Hermione pulled her scarf a little tighter around her neck in an attempt to keep the freezing wind from nipping at her neck. It still amazed her that however powerful their magic was they were still at the mercy of the elements. Yes, she could cast a warming charm over herself, but she could not stop the snow from coming anymore then she could stop death. She glared at the frosty landscape and continued to trudge towards the lake. It was not the spot she would've chosen for a meeting, rubbing her hands; anxiously she wondered what she would find.

He didn't look cold, but why would he? He was good at hiding things. Hermione mused. She hadn't seen him since August and their fight. It hadn't been pretty. He said things she could never forgive, and she was sure she had done the same for him. She almost turned around and left. It was just too soon. It would always be too soon.
           He didn't turn around as she approached. His posture was stiff, but that wasn't really a surprise, as he never relaxed.
         "What do you want?"
He turned and glared; his mouth pinched, angry. "I missed you."

Hermione almost threw her head back and laughed.  Almost. "You missed me? Oh that's really rich, Severus.  Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't it you who decided we should break off our relation ship.  Wasn't it you who decided I was taking up time that could be devoted to more important endeavors?"

The color in his face was getting high.  Just one more push and Hermione was sure he would go over the edge and lose it.  Secretly she wanted him to. Anything was better then the indifference that he had showed her last time they were together.

If it was possible his mouth became more pinched.  "Why must you make everything so hard?"

"Why should I make it easy?"  Hermione yelled.  This wasn't going the way she wanted.  Her bravado had slipped, and she couldn't seem to put it back in place.

"What do you want me to say Hermione?  That it's been horrible since you were gone?  That I couldn't sleep again.  That the nightmares have came back?  Well they have.  Does that make you happy?"

            Hermione blinked.  "Why would that make me happy? I don't understand how someone so smart can be so stupid.  Do you really think I would have come here, in the freezing winter I might add, if didn't still love you?  Really, Severus, use that brain of your for a second. Why do you always have to be so difficult?  Why can't you talk to me?  Why does it always have to be this way?"  She took in a deep breath holding back the tears that suddenly wanted to come out, and as she let out her breath her anger went with it.  "I missed you too."  It came out barely a squeak. She bit her lip. Waiting for him to explode, but the explosion never came. 

            "Do you want to try again?"  He said in a flat voice.                                      

            "Yes, one more time."

            "That's what you said last time."

            "I know.  I know.  Do you really think that I would give up that easily though?  I mean it's not my fault you are such a prat."

            Severus' shoulders shook, and Hermione had the sneaking suspicion that he was laughing at her.  "Let's get inside."  He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm.

            "About time, I think my ears are frostbitten."