A/N: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling.

Chapter Three—Advice

It had been some time since Severus had been on a proper date with a woman, although he wasn't sure he classified dinner with Hermione a date or even proper for that matter; she was his apprentice and student after all. But he had issued the invitation and he couldn't take it back now, so he turned to Minerva for advice.

"You have a date?" she asked him surprised after he told her his dilemma. He found himself somewhat insulted at her tone. Was it so unbelievable that he, Severus Snape, had been able to convince a woman to spend time with him?

"Yes," he snapped, "and I need some advice."

"With who?"

"That's none of your business you old busybody." He began to wonder if this was such a good idea. Talking to Minerva could be so tiring at times.

"Every woman is different, Severus. If you want my help I'll need to know who it is you're romancing," she said with the same stern voice she used with her first-years.

"Hememm Graaaaaerr," he mumbled.

"Who?"

"Hermione Granger," he snapped. There he said it, what more could the old hag want. He waited for the inevitable shrieks of disbelief and horror.

"Really?" she asked quite calmly Severus thought considering what she had just heard.

"Yes," he said, explaining how she had bought him the gift certificate and that he thought it polite to invite her along.

"I see," she said, "Did you get her anything?"

"No. Am I supposed to? I am taking her to dinner aren't I?" he asked snidely.

"On her dime," Minerva retorted. "No, Severus, you need to get her something else as a Christmas gift. For any other woman I would suggest perfume or chocolates but I think Miss Granger would prefer a book." He considered this for a moment. Yes, he could handle a book. He certainly wasn't going to any mamby-pamby perfume shop for a Christmas present.

"Thank you," he grunted. She had been helpful even if she was overbearing.

"You're welcome and good luck." He certainly hoped luck was with him, he was going to need it.

Hermione slowly regained her strength as the week progressed but her confusion as to what had happened earlier in the week only increased. She couldn't be sure that it had even happened. It seemed like a bad dream and Professor Snape certainly hadn't treated her any differently since that day. Well that wasn't exactly true. Sometimes she caught him looking at her in an odd fashion, as though she were some sort of freak at one of those traveling carnivals—with a look of horrified fascination. It wasn't much better than how he normally looked at her, as though someone had shoved something foul smelling under his nose.

She decided she needed some advice and so she timidly approached Professor McGonagall. She was surprised to find that the older woman knew about her having dinner Snape.

"You know?" she asked, her face turning red. My gods was he telling everyone that she had accepted an invitation to dinner with him? Whatever he thought he was getting from this date she would be sure to modify any misunderstandings, with whatever hexes she deemed appropriate. Apprentice or not, he would not be taking advantage of her.

"Yes, he was asking me for advice about Christmas gifts," McGonagall said answering her question. So, he was asking for advice. He was buying her a gift. How very interesting…and oddly touching. She had assumed that the Potions Master either didn't have a heart or the one that he had was very small.

"What did you tell him?" she asked eagerly.

"Now I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise," Minerva clucked. Hermione frowned. How was she supposed to invent an appropriate response if she didn't know what to expect?

Professor McGonagall patted her on the arm and smiled at her.

"I must admit I was surprised to hear you had a date with Severus, but the more I think on it, the more I am convinced you are well-suited for each other," she told Hermione.

"I hope you're not implying that I am mean, sarcastic, and anti-social," she replied. McGonagall just chuckled.

"Of course not, dear. I just mean you are interested in the same things and you are one of the few people I know who is forceful enough to handle him when he's being mean, sarcastic, and anti-social as you put it."

"Well, thank you for your help," she told the older woman despite the fact that she felt she had been no help whatsoever. If anything what she had told her had only complicated matters. He hadn't asked her to dinner because he felt obligated; he truly perceived this as a real date of sorts.

"Don't think of it, my dear girl. And good luck!" Hermione grimaced at that.

'Good luck indeed,' she scoffed.

TBC