Here you go hope you enjoy, from here the story should get moving a little quicker (not faster as in updates, just the plot)
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'Alright out with it'
'Pardon'
'You heard me, what's on your mind? I've had enough of the moping Ronald Weasley I want my Ron back, or at least to understand the change'
'Nothing, I mean I'm fine' geez was he such a mope? Snape thought he was being fairly cheerful and was taken completely aback by her comments. It was 6:00pm and they had just arrived home from their respective work posts, unbeknown to Hermione Snape had taken the day as a holiday and spent his time familiarising him self with Mr Weasleys life in order to solidify his cover.
She pursed her lips frowning slightly
'Okay, if your sure but if there's anything you'd like to tell me you'd better do it now, I think you'll find me very understanding but I wont be lied to alright?'
Now he was baffled, looking down directly in to the young witches eyes he held her gaze just long enough to see her feelings on this, he was surprised how unguarded she was considering her active mind then contemplate the possibility of the company relaxing her in this regard rather than this being her general state, his queries over this halted however when he derived her thought patterns, in short Hermione's imagination had thought up the possibility of him having an affair, this apparently stemmed from two days with less physical contact than she was used to and catching him gazing distantly once.
Rubbing his forehead he smiled, then reached across and held her shoulders, gazing through her mind her read private memories just enough to steal a few of Ron's tender words ensuring he wasn't about to speak out of term or any new revelations he said:
'Listen Hermione, I love you, I always have. I just have some things to think through at the moment…'
'What sort of things Ron speak to me, I need to know'
'Just order things, and since you mention it I'll be away for a while working on something'
'Since I mention it?! Away for a while! Working on 'something?' were you planning on leaving a note on the fridge to tell me this?'
He'd said the 'L' word what more did she want?
'It won't be for long, you won't even notice I'm gone'
'You mean you hoped I wouldn't notice. Where are you going?'
'I don't know yet, I don't find out what I'm doing until I get there'
'Fine if you don't want to talk then neither do I!'
And with that she spun on her heal and disappeared into thin air.
After standing in the same spot for several moments Severus decided it had gone well, considering his lack of experience in such matters.
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Remembering Hermione's comment about the note on the fridge Severus had sheepishly left a note (done by wand to imitate Ron's style) on the table, saying he'd left for a safe house to complete a task for the order and he'd be in touch.
Currently he stood browsing rows of thick potions volumes in hope of finding one to help him with his task, he had been given a half empty vial and asked to figure out its components and purpose. It had been taken during a death eater gathering but the spy had had to leave in a hurry after been given the vial to take and stealing it instead of consuming it, he was subsequently out of operation in that area. Two more that had been sent in hadn't been heard from since.
Pawing through a particularly heavy manuscript he looked down the complicated charts nodded in half satisfaction and snapped it closed, heading for the counter. Although the book wasn't as detailed as the edition he had had in his possession everything of his that had been in his house had been either cursed or destroyed when Voldemort attacked.
Just as he was about to head out of the rows of books to pay, his brain automatically did a synopsis of the area around him and he noticed, on the off chance really, a pretty well hidden Hermione Granger, to all pretences casually skimming through a book two isles away from where he had been. Snape backed up turning left away from her, and then when he knew the shelves would only just be blocking her view of him he doubled back, walking quickly but silently up an isle, backing up to come out behind her.
As he was approaching her she had replaced the book and was nonchalantly stepping forward, presumably to move to a better vantage point.
He reached out from behind her touching her arms at the same time he bent to whisper in her ear 'well now, what a coincidence seeing you here'
Hermione jumped and span half around a strangled cry lost in her throat as she came face to face with him.
'Ron! You scared me!'
'And you shocked me, what are you doing here?'
Snape felt a strange sense of satisfaction as he saw her blush delightfully
'I just wanted to see where you were going… erm I just thought' closing her eyes she shook her head and turned fully around to him leaning her forehead on his chest
'I'm sorry; I just didn't know what to think'
'You've got nothing to be sorry for, well I suppose a little repentance at not trusting me wouldn't go entirely amiss, oh and unless I am much mistaken a plotting charm?'
She nodded humbly.
'Well that was inexcusable, however I know I've been a bit off and we can't help what we feel or think for that matter'
Stepping away from her he reached around the bookcase and gathered the book he had placed down before starting his chase then walked past her towards the counter.
Shortly afterwards they walked out of the bookshop, Hermione looping her arm with his,
'Hold on tight' he said and took her, side along to the safe house where he would be working.
They both stood in front of his door slightly awkwardly, Hermione was the first to break the silence 'Well I guess I should be off, I expect you've work to be getting on with'
Snape wanted more than anything to agree and watch her walk away disheartened but chastised him self to the point where the words escaped his mouth almost without his bidding.
'Come on, in we go, but the second you become a distraction your out, okay?'
Grinning broadly she walked past him in to the safe house,
'I can't think what you mean' she sighed in a most unconvincing way.
And despite himself Severus smiled as he followed Hermione in closing the door behind them.
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There you have it let me know what you think…if you so wish, either way thanks for reading.
