It had taken Hermione a surprising long time to fall asleep after Severus had planted his lips on her. She had been sleepy before, but afterwards she was wide awake and giddy. She had even skipped to her bedroom. She hoped that he hadn't seen her, but seeing how quickly he turned his tail and ran back to his own room, she wasn't that worried.

As she made her way up to the Great Hall for breakfast, she couldn't keep a huge smile off her face. She'd kissed Severus Snape, well to be technical Severus Snape had kissed her. The Severus Snape. Greasy potion master bat of the dungeon double spy tall dark and imposing Severus Snape!

If any of these students knew what a sensual being he was...she was blushing!

When she arrived for breakfast, she didn't see Neville or Severus at the table, but to be honest, she was kind of glad. For one, she was happy that Neville had a good night with Hannah and for two, she wasn't sure if she was ready to see Severus yet. She wasn't sure that she was ready to face him quite yet.

Hermione was quite pleased for Neville. She knew he had been through so much the year that they had been hunting Horcruxes and she was just pleased that he was able to find happiness in his life. She hoped someday that she could find similar happiness with someone. And who knows, maybe that person would be Severus. She wasn't going to go around counting her cauldrons before they boiled though. Still, the kiss they shared had been so nice and she was definitely interested in seeing where it lead them.

Just as she was about to tuck into her oatmeal, an owl swooped down and dropped a letter unceremoniously into her bowl. Sighing, she removed the hot porridge from the outside of the envelope before opening it.

Hermione,

I haven't enclosed a gift for you this time because I had hoped that you'd accompany me to dinner next Saturday evening at Merline in Diagon Alley, at 8:00 pm? If you agree, all you need to do is show up and the maitre de will take you to my table. I had hoped to meet this week, but I have been traveling.

Also, I hope this doesn't come off the wrong way, but I happened to see you shopping in Diagon Alley the other weekend, and I thought that you looked beautiful. I am glad you are enjoying your barrettes.

Your Secret Admirer

Hermione was surprised to say the least. She had learned a lot more in this letter about her secret admirer than in any of his other previous letters. She had a good idea of who it was...who else familiar had she seen in Diagon Alley except for Oliver Wood? And Puddlemere United had been traveling this week for some international games.

But...did she want to go to dinner with him? Would she show up? She wasn't sure yet. Things were so fragile with Severus right now and she really wanted to know where that would take her. But, she supposed she had a whole week to decide.

Speaking of Severus, she would go and visit him now. She had some brewing she could work on and she was sure he'd need saving from Imogen Higgs. Or rather Imogen would need saving from him, based on his negative attitude towards her.

Severus was already halfway to a migraine after only fifteen minutes in the same room as Miss Higgs. For some reason, she had applied a hefty helping of perfume to her body this morning. Not to say that he didn't like when a woman wore perfume, on the contrary, but he preferred a subtler application.

He had first set out to having her help prepare ingredients. He showed her how to properly cut the starthistle, and although it was a new technique, he expected her to be able to pick it up, as she was a N.E.W.T. level student. However, after several corrections to her cutting motion, he decided it wasn't worth wasting any more of the ingredient on her ineptitude. He instead, set her about scrubbing cauldrons by hand.

She had wasted no time, dropping to her knees to rummage around to get some of the cauldrons off the lower shelves, moving her shapely behind this way and that, as though wiggling it to entice him. The idea was, of course, preposterous. He tried to return to his grading, but found that his attention was only held by the swaying arse.

He couldn't help but imagine Hermione in the same position. She had such long and shapely legs, despite being a shorter witch. Hermione's arse seemed just the right size for his body and he thought about what it might feel like to caress it sometime. He wondered if Hermione owned any green panties. Although he wasn't a Slytherin fanatic, like some people, he couldn't deny that he was excited by the thought of Hermione in his house colors.

Severus felt himself harden, wishing he could dismiss Higgs from this detention so that he could go take care of himself in the privacy of his bedroom.

Would Hermione care if she caught him staring at her this way? Would she look at him over her shoulder with smoldering eyes and a smirk to match? Would she walk towards his desk deliberately and stand between his legs? He couldn't help but groan at the idea.

Hands on his shoulders brought him back to reality and he noticed that it was not fantasy Hermione standing between his legs, but rather Miss Higgs! "Can I help you with that, Professor?" She asked, her voice husky, staring pointedly at the erection clearly visible beneath his pants.

Before he could formulate a stunned response, she was pressing her full, wet lips against his. Why on Earth would her lips be so wet? She was very forceful for a student. Slowly coming to his senses, Severus shoved her away, causing her to stumble backwards. "What in Merlin's name do you think you're doing?"

