Chapter 2

It was crowded. What did you expect? Restaurants were always crowded. Even the Leaky Cauldron was crowded. Daniel's Winebar was not more than seven hundred square feet. The kitchen was not visible to Hermione. Hermione wondered at her choice of eating here. It was too late to leave though. A waitress was already jostling toward her and showing her a seat at the bar. Somehow, they managed to push through the sea of people without getting trampled over or knocking anyone down.

"What will it be miss?" the waitress asked in a heavy Scottish accent. She was older than Hermione by only a couple of years but possessed the air of a thoroughly experienced dame.

"What's good?" Hermione asked tentatively. Now that her eyes had adjusted to the dimmer lights within the tiny pub, she was a bit apprehensive. For goodness' sake, she was being paranoid. Although the occupants, be they the staff or the customers, were an odd mix, there was no hint of menace anywhere. Hermione could not decide whether this was a rowdy worker's canteen or a posh socialite's restaurant. There was a lot of heavy smoking and drinking, but everyone seemed sober. They were also all apparently having a good time here. She was fascinated by the ease and familiarity everyone treated each other. Strangers greeted everyone with friendliness. There was such a jocular atmosphere and she was inexplicably drawn to it.

The waitress cleared her throat audibly.

"Oh sorry." Hermione turned her attention back to the woman.

"The name's Opal mind. Everyone calls me that so you better too," the waitress seemed amused, "First time here eh? Haven't you heard of Daniel's before?"

"I… haven't been keeping up I guess." Hermione said sheepishly, "And my social circle's not what you call wide."

"Well, I shouldn't worry. It's not like Daniel's is a famous attraction, but there are articles here and there. Now what is it you want?"

"Erm, what's good?" Hermione asked again.

"Everything." Opal's eyes, which Hermione observed were startling green, twinkled. "Including the residential pianist. But you can't have him I'm afraid." She went behind the bar and took something from the shelf. She slapped a menu on the table. "We don't use it often. People come for the drinks." Opal went on talking as Hermione scanned the menu. "But the food is good and fresh."

"I'll take the vichyssoise and the omelette please."

"Good choice. I recommend white wine."

"Fine." Hermione watched as Opal poured out a glass, "You said something about a pianist here. Is that him playing Chopin?" The sonorous notes of Polonaise rang out above the noise surrounding her.

"That be him. It be him too turned this place all bee-busy. Came out of nowhere, he did, one year ago. Poof! Like magic. Came with his music. Doesn't talk much, him, but he likes it here and Daniel hired him straightaway. Then folks come to listen and other restaurants copy us and hire their own violinists and saxophonists. Not that I'm complaining, mind. Sev's decent as they come."

The huge chunk of information rushed into Hermione's ears and made her giddy. "Daniel as in the owner and Sev the pianist?"

"Aye. Mind, don't you go having ideas about poor Sevvie. He's shy." Then Opal went off to do her work.

Hermione twirled her glass and muttered, "As if I would." Sure, some girls had a thing for pianists. In books and movies, it was always the innocent leading lady leaning against the side of the piano as the romantic leading man enchanted her with his nimble fingers gliding across the black and white keys. Whoever Sev was though, he did play beautiful music. When the piece ended, everyone, including Hermione, applauded.

One man in overalls shouted, "By George, Sev, it's bloody brilliant but won't you play something other than classical music?" Another woman, wearing too many pearls round her neck and too much make-up, purred sensuously, "Play it Sev, play As Time Goes By." Several catcalls and whistles erupted.

"If you wish Jenny. Hey Daniel, come sing it. It's your favourite."

"Damn right you are. I'm American, aren't I? And Casablanca's the American movie. Gimme that mike." There was a piercing screech as the stereo was switched on.

There was another round of applause when the song started, but Hermione did not join in this time. She was too shocked to do anything. Oh that voice, that voice! Sev, Sevvie, Severus! She jumped out of her seat and pushed her way to the center of the room.

A baby grand was placed there and a man, Daniel, was sitting on it as he crooned out the first few bars of the song. If Hermione had two sets of eyes, she would see that Daniel was a genial eighty-year old with not much hair and a rotund built. But Hermione concentrated on the pianist.

It was the first time she ever saw him smile. It was so warm that tears filled her eyes. His eyes half-shut, the love he derived from playing the piano was obvious. His dedication for his playing was similar to his zeal for Potions. Wearing a respectable black suit, with his hair unkempt and swaying about his face, he looked younger and infinitely more restive than she remembered when he was still Professor Snape. But here, among the Muggles, in another world, he was a different person. If Hermione had not expected to see him under these circumstances, this was still undeniably a touching way of seeing him again.

"Severus…" Hermione called out his name.

"You too, huh?"

