Muscle and Matter

When Hermione felt the sandman caress her eyes after a hefty serving of corn hash, she placed a receipt she found in her pocket in between the pages of one of Snape's published works and gently closed it. She looked up to find the man looking at her knowingly and she grinned, a little embarrassed. They spent the last hour silently reading across from each other, the soft tick of a great grandfather clock passing their time as the sun began fading. Her eyes cast up to it: nearly seven in the evening.

"I should probably head home," she said quietly as she slipped her tortoise shell frames into its case, squinting slightly as her vision adjusted. She found him flashing her an unusual smile and she made a face. "What?"

"The glasses fit you well, Miss Granger," he said as he smoothed his book closed, eyes unwavering. Hermione laughed lightly.

"Thank you, I guess. They're a pain sometimes."

"Did you always have vision problems?" he asked curiously.

Hermione shook her head and shrugged slightly.

"Perhaps it's due to your loss of magic," Severus suggested. Hermione shrugged again, absently brushing loose curls behind her ears.

"Lots of magical folk have worn glasses since they were young, though, like Harry," said Hermione, frowning. Severus nodded, but said nothing, still looking at her. Hermione felt a weird chill roll down her spine as she caught sight of something by the doorway behind him though when her eyes quickly snapped that way, she saw nothing. Her gaze returned to an unknowing Snape who had summoned his small elf to remove the plates and cups; her eyes hyper focused on the dark man, watching as his hands nimble hands flexed as he surprisingly passed the dirty dishes to the small creature, trying her best to avoid the hazy image that danced in her peripherals. She gulped as her hands twisted in her lap and when the image grew closer, faint whispers met her ears.

My sooooon

Hermione quickly stood with a small yelp which earned her a raised brow from her former professor.

"Miss Granger?"

"I…" Hermione zoned out for a moment, feeling cold breath on her neck and a gentle brush against her shoulder. She inhaled and smiled, stepping closer to Snape—to what she felt was safety—and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder; she was so distracted she missed the visible softening of the man's harsh features, and the way his lip curled into a faint smile. "I should really head out now, Severus, I'm sorry."

His face faltered a little, but he nodded as his eyes fell to his watch. "Yes, we don't need Lucius blowing down my door."

Hermione almost laughed but jolted in her boots when the house elf disappeared with a sudden pop!.

"Are you alright?" asked Snape, humor dancing in his eyes. Hermione blushed.

"It's been years since I have seen an elf, let alone see it apparate," she said quietly. She felt the cool grasp behind her waver, the whispers retreating to whence it came from, and her body and nerves began relaxing again. Composing herself, she was surprised to see a strange look on Severus' face. Was that pity? She waved her hand nonchalantly. "Walk me out?"

"Of course."

Hermione went to grab her peacoat from Snape but halted when he simply held it open, a brow still raised. She felt that unusual burn work its way up her neck as she was torn between biting back a smile and laughing at his similarities to another foreboding man in her life. Without a word, she slipped her arms through and adjusted, turning to him with a smile.

"I had a lovely time, Severus," Hermione said as she adjusted her bag and umbrella. She felt her cellphone vibrate within.

"As did I, Miss Granger."

"Hermione," she corrected, her smile widening. "I would like it if you would call me Hermione."

Severus paused for a moment, and she bit back a laugh as she could almost see the letters of her name float in his eyes.

"Hermione," Severus said in his baritone voice. He opened the door and watched her out, frowning. "How are you returning home?"

Hermione whipped out a tube card, waving it slightly. "The tube. And a bus. Maybe a taxi."

"Why don't you simply call on Draco or Lucius to take you home?" asked Snape, crossing his arms and leaning against the door frame. His eyes wandered out to the darkening sky, watching as less and less people walked about. At least it stopped raining.

Hermione shrugged. "If I apparate, it'll probably make me sick again."

"Sick again? You've apparated recently?"

"Er, yeah, but it was an accident. Draco just thought he was helping. It's a long story."

"Well, I suppose I will see you to your stop," said Snape. He quickly dipped behind the door and grabbed a rather muggle trench coat, draping it over himself and pocketing his wand. Hermione opened her mouth to argue but snapped it shut at the stern look the man gave her before he offered his hand out. "Lead the way."

