Severus' interview was largely well-received. The ratings for the Quibbler soared, and other papers wrote to Snape requesting interviews and statements. He answered them all the same, that he would only give interview to Xenophilius Lovegood of The Quibbler, and that any and all press statements he wished to make would be made through Lovegood as well.

He wasn't entirely sure why he'd chosen Lovegood. Partly, it was because the man had come as a recommendation from Hermione, but also his paper was the underdog in the Wizarding media, and Severus tended to quietly root for the underdog. He'd also chosen The Quibbler because he knew that Xenophilius had lost his wife, and that his daughter's capture was nearly his undoing. Severus felt responsible for some of that suffering, so he wanted to do what he could to ease it, even if it was only financially and a boost to the man's reputation.

Minerva knocked and entered his office. "Are you all packed, Severus?"

He looked at his suitcase on the floor next to him. "Yes." Suddenly, he was overcome with nerves.

"You plan to tell her while you're there?"

"Yes," Severus whispered as he looked at the floor.

"Lad, look at me," She said and he obeyed. "You deserve to happy, and the witch is mad for you. Come back hand-in-hand or don't come back at all," She clicked her tongue at him.

There was another knock at his door and Hermione pushed the door open, suitcase in hand. He moved and grabbed her suitcase, picked his up with his other hand, and asked, "All set?"

"Yes!" She smiled. "Thank you for covering for us, Minerva."

"Not a problem, my dear. You two have fun!"

Severus stepped into the fireplace, and Hermione stood in front of him. He cast one more nervous glance at Minerva as Hermione called out, "American Ministry of Magic!"

They reappeared in a colonial style Ministry, and they stepped out of the hearth. Severus continued to carry her bag as they made their way toward the immigration line. Severus glanced around them, and noticed two wizards eyeing him and whispering to each other.

"I believe we have been made," He said lowly to Hermione.

Hermione looked over at the Aurors and said, "I told you that you should've dressed a little less Snape-like..."

He rolled his eyes as the Aurors approached him and called out, "Hey, you two! Come with us."

Severus sighed and followed Hermione and the Aurors to a private room. "Sir, can we see your passport?"

Severus reached into his cloak and the men drew there wands on him. Eyeing them, he realized they definitely knew who he was already. Pulling his passport out, and handed it to one of the Aurors.

"What business do have in the United States?" One of them asked him.

"We're seeing a play in the city," Severus answered coolly.

The shorter Auror crossed his arms. "Roll up your left sleeve, sir."

"Why?" Severus asked. Hermione bristled next to him.

"We do not allow those who bear Lord Voldemort's mark to come into the United States."

"That's rich, coming from a country who had to fight half of its own to abolish slavery, who dropped not one, but two atomic bombs on Japan for revenge for attacks on one of its states, and a country in which racism, sexism, and prejudice still run rampant."

The two men tensed and grew very red in the face. "Roll up your sleeve. I will use force if I have to."

Severus glared at him. "I'd like to see you try."

The man's wand was drawn and pointed at Severus again. Hermione jumped between the two, and said, "Our Minister is here visiting yours. I don't believe he'd be too thrilled to hear you've detained two of his friends."

The Aurors looked at each other. "Call Minister Smith."

Severus turned away from the pair of Aurors while one of them dialed a number on the phone in the room. "It's fine, Severus. Kingsley will handle it," She assured him.

"I could handle it," He growled.

"Well, I'd quite like to see this play with you, not without you because you've got yourself thrown in a holding cell."

"You underestimate me."

"The Ministers are on their way," One said

The other asked, "Miss, can I see your passport as well?"

Hermione huffed and handed over her passport. The two read her name and then their eyes widened. "Oh, good, you've heard of me. Now, you know you've gone and royally fucked yourselves."

Snape's head snapped to her. She very rarely cursed, and when she did, it was even rarer still that she used that word. Her face was hard and set as she eyed the two Aurors.

The door burst open and Kingsley looked angrier than either Snape or Hermione had ever seen him. "Miller, is this the way my citizens are treated? The Headmaster of Hogwarts? Two of the greatest heroes of the war against Voldemort?"

