AN: I do not own the Harry Potter universe. I am simply borrowing it for a fic. Enjoy!

We're skipping the next weekend because Severus and Hermione don't find much evidence. So now Umbridge isn't supervised… This can't be good. ;)

Chapter 38

Hermione walked down to Hogsmeade. Today she was supervising the end of the line so Umbridge probably wouldn't have a chance to look her way. Well, she had every opportunity now considering she wasn't supervised but Hermione doubted she would. Not in front of everyone anyway. The last week was rather disappointing, the only evidence they had gotten was of Umbridge smirking at headlines again. There was a lot of pressure being put on Kingsley now to resign. He hadn't attacked anyone else since the last reports and Hermione hoped it would stay that way. As soon as they entered the village, everyone went their own ways. Severus pulled Hermione into a side street near the one they had just seen Umbridge enter and put a glamour charm on himself. Hermione did the same and they both transfigured their clothes. It was her turn first to follow Umbridge.

Severus pulled Hermione through a couple of dark alleys and halted suddenly as he saw a flash of pink. He nodded towards where he had just seen Umbridge and said, "Stay safe." Hermione went on her way without a second glance. There was no time for him to dawdle though. He had to keep an eye on Hermione.

Hermione followed Umbridge from a little distance away seeing an occasional glance of Severus. Well, Toby. She tried not to make a face as an uncomfortably cold draught swirled around her bare legs. The cut off shorts were tatty and uncomfortable. Not to mention impractical. What if she fell? She'd take the hit straight to the knee. The crop top she was wearing was a washed out grey colour with a yellowy stain on the front of it. Gosh if any of her friends saw her… well they wouldn't would they? She wasn't her. She was, (she hadn't thought of a name), a pale faced, stringy haired, large nosed woman. She wasn't recognisable as Hermione. As Umbridge turned a corner she was grabbed by Severus, (Toby). "It's my turn now. Put on a disillusionment charm and we'll get going. Quick." He whispered. She hastily did as he asked.

Severus walked briskly down the alley, slowing down when he reached the corner Umbridge had turned. He spotted her further down the alley amongst a small crowd of people. She appeared to be making her way through it. He reached the crowd who were passing money to each other, (there must have been a fight), and pushed his way through. He kept on her tail until they reached a grimy looking pub. All of a sudden she turned around, her eyes keen. "Yes?" She asked. Just her voice irritated him.

He kept an uninterested look on his face as he said, "What?" Playing dumb. She frowned at him taking a step closer.

Hermione knew the minute Umbridge turned around that she had to do something. She couldn't let their cover be blown. Slowly and sneakily, she tiptoed past Umbridge, holding her breath as she did so. Once she got to the open pub door, she took off her disillusionment charm and pretended she had just stepped out of the door. "Toby," she said making her voice deep and husky. "There you are." Umbridge and Severus turned to look at her and she concentrated on keeping her composure and her glamour charm up. Severus seemed to realise what she was doing and walked past Umbridge to her. Hermione mustered up her courage and wrapped her arms round Severus' neck, pulling him into a passionate kiss. After they parted Hermione whispered, (and made sure it was loud enough for Umbridge to hear), "Forget the pub. Let's go straight to yours."

He apparated them away to another dark alley and started transforming back into himself. Stay calm. She just did it for the mission. He struggled to stay calm as he transfigured his shoes back into his usual dress shoes. He looked up at Hermione quickly handing her a vial, (a combination of sickness and glamour removal potion). "We're near the main street so you can bring down your charms." She did as he asked and transfigured her clothes back into her teaching robes. He took a quick look around and exited the alley, Hermione close behind.

"I'm sorry." She said. He turned around and looked at her. He seemed confused.

"Why are you sorry?" He asked.

"I shouldn't have kissed you. I should've given you a warning. You would have figured out a way for us to keep a watch on Umbridge."

"It's fine, there's nothing you could do. You saved us from being caught and if you'd have given me a warning it would've been obvious that we weren't a couple. You did well under the circumstances." He said. Her shoulders sagged in relief. Though she had enjoyed the kiss, she was worried that Severus would have been angry about it. But he understood that the situation called for sudden action and that was the first thing she had thought of.

"Shall we go and see if the others are at The Three Broomsticks?" She offered. "I need something to wash down the taste." He nodded and they made their way to the pub in silence.

They were now back in the castle. Hermione had invited Severus to her room so they could practice glamour charms again. They were going to need different looks now that Umbridge had seen them. She took off her teaching robes and pulled on a pair of black skinny jeans and a black top and waited for Severus to arrive.

When he arrived they immediately got on with their work. In the midst of their planning they stopped to practice their glamour charms. Severus' look of concentration as he helped her practice kept drawing her attention. His head was tilted slightly to the side and his lips were parted just a little bit. The temptation was just too great for Hermione. She took one step closer to Severus and kissed him once more.

Their first kiss... and their second ;) Sorry for cutting it off right there, but I hope you enjoyed! :)

A big thank you to megzela who gave me the idea of using the vial as something to do with removing the glamour in her review of this chapter!