Author's Note: I'm getting fast, eh? I like this chapter, it was fun to write so I hope it's as fun to read. Please, any type of review is appreciated. They make my day.

"You're saying you don't agree with the legality of Love Potions?" Severus inquired.

"That's right. I think they are manipulative and unjust. Think about it: we're talking about a potion that forces upon the drinker a temporarily insatiable infatuation. Its embarrassing—its only point is to compel a person against their will to express declarations of a fabled love."

Severus pondered her speech for a long moment before his furrowed brow relaxed and his pursed lips slipped into a smile. "Brilliance," he uttered, applauding her teasingly, laughing when she smacked his arm. "Really, though, that is a fantastic approach to the subject. If it's displayed like that, the Ministry would be hard pressed to dispel it."

Hermione found extreme comfort in his compliment and settled back in her armchair, reveling in her triumph.

They'd been debating for nearly two hours, starting at the dinner table and ending in the library. Their debates usually ended with an unclear winner, but Hermione was pleased to take the cake.

"What do you say we do something a little different tonight? We bought that new fangled feletision—"

"Television."

"—last week and have yet to watch that vilm—"

"Film."

"—you wanted to buy," Severus finished, taking no notice of Hermione's corrections. She laughed at his immaturity but nodded, and took the hand offered to help her up.

She popped in the film as Severus prepared the popcorn and poured the drinks. The movie, "Sense and Sensibility" was technically a "chick flick" but it was also a classic. Somehow, she knew Severus would like it. A man with possession of any wit would enjoy the Jane Austin film, even if it was a little feminine.

The film started and Hermione found it increasingly difficult to pay attention. They were sitting so closely that his unique aroma of various herbs and spices was enwrapping her senses. He too had to keep reminding himself to watch the film, for his eyes kept wandering towards his companion. He could easily have kissed her right there and then but kept stopping himself. What in the world made him think she wanted to kiss him? He, the lonely old Bad from the Dungeons? The nerve of him to think of such things. Italy was spoiling him.

What he didn't know was how badly she wanted to kiss him back. She felt his eyes on her every so often, so it was clear he was finding it difficult to concentrate as well. Finally, she caught and captured his gaze. Once they'd made eye contact, it was near impossible to look away.

In his gaze, she found a combination of nerves and a powerful wave of affection, which warmed her heart. In her eyes he found a similar affection and a certain joy that can only be caused by the heat of a new relationship.

Relationship? What was their relationship? Severus was certain they'd moved past the standard teacher-student affiliation they'd once had. They were certainly friends, and Severus usually didn't permit himself to think they could ever be any more—he was a man of thick, impenetrable layers but rejection would surely break him. Now, however, as he peered into her chocolate eyes, he found himself contemplating the very thing his mind ran away from—could they be more than friends? Were they already? If they were, how much more? The last thing he wanted to do was frighten her by doing something rash, but…oh, how he wanted to just kiss her…

His head lowered slightly towards her, and she took it upon herself close the remaining space between them. Their lips met and it was as if time stood still. Slowly, Hermione closed her eyes as the kiss deepened. Tentatively, her tongue lasted his bottom lip, to which he groaned lightly. He opened his mouth a bit more and her tongue was eagerly met by his. It was only when the kiss deepened even more that Severus, firmly against his will, broke it off.

Hermione opened her eyes, completely unsurprised. She had known that he'd break it off eventually. Severus was many things, but he wasn't by any means a pervert. He'd see it as taking advantage of a student, when it wasn't that at all. She kissed him back didn't she? But he would be blind to her participation.

He didn't disappoint.

"Hermione, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I know you must be vulnerable after the…you know, and it must seem like I'm taking advantage of you. I never meant to—"

"Severus, it's ok."

"No, really—"

"Severus!" He stopped muttering and looked at her, more apologies threatening to spill out his mouth. "I kissed you back, didn't I? Believe me, if I didn't want you to kiss me, you'd have been blasted across the room already."

He chuckled lightly at the last bit, and looked hard into her eyes, only to find that she was telling the truth.

"But…you're my student, it wouldn't be right."

"I don't think many people expect us to keep up a student-teacher relationship after living together for nearly a month. They may not expect romance," Snape's heart leaped slightly as she said the word, "they probably think we'll be more like…friends, perhaps? But, I've never seen reason in abiding expectations."

Her eyes gleamed mischievously with the last statement. Snape's breath hitched when he realized what she was saying; she wanted him. She wanted him, even if just to frustrate people. She wanted him, perhaps just as much as he'd been longing for her. Oh, happy day! He could've giggled, but restrained himself with difficulty. He no longer need fear rejection—a drop-dead gorgeous, famous pop-star who just happened to have a wit and brains that matched her beauty. Everything he could have asked for, tied up in a pretty little Spanish package.

With hesitation, he claimed her mouth again and didn't break off until they were both gasping for air.

"We'll take this slow," Severus said, wrapping his arm around Hermione's waist and pulling her closer. "The last thing I want to do is frighten you off—swear you off men. I've been known to do that, actually."

She laughed and rested her head against his shoulder. "I agree. Slow is good."

He kissed the top of her head and settled back into the couch. The movie ended moments later, without either of them having fully watched a second of it. Severus walked Hermione to her bedroom, kissed her goodnight on the cheek, and swept of to his own bedroom, leaving her starring in his wake.

She woke the next day with butterflies in her stomach inexplicably, and yet feeling a wave of warm joy flood her body. Her dream had been marvelous. She was standing in the Potions classroom, brewing Potions for him like she used to when he snuck up and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her neck tenderly. In her dream, there was no baby bump in the way either. She sighed. She really needed to stop harping about the baby—it wasn't like she could change anything now.

Still quite pleased, she dressed quickly in a vintage "Beetles" t-shirt, black skinny jeans, and red Converse sneakers to match the stripe of red in her top. Very alternative rock.

She combed her hair slightly, and it shone like twinkling stars in the night sky. Then she once again made her way to the kitchen. Severus was already seated at the table, his face hidden behind a newspaper as he absentmindedly shoveled food into his mouth.

She grabbed a bit of toast and asked, "Anything interesting?"

He shook his head. Then, realizing she couldn't see his head, he lowered the paper and said, "Not in the least. The raging war is apparently not as news worthy as whether or not Harry Potter as a birthmark on his left buttocks."

He cast the paper aside and resumed his breakfast. "Today I thought we'd start with Occlumency, and then broach your other subjects. I think the slight difficulty we've been having is fatigue, and if I teach you first thing in the morning, fatigue shan't be a problem."

She nodded slowly and reached for the jug of pumpkin juice to her right. Just as she reached it, Severus gasped in pain and clutched his left forearm.

"Severus?" She questioned, her face wrought with concern.

He growled deeply. The pain was, of course, the Dark Lord calling him to his side. Of all the luck…

"I must go. You know the drill by now. I'll be back in, hopefully, a few hours." He got up, retrieved his robe and mask from under his bed, and reentered the kitchen momentarily.

She looked up in surprise when he came back. He'd been called three or four times during her stay and he always left within moments of the call. At her questioning look, he muttered, "I forgot something."

He swooped down and lightly pressed his lips to hers. She smiled against his face and leaned into the kiss. They broke apart, and the fear in her eyes tore his heart. "Severus, be careful."

He brushed her hair back with one hand. "As careful as I can be, love. As careful as I can be."