AU! Snape lives.

Snape's going to be in-character, but he's also going to have a hidden personality.

Written for the Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

House: Thunderbird

Class/Task Number: Potions. Task 2 [Powdered Root of Asphodel] A character with drastically different personalities.

Bonus Prompts: [character] Severus Snape

Word Count: 3359

The Other Side Of Him

Severus Snape has a romantic side that only his wife knows about.

"How's the missus, sir?"

"Ten points from Gryffindor for that cheeky remark!" Snape barked, his eyes narrowed on Seamus Finnegan.

"I graduated years ago, Professor!" Seamus cried, aghast.

"I don't care — get out of my shop, you bumbling buffoon!" Snape hissed, teeth clenched with irritation.

With a wave of his wand, he threw his ex-student out on the streets.

"Don't you want me to buy something from your shop, Professor?!" Seamus yelled from outside the apothecary Severus Snape worked at.

"No. Now, leave the premises."

"Ugh! But I need to buy some Fire Resistance potion and Burn-Healing Paste; my son set himself on fire, sir!" Seamus yelled, a pout visible on his face.

"Wonderful — it seems as if he takes after his imbecile father," Snape sneered as he turned away from the shop window.

"Just let me in," Seamus whined, as he banged his fist against the locked door.

"Go away, Mr Finnegan."

It was a miracle Hermione even married the man — he was still such a grumpy old bat!

"Professor Snape? Can I get some Anti-Paralysis Potion?" Neville asked as he stood at the counter.

"I am not your professor anymore, Longbottom. Get that inside your thick skull," Snape muttered, as he turned towards the shelves to pick out some potion for him.

"Sorry, it's a habit," Neville apologized sheepishly.

"What else do you need? Hurry up, boy! I am in no mood to listen to your pathetic sniffling," Snape growled, his arms crossed.

Neville didn't get offended; he quickly asked for more potions and hurried out of there lest Snape lost his temper and hexed him.

Merlin, how did Hermione even end up with him?

"Father requires three vials of Blemish Blitzer and Mother wants some Doxycide for the pests. They want you to charge the account," Draco announced, haughtily.

"Finally matured enough to have acne like us common folk, did he?" Snape sneered, as he searched for the potions.

"Father will be most displeased with that comment," Draco pointed out to him, a slight smirk on his face.

"Draco, come and search for it yourself." Severus beckoned him closer.

"For what?" Draco asked, a bewildered frown on his face.

"I can't seem to find where I asked for your opinion," Snape drawled, as he leaned back against the shelf with his arms crossed over his chest, arrogantly.

"Uncle Severus!" Draco gasped loudly, shocked at his godfather's sarcastic remark.

"Father also wants a Beautification Potion," Draco admitted.

"Tell him nothing can cure the darkness that resides in his soul — he needs to atone for all his sins," Snape muttered, to Draco's amusement.

Wait till Father hears about this! Mother will be very amused.

Severus Snape had never dared assume he would be able to live through the second war; therefore, he hadn't made a backup plan. So it came as a thunderclap to him when Hermione Granger, of all people, shoved a Bezoar down his throat after the Battle of Hogwarts and saved him from imminent death.

He'd been exonerated for his crimes when Harry gave his memories to the Wizengamot, but despite that, he resigned from his post of Potions Professor and decided to take a sabbatical. He'd roamed through the countryside with nought but the clothes on his back and his wand in his pocket — he'd tired of it soon enough and returned to his house in Spinner's End. He'd spend several months in solitary confinement, and had researched different potion ingredients. Soon, he'd hesitantly started up a small apothecary on the outskirts of Diagon Alley — after Lucius forced him to.

He started inventing new potions from the decades-old research he'd stashed away from his years as a student at Hogwarts. But his shop wasn't a success — not until Hermione Granger had arrived at his doorstep with her resumé in hand.

He'd slammed the door in her face. She'd forced past his wards — slowly dismantling them from outside — and had walked into his house as if she owned it.

He'd been absolutely furious at her audacity; he'd almost hexed her!

She'd stopped him just in time, and had pleaded with him to listen to her proposal. He'd been hesitant, but still, he had sat down and done as she had practically begged him to do.