An elegantly dressed woman was staring at Hermione. The woman, whom Hermione presumed was thirty-something, spoke as though she were some comrade-in-arms, as though they were in the same boat. "You know, many women have that kind of reaction towards the poor dear. Especially since he can't look after himself. Dashing, isn't he? You just want to cuddle him."

"I'm sorry, what…" Hermione was confused.

"Oh, you're new. I've never seen you before. Fancied him right away, didn't you love?"

Hermione's mind was spinning. People actually wanted to cuddle Severus? Well, wait till Ron heard that. He would gag. On her part, she was frustrated by all these stray pieces of information about Severus that could not form the whole picture. Why was Severus here? Why did he not return to the wizarding world? Why did he not contact anyone of them? What was he up to?

"Yes, it's my first time here. Is Severus a professional?"

"That's the problem. He isn't. But Guardian Unlimited said he could pass off as one."

"Oh." Hermione continued staring at Severus.

"You've got it just as bad as them," the woman commented.

"What?"

Hermione's companion nodded in one direction and Hermione was obliged to look. There, a bunch of girls was practically swooning. And she could hear every word they said.

"He is so dreamy. He's got charisma in spades."

"Bring it on Sevviekins. We love you!"

"Ladies, you're interrupting my singing," Daniel chatised good-naturedly as Severus pretended not to hear them, although his face was now flushed and he became nervous. The girls grew bolder when they noticed his reaction.

"Isn't he a darling? He is such a sweet gentleman."

"They don't make men like him anymore." The men in the room protested loudly. One yelled out, "I can be a gentleman too."

The girls countered, "How many do you know bow to us girls these days? And men these days are so egotistical." They went back to praising Severus.

"And that voice. That devastating English accent!"

"Er… aren't we all British too Eva?"

"But what a voice!"

"Yes! What a voice!" And they all sighed. "Velvet and yummy!"

"You've got to be kidding me." Hermione exclaimed to no one in particular. Ridiculed by his kind, but clamoured after by Muggles? Bring out the kumbayayas girls. This was practically a fan-base, without the autographs and photographs.

Dang, she had presumed too much too soon. Once Severus stopped playing, some girls rushed over to give him flowers and offer him drinks. Severus flinched when a girl sat on his lap and wrapped her arms round his neck as her friend snapped pictures of them. Severus stared helplessly at Daniel, who laughed and said, "See? They like you my boy! You are a star!"

Opal jostled to Hermione's side and chided Daniel, "This is getting out of hand Dan. Leave him you ditzy lassies." Indeed Severus was stuttering for the girls not to drown him in their perfume. Or something to that effect.

"Next thing you know, they'll throw phone numbers at him," Hermione grumbled and she gasped when she realised she was right. "Oh, do stop thinking Granger!" She scolded herself.

"Isn't he a little old for some of them?" Hermione asked Opal.

"He's old for you too sweetheart. But hey, think Sean Connery."

"Er, right." Hermione was feeling uncomfortable, as she remained clueless.

"Heaps of s.a. Sev has." Opal said.

"You think so?" Hermione was surprised. Opal was not exactly behaving like the others. And Severus was not exactly renowned for his sex appeal in the wizarding world.

"All the necessities are there. Tall, thin and fit. The dark good looks. The long, wavy, raven hair. The burning, black eyes. That tragic, vulnerable air you can sense about him. That irresistible lure of the unattainable. He can be the brooding poet or the solitary scientist. What's not to be drawn to?"

Dark good looks? Either Muggles contained a different chromosome that made them see things differently, or witches were blind. She studied Severus as he mingled with the other customers after warding off the fanatical ladies without using any magic. She became aware of the changes in him. Away from the grasp of frantic hands, Severus walked with confidence and the grace she remembered he had as a wizard. She watched his fingers flex as he took a glass from an appreciative listener and was reminded of the way he worked on his potions. He laughed as someone made a joke.

"He looks so much happier now. So much at peace."

It was Opal's turn to be surprised. "You've seen him before?"

Fortunately, there was no time for explanation, for Severus had woven his way round the tables to join them.

"Opal, my jewel. What sweet song shall I serenade for you?"

Opal wagged a finger at him. "Always knowing how to flatter a woman Severus."

"Only for you love."

Who knew Severus could be such a flirt? Hermione was seriously questioning whether this was truly the Severus Snape she had been missing for a year. Then he turned to face her, and her doubts went a flutter with the wind that blew from unknown directions.

"How do you do." He smiled at her and even though she somehow knew he did not recognise her, he was assuredly the Snape she knew and loved.

"How do you do." She said breathlessly. She wanted to hug him, but learning from his reaction with amorous women, she restrained herself. She started crying with happiness.

Opal shook her head, "See, now you've made her cry."

Severus protested, "I didn't do anything!"

"You are an insensitive boy."

"No, no… it's my fault." Hermione said. "I was reminded of… my friend. He… played the piano too. But he left us… a long time ago."

