Hello again! Thanks for the reviews, favs and follows :D This story might feel like a slow burn but fret not! I am getting there … soon … :D Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything that looks familiar to the world of Harry Potter.

Hermione awoke on Saturday feeling a bit better. Her ankle had healed up completely thanks to Snape's potion. She had missed breakfast since she slept in and went down for lunch early. Snape was already there and a pang of guilt hit her again. She had no idea why she lashed out at him. In fact, her behaviour the day before reminded her of Ron when he used to go into fits of jealousy and she didn't like to be associated with such immature behaviour.

"Good morning, Snape," said Hermione carefully as she slid into her seat next to his.

He grunted and continued stabbing at his food.

"How are you?" she asked carefully.

"Fine."

"Thanks for the potion."

"You're welcome."

"What are your plans today?"

Silence.

Hermione gulped. "I'm sorry for what I said yesterday. I was completely out of line."

"More like out of your mind," mumbled Snape. But his voice had softened considerably.

She straightened and turned to face him fully. "I'm off to London today."

"I know." He took out a slip of paper and passed it to her.

There were three items on the list and seemed to be exotic types of food that Hogwarts didn't serve at meals. "What's this?"

"A way for you to make up for yesterday's outburst."

She found herself smiling. The items would require her to make a trip to a Muggle grocery store. Should she go to a small grocer's or an actual supermarket?

"The supermarket," muttered Snape as if he knew exactly what she was thinking.

"Right." She paused for a moment and then gathered her courage. "Would you care to accompany me?"

"To the supermarket?" Snape lifted his goblet.

"No, to London. And perhaps spend the afternoon there." Then she added belatedly, "With me."

He choked on his juice, spluttering it back into the goblet and at the same time inhaling it. Hermione grabbed her napkin and smothered his face with one hand while the other hand smacked him several times on the back. Eventually he stopped coughing and she released him.

"Are you alright?" she asked, peering at his face.

"Never been better." There was a pink tinge that spread across his cheeks and down his neck, but Hermione couldn't see where it ended since his coat collar was high up as usual. He cleared his throat. "Aren't you meeting Longbottom in London?"

"That's for dinner. I could do with some company in the afternoon." She tried to use what she thought was her most charming attempt at wooing Snape. Really, could Snape be wooed?

"No."

Hermione's heart dropped a little. "How about just Wizarding London? I need to go to Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley."

"Knockturn Alley? Whatever for?"

"Dark arts," replied Hermione, grinning. "Cursed artefacts, maybe."

"That's no laughing matter."

"Come on, Knockturn Alley these days is not like how it used to be before."

"You've been there?"

"A few times before the war and more frequently after."

"With company, I presume?"

"Most of the time, yes."

"Most of the time?"

"Yes."

"So you've been there on your own?" His tone was accusatory.

"I am not a child, Snape."

"You certainly are far from that. But you are, after all, Hermione Granger."

Hermione felt a little tickle somewhere in the centre of her chest. "I am perfectly aware of who I am."

Snape snorted. "Do you really think I would waste my breath to remind you about the obvious? I meant that you are well-known in our society. You'd attract unnecessary attention by visiting questionable shops in dark alleys."

"Surely people wouldn't think I'm the next big, bad wolf?" Hermione guffawed.

"Highly unlikely with that golden halo of yours." His lips curled into a sneer.

Hermione blushed. "I get it that you don't want to accompany me. You don't need to do it in such a roundabout manner."

"I didn't say that, did I?"

A loud clink resounded in the Great Hall as Hermione's spoon clattered back into her soup and some splashed out of the bowl. "So you want to?"

"It's not a matter of wanting but more a matter of doing the right thing." Snape dabbed his lips with a napkin. "As a matter of fact, I intend to visit Knockturn Alley myself. That is the only place I will be going today."

One place was still better than none, thought Hermione. "Why Knockturn?"

