These drabbles are in response to a challenge by Droxy. The whole point is to learn to write concisely (who me?) by writing scenes with no more than one hundred words. This is a post-HBP fic.

I own nothing you recognize. I simply play in JKR's universe for stress relief.

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Evolution

"Dr. Spanetti will need these results right away," said Jane. "I will e-mail him as soon as I get back to my office."

"Aren't you having lunch with him?" asked Evelyn Kirkland, giving her a mischievous look.

"He's having lunch with Dave Elliott," she replied, "They're having a fascinating discussion about the budget."

"You don't think we'll get hit with reductions?" she asked. Evelyn was the most recently hired laboratory technician.

"I don't know," said Jane, nibbling on the cap of her pen. "Christopher Pharmaceuticals is in good financial shape, so I wouldn't think so. Our team is producing results."

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"I know this is a sensitive topic," said Dave as he looked over the menu. "Your relationship with Jane Grisham has become public knowledge."

"I have no wish to keep it a secret," replied Sebastian. "That is the reason I asked to meet with you. Our relationship is against company policy."

"Then you understand why she can no longer report directly to you?" asked Dave.

"As long as she continues to be assigned to the Hodgkins Disease project, I have no objection. Jane's work is crucial to our success."

"Then we are in agreement. She will report to me instead.

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Jane leaned back against the laboratory table and looked at Sebastian, worried.

"So, essentially nothing changes except that Dave will do my performance reviews and sign off on requests for time off?" she asked.

"Exactly," replied Sebastian, "You will continue to report to me on anything regarding our project."

"That's a relief," said Jane, taking his hand. "I was concerned he might insist I transfer to another department. It might have required moving."

Sebastian squeezed her hand and gave her a reassuring look.

"You are much too important to me and this project to allow it. You stay right here."

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One of the lab technicians contaminated formulation 39A14, which could have ruined four months of work. It took all night to pull the laboratory animals and treatments involved.

Dr. Spanetti fired the technician on the spot.

Too tired for anything else, Hermione and Severus curled up in his bed. She spooned up against him and draped her arm across him.

Recognizing the significance of her actions, Severus asked, "Cramps?"

"Mmmmm, yes," she replied sleepily, "How'd you know?"

"You are using me as a hot water bottle."

"You are better than a hot water bottle. I like listening to your heartbeat."

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"Have you been back to Britain since you moved to the states?" asked Severus.

"Only once," replied Hermione. "I went back to collect Crookshanks from Molly and Arthur. How about you?"

"I have not returned at all," he said. "I did see Minerva three years ago. I gave my Secret Keeper permission to tell her where I was. We met in San Francisco and spent an evening together."

"Do you want to go back?" asked Hermione.

"To live?" mused Severus, shaking his head, "No. There are too many memories there, but it would be most pleasant to have a choice."

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"I know what you mean," said Hermione. "Before leaving, I visited the cemetery at Hogwarts. A student saw me there and threw a rock."

"You went through hell during the war and they dared treat you like that?" said Severus, anger in his voice.

"Very much the same as they treated you," replied Hermione, grasping his hand.

"I never gave them the chance," replied Severus. "Minerva came to see me in Azkaban before my trial before the Wizengamot. I looked at the contents of Albus' envelope. Within an hour of my release, I was at Hogwarts. I left from there."

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"We could go to Boston," suggested Hermione. "I visited their equivalent of Diagon Alley several times during the five years I lived there. I was never recognized and all I did with my appearance was wear eyeglasses."

Severus looked up from the text he was reading.

"I suppose we could take the chance," he considered. "You were uncertain if it was me until I spoke."

"Unless we run into someone you know, American wizards wouldn't recognize your voice."

"It has been years," he sighed. "I have not done magic in the presence of another person until we encountered each other.

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Severus walked slowly down the aisle of books. The Enchanted Quill was neater and much better organized than Flourish and Botts. His long fingers traced the spine of a book on ancient Chinese potions. If he did not show restraint, he could easily spend a year's salary in here. He turned to say so to Hermione and saw she had wandered to the end of the aisle. She held a book in her hand, turning pages.

She looked distressed.

Severus walked towards her and saw the title; The Martyrdom of Harry Potter.

"Do not do this to yourself," he whispered.

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She lifted her face to his, tears shining in her brown eyes.

"Give me the book," he said softly, "If you want it, we will buy it and you can read it later."

Hermione nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She closed the book and handed it to Severus. He took it and placed it between two other books he planned to buy.

She knew if they were not in a public place, Severus would put his arms around her and hold her.

He gazed at Hermione and hesitated only for a moment before he drew her close against him.

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To be continued