Her proposal had been simple – she would be willing to work for 75 per cent of the usual salary if Severus agreed to accept her as his Apprentice. The catch was that she would be free to experiment alongside Severus, and they would sell Wolfsbane at a lower rate than the market price.

Severus had kicked her out with a scathing remark, but she'd called out her address over her shoulder before she had Disapparated.

He'd been curious — not that he would have admitted to anyone — why Hermione Granger — war heroine, Hermione Granger — wasn't working with the Ministry of Magic. He'd assumed she'd be working in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures — she'd always been such an advocate for house-elf rights.

One evening, he'd mentioned her proposal to Lucius. The blond man had stared at Severus with disbelief and had demanded, "A beautiful young war heroine comes to you and you kick her out?! Merlin, what is wrong with you?!"

Severus had scowled and grumbled, "I don't want to be around her more than necessary, Lucius."

Pitifully, Lucius had shaken his head and had said, "Severus. She's a war heroine. Think of how much you could profit from that. You won't have to do anything — she'll rake in the profit for you. Draco told me about her — she's a very smart and resourceful girl. Think of this like a Slytherin."

Severus had been forced to think over her proposal. A week later, he'd sent her a letter with all the terms and conditions he could think of. She'd signed it right away. And thus, Hermione Granger had started working as his Apprentice in his apothecary.

For three years, they'd worked together as Master and Apprentice. Then, she'd discovered something unusual about the Wolfsbane potion that made Severus swell with uncharacteristic pride — the potion harmed the werewolf's immune system after long-term usage. That year, he'd promoted her to his partner — and the next, to his wife.

Severus dusted his immaculate robes off after he exited the Floo. Merlin, it had been a long day! He'd scared exactly seventeen customers; he loved the feeling of power that rushed through his veins when he managed to put the fear of God in people. All it took, usually, was a sneer and a scathing remark.

"Where are you, witch?" He called out, loudly, as he strolled through his house. But no one replied.

He undid his stiff buttons and shrugged off his robes as he walked up the stairs. He took a quick peek into the library, but his dear wife wasn't there.

When he reached their bedroom, he realized it was ajar. He slowly slid the door open and found Hermione curled up under the blanket with a large, heavy tome precariously balanced on her knees. A pile of parchments lay on the bedside table, a ballpoint pen beside them. She hadn't even noticed his entrance!

Severus knew better than to disturb her when she was so obviously researching something. He decided to go downstairs and make something to eat. He was famished!

In the kitchen, he spontaneously decided to make hot chocolate for his wife — he knew how much she loved it.

He quickly lit a fire with a soft Incendio and heated up the milk and sugar. While the milk boiled, he took his time chopping the large bar of Honeydukes' finest milk chocolate. He mixed the slowly-melting chocolate into the warm milk and counted the exact number of times he stirred the concoction carefully.

He poured the mixture into Hermione's mug and topped it off with exactly seven tiny marshmallows dipped in chocolate syrup.

Making the most delicious hot chocolate was a science and an art — and Severus Snape had mastered it perfectly.

Before he carried up the drink to his wife, he went out to their greenhouse and selected the most beautiful red salvias and daisies he could find. Only the best for his wife, after all.

Upstairs, he slipped into the room and walked closer to the bed where his beautiful wife still sat reading her book.

He picked up the flowers and silently Charmed them into a thick flower crown. As she sat leaning against the headboard, he quietly placed the crown over her head.

She startled and looked up at him with wide eyes.

His cheeks tinged pink as he mumbled, "A crown for the queen who reigns over my heart and soul."

Hermione melted at his words and beamed up at him; her smile was one of happiness growing, it came from deep within her soul to light up her eyes.

"Who would believe me if I told people you're such a Hufflepuff!" Hermione teased him gently, as she wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him closer.

"Everyone knows I would never do something like this — it's the perfect way to make you seem like a demented little witch," Severus drawled, as he offered her the mug of hot chocolate.

Hermione threw her head back and laughed heartily, her eyes filled with tears of mirth, and said, "That was a very Slytherin answer, Mr Snape."

"I am the epitome of Slytherin, my love," he whispered as he watched her savour every sip of the soul-warming drink he'd made for her with absolute love and adoration.

Hermione leaned against his shoulder as he picked up her book and looked through her markings. Merlin and Morgana, he was right actually! Who would believe her if she admitted Severus Snape made her flower crowns and loved cuddling with her in bed? They would send her to the nearest asylum!

