A/N: So, OMG! I have an idea for that purple spell that was cast on Hermione in book five. I am brilliant. I think we will learn about that very shortly. And by the way, everyone loving Snape crying….that was kind of an accident. I was trying to finish the chapter and wanted a cliff hanger and it just kind of came out. I haven't quite figured it out yet. So no…you do not see why he's crying. But this chapter should be fun. A special little moment between Severus and Hermione. I also realized I've been skipping my disclaimers, so I feel like reminding everyone:

Disclaimer: I in no way own the anything in this story except the plot changes. If I owned Harry Potter, Mundungus Fletcher would have died, not Mad eye…wait…Madeye still died in my story….oh well…

Chapter 13

Severus hadn't even realized that his eyes had watered up that much. And now he was left with no explanation.

"Yes Hermione, I am fine."

"But you were just-"

"Miss Granger!" He snapped. "I am fine. And I'll ask you to leave it at that and not pester me with your questions."

Hermione was taken aback. Not only had he not called her by her first name, his demeanor was very different from the man she was growing accustomed to. That man she could give a chance. But this was her professor. The one who hated her. And she couldn't handle him going between the two.

This was a mistake. Hermione thought to herself. But even so she forced herself to look into his eyes. And first she was met with the cold stare that she was used to. The stare full of anger. And even with the tears it was hard to think there could be anything more but she continued to look. And slowly something more became visible. But she couldn't identify it. It was like a mixture of hope and sorrow. Love and suffering. He was broken inside and now she had her way to make it through this whole relationship. She was going to "fix" him to the best of her abilities.

"You're right Severus. I won't pry," She spoke softly, "I was thinking that maybe we could go out for dinner. No offense, but this place gets dreary after the month I've had."

"That would be acceptable. Let me make a call. Dress, formally."

He still wasn't the person she was growing accustomed to, but he wasn't the hardened professor she was used to. She returned to her room and opened her closet. She pulled out the formal dresses she had. The one from the Yule ball. It reminded her of a simpler time. There was her mother's Prom dress which was lovely, if a bit out dated. Then there was the cute little red dress she had bought for Bill's wedding.

They stayed, laying on her bed so she could think about them. Instead, she grabbed her curling iron, and make up bag and dashed into the bathroom. Even though her hair had a natural wave to it, she wanted the curled effect. But before she could even start getting dressed she needed a shower. Not just to help make styling easier, but because she still felt dirty from the previous night's events. She stood in the shower water running down her body as she thought. But she was nervous. She couldn't help it. This was her first date with a man she was already married to and had sex with twice.

Luna?

Hermione, now's not a good time, I'm in the shower.

It's not like we're on a muggle phone Luna. And besides so am I. I'm just nervous.

About what?

Severus and I are going out tonight.

And?

And what? He's my professor. The one time I left this house to go out in public I was stared at as the new wife of Severus Snape. And I was alone that time.

So what? He's your husband now. And besides, isn't this what you wanted? A real relationship? You can't have that without dates.

Hermione was shocked. Who was this callous girl for surely it wasn't Luna.

Hermione look. I know it's hard for you. But you chose it. And usually you're strong. It's concerning to see you so nervous and scared all the time. He's a man. And sure as hell better than Ron.

What do you have against Ron?

Oh nothing personally, I just don't get a good vibe from him. And when you two were together it only got worse. I don't know what it means, but it was never good.

Luna what-

Hermione just dress up, feel pretty, have fun.

Luna, I did what you said. I looked into his eyes. But even before I did that, he was crying.

What? Why?

I don't know. I tried to ask and he went back to being the callous professor we all know. Gone was the man I thought I could at least like enough to stay a family with.

Hermione, I know where you're going with this. People can't be fixed.

Yes they can! And I WILL fix him!

With that Hermione shut out Luna. People were like computers. They could get broken by something and they could be fixed by people too. She was going to find out what broke him. And so she turned off the water and cast a quick dry spell on her hair and she wrapped the towel around her body. Wiping the fog from the mirror Hermione turned on the iron and waited for it to warm up. Severus was a man. A man doing terrible things and that had to take a toll on someone. And at some point he would crack. At some point she would have his trust. She would play him like Anne Boleyn played King Henry. Make him think that he was making progress while it was her making progress.

She wrapped her hair tightly around the iron, staring deep into her own reflection. Looking for the determined young woman she knew was there. She continued to find the confidence as she took the curls and wrapped them in an updo. It only grew stronger as she applied her foundation, eye shadow, eye liner, and mascara.

When she returned to her room, she dropped the towel and grabbed her wand, aiming it at the gown for the Yule ball. The length began to grow shorter and the cut changed to suit the new length. As she put it on and zipped it up about half way before walking out of her room to wait at the top of the stairs.

"Severus!" she called out.

He showed up at the bottom of the stairs, dressed in a nice suit looking quite irritated, "Yes Miss Granger?"

"I need help with the rest of this zipper. Do you think that you could help me out?"

Severus walked up the stairs and briskly turned her around. As he reached for the zipper, he couldn't help but notice the lack of a bra. He shook his head to clear the thoughts and zipped her up.

Hermione turned to face him with a clever smile on her face, "Thank you Severus," She said before heading back towards her room to get her shoes, "And don't forget, It's Mrs. Snape now."

That witch is actually trying to seduce me. And she's not being awkward about it this time either. Severus thought to himself, wondering where this confidence came from.

"Would you please hurry it along Miss Gran- Mrs. Snape? Our reservations are in thirty minutes and I called a cab that's waiting.

When Hermione emerged from her room, she was a full two inches taller with a black coat hanging over her arm. She walked passed him and down the stairs, running her fingers across his chest as she passed.

"Are you coming, Mr. Snape?"

He snapped out of his trance and hurried down the stairs.

"What are you playing at, Hermione?"

"I don't know what you mean, Severus. I only dressed up like you said," she responded, her voice heavy with false innocence. "So what's for dinner?"

"I thought we'd go to this small fondue restaurant. It's a muggle, but the food is good. And it seemed like the perfect intimate setting for a first date for us."

"Sounds lovely."

They walked out of the door together and Severus opened her cab door. The ride was silent and when they got there, Severus opened her cab door and the door to the establishment and held it as she walked by.

"Hello How many tonight?"

"We have a reservation. It's under Snape."

The lady looked between Severus and Hermione, questioningly, but this time Hermione Looked much more adult than the ring shop and so the hostess shrugged them off as one of the rich old man young gold digging women couples.

They were led to a mall table for two in an isolated corner and the hostess left them.

Hermione Picked up the wine selection, looking over it until she found a nice red cabernet, thought she didn't say anything about it.

"Severus, what kind of wine should we have?"

"I've already ordered a Red Cabernet."

Hermione smiled. They must have similar taste. Which can be good.

"The only thing we need to decide is what kind of cheese, what meat selections, and desert."

"I think cheddar would work, don't you?"

"yes, that would be, agreeable."

They sat in silence for a moment. Awkwardly staring between each other and their menus.

"Mrs. Snape?"

Hermione looked up and around looking for the source of the voice. And right before her appeared her healer.

"Mr. and Mrs. Snape, I need you to come to Saint Mungo's with me. This is urgent."

A/N 2: Hope you enjoyed. Please read and review. :) You guys are great.