A/N: Thanks to everyone for their reviews! Also thanks again to RenitaLeandra for being such a fast beta!

Chapter 7- At the Book Shop

Hermione woke late the next morning, still feeling groggy and rather like she had been run over by a bus. Normally she would rise early, and especially so on her birthday, but she hadn't quite been able to manage it this morning. It took her several minutes before she even realized that it was in fact her birthday. It was only when she saw her parent's owl, Aristotle, with a sizable package tied to its leg, did she really begin to feel excited.

She greeted him as she took the package and fed him a few owl treats that she kept in her desk. She knew he would wait until she could get around to writing her parents a thank-you. Their package was the first she opened. The bulk of it was cookies and candy that her mother had made. Her mother loved to bake and Hermione had made several comments that summer that house-elf cooking was nothing compared to hers. There was also a smaller wrapped present which she discovered with delight was a collection of Shakespeare's sonnets. She loved it that her parents always gave her Muggle gifts. As much as she loved being a witch, she didn't want to forget the years she had spent as a Muggle.

The next package she opened was from Harry and Ginny. The first thing she saw was a framed picture that had been taken when she visited them. She was holding Ronnie, who was squirming. Ginny was on her right tickling Ronnie's toes and trying to make silly faces at him. Harry was on her left with his arm around her and smiling into the camera. She then opened a rather large present which she was delighted to see was a copy of the revised edition of Hogwarts, A History: Beyond Dumbledore and Death Eaters. Inside was an inscription in Harry's scratchy handwriting:

Hermione,

Hopefully this will provide you with many hours of entertainment. The next time I see you I hope you will have many new facts to torture me with.

Love,
Harry

She smiled as she read it and then moved on to the smallest, and lightest of the presents they had sent. Inside was a beautiful woven scarf that she had admired in Diagon Alley. It was charmed to match whatever it was worn with. It also had a note attached, this time in the soft, loopy handwriting of Ginny.

Hermione,

I wanted you to have at least one present that did not require the use of your mind.

Love,

Ginny

Hermione felt touched that her two closest friends thought so much of her. She was also surprised to see there were two other presents sitting at the foot of her bed, clearly brought in by house-elves in the night. The first was a box of chocolate frogs from Neville with a note to "think of Trevor" while she was enjoying them and the final one was from Minerva. It was also a book, but this one was entitled The Evolution of Charms, A Study by Filius Flitwick. She also read the note attached to this.

I thought you might enjoy a book written by your predecessor. I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy as I have "connections" with the author.

Minerva

Hermione ate one of the chocolate frogs and was beginning to feel better about the day. She realized that it was too late for breakfast in the Great Hall, so she settled for just eating a second frog while she wrote a note to her parents thanking them for her gifts. She then dressed in a set of old, but comfortable, navy blue robes and once again tried to tame the mess that was her hair. After giving herself a few hopeless glances in the mirror she decided to head on her way to Hogsmeade.

It was a beautiful autumn day as she made her way off of Hogwarts grounds and into the town. It was cool and clear and the leaves on the trees were turning brilliant colors. Hermione found herself humming as she walked along the road. As it wasn't a weekend for the students, Hogsmeade was quiet when she reached it.

She first went into Gladrags with the idea she would buy herself some new robes, but she felt so underdressed in the old clothes she had thrown on, that she couldn't bring herself to stay. She then headed into Honeydukes, as she had always had a sweet tooth and couldn't pass up an opportunity at candy. When she had spent more sickles than necessary there, she headed over to Scrivenshifts as she was constantly loosing her quills during class. She suspected that students were forgetting to return them when they were borrowed, but rather than worry about it she bought a pack of Econo-Quills to keep on hand at her desk.

She had a quick lunch in the Three Broomsticks, with Rosmerta keeping her company telling stories and jokes that she had heard from patrons. Rosmerta was as cheerful and friendly as always, but her red hair was beginning to gray and Hermione knew she had never completely forgiven herself for the role she played in Dumbledore's death. As she headed back out into the sunshine, she realized that she was having a very lovely birthday. Her last stop was at the bookshop, The Ink and Quill, which was a new edition to Hogsmeade, having just been opened during Hermione's first year teaching.

It was a nice bookshop and had the look and smell of one that had been there much longer than just two years. She was well known by the owner, Yvonne Prewitt, who was a distant cousin to Molly Weasley and she had spent several hours there, browsing the shelves, more than once.

As she entered the store, Yvonne looked up from a nearby table where she had been organizing a stack of books.

"Hermione!" she said cheerfully, coming over to greet her customer. "I haven't seen you yet this term. How was your summer?"