"Potions ingredients. I will meet you at the intersection between Diagon and Knockturn at 3pm. Do not be late."

With that, Snape rose from his seat and swept out of the hall leaving Hermione alone at the table. She shrugged before continuing to drink her soup and stuff herself with pies, making sure to eat enough so that she could last till her dinner with Neville.

-.-.-.-

It was just past noon when she went back to her rooms to get changed. She did have ample Muggle clothing but she didn't know what would be suitable for her dinner with Neville. Meeting Snape was a minor part of her afternoon and she didn't think he would pay attention to her clothing; he'd probably not even bat an eyelid if she stood in front of him without a stitch on under her cloak.

After trying several outfits, she finally settled on a long-sleeved knitted black top tucked into a red leather mini-skirt, over sheer black tights paired with ankle-length black boots. Her brown hair was undone from the usual ponytail she kept it in and it fell in soft waves around her face. She twirled around the mirror to check her outfit once again. She didn't look one bit like a Hogwarts professor. Would she look like she was trying to impress Neville?

He was such a sweet boy, really. Maybe not much of a boy now for he had turned into quite the handsome, young man. Confident, too. Hermione was sure she wasn't the only one who had noticed his transformation when she saw him at Ron's wedding. The last time she had seen him before that was during the war so the changes were quite striking.

She shook her head. What did it matter anyway? She was not interested in him in that way although she wouldn't deny that it would be quite flattering if he did pay some attention to her. But she had to start somewhere, right? If she didn't try dressing up a bit fashionably now while she was in her twenties, when would she? When she reached Minerva's age? How old was Minerva anyway …

Hermione slung her special beaded pouch across her body before throwing on her cloak. She pulled it tight around her and headed for the boundaries of the Hogwarts grounds from where she could apparate.

She spent the early part of the afternoon in Diagon Alley browsing the new arrivals at Flourish and Blotts. She bought a few books and some amusing items from Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes before she left to meet Snape.

-.-.-.-

"I think this would make a really good example," said Hermione as she reached out to touch an ornate necklace set with rubies and diamonds.

Snape smacked her hand away. "Don't touch it. Did you forget what happened to the last necklace we all had the pleasure of encountering?"

Hermione bit her lip. "The sign says that it is safe to touch."

"Read between the lines, Granger." He lowered his voice. "Safe to touch if appropriate measures are taken." He pulled out a pair of gloves and handed it to her. "Use this."

She slipped the gloves on, flexing her fingers. They felt like velvet but she knew they couldn't be made of just velvet. She gingerly picked up the necklace and turned it over, then turned it back and examined the stones. "Well, maybe not this one. It might be too costly to replace if someone nicked it."

"The cost is not the main concern."

Hermione eyed Snape sideways. "Guess you have a treasure trove down in Gringotts? Care to share?" She put the necklace back and returned the gloves to Snape. "Maybe something simpler would do."

He snorted just as Mr Borgin came up to them. "How about this item, Madam?"

He held up a locket that was heart-shaped and had intricate patterns carved into it. Snape took the locket, with gloved hands, and inspected it in the light. "What is this locket for?"

"It shows one's true desire," said Mr Borgin as he led them to the original display area for the locket.

There was a little notice bearing information on the locket and what the wearer should expect. It was not a real Dark artefact but if it could show one's true desire, there had to be something powerful acting from within.

"Is it safe to open?" asked Hermione.

"By all means, please."

Hermione made to open the locket but Snape smacked her hand away again. He rested the locket on its cushion and stepped back, taking Hermione with him. Then he gave a little flick with his wand and the lid popped open, emitting strange green fumes.

"This is why you don't just simply open things, Granger," he intoned.

"But Mr–"

He stepped on her toe and she winced but it had shut her up. He bent down close to her ears. "Follow my lead. I shudder to think what would have happened if you came here alone."

His lips had accidentally brushed against Hermione's ear and she felt a shiver run down her spine. "It would be good for you, wouldn't it? One less person to worry you."

