AN: Thank you for all the support! It is very deeply appreciated!

Sirius was still dark blue when he returned. He was hunched over, and did not make contact with Severus, instead choosing to stand in the corner of the room.

"How is Ms. Granger?" Severus asked.

"Fine."

"Is she just fine?"

"I guess so."

"You guess so?"

Sirius shrugged. "She had a typical day at work. All she did was fill out paperwork and restock some shelves. The only interesting thing she did was explain to an angry customer why she wasn't selling Severus Snape: Saint or Scoundrel? anymore."

"Did she give the real reason she feels as if she cannot sell the book?"

"Not entirely. She just that you were a hero and she didn't feel comfortable desecrating your name for a galleon."

Severus braced himself for the inevitable tirade against his alleged perfection.

"Can I have Nicomachean Ethics?" Sirius' glow did not change color.

Between his wording and the quiet tone of voice, Severus wasn't quite sure he'd heard him right.

"I said," Sirius glanced up. "Can I please have Nicomachean Ethics?"

"Certainly." Severus picked it up from the bottom of the book pile. "Hopefully the concepts will not prove too complex for you."

Sirius took the book.

Severus watched as he turned to the first page. "Is that it? No snide comment, no little jab at me?"

Sirius didn't look up.

"You're hiding something from me," Severus lowered his voice.

He kept his eyes on the book.

"What happened to Ms. Granger?" Severus demanded. "What are you not telling me?"

"Nothing happened." Sirius looked up. "Hermione had a good, uneventful day."

From his expression, it was clear that the dog was telling the truth. That did not explain why he was so quiet though.

"Are you feeling well?" Severus asked.

"What kind of question is that?" Sirius' frown deepened. "I'm a spirit, I can't feel unwell."

"I am aware of how spirits function."

Sirius' glow dulled.

"Still I have never been in a room with you for longer than two minutes without you babbling incessantly about some asinine topic."

"Perhaps it's time for a change."

Severus' eyebrow was raised almost to his hairline.

Sirius glanced at the wall. "It's almost seven. You wouldn't want to miss your appointment with Ms. Granger."

"Indeed," Severus stood.

"Good luck. I hope things go well."

Severus stared at him.

Sirius returned his attention to the book.

"Yes, well good luck with reading."

"Thanks."

With that, Severus disappeared.

For the first time since they'd begun meeting, Ms. Granger was in her living room at the proper time wearing the proper attire of jeans and a burgundy sweater.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" She asked.

"No reason." He sat beside her. "I'm just surprised you are ready for our meeting on time."

"We've been doing this long enough that I know the routine by now."

"True."

"Is there something wrong with being on time?"

"No." He shook his head. "I've just had an odd day."

"What is an odd day in Purgatory?"

"It looks the same as a normal day, but much quieter."

She blinked.

"Sirius has been quiet and is taking an actual interest in performing his mission."

"What exactly is Sirius' mission?"

Before Severus could answer, a knock resounded throughout the house.

"I'll get it," She muttered before standing.

Severus followed a few steps behind.

She peeked through the small hole. Her skin lost its color as she shook.

"What's wrong?" Severus asked.

"It's a complicated situation, one I really don't wish to explain."

"Open up Hermione! I see you in there!"

She gulped.

"Let me in."

Hermione did not touch the doorknob.

"I'll start singing unless you open the door."

She groaned.

"Oh my love! My darling! I've hungered for your touch!"

Ms. Granger flung open the door. "What do you want?"

Severus had never noticed how oily Mr. McLaggen's smile was until that moment. The fact that he'd used too much grease on his perfectly parted hair wasn't helping dispel the image of a used car salesman.

"I wanted to say hello." He pulled out a bouquet of red roses from behind his back. "And give you these."

"Thank you," she drawled.

Severus craned his neck to get a better view. He had to give Mr. McLaggen credit, they were quite fresh.

"What are you doing here?"

"I was in the neighborhood and thought, 'why not pay Hermione a visit? She may be busy, but why not see her anyway?'"

