Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling and am not profiting by writing this story. No trademark infringement is implied nor intended. It is written for purely entertainment purposes.
A/N: Please send all comments to WiNyGo@hotmail.com or leave a review. I'd love to get some helpful suggestions. Thanks!
"Day by Day"
Part Two:
Cupa Joe
December 2000
"Okay then Miss. Your total comes out to 14 Galleons, six Sickles and ten Knuts."
Hermione Granger winced at the price but handed over the coins anyway. The gift she was buying was worth the cost. This year for Christmas, Hermione would be giving Harry an entire owl care kit including a new gleaming silver cage, grooming products and food for Hedwig. With Harry always working, he had mentioned he felt guilty about the lack of attention he was giving his familiar. Besides, this was a welcome change to any type of Quidditch related present.
It had been almost two and a half years since the Gryffindor Three had graduated from Hogwarts. Hermione had gone to train as an Unspeakable for the Ministry of Magic's Department of Mysteries. Like most other males their age, Ron and Harry had gone for the MoM's auror training program. Six years had past since Voldemort had been restored to his body… only now did there seem to be a good chance that Voldemort and his Death Eaters would lose the war.
Hermione shook her head as if to discard this thought. No time to think about that Granger… you've still got some shopping to do.
The previous Christmas had passed with almost no notice. Voldemort's attack on Hogsmeade the day before had dampened everyone's spirits. Not this year though, thought Hermione. Think happy thoughts. Think Christmasy thoughts.
********
Hmm… Intermediate Potions, Beginner's Hexes and Curses, One Hundred Ways to Make Your Parents Do What You Want Them To…
Severus Snape chuckled at the last title. Plucking the book off the shelf and making his way to the registers, he thought, Rhoswyn is going to hate me.
Much like Hermione, Severus was also Christmas shopping. With this book, we was finally done with his nieces and nephew. Now he had to find something that would appease his sister… hopefully an item which would make her forget the book he was currently buying for her daughter.
Dysfunctional as always in the Snape family…
The child working the registers was too slow for Severus' taste. He reminded him of several of his students… in fact, this one could be an ex-pupil of his.
"Could you hurry it up boy? I do not wish to be here all day."
The boy jumped at the soft growl from Severus and hurriedly placed the book into a bag. Severus snatched the bag, and with a severe glare, left the building.
As soon as he opened the door, the frigid London wind hit him in the face. Gathering his packages closer and bundling up a bit, he started walking south on Diagon Alley.
********
Walking directly towards Severus was Hermione. The wind was in the opposite direction for her and causing too many problems for her liking. Somehow, her hair had escaped its customary bun and was currently in her eyes; blocking her view. With both of her hands full of packages, she could do little more then pray she didn't run into anybody.
SLAM
… apparently she didn't pray hard enough …
All of Hermione's things dropped to the ground along with the packages belonging to whoever she had bumped into.
"Oh I'm so sorry… this bloody weather… please let me help you."
Both people bent down to retrieve their things. Hermione grasped a small bag from Flourish & Blotts which she extended towards the man crouched in front of her. "I believe this is yours Sir."
"Thank you Miss Granger."
Hermione gasped at the shock of finding herself face to face with her old Potions professor. He didn't appear angry, only a tad annoyed and perhaps amused. "H-Hello Professor Snape. Fancy bump-- meeting you here."
There was a hint of a smile then he stood up, reaching down to offer her a hand up. "My apologies Miss Granger, I was not paying attention to my surroundings."
"Oh it's all right Professor. I…" Hermione didn't quite know what to say. She was half frozen and standing in the middle of Diagon Alley conversing with Snape of all people! Severus raised an eyebrow at her interrupted sentence. Shivering a little, Hermione looked up and asked, "Professor. Would you like to join me for some coffee? I'm absolutely freezing."
Severus pondered this for a second or too. He was cold as well: a telltale redness was creeping up on his usually pale cheeks from the biting wind. A hot coffee would feel good right now; besides, he needed to organize all of the packages again.
"Lead the way Miss Granger."
********
What had been intended by both parties to be a one-cup conversation quickly turned into four or five. After discussing their jobs, shared acquaintances and current life at Hogwarts, talk turned to Christmas.
"I abhor the holiday season. Purchasing gifts, spending hard earned money on things that will lose their owner's interest within the week. I see no point in it anymore."
Hermione set her mug down and looked Severus straight on.
"Well thank you for that Christmas cheer Mr. Scrooge."
"Ah. A Dickens fan are you Miss Granger?"
"Please, call me Hermione."
With that, discussion turned to books and literature. Two or three cups later, Hermione pulled out a tiny package she had bought earlier that day. It was a small leather bag apparently and Snape couldn't begin to guess the contents lying within.
"Did you reduce that, or is it really that small?"
Hermione smiled and took the miniature book out of its case. "No Professor. It's really that small."
She handed it to him to examine it. The book was no longer then his index finger and no thicker than a few pieces of parchment. Opening the cover, he couldn't read the tiny script inside. "Who do you intend to give this to Miss Granger? A fairy sprite?"
"It's Hermione. And no… it's for Arthur Weasley. Watch."
With that, she pulled out her wand and tapped the first page. After a few seconds of silence, a voice could be heard reading. Snape looked puzzled so Hermione elaborated. "It's a collection of Muggle writings and poetry. Every time it is tapped, a new story will be read. No story is read twice unless asked." As she took the book back from Severus, she laughed. "I figured it would keep him busy for a few days."
As Severus took a sip of his coffee, he laughed with her. "A few days Hermione? I believe the Weasley clan will be without their father for weeks at least."
********
As darkness crept over London, the couple sat nursing their last cup of coffee. Having spent the last few hours conversing, Hermione felt relaxed and comfortable in the presence of her former teacher. She smiled at the thought of the two of them becoming friends.
After finished his coffee, Severus stood up. "Well Hermione. I'm afraid I must take my leave. Thank you for your company though… I must say I enjoyed it."
Hermione held out her hand and he shook it formally. "As did I Professor Snape. I w-"
"Severus."
She startled at the interruption. "Excuse me?"
Severus smiled slightly and continued, "I believe that we should be able to converse on a first name basis."
"Agreed… Severus. I was wondering if I might be able to get in contact with you later? I could find those books I was talking about and have you read them."
Severus adjusted his cloak and gathered up his things. "Very well. I believe you know where to locate me?"
At her nod, he shook her hand again and said, "Until next time then. Good day Hermione."
"Good day Severus."
She watched out the window as he walked down the road. Finishing her own coffee and gathering her things, Hermione felt that she had received a present somewhat early. A new friend was always hard to come by.
Leaving with a smile, Hermione Granger apparated to her warm home.