Hello! I've decided to start writing this story again. I'm also working on another fic, Silver Sullivan: Time Traveller. Check it out if you have time, and please review!

It's been a long time since I've worked on this particular fic, so the tone might change a bit from the previous chapters.

Chapter 4

"You look nice," a voice drawled from Silver's left. She turned to see Severus Snape looking at her; the regular sneer that adorned his face was absent in her presence. Silver smoothed out her knee length black skirt before replying.

"As do you, Severus. But really, do you own anything that isn't black?" She turned her mouth down in a mock look of disdain. Looking him up and down, she noted that he was wearing a black, collared shirt. The sleeves stopped mid-forearm, showcasing his pale skin. His trousers were black as well, leading to the black shoes that were laced immaculately.

"Haven't you heard I'm a dungeon bat, Silver?" Severus deadpanned, quirking an eyebrow up at her scrutiny.

"Hardly. You haven't reached bat status yet, which is why I agreed to this date. Pray tell what would happen if someone didn't drag you away from your potions for a few hours," she retorted, before leading the way out of the doors onto the grounds. Her skirt swished at the sudden movement, showing off the thighs that are normally hidden by robes. Severus followed, careful to not let his gaze linger. Instead he took in the rest of her appearance as they walked. She was wearing a well-fitting purple top, which showed her curves but wasn't cut low enough to be considered indecent. He had already noticed the black skirt, so trained his eyes down to her shoes, which were pretty black ballet flats adorned with silver flowers. Her headband matched her shoes, while her hair was slightly curled at the ends, framing her face in a way it normally did not.

As he pulled up to walk up next to her, she began asking questions about their latest potions assignment, bringing up the pros and cons of each ingredient being used. This lasted until they reached Hogsmeade, where he then led the way into the quill shop. Their conversation continued along the lines of school subjects until they had gone through the quill shop, the apothecary, and entered the bookstore. There their conversation stemmed into authors and books they have each read.

"Perhaps, as a way of getting to know each other a bit better, we could each pick out a book we think the other should read. If I haven't read the book you've chosen, I'll buy it and read it at a later date. Same thing for you. Does that sound agreeable to you?" Silver asked, lazily skimming through some volumes of the latest mystery series to hit the shelves. Severus hesitated for a moment before nodding when Silver looked up. They then went their separate ways within the store, agreeing to meet back at the front in a half-hour's time.

Once the time had passed, Silver handed Severus a copy of Hamlet while he handed her a copy of Pride and Prejudice. They both looked at each other, trying to gauge the other's reactions before Silver spoke: "I've already read it. It may be a Muggle book, but Jane Austen is one of my favorite fiction authors. Nicely pegged, though, Severus."

"I have read Hamlet as well, though it has been several years. Perhaps this means we already know each other quite well?"

"Just because I know your book preferences to a degree does not mean that I know you well, Severus. You're still quite a mystery. Shall we go get something to eat?" Severus nodded and they headed for the Three Broomsticks.

The Marauders were sharing a booth in the Three Broomsticks, sans Sirius, who was chatting amicably with a doe eyed Hufflepuff at a different table. She was clearly enamored with the attention he was paying her, and Sirius was using that to his advantage by shamelessly flirting with her. James was talking about Quidditch again, with Peter and a couple of girls his captive audience. Remus was listening to James' prattle, but was mostly observing the people around him. Therefore, he was the only one of the four to notice Silver and Severus's arrival as they slipped into an empty booth by the door. He was a bit surprised, since he didn't think they were anything more that civil classmates. As he kept an eye on them though, he saw Silver brush her hand along Snape's as he was talking and traced his palm when he turned it skyward. Remus wouldn't have been surprised if they were talking about something completely rudimentary, but Silver was fixated on Severus with the normal attentiveness she exuded with anyone she was friendly with; clearly, she wasn't here against her will.

As if feeling his eyes on her, Silver suddenly averted her eyes from Snape and locked onto Remus's. She gave a slight nod of the head in acknowledgment, as well as a small smile. Remus returned the gesture before returning his focus back on his friends. He left with them a short while later, taking care to avoid looking at Silver's table lest his friends catch wind of it. He didn't think they were trying to hide, exactly, but he knew that if he drew attention to them James would tease Snape relentlessly, and Peter might feel a bit put out.

Once lunch was completed, Silver and Severus took a leisurely walk down the streets of Hogsmeade. They ended up down the abandoned stretch of road that leads to the Shrieking Shack, and Silver pulled Severus by the hand to a large tree root, where she proceeded to sit. She patted the spot next to her, where Severus begrudgingly sat.

"You would think the Shrieking Shack would be named something else. It's never made sense to me that the villagers are scared of ghosts, being wizards and all," Silver commented, staring up at the Shack.

"Yes, well, people are more apt to believe rumors if there's a grain of truth. They hear noises and draw their own conclusions. It would be more impressive if they knew what truly haunted that building," Severus responded. He didn't expand upon his comment and Silver let it go, figuring it was easier than trying to goad an answer out of him.

