So here we are again. Things seem to be going quite well with these two, but knowing them it probably won't last. Troublesome little buggars. Anyways, our well-loved Boy Who Lived makes a much needed appearance here, I hope you all enjoy! Next chapter will have some interesting developments...stay tuned. Thank you for the reviews, I hope you continue to tell me what you think!

Hermione looked at Severus gratefully. "Thank you for coming with me," she said sincerely as she opened the door to what used to be the apartment she shared with Ronald.

Severus nodded in acknowledgment. "What are you getting?"

"Well, if I had my way, I'd be taking everything I bought," Hermione sighed, feeling vindictive. "But alas, I have no need for more couches, beds, and dressers."

Severus smirked slightly. "Feel free to take whatever is rightfully yours, we can simply shrink the items until you have a use for them."

Hermione shook her head. "No, I'll only take what I need."

Severus rolled his eyes at her display of Gryffindor valor. Reaching in his pocket, he grabbed the rucksack he had brought along and restored it to its usual size. "At your disposal, Miss Granger."

Hermione at his formality, and started to wander through the apartment, picking out the things she wanted or needed. She had sent both Ron and Harry a short note stated she wanted to grab her things, and Ron had acquiesced surprisingly easily. Hermione had a suspicious feeling that it was because he wanted back in her good graces, but she was determined to ignore the boy as well as she could.

Steeling herself, she headed towards the bedroom, grimly ignoring the bed and the memory it brought it. Pleased to find her closet still intact, she started unloading her clothes and shrinking them carefully. Severus helped her to place them in the rucksack, noting how Hermione didn't bother to hide her...racier bits of clothing.

Shrinking a black lacy garment that Severus was nearly positive he would give his left foot to see on her, he arched an eyebrow delicately, and said, "I didn't think you were one to have such...salacious articles in your possession."

Hermione ducked her head as a blush crept up her neck. "Ginny bought most of them for me, I could never go and deliberately force myself to buy something that...constricting," she admitted.

Severus moved to stand behind her, grasping her hips and pulling her flush against him. Hermione tilted her head to the side, and Severus used the opportunity to lightly bite down on the soft flesh of her shoulder. "I'm sure you look positively delectable in them; you make your drab jumpers look racy, I cannot begin to imagine what you look like in one of those."

Hermione laughed lightly and shrugged Severus off. "I highly doubt I'll ever wear them again, I'm only taking them because I don't want someone else using them," she said, trying to keep her tones light but failing miserably.

Severus nodded in understanding. "I suppose it is for the best. I do not think those flimsy things would last longer than an hour if I caught you wearing one."

Hermione shuddered slightly at the lustfully implied threat. "You need to quit it, you're going to make it take ten times longer to grab all my stuff."

Severus chuckled darkly, but kept silent. When they were finished with the closet, Hermione moved to the bathroom, and eyed the cabinets full of perfumes, lotions and other various toiletries that her girlfriends had bought her over the years. "If I take these, I can't be held responsible for your house suddenly smelling like a mixture of," she paused and picked up two random bottles. "Chergui and Tea for Two."

"Perfumes are no longer called names that represent their scent?"

Hermione shrugged, and tossed the bottles in the bin by the side of the counter. "I honestly don't know anymore. I never understood why girls liked those fancy smelling perfumes; if I want to smell nice for a night, I will place a sweet pea flower in my hair," she said decidedly as she started to toss random bottles in after the first two.

Severus nodded in agreement. "Natural scents are far more pleasing."

It took them a good while to actually clear the bathroom of all the perfume and lotion bottles, and after they were done Hermione had to perform a cleansing spell on her and Severus to get rid of the appalling mix of perfume scents. After they were done, Hermione led Severus to the storage room. Entering, Severus eyed the stacks of boxes warily. "How did two people accumulate such a massive amount of things?"

Hermione shrugged sheepishly. "A lot of it was gifts from people after the war. When people heard that the 'famed couple' from the Golden Trio were moving in together, we were bombarded with house warming gifts. You'd have thought me and Ron got married," Hermione added with a shudder, looking at the boxes with irritation. "I don't care about this stuff, though. I just want the box of my parent's heirlooms. I put a lot of their stuff in storage when I, er, helped them, and when I realised I couldn't retrieve their memories I went and got this box." She performed a silent summoning spell, and a small, tatted cardboard box zoomed neatly into her hand. Looking around, she sighed slightly. "Well, that'll be it, then."

