Chapter 5: Hot chocolate

Heading cautiously towards the lake, Hermione found herself staring at the back of her potions professor. Once again he had moved on ahead and expected her to keep up with his long strides. All was quiet as their boots crunched in the white snow, it was strange yet welcoming after the chaos of the battle beforehand. The castle looked even more magical than usual, the grounds were covered in a thick layer of pure white snow, the forbidden forest no longer looked foreboding with its sprinkling of white and the lake was frozen over with ice which sparkled in the sun.

"Miss Granger!" Snape shouted breaking the silence and her day dream. "As I have just said they don't seem to be here, by the way, five points from Gryffindor for making me repeat myself."

"Evil git," Hermione muttered under her breath. He was right though, the lake and its surroundings were deserted. She sighed, her breath making swirling wisps in the cold winter air. Glancing around just to make sure, she took out her wand. Muttering a quick spell at her shoes she stood up and walked towards the lakes edge. Snape didn't seem to notice as she skated confidently onto the ice making marks on the lakes surface. As she looked back, he was pacing along the shore with a look of concentration on his face. She smiled to herself, building up her courage she shouted, "Sir, come and join me!"

Swirling around, he stared at the figure skating his way. Had she just asked what he thought she had? Frowning slightly he took out his wand and produced the same spell Hermione had. Was this such a good idea? He hadn't skated for a long time, a long long time. Walking slowly to the ice he pushed of on one foot, then the next. Feeling more confident he started skating backwards, Hermione looked on in amazement at him. He stopped just in front of her, ice shards flicking up as his skating came to a halt.

"Care to join me?" he asked offering his arm to her. Not trusting herself to answer she slid her arm through his. They skating smoothly, zigzagging their way across the lake. Looking down at her he realised she was nervous about the whole thing, taking her hands in his, he smiled. The look of shock on her face made him laugh out loud as he continued to skate backwards looking at her.

Hearing that deep rich laugh, Hermione relaxed and smiled back. They continued to skate like this for some time until a small brown owl perched itself on Hermione's shoulder. Stopping and removing her hands from Snape's she took the message out of its beak.

"I hope you two are having a good time, we got bored and decided to go indoors for lunch, Albus was getting hungry and said he wanted some lemon drops! From Lupin," Hermione read aloud.

"That means we win!" Snape announced triumphantly.

"Is that all you think about?" Hermione asked while smiling slightly. "I'm freezing lets get inside," she said while skating back the way they had come.

When they got back to the shore they took the spell of their boots and walked back silently to the castle. Snape as usual had walked on ahead, Hermione sighed, she thought he had changed back there on the ice. He suddenly stopped waited for her to catch up and with one motion his arm was once again entwined with hers. He smiled at her, a smile that reached the depth of his black eyes. They walked silently to the castle doors and entered the Great Hall.

"There you are I wondered when you would get here, take your time, no matter, more chocolate for me!" Lupin exclaimed as they made there way to the table at the front. Harry and Ron were openly staring at the strange couple in front of then and Dumbledore had that familiar twinkle in his eyes.

"Miss Granger, Hermione, care for a hot chocolate in my quarters away from this babbling band of baboons," Snape whispered quietly in her ear. She nodded. "How do you like your hot chocolate?" he asked.

"Cream with one marshmallow," she replied shyly.

"Very well then, this way," he said. They turned and strode out of the Great Hall. Hermione took a quick glance back and chuckled as she saw the look of shock on her best friends faces, the look of silent knowing on Dumbledore's and the look of amusement on Lupin's.