"I've always enjoyed being outside," Silver said instead. "I used to imagine that I was a magizoologist who had to take care of all sorts of creatures. Mother nipped that dream in the bud when I was nearly five years old. Since then, she's been grooming me to be the perfect future wife. As such, my interests have changed to be more acceptable." There was no bitterness in her voice at the loss of her childhood dream, which Severus noticed with a slight bit of envy. He himself has had the same dream since he met Lily Evans; to be her one and only. Unfortunately, with the events that transpired earlier in the year, he'd be lucky if she ever spoke to him again.

"What would those interests be, then?"

"I've grown to like History of Magic, so perhaps as a career as a historian. I'm also fascinated in genealogy in the Magical world, to see how our magic spans across generations and if Muggle-borns are truly born from no magic whatsoever or if they're just many generations removed from witches and wizards. It's a view that many purebloods in particular despise, but it is one of the reasons I enjoy it. As you know, I enjoy reading in my leisure."

Severus was quiet for a few moments before replying, "It's a ridiculous notion that Muggle-borns could be derived from many generations of wizards. I can't fault you for believing it's possible, since the idea has been tossed around for years." Silver only nodded in response, before companionably taking Severus's hand and tracing her fingers along it with her other hand.

"Trying to read my fortune, Silver?" he asked.

"No, I just like the feel of your hands," Silver responded, catching his eye.

"Why? They're nothing special."

"They're soft, yet have callouses from where you hold your instruments. I would have thought they'd be dry, with all of the potion fumes around them, but they're not. You have a scar here, you know," Silver said, tracing it with her thumb. The scar was diagonal, going from the middle finger's knuckle until the juncture of his thumb and forefinger. "How'd you get it?"

He didn't respond for a few minutes, while she continued to trace his hand absentmindedly. They were comfortable, despite Silver not receiving an answer to her question. He took a few larger breaths before he steeled himself for his response.

"My father cut me there with a knife when I failed to bring him more wood for him to carve. I was thirteen and had been responding to a letter from Lily when he called for me." Severus's gaze was pointedly fixed directly ahead of him. Silver never ceased tracing, even after he explained. It was quiet for a few more minutes before Silver spoke.

"It healed well." Severus was a bit taken aback with her aloofness to the subject; he had told Lily the same story and she had raged for nearly half an hour at the unfairness of it all. Before he could respond, though, she continued. "Would you permit me to feel your hair? I've wondered whether it feels the same way it looks." He nodded dumbly, scooting a bit closer to her to allow access to his head. She started playing with it with one hand; the other was still firmly attached to his hand.

"Hmm, it looks much greasier than it feels. I suppose that'd be from all of the potions you brew, yes?" At his nod, she continued, "I wonder if there'd be a potion or spell to help with that. I personally don't mind it either way; I just think it might help with your self confidence a bit."

"Is that why you agreed to accompanying me today? Because I'm just some project for you?" Severus bit out angrily, bouncing off of the root and glaring up at her. She glared right back and gracefully landed next to him.

"No, I agreed because you intrigue me. Despite what you may think, I actually enjoy your company, Severus."

"Don't lie to me. I knew it was too good to last. A beautiful girl like you, with a hook-nosed, greasy dungeon bat? As if that would happen without some ulterior motive," he spewed back. Silver was greatly taken aback by his sudden change in attitude. Things had been going well, or so she thought. It was only after she made the comment that he might want to change that he snapped. Understanding flowed through her, and she looked him dead in the eye as she said, "I would never ask you to change anything about your appearance, Severus. You are fine just the way you are. I was merely suggesting an alternative should you seek to change." She could tell he couldn't believe her, and he started to stalk away in anger. Silver quickly grabbed his arm and spun him around to face her. Acting on impulse, she got into his personal space until they were only a few inches apart.

"You do not repulse me in any way, shape, or form, Severus Snape. I've been having a wonderful time with you, and hope that it continues if you can let go of your glaring insecurities and accept that I am here of my own free will," she said in a low voice. His eyes flitted between each of hers. After seeing the sincerity in them, they flicked down to her lips a few times and he swallowed. Silver was able to read him quite well after spending the day with him: he was nervous. Slowly, she inched closer to him until their lips were only an inch or two apart. They were still looking at each other intensely, black into blue, when Silver closed the gap between them. Their lips met in a slightly awkward way, but not unpleasantly. Pulling back slightly, Silver smiled softly before she kissed him again. It was better the second time. Severus gained a bit of confidence and they snogged for a couple minutes until he pulled away. He was smiling. It wasn't a full blown grin, just a tilt of the lips that was different than a smirk, but Silver saw it for what it was.

Stepping back a bit, Silver took Severus's hand again and they returned to the streets of Hogsmeade, ending up in Honeydukes. They played the same game as they had in the bookstore, although this time neither of them got it right. Instead of buying the candy they had chosen, though, Silver showed Severus her favorite candies (peppermint fudge and licorice wands), which he bought a bit of for her. Silver showed the same courtesy to Severus, buying him some black licorice and ginger newts.

Remus spotted the couple again as he and his friends were making their way back up to the castle. He noticed that they seemed closer than they had earlier in the afternoon, and resolved to not tell Peter unless asked directly about it. He didn't want Peter's feelings getting hurt, since he knew how much he favored the brunette Ravenclaw.