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

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Chapter 8

Hermione walked as fast as she could, at Severus's side, who just seemed to glide through the crowds. People would give way to him because he was tall and seemed scary, she knew. On the other hand, she would get bumped into from time to time, being the small person that she was.

They had just entered the subway station. It was Severus's idea to commute to Brooklyn, and said that it was faster than for them to take her car, or a cab, which was true. It had been years since Hermione had taken some sort of public transportation, much less go to Brooklyn. Ever since she had become rich and famous, Greg told her that it would be best for her to always take her own personal car, with a chauffeur and bodyguard even. It was a security risk, which she understood.

However, she was taking the subway with Severus this time. She had explained her situation to him. He wasn't stupid and also thought of the risk. He promised that nothing bad would happen to her and that he would protect her if anything happened. She just had to keep a low profile and not seem so obvious. She knew that Severus would keep her safe and out of harm, like he had done for her in the past. No questions were needed to be asked.

The solution? Hermione was wearing one of her old NYU hoodies along with a matching baseball cap. The hood was placed on her head, as she tucked her hair beneath it, making sure that none of her curls stuck out. She blended in easily and looked like any NYU student, that no one would bother to take a second look at.

Severus pulled and guided her into the train and looked around. There were no more seats available, so he walked to one of the empty poles in the middle and held onto it. He looked around, eyeing the people slightly, trying to find any suspicious people. Luckily, no one really seemed as a threat.

"I can't believe it, but I'm going to say that I actually missed this," Hermione said as she wrapped her arms around his waist, and looked around a bit, before hiding her face in his chest or beneath his leather jacket. There were some kids around, and she didn't want to get noticed. Usually, the kids were the ones that recognized her first before the grownups.

"It's still the same old subway as it was years ago Granger," Severus said.

Hearing Severus address her by her last name alone slightly hurt Hermione. Awhile ago, they had just had a very close and intimate moment with each other, and here he was again, addressing her as if nothing happened between them. She decided not to question him about it. After all, she had her arms around him, and he didn't push her away; besides it's not like they discussed what situation they were in. They weren't a couple and they weren't exclusive so to speak.

Severus frowned down, looking at the top of Hermione's head. She was standing a little too close for comfort, and was obviously attached to his person. The night before he had noticed that she was a touchy person. She loved to touch, always putting her hand in his, always pulling herself against him when they danced. At first he thought that it was because she was putting on a show for Adam, but now, he noticed that it was really in her nature to be touched. Part of him wanted to push her away, but just couldn't. He was surprised that earlier, after having amazing sex with her, the woman didn't ask for some sort of commitment. It was only sex and nothing more.

"My God," Hermione said disgustingly as she saw a young couple stand against the other steel pole not a few meters away. "Look at them—or more like look at him." She had to turn away and try her best to stifle her giggle on Severus's chest.

Severus looked at the people that Hermione was talking about. He saw a young couple kissing. What's odd is that the boy looked like he was going to eat the girl alive, and suck her through his mouth. It didn't seem like he was kissing her at all, but he was. "You should really mind your own business woman," Severus muttered.

"I can't help it," Hermione snorted as she looked up at him. "It looks as if he's going to eat her. He must be an alien from Pluto or somewhere, needing to find his mate, and then later, she becomes his supper."

"Your imagination is running wild again. Maybe another best seller, but this time around, in the sci-fi thriller genre."

"Maybe," Hermione shrugged. "That sounds kind of interesting, but I never really was into sci-fi thriller books. I like adventure books and romance novels as well, which is why I write them."

"Romance?" Severus asked.

"Well, I haven't gotten around to thinking up a decent plot yet," Hermione shrugged. "I like a little drama with my romance."

"What about them?" he asked, as he tilted his head towards a direction of another couple. "What's their story?"

Hermione looked at the couple that Severus was referring to. There, sat two old people, both of them, with their white hair and thick glasses. The man looked at his wife lovingly as he held her hand, while she wasn't looking at him. Her focus elsewhere—distant, and saddened.

"They've been married for almost forty years. Ann and Peter met at Central Park by chance, sharing the same bench many afternoons as they both read their books. It wasn't until one day much later when he finally found the courage to ask her out for coffee.

"Months later, they wedded in the park itself, right next to the lake. It was a picture perfect day for the picture perfect wedding. They bought a house in the suburbs. He worked in the city, while she stayed home. They tried for many years to have a child, until one day, God had given them a son.

"Eventually, their son—David, had grown into a fine and handsome young man. He too married a beautiful lady, and soon, had his own family. He on the other hand was blessed to have three of his own kids.

"However, on September 11, 2001, things changed for our Ann and Peter. David and his family were touring around the Big City, and were visiting the World Trade Center. Unfortunately, they were at the wrong place, at the wrong time…"

Tears rolled down Hermione's cheeks as she sobbed into Severus's chest. She remembered that day well. She was just at the beginning of her term at NYU. And like everyone else in the city, it affected her. First it was the war with the Dark Lord, and then the war with terrorism. When was it ever going to end?

Severus kept silent to himself as he awkwardly patted her back and hugged her. He never had to comfort a crying woman in his entire life. No woman looked for solace in his arms, and it seemed like she did. It felt very odd. But he understood her pain. He too was present in the city when the tragedy of 9/11 had happened.

"I'm sorry," she sniffled after she calmed.

"It's alright Hermione," Severus said softly as the train had come to a slow stop. "We're here," he said as he pulled away.

As they walked out of the train hand in hand, the both of them thought that the first simple true moment that they had just shared, had ended all too soon.

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AN – I hope you all liked this chapter. Dramatic? Yes. Some of you already know how I get with my drama bits. And I don't mean to offend anyone with bringing up 9/11 in my story. Review!