Chapter 91: When Given To Romanticized Views

{A/N: Here's Another Update...}

My Thanks To My Readers and Reviewers...Enjoy-S.S.

Unknown Location, Unknown World...

Sights and sounds had been all abound as Severus Snape and Hermione Granger-Snape made their way out of their rather elegant hotel room and into the main lobby of the extravagant hotel. Hermione had never seen a place like this before and found it to be quite the surprise. Everywhere she looked there were staff members and other people of refined taste and elegance. She had no idea that her husband would choose something like this, but had not been too put off that he would. The shock of his attempt to show her appreciation on this scale was still new to her. He'd not been much for company even when they traveled the rundown town of Cokeworth and here he was finely dressed and parading her about with strangers present. Unable to help herself, Hermione was all smiles as they walked arm in arm passing every other person on the street. It was refreshing not to have people she knew on ever street corner, an added bonus that they no longer questioned her about her age as it were. Snape had seen to almost every detail of this little vacation of sorts, and for that she was glad. It was nice to be out and about like a regular couple, far from the cares of the outside worlds and their constant turmoil. This place seemed peaceful and there was not one mention about wizards or attacks, or even everyday traffic. The people seemed pleasant enough and concerned with their own affairs aside from polite conversation. For the first time since walking with him out in the open in this place, Hermione noticed that Severus didn't seem all that apprehensive as they continued their quiet little stroll.

The walk took them to a charming little book store and of course Hermione had not been one to pass up a good read no matter the location. Snape adhered to her whim and they ventured toward the shop. It smelled of old leather and dust mixed with aged parchment and ink. The kind of place that sort of reminded Snape of home when he thought of any good days he might have spent at Spinner's End. Hermione seemed quite at home amid the numerous columns of books that lined the walls. Snape watched her in silence as she took her time inspecting the covers and pages respectively. If he were honest, he'd have to admit being intrigued by her seemingly insatiable desire to learn anything and everything about the world around her. Books were only part of the experience, a trusted and steady guide making introductions and the like.

She moved along the rows as if she had not a care in the world. Her expensive red silk dress no more a hindrance for her thirst for knowledge than her school robes as she moved, her hair flowing behind her as she continued to seek out what she wanted. The blazing fascination behind her amber eyes seemed to further pull Snape into a state that seemed to slow down time itself as he took a few moments to compute it all into a very detailed memory. Hermione was quite beautiful when one looked upon her in her natural state. More so than Snape ever realized as he watched her in silence. A few of the other men whom had entered the bookstore seemed to agree as they each found themselves fixated upon the young woman wrapped rather elegantly in red silk.

Strange as it was, Snape saw no need to descend into his usual jealous state as the