Author's Note: Hi readers! Sorry for the long gap, I had my examinations and I've been really busy. My exams got over today and I literally have classes tomorrow. I know it's no excuse, but still. I'll try to post again this week, I really will. Any suggestions for what you would like to read? Do send in your thoughts. xxx

Chapter Fifteen:

"Hermione? Are you there?"

Hermione put down the book she had been reading and hurried towards the fireplace. Seeing Ginny's head engulfed by the flames, she said, "Come on in. I was just about to make some tea, would you like some?"

"Yes please. So, you left quite abruptly last night. Everything okay?"

"What? Yeah, everything's fine. Just fine. Nothing happened. Cream?" Hermione said, obviously flustered.

"No. I never asked if anything happened. What happened, what's the matter?"

"Really, nothing. How does it matter anyway? How much sugar?"

"Really? "How much sugar"? You know I don't put sugar in my tea. Hermione, will you please tell me what's wrong? I'm worried."

Hermione looked at the genuine concern in her friend's eyes. She sighed, "We had to… the Ministry requirement…" She averted her eyes.

"You had sex with Snape at Hogwarts?" Ginny asked, mortified.

"Yes. Can you not say it like that? Urgh, this is why I didn't want to tell you."

Ginny said apologetically, "No no, I'm sorry, it's just… unexpected. Anyway, I meant what's wrong with you. In general. Not just last night. Please just tell me everything."

"I'm just not happy. I know it's not good to feel that way because you lost more than I did and he doesn't even get to live, so I have no right to feel this way, but I do. It's selfish and terrible, but I'm a bad person and-"

"Woah woah, calm down, Hermione," Ginny said as she summoned an empty cup, poured some tea and handed it to Hermione. "How does not being happy make you a bad person?"

"Because... I don't know. It just does. You won't get it."

"Try to explain, then."

"No, I-" The front door opened. "Look, they're back. Just leave this, Gin. I'm fine. I really am. Hi Harry, Severus, what's going on?"

"We think we have some leads on who they are or what they might be planning... thanks Gin." Harry said, as Ginny helped him with his dripping cloak.

"Gods, you two look under the weather. I'll get you some warm tea, give me a minute." Hermione bustled around the kitchen, now familiar with where everything was kept. It turned out that there was no house elf after all and that Severus was just an excellent closet chef, if that even made sense. Who would have thought, she mused.

Reentering the living room, she was surprised to find it empty. "Harry? Tea's ready," she called out.

"They said that they had some urgent work to look into at home," Severus said. "It's just the two of us then, I suppose."

"Oh. Well, he better not stay in those drenched clothes, he's bound to catch a cold." She noticed that he had changed, and thought that his informal shirt and pajamas suited him well. Barring the colour of course. She would have to do something about his lack of wardrobe vibrancy. Black did look good on him, no doubt, but all the time? Maybe not. Ginny would have a field day if I let her lay hands on him… If he lets her, rather. She snorted at the mental image of Ginny trying to assemble a passable wardrobe for Severus.

"Something funny?" Severus inquired, inspecting his outfit for signs of humour.

"No, nothing. This looks good on you."

"Thank you. Dumbledore gave it to me as a Christmas present years ago. I never really wore it much."

"You should." She leaned forward to unfasten the topmost button of the shirt and felt him pull back. Ignoring his subtle movement, she popped open the button and stood back to appraise him. "Hmm, better. You look more laid back now."

After a long silence, he said, "Looking happy makes no sense if you're hurting inside."

"Are you hurting inside?"

"You are."

"I don't-"

"Don't. I get it if you don't want to talk about it, especially with me. I know that I'm probably the last person you'd turn to. But I want you to know that if you don't have anyone else to seek out, I'll be there. This isn't easy for you, but you have got to make the most of it. Your friends worry about you. Talk to them."

"Uh, I don't quite know what to say… Thank you?"

"The tea was quite nice. You're getting there." And with that, he left her with her swirling thoughts, wondering what had come over him.