"Oh, it was very nice. I spent time visiting friends and family. I had dinner with Molly one night," she said as she began to browse.

"Did you? I really must get over to the Burrow one of these days. But you know how it gets. It's as if time just slips away from me. And I've been so busy with the store." Although they were only distantly related, the resemblance between Yvonne and Molly was striking. Both were short with flaming red hair and the need to mother everyone they came across. It was as Hermione was thinking this that she realized Yvonne was giving her an appraising look.

"Hmm… You're looking quite thin dear. And have you been getting enough sleep? You look like you could fall over at any moment."

Hermione just smiled but said nothing. The older woman continued to talk while Hermione looked around.

"We just got a new supply of books yesterday and the book by Filius Flitwick should be arriving next week. I'm sure you'll want to read it. Would you like me to hold you a copy?"

"Actually, Minerva has already given me one," Hermione said as she glanced through An A to Z Traveler's Guide of Magical Vacations. "I think she got it directly from Professor Flitwick himself. She gave it to me this morning for my birthday."

"Oh!" said an excited voice from Yvonne's direction. "Today is your birthday? I had no idea. Well, you pick out something you want as a birthday gift from me. No charge!"

"Yvonne, I can't do that! I didn't come here for free books."

"I know, dear, but you look like you could use a pick-me-up. Maybe something a little lighter this time? You know, we have an extensive romance section."

Hermione nearly laughed out loud at this. "That's okay. I think I'll just take a look around the Transfiguration section. My Transfiguration has become a little rusty these days from lack of use. I could use some brushing up."

Yvonne just rolled her eyes and waved Hermione on to the back of the room. As she headed to the far corner, she heard the sound of the door opening again and Yvonne once again launching herself at her customer.

She paid little attention to her surroundings as she debated between 101 Everyday Uses for Transfiguration and Common Transfiguration Mistakes and How to Fix Them. She vaguely heard Yvonne saying, "Potions books? Oh yes, we have a good selection. They're in the back." As she finally made her decision, she heard footsteps closing in behind her and when she turned around she saw the one thing that could ruin her birthday. Severus Snape.

Her first thought was to run away, but he was quickly closing in on her and that would not be possible. She next thought that maybe if she turned back around he wouldn't figure out who she was. But she could tell from the startled look on his face that he had seen her as well. So, she was left with her last resort, which was to try and act like a mature adult; even if her stomach was once again trying to rid itself of its contents.

"Professor Snape," she said as coolly as she could manage although she could feel her face burning from anger.

"Professor Granger," he said in a similar tone of voice. He paused momentarily in front of her and then turned to head toward the opposite corner where she could see a line of Potions books being displayed.

She breathed a quick sigh of relief and began to head toward the front of the store with her book. She had only taken a couple of steps, however, when she heard his voice from behind.

"Professor Granger, could I have a word with you?"

"Oh hell," she muttered to herself before bracing herself and turning back around. "Yes, Professor Snape."

"I…" he paused for a moment and she was shocked to notice that he actually looked uncomfortable. "I wanted to… apologize for my behavior yesterday. It was uncalled for."

She nodded stiffly unsure of how to respond.

"Thank you," she said unwilling to say any more. If she had learned anything from her recent interaction with Snape, it was that he didn't much care for conversation. He gave a short nod and turned around without another word.

She walked up to the front counter where Yvonne was counting a small pile of Galleons and Sickles. A quill absently stuck behind her ear and her glasses sliding down her nose.

"Did you find something dear?" she asked looking up from the parchment she was recording on. "Oh, that's a good one. It will really help you with that Transfiguration." Then she looked past Hermione.

"Did you find the book you were looking for sir? That will be 14 sickles, 3 knuts."

Hermione felt like cursing under her breath. Couldn't he have just stayed in the back for a couple more minutes?

"Oh, Hermione, I wanted to show you these." Yvonne said pulling out a box of small round looking stickers with one hand while taking Severus' money in the other. "They're enchanted bookmarks. Stick it on the book and when you go back to it, it will automatically open to the last page you were on. Here, take one to try it out. No charge, consider it a second birthday present."

Hermione reached over to take one of the bookmarks and as she did the sleeve of her robe fell back revealing her bruised wrist.

"Oh dear!" Yvonne said in a shocked voice. "What happened to your wrist?"

"Oh, you know me," Hermione said feeling herself start to blush. "I slipped yesterday and fell into my desk. Hurt like the devil at the time, but its okay now."

"Really, you must be more careful, dear. We can't have our favorite professor getting herself hurt!"

Hermione just nodded and thanked her hoping to get out of the store as quickly as possible. She could feel Severus staring at her from behind and she did not want another confrontation. Before she could take another step, however, she heard his voice from behind.

