"So how's it going working with Hogwart's biggest resident prat?" Harry asked after he and Hermione had greeted one another. They had had a very exciting reunion, but now they found themselves sitting in the Hog's Head sharing a pitcher of butterbeer.

Hermione clicked her tongue in response to his remark, "Now Harry, he's really not that bad."

"Not that bad."

"I think it takes a lot of patience for him to let someone take care of him. He's being a lot less resistant then I thought he would be. Almost friendly." She said. Harry leaned back clutching at his chest.

"Oh my Lord! Snape friendly, I think I just might die." He said laughing. Hermione hit him playfully.

"Oh stop it. Let's get off the subject."

"Why!" Harry whined, "I've waited years for some awesome dirt on my hated potions master. Now I have you, my best friend, on the inside." Jokingly he grabbed her by the shoulders and began shaking her gently, "Give me what I want woman." Hermione giggled and just shook her head, "Hey!" Harry said, "Something's going on here. What is…huh! Ooh!"

"What?" Hermione asked.

"You like him."

"Of course I do. He's nice to me…well most of the time."

"No, no, no I mean you like him." Harry replied smiling devilishly.

"What!" Hermione said once again, but this time with a different tone, "Harry that time you spent over in Spain with those other Aurors must have really gone to your head. You're insane."

"Am I?" Harry questioned.

"You must be to even consider such a thing." She replied not letting her true emotions get a hold of her. True she had felt something for Snape, but it hadn't been anything big. "What is going on with you anyway? You are extremely playful this afternoon."

"Ah, I see what you're doing. Trying to get me off the subject are you?" He said with a grin, "I'll let it go for now, but only because I have so much to tell you about Spain."

"Ooh! Was it as beautiful as everyone says it is?"

"Well, actually I didn't really have much time to enjoy the sights, although the parts I did see were quite spectacular."

"Why didn't you have much time? Were you busy doing work for the Aurors?"

"Well no…I kind of…met someone Hermione." He said looking down at his interlaced hands. He looked up over the rims of his glasses waiting for a response. It took a while for her brain to process it correctly. It had been almost two years since Harry had actually been in a relationship. After Ron had died Hermione thought Harry would always be there for her. Shortly her mind dwelled on a time not to long after their seventh year.

Hermione had just received the news that she could begin her studies to become a healer, and Harry had just been accepted into Auror training. Ron had been the last to decide on what it was he wanted to do, so naturally he hadn't applied for anything. They had all met up at headquarters because both Harry and she were to be leaving soon to start their studies. None of them knew when they would see each other again. It was a happy new beginning for them and yet a very sad ending. The first night there Hermione lay in bed thinking about how great her day had been. The three had talked for hours about nothing and about everything. As she began to drift off she heard a small knock on her door. She rose slowly and glided over to the door not making a sound. When she opened it she found both Harry and Ron standing there in their pajamas with pillows in hand.

'That damn elf keeps hovering over us when we're trying to sleep,' Ron had mumbled.

'I don't think it likes us here.' Harry joined in, 'I must say Hermione it is quite hard to fall asleep when someone is watching you.' She didn't make them ask, she knew what it was they wanted. So she turned and walked toward her bed and left the door open behind her. They took the sign and followed suit. That night Hermione slept comfortably been the two loves of her life. Never had she had a better sleep then that night. For the next two weeks they did this, and not once did she make them give a reason for why.

"Hermione…Hermione!" Harry almost shouted. She awoke from her stupor. This news shattered her heart to pieces, but she knew she could never let him know that.

"Oh…oh Harry I'm sorry. I-I…Wow! That's just wonderful. Who is she?" She said feigning enthusiasm.

"Her name is Eva," He answered not noticing her initial reaction, "And she is amazing."

'Hmph. Yeah I bet she is.' Hermione thought to herself.

"She was in Spain visiting her family, and…and, oh Hermione I'm in love." He said reaching across the table and grabbing her hands. "I mean I'm really, truly in love. It's…indescribable."

"Ha." Hermione laughed unenthusiastically. She felt like she had to make some sort of reaction, at least one besides anger, resentment, or sadness. "That's fabulous Harry. I'm so happy for you." She fought, damn, she fought hard to keep the tears back, but her pain flooded out through her words. Harry would have known how she felt, even if that single tear hadn't ran slowly down her face. "I'm so happy for you." She echoed in a whisper.

"Oh, Hermione," Harry said before standing and pulling his friend into a hug. "I knew it was too soon. I shouldn't have said anything." He spoke into her hair.

"No Harry." She replied pulling away from him. "No, I'm just being selfish. You deserve to be happy. I'm just…just surprised that's all." At this she forced a smile. A lopsided, awkward smile.

"Yes but after Ron, and all that happened with your parents…I'm sorry." It's true both Ron's and her parent's deaths had come within three weeks of each other. Being as her parents had no visible significant affect on the wizarding world their deaths had been an oversight. No one had mentioned them in the Daily Prophet or consoled Hermione. No one knew, or even cared except those close to her. She had been shocked when they died. A car accident had taken their lives; the shocking part was just how…muggle it had been. During the time of Voldemort she had been sure that if they were ever to die it would be at the end of a wand. After he had been defeated she was positive that they would be safe. When she eventually let her guard down over them, they were taken from her.

She tried to pull away more but he kept her there tightly. Little did he know that that was just what she needed. When he held her there with defiance, she knew someone loved her, cared for her. She fell back into his arms.

"It's okay. It's all okay." She said, "I'll be okay."

"I never doubted that you would be." He said, "Not for a second little sister." She looked up and a smile spread across her water stained face. Harry brought his hand up and brushed away the remaining tears. He then kissed her forehead and steered her back into her seat. He waved cautiously over to Madame Rosmerta who had been watching them intently. "I think we're going to need something a bit stronger." He said and she quickly turned and walked toward the bar, apparently understanding exactly what he meant. Soon she returned with two pitchers filled with firewhiskey. Hermione couldn't hide her anticipation as she reached out to pour herself a glass. Harry giggled at her and proceeded to also pour himself some. After taking a few shots between the two of them Hermione decided it was time to turn in.

"I will see you soon 'Mione." Harry said in his brotherly-like tone after they had reached the door to Hogwarts. "You know where to find me." He reached out and once again pulled her into a hug. He kissed her chastely on the lips and began to walk away. Hermione turned her back to him and retreated down to the dungeons.

Severus Snape stood staring out a window on the third floor. He had watch intently, the actions that took place between the "golden boy" and his very own assistant. Since the time he had resigned he had not left the dungeons for any purpose other than to get breakfast. Now that he was here he knew why. There were students that were still roaming the corridors and when they came across the myth that was Snape began to whisper behind their small hands. He hated them, all of them. How could he have ever chose teaching as a profession? There were times when he wished he could just wring their little necks. Although he doubted Dumbledore would ever allow that. He watched as Harry kissed Hermione and then turned to walk away. For a moment she tilted her head up to the sky, and with eyes closed she took a deep breath. In this short moment Severus observed the small lines running along her face. The evidence of tears. What was it that could have possibly made her cry. She had been so elated when she found out he was back, but now she had been crying. If Harry had done anything to make her cry Severus vowed to make him pay for it. He watched her as she finally retreated indoors. He stood there for a while longer reveling in his own misery. Eventually he turned and began his own stroll down to the dungeons. He knew Hermione would be waiting there for him and he wasn't sure whether he should relish or detest that fact. He was becoming a contradiction of himself.