The two walked in silence for a while, looking from store to store, until Hermione finally spoke up.

"Thank you," she said in a whisper as she looked through a store window.

"For what," She turned and faced him head on.

"you know exactly what I'm talking about." She said, "Don't make me say it."

"What Draco?"

"Of course Draco, seeing him today it…it just, wasn't comfortable for me," She started walking again, slowly, and he followed suit.

"Did he really bother you that much at school."

"Of course he did," She said turning on him, "He was terrible to me."

"I-I'm sorry," And she found it almost impossible to be mad at him. One look into his eyes and she knew his apology was real.

"It's not your fault, its just Draco, he gets me so angry."

"Well I'm glad I don't make you this mad." He said, "I have to live with you." His jokes were so stupid, not even jokes really, but he had a way of making her laugh almost like Ron used to do. She smiled up at him.

"Oh shut it." She replied, "Oh here it is," apparently they had almost passed the store she was looking for. Severus looked up before he walked in and it took him only a second to realize where they were. Of course it was a new shop, but the three interlocked W's gave it away.

"Oh no," he said stepping away from the door, "Uh-uh it took me seven years to get rid of them. There's no way you're going to get me in there." She was surprised, he could see it on her face.

"Uh…are you sure. I'm only going to run in for a second."

"You mean you're not going to force me to go in there with you?"

"Well no of course not. Not after what you did for me back at the Hogs Head, dispatching Malfoy so effortlessly." She replied, "It wouldn't hurt if you went in with me though." Maybe it was the way her lip curved into a pout as she said it, or perhaps it was the way the sun shone on her olive skin. Either way he knew then he could not deny her anything. She was up on the second step giving her some height, but even with the higher ground she was still only eye level with him. Her skirt was flowing around her, and her brown eyes were bright with enthusiasm as they always were.

"Fine." He said trying to hide all the passion that was bubbling inside him. "This is going to be quick right?" He asked as he placed a foot on the first step.

"I promise," She whispered blowing hot breath on his face, which was now dangerously close to hers. She turned and opened the door for him, then she gestured for him to go in first. He did and she followed right behind. Bells jingled as they stepped in and a voice from the back shouted. The words were muffled and indistinguishable. Severus looked to Hermione and she merely shrugged, then continued on toward the middle of the shop. It was much bigger than it looked on the outside. And the items it held seemed like everyday kind of things, though Severus sensed that they were not. He began looking on all of the shelves and found that most of the things were unmarked.

"Her…"

"Hermione!" He heard a voice shout. He watched as Hermione turned and ran over to a man he had never wished to see again.

"Fred!" She said cheerily, "Where's Geor…"

"Hermione!"

"Never mind." She managed to giggle out.

"Where the hell have you been kid." Fred asked as Hermione was scooped up into the arms of George Weasley. He spun her around in a circle and placed her back down gently. Severus felt a twinge of jealousy in the pit of his stomach. Oh how he wanted to do the same thing, he wanted so much to pick her up and hold her. He wanted her to be his.

"You know I was in France." She answered after getting her bearings and brushing herself off. Fred smacked himself on the forehead, quickly followed by George smacking him in the back of the head.

"Oh that's right…Ow."

"When did you get back," George asked ignoring his brother.

"A few weeks ago. I've been catching up with everyone so I knew I just had to come here and find out how everything is."

"It's great," Fred said, "Business is booming. I don't know how we'll ever pay Harry back for what he's done."

"That's wonderful! How's the family?"

"All is well. Dad just got promoted actually." Fred answered.

"Yeah apparently he made a huge breakthrough. He's been introducing magic family's to some muggle contraption. Surprisingly it's had a great response."

George said jumping in on the conversation.

"Really what is it?"

"The Fellytone."

"The wha…oh, yes I know of it." She said smiling, "And it's quite popular?"

"Oh yes wizarding family's all over are beginning to use them. Turns out Dad was right," Fred said. "Some muggle things are very useful."

"Yeah, especially now when most magical people are mixed," George replied, "It's a good way to bring people together."

"Well you two sound like you've really grown up," Severus couldn't help but snort at her comment. The Weasley's? Mature? Unfortunately his reaction brought their attention to him, a very unwanted attention.

"Professor Snape?" The boys said in unison.

"We thought you were dead," George said right before receiving a tap on the back of the head from Hermione.

"Never one for reserve." She said and Severus smirked.

"Uh…can we help you sir?" Fred asked obviously confused, surely Snape was not in there to buy something. He was much too serious for that.

"Oh no I'm just waiting for Hermione here." And the attention was back on Hermione. She merely smiled at them.

"What?" She asked. She knew exactly what, she was daring them to ask.

"Wh-when did you two become friends?"

"As you know I am a healer," The redheads nodded listening intently, "That's why I'm back. My job has brought me here. To the aid of an old friend and professor." Fred raised an eyebrow, and George still looked befuddled. She looked at Severus and she saw how uncomfortable he was, no matter how hard he tried to hide it. "I'm sorry boys. I know I just got here but we must be leaving now."

"Huh…oh yeah. Of course Hermione." Fred said leaning forward to give her a hug. "Listen," he whispered, "Don't be afraid to visit you hear." He kissed her on the top of the head, "We've missed you kid." With that he pinched her cheeked and tossed her off to George who, once again scooped her up into a bear hug. Her feet were dangling in the air, and she could barely breathe. After he had also kissed her head they sent her off, but only when she had promised to visit again. Hermione could remember only one time before when they had acted so brotherly towards her.

When she had flown in from France for Ron's funeral they were the one's who picked her up. She had been surprised because they had actually brought their dad's old flying car. That day there would be no flying. Only tears and sadness. Never before had she seen Fred and George so solemn. While Fred drove, George and herself had sat in the back. All had been silent in the car, almost unbearably silent. The lack of communication was what drove Hermione to tears. If they would just say something she would be okay. If they would just make a joke, act like themselves it would all be okay. If Fred and George, the two boys that she had never seen morose, couldn't be alright then the world would never be the same. They had been the last straw for her. Silently she broke down and the tears streamed from her eyes. They did not go unnoticed and quickly, too quickly Fred pulled the car over. Almost instantly she was in a cocoon between the two. They rocked her until she was drained of all sadness. No one had said a word, but no one needed to. She knew they had a right to be as sad as she was. She knew that they would be okay. That soon enough they would be the same. She regretted that she had never been close with the twins, but it was never too late.

Severus had to admit that he was surprised about how the twins had acted with Hermione. Just as the Potter boy had. Just as Ron had when they were at school. He knew why, any man who was lucky enough to know her should certainly know to protect her. She was a treasure, she was precious, yet independent. She had shown that when she went off to France all on her own. She would never be owned.

"Maybe we should go back to the school to get some lunch." Severus said surprising Hermione.

"Really," She asked, "You feel up to it?"

"I think I'll manage." Of course he would manage how could he ever be embarrassed when he had her by his side. The stares and taunts would never even register with him if she was there.