Severus didn't like how many of her own possessions she was leaving for the redheaded prat, but he didn't comment, it was hers to do with as she pleased. His rather petty selfishness when it came to that was unsurprising to him, but he knew Hermione was too Gryfinndorish to take back everything she had ever bought for her and Weasley. Although, secretly, it did give him a sort of vindictive pleasure knowing that his witch was the main source of Weasley's comfortable abode. His witch. He couldn't quite place when he had started to refer to Hermione as that in his own mind, but he didn't particularly care. The phrase had a ring to it that he rather enjoyed.

Hermione shrunk the box she was holding and placed it in the rucksack Severus was holding, shaking him from his thoughts. They left the apartment, locking it back up on their way out. Out in the hall, Hermione turned to smile at Severus. "I'll see you this evening, alright?"

Severus didn't reply, instead he moved closer to her, wrapping his arms around her waist and drawing her in, brushing the tip of her nose with his lips before he claimed her mouth. Hermione closed her eyes, instantly giving in to the kiss. Pulling back, Severus smirked at how easily Hermione had folded into his arms. "Of course."

Hermione grinned back at him, and said in a teasing tone, "shall I give Harry your regards?"

Severus scoffed. "He wouldn't believe them, even if I meant them. Do not waste your breath."

Laughing lightly, Hermione agreed with him, and watched as he apparated with the usual loud sound. Twisting quickly, she disappeared as well, and landed in front of the rather homey looking front of the Three Broomsticks. Entering the pub, she went to the counter and ordered a butterbeer. Even though she was older, she had never developed a taste for harsh liquors, and butterbeer was still her favourite. Turning, she surveyed the tables.

Something poked her shoulder, and she whipped around quickly, smiling when she realized who was standing there. "Hi, Harry!"

Harry grinned at her, and quickly enveloped her in a tight hug. "I've missed you, Hermione," he said earnestly as he released her. "How've you been?"

"Let's get seats first." Settling down in a booth somewhere in the back, Hermione looked at friend happily. It had been too long since she'd seen him, and she felt a tad guilty at how long she had avoided her life before Severus. "I've been well, Harry. Really well. How have you been faring?"

"The same as ever. Me and Ginny are great, even though she's been pretty upset at your and Ron's falling out. What actually happened? Ron made it seem like you just stormed out for no reason, which is why I helped him track that owl you sent me...I was worried about you."

"He cheated on me, Harry," Hermione stated bluntly. She didn't care that Ron and Harry were best mates, Harry was her friend too and she didn't feel like making Ron look like a saint. "I came home the night I disappeared to find him and some witch in our bed. That's why I stormed off. You know me, Harry, I'd never do something like that without reason."

Harry stared at Hermione blankly. "He cheated on you?"

Hermione nodded, feeling a stab of vindictive pleasure at the shock on Harry's face; his best friend wasn't innocent in this. "He did, and I get the feeling he was doing it long before I caught him."

Harry's look of shock quickly turned to anger. "He tried to say you were shacking up with some guy just to spite him."

"Yeah, well, that's not the case. Did he tell you whom I've been living with since then?"

"He did, but I didn't believe him," Harry looked at Hermione intently. "It's true, though, isn't it?"

Hermione smiled slightly at the incredulous look on Harry's face. "Yes, it is, and you needn't look so surprised, especially if Ron had already told you."

Harry shook his head slightly, and said, "I guess I just needed you to confirm it. Is he...is he, well...Hermione. Snape? Professor Snape? I've got so many questions. First being how in hell did you even find him? He disappeared after the war, not even Lucius Malfoy knew where he went."

"It's a bit of a lengthy story, actually. I apparated to a pub that I didn't know existed, and he was there. I got drunk, wandered off, and he kind of, erm, well, saved me from becoming lost in the streets of London. I was too intoxicated to figure out the right end of my wand from the other," Hermione said with a small smile at using the same statement Severus had used to describe her state of drunkenness. She deliberately left out what exactly Severus had rescued her from, she didn't feel like seeing the same expression of shock that had been on her face on Harry's.

"And then what? He took you to his home and when you found out who it was you stayed?"

"I don't know exactly what made me stay, Harry," Hermione said as she took a sip from her drink. "But I did, and it eventually led to him offering me a job when he found out I'd been fired."