"See?" Opal told Severus, "I told you, you made her cry."

Severus said sympathetically, "We can't have that, can we?" He gave his handkerchief to Hermione and stared as she gazed at him with longing.

Severus studied the vision in front of him. She was rather pretty. Long wavy brown hair cascaded down to her shoulders. Her ice-blue dress complimented her pale skin. Plato's The Apology about Socrates was peeking out of her bag. Ooh, a scholar. She was very much after his heart. And whatever scent she was wearing, it was driving him wild.

"You play beautiful music Mr. Snape."

"Please, call me Sev."

"I used to. You gave me detention for it."

"I beg your pardon?"

Hermione cursed the wine she had just drunk. "Just… some line from a movie."

"It sounds like some sort of disturbing teacher-student relationship." Severus frowned disapprovingly.

"Doesn't it?" Hermione laughed shakily. "Where did you learn to play like that?" she asked Severus in curiousity. Music had never been a forte among wizards, save for a few.

A cloud of uncertainty passed through Severus's eyes. "I'm not sure. I've always known, I guess." There really was something about this girl which made him flustered and grounded all at once. He was usually uncomfortable with strangers of the opposite gender, perhaps because they tended giggle and swoon in his presence. But with this mystery woman, he felt as if he had known her for a long time. The more he looked at her, the more he wanted time to halt. In addition, a surge of protectiveness filled him as he read the trust she had for him in her eyes. He forced himself to lower his gaze, which was strategically a bad move, because it landed on her crimson lips, slightly parted. He blushed.

When Hermione saw where he was looking, she blushed too.

Opal, standing on the side-lines, murmured, "Oh, they've got it bad." She caught Daniel's eye, and nodded at the couple. Daniel gave a thumbs-up and mouthed to her, "They've got it bad."

Severus went back to her eyes and he stood motionlessly. If he imagined hard enough, he could hear sweet music playing in the background in accompaniment with his present situation.

But it was not imagination. Music only played out of the blue in movies. Severus tore his eyes off Hermione, figuratively of course, and turned to see who was meddling with the piano.

"Oy! That's my piano you're touching with your large hairy hands John!"

John waved at him, ignoring Severus's mock indignation. He was playing a folksy tune, which people started to dance to.

Severus threw his hands up in resignation, "Well! They find another pianist and forget me. Where does that leave me?" He winked at Opal and extended a hand to Hermione, "It leaves me to the floor. Won't you dance? Everyone else is."

Hermione was speechless. Like your invitation to the dance…

Severus said kindly, "We need to remedy your sadness. Assure me that you spend the evening here happy. Come, lady mine, whose name I not yet know."

"It's Hermione Granger." She shyly slipped her hand into his.

"Miss Granger." For a moment, she was brought back to the days where he and she were in Hogwarts. Severus clasped her hand gently. "A pleasure to meet you."

And Severus proceeded to sweep her off her feet, as many ladies looked on jealously.

Hermione squealed as they spun on the floor. Gods, he's holding me. He's holding me! Great, I'm behaving like a silly airhead. What must he think of me?

Gods, she feels so right. Severus saw Daniel and Opal winking suggestively at him. His spirits dampened a little. Brilliant Severus, you've succeeded in embarrassing yourself by falling in love with a girl half your age. Wonderful move old man. Simply wonderful. What must she think of you?

"Severus! I haven't danced in ages."

"Step on my feet however much you will. I promise not to step on yours."

"But I can't feel my feet!"

"Strange." Severus looked down at her sandal-clad feet. Ooh, nice feet. Very nice feet. Damn it Severus! "I can see them perfectly well."

"Now you tease."

"Just follow my pace. Slow, slow, quick, quick, slow."

They engaged in verbal sparring, but gradually, settled for knowing each other. They found themselves to be kindred spirits. Well, Hermione knew that. Severus was only beginning to realise it.

"Hermione, has anyone told you your eyes are amber?"

"Yes."

"Has anyone told you, you are beautiful?"

Hermione laughed, "No."

"We must remedy that grossly overlooked aspect." Severus murmured.

They danced until the stroke of midnight.

"I didn't realise it's so late!"

"Will your gown turn to rags?"

"Will you fetch me with my glass slipper?"

And as everyone whiled away the night and roared in laughter, Severus and Hermione took their glasses, starry-eyed and intoxicated by something more powerful than alcohol.

Severus toasted to Hermione, "Here's looking at you kid."

~***~

Author's Note:

The result of watching Casablanca and reading Terry Pratchett, who also parodies the movie in his books like Guards! Guards!.

For Alan Rickman die-hards, you'll know there's some sort of reference to him in this chapter.

It isn't as houmourous as I should like but there you have it folks. Real life has kicked in, so chapters will take longer to be posted.