" Do we have everything that was ever written on your subject of interest?" Remus asked.

They were both lugging sacks of books, and it was getting late.

" Actually yes. "

Lupin fidgeted a moment. Earlier he had tried to offer an opinion but Snape had told him to be quiet, and if he absolutely felt the necessity to talk it had better not be anything regarding Snape, Ginny, Houses, Hermione, Babies, or Lupin himself. That basically translated into;

" I am in an incredibly foul mood becasue of this excursion, so unless there is a bus about to run over me, or you see the end of the world approaching at break neck speed. . .don't speak to me."

But, since Severus seemed to be in a better mood, and was at least so burdened down with sacks that he couldn't reach his wand fast enough to hex him, Remus decided to try again to make a suggestion.

" Severus?"

" What" Snape asked wearily.

" I am sure you have your reasons for everything, but I have to ask you something."

" What is it?"

" Well. . .I was just wondering why you didn't simply. . .hire someone to build a house."

" Hire someone!"

"Yes. . .you know, a company that builds houses.''

Snape glared at him for long moment.

" and where was this suggestion before I spent that much time and money on books?"

" You told me not to speak. "

" I said unless it was important!"

" You said not to mention houses at all!"

" You didn't have to take me so literally! I meant I didn't want you asking questions and sticking your big Gryffindor nose in where it doesn't belong!"

" Haha! That means you didn't think of it did you!" Remus said.

Snape opened his mouth to come back with a nasty reply, but at that moment, two women in their fifties stopped to gape at them. One of them pointed to the two men, then turned to her friend.

" Lover's spat." she said knowingly.

Both men, turned to look at them, then back at each other. Lupin watched the puce hue began creeping up Severus' neck, and broke into uncontrolled laughter.

" Shut up!'' Snape hissed.

The two women began walking away.

" It is NOT a lover's spat!" he yelled after them, causing a few more people to turn and gawk. Turning back to Remus, he glared.

Taking a deep breath, he tried to get his temper under control. Maybe if he closed his eyes and counted to a million.

" Would you. . .please. . .do me a favor?" he managed.

Remus had the good sense to not make a joke out of Snape's agony this time, instead he leaned closer, his face serious.

" If it is at all possible." he answered.

Snape pursed his lips trying to force the words out.

" I . . .need you to try to help me find . . .someone to build a house." he finally said.

Lupin nodded.

" Of course. . .but, what are you going to do?"

Snape turned to face the shop window they had come to a halt in front of. It had a display of summery things in the glass, including a picnic basket.

" I am going to buy a birthday gift for someone." he said.

" Are you with us today?" Hermione asked.

" Hmm? Oh, yes. I was just. . .looking at this. " she held up a baby toy that she had not realized she had been holding.

They were in a Muggle baby shop, exactly where, she couldn't recall, and three times already she had thought about her dream of last night and went rather light in the head. It bothered her because she still believed that Snape was just playing, and was afraid that if she allowed herself to get serious, then he would pull away and disappoint her.

She had been convinced that she was not really interested in him, but apparently she was mistaken; and he still wasn't giving up. Now what should she do?

" Ginny?" Hermione poked her.

" What?"

" Please don't tell me that you are thinking about our darling ex-potion's master while wearing that look on your face?" she grinned.

" No! I mean, what expression?'

" You look like you just got caught reading a dirty book."

Ginny felt a Weasley blush begin climbing up her neck, and she flipped her hair around as if to say " really!"

' You were, weren't you? " Hermione laughed.

" Ssh! I don't want mother to know what is going on just yet." Ginny glanced over to see if she could spot her mother. Luckily, Molly was deep in conversation with Hermione's mother, and had not heard Hermione's exclamation.

"Oh. . .and just what is going on?" Hermione nudged her.

" Nothing. "

'' Nothing at all? Does that that mean you have or have not kissed him? "

" Hermione! "

" You have! Whew, I wish I hadn't asked. But if that is your thing, then snog away."

" We weren't snogging. . . we were kissing, and that is an entirely different matter."

" Oh. .. I see.'

" See what?"

" Sounds like he is starting to wear you down."

" He isn't wearing me down, he is confusing me. Why would Severus Snape want to try to win me over, that's what I don't get. I mean, I got you and Remus, everyone did, except for the two of you."

" It is pretty much the same situation now, Ginny. Everyone else gets it but you." Hermione said seriously.

" What is that supposed to mean?"

" Well, you are very pretty, fiery, seductive. . .you have a way of walking that makes men tremble. Are you going to see Severus tonight?" Hermione frowned.

" I. . .I . . .well, I don't know. Why?"

" Because unless you want him to get the wrong idea, I suggest you take a shower."

"WHAT?" Ginny asked, disbelieving, causing a few heads to turn. " Why did you say that?" she hissed.

Hermione raised a practical brow at her.

" Quite frankly, Miss Weasley, you smell like sex."

" I. . ."

" Don't try to explain it, I don't even want to know. "

" How can you. . ?"

" Are you kidding? For the last few weeks, I can smell just about everything. And the more you blush and daydream , the stronger it gets. "

Hermione gave her a little nod and a smirk before walking off down another aisle, leaving Ginny to gape after her a moment in shock. When she was sure that no one was watching she cautiously sniffed of the air. She smelled several types of colognes, and the familiar smell of department stores. . .but she failed to catch the sent of what Hermione had suggested.

Hermione was probably just playing with her, she thought. . .but that didn't stop her from occasionally sniffing the air around herself for the rest of the day, much to the dismay of several strangers who must have thought she was smelling of them as they passed. If she had noticed the odd looks she was receiving, she would have been mortified, but she was still wondering whether of not Severus would actually attempt to honor her wish and build a house. . .he had seemed quite upset when she had requested that it be built without any magic.

She did not know now why she should have even thought to say such a thing. She had never had to do anything in her life without the aid of magic. . .and knew very little about the Muggle world and it's management of construction. Yet for some reason at that moment it had seemed so important that he try it. Even if it never got finished.

But why do I make these stipulations?' she thought. Why can't I just say no, like I have to so many others? Because if he really was sincere, and you refused him, you know it would devastate him. . . the little voice in her head said. She wondered too, why did that little voice of truth always speak with Hermione's bossiness?

" Because, otherwise you wouldn't listen at all now would you?'' she asked out loud.

" Who are you speaking to dear?'" asked a kindly old woman at the counter.

" You know what?" Ginny said, whirling to face the stranger,. . ." I think he is the first man that has ever driven me to the point of near insanity. Yesterday I was a normal young woman, and today, I am talking to myself! what do you think of that ?"

The woman looked confused for a second, then smiled kindly, patting Ginny's hand confidentially.

" There there, don't worry. It's when you quit talking to yourself about them that you don't love them anymore."