"Speaking of which, did the old bastard you worked for ever tell you why exactly you were fired?"

Hermione scowled. "No. He gave no reason, just fired me out of the blue."

"Wanker," Harry said with a frown. "Anyways, why have you continued to stay with Snape?"

"Well, Harry...me and him are sort of together, I think."

"...you think?" Harry stared at her with surprise. His friend, Hermione Granger, dating Professor Snape, bat of the dungeons?

"Yes, well, I don't know exactly what to call it. A more fitting term would be we're an 'us'," Hermione replied with giggle. She had never really thought about what to label her and Severus's burgeoning relationship as. It had just happened under such abnormal circumstances that calling it something normal seemed wrong.

"Dating Severus Snape. I honestly never expected to encounter this particular situation with any of my friends, but it isn't like there's anything I can do about it."

"There isn't."

"Yeah, I figured as much. Well, what's it like living with him? I honestly can't imagine it being enjoyable, all I see is him glaring down at you and criticizing everything you do."

"Yeah, well you got one thing right. He does glare down at me quite often," Hermione said with amusement. "But otherwise, He's very kind in an odd, unexpected sort of way. He never expects me to do anything other than my job. He's quiet, and comfortable to be around, despite him being a right bastard most of the time. And he likes most of the things I like, so it's been really nice to talk with someone who can hold up their end of a discussion in in a conversation."

"Yeah, I won't bother denying that. Snape is ridiculously smart, like you. That must be nice, at least."

"It has been," Hermione said sincerely. "And I'm sorry for making you worry about me, Harry. Me and Ron are done, and that's for certain. But me and you, not a chance. Someone needs to keep you in line still," she said with a wink. "You don't need to worry anymore. I'm happy, and I'm very content with where I am right now. Maybe one day me and him will be friends again one day, but I can't say for sure. He really hurt me, Harry, and I don't know if our friendship can be salvaged after that."

"I know. It's just sad to think of the three of us not being the best of friends. It seems almost a way of life..." Harry looked at her sadly, but then straightened up and shook his head. "As long as you're happy, then I'm fine. You're an adult, it isn't my place to say whether or not you can do something. Just take care of yourself, yeah?"

"Of course, Harry," she said with a smile. "I wouldn't do anything else."

"Oh, and I'm leaving it up to you to explain to Mrs. Weasley about what happened," he said with a slight shudder.

Hermione grimaced comically. She didn't know if Ron's mum would be upset at her, but she knew she had to tell them the truth, even if their son wouldn't. "Thanks, I really appreciate that," she drawled, surprised at how Severus-esque she sounded.

"When are you going to come and visit with everyone?"

"As soon as I can," Hermione replied earnestly. "Is Ginny's schedule any less hectic?"

"No, not really. She is enjoying it though. Auror training was definitely the right option for her," Harry replied with a laugh. "It's fun training with her, too."

Hermione smiled at that. Harry and Ginny both had the same fiery temper, and they did well as Aurors. Ginny had entered training last year, and she never had a second to breath; it had been the same when Harry took his training.

"Hey," Harry said suddenly. "I forgot. Neville's having a housewarming party in a week, and Ginny took the day off, and so did I. I don't think Ron's going, he has a game that day. Think you could make it? Neville tried to invite you, but you were kind of MIA."

Hermione grinned sheepishly at Harry. "I'll send Aurelia to Neville when I get home. I'd love to come, and it will be great to see everyone all in the same place."

Harry nodded satisfactorily, and stood up, holding his hand out to Hermione. "Wanna go shopping for a bit? I need to pick up a few things for Fred and George's birthday."

Hermione agreed eagerly, and the two left the shop.

Severus glanced at the clock, irritated. He knew Hermione would probably spend most of the evening with Potter, but he couldn't help feeling slightly chagrined at her absence. He had grown quite used to her company the past month, and an afternoon away from her was seeming like an eternity to him. Which was entirely pathetic, he knew, but he couldn't stop the feeling that something wasn't quite right without her mop of bushy hair taking up most of the couch whilst she had her nose buried deep in a book.

Exhaling softly, Severus smiled at his thoughts. Ever since that night when Hermione had thanked him, he had realised what he felt for Hermione was much, much more than he had first anticipated. It was frightening to him that she had wormed her way into his heart in such a short time, and not for the first time he wished he was good at discussing his emotions. He knew Hermione felt something for him too, but to what extent he had no idea. He couldn't broach the subject with her; whenever he tried he simply couldn't speak the words his mind was saying.

