A/N: I've learned a long time ago to write when the feeling/words come no matter if I should be working on other stories lol cuz writer's block is something else….Also there's sciencey Mumbo jumbo in here which may or may not be accurate lol don't sue me!

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He shouldn't be fretting this much over his appearance.

Hermione has seen him on his deathbed, let alone everyday for the past few years first as his student and later as his apprentice. She'd seen him fresh from sleep, tired from lack of sleep, drunk and hungover. She knew what he looked like. And yet, here he was agonizing over the appropriate thing to wear during his visit to her lab. He didn't want to look as stuffy and severe as was his norm. But he also couldn't look like he was trying so hard. So he eventually decided on a light gray button down, black slacks and his normal dragonhide boots. After all, one must be sensible. He was going to be around potentially hazardous materials. Ignoring the whistling from his charmed mirror, he carefully parted his long black hair and swept it up in a neat man bun. It had become an increasingly convenient way to put up his long hair apart from a few stubborn strands that hang on the side of his face like bangs. His mirror apparently thought it made him look good and he hoped it wasn't lying. Shrugging, he figured that there wasn't anything else he could do and it was silly to try so hard when Hermione wouldn't be looking at him like that anyway.

But she was his soulmate.

That knowledge floored him every time he thought about it. Especially when he could imagine a life with Hermione so easily. Already she was woven into the very fabric of his being. From the words embedded in his flesh to their sometimes daily communication. Had she ever noticed that he was at her beck and call? Sure, he kept up his surly attitude for appearance sake, but it was virtually nonexistent whenever they were alone together. Surely she had to see how utterly besotted he was with her and was just ignoring it. Except, he knew that Hermione would never be that cruel. She'd have the grace to let him down gently at least. The words on his skin seemed to burn at this thought and Severus winced. No, there had to be a chance, right?

Because she was his soulmate.

"Ah, just in time Severus," Hermione greeted him as he entered her flat. It was as he expected; clean and cozy with a large bookshelf that was clearly her pride and joy. Her collection rivaled his own although he was certain his was larger. But a brief glance at the titles showed that their tastes skewed the same way. The rest of the room consisted of an open concept living room with a sumptuous looking velvet black couch that seemed long enough to fit his tall frame let alone a petite witch of her size. There was the customary fireplace and even a muggle flatscreen which he was immediately envious of. Movies had become a recent new addiction and he had yet to procure a suitable television for his own home. He'd have to ask Hermione where she got hers later. "I've just set up in the lab," the curly haired woman continued, "Maybe you can see what it's missing…"

At this comment she worried at her lower lip, a habit he's observed closely. It usually left her lips looking swollen and slightly red. He recently fantasized about him taking over the action with himself but such thoughts would have to wait for now. "I will try to do my best to help although sometimes these things simply take time."

She nodded and he followed her to what appeared to be the secondary bedroom which she converted to suit her purposes. Surprisingly it closely mirrored his own albeit smaller. Then again it made sense that she modeled her lab after training in his for a year. The salve was in the center of a metal table. The bowl it was in was clear and he looked at the slightly mint green mixture with interest. "So am I right in assuming that you're not pleased with its efficacy?" He questioned, suddenly all business.

Again, she nodded. "I'm not sure what it is. I've already been through the trials of adding less or more of the ingredients I'm already using. I'm currently examining the temperature but I doubt it's that. I think it needs a boost of some sorts but I don't know what to add that won't disrupt the delicate balance of Rosa canina, Thymus vulgaris, petrolatum, the acids and mentha."

"Have you tried Nigella sativa?" He drawled, a knowing smirk curling his lips as realization dawned on her face.

She didn't say anything right away, and again, he watched in amusement as she flurried around her lab. First to her storeroom and then rummaging through a drawer for a dropper. Severus knew without her saying anything that the bottle in her hand must be the nigella sativa and she intended to test out his theory right then. The Potions Mistress stole a quick glance towards him before carefully adding a few drops to the batch of salve that had been sitting out for his appraisal. She stirred it carefully, that cute lip bite of hers returning as she concentrated. "And now to test…."

Much to his horror she removed a glamour from her arm and eight, jagged, angry red letters stood out in stark relief on her arm. The word "mud blood" marred her otherwise peachy skin and a disturbing cocktail of anger, sadness and guilt stirred within him. He remembered hearing Bella boast about doing such a thing to Hermione, but he'd never seen the damage up close. Nor in his entire relationship that he's built with her since then had he ever offered to help. Severus knew that it wasn't exactly his burden to bear but he hated that someone as good and kind as Hermione was branded in such a way. He must've let his disgust show on his face because she shied away from him and held her head down, "I know it's ghastly to look at but that's all the more reason for me to work on this. I'm sorry you had to see it. I should've warned you.."

"No, please-I….I am not aiming my disgust towards you. It's towards the woman who did this to you," Severus readily reassured,reaching out to turn her to face him once more. He gestured to her arm, "May I?" She nodded,apprehension still clear in the amber depths of her eyes. Carefully, traced his long digits along the raised ridges of her skin. His face was open and sincere as he gazed into her eyes. "Hermione, nothing about you could ever disgust me. We all have scars. Some, more than others. But even if your salve doesn't work you will still be the same to me. Brilliant," here he paused, considering how much his next few words might ruin things. But one look at her hopeful mien allowed him to charge on, "and very beautiful."

The result was much more than he expected. She smiled widely at him, face crimson and tears in her eyes. Without warning she flung herself into his arms, her scent invading his nostrils. He held her tightly, the urge to confess all burned strongly but he restrained himself. Right now she didn't need to deal with….well, his feelings. She needed a friend and he was more than happy to be that for her.