A/N: Sorry it's been so long since the last update, I've been unwell recently. I'll TRY and be a bit more prompt with the next one, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's not for another week. Thank you all for the wonderful reviews as well. They've been particularly helpful lately, and I appreciate every single one of them, and I also appreciate every single person that takes the time to read this.

Ok, loveyoubye.

Hermione awoke the next day feeling full of regret from the previous night. George had left almost immediately afterwards, muttering something about feeling awkward. He'd got that right. But she knew one thing was certain – the alcohol had made her feel good last night. One part of her mind was telling her to be sensible but there was a majority part of her that just wanted to go out and get smashed again. She got dressed and headed downstairs for breakfast. Harry and Ginny were obviously still in bed. She felt relieved at this. She did not feel like idle chit chat this morning. She needed to talk to someone, but not someone who knew her as well as these two. There was only one person who came to mind who would listen without judging. She vaguely remembered him saying something to her last night. "Owl me any thoughts you have regarding literature."

Ok, so technically this was not going to be literature based chatting. But she felt she had to talk to someone and she hoped he was willing to listen. She found some parchment in a drawer in the kitchen and proceeded to write.

"Professor Snape,

I have some topics that I'd like to discuss with you as soon as possible. Are you available for lunch this afternoon? It is rather urgent.

Yours,

HG"

She borrowed Pigwidgeon and sent him off, hoping he'd be able to find him quickly. She returned to her bedroom and picked up a book. She lay on her bed reading it, and was happy when, a couple of hours waiting there was a tapping at the window.

She strode across the room and opened the window to find a tawny owl sitting majestically on the windowsill. She opened the letter.

"Granger,

Meet me at 1pm, outside the Leaky Cauldron (muggle side).
That owl of yours was too excitable for my liking.

SS"

SSHGSSHGSSHGSSHG

"Another drink, Granger?" Severus asked.

Hermione giggled uncontrollably. She couldn't explain why, but she had spent the last ten minutes unable to control her laughter. It seemed after a few units of alcohol, her previous potions master had a wickedly dark sense of humour. And it seemed after a few units of alcohol, she found his jokes far funnier than she would've done sober.

They had spent some considerable time in the back of the sophisticated muggle bar people watching. Severus had begun making up humorous back stories for the punters around them, each more ridiculous than the last.

She accepted his offer of another drink, and whilst he was at the bar, she resolved that this was the time to ask his advice. When he returned, she gave her thanks and took a big sip of her vodka lemonade, knowing in her mind she was stalling.

"Professor?" she began.

"Granger, I'm no longer your professor. Call me Severus," he replied, without taking his eyes off the poster above the bar.

"Sorry. Severus, I am in need of some advice."

He turned to look her in the eye, and he sensed this was not something he really wanted be a part of. But he could hardly refuse her whatever she wanted from him, not when she was wearing the expression of someone who was deeply troubled.

"Go ahead," he said after a moment.

She hardly knew where to begin. This was the man whom she had spent six years fearing. Yet, she had also spent that time trying to please him. But he was here now, willing to listen, when she felt there was no one else to turn to.

"Last night, after the ball, I invited George to my house. And, well, I've done something I regret, and I don't know what to do about it, I mean, I'm going to have to see him again, but I don't want a relationship with him, he's Ron's brother and…." She spoke quickly before trailing off.

Severus didn't say anything for a moment. Hermione waited for him to say something, but in his head he just couldn't fathom how this information made him feel. He could feel a dead weight in the pit of his stomach that made him want to vomit. He knew in his head that his attraction to her was purely physical, that it was because he had longed for a friend like her since Lily had disowned him. But the emotional side of him was taking over. People you were only physically attracted to didn't have the power to hurt you when they talked about their sex life.

"Granger, I don't know what advice you would like. You did what many people end up doing whilst drunk, you have slept with someone for the sole purpose of getting over someone. I know you're still not over Weasley, I see the sadness in your eyes every time we meet. It's unfortunate it was with his brother, especially when you still seem so close to his family, but in all fairness, it could've ended up being so much worse. You've been with someone you know and trust instead of a random stranger, and although there may be some initial embarrassment when next you meet, I don't believe for a second he would betray the trust you have placed in him, and you will still be able to continue having a strong relationship with all of the Weasleys."

Hermione sat in silence whilst she mulled over what Severus had said. Of course, he was completely right. After a minute, or maybe five, she got off of the stool she was sat on, approached Severus, and wrapped her arms around him, holding on tightly.

Severus was completely taken aback by her reaction, and was unsure what to do. In a rare showing of affection, he hugged her back. He became slightly uncomfortable when she began crying, but he did not let go until she was ready.

She pulled back eventually, looked him in the eyes and felt sure his gaze was softer than usual. He let go of her and got off of his stool.

"I think it's about time I went home," he said. He walked away without a backwards glance, and left Hermione standing alone feeling incredibly confused.