Disclaimer: I could only own Harry Potter if I bought stock.

Thanks to my betas HPBNC, HP4FREEK, and NotSoSaintly for pointing out my mistakes! They helped make this story palatable

Of course, thanks to the lovely admin for giving me a bit of a break. I wanted to make sure the entire story was posted before the challenge was ended. This submission is actually three chapters. There will be one more installment, also consisting of three chapters.

Chapter Six: Muggle London

During dinner that evening, Hermione had taken her usual spot next to Severus. Partially through the main course, she turned to face him, and began a conversation. "Severus?" she prompted him.

"Yes, Miss Hermione?"

"I need to go into Muggle London this weekend to pick up some supplies for class. I was wondering, are you interested in joining me?"

"Why?" he asked becoming a bit defensive.

"Because! You're supposed to help me be the bloody teacher!" she snapped at him. He was slightly taken aback, but thought it best to not argue with her at this point.

"When will you be going?" he asked in what he thought was a nicer tone.

"I would like to go on Saturday, if that's alright with you."

"That's fine. I need to get some more potion supplies anyway. Would you mind stopping by Diagon Alley while we're out?"

Hermione smiled at him and nodded in acceptance. She had doubted he would want to go with her. She was thrilled that he was actually interested in making the trip longer than needed. "Shall we meet at the main entrance at noon then?" she asked pleasantly.

"Very well." It was the only response she received before he turned back to his plate and continued his meal in silence.

In the dungeon

Severus stalked into his laboratory, eager to begin brewing. He had been upset about all of the latest scrutiny about his character and appearance. He began brewing over two cauldrons.

There was a knock at the door, which he answered with a growl. "What is it?"

The door opened cautiously. He had not exactly said, 'Come in,' though he did not really say, 'Leave me alone,' either. It was worth the risk. Hermione smiled as she strode into the room after she was certain that he was not going to hex her for disturbing his private time in his dungeons.

"What do you want?" He was sorry afterwards at how harsh his tone had been.

'You' was the answer she would have liked to give, but she gave him a different one. "I thought I'd tell you about those other potions I need. Since we're going to the apothecary tomorrow anyway, you may need to pick up some extra ingredients for them." She shrugged and awaited his response.

He stared at her for a moment waiting for her to continue. "Well?"

"I need the contraception potion we spoke of in class today. I'd like to have a sample of it for the next class. I'd also like to have a small supply of it available in my stores. I know that it's against school rules for the students to be involved on that level, but honestly, they do it anyway. The least we can do is make sure they are safe about it. I also think I should have a few doses of the termination potion, as well. With the way that girl was talking, I think some prenatal potions are a must as well…" Hermione was thinking if there was anything else she was missing.

"Shall we begin brewing tomorrow evening?"

He bared his teeth at her in a new facial expression; it definitely could not be considered a smile, but it was not a grimace or sneer either. She noticed his teeth with this gesture. They were not very straight and had yellowed with years of stain and improper care. She was, after all, the daughter of dentists, so she was prone to noticing things about people's teeth.

"Sir?" she asked with the tone of a scared student. "If it's not too bold of me to say…" She trailed off, not wanting to hurt his feelings.

"What is it?" he asked, preparing himself for an insult.

"Well, sir, I don't mean to offend you, but I know a really good spell to straighten out your teeth if you'd like, and another really good one to polish them to a lovely shade of white… It's really very superficial, I know, but I think you'd have really nice teeth if you took a few minutes to take care of them." She smiled at him, showing off her own pearly-whites. "Do you remember when Draco Malfoy hexed my teeth to grow? Well, sir, it's the same spell that Madam Pomfrey had used on me to reverse the damage."

"Thank you for the information, Miss Hermione. I'd appreciate it if you left though. I've got potions to brew."

She glanced at the cauldron and noticed that he was brewing a new batch of shampoo and conditioner for himself. "Sev?" She tried again, hoping for a better reaction this time. "I really liked the shampoo samples you gave me. If it wouldn't be too much trouble, could you brew me up a batch too?"

He twitched his mouth into an approving smirk as she exited his labs to go back to the hospital wing.