Hey there! I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas! Please let me know if the story is dragging a little. I mean, I loveee a slow burn, but I don't want you all bored. Here's to the new year, happy reading. Thanks for adding fuel to my fiery muse.

P.S. As always, nothing is mine. I merely wish.

The rest of the week passed in a blur of determined study. With their relationship on the mend, Hermione found her appetite for both food and books had returned with a vengeance. Saturday morning saw the young witch gently awoken by the morning sunlight streaming in through the castle window. This was a rare occasion, as most nights she was awake before the sun had a chance to make itself known. Rather than jump up immediately to busy herself as usual, Hermione chose to close her eyes and snuggle into the blankets. An hour later, she was startled out of her daydream by a knock at the door. Inwardly swearing, she hurriedly threw on her summery dressing gown before stumbling to the door.

"Yes?" Her voice sounded cracked, still sleepy.

"I apologise if I have interrupted, Ms Granger. I shall come back at a more suita-"

"No!" Was but shouted to the sturdy oak door. Composing herself, she said more calmly

"I was actually about to make myself a cup of tea and some marmite on toast. Would you care to join me?"

Hermione was elated that he had apparently chosen to resume their little weekend routine, however desperately wished she was up and dressed long ago. Nobody ever saw her looking anything other than proper and the idea of her Professor, and the man she so deeply fancied, being the first seemed absurd. She didn't even bother with a glamour, knowing he would likely see straight through.

Severus felt an overwhelming rush of affection when the little witch opened the door, which was disgusting as much as gratifying. It was quite possibly his first experience with the emotion, and it was alien. The cause of his fuzzies was the fact that Hermione stood before him in a manner he had never seen before. Her hair was utterly unkempt, she wore a baby blue cotton dressing gown and a pair of well-loved fluffy slippers. The man seriously doubted that anyone had ever seen her like this before. Weirdly enough, he felt honoured that she chose to allow him.

"What, pray tell, is marmite?"

Hermione smiled softly at his quip, wandering over to the kitchenette and pulling out a small jar of black substance. She twisted off the red lid and held the offensive looking container up to his nose. He gave her a wary side eye before delicately sniffing its contents. The look of disgust on his face must have been a sight, as Hermione's brown eyes widened and a gentle giggle escaped her lips.

"You really are round the bend. Do you mean to tell me that you start your morning in this way… willingly?"

Now Hermione outright laughed, and the sound was like music to Severus' ears.

"Harry and I tried for weeks to get Ronald to try it. He took one bite and vowed that all muggles and their creations were lunacy. He hasn't trusted any of my suggestions since."

"That may be one of the only sensible decisions Mr Weasley has ever made. I am quite fond of your tea making abilities but will pass on the er…. Marmite. Thank you"

Hermione blushed at the compliment, before mentally berating herself. He said you were good at making tea, that's hardly a declaration of undying love Hermione.

"I've got a jar of Mrs Weasley's homemade marmalade here if that is more to your liking."

"That would be suitable, thank you."

Cutting two thick slices of bread, Hermione mused that her Professor's manners had been nothing short of perfect this morning. The thick mugs clinked as she pulled them from the cupboard. Severus had set himself in the same armchair as his last visit and was content to stare out the window until she handed him a plate of toast and tea.

The warm feeling that had blossomed in Severus when she opened the door only amplified when she handed him his breakfast, nervously twisting a stray curl. She had a way of making him feel genuinely cared for. He hadn't ever felt that before. If not for years of emotional abuse, he might allow himself to believe she had no ulterior motive. The normally uptight wizard relaxed as he sunk into the soft armchair. Mrs Weasley, it turned out, was a dab hand at marmalade. The forbidden forest created a beautiful blend of perfumes at this time of year, and Hermione's window was often open for it to waft through. One day he would find a way to bottle the smell, especially since it seemed to blend so beautifully with Hermione's own scent. Not that it matters one way or another how it smells on her, he told himself firmly. Professional, working relationship.

The two ate breakfast in silence, Severus wrinkling his nose as Hermione enthusiastically bit into a piece of tar-covered toast.

"We have collected sufficient ingredients to attempt making the potion. Would you like to assist with the brewing as well?"

"Oh, please Sir! I've been reading up on dreamless sleep lately and other such potions. I couldn't find anywhere near as much on the new aspect you're trying to incorporate though Professor. I even snuck into the restricted section but didn't have any better luck." Hermione trailed off, realising she was rambling.

Normally Severus loathed incessant rambling. However, the little muggle witch in front of him could have rambled on all day and he gladly would have listened. Severus, old fool, you are screwed.

"As you are aware, I am busy with teacher related duties during the day. My only spare time is in evenings and on weekends."

"Anytime suits me Sir. I have no pressing engagements. Don't tell anyone, but it'll be a bit of a relief to be away from the boys. There's only so many times in a month a girl can use her monthly as an excuse before people clue on. Even people as clueless as those two."

It was Severus' turn to let out a mirthful laugh, short though it was.

"I am glad to be of service. I have patrol every other night, starting on Sunday nights. You may come to the potions lab whenever you see fit to on the alternating evenings. I will be there after dinner. On the weekends, I will be brewing Saturday afternoons."

"That all works brilliantly for me. Starting Monday night, then?"

"Monday night. Make sure to tie up your mane too, Ms Granger. I should be going; I need to meet with Ms Pomfrey. Thank you for breakfast."

"Anytime" Hermione replied, and meant it.