Disclaimer: Harry potter and anything you recognise isn't mine. :(

Sorry if my grammar and flow of the story isn't very good. It's my first attempt at writing. I aim to improve though.

Hermione stopped mid chew and stared at the man in black opposite her. He wasn't dressed in his usual teaching robe as she was used to but she could still see the stern potions master seeping through into his muggle clothes of black jeans and shirt. He managed to radiate power and still look imposing, even in her kitchen.

'Yep.' She thought to herself. 'I've gone mad. Or dead. Though surely the afterlife isn't my kitchen'

She heard a snort of laughter come from her mother and she slowly turned her head, shifting it to the side in an unasked question.

"However shocking it is to see your Potions Professor in our kitchen darling, it's not enough to forget ones' manners." Hermione shot a quick glare to her mother before she continued chewing again.

The professor looked at her coolly, eyes narrowed waiting for snide remark or constant questioning from the little know it all. It never came though as Hermione continued eating and sipping her cup of tea. She looked at the professor as though reading his mind she shook her head slightly. She was content at the moment on eating her cheese on toast.

At the moment, all her fight and questioning nature was on pause as the earlier events caught up with her. It wasn't as though she didn't want to know how her parents knew the professor, it's just that she needed to collect her wits and work out if she was dreaming. Or dead. Though she didn't think she had the imagination to place the professor in her kitchen. 'What next? Professor Snape coming out as Harry's dad?' She couldn't help the snort that escaped at her thought, missing the worried looks the adults shot her in the room. 'Maybe I have gone a little into shock?'

Hermione's attention was grabbed when Rob nudged the professor in his arm before grinning broadly. The professor raised an eyebrow before Rob continued, "so did you see the Red's game the other day?" Rob's grin seemed to get even bigger when Snape's eyes narrowed.

"You know I don't care for Manchester United or their mediocre Games," professor Snape replied cooling but Rob didn't seem finished yet.

"So…you wouldn't have seen the City's game? Want to know how they did against the Baggies the other day?" Rob whistled slightly, looking out the window with a broad feral grin on his lips. He looked out the corner of his eye toward Snape who seemed to be fighting against himself in reacting to Rob. He smirked to himself; he always prided himself in being able to get Severus to talk. Mainly by insulting Manchester City but it seemed to be his only weakness – insulting his club.

The professor's eyes seem to narrow as he lost the internal battle, "I know they lost Rob." He paused before letting a small sigh pass his lips. "I don't know why you insist in supporting the Red's. You're not even from Manchester; wouldn't it make more sense to support Arsenal?"

Rob seemed to pause before giving his friend a half smile, "ah Sev, it wouldn't annoy you as much if I support them though would it?"

Severus gave a triumphant grin and said with a smirk, "Ha! So you finally admit it after all these years. I knew it was to aggravate me. You're incredibly childish Robert Granger!"

"Don't pretend you don't like the competition Sev. I remember that bet a few years ago. You were so sure that City would win against the red's you made a bet, you remember Sev?"

Hermione looked over to the professor who was looking at Rob with narrowed eyes and a clenched jaw but it didn't look as dangerous as when she has seen that look aimed at Harry. She knew her father was into football, mainly following Manchester United and City but it seemed like he only found out how Man City was doing to insult Professor Snape. Who would have thought her father could get under the skin of the professor. She could see the professor fighting with himself in answering her dad, he even threw her a few glances to see if she watching. She should probably give them some privacy but this is too good a show to miss, she thought to herself with a big grin. Her attention returned to her father as he continued.

"I will take that as a yes. You had to wear red robes all day because united won! McGonagall was kind enough to send pictures. Ah good times" He murmured the last bit seemingly to himself, shaking his head slightly. Hermione couldn't help but witness the wistfulness in her dad's face.

Her attention was brought back to her mother as she pushed another mug of sweetened tea in front of her, taking away her empty plate. Dawn seemed to be eyeing her for signs as she about to go into shock or hysteria from earlier events but Hermione just looked straight back at her, a small half smile on her lips.

"I'm okay mum, honestly. I'm happy now I'm safe in this kitchen. Your tea can do wonders, you know that."

Across the room, Severus looked on with a frown on his face. He looked back toward Rob who had been watching intently, waiting to see what was going across his old friend's mind.

"She doesn't trust me you know." Severus stated.

"She trusts you more than you know, she is fierce in her protection of you, and I used to wonder if she remembered you from when she was a child because of it. Her friends are always first to blame you or doubt which side you are on but she, "he said turning towards Hermione, who was leaning on Dawn's shoulder in deep conversation. "Is always the first one on your side. I always thought she was stupidly loyal, must have learnt it off you." He paused to smirk at Severus's deadly glare aimed at him. "Apart from that teeth comment she has always looked up to you. I commend you on finding people's only weakness's by the way." He punched Severus in the arm a little too hard to be considered a friendly tap and sent him a warning glare.

Severus went to open his mouth in defence but shut it again with a snap. He really had no defence against the incident. The stress of the darkening mark had just reached its peak and she was the nearest vulnerable target. To see the hope going from her eyes… Severus shook his head of idle thoughts when he looked Rob back in eyes.

"He's back you know."

"I know"

"I can't possibly do what you want me to do…"

"You can and will. Does Dumbledore know of your link to Hermione?"

Severus paused before nodding ever so slightly, "yes." He frowned slightly but continuing, "It was another way for him to manipulating me into his wants and needs. 'She couldn't possibly lose a friend Severus, you know how that feels…Watch out for boy.'"

Rob seemed to study Severus's face as he saw how worn and haggard Severus really was.

"I'm fine old friend." Severus said, wiping his callused hand over his face. He looked into Rob's eyes, allowing him to see the fear in them. "Are you sure? I don't know if I do what you ask me to."

Rob raised his hand and grabbed Severus's shoulder in a reassuring grip. "You can old friend. You can and will."

Thank you for any reviews, favourites, alerts and advice I was given for my last chapter. Didn't expect anything so you all made me smile.

I know Snape's a bit ooc in this chapter when interacting with Rob but I needed to show that they were good friends. I like to think he would let down his shield with old friends.

So…I'm unsure what the appropriate time delay is for posting chapters so I've acted like an excited fool and posted a chapter. Hope you don't mind. x