"I was not aware it was your birthday, Miss Granger."

"Well, it's not something I commonly advertise, Professor Snape," she said trying to sound cheerful looking up at him and trying to smile. As soon as the words were out, though, she wished she had not said his name. She heard Yvonne gasp and saw her staring, open-mouthed at the other professor.

"Snape?" she said, her voice raising an octave. "You mean that Professor Snape?" Hermione groaned under her breath knowing what was coming.

"Yes!" came his sharp reply, "I am, to the best of my knowledge, the only Professor Snape to have taught at Hogwarts, so the logical conclusion to be made is that I am that Professor Snape."

Yvonne's face became hard as he spoke. "I have no interest in keeping murderers for customers, sir. Had I known, I would not have sold that book to you."

"Well, let me save you some trouble," Severus said, his eyes becoming dangerously dark and he walked up to the counter and threw a copy of Common Potions Ingredients down on the counter causing the pile of money to scatter. "Keep the money. It's the last you will ever see from me."

He gave Hermione a stormy look as he swept passed her, his robes brushing against her as he stormed out the door. Hermione gave Yvonne both an apologetic and annoyed look, unsure how she felt herself, and then followed him out into the street. He was already half a block down the street by the time she got out the door and she decided that under the circumstances it was best to just let him go.

As she walked back to Hogwarts, no longer humming to herself, she thought about the events in the bookstore. She could not help but feel a prickle of sympathy for the man, despite how little he deserved it. Most wizards and witches only knew rumors and half-truths regarding the events surrounding Severus. The Daily Prophet had, of course, reported on the War Trials, but as usual the stories were tainted by the opinions of the editors. It was not understood that not only did he have to kill Dumbledore because of the Unbreakable Vow he had made with Narcissa Malfoy, but that he had also been under an Unbreakable Vow with Dumbledore that had required him to protect both Draco and his status as a spy with Voldemort at all costs. It was also not widely reported how he had finally come to the aid of the Order and Harry helping to destroy two Horcruxes and single-handedly destroying a third. All most people understood was that he had killed Albus Dumbledore and somehow hoodwinked the Wizengamot into believing that he was innocent. Hermione could not begin to imagine how difficult it must be to live a life under the presumption of guilt.

She also thought back to his apology. She couldn't deny that it had shocked her. To the best of her knowledge, Snape had never apologized to anyone in his life and surely he had done much worse things that grab a woman's wrist and try to scare her. She wondered what could have pushed him to apologize.

As she reached the Entrance Hall, she suddenly had a thought come to her. She ran up to her rooms and found a well worn book on her bookshelf. She grabbed it and then ran down to the dungeons, ignoring the questioning looks from the students. It was with no small amount of nervousness that she found herself knocking on Severus' door.

The door flew open and she stepped back in surprise.

"What do you want, Granger?" Severus said glaring at her.

"I wanted to bring you this," she handed the book out to him. On the well worn cover read the words Common Potions Ingredients. He looked at her with a questioning look in his eye.

"It's my own copy. I haven't used it in years so you're free to keep it."

Severus took the book from her and stepped aside, motioning with his head for her to come in. Tentatively Hermione stepped into the room and he shut the door. She looked around the room, unable to hide her curiosity about what kind of living quarters Snape would have. Clearly he had changed how Slughorn had previously decorated it. Certainly nothing in the room was comfortable. The chairs, desk, even pillows had the look of being hard and unforgiving. Hermione felt slightly bolder having been invited in.

"I must say, I was a little surprised you were buying it. It is such a basic text, I was sure you would already have it."

"I do," Severus said sitting down at his desk and began grading papers. "Or, at least I did. Apparently it got misplaced when I came back."

"Oh." Hermione suddenly felt herself at a loss for words; an unusual occurrence to say the least. She continued standing, beginning to feel uncomfortable. After a moment of continued scribbling, followed with him writing a large red "D" at the top of a paper, Severus stood up and walked over to a shelf and pulled down a small clay pot. Inside was a bright green paste. He walked over and handed it to her.

"It is a Bruise Healing Potion for your wrist."

Hermione could not help but gape at him. "Th… thank you," she managed to stammer out. Severus clearly did not know how to respond, so instead he sneered.

"Get a hold of yourself. You're beginning to sound like Longbottom. You can go now."

Hermione began walking toward the door. She was about to open it when she paused and turned back around and looked at him. He had gone back to his desk and was beginning on a new paper.

"She was out of line, you know," she said quietly. Although Severus did not look at her, his quill had stopped moving. "Not everyone sees you like that."

She turned back around and walked out of the room. The quill remained still for another moment and then it resumed its scribbling.