Disclaimer: Nothing is mine, only Septima.

The next two months were pure bliss for Severus and Hermione. They were considered a 'couple' by all. As odd a match as they seemed on the outside, there was so much more, buried deep, that they had in common. Both were passionate about potions, and they would often spend many nights talking about different ingredient combinations, and what effects they might have. Many noticed a smile on Severus's lips as he took points from another idiot Hufflepuff, rather than his trademark smirk.

I am in a relationship with an ex-student and colleague. Isn't that a recipe for trouble? Severus mused over his black coffee. Does it matter? Obviously not, or she would have most certainly said something by now'. A knock on his door snapped him into reality. Hermione must be up early. It was only eight o'clock.

He was shocked, however, to find Septima Brass on his threshold. Anger quickly took over his surprise. "What are you doing here?" he growled, scowling at the woman. Septima was his ex from about ten years ago. She had always been beautiful, the glacial kind that radiated snobbery and high-class tastes, with straight raven black hair that fell in a sheet down her back, ice-blue eyes and a well-defined but not large nose. Their relationship had been tumultuous to say the least, filled with infidelity on her part, anger on his, and conflicting views on just about everything. Despite how mismatched they had been, Severus and Septima came dangerously close to marrying, until two weeks before the wedding, when Severus caught Septima in bed with none other than Lucius Malfoy. He and Septima had not spoken since.

"I was in the neighbourhood and decided to drop by," she replied. "Going to invite me in?" Severus could see no matter what he said, she would come in anyways so he moved out of the doorway. Septima set herself primly on the sofa, exactly where Hermione had been the night before. "Looks the same as ever, you should consider redecorating."

"Septima. What are you here for?" Frustration and annoyance were evident in his voice.

"Calm down, what's wrong with visiting an old...acquaintance?" She smiled seductively. "I've been lonely Severus," she was standing again, walking across the room. "I know how stupid I was ten years ago, and it's taken a lot" the hardwood floorboards creaked as she came closer, adding her weight upon them to his. "Of experiences to make me realize that at last." She was mere inches away from him. "What do you say old boy?" Her hand reached around his neck, and Severus stiffened, ready to push her away. "Even if it was just for old time's sake." With that out, she pressed her soft, warm lips to his and without waiting for a reaction deepened the kiss. She still knew what he liked, and Severus could feel himself...oh no. This was most certainly not right, so why could he not push her off? Terrible thoughts such as these whirled in his head while Septima's mouth worked magic on his own until –

She could not believe her eyes. There was Severus, her Severus, with some raven-headed woman attached to him. They were kissing, no doubt about that, and he was definitely not pushing her off. A strangled noise escaped her throat as her body became numb. Just before she turned away, Hermione saw Severus break away and his eyes widened as he saw her.

Tears streaming, yet still feeling nothing, Hermione fled through the corridors of Hogwarts, which were thankfully empty – students were in class, to her room which was about a five-minute walk from the dungeons. Upon reaching it, Hermione flung herself on the bed and let herself cry. Finally, the numbness melted and emotion took over. The first feeling that went through Hermione was disbelief. Surely I must have mistaken something else for a kiss. That didn't last long. Then she felt the indescribably strong anger. Who the hell did he think he was kissing someone who was most certainly not me? What was he thinking – or not thinking? Finally, there was the deep sorrow-filled heartbreak. He doesn't love me after all. Everything he has told me was a lie. She sobbed and wailed for the next ten minutes, until his voice came through the door. The nerve, she thought, Showing up here.

"Go away now." The words were not yelled, but had the same effect as if Hermione had raised her voice.

"Let me explain, please." He felt so helpless and stupid and empty. He had done the unthinkable, albeit he had not wanted to kiss Septima but he hadn't exactly stopped her. "You don't understand who that was." She didn't answer and he tried to open the door. Locked. She heard him mutter Alohamora. As soon as she saw the evil man-whore, he was attacked with a barrage of hurled books.

"Her" book to the head "Mione" book to the arm "Please let me" he caught the next book "tell you the whole" Hogwarts, A History, Hermione's largest book made brutal contact with his groin, making Severus see spots. He attempted to remain standing, but slunk to the floor, overcome with that intense pain. "Merlin Hermione, that hurt." He looked up, hoping to see something apologetic on her face, but instead her beautiful features were clouded with hurt and anger.

"Hmph," she sneered. "That was nothing compared to how I am feeling right now. You have no right to be here. But you know what, just for some entertainment, why don't you tell me what happened?"

It was the best he would get, and he knew it. "The person you saw was Septima Brass. Ten years ago, she and I were engaged to be married. The wedding did not happen because I caught her in bed with Lucius Malfoy. I had not spoken to her since then, but today she appeared in my dungeons, asking for forgiveness. Before I could say anything, she was kissing me. And that is where you came in."

Silently, Hermione got up off her bed and walked over to where Severus was sitting. She held out her hand, and he stood up. She kissed him more passionately than she had ever kissed him before. This was completely the opposite of what he had expected, but he kissed back just as forcefully. A few minutes later she broke away. "Was her kiss anything like that?"

His voice was now hoarse with desire. "Nothing at all. Nothing could have been better than that." He spoke truthfully, while Septima's kiss was technically amazing, there was none of the emotion that Hermione put into hers.

"Good," she kept her face deadpan, though her eyes were brimming with tears. "Now goodbye Severus. I hope you remember that kiss till the day you die."

A/N: Ouch. Don't worry, all is not lost in the Severus/Hermione world.