Actually, Maybe I'll save the plot twist for part 2. ;D Thanks for reading and reviewing!

Chapter Ten

I hurried up to bed once I was in the house, and in the middle of a fit of giggles, I jumped onto my bed and hugged my pillow. I tried for a very long time to fall asleep, but soon enough, I realized I couldn't. I was too wired from that goodnight kiss

I sat by my window, elbow leaned onto the sill and bent so my head rested in my hand. I stared down the street, almost longingly. I couldn't wait until the next day. I had it planned in my head already that it would be a beautiful day, and we could have an early lunch, then go back to his flat and just cuddle. I'm sure he wouldn't protest.

Eventually, Right around 4:15 in the morning, I drifted off, still at my window, and didn't awaken until around 1 the next afternoon. When I saw the time on the clock beside my bed, I jumped from where I lay on the floor and scrambled to get dressed.

As soon as I tamed my hair, I ran downstairs and into the kitchen where my mum was making sandwiches. She heard me and looked over her shoulder, smiling broadly. "Good morning dearest. Sleep well?"

"Morning mum." I pulled my arms around her in a hug. "Not in particular...I'm excited about today." Oh fuck all.

"Today, dear?" She questioned. "What are you doing today?"

I drew my arms back, stretching. "Well..." I began. "Professor Snape and I were to mix potions later...Have lunch." I said, trying to be as convincing as possible. "There are a few things to be done, is all."

"He's a very nice man.." She said, turning back to the counter, piling ham onto a piece of toast. "Not many teachers would use their time off in the summer to help a student."

"Apprentice, mum." I corrected her.

"Right..My little apprentice.." She said proudly, reaching back to briefly stroke my hair. It was only then I began to feel guilty.

"Well mum, He wanted me to ring him so he could pop over and pick me up..." I told her as I took the phone off the hook and dialed his number. "He wanted to speak with you about..."

"Hello?"

"Professor." I said, almost breathless. Even just hearing his voice could sweep me off my feet. "Good morning...How are you?"

"Lonley.." He replied. "I'm missing you..."

"Speak to me about what, Hermione?" My mum cut in.

"You'll see, He hasn't told me much on it.." I told her. At least it was the truth this time. "Professor, I was curious, When are you coming 'round?"

"Whenever you'd like me to." He answered, a slight boredness to his voice. "Did you just wake up?"

"Indeed I did." I said. "When did you get up?"

"Erm..Around 6 or 7 I believe..." Said Severus. "Why did you sleep so late? Dreaming about me?" From his tone, I could tell he was smiling.

"Maybe. Come over. My mum's making sandwiches. She says you're very nice." I said.

"She doesn't know me does she?" He asked playfully. "I'll be over in a tick."

"Make it fast." I instructed. "Wouldn't want the toast to get cold."

I heard him laugh, and then hang up.

As much as I wanted to jump around, giggle, and dance, I restrained myself, and hung the phone up.

"Is he coming over, darling?" My mum asked.

"Yeah, Yeah, He'll be over soon." I said with a nod. "Where's dad?"

"Out golfing somewhere." She told me. "He left rather early this morning...way before you woke up."

"Aww.." I took one of the sandwiches and stole a quick bite. "I haven't seen him much lately."

"He deserves time off, dear..." Mum said, walking by me and placing the plate of sandwiches in the center of the table. "He's been working hard lately and.." All the rest of the words faded. I was too busy contemplating how I'd keep from tackling Severus upon his arrival at my door.

Soon enough, There was a knock at the door, and I yelled a quick, "I'llgetit!" and ran down the hall to open the door.

Severus stood there, hands in the pockets of his loose fitting jeans, wearing a black, short sleeve, button up work shirt. How simple, yet completely breathtaking. "Why, hello.." He grinned. "Is it safe for a hug?"

I checked over my shoulder, and then jumped at him, throwing my arms around his neck and squeezing him. Quickly, and very paranoid of my mother, I let him go. "I missed you." I whispered.

"And I you." He cleared his throat. "May I come in?"

"Oh, of course Professor.." I stepped to the side and held the door open for him, shutting it after he entered.

"Oh Hermione, Is that Professor Sn-" She walked in the room, and beamed a smile. "Mr. Snape! So very good to see you.." She took him into a motherly embrace, and he very awkwardly accepted it. Too bad she was completely unaware he was bedding her only daughter.

"Very nice to see you as well, Mrs. Granger." He replied. "Please, Call me Severus."

"Please call me, Grace." She smiled, amused "Are you hungry dear?" She questioned. "I've made up some sandwiches and I have some pop.."

"That would be lovely, Ma'am." He assured her.

She smiled and scuttled off to the kitchen, leaving Severus and I in the hall.

"Your home is lovely, Hermione.." He commented, looking around.

"Maybe I could invite you over one day my parents are out of town and show you my bedroom." I couldn't resist, and the look on his face upon me saying it was priceless. I coughed. "Mum, I'm going to show Professor Snape the house."

"Lovely dear, just make it quick." She called in reply. "Lunch is just about finished."

I snatched his hand in led him into the living room, out of sight from the kitchen, where without a second of thought, he swept me into a kiss. As I did often, playfully, I slid a hand into his back pocket, and felt paper. With great care, I snatched it from his pocket and quickly opened it before he could take it away.

I pulled out the contents, two tickets. Curious...I read over them, and let out a gasp. "Paris!" I exclaimed.

