CHAPTER THREE

Hermione and Severus reached the outskirts of Surrey around four in the afternoon. Hermione had the idea of going to visit Hogwarts, but they needed to Disapparate, and figured it wasn't it a good idea to disappear in the middle of the city.

"Sev, I have an idea."

"Yes, I know, we're going to Disapparate to Hogwarts."

"No, no, another idea."

"It's amazing how quickly your brain works."

She grinned widely and said, "I'm quite curious what would happen if we went while, uh, kissing."

"Strike what I said before, and replace it with: It's amazing the ideas you come up with."

She was still grinning. He walked closer to her, and said, "Let's find out."

They closed their eyes, kissed, and pictured the Apparition Point outside of Hogwarts. They were forced tightly together as they traveled, but both reached the point in one piece, still pressed together. Severus pulled back, and eyed Hermione. "I've now come to figure that your genius is unparalleled."

Hermione smiled softly and took Severus's hand. "Let's go… let's go to Slytherin's common room."

He raised an eyebrow. "Why, may I ask?"

"It's one of the few places I haven't been in Hogwarts. And I rather like the colour green over red…"

"Ah. Where else haven't you been?" he asked as they started walking towards the school.

"Um, well, the other common rooms, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. All of the teachers rooms," at this she blushed slightly, "though I've been in all of their offices. And… yea. That's about it."

"Mm," he replied simply. "And how do you know you haven't missed a spot?"

It was her turn to raise an eyebrow. "Are you trying to prod information out of me?"

"Oh, heaven forbid," he scoffed. "You no longer go to this school, nor do Harry or any of the Weasleys."

Hermione could tell he had known about the Marauder's Map, he just couldn't prove it at the time, but she told him about it anyway. "I'm sure, because we used the Map a lot."

"And by we, I greatly hope you mean Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley."

"Mostly, yes. I looked at it once or twice. It was rather fascinating."

"Indeed."

"Are you not going to… uh…" Hermione started, then trailed off. Like Severus had said, she wasn't a student anymore, he couldn't punish her.

"What, punish you? Not particularly, unless you enjoy gutting dead animals, then by all means, I'll allow you."

"That's just fine. The dead animals can continue sitting in jars for all I care."

Severus smirked and squeezed Hermione's hand.

"Sev?"

"Yes, Hermione?"

"I also want to apologise for setting your robes on fire in my first year. And for taking some of your ingredients in my second year. And for being obnoxious at times."

He looked at her. "Apology accepted, and you are forgiven. You weren't obnoxious though."

"Yes, I was."

There was a pause, then he said, "Ok, you were. But you've greatly made up for it in the past five years. I'd also like to apologise for that quip about your teeth."

Hermione blushed and squeezed his hand. "I forgive you. They were rather large…"

"Oh, you don't have to indulge me."

She shrugged. They had reached the front door by this point, and Severus opened the door for Hermione. She walked in, still holding his hand. Their clothes changed back to their wizarding attire. He led her downstairs to the Slytherin common room, and spoke the password.

They went in, and Hermione surveyed the room. It was very cold-looking, with touches of green around the room. After standing still for a moment, she shivered involuntarily; it felt cold, too.

"Are you ok?"

"J-just fine," she said, voice quavering in the cold.

"Ridiculous girl," he muttered, taking his cloak off and wrapping it around her. They sat down in a comfortable couch, and Hermione leaned her head onto Severus's shoulder. He looked down at her, raising an eyebrow, then wrapped his arm around her, settling his hand on her hair. He rubbed it gently and Hermione closed her eyes.

"Sleepy…" she whispered.

"Go to sleep, then."

"Don't want to leave you without company."

"It won't be much different for me than a day without you."

Hermione yawned. "You're so… so kind…"

With that, she had drifted off to sleep. Severus couldn't believe how far he had come with Hermione. Granted, he was helping her cheat, but he never felt that way. He felt right with her, and hoped she felt the same.

He kissed her on top of the head, then leaned back, closing his eyes to take a nap as well.

Hermione woke first, a few hours later. She looked up at Severus and kissed him on the cheek. His eyes fluttered open. "Hermione," he muttered. "You're awake."

"You are too," she said, grinning. He smiled groggily, and kissed her back.

After he had woken up a bit, he said, "Can you move over a bit? My right side is numb."

Hermione giggled and moved over. She realized she was still wearing Severus's cloak, and smiled, wrapping it tighter around herself. Severus watched her with fondness, and leaned over to kiss her again.

When he did, she kissed him back, scooting closer to him until she was practically on his lap. They made out like teenagers for a while, and ended up lying down, Hermione on top of Severus. When they stopped kissing, Hermione wrapped her arms around him, and rested her head on his chest.

"Sev?" whispered Hermione.

"Mm?"

"I… I love you." She turned her head to rest her chin on his chest, so she could look at him.

He gazed at her for a moment, then began playing her hair. Hemrione took his silence to mean he didn't feel the same way, and she bit her lip. Upon seeing her distraught expression, he looked at her thoughtfully and said, "Hermione, love isn't... isn't someting I am accustomed to. I don't know if I've ever felt it, but if I have, it has been with you. When I know, I will say it, but for the present, know that I feel deeply for you."

