Tardy again, had a fabulous cookie swap here in the Cybrokat household. We are now all partaking in homemade cookies, pizza, and mulled wine. You're jealous. :)

Chapter 10

"Harry, I'm going to be fine, I still love you and Ginny and the kids. I'm not going anywhere and neither is he. I'm sure we can still tolerate each other's presence, we just aren't in love anymore."

Her best friend frowned on the couch in her living room. Breaking it to Harry was possibly going to be harder than breaking it to the children.

"But you two have always been together. Is there something Gin and I can do?"

"We haven't always been together. And no, I don't think there is. We took some tie apart to think, and honestly, that's the happiest I've been. It just wasn't working. I like my home life; he likes to be out and about. I read, he plays Quidditch. I know they say opposites attract but at least in magnets they have magnetism in common. I think that's more than you can say for us. We just never have anything to talk about, and we're moving in two completely different directions. We fell out of love, if that's even what we were in in the first place."

Harry was aghast. "If that's even what you were in?"

Hermione was silent and just kind of shrugged. "Sometimes I wonder. But look, it's been a few weeks already. We didn't want to tell anyone until we told the kids. What will be, will be. The final papers should be here anytime."

"That was quick," said Harry, surprised. Divorces were not unheard of in their world but they weren't nearly as common as with Muggles, so Harry didn't have much experience.

"It helped that we practically live separate lives anyway. He has his Quidditch assets and I have my patents. We both have our Ministry stipend. The only big thing was the house and we agreed I would keep it in lieu of child support since I will have majority custody of the kids. Ron will have them two days of each break and two weeks in the summer, if he's not busy. The paperwork was all drawn up in an afternoon."

Harry's frown returned. "So much to make a marriage and so little to tear it apart."

"It's okay, Harry," said Hermione with a grin. "Mommy and Daddy still love you."

"Oh, shut it," he replied but she could see him fighting a smile.

"So that's it?"

"Yes. That's it. Voila. All said and done. I am now Hermione Granger, single mother of two kids, homeowner , and divorcee."

"And Mr. Weasley?"

"Was pretty accommodating," Hermione told Severus as she practiced some fourth year charms. "He wasn't real concerned with visitation or anything, and that was the biggest thing that I was worried about."

"Visitation?"

"With the children. He's a good man, but he's a guy who probably should have kids. He's never really taken an interest in them, surprisingly enough," she told him with a hint of melancholy in her voice. She had imagined he would take to fatherhood like Arthur's rubber duck to water, but he hadn't given up his life on the road long enough to really bond with them. It wasn't that he hated his children, he just never really got to know them.

Severus frowned, but stayed silent. Something was obviously bothering him.

"Is it okay, Severus? That I'm divorced? I mean, you don't think I'm taboo or anything, right?"

He arched his eyebrow. "That's a ridiculous notion. I think so such thing." After another moment of silence, he added, "I just find it odd that Weasley would not fight for his children."

His tone of voice let her know there was more than her children he was thinking about. She knew enough about his own childhood to get an idea of what he referred to.

Impulsively, she reached across the table and grabbed his hand. "Don't worry about them. I'm not. They still have a great role model."

He looked down to where their hands were joined. Her pretty, pale fingers stained green from earlier potions work, over own, scarred and stained with ink. He allowed himself to relish in her touch for a moment, allowed himself to dream for just a moment, before removing it, giving hers a brief pat, and changing the conversation.

Hermione knew she had made him a bit uncomfortable, but she hoped it was in the 'stretching outside your box' kind of way, and not in the 'Madam, please desist' kind of way. He didn't say anything, so she assumed she was safe. And she wasn't going to think about how that brief contact made her feel. If she didn't admit it, she had plausible deniability.

Because of course she wouldn't be developing feeling for Severus. He had been her instructor. Ron hated him. He had both of her kids in his class. He was vile…and mean…and sarcastic…a complete social pariah…and he was looking at her in a way that make her heart flip-flop.

So many questions. Too few answers. For now, she needed to focus.

The vial she was Summoning wavered and wobbled a bit before it crashed to the ground.

"It appears as though Accio is beyond your abilities at the moment, Ms. Granger."

