Disclaimer: Hasn't changed since last chapter.

I've modified a few things from the original version that was submitted in the exchange - all for the better, of course, as I'm always looking to improve.

It looks like this will be about 5 chapters...short, but sweet.

"Ah, Severus, my boy," Albus Dumbledore greeted the scowling man as he entered the Headmaster's office. "I'm glad to see you out of your dungeon laboratory. You really do need to get out more often."

Severus Snape glowered at the old man as he moved to stand by the window overlooking the grounds. "I am only out of my laboratory because you demanded my presence in your office immediately after breakfast."

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled merrily as he watched the younger man. "Ah, yes, you are correct. How is your summer holiday going so far? Are you enjoying the freedom of not having any classes to teach?"

Severus grunted his annoyance at the old man's inane questions. He does this every time he wants something, Severus mused, you should be used to it by now.

Before the Headmaster could direct any more pointless questions at the impatient Potions Master, Severus cut him off with a growl. "Get to the point, you old coot! What is it that you want from me?"

At Severus' hasty interruption, Dumbledore's eyes twinkled even more, if that's possible. "Don't growl at me, Severus Snape, it's impolite."

Severus rolled his eyes and let out a long-suffering sigh as the Headmaster chuckled. The two men proceeded in this manner for the next few minutes until Severus lost all patience for the obviously senile old man and made to exit the office.

"Alright, my boy, I'll get to the point," Dumbledore said with a laugh just as Severus' hand closed over the latch. "Though, why you can't just humour an old soul like me for a few minutes is truly beyond me. Always so impatient, as if there are a dozen other places that you really need to be..."

"Albus!" Snape bellowed in an effort to get Dumbledore to stop rambling. It worked.

"Right, well, I need you to bring the book list and stock requirements down to the new bookshop in Hogsmeade. I believe it is called 'The Book Worm' and it is located next to the quill shop," Albus said, back to his serious tone, as he handed a roll of parchment to Severus.

Severus looked at the parchment and raised an eyebrow. "Is that all? Surely you could have simply owled this to the shop. Why you insist on interrupting my day with this ridiculous nonsense..."

"I'm sure I could, but I would prefer that you did it instead. I would also like it if you would pick up the latest edition of The Encyclopaedia of Wizarding Sweets. Oh, and get something for yourself while you are there." He waved his hand in dismissal at Severus' incredulous look and stated simply, "Do get on with it, boy. I would like to spend the afternoon reading my new book, if you don't mind."

And with that last remark from his employer, Severus Snape stormed out of the office, grumbling the whole time about ridiculous barmy codgers and their candy fetishes.

Hermione made her way down the staircase from her newly decorated flat above the shop to start her first day as an official bookshop proprietor – it was The Book Worm's opening day. Everything had been set up over the course of the past week, starting right after her brief meeting with Headmaster Dumbledore.

"In fact, I should soon be receiving a list of the books that Hogwarts students will need this year," Hermione whispered to herself as she charmed the staircase to disappear - no sense in allowing people to see it and want to venture up the stairs to explore the second floor.

Perhaps, she could do a bit of remodelling to better separate her flat from the shop? Hmm, remodelling is something to ponder for later, after the shop gets on its feet.

She unlocked the shop's front door and charmed a neon sign to light up the words Grand Opening in the window.

It was a Saturday, but it was the summer, so she wasn't expecting much of a crowd. Hopefully, her expectations for the day would be spot on because she hadn't the chance to hire any help just yet. With that, she transfigured a Help Wanted sign and hung it in the other window.

It was early still, so she took the opportunity to tweak the shop's setup and make sure that all of the books were displayed properly before she conjured up some tea and a scone for breakfast. She sat at the front counter and flipped through a new business owner publication before Crookshanks wondered over and settled himself right on top of it.

Hermione indulged her finicky familiar for a few minutes before shooing him off of her reading material. He moved to another spot on the counter, settled down with a huff, and started preening himself.

She was so absorbed in an article about one particular business owner's experience, that the bell signalling someone entered the shop caused her to jump and spill her tea on the counter. She swiftly cleaned up the spill before looking up to greet her first-ever customer.

She nearly fell over in shock at just who her first customer was...

"Good morning, Professor Snape," she greeted nervously.

Hermione watched warily as her former Potions Professor looked at her in confused surprise...clearly, he did not recognize her or she would have heard several scathing remarks already.

"Good morning, miss," Severus said hesitantly. After a moment he added, "I'm sorry, have we met before?"