As she lay there cuddled up with her husband, she thought of the first time he'd shown her he cared for her as more than just an Apprentice.

Flashback

June 2005

Hermione glanced at the clock that hung on the wall. It was getting late — she needed to get home to get ready for dinner.

"Severus? I'm leaving," she called out as she tidied up for the evening.

"What do you mean you're leaving? It's barely closing time, witch," Severus scowled as he stared at her from behind the counter.

"I'm sure you can manage on your own for one day. I need to get home," she admitted as she quickly jotted down the amount of Draught of Peace they'd sold that day.

"For what? You don't have anything else to do — your precious FRIENDS have their own lives to live. Even your cat can manage on his own and doesn't need you. What are YOU doing then?"

"Well, that's just RUDE!" Hermione scowled, as she whirled around and crossed her arms over her chest.

"I speak the truth — even if it may be bitter," Severus stated, unapologetic about his cutting remark.

"Oh, NOW you want to speak the truth?" Hermione snarled.

"What does that — get back here, witch! I'm not done speaking!" Severus snapped at her as she stormed towards the door.

"Well, I'm done listening! Good night!" Hermione roared as she exited the shop and Disapparated after she left the boundary.

Still grumbling under her breath, she furiously changed her clothes and applied a little bit of makeup. She didn't have a mobile phone — as magic and Muggle technology rarely mixed. She paced in her living room as she waited for her cousin to pick her up.

Just then, Severus Flooed into her house. He took one look at her all dressed up and his heart fell into his stomach.

"Where are you going?" He demanded.

"Out."

"With?"

"Shawn."

"WHO ON EARTH IS SHAWN?!" Severus yelled, horrified.

"Does it matter? What are you even doing here in my house? The weekend has officially started," Hermione hissed at him through clenched teeth.

"There are potions that need your constant attention, Miss Granger. Whatever you're doing now can not be more important than that." Severus reverted behind the walls he'd erected — walls he'd slowly lowered for Hermione to peek a glimpse into his heart.

"It is important. Shawn and I are going to meet my parents today. I haven't seen my parents in a long time!" she snapped at him.

Severus paled at the implication. She was going to introduce this Shawn character to her parents? Was her relationship with this man so serious already? Why hadn't she mentioned him to Severus? Severus had always assumed she vocalized all her thoughts! Looks like he was wrong.

"No! You're not stepping foot out of that door! I forbid it!" Severus barked, as he sprinted to the door and threw his arms out to bar her from leaving.

Hermione was astonished at his uncharacteristic behaviour. What was wrong with him?

"Severus, you can't just stop me from leaving! This is my house; you can't hold me prisoner here!"

"No, I refuse to let you leave. I —" he was interrupted by a loud knock from behind.

Hermione walked closer to open the door but was stopped by an irritated Severus.

"No, you're not leaving, witch!"

"Severus! Let me open the door!"

"No! I'm sending this buffoon away."

"Severus, no!"

But it was too late. Severus threw open the door and barked at the wavy-haired blond standing outside, "Hermione is not going anywhere with you, punk. Beat it!"

The young man's eyes widened and his mouth fell open with shock.

"Wha– what do you mean? What's happening? Who are you? Why isn't Mio coming to dinner? Do I look like a punk to you?" He barraged Severus with all sorts of questions.

"Forgive him, Shawn, this is Severus Snape. He's apparently got an issue with me going to dinner with you," Hermione explained, as she attempted to shove past Severus but failed.

"Oh! This is Snape! I've heard so much about you, sir! Mio never stops talking about you — and Colin has a lot to say about you, too! I'm Shawn Love," Shawn grinned as he extended his hand towards the flabbergasted Severus Snape.

"Colin? Who on earth is Colin?" He frowned, as he stared at the extended hand like it was Nagini herself.

"Creevey, Severus. You remember the boy who used to —"

"Photograph Potter like he was the next Saviour of the world, yes, I remember," Severus muttered, still confused as to why Creevey was talking about him with this obvious Muggle.

"He did save the world, Severus," Hermione pointed out.

"Only because he had you to help him. Salazar knows how much of a numbskull Potter's always been — just like his halfwit of a father," Severus muttered under his breath.

