"I am no longer your professor, Hermione. Call me Severus and I will call you Hermione." he said over the edge of his coffee cup.
"Very well, Severus."
"Much better, Little Lioness." He watched as Hermione's face turned a rosy shade of red remembering Severus calling her that all night. He chuckled at her. "No need to be shy. It is only us here."
"It is just that last night is so unlike me. I enjoyed myself but this isn't something I just go out and do. You have to understand that, Severus."
"That maybe Hermione but it gave both something we wanted."
Hermione arched an eyebrow at the man across from her. He was still the tall, pale long black haired man she remembered from school.
"Explain." she said chewing on her bottom lip nervously.
"You wanted a release from I am assuming your break up from that dunderhead you were with, assuming it was still Mr. Weasley. I simply wanted one night with the Little Lioness who has haunted me since she graduated from my care." he spoke.
To say Hermione was surprised was an understatement if she had ever heard one.
"You are correct in your assumptions as usual, Severus. However I am very shocked to hear you have been seeking pleasure with me. I was under the understanding you could not stand my presence."
"Wrong Hermione. I detested your constant hand raising and need to be correct about everything."
Severus looked over the woman on the other side of the table. She had blossomed in to a very fine woman any man would want. He had other plans though. If last night was just a taste of her he was going to spend his life sampling the rest of what she can do.
"Well I never thought I would be here. I have something to confess, Professor." she said, "I may or may not have been harboring a crush on you and just wanted your attention on me so you would notice me. Not many did."
Severus stood up and walked over to Hermione and held out his hand. When she took it her pulled her up to meet him despite the foot difference in height. He leaned down so his lips were brushing the edge of her ear.
"I noticed Hermione." he whispered. He rested his lips lightly on the pulse point under her ear and was pleased to hear her moan and feel her press her body into his. Severus moved his lips from below her ear to along her neck and up to her lips. Hermione buried her fingers into Severus's hair; her finger nails scraping his scalp. Severus moaned into her mouth.
Suddenly Hermione pulled away. She looked at her feet and blushed at her body's reaction to Severus's actions. Severus used his pointer and middle fingers under her chin to move her head so she was facing him.
"No need to be ashamed by your body, Hermione. It is natural."
His statement only made her blush harder.
"I should get going professor. I need to check out of the Leaky Cauldron. I can't really afford another night. I need to find a place to stay."
"Stay here. I have an extra room." he stated heading back to his seat. "Finish your breakfast first please. You still have a couple hours. I will ready your room while you are out. We will discuss the terms when you get settled. Dinner is at 6 sharp." Severus picked his fork up and began to finish eating his breakfast. Hermione stood by her chair for a few more seconds taking in Severus's offer before she, too, sat down to finish the food on her plate.
"Thank you Severus. I accept your offer."
Severus raised an eyebrow at her and smirked. He knew she wouldn't refuse.
"Do you have other things to attend to while you are out or will you be returning here immediately?"
"I have no job because of Ron and his addiction so I will return and settle in today and go out and hopefully find a job tomorrow."
"Ah the Weasel still hasn't kicked the bottle?" Snape sneered.
"No he has not and I have spent far to much time and energy cleaning up his mess!" she screamed.
Severus was taken aback at Hermione's sudden outburst.
"Calm down Hermione. I meant no harm to you." he stated calmly reaching for her hand. "I will help you get back on your feet. I need a partner so to speak. I make potions here in my home. Perhaps if your skills are still as exemplary as they were while you were in school you can assist me."
"I would love to, Sir. Shall we test that after dinner?"
"Of course. Now off with you. Collect your things, all of them. I will be sure your room is ready in a couple hours."
Hermione set off for the Leaky Cauldron. However she ran in to the last person she wanted to see after last night. Ron.
"Hermione!" he yelled.
"Why are you here, Ron?" she asked walking to the table he had outside a small cafe' in Diagon Alley. "Shouldn't you be at work?"
"I took a leave. Charlie found me after you left. He was the only one at home when you sent your patronus there yesterday."
"What did your family have to say?"
"Ginny was surprised you were still around. George is pretty mad at me for letting things get so bad again. Mom and Dad are livid to say the least. They begged Charlie to move in with me until I get myself in order." Ron said looking ashamed. He ran his finger around the outside of his glass.
"Are you here alone or is Charlie with you?" Hermione asked looking around.
"Charlie is at St. Mungo's. I am checking in to their rehab program. I want to apologize to you Hermione. I realize now that what I was doing was wrong. I never meant to hurt you. I just didn't know how to handle what I was feeling."
"I wish you all the best Ronald." Hermione smiled at her friend and walked away.
Hermione walked down the alley before her emotions got the best of her. She hurried her steps until she was safely inside the Leaky Cauldron. She rushed up the stairs and summoned all of her belongings back into her suitcase. Pointing her wand at the cases she muttered a charm and sent them to Severus. Hermione walked downstairs and checked out.