AN - I own nothing! I'm just borrowing from J.K. Rowling!

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Chapter 5

Severus pulled on his bow of his all black tuxedo as his eyes scanned the crowd like a hawk. He stood on one side of the ballroom, hoping to spot Hermione soon. He hated being here. Hated having to wear something formal, and most of all, hated social events.

He questioned himself numerous times as to why he was here, at a charity auction that he couldn't care less for. Then again, another part of him told himself that he was there to see Hermione. And again, he hated it that the woman was already making him do things that he didn't want to do. Or what's worse, he was doing them, not being able to stop himself from doing them.

If it wasn't for Adam, who had said that the event was at the Plaza Hotel, Severus could just imagine himself trying to find out where the event was being held. Probably, he would be calling every single hotel or even establishment in the city to find out if they were having a charity auction of sorts, if he didn't know where it was being held. He thanked Merlin that the Plaza Hotel was really just a single phone call away.

Then, his breathing stopped for a moment as did the beating of his heart. A woman wearing a gown that was elegant, and yet simple, had walked into the ballroom. Her gown was black, and had a single white ribbon that wrapped around her from below her breasts, around her sides to end in a semi-backless design. Her hair was in a bun, with some strands of curls hanging loosely from it.

It was hard to believe that he was looking at the same Hermione Granger.

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Hermione walked into the room with a smile on her face. Everyone looked at her, and pictures were being taken by photographers. There was the likely possibility that her photos would be printed in a newspaper tomorrow, or magazine for next month. It was always like that when she attended such important public events.

As she looked around her, she recognized people's faces. Some of New York's wealthy people were present in the room. It was still hard to believe that she belonged in such a category of wealth and power.

"Hi Hermione," Adam said as he walked towards her. He had a companion on his arm who just smiled at her, in a cheeky and snobbish manner.

"Hi," Hermione said hesitantly. She eyed Adam's companion for a bit. She knew her by face, as any man would. The blond was a major model for Victoria's Secret, and had a few billboards around the city with her face and body plastered on it.

"This is Julie Gavin," he introduced her. "Julie, this is Hermione Granger."

"Nice meeting you," Hermione smiled.

"Same," Julie said in a voice not caring. "I'll be going to the bar to get a drink," she said sweetly to Adam, giving him a quick kiss, along with a possessive arm around him. She gave Hermione a glare before walking away.

Hermione knew that the model most probably didn't know who she was. It wasn't surprising. Some of the women that Adam dated were just too dumb, and only had their beauty as an advantage. Surely, their only goal later on in life was to marry him just for his money. He was a catch, yes, and also looked handsome; but he wasn't the type that she would catch. Those women though didn't need to worry. Hermione wasn't racing in for the competition.

"So, where's Samuel?" Adam questioned.

Before Hermione could answer, she felt an arm slip around her, and pull her close. She looked at the person who pulled her in. It only took a split second to recognize who he was, before he kissed her.

"Hi Love," Severus said as he looked down at Hermione. How he enjoyed her eyes widen in surprise, most especially the taste of her sweet lips. "I made it, and I'm here. The calls back in London didn't take quite as long as I thought."

Hermione smiled up at Severus widely, pretending to be happy to see him. In reality, she wanted to slap the man and tell him to get out of her sight. "Samuel, honey, I need to go to the ladies room," she said, pulling Severus along with her.

Severus nodded to Adam over his shoulder. What was it about that man that he couldn't pinpoint?

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As soon as Hermione knew that the coast was clear, and that there was no one else in the ladies comfort room, she pulled Severus inside roughly, and slammed him against the wall when the door closed.

"Playing rough now, are we?" Severus asked as he quirked a brow up.

"Damn you Snape!" Hermione said angrily. "What are you doing here? Who invited you here? And you had no right to stick your tongue in my mouth, again!"

"I am here because you needed a date if I remember correctly. And I invited myself. The invitation was open as long as I paid for my own plate at one-hundred thousand dollars, which is absurd!" Severus replied. "The food better be good with that kind of money."

"Then I will give you back your money, and some more for your inconvenience. And you can leave!"

"I don't need you to pay me back Miss Granger. I am well off for your information, if you think me poor. Most of all, I am not leaving. Mister Michaels already knows I'm here. What more will he think of you, me, and us if I just leave?"

Hermione growled in frustration. He was right. What was Adam going to think? She clenched her fist and punched Severus firmly in his chest, with a grunt.

"Ouch Love," Severus said as he rubbed the left part of his chest. "I think you hurt my heart," he said with a pout. The punch was nothing really. He had endured far worse kinds of physical pain in the past; one too many times. "Shall we kiss and make up?" Oh, how he enjoyed baiting her.

Hermione huffed and spun on her heels quickly. She lost her balance on her stilettos and was about to land on her arse if a pair of arms didn't catch her from behind.

"Falling for me already Miss Granger?" Severus asked sarcastically as he helped her stand. "I must say I am flattered."

Hermione pushed his hands off her, when she was back on her feet. "You wish Snape! If I had my wand on me now, I'd hex you into nothingness." She moved and leaned back on the sink counter, as she crossed her arms over her chest. She tapped her foot impatiently and glared at him. "Well, you obviously wouldn't just come here to be my date, so come out and say it."

"Say what?" he asked, not really knowing what she was talking about.

"Apologize."

Severus snorted. "I'm not one to apologize. I have apologized less than five times in my life for other reasons. What makes you think that I'm here to apologize?"

"You really are a bastard!"

"Trust me Granger, I've heard it all." He then stalked towards her and stood tall above her. "And I will never apologize to you." He then lowered his head and kissed her roughly for a few moments, shoving his tongue in his mouth. When he pulled back, he smirked down at a very angry looking woman as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Without saying another word, he walked to the door and held it open as he stepped out.

"Prick!" Hermione muttered, as she headed to the open door. Just as she got there, the door was closed to her face. "Arse!" she hissed as she opened the door, quickly following after him.

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AN – First Starbucks, and now the Plaza Hotel. Plus, the sexual tension. LOL! Review!