"Oh, stop it, Severus! And get out of my way, I need to go!" Hermione again tried to push him away but Severus stood stiffly in the doorway.

"Mio, why's he not lettin' you leave?" Shawn questioned her over Snape's shoulder.

"I don't know! He refuses to speak! And —"

"Listen to me loud and clear, whatever-your-name-is, for I won't repeat it. Granger is not going out with you anywhere. Leave now," Severus demanded.

"Give me a minute, Shawn. Why don't you wait in the car?" Hermione requested.

Shawn nodded and looked at Severus like he'd just understood something incredibly vital. He smirked and chuckled as he sauntered down the hallway.

"Severus Snape! I can not believe how rude you were to my cousin! Colin told him you were a git — I said you weren't! No one believed me! And now, he'll think the same! For once in your life, can't you at least pretend to be nice? Is that too much to ask for?! I thought — mmph!" she was rudely interrupted by Severus' insistent mouth against hers.

"That was your cousin?" He whispered when they finally parted for breath.

"Yes! What did you — wait, did you think I was going on a date with him? Merlin's beard, Severus! He's gay! He's with Colin Creevey! They met at a photography class and —"

"I am not interested in that drivel. At all. Go out with me tomorrow night," he demanded, as he panted breathlessly. His heart pounded in his chest as he waited for her answer.

"Ask me properly and I might," she teased, a devious little smirk formed on her face.

All of a sudden, something came over Severus. He straightened up and looked around the small flat she lived in. He Accioed a parchment paper and quickly Transfigured it into a cheery moonstone-yellow daffodil. He cupped her cheek gently in the palm of his hand and tucked the flower behind her ear.

"Do you know what a daffodil symbolizes, little witch?" He questioned her, his tone soft and smooth.

"No," she admitted, hesitantly.

"It symbolizes new beginnings — something I wish for us. Will you do me the honour of going out with me tomorrow night?" Severus purred, his eyes hopeful.

Hermione's heart softened at his thoughtful gift. She'd been infatuated with the grumpy — yet genius — man for some time, and often wished she could gather up her Gryffindor courage and ask him out on a date.

But he'd just beaten her to it!

"Yes," she whispered and entwined their hands together.

Severus looked relieved at her answer.

"But I'm still going out now," she warned him.

"Yes, yes, you may go out now. I'll go and make a decision on where to take you on our date," he declared pompously.

Hermione chuckled and nodded.

Hermione was brought out of her flashback when Severus shook her gently.

"What were you thinking of, my heart?"

"The day you asked me out. You were so romantic — you blew me away!" Hermione gushed.

"Do you remember how your friends assumed someone had Polyjuiced themselves to look like me and ask you out?" He smirked, as he tugged her into his lap.

"Oh, yes! Harry almost hexed you when he saw you the next time he came to our shop!" She laughed.

"Glad my godson calmed him down. I would have gladly hexed Potter." Severus burrowed his face in her curls — oh, how much he loved the riotous curls! He could spend his entire life running his fingers through her hair.

"No, you wouldn't have! You know how much he means to me — you wouldn't make me sad! You know everyone knew those two were into each other — but no one thought Draco would be the one to admit his feelings for Harry in the first place." Hermione leaned back against her husband's chest, a wide grin on her face as they reminisced about their mutual friends and family.

"You're right — I wouldn't have hexed him. But I love how awkward he still feels around me. Don't you ever take away my entertainment from me!" He nipped her ear gently, a small grin on his face as he gazed down at his beloved wife.

"No one believes me if I tell them how utterly ridiculous you are with your puns, or how romantic you are! People have started thinking I suffer from a lacklustre love-life, and therefore I'm making things up!" Hermione grumbled, equally amused and annoyed at her friends' incredulity.

"They don't know how much I love you — how much I adore the very ground you walk upon. They don't know the lengths I would go to for your sake," Severus whispered as he firmly wrapped his arms around her waist and dropped his head onto her shoulder.

Hermione smiled softly as she turned around to kiss him.

"I love you," she whispered against his mouth.

"We belong together — more than hot chocolate and marshmallows," Severus mumbled, his eyes half-lidded with adoration for his wife.

"Oh, Merlin, Sev!" She laughed as she threw her arms around his neck and snogged him senseless.

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