Disclaimer: I own nothing... yada yada yada... I make no money... blah, blah, blah.

Author's Note: Okay, so I've been bombarded by e-mails telling me to update and Rickmaniac keeps jabbing me with pencils so here's the update. Enjoy!

ZZZZ

Yes, Portugal, Severus!

Chapter 4: And We Away!

ZZZZ

Hermione arrived back at Hogwarts in a foul mood, which continued all the way to dinner - the next day.

"Something the matter, Hermione?" Albus asked sweetly.

"No," Hermione snapped, stabbing her steak.

"If you say so my dear." His eyes continued to twinkle as he turned to talk to Minerva on the other side of him.

Just then Severus walked in with a satisfied smirk that, in Snape-terms, could be considered a smile.

He nodded at Albus and Minerva and was about to do the same to Hermione before he saw the thunderous look on her face. He raised an eyebrow at Minerva, who he decided to sit next to for his own health.

"Your looking quite happy with yourself this evening, Severus. Your shopping trip went well I presume?" Minerva enquired.

"Something like that, yes," Severus replied. "What's wrong with her," he inclined his head to Hermione.

"Haven't the foggiest," she whispered.

He just shrugged and started to eat.

Hermione shot daggers at Minerva, who was talking to Severus.

Dumbledore noticed. "My dear," he whispered to her. "My poor misguided mind has come to the conclusion that you have fallen quite hard for our resident Potion's Master."

"What? Why that's… As you said, it was you misguided mind that came to THAT conclusion."

"Yet you continue to shoot daggers at Minerva as she speaks with him."

"I…" she looked guiltily at the Headmaster. "I thought I could repress the feelings. But when a seen that sales assistant flirting with him, I was so jealous."

"Hermione, one cannot help what the heart chooses to make us feel. Your holiday will give you two time to get close. you can express your feelings to him and go from there."

"What if he rejects me?"

"What if he doesn't? even if he does not wish to pursue a relationship, you can still be friends, eh?"

Hermione smiled. "I suppose you're right."

"Oh course I am. Not could you be a doll and pass those delicious looking jam tarts please?"

Hermione chuckled and passed the plate to him.

ZZZZ

As dinner ended, Hermione followed Severus out of the hall.

"Severus!" she called.

He turned and raised an eyebrow in question.

"I just wanted to apologise for my behaviour at dinner. Obviously I was not very friendly enough to talk to. I was in a foul mood."

"And you're not now?" he enquired.

"No. Albus had quite a way with words."

"Indeed. Apology accepted. I really must hurry. I left the Wolfsbane boiling. Any longer and Lupin won't have a potion this month."

"Of course. I'm really looking forward to going on holiday with you tomorrow."

"I am too." Severus smiled to himself, a holiday wasn't the only ting he was looking forward to.

"And I'll take great delight in seeing you in your swimming trunks," Hermione grinned.

"Not bloody likely."

"Why's that?"

"I don't swim unless it's a life or death situation. I don't wear swim gear. I don't even have swim wear," he counted off the reasons on his fingers.

"I'm sure Albus will lend you some of his."

Severus shuddered. "Erugh. Don't even joke about things like that!"

ZZZZ

The next morning Hermione was franticly trying to pack all her extra things in suitcases. As soon as she decided she was packed, she had only half an hour to go before they had to leave, and her hair just would not co-operate. Not that it ever did, but now it was really annoying her. How was she meant to seduce Severus with a wind bush on her head. The best she could manage was tying it back in a bushy ponytail.

'It will have to do,' she thought before rushing to the Hogwarts entrance door where she had arranged to meet Severus.

"Sorry I'm late," she puffed.

"No need. Come on," Severus lead the was to an awaiting carriage.

"Can't we just portkey there?"

"We need to get outside the wards to use a portkey."

"Of course how silly of me. Where are we getting the portkey."

"Madame Rosemerta has it."

"Okay then." Hermione settled herself into the carriage. Soon they would be in Portugal and she would be able to properly seduce Severus. Speaking of Severus, he looked absolutely delightful in his muggle jeans and shirt. 'Blue really does suit him!' she thought with a smile.

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