She nodded and kissed his chest, laying her head back down. Just then, an unexpected, unwelcome picture popped into Hermione's head: Ron. She started to cry a little, though silently so Severus couldn't tell.

After a while, though, he could tell. "What's wrong?"

"N-nothing."

He patted her on the back and began to sit up. She curled up next to him, and he put his arm around her. "You're a dreadful liar."

"It's just… Ron… he doesn't know."

"But he will."

"I don't know how to do this though. I don't know how to tell him. What if he still loves me, Sev? I think he does, he just doesn't show it. I'll break his heart…"

"He's broken yours," Severus said, attempting to console her.

"Y-yes… but…"

"But what?"

"I don't know."

Severus sighed. "Ok, you go back to him tonight. Don't worry about telling him. And don't think about me. Then, tomorrow… well, tomorrow, you can tell him."

"But how?" she pleaded. Severus was aware of how young Hermione suddenly seemed. How vulnerable.

"In whatever way you feel is best. You can mention me, or not. You can tell him all the reasons, or just some of the reasons. Use your brain. You're one of the most rational people I've met, and the only time that goes away is when you get too emotional."

Hermione absorbed this thought, then nodded. "Ok. That sounds… feasible."

"So, for now, you should probably go home. I'll walk you down to the Apparition Point."

In mere minutes, Hermione had kissed Severus goodbye and Disapparated to a vacant spot near her home. It suddenly occurred to her that Ron could have called her parents. She rushed to a bookstore nearby to buy a couple books she'd been wanting anyway, then walked home.

When she entered, she found Ron entrenched in a book about Quidditch—she sighed.

Without looking up, he asked, "Where have you been all day?"

She hoped he didn't hear her breath catch. "I spent the day in the bookstore," she lied.

"Mm… have you eaten?"

"Yeah, I got a pizza at Da Genarro." Well, that wasn't a lie, at least.

"Any leftover?"

"No. Have you eaten?"

"A little… we don't have much in the pantry… or the fridge."

Hermione sighed. 'He could at least get some groceries.' "Oh, ok. You want something?"

"No thanks."

"Ok," she said, and walked over, sliding in next to him. "What are you reading?"

"The Practical Application of Quidditch."

"Is it good?"

"Mm," he confirmed. As he finished the chapter, he closed a marker in his spot. Suddenly, he said, "I'm going to bed."

It's only seven."

"I'm tired."

"From what? Doing nothing all day?" she spat angrily.

He scowled at her and stormed to their bedroom. Hermione scooted to the corner of the couch and pulled her lugs up so her chin rested on her knees. Tears filled her eyes and she suddenly had the need to be wrapped in Severus's arms again. 'Soon,' she thought. 'It could all be over tomorrow.'

She took out one of the books she'd bought—Potions from the Garden—and searched for something that would make it easier for her to tell Ron… well, what she needed to tell him.

"Truth Potion… no. Detachment Potion, definitely not…" she murmured to herself, flipping quickly through the pages and reading only the names. "Hmm, Relaxer. That might work."

She read the ingredients, found she had them all, and promptly began brewing. The potion was finished by ten o'clock, and Hermione went to check on Ron after bottling it. He was fast asleep, so she decided to make a Floo call to Severus.

She cast a Muffliato Spell so Ron wouldn't wake up. She kneeled on the ground and threw some Floo powder into the fire. It the flames turned green, and she put her head in, yelling, "Severus Snape's office!"

"Sev?" Hermione said cautiously, a moment later.

Severus had been grading papers when he heard her voice. He walked over to the fire. "What is it Hermione? Are you ok?" He almost sounded desperate.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just wanted to talk to you." Upon hearing Severus's quick intake of breath, she added, "Ron's asleep and he won't hear us."

'Ah the wonders of Muffliato,' Severus thought. "Ok."

Hermione stared at him. "I miss you," she said.

"Hermione, it's hard to miss someone you're talking to.

She sighed. "I mean, I wish I was with you."

"Me too. Are you ready to tell Ron?"

"I think so. I made a Relaxer, so I'm going to take that before."

"Don't take too much, though, you'll go all wobbly and stupid. Half a teaspoon should suffice."

"Thanks."

Severus stared at her fiery face, wishing he could kiss her. There was a pause, then Hermione said, "Sev, when's the next time I can see you?"

'Not soon enough,' he thought. "I don't know. It depends on how tomorrow goes."

"Yeah."

"Hermione?"

She raised her eyebrows. "Yes?"

"Our relationship should probably remain… unknown until everything is sorted out with Mr. Weasley."

Her face dropped. "But, Severus…" she pleaded.

"No begging. It would be rather disgraceful to both our names if anyone found out. I need to remain a professor here and you need to finish Auror training without disruption."

Hermione said nothing; she knew he was right. If it appeared Severus had caused the split, his colleagues may no longer respect him. They'd have to wait, and come up wit ha reason for their relationship.

She sighed and said, "I miss you so much."

"I miss you too."

"I'd better go though."

"Ok."

"You don't have to say anything, but, I love you, Severus."

He nodded. Both pretended to feel a goodbye kiss, then Hermione stepped back from the fireplace, leaving Severus staring at it sadly.

Hermione lifted the charm and walked back over to the couch. She stretched out across it and hugged a pillow close to her. Quietly, she cried herself to sleep.