"Oh, you'd worry me even in your death," he whispered. "I'd probably be the one who'd have to clean up your remains if you perished in a Dark artefacts shop."

She jerked her head back and shot him a look. He straightened up and murmured several spells over the locket. "Why doesn't he stop you from casting spells on it?" asked Hermione.

They turned. Mr Borgin had retreated back to his position behind the counter and was polishing something that looked like an oversized eyeball.

"Let's just say that I know him very well." His lips curled into a smirk.

They peered into the locket together. The inside of the locket seemed to have a never-ending base. A grey mist swirled around.

"Do you see anything?" asked Hermione.

"A bottomless pit and some grey mist." Snape tilted his head. "I doubt that resembles anything close to my desires."

"What do you desire?" She did her best attempt at a silky voice while surveying Snape from under her eyelashes.

He met her gaze coolly. She refused to look away first. Then she noticed his Adam's apple bobbed up and down before he sneered. "Is this your attempt at a last minute flirting practice before your date tonight?"

Hermione blushed. "Of course not. I wasn't flirting."

Snape gave her a look that clearly conveyed he didn't believe her.

"You would have to hold it directly to see your desire," came Mr Borgin's voice suddenly from behind them.

"Perhaps another time, Borgin," said Snape as he walked over to place a bag of coins on the countertop. "For rent only. Granted, if the locket isn't returned to you by the end of the month, the money will be yours. Otherwise, I expect to get every coin back."

"Certainly." The man bowed and with a wave of his hand, the locket was packed and hovering in front of Snape.

"Good day to you." Snape turned and swept out of the shop, one hand clutching the package and the other guiding Hermione by the elbow.

She rounded on him when they were out of the shop and the door closed with a jingle behind them. "Whose money was that?"

"School funds."

She narrowed her eyes. "I have some school funds with me as well."

"I have enough to spare for a month. If I really need more, I will be sure to seek you out."

"How would you know if this was what I wanted? You just made a decision like that so quickly."

"I know you, Granger. This suits your purpose. Unless you wanted a look at that peculiar eyeball?"

Hermione shook her head vigorously. In truth, she had settled on the locket but was a little grumpy that Snape had made all the decisions and even paid the man, regardless of whether they were temporarily borrowing the item or not.

"All right. I was impatient. My apologies." Snape grimaced.

That seemed to satisfy her and she thrust her hand out, palm facing upwards.

"What?" Snape looked at her hand.

"The locket."

"I'll take it back to the castle. I won't you have carrying this piece of Dark item when you go on your date."

"It's not a date," replied Hermione, rolling her eyes.

"Sure it isn't," he smirked as his eyes dropped lower than her face.

Hermione looked down. Her cloak had parted open and her outfit was clearly visible. She felt a little embarrassed at being seen in her outfit by Snape. She pulled the cloak tightly around her. "I did not think you were that observant."

"Once upon a time, there lived a spy called Severus Snape," he deadpanned.

"But it doesn't mean I am on a date. I am free to wear whatever I want."

"Of course."

"And I do have a rather nifty bag, you know. To store all my things." Her hand snaked out to reach for the package.

"No." He stuffed it into his cloak and looked at her pointedly. "I used my school funds anyway."

She suppressed a groan. "Fine. I'll get it from you when I am back."

He gave a nod. "I'd best get going. Most of my afternoon has been taken up by your ridiculous errands in this alley."

"We only went to two shops that sold Dark artefacts. Before that, I accompanied you into two dingy potions shops and Fortescue's parlour where you ate the largest sundae I had ever seen. So much for sticking to just Knockturn Alley."

Snape raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Someone used a very large spoon to steal most of my sundae in one bite."

"Excuse me!" Hermione shrieked, her hair seemed to fly backwards at the force of it.

"You are excused, Granger, until I see you next time. Do not forget about the list I gave you. Good evening." Then he turned on his heel and apparated away with a loud crack.