Hello, loyal readers! I said this on another story I just updated, but for those of you who don't read other ones I write, sorry for my long, unplanned hiatus! The only excuse I can come up with is "shit happens", and y'all just gotta bear with me and roll with it. I did manage to bang out a few chapters of this, so I will be posting them over the next few days! As always, read, review, and enjoy!

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Hermione left the apothecary, biting her lip as she approached her friends. "Hi, guys," she said quietly.

Ginny and Luna turned around. Ginny said nothing, nor did she smile, but thankfully Luna was willing to break the tense, uncomfortable silence. "Hello, Hermione," she said, giving a warm smile.

Hermione bit her lip. "Listen… I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. I've been a really rotten the past few weeks… I shouldn't have been so angry with you for trying to look out for me. I know you're still mad, and I don't expect you to forgive me, but I just… wanted to try to set things right." She turned to go.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "For Merlin's sake, just come have a drink with us."

Hermione paused. "Really?"

Ginny nodded. "You've been a proper arse, but I understand. Anyway, if you're living with Severus Snape, you're surely in need of something much stronger than butterbeer."

Hermione smiled as they walked toward the Three Broomsticks. "It actually hasn't been as bad as I expected it to be."

"Really?" Ginny asked, surprised.

Hermione nodded. "How has it been with Rolf, Luna?"

"It's been good," Luna said. "He's very nice. I got to meet his family last week. His grandfather is Newt Scamander."

"THE Newt Scamander?! As in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them?!" Ginny demanded. "Why didn't you tell me? He's a legend!"

Luna shrugged. "You never asked."

"That's exciting, Luna!" Hermione said. "I bet you could learn a lot from him!"

Luna nodded. "Have things been going okay with Professor Snape?"

Hermione thought. "It's not too bad. It can be a bit difficult, but it's getting easier. He's different than I thought he would be. I thought he would be cold and mean and hateful, and…he's not. He's still Snape, but he's more considerate of my feelings than I expected him to be. He's just…different."

"Are you actually falling for him?" Ginny asked, sounding shocked.

Hermione blushed. "What? No! Don't be ridiculous, of course I'm not falling for him!" she exclaimed. She shook her head to rid her mind of such foolish thoughts. "Come on, let's go in and get our drinks."

The girls went into the Three Broomsticks, where they sat for more than hour, talking and enjoying their free time.

After awhile, the door opened and Severus walked inside. Hermione looked over and their eyes met. Her cheeks turned pink and she looked down at her mug of butterbeer.

"You all right?" asked Ginny, who hadn't seen Severus enter.

"Oh – yes, I'm all right," Hermione said quickly, trying to cover any suspicion. "Just lost in thought."

"Okay. I'm going to the loo – I'll be back." Ginny stood and left.

Luna moved closer to Hermione. "I saw how you looked at each other," she said softly. "I may be overstepping, but I think you should give him a chance. He's going to be your husband soon, and he feels something for you – I can tell."

Hermione thought about Luna's words. "I don't know, Luna."

"Go on," Luna encouraged. "Go sit with him. Spend time with him, get to know him… You'll see. And even if I'm wrong, at least you'll get to know the person you'll be spending your life with."

After a moment, Hermione nodded. She got up and went over to Severus. "Hi," she said softly.

"Hello," said Severus, sounding and looking rather surprised. "I thought you were going to spend the rest of your day with your friends."

Hermione shrugged. "I thought I'd spend part of it with you too, unless you'd rather I didn't…"

"No, I don't mind, I'm just a bit surprised is all," Severus said as she sat down across from him. "What would you like?" he asked. "I planned to have my lunch here."

"Oh, I don't need anything, I've had a few drinks."

"You shouldn't drink without eating something… It helps," Severus said. She decided on a serving of beef pasties, while Severus chose roasted chicken and potatoes. Once it arrived, the ate their food quietly, and she drank the butterbeer she'd brought with her.

After some time, Hermione glanced up to see Severus watching her, and a slight smile played across his lips.

"What?" she asked, confused.

He reached across and gently touched her upper lip. "You have a bit of foam." His finger removed it and Hermione's face reddened as she touched her lip. He spared her from any further embarrassment by changing the topic. "Shall we start heading back?"

"Yes, I'm ready," Hermione answered. They stood and headed for the door. Hermione turned to wave goodbye to Ginny and Luna. Ginny waved with a dumbstruck expression on her face, and Luna smiled as she waved.

It was much colder now and Hermione wrapped her arms around herself.

"Are you cold?" Severus inquired.

"A bit," Hermione said softly. Without hesitation, he took off his cloak and wrapped it around her.

"Oh, you didn't have to do that," Hermione said, sounding surprised.

Severus shrugged. "You were cold."

After a moment of hesitation, Hermione pulled the cloak tighter around herself. "Thank you," she said softly.

Her words brought a warm feeling to Severus, completely overpowering any cold he may have felt without the cloak. "You're welcome," he replied.

When they returned to the carriages, he held out his hand to help her in. This time she didn't hesitate before accepting his help. "Thank you," she said once more.

He looked into her eyes before climbing in with her. "You're welcome," he repeated, his voice soft.

It didn't escape his notice when she blushed, and he tilted his head. "Why are you blushing?" he asked, gently brushing her cheek with his thumb.

"I… I don't know," she whispered, looking up at him.

He smiled and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. "All right. Let's go home."

She sat in the carriage beside him, looking out the window at the falling snow. After a minute or so, she sighed.

"What troubles you?" Severus asked.

"I miss my mum and dad," she said quietly. "Christmas is coming soon… I wish I could spend it with them."

Severus thought for a moment. "Tomorrow, I shall go to the Headmaster and get permission for us to take a short leave of absence and find them."

"Wait – really?" she whispered.

He nodded. "Yes. I will help you find them."

Hermione suddenly hugged him hard, beginning to cry, no words coming to her tongue.

Severus sat there in shock for a moment before hesitantly putting his arms around her, hugging her back gently. His hand gently rested against her soft brown curls, and for the first time they both let themselves feel something they hadn't dared to feel yet.

Hope.