Their trek was only a few blocks away thankfully and Severus snuffed the street lights out with every step they took. He lived in a muggle area, but he knew one could never be too careful. He knew eyes could be anywhere, and the thought made his insides curdle; he realized he was so flustered by her visit earlier that he did not think about the chance of her being seen. The slip of thought caused an uncharacteristic anxiety sizzle within him. Severus found his hand tightly grasping his wand in his pocket as they walked silently beside each other.

"Severus?" came Hermione's voice, pulling him from his inner turmoil. His dark eyes rose to the bus stop sign and he came to a halt. Lights shone from down the road, illuminating the girl's face as she smiled at him warmly. "I hope you will reconsider dinner at my home next month."

An infamous scowl marred Severus Snape's face, and Hermione could not hold back her tinkling laughter at the sight of it; it reminded her so much of her youth, an image usually brought on by the late Albus Dumbledore. She heard the bus pull up behind her and she gave him a polite nod.

"Just promise to think about it," she breathed, cool air rising from her mouth. Severus only nodded.

"Safe travels, Hermione."

Hermione gave him a quick smile before ascending onto the bus, giving him a wave as she disappeared into the heads of the other passengers. Snape watched as the bus pulled away, its taillights becoming hazy before it disappeared altogether at a turn, before apparating back to his home.

Hermione fumbled with her keys slightly as she unlocked the emerald door to her home, her heart pounding. She shut the door behind her and leaned against it as she exhaled for what felt like the first time in hours. She fought hard to keep her wits about her since catching the attention of whatever entity was at Spinners End and felt her strength ripping at its seams the entire bus and underground ride home. Her chest rose and fell with each breath through her nose and out her mouth.

"Hermione?" came Lucius' voice from above. Her eyes snapped to his as he stood at the landing of the stairs, his brows knitted. "What happened?"

"It went well!" she breathed, shaking her head and giving him a reassuring smile. She could tell by the tightness in his voice he was ready to drag Snape out of his home. "Severus was great, it's just…"

Lucius descended the stairs and removed his reading glasses. He seemed relaxed, believing her reassurance, but frowned. "Just?"

"There's something else there with him. I-I heard it. Well, I saw it first, sort of."

The blonde's smooth façade cracked as his brows shot high and his mouth parted, evidently speechless. Hermione nodded.

"I know. I've never seen a ghost before—I mean, well there's the Hogwarts ghosts, obviously, but this is very different. It's…it's…"

"Scary?" Lucius offered quietly. Hermione shook her head.

"Terrifying." Hermione's body began relaxing finally as the shakes left her and her breathing regulated; sliding her purse from her shoulder, it fell to the floor with an ungraceful thud, and Hermione felt an overwhelming sense of vulnerability, so much that she sought comfort in Lucius' arms. She wrapped her arms under his open robe and clung her hands to the soft silk of his sleepwear, finding strong shoulder blades to hold to. She buried her face into his chest and released a suffering sigh as she squeezed his form. Lucius responded naturally, linking his own arms around her and settling a hand in her curls as he worked circles against her scalp.

"Did you tell Snape?" he asked, his voice vibrating against her face. He felt her head shake and he exhaled. "Do you think you should? He may become…insecure if you dance around the idea of visiting him again."

"Eventually," Hermione said, muffled. "If things progress on a good path."

"I agree, Hermione. Good job for respecting your boundaries."

Hermione could hear the smile in Lucius' voice, a hint of pride. She knew it was sincere; he was glad she was not forcing herself into uncomfortable situations just to please others. She leaned her head up to look at him, her eyes scouring steel ones for any omnipotence regarding it all.

"Why am I seeing things now?" she muttered. "Is it because they have been around?"

"I wish I had all the answers for you, Hermione. I truly do," Lucius said sadly as he brushed a curl from her eyes. "We just need to be careful. I am pleased to hear that you had a good time with the old bat—perhaps you can persuade him to meet here, next time. Considering we are apparition free at the moment."

Hermione nodded, still not moving from his arms.

"Hermione?"

"Just…a few more moments, please."

"Always."