It was irksome, to say the least, and he hated the feeling of not knowing. Frowning slightly, he jumped as the door opened. Hermione walked in looking quite breathless, and after spotting him on the couch she took a seat next to him. "Did you have a good afternoon?"

"Moderately. It was the same as always, although I did check on the Apothecary. I trust Potter wasn't too heartbroken at your departure," he said with a sneer.

"He was nearly in tears when I said I had to leave," Hermione retorted lightly. "I had to make up an excuse to leave. I wanted to get back home, and he insisted I stay and help him shop. I only just got away."

Severus smirked at her flamboyantly dramatic air. "I see. I can't imagine Potter's company being tolerable for more than a few seconds, although I may be biased."

"You are. I love Harry, but he can be a bit much, especially when he's in Zonko's."

Snorting derisively, Severus said, "I can't imagine that would have been enjoyable."

"It really wasn't. I never got the whole joke business. It really must be a guy thing, my mum never enjoyed those ridiculous joke items as much as my dad did."

"I don't care for them either," Severus said, the faint traces of indignation in his voice.

"Yes, well, you're Professor Snape," Hermione replied, as if that explained everything. Standing abruptly, Hermione turned to Severus. "I'm famished, actually, has Fergus made anything for supper?"

"I suppose we can find out."

Walking into the kitchen, Hermione looked around for the little elf. "He's not here," she said, surprised.

"I can't imagine where he would have gone of too, although I doubt it will be that much trouble for us to make something for ourselves."

Hermione peered at Severus suspiciously, and said rather sarcastically, "Are we allowed?"

"Believe it or not, Fergus doesn't own the kitchen, as much as he would love to. I think it will be alright for us to make one meal, providing we leave him enough mess to feel satisfied with cleaning up."

"I'll never get over that," Hermione said as she went to look in the cupboards. "I was always taught to pick up after myself, and deliberately leaving a mess behind to appease an elf seems so wrong."

"He enjoys it, who are we to deny him what he likes?" Severus replied with a slight shrug. "How does spaghetti sound?"

"Perfect, actually," Hermione replied as she grabbed two jars off the shelf.

"Master, Miss, what are you doing?" a small squeaky voice asked in shock.

Severus turned to see Fergus glaring at the two of them from the doorway, and he had a very brief feeling as though he were caught doing something wrong. Shrugging it off quickly, he tried to return the elf's glare. "Cooking, Fergus, what else do you think we'd be doing in the kitchen?"

"That isn't your job, Master," Fergus objected quickly as he rushed to grab the jars from Hermione's hands.

Severus rolled his eyes. "We'll get out after you promise to stop calling me master."

Fergus sighed heavily. "Very well, sir, now get out! I'll make your dinner."

Hermione waited until they were clear of the kitchen, and then she doubled over into a fit of giggles. "You're actually afraid of him, aren't you?"

Severus glowered down at Hermione. "I am not," he replied witheringly, "it's just far easier to let him do what he wants rather than argue. He's as stubborn as a mule when it comes to the kitchen."

Still tittering, they returned to the sitting room and instead of sitting on the couch, Hermione stretched out in front of the fireplace. "Your rug is quite comfortable."

"I try," Severus replied dryly as he took a seat on the couch. "I'm sure it is much more comfortable on the actual furniture."

"Yes, you're probably right," Hermione replied, easily catching his subtle hint before she got up and made to take a seat next to Severus, but she was stopped by his hands on her waist. Looking down at him questioningly, she gasped when he tugged her closer, forcing her to straddle him.

Running his hands up her side, he leaned in and brushed his lips against hers lightly. Hermione shuddered in response, and wrapped her arms around his neck as she returned the kiss eagerly. Pulling back, Severus glared at her half-heartedly. "An afternoon away from you seemed like eternity."

Hermione arched an eyebrow, and leaned in to nip at his ear before replying, "I thought I was the only one."

Severus's lip twitched at that, it was satisfying to know he wasn't the only one thinking how strange it was to be parted from her. "You will have to make it up to me."

"I have a few ideas," she replied archly as she bent to kiss him.

Don't worry you guys. It won't stay perfect for long. Did we really think Ron and Severus were done with each other...?