Should I have another glass of wine?

AN: Once again, the site isn't allowing me to pull up my reviews. I am getting them via email and I do appreciate them. Hopefully it will allow me to respond to them soon!

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

Hermione sipped the last drops of Malbec from the bottom of her glass. She glanced across the table at her companion. Dr. Marsh's eyes were agleam, as he laughed at his own joke. She gave him a grin, though her mind was wandering to a spirit dressed in a black robe…

"Anyway I'm glad you took me somewhere muggle and off the beaten path." He sighed. "The chicken piccata here is amazing."

"I'll have to try it next time." She glanced down at her half eaten eggplant parmesan. Delicious, but could Severus have shown her how to make it just as delicious, or perhaps better?

Only the mumbled sounds of the waiters and other diners could be heard.

"There's someone else, isn't there?"

Hermione startled.

"You don't need to spare me." Dr. Marsh gave her a sad smile. "It's written all over your face. Your mind keeps wandering to him."

"Oh no, no." She sat up straighter. "There's nobody else."

"There's no reason to lie to me. Your mind keeps wandering. From that dreamy look in your eyes, it has to be another man."

"Trust me, there's nobody. I don't know what you've read in the tabloids…"

"I haven't read anything. I just know when someone is distracted and dwelling on someone else."

She bowed her head. Was it that obvious?

"Really, it's fine. I understand. You wanted to test the dating scene, perhaps to make him jealous or to get his attention, but it isn't working." He sighed. "I get it."

"There isn't anyone else, I swear, but," she swallowed. "My life is complicated right now."

"In other words, he's unavailable so you're trying to move on."

"There's nobody else."

"So he's unavailable and you're in denial, so you went on a date with another man to forget him."

She furrowed her eyebrows. Getting more wine here may not be an option, but she should open a bottle once she got home. If she was lucky, Severus would be waiting in her kitchen. He would make a few sarcastic comments, make observations about the strawberry ice cream she was eating, and the evening would be salvaged.

There was a pang in her chest when she remember that Severus was spending the night in Purgatory.

"That's what I thought."

She blinked. What did Dr. Marsh think?

"Don't worry about it, I understand. If I'm being honest," Dr. Marsh took a shaky breath. "I'm in a similar predicament."

"Oh? Who is she?" Hermione's attention was now fully on him.

"She's an English professor who doesn't know I exist."

"Have you tried talking to her?"

"What would I say?"

"Hello would be a good place to start," she suggested.

"I greet her sometimes, and if I'm lucky we make small talk. When I think about asking her out, though, I honestly want to vomit because I'm so nervous."

"You could always take an anti-nausea potion beforehand."

He chuckled. "Perhaps.

"Seriously, just muster some courage and talk to her."

"No, there must be someone else she's interested in."

"Is she wearing a ring?" Hermione asked. Since when did this date become about giving dating advice?

"No."

"Are there rumors around the university that she's seeing someone?"

"No."

"Then try asking her for coffee." She relaxed. "I mean, you asked me out, so you're capable of doing it."

"I know, but you're different. I was interested in getting to know you, but it wouldn't have crushed my world if you said no to going out with me." He blushed.

"Perhaps it would crush her world if she didn't know someone as wonderful as you."

"Do you really think that?"

"I know that." She winked.

"Thanks." He grinned.

The patrons at the table to the right of them strolled out, arms linked together.

"I'm sorry to lay all of this on you. I hope we can still be friends," Dr. Marsh began.

"I'd love to be your frend." She took his hand.

"I would too." He released the breath he'd been holding. "I'm so glad you aren't too hurt by what I've said. I was interested in you, but it became clear after the appetizer that I didn't feel as strongly about you as I did her."

"I'm not hurt at all." She squeezed his hand. "Although in the future you shouldn't settle for someone else. If you love someone, go after them."

"I could say the same to you." He released her hand.

She frowned.

"Look, I don't need details." He leaned back in his chair. "All I'll say is that you are an amazing woman and I'm lucky to be your friend. Whoever this unavailable man is would be a fool not to make himself available for you."

"He's available enough most days actually," she replied.

"Then what's stopping you from pursuing him?"

"We're from different places."

"Oh a foreign affair."

"A little, but he's going home soon. Nothing can develop between us."

"Why can't you visit him?" He folded his hands.

"It would be difficult to say the least."

"Fine, he can't leave, but if he knew how you felt about him, would he stay?"

"I don't know." Hermione exhaled. "He wants to return home because it will bring him peace. He will be better off where he goes, but I'd miss him terribly."

"Have you told him this?"

"No, and I don't intend to."

"Why not?"

"I don't want to influence his decision in any way."

"But you'd like to."

Her eyes told him all he needed to know

"I hope you get the courage to speak with him about leaving, and that he decides to stay for you. You would both be happier together than apart."

"I would be anyway," she admitted.

At the table to their right, Sirius frowned. So much for Dr. Marsh being her true love. Damn. He seemed so perfect for her too.

Still, the night wasn't a complete loss. She had someone in mind. Yet who could he be?

Sirius reviewed what he knew. This man was leaving town soon, emotionally unavailable, yet must have enough intelligence to capture her interest…

Sirius turned white.

No way in Purgatory!