She frowned. "I'm actually quite busy."

"With what?"

"With various things."

"Like what?"

"Right now, I am cooking, dusting, amongst other things It's very time consuming."

"That's unfortunate," he pushed himself past her. "Of course if you need someone to help you, I'm free."

"I find it difficult to envision you using a vacuum."

"Oh you'll find that I am quite a good cleaner."

Severus suppressed a chuckle at the image of McLaggen in a French maid's uniform using a feather duster on an old vase.

"I also clean up well." McLaggen purred.

"Oh?" She squeaked.

Mr. McLaggen drew closer to her. "I do."

"That sounds amazing, but I need to return to my sweeping. I cannot allow my floors to get too dirty."

"Why don't you allow me to sweep you off your feet?" Before she could respond, McLaggen embraced her. "I think you'd find that we could have a most pleasant evening."

She pushed him into the wall and glared at him.

"Why are you fighting me so hard?" McLaggen asked. "Haven't you always felt a pull towards me?"

"No."

"Oh yes you have, but you're stubborn and feisty." He gave her a predatory smile. "I like that in a woman."

She gulped.

"Think about us together. We could be the ultimate power couple. I could be Minister of Magic, and you would be the woman at my side."

"What exactly am I supposed to do at your side?"

"Look gorgeous of course!"

Hermione's mouth hung open.

Severus began to glow red.

"Think about us, at Ministry Balls, dancing in each other's arms. I would be making speeches while the fashion magazines copied your every outfit. The population would adore us."

"Do I get to have a career in the midst of all this media attention?"

"Being my wife should keep you busy enough."

"It's a tempting offer, but I need to think about it. Marriage is a big commitment."

"It is, but it's one I know you'd take seriously. That's why you'd make an excellent wife."

She shook.

McLaggen leaned closer to her and whispered in her ear, "Just think about that the next time a man comes knocking on your door."

She gasped as he broke away.

"Anyway I wanted to see how you were doing and tell you that I cared. Have a wonderful evening. I promise to see you soon."

"Sure," she whispered.

McLaggen gave her one last smirk before strutting out the door.

Once it shut, Severus asked, "How long has he been harassing you?"

Hermione spun around.

"How long has he been behaving this way?"

"It really isn't a big deal."

"Isn't a big deal?" Severus snapped. "He was practically manhandling you!"

"Look, he's been overenthusiastic about me for a few years, but it's nothing I can't handle."

"You shouldn't need have to handle anything. He should respect your boundaries."

"He's a little pushy, but aren't all men?"

"No! At least they shouldn't be."

Ms. Granger swallowed.

"I despise Black, but I think such behavior is even below him. I cannot even envision James behaving like this. You need to stand up to him."

"Don't you think I've tried?"

"I'm sure you have at times, but you could at least threaten to press charges if he barges into your house again."

"He's the second in line to become Chief Warlock."

"So? That does not justify his behavior."

"No, but that makes it hard to call the aurors and tell them what's going on."

"Can't Potter help you?"

"Not if he wants to keep his job."

Severus shook his head.

"I'm sure McLaggen will get bored with me and take the hint eventually." She turned around. "We should just resume our evening."

"Has he ever come to your house before?"

"He was here for a party I threw for the members of Dumbledore's Army once."

"Other than that, has he ever appeared uninvited?"

She took a deep breath. "No."

"You need to tell Potter what he's doing immediately."

"No!"

"This is serious…"

"It's nothing I cannot handle. Just let it go."

"Please…"

"I know you're trying to help," she replied. "But I don't need you to help with this! I'm fine."

"My goal is to make you happy though," he answered. "Ending this harassment will make you more than happy."

"Just, please." Hermione sighed. "Let's return to the potion."

"But…"

"Please," she held up her hand. "Please return to the research or go back to Purgatory."

"Very well then," Severus' glow dimmed. "We will resume our research."

She nodded before leading him to the sitting room.

They were both too lost in their own thoughts for it to be a productive meeting.