Hermione stormed into the parlor she and Severus shared, with a fury she didn't know that she had. She had meant to go spend a little time with Severus, to help him get through his detention with Imogen Higgs, but instead, she had walked in on the couple in the midst of a passionate kiss! Ha! So much for the "coveted Saturday detention".

Severus didn't even notice her coming into the classroom, he was too busy sucking face with that Slytherin tart! She was standing between his legs and had her arms around him. Ugh, the thought was just too much to bear right now.

She quickly threw some Floo powder into the fireplace, to place a fire call to Grimmauld Place. "Hello, Ginny?"

"Hey, Hermione, what's going on?" Her red haired friend responded, happy to see her.

"Mind if I come through? I need to go shopping."

Ginny had made them some tea as soon as Hermione came through the Floo, seeing as her friend was clearly agitated. Hermione told her about the wonderful time that she had with Severus the night previous, and the kiss the two of them shared. Ginny was so happy for her friend, especially seeing as she had followed through on her advice to make a move on Severus.

Then Hermione told her about what that git was doing with that girl, and a student no less! After Hermione told her the story, she seemed less angry, and more accepting on the situation. "Well, was I under the impression that Severus Snape wasn't a man slag who went about kissing every girl he could, yes. But...this is his second chance at being young again. He can kiss whomever he likes."

Hermione tried not to sound bitter. She really was upset about it because she really liked Severus. She thought that they suited each other rather well and she was excited to see where their relationship was going to go. But that was just it, they weren't in a relationship, she had no claim over him, and clearly, their kiss didn't mean as much to him as it did to her.

Ginny stared at Hermione like she had grown a second head. "Really?" She asked, incredulously.

"Yes, but he mustn't think that I will wait around for him to finish sowing his wild oats. That's why I need to go shopping. Remember, how I told you about my secret admirer? Well, he's invited me to dinner next weekend at Merline, so I need a really special dress. Also, I think I know who it is."

"Merline? Wow, he must really like you, Hermione. It's crazy expensive, and difficult to get a table at." Ginny was so excited for her friend. Finally, it seemed like someone was realizing what a special witch she was. "Who do you think it is?"

"Well, in his last letter, he mentioned seeing me in Diagon Alley the other week. And he mentioned traveling last week." Hermione told her. "I think it might be Oliver Wood, we spoke briefly while I was in Diagon Alley and Puddlemere was on international duty last week."

"Oooh!" Ginny said. "He is so dishy. He was dishy when you were in school, but he is even better looking now."

"You don't think I'm...conceited for thinking it's him do you?" Hermione asked nervously.

"What? No! I think any man would be lucky to have you Hermione. You are quite the catch." Her friend told her. Ginny was sad that Hermione doubted herself. She knew that a lot of guys liked Hermione but were a little intimidated by her reputation as a heroine, intelligence and outspoken nature. That's why she had thought that Severus would be a good match for her. "Now, I actually know just the dress for you. It's been staring at me Florence Pepperdine's new shop for ages. Let's go try it on."

Severus was relieved when Hermione finally came back through the Floo. He was looking forward to some pleasant conversation after the trying day that he had. After Imogen had...attacked his lips, he had taken fifty house points and three more Saturday detentions, to be completed with Filch.

Then he returned to his chambers where the fantasy of Hermione's sinful behind wouldn't leave his head. He couldn't help but take care of his not so little problem. He had set out to find her, once he got his hormones back under check, only to be informed by a house elf that she had left the castle shortly after breakfast.

She returned much later, after dinner, carrying several shopping bags. "Good evening, Hermione. Did you have a pleasant day?" He asked looking up from his book.

Hermione was slightly startled, at his presence in the parlor. "Severus, you frightened me. Yes, it was mostly fun. I went shopping with Ginny." She replied, somewhat curt.

"Would you like dinner? I could have the house elves bring us something here." He asked.

Hermione frowned. "No thank you, I actually ate with Ginny and Harry before I came back here." She yawned. "Actually, Severus, I am a bit knackered, I am going to hit the hay. Goodnight."

She didn't wait for his response before carrying all her bags into her room, leaving Severus entirely confused on the couch. He had been so looking forward to talking to her all day, especially after their kiss the night before. She didn't regret it, did she? Maybe she was worried about what he thought of the kiss. Maybe she just wasn't interested in seeing him in a more than academic relationship?

Well, that was unacceptable. He would just have to make her understand, make her see how great they could be together. The only problem was, he didn't know where to start.

A/N: Sorry for the long delay, but with the Easter holiday, I was traveling. I hope that you enjoyed chapter eleven and you don't hate me too much for the drama. It's going to get a little worse before it gets better, but it will get better, I promise!

Thank you so so much to everyone who reviewed, favorited and followed after last chapter. I am completely blown away by all of the great feedback and response that I am getting! It really means a lot to me.

So, let me know what you thought of chapter eleven and be on the lookout for chapter twelve soon!