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

Another thank you from me for the support you guys have shown. I really didn't expect such a response for my first fic. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for the support, it really means a lot :) I hope you enjoy this next chapter!

Chapter 39

His eyes widened in shock but quickly closed as the kiss deepened. His occlumency shields came crashing down; his hands found her hair and pulled her closer. A moan escaped her lips and with a start Severus realised what he was doing. He pulled away panting. Hermione looked hurt and he knew that he had to be honest. "We can't let our emotions get in the way."

She looked him in the eyes and repeated, "We can't let our emotions get in the way."

It was strange, one minute they were kissing and the next they had pulled apart and had agreed to lock away their feelings. Hermione respected that he wanted to have his full attention on the mission but couldn't help but feel a tad bit insulted. She had just kissed this man and he'd pulled away so easily. Don't let your emotions get in the way.

Now it was the next day and they were in Hogsmeade. They had transfigured their clothes and put on their glamour's. Severus was up first. Yesterday's incident kept replaying itself in his mind and he struggled to keep his focus. Don't let your emotions get in the way. But as much as he repeated the words to himself he couldn't help but wonder if Hermione thought he had pushed her away because he didn't like her. He had clearly said "we" and "our". The back alleys were a lot busier than the day before so they managed to make their way through without being noticed. They followed Umbridge to the same grimy pub and went through the open doorway. The scent of cigarette smoke hit him; though it was strong inside the alleys it was a lot stronger in here. He went straight to the bar and said in a practiced, scratchy voice, "Beer." He took a seat and waited to be served. Umbridge was seated next to him, her sickeningly strong floral perfume making its way up his nose. He listened intently when she began speaking to the man at the counter.

"I want a sober up potion and a hangover potion immediately after this." She said primly. What would she need those for? Surely she wasn't planning on getting drunk? His beer was slid in front of him but he ignored it, handing the cash over and pretending to be deep in thought about something. From the corner of his eye he saw a pint of beer being handed to Umbridge. Wouldn't have pegged her to be the beer type, he thought to himself amusedly. She took big gulps and soon it was finished. "Another," she said panting. At the corners of her mouth he could see droplets of the beer. It disgusted him. As if she had read his thoughts Umbridge daintily wiped her mouth with a handkerchief. What a contrast.

Hermione had been standing uncomfortably for the past five minutes. She needed to sit down, but if Severus' stool was anything to go by, they were creaky and she'd be caught in no time. She watched as Umbridge drained the last drop of her third pint and wrinkled her nose. The woman was truly foul. Umbridge put her head in her hands and said something that Severus heard, but not her.

Umbridge put her head in her hands and muttered, "Stupid kids all day. No discipline." Severus tried not to make himself be obvious as he listened harder. She seemed to be singing, (at least he thought so, it sounded more like croaking), to herself, (he hadn't noticed her do that before. It must have been a habit she'd picked up in Azkaban). "I will take the top spot. I am doing well so far. Just a few more steps to go now. Just be careful not to get caught." She hit the table and the man at the counter hastily passed her two vials. Severus checked his watch and cursed under his breath. They were running late. They'd have to wait for Umbridge to leave first though. Their cover couldn't be blown now.

Hermione was up now. She didn't expect to find any evidence but she had to keep hope. She had seen Severus just a few seconds ago passing through a nearby alley. She watched as Umbridge turned the corner and hastened her pace, when someone suddenly grabbed and pulled her into a side alley. She struggled against the iron like grip that was holding her and tried to scream. There was a hand over her mouth too. She felt the tears welling up and shook her head furiously. Well at least she tried to. Her wand was in her pocket but her arms were restrained. Uncomfortably hot breath brushed her neck and prickly hairs scratched her cheeks as a gravelly, confused voice spoke. "Why are you struggling? This is your work, I'm doing you a favour." The tears spilled over and she kept on struggling. The man spoke again to someone she couldn't see. "What are you starin- OW!" He dropped to the ground as Hermione's non-verbal curse hit him at the same time a spoken one did. She looked up to find a rather brutish looking man, looking at her with concern. Then it registered. It was Severus. Not caring what he thought, she flung herself into his arms and held tightly. He lifted her up like she was a feather and murmured soothing words in her ear.

She opened her eyes, looking around blearily. She was in the hospital wing but how had she gotten there? She turned her head to the side and saw a worried looking Severus talking to Madame Pomfrey. "Severus, I can't see if anything is wrong with her until she wakes up. I've given her something for the shock and a sleeping potion so she can rest. I'll assess her for injuries when she wakes up."

"Ungh," She had attempted to call Severus but the sleeping potion had made that a little difficult as she was still incredibly drowsy. Madame Pomfrey turned in surprise and rushed over to her.

"How are you feeling?" She asked. Hermione tried to push past the feeling of drowsiness to answer.

"Dwowsy." Madame Pomfrey chuckled, helping her sit up and handing her a glass of water. The cold water was invigorating and she soon felt awake and refreshed. "What time is it?"

"Half past five." Severus answered.

"We have to go at half seven," She said. Madame Pomfrey frowned.

"We can't let you go just yet. We have to give you a check over." None of them said the words order meeting but Hermione knew that they knew what she was talking about.

"I have to! We've gotten some new stuff and I want to see if N- those guys have made any progress too!" She insisted. "Clearly I'm fine, since I can sit up and argue. Nothing happened, I'm fine."

Severus frowned, "Poppy said she needs to give you a check over. I wouldn't dismiss what a nurse is saying." Hermione frowned.

"I wasn't dismissing what she was saying. A check-up doesn't take two hours though!"

She heard what sounded like a muttered, "So insolent." From Severus and frowned. She was going to that meeting.