Chapter Three

Severus frowned as he witnessed her abrupt departure. What on earth had that been about? She'd almost seemed sincere about inviting him to dinner. He'd considered saying yes, but wondered if it wouldn't be just too strange, going to dinner with a former student. Almost like a... a date. Dear Merlin, was it possible she'd been flirting with him? Had she seriously been asking him out?

Then she'd suddenly acted all odd: flushing, and stammering, and going on about him having plans and her keeping him from them. What had she been thinking? Severus came to a decision. Since his return to England it wasn't as if he'd had women beating down his door to socialize with him. And it was clear she could use some mature advice on the sort of men she'd been dating if two-minute Mitch was any indication. So why not have dinner with her, even if she were a former student? It was just dinner, after all. He snatched up his backpack and tossed one strap over his shoulder as he hurried down the path she had taken, hoping he could catch her before she Apparated away.

He came around a bend in the path and saw her up ahead, nearing the isolated area designated as the Apparition point in what was mainly a Muggle park. "Hermione, wait!" he called as he lengthened his stride to catch up to her—had he been wearing his teaching robes they would have been billowing nicely behind him. She paused, and for a brief instant he thought she was going to make a dash for it despite him calling her. Instead she reluctantly turned to face him, her arms crossed defensively in front of her as she stared at him glumly.

"Professor Snape? Did you forget something?"

He frowned. Why was he now Professor Snape again when just moments before he'd been Severus? Her gaze seemed to focus everywhere but on him. He gently reached out and chucked her under the chin, tipping her face up to look at him. "I much preferred it when you called me Severus earlier, and I'd like it very much if you would continue to do so," he said softly, repeating her own words from earlier.

"Really?" She looked up at him hesitantly.

He nodded. "Yes, really."

"Very well. As you wish, Severus." Her expression slowly morphed into a small smile as she too answered him with his earlier response. "Why did you come after me?"

"To tell you that you're going the wrong way," he replied.

She looked confused. "I don't understand. The Apparition point is just over there."

"But the west entrance to the park is back that way," he said, pointing in the opposite direction. "I thought you were going to dinner."

Hermione shook her head. "No. I changed my mind. I don't want to eat out alone, so I'm just going home."

"Coincidentally, I've also changed my mind. I'd like to accept that offer of dinner now."

Hermione looked directly up into his face, her expression vulnerable, and now he was the one who wanted to look away. "I thought you didn't want to go out with me," she said, her voice husky.

"I was afraid you were just being polite, that the offer was made out of a sense of obligation. Plus it felt a bit strange to think of going out to dinner with you, being a former student and all."

Hermione huffed and rolled her eyes. "I told you it wasn't because I owed you. Mitchell – and in fact several of my recent dates – have all been rather immature. I really thought it would be nice to have dinner and intelligent conversation with an adult for a change. And as far as the whole teacher-student thing, I don't see any reason why that would be a problem. It's been nearly ten years since we were in those roles. We're both adults now. Certainly we can do as we wish."

He studied her for a moment. "Yes, I suppose you're right. We can." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Let me ask you something. What was that all about, there at the end when you left? You got all flustered and blushed such a lovely shade of pink before running off in the wrong direction."

His comment caused her to blush again. "I told you. It wasn't the wrong direction, I meant to come this way. And...well, I was trying so hard to convince you to come out with me when I suddenly realized that you were trying to give me a polite brush-off. Probably so as not to hurt my feelings."

Severus snorted. "You suffered through six years of my classes at Hogwarts. You surely should know better than anyone that hurting someone's feelings is not something I have ever worried about."

"Well, perhaps not," she admitted primly. "But your glance at the time suggested that you had 'things to do'. The thought occurred to me that you already had made plans with someone and I was keeping you from them."

"You thought I was meeting someone? A woman?"

"Well, yes. I did. It's not so hard to believe. After all, I don't know what your life is like now. You're quite successful at staying out of the gossip columns, so for all I know you could have a girlfriend, or even a wife and kids for that matter."

He rolled his eyes at the very thought. "I can assure you, I have none of the above."

"Well, in that case, if you'd like to join me for dinner, the offer still stands. Allow me to lead the way." The genuine smile Hermione flashed his way as she linked her arm with his made him think that this might be the best idea he'd had in a long time.

There was an awkward silence for the first few moments as they strolled back along the path toward the west gate. Although Severus Snape didn't seem to be the type to indulge in idle chit chat, Hermione decided small talk would be less uncomfortable than no talk. "So, I read that you've recently returned to England. I suppose that's how you've been able to avoid being the target of Skeeter's incessant gossip for so long."

"Yes, I suppose it is," he replied. "After I survived the war and was exonerated of all charges, I decided to spend some time traveling. I'd spent so many years tied to England and to Hogwarts that I wanted to see a bit of the world."

They talked briefly of the many places he'd either visited or lived in for the past several years. Hermione admitted to some jealousy over his travels.

"So what made you decide to return?" she asked, curious. "After all that time, why not just start a new life in a new place?"

"I did consider doing that. But I guess I just got lonely for home. The few people left to whom I feel closest are here: Minerva, Filius, Hagrid, Pomona, and – although I doubt you'd approve of them – Lucius and Draco as well."

Hermione looked at him. "I can understand that. You spent a good many years at Hogwarts, it stands to reason your fellow Heads of Houses might rank among your friends, and Hagrid was always your supporter. As for the Malfoys..." She shrugged. "Well, I don't really have an opinion of Mr. Malfoy. He keeps to himself these days, out of the public eye, so to speak. But I have no problems with Draco. He works at the Ministry too, though we're in different departments so I don't have a lot of contact with him. But we have served together on several charity projects and managed to get along tolerably well, amicably even. At least we've never come to blows or hexes, so that's saying something."

Severus stopped and turned toward her, eyebrows raised. "It surprises me to hear that you don't judge the Malfoys more harshly. I believe were I in your place I probably would."

Hermione sighed and bit her lip, deliberating her next words. "I guess you're right, I did at first. It's been a long time, though, and people change, feelings change, opinions change. I've gotten to know some people who stood against us back then, and some are just as bigoted as they ever were, but others... They did what they had to do to survive, to keep their families alive. I can't say I approve of all the methods they might have used, but I can understand the why behind their actions. There's a saying, from the Bible, I think. I'm not sure of the exact wording, but it's something along the lines of: 'Judge not others too harshly, lest you be judged as well'. I try to remember that now." She looked up at Severus and grinned. "This is awful, how did we get on such a serious topic? I was just trying to make small talk." Just then a gust of chilly wind blew down the street and Hermione shivered.

"You're cold," said Severus as he cast a quick warming charm, then draped his jacket over her shoulders for good measure. "Where is this blasted pub of yours? I thought you said it wasn't far."

"It's not," she replied with a laugh. "Just down at the end of this block. The Lucky Penny, do you know it?"

"No, I don't think I've heard of it."

"The food is good. Nothing fancy mind you, but good home cooking. Comfort food, I guess I'd call it."

"Hmm... that sounds perfect right about now. Lets go." Severus directed her forward, putting his hand lightly on the curve of her back. Once they started walking, he didn't remove his hand.

Hermione gulped silently. The butterflies were back.

TBC