled with the fury that was coursing red hot through her veins. She advanced towards Ron who stepped backwards, realizing that he probably was in danger. He had seen what Hermione could do in her rage and he suspected that he was going to fall victim to it again. At least he could console himself that Hermione didn't seem to have her wand with her so no canaries or worse could head his way.

"What did you ever do to me?" Hermione whispered in a deathly quite voice, Ron could barely hear it.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME! YOU LEFT ME YOU WORTHLESS SCUM! YOU LEFT ME FOR A GIRL WHO I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED TO FIND OUT WAS BORN WITH HER LEGS WIDE OPEN! YOU LEFT ME FOR ONE OF THE BIGGEST SLUTS GRYFFINDOR HAS EVER SEEN! YOU BROKE MY HEART AND YOU ASK WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME!" Hermione screeched loudly, immediately launching herself at Ron, hands outstretched ready to attempt to scratch his eyes out. Before she could get close enough though she felt strong arms round her waist, pulling her back from hurting Ron

Severus

Severus had checked his supplies that morning and found he was low on a few ingredients that could be acquired from the apothecary, rather than having to be picked in the dead of night on a full moon by Severus himself. Some of his ingredients required that but others could be more easily acquired. A trip to Diagon Alley was in order and so Severus had made his way there, hoping that today he might just manage to immerse himself in potions ingredients and conversation with somebody else that he might just forget the Siren who haunted his thoughts.

Severus had arrived at the Alley and had happily made his way into the apothecary. He had browsed the shelves, purchased the few ingredients he needed and was just making his way out of the shop when he heard her voice, screeching louder than she had at him when he had been outside her bathroom when she was in the shower. He quickly hurried out of the shop to find Hermione not so far away, attracting a crowd as she yelled at Ronald Weasley, advancing towards him as he backed away. Thankfully Severus' instincts kicked in and he ran forward just in time to catch her before she attacked Ron and attempted to maul him like a vicious animal. He wrapped both his arms round her waist, noticing how petite she really was, and pulled her back. His strength was nothing for hers, no matter how enraged she was.

"Miss Granger calm yourself!" He instructed, trying not to sound too severe so she would actually listen but urgent enough that she would try calm herself down. In accordance with hearing his voice she almost seemed to lose al the fight in her and sagged in his arms, still glaring hatefully at Ron. Severus released her, ready to grab her again if she made for Ron. She did not, she just stood there, silently.

"If I were you I would flee now Mr Weasley" Severus sneered at the red head who glared at him walking towards him and Hermione in defiance. Severus immediately whipped his wand out from within his robes and pointed it at Ron's heart. Some of the colour in Ron's face drained away and he took a hasty step back. He looked to Hermione in appeal and she let loose a feral snarl that only added to Ron's fright.

"Hermione, I love you" Hermione was silent again for a moment then howled like a wounded animal and launched forward for him again. Severus groaned to himself and pulled her back again, this time with only one arm as he shot a strong stinging hex at Ron. He yelped and shot back from Hermione and Severus. Part of him was thankful that Severus had only shot a stinging hex at him and not something worse. He knew, Severus knew and Hermione knew that it could have been something a lot worse. Before another jinx, curse or hex could be fired at Ron he ran down the alley away from Severus and Hermione. Severus pocketed his wand and let go of Hermione, trusting her not to run after Ron.

"Are you ok Miss Granger?" He asked her quietly before glaring murderously at the gathered crowd who immediately dispersed and left them as alone as they could be in a busy street. Hermione nodded and sighed heavily.

"Yeah, I am now. I shouldn't have let myself get so angry at him like that" Hermione admitted, turning her back on Severus to walk into Flourish and Blotts. He stopped her with his hand on her shoulder and whirled her round to face him.

"You had every right to be angry Hermione. Just, try not to let yourself lose control like that in front of so many people" Severus advised

"I'll try not to. Nice hex by the way" Hermione commented, trying not to smile and laugh as she remembered the expression on Ron's face. Severus looked curiously at her and then she started giggling, unable to hold it back. That sound coming from her, it was a wonderful sound and just hearing it made Severus' lips twitch into what could be called a very small smile. Hermione stopped giggling and looked up at Severus. He wasn't as tall as he had been the last time she had seen him but that would have been because she was wearing heels.

"What do you think of my outfit? Is it nice?" Hermione questioned, standing away from him slightly so she could turn slowly on the spot. As such, Severus was privy to the lovely sight of Hermione in a yellow sun dress. She looked like a glorious flower. Everything about her was splendid and Severus knew that he wouldn't be able to get her out of his mind, especially not tonight.

"You look. Spectacular" Severus said in wonder as Hermione stopped twirling and smiled shyly at him, sweeping her curls away from her face. She was the image of beauty and perfection to him and he could not tear his eyes away from her.

"Thank you" Hermione whispered as she moved closer to Severus, standing so she was only inches away from him. There they stood, totally oblivious to all the other people around them, focused only on each other. Severus couldn't help himself, he took hold of her hand in his own , pulled her even closer to him so their bodies were touching and bent down to kiss her softly on her forehead, not daring to do anything else till she reacted. Her reaction came quickly, she smiled at him, looking rather dazed and stood on her tiptoes so she could reach him better. She ran a finger across his cheek and leant in towards him, kissing him quickly and softly on his lips.

Severus was astounded, knocked back by what she had just done and accordingly tightened his grip on her. He hardly knew what to say, or even what to feel. There was too much. Then he noticed she still had that dazed expression on her face.

"Hermione? Do you think your dreaming?" He asked, afraid to hear her answer but desperate to know.

"Of course I'm dreaming. This couldn't be real. You'd never look at me in that way, you'd never think of me in that way. Only in my dreams" She murmured softly and Severus sighed, a sudden sadness washing over him.

"Hermione. Your not dreaming. This is real. All of this is real. And so is this" With that Severus captured her lovely lips in a passionate, forceful kiss