"Shhhh!" He covered my mouth with the palm of his hand. "You weren't supposed to find out yet.." He almost whined.

"Oh, Severus! You shoudln't of! I love you..." I hugged him again, tickets in hand. It wasn't that I'd never been to Paris, I'd been there many a time with my parents...It was just...different now that I had a lover to see Paris with. Much more romantic than going sightseeing with my parents..Gosh..He was so thoughtful..

"I hope that it is not only for the fact I wasted money on you.." I looked up at him and saw him biting back a smile.

Before I could answer, mum called. "Come on, the both of you...Have a quick spot of lunch."

I looked to Severus, but he only shrugged.

I led him out to the kitchen where, when at the table, we seated ourselves. Mum must of noticed Severus just sitting there, not eating, so she patted him on the shoulder. "Take what you'd like to dear, there's plenty."

He took a sip from his glass of pop and folded his hands. "Actually, Mrs. Granger, Perhaps I could discuss a matter with you?"

"Of course.." She took a seat beside me.

"Well, There is a site in Paris, Confidential school business, you see." He began, looking at her directly, in a maybe too professional manner. "I would like permission to take your daughter there as part of her apprenticeship for a week."

"Hm.." My mother replied thoughtfully. "I suppose...Will there be proper supervision?"

"Ah, of course." He answered, nodding. "Trained Professionals at every turn."

I had to restrain giggles after the last comment.

"And will I be able to reach her?" She questioned.

"I have taken the liberty of booking her a room for herself, and only her." He explained. "The room has a personal number, and since I will reside in the same hotel, I will make sure she rings you with it."

"That's very thoughtful of you, Severus." She patted his hand. "Hotels in Paris are rather expensive."

"Ah yes...It's really nothing. Your daughter is a very talented young woman, Mrs. Granger." He responded. "I wouldn't think of keeping the first apprentice I've had in years in anything but a five star establishment."

Again, I choked on laughter. It was horrible that he had to lie to my mum for me like that...But well, I suppose if he walked in, shook her hand and stated, 'Hello, My name is Severus, and I plan on taking your daughter to Paris because during school, we became lovers.'...Well, I doubt it would charm my mother as much as he was charming her now, to put it in the best of terms.

"Well, of course she can go. As long as you keep an eye on her...She has a tendency to run off when we vacation to Paris...You know, to see the sights and all." She said.

"You have my word that I will keep a very close watch on her, be assured. It would mean my job if I did not." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded sheet of parchment. "And I need you to sign this permission slip...Its only mandatory."

My, he had come prepared.

"Oh let me run into the den and get a pencil..." She said, scurrying out of the kitchen

I looked at Severus, eyebrows raised. "I think you may have missed your calling."

"What calling would that be?" He mused.

"You'd make a stellar actor.." I smiled, and he smiled back. Then he sighed.

"I...do not..like to lie." He answered simply. "But I suppose when I must, I have to make it believable."

I nodded. "Well you're doing a wonderful job, darling."

He chuckled slightly as my mother re-entered the room, bending over the table and scribbling her signature. "There we are.." She handed the paper back to Severus, whom folded it and stuffed it back in his pocket. "I'm very glad it was you that offered her an apprenticeship, Severus. You're such a darling boy."

He gave a small smile. "Not as much of a boy anymore as I would like to be." He took another drink of his pop, and stole a glance at me when my mum turned to wash dishes.

I heard the doorhandle open, the voice of my father ring through the house with a 'I'm home!' , and the distinct clatter of a golf bag being set down. He strode into the kitchen, dressed in his golfing get up, and smiled, a bit surprise Severus was present. "Good morning, Professor!"

"Afternoon." Severus replied, nodding.

"Hello dad.." I said, standing up to give him a hug. "Did you win?"

"Would I be this happy if I didn't?" He grinned. "42 on a par 79."

"Yeah, Professor. My dad is an exceptional golfer." I told Severus, knowing how uncomfortable he got around my parents.

"I never really could stand golf.." Severus replied. "A bit too boring for my tastes."

"Boring! Its a wonderful sport, Severus...I'm sure you were an athletic young man...You're in good shape." My dad said, trying again.

"A fast metabolism runs in my family." He replied. Severus seemed to defeat my father's enthusiasm with every reply.

"I was thinking last night, Severus. I feel like I've met you in the past. Seen you, Heard of you..Something." He put his jacket over top of an unoccupied chair."I know I remember you..." My dad said, vaguely. "I just can't quite put my finger on where I remember you from.."

I saw a flicker in Severus eyes and I took my embrace away from my dad and sat.

"Maybe...no.." He said thougtfully. He paused, deep in thought. "Oh! Thats right! Riley Hewitt, darling...You remember Riley?"

Severus looked panic stricken, and I sat, listening. Waiting for whatever was distressing Severus to unfold.

"I remember her well." She replied, turning off the water, and turning around to face us. She smiled thoughtfully while she wiped her hands with a dry dish towel. "She used to help me with my garden a few times every week." She nodded. "Very nice girl.."

"Well that's where I remember you from, You're her husband, Aren't you?" He beamed, taking a seat in an empty chair. "Thought you looked awfully familiar, how is the dear girl?"

Feeling my head rush and my heart fall to my ankles, I gaped at him. I could have just sworn my father said Severus was someone's husband.

And that meant he was married.