When In Rome

Severus-

I look forward to seeing you tonight.

-Hermione.

Hermione-

Over excited are we?

-Severus

S-

I *knew* I should have been more subtle.

-H.

H-

Indeed. You'll never catch a man if you act that desperate.

-S.

S-

Is this from a page in 'Severus Snape's 101 ways to have a successful relationship'?

-H.

H-

Please stay away from my private bookshelves. Detention at 7pm. No excuses.

-S.

S-

Yes, sir. I feel suitably chastised.

-H.

Hermione smiled and replaced her quill. She then set off to explore her town.

She had already been to the Italian equivalent of Diagon Alley but she had yet to wander down the backstreets where she knew there were markets and various Muggle shops. However, just in case Via Cola di Rienzo was hiding something just perfect, Hermione made her way around the courtyard and the connecting streets first.

After another hour of fruitless searching, Hermione decided the back alleys would have to be the way to go.

She wondered if her boyfriend was the fussy one or she was…

After Hermione had visited a store selling homemade scarves, quilts, and other things that interested Hermione but would never score points with Severus, her eyes alighted on a shop at the end of the street.

Aesop's Apothecary.

Hmm… Hermione entered the shop eager to see if they would carry some ingredients that Severus wouldn't have from his normal suppliers in London.

Though the building was an old two-story with weathered bricks like the others on the street, Hermione could tell the shop had only just opened. A bell tinkled as she opened the door and she was greeted with the relaxing, familiar smell of ingredients, pastes, concoctions, and herbs. Hermione breathed in deeply and then began to explore the neat shelves lining the front of the store.

A moment later, a young man with dark hair and a dark green apron approached her.

"Buonasera. La posso aiutare?"*

"Si. Salve. Do you have anything that is native to Italy? Something that would be difficult to find elsewhere?"

The assistant thought for a moment. "I will ask the owner. Please wait a moment."

Hermione thanked him and turned back to the shelves. She would dearly love for this to be her last stop before she got ready for the evening.

Hermione was just wondering how much a small bottle of ash bark was when she caught a whiff of a familiar scent.

"May I help you, madam?" A deep, rich voice greeted her.

Hermione turned to find Severus standing behind her. She smiled and laughed. "Severus! What are you doing here?" She replaced the glass bottle on the shelf. "You got here very early. Isn't this place amazing?" Hermione waved a hand around the well-stocked store. It was only then that she stopped and thought for a moment, recalling his words and noticing that he too was wearing a green apron.

She frowned but before she could say anything, Severus turned back to the assistant.

"That will be all, Gianni. We'll close early today."

The boy was clearly excited to be let off early on a Friday afternoon. "Grazie, Mr. Snape." He ducked into the back of the shop, hung his apron on the wall, and bid the man and woman a good evening.

Hermione stood staring after Gianni as Severus flicked his wand and locked the door behind him.

*"Good evening. Can I help you?"

"Yes, hello."