Miller, a large and stout man, looked flabbergasted. "Smith, Johnson.. What is the meaning of this?!"

The Aurors stammered. "I.. we.. Recognized him. We knew he'd been a Death Eater. We aren't supposed to let anyone in with the Mark."

"You're aware this man was on our side, yes?" Miller asked. "That he was a double-agent and was essential in helping Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, how lovely to meet you," He looked at Granger, whose face remained cold, "and Ronald Weasley succeed in defeating Voldemort?"

"But he's got the Mark... His Mark..."

"Somehow, the pair of you made it through Illvermorny and Auror training with a total of three brain cells between the both of you." Miller looked angry. "My office. Now." The men scrambled out of the room and Miller turned to Snape and Granger. "Welcome to The United States of America. Please enjoy your stay. Let me know if you have any problems and I will deal with them personally. Thank you, both, for your service in the war against Voldemort."

He disappeared from the room and Kingsley nodded. "All right?"

"Yes, we're fine. Thank you, Kingsley."

"Enjoy your trip," Kingsley said. When the Headmaster traveled, Kingsley was made aware, and Snape suddenly realized Shacklebolt must've anticipated resistance to Snape at immigration and had scheduled his own visit at the same time. Hermione moves from the room, and Kingsley grabbed Snape's arm as he walked by him. "Be careful, Severus. We're not in Europe anymore."

Severus nodded and brushed past him. He followed Hermione through immigration, where things went smoothly and rather quickly. He led her to another floo, which they used to go to the hotel he had purchased for their stay.

He walked to the front desk, where a young bellhop took his bags. Speaking to the man at the front desk, Severus said. "Hermione Granger, and Severus Snape. We'd like to check into our rooms."

"Headmaster Snape, of course. Minister Miller phoned just before your arrival. He has upgraded your rooms to the presidential suite."

Severus looked surprised, and then asked, "I..." He lowered his voice and looked at Hermione over his shoulder. He glanced nervously back at the man. "How many bedrooms?"

"There are two, sir," He said.

"Let me speak with her..." Severus turned and walked to Hermione. "Hermione, I booked two rooms for us, but it seems the American Minister is trying to win back our favor. He's upgraded us to the presidential suite, but the man at the desk says there are still two private bedrooms within that suite. Is that..." He faltered and looked at her nervously.

"Oh, that sounds wonderful," She said and smiled. "I've never stayed in a suite before."

He nodded, and turned back to the desk. "That is acceptable."

The man finished checking them into their suite, and Severus and Hermione took the elevator up to the top floor with the bellhop. Severus was incredibly nervous about staying in the same suite with her, especially if confessing his feelings for her did not go over well. He'd have nowhere to retreat to completely.

Once they'd settled their bags into their rooms, he looked for her in the sitting area of the suite. The suite came with a fully stocked bar, which the man at the desk had said would be free of charge. Not seeing Hermione, he ventured further, and found her standing out on the balcony. Her arms were crossed and she was shivering, but when he approached her, he could see she was smiling as she observed the skyline.

"It's cold out here," He said slowly.

She looped her arm into the crook of his elbow, and leaned her head against his shoulder. "Isn't it lovely, Severus?"

He looked out the skyline, and sighed. Then, he looked at her. The skyline was nothing compared to the witch leaning against him. He could smell her shampoo as he looked down at her. She glanced up at him, caught him staring, and blushed, but she didn't move away. Her eyes moved back to the skyline.

"Shall we get dinner before the play?" He asked.

"That sounds wonderful. I've heard about this little bar in the wizarding area of Times Square. Horace said the food is amazing. We could go there, then head to the show?"

"Your wish is my command," He said. Nerves were eating at his stomach, and he knew he could not continue hiding his feelings for her. He would tell her tonight, after dinner and the show, when they returned to their room.

"She wasn't exactly sure when it happened. Or even when it started. All she knew for sure was that right here and now, she was falling hard and she could only pray that he was feeling the same way." ~ Safe Haven