Oh, he definitely did not recognize her. She hadn't realized how different she looked from her days at Hogwarts or even during the days just before the end of the war. But, apparently it was enough of a change for Professor Snape to not recognize her. Now that she thought about it, even Professor Dumbledore took a few minutes to realize who she was.

How should she deal with this? What should she say? For some reason, she didn't think that a simple 'yes, we've met before; you tortured my friends and me for seven years straight at school' would be very proper.

No. She would just play it down and say that they met in passing quite a few years ago. Yes, that would work. It wasn't quite a lie...they did meet quite a few years ago...and they passed each other in the corridors of Hogwarts or at Headquarters many, many times. No, it wasn't a lie at all, just a mere stretching of the truth. Ugh, you are so pathetic, Hermione.

"Oh, well, we met quite a few years ago, in passing," Hermione finally answered his question and politely stuck out her hand. "My name is Jane."

WHAT! Why in Merlin's name did I just say that? her mind screamed frantically. How am I going to fix this? Can it even be fixed?

Why does it feel like sometimes my brain is not connected to my mouth? And it always seems to happen at the worst times! She groaned inwardly. Oh Circe, he is going to be a right joy to deal with when he finds out who I really am...

The sound of Professor Snape's rich, silky voice broke through Hermione's frantic thoughts. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Jane. Call me Severus, please. Only the students call me Professor Snape." He reached out and grasped her hand in a gentle but firm handshake and Hermione felt her abdomen tighten at the contact.

Well, I guess that little feeling answers the question of whether or not I ever got over that little crush…

Hermione fought to keep her eyes from widening as she gazed at the man before her. What…What is he doing with his lips? They are kind of quirked up at the edges and...oh, wow, he is bearing his teeth…huh, they are whiter than I thought...Is that a smile? Is Professor Snape smiling at me?

"It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Se-Severus," Hermione breathed past her bewilderment. Regaining her composure after a moment of awkward silence, Hermione spoke with an air of professionalism. "What can I do for you, Se-Severus?"

Saying his given name was really going to take some getting used to, no doubt?

"I was asked to deliver the book list for the upcoming term," he replied as he handed over said list.

"Wonderful, I will order these books right away." Hermione gently grasped the list, fully aware that his long fingers grazed her own as he handed the parchment over. She fought not to shudder at the contact as she avoided looking up at him.

"Also," his silky tones washed over her again, "the Headmaster – I assume that you have met Albus Dumbledore before? - asked me to inquire whether you carry the latest edition of The Encyclopaedia of Wizarding Sweets."

His voice made it clear that he thought Dumbledore's request was beyond ridiculous, which Hermione found to be quite amusing. She could not contain a bright grin as she led the black-clad man to the area of the shop that held the books on sweets. She quickly located the book for Severus and handed it over to him.

"Is there anything else you need?" Hermione asked pleasantly.

Severus glanced around the store before he looked back down at her. "I believe that I will have a browse at some of the books, if that is alright?"

"Of course it is! Let me know if you need any help." Hermione left him to his browsing as she made her way back to the front counter to complete an order sheet for the Hogwarts books.

As she worked, she sent the occasional surreptitious glance at the raven-haired man and a few times she caught him doing the same. She was careful to note that there was no sign of a scowl, glower, or glare on his face when she caught him looking at her – rather, his features seemed thoughtful and - dare she think it - open.

It was nearly an hour later that Severus approached the counter behind which Hermione was perched. Hermione looked up from her work as he set the books down in front of her.

"Found everything alright?" Hermione asked as she reached for the small stack of books.

"Yes, you have a wonderful selection, Jane."

Hermione was taken aback by his earnest tone, but she smiled her thanks as she handed him the bag of books.

"I already have an account set up for Hogwarts. I assume you would like to put those books on the account?"

At Severus' curt nod, Hermione flicked her wand at a charmed accounting book and a new balance appeared under 'Hogwarts'.

"Thank you for being my first customer, Severus." Hermione was relieved to find that his given name was getting easier to say without stuttering.

"You are quite welcome, Jane. I am sure that I will see you again." Severus gave her a thin-lipped smile and turned on his heel, leaving Hermione to watch his back as he disappeared out the door.

She stared at the door for several long moments before shaking her head. She turned to the orange fur-ball lying on the counter next to her work and said, "Well, that was surreal. Wouldn't you say, Crooks?"

A/N: I can be terribly predictable, I know...