A/N: Was struggling about what direction to go, hope this is decent!

—-

"Well?"

The frustrated emphasis the Boy Who Lived Twice used was not missed by his best friend. Still, Hermione merely stared at him blankly, sipping her tea and perusing the Quibbler. On the inside she was fighting a smirk. Sometimes baiting Harry was so much fun. It took so little to rule him up. These lunchtime meet ups were rare, but he'd left a note on her bedroom door at Grimmauld telling her to meet him at the diner across from the Ministry building during her break and she knew immediately what it was about. It had been only a week since her dinner with Salome and Severus and since then they'd been coordinating a time to meet.

"Well is he coming Hermione?!"

This time she grinned, "Why Yes Harry, he is. Although why you picked one of the most expensive restaurants in Diagon Alley I'll never know," she shot back, glaring at him through slightly narrowed eyes.

"That was Dray's choice," Harry defended, using his personal nickname for his pureblood boyfriend. "And don't worry, we planned on covering the meal if that's your concern. We just thought it'd be a nice place to try. And hopefully celebrate this new guy in your life. What was his name again?"

Hermione shook her head. Even though he spent time with Draco and other Slytherin's he still lacked subtlety. She however, did not and could detect what he was trying to do. "I'm sure my boyfriend can afford it and he's quite prideful so I doubt he'll let you pay for his meal. And I'm making good money at R&D anyway," she pointed out. "And for the last time, I am not telling you his name. You'll just go snooping and that's not fair to him."

Harry frowned, plunking down his teacup next to hers, his glasses slightly askew. Apart from that and his always disheveled hair he was completely polished in his crisp, Auror uniform and he cut quite the figure in it. "Fine, but I'll be glad when all this secrecy is over. It makes me nervous," he admitted stiffly and Hermione patted his hand.

"Harry, I love you, truly I do, but it's not your job to protect me. I'm a big girl and I can take care of myself. I appreciate your concern and if I need help I'm grateful I know I have someone who has my back, but I'm fine. More than fine. I'm so happy. You have no idea. He's ...incredible. You'll see so tonight. Now we should get going or we're both going to be late coming back from lunch." That made the famous wizard start, cast a tempus charm and yelp when he spotted the time. "I'll see you at Le goût magique at 7!" She called out, smirking as he hurriedly threw some galleons and sickles down and dashed out the door.

"Well?"

There was a pause in the clinking of silverware on her lunch mate's plate and then the highly characteristic arching of a regal ebony brow, "Hmmm?" The baritone voice offered almost in boredom, making the Charms Mistress smirk. She knew when her brother was simply playing hard to read. Good thing that didn't work on her.

"When are you going to tell Hermione that you're in love with her?"

That had the desired effect. There was a clatter of utensils and coughing before Severus asked in a rough voice, "What are you talking about?"

"You. Being in love with Hermione Granger," Salome answered, her smirk deepening. "And don't deny it. If she meant less to you; you would not be with her. And you certainly wouldn't have written about her to me," she added, happy to see his face flushing slightly with warmth. "I have to say, I was worried about you. You seemed content and entirely uninterested in finding someone. What changed?"

Severus stared pensively at his water goblet for a few moments before answering. "Nothing and everything," he began, finally meeting her gaze. "I was convinced that I would live the life of a bachelor and I was content. It was far more preferable than entertaining the line of bimbos, gold diggers, and fame whores intent on bagging the romantic anti-hero," he drawled, a sneer present. "I was disgusted, and turned off from the dating world. I was sure I couldn't find anyone who just wanted me. Not my title, riches, or fame. Just me. And then Hermione Granger came home from college and my fate was sealed the moment she agreed to share a book with me." He briefly told the story of their fight in the library at Grimmauld Place, ignoring the indulgent smile on his sister's face. "Anyway, I'm not sure when I should tell her. It's only been about four months. It seems too soon… right?"

Salome shrugged. "All I know is that you need to tell her. I've never seen you so happy. Not even with Lily," she added boldly. "You shine with Hermione. With Lily it always seemed like you were living in her shadow. I know I wasn't around for much but what I did see was a girl who liked being adored, but did not return the same. Not to you. You gave her what little light you had and she shunned you in your time of need," she said gently, not caring that he flinched when she reached for his hand. He needed to hear this. "But with Hermione you shine brighter than I ever thought possible. Not because she's giving you her light, but instead you are mutually benefiting from each other's glow. It's beautiful."

He squeezed her hand. "Sometimes you sound disturbingly like Albus Dumbledore. But I understand what you're saying. Perhaps I can make my confession tonight. It's been on the tip of my tongue for a while now so I suppose it's inevitable. It all hinges on how her best friend reacts to seeing me there. It's a fancy restaurant so I doubt he'll make too much of a scene, but I know that tonight is critical for us. Harry is basically her brother and while she tries to downplay it, his reaction will mean a lot to her."

Salome returned his squeeze and met his gaze, "Then let us hope that Lily's son could do what she could not: forgive."