Written for cflower on January 1, 2009 for the Bride of the Drabble Meme on LiveJournal. She asked for Snape/Hermione and scarf.

Tether

Smirking, Snape stopped to let Hermione catch up to him. Her face was flushed red; he wasn't sure if it was from the cold or anger, but the splotchy red didn't become her.

"Can't you to be nice to Ron?"

He put a finger on his lips a moment, as if considering it. "No."

"Why not?"

"Far Less fun. And I feel no need to make the effort for a boy who so undeservably has you."

"He doesn't." She tugged him down by his scarf—at first he thought to strangle him—and kissed him.

He could be nice… Maybe.