Hermione shivered. "Merlin, please don't call me that. You make me feel like I'm eleven. Hermione, remember? Just Hermione."

"Severus, then."

"Okay. Severus." Her mouth rolled over the name like fresh treacle, and she saw him look at her oddly. It must have seemed strange to him as well. Was she the first student of his to use his given name? Surely not.

She gave him a reassuring smile and turned to successfully Summon another vial. "Voila!"

As the afternoon progressed, one thing became clear to Hermione. Their dynamic had shifted. Something was different between them. Suddenly, the silences weren't so awkward, and she found herself standing so near to him that she could smell the soap from his morning shower. She lightly shook her head. She wasn't married but…she just shouldn't. It was a bad idea.

Right?

Her old professor, her daughter's professor, she was a recent divorcee…the ink had barely dried on her papers and here was thinking about asking him –

"Would you like to come over this evening?"

They both looked at each other, stunned. Had she really just said that? Instantly she felt so young, so naïve, inviting him over for dinner like he was an old schoolmate and not Severus Snape. Her friends would think she was absolutely insane.

But, she told herself, Ron wasn't what made her happy. Harry wouldn't make her happy. Only Hermione could make her happy and apparently Hermione wanted Severus over for dinner that evening.

"I have…" he began to respond. The moment hung in the air as he looked at the woman before him. How could she make him feel so old and so young all together? Circe, had anyone ever just asked him for his company, outside of Albus and Minerva? Of course Molly always invited him for the evening meal when they had an Order meeting, but he knew this was not the same.

And here he was ready to run. He always ran.

He was sick of running.

"…no plans this evening."

She quirked her lips. "I have a brand new draughts set I purchased. Maybe we could break it in."

Why was it anything she said suddenly carried an inappropriate connotation?

"I could never really get into chess," she added by way of explanation.

"I play both," Severus told her with an almost solemn air.

Hermione smiled and made her way to the door. "You'll probably kick my arse. My house at seven?"

He nodded. "How will I know how to find it?"

"You have my address on file," she cheekily told him before letting the door swing shut behind her.

She didn't get more than inside her door before almost hyperventilating. What had she been thinking? Inviting Severus here? To her home? Right after she got divorced?

What would they talk about?

Was he going to want a meal? Would he think she was inviting him over for a more physical appreciation of thanks? Oh holy cricket, she never said why she wanted him over, did she?

And come to think of it, why did she want him over?

Hermione didn't really have a good explanation herself except that she just did. She enjoyed his company. He was good to her, he was good to her kids, what more could she ask for? If she wanted to spend her evening in the company of a friend, a male friend, then she was going to. Ron had no hold on her anymore. She could do as she pleased.

And she was going to go to the market for something for dinner. She at least needed chocolate.

A knock sounded on her door at five to seven. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, Hermione opened her front door.

"You're early," she told him.

"I believe I taught you that to be early is to be on time."

"And to be on time is to be late," she finished. "I remember. And I was never one who was late to class."

"This is true. May I come in?"

She hurriedly stepped out of the doorway. "Of course, of course."

Severus stepped inside and paused a moment to get his bearings. A tastefully simple home with wooden floors, earth tones, a roaring fire to take off the chill of late November, and a delectable smell.

"Dinner smells delicious."

"Thank you," she said with a blush. Having a different man in her house was throwing her off kilter. "I made a light salad and Bolognese. My mother's chocolate cake for dessert. I know it's not typical Hogwarts fare."

"And thank Morgana for that. Meals outside the castle walls are rare and far between. I welcome the change."

Dinner was quickly served and was a quiet affair. Hermione wasn't sure how to break the silence and Severus was comfortable enough with it not to be concerned.

Hermione suggested bringing dessert into the living room where she could show off her new purchase.

A rug with squares was laid out in front of the fireplace. "Shall we play? You'll want the black side I wager." Hermione sat down on a soft pillow on the white side and waited.

"You expect me to play there?"

"Well, this way when you kick my arse, I'll have less of a fall. Plus, we have a place for cake. Now take a seat. Or are you telling me you are too elderly to sit on the floor?"

"I am quite limber, I assure you, Madam."

Hermione smirked. "It's alright, Severus," she said, making as though to stand. "I'm sure the children have a standard set somewhere."

He scowled at her before removing his jacket and taking a seat on the blasted floor pillow. "Of course I will be black."

But you look awfully good in white, Hermione thought, thankfully keeping her mouth shut this time. His crisp white shirt called to her like forbidden cheesecake. She knew she shouldn't, but she couldn't look away. Clearing her throat, she told him to make the first move, and tried to pretend it wasn't innuendo.

It was clear he was a superior player, though neither was brilliant. The cake was slowly savored as the game progressed, forcing them to reach farther and farther across the rug to move their pieces, until Hermione was almost permanently on all fours.

"So how are the children?"

"As well as can be expected."

Hermione's eyes dimmed a fraction. "Do they seem to be taking everything alright?"

His shoulders gave a short rise and fall. "You would be a better judge than I. How is single life?"

"You tell me, I just arrived," she said with a laugh.

His eyes narrowed. "Anything would be better than being saddled with that ginger twit, I imagine."

"Hey, we all make mistakes and mine has been corrected."

Severus moved and she could see one of her pieces in jeopardy. She quickly moved it away.

"I see he seems to have moved out rather expeditiously."

Hermione gazed around the living room. Everything was hers, from the furnishings to the flooring. "He didn't have much here."

Severus was on his knees, reaching across to capture her piece. "Smart man. Keeping his options open."

"And just what does that mean?" Hermione asked with one hand on her hip.

He looked up to her. "I doubt he wished to be saddled with the burdens of matrimony."

"You mean you think he had some bimbo on the side?" she asked, as though the thought had just occurred to her. Severus thought sadly that is probably just had. Granger wasn't the type to suspect a double cross.

"Wizards often keep a sensible woman in the home and a beautiful witch on the side."

Hermione's mouth hung open. Of course she knew some men did these things but certainly not Ron. Of course not Ron. There was only a slight chance Ron would do something like that. She doubted Ron would be that callous. Sometimes Ron thought before he took action.

She was almost certain Ron had a mistress.

How could she be so foolish.

Severus watched as her face went from gobsmacked to crestfallen as the realization washed over her. It happened to witches every day but it was different when it happened to you. It was almost different when it happened to someone you care about. And he knew, brilliant idea or not, he was beginning to care for this witch. This naïve, brilliant, silly witch. Cooker of Italian food, mother of two dunderheads he told himself he hated teaching, and horrible draughts player.

He continued to watch as she schooled her face into a look of complacency, and reached across the carpet to move a white piece right into his trap.

"That doesn't mean another wizard wouldn't want you as his beautiful witch, Hermione."

He slowly spoke her name, waving it through the smoke and flames of the fire, raking it over the coals. She paused and looked at him, almost nose to nose as they both kneeled over her rug. Before logic and reason and restraint caught up with her, her Gryffindor mind took over and their lips met.

His head instinctively tipped to the side in the long forgotten dance of courtship. Her hand held the back of his head for just a moment, fingers threaded through his hair before she released him.

"Chocolate," she blurted. "You had a bit of chocolate. Just there."

He felt her fingers ghost across his cheek. "Thank you for not spitting on a rag. I understand that is how most mothers handle it."

"I'll try to restrain myself," she told him, and sat back down on her pillow as though nothing had occurred to cause the flush in her features. "Your turn?"

"I believe it is," he said as he pushed the rug aside to lean across and brand her unsuspecting lips with a searing kiss.

Hermione found her arms full of Potions master as she leaned back on her pillow and clutched the oh-so-tempting white shirt in her hands. As much as she wanted to rip it off him, surprising even herself, she knew there were some things she was not ready for.

But this – this kissing by the fireplace, sweet soft breaths of chocolate and wine, fine linen, soft rubs, and bonding over intellect and interests – this she was ready for.

It was several hours before Severus found his way back to the castle, feeling like a truant pupil out after curfew. He half expected Minerva to be waiting at the main entrance with a switch and a scowl.

But he found his way to his rooms without interruption, and for the first time in memory, Severus fell asleep with a smile on his face.

Perhaps this witch would be worth it.