"Faster!" Hermione squealed, running from the basket, blanket, and assorted cups as fast as her legs could carry her, her voice almost drowned out by the deep rumble of thunder. "Leave it!" she called, stopping as she felt his hand slip from hers. "We can get it later!"
Severus, who now resembled more of a drowned rat than a man, paused in the pouring rain to glance towards his fiancé. The idea of abandoning their picnic was obvious distasteful to him, but the sharp crack of lightening on the tree overtop their picnic made him reconsider. As he watched her, he could feel the smile creeping slowly to his face.
"Severus, I'm freezing," she chided, "And you're laughing."
"No," he drawled, stepping toward her; admiring the way her curls were stuck to her cheeks, forehead, neck – not to mention how the bright yellow t-shirt framed her figure in a tantalizing way. "I was smiling." He had to keep reminding himself that the wedding was only a few months away. "There is a difference, Miss Granger."
Her response was punching gently in the stomach. "You're enjoying this."
"There is not a moment that goes by that I do not enjoy." he replied, trapping her in his arms – and warmth. "Though I admit I am rather fond of you in the rain."
Instinctively she put her head against his chest, her arms going around his waist. "I love the rain as much as the next person," she replied softly, "But Sev, do we have to be stuck in a downpour? You remember what happened the last time I came into contact with water."
"If you had followed my instructions you would not have fallen off the broom in the first place, Miss Granger." He spoke slowly, making her giggle.
"I won't be Miss Granger much longer, will I." Hermione pulled back, breaking his grip on her.
Tilting his head gently, he wiped away a moment's worth of raindrops. "Mrs. Snape." he stated, thinking how it didn't suit her, the harshness of his name.
Hermione grinned pulling out of his reach suddenly. "You'll have to catch me first!"
Bolting for cover, which happened to be a clump of rocks some kilometers away, Hermione's girlish giggle was lost under the rapid succession of thunder and lightning. Severus ran his fingers through his wet hair before taking off after her.
It was a playful act, until the raindrops turned to hail; making both of them double their pace. Severus was quite fast, much to Hermione's chagrin; though he never surpassed her. Instead he took her hand, making sure she kept pace with him until they made it to cover – then wrapping his arms around her, providing some warmth.
"Whose idea was it to take a 'muggle' style date in the rainy season?" he asked, kissing her head gently.
"It's not my fault it rained!" she chirped, gesturing to the thunderstorm.
"Hm." he murmured, placing his chin on her head. "I want it on record that if you catch cold, it is not my fault."
"If either of catches a cold, I shall accept full responsibility." Hermione groaned into his wet shirt. "But if I get sick, you have to take care of me."
"In sickness and in health." Severus chuckled, giving her a squeeze. "Before marriage….during marriage, my goodness Miss Granger, you are high maintenan –ah, ah," he gasped, pulling away and clutching his stomach dramatically.
"Now who is high maintenance?" Hermione grinned, pushing her wet hair out of her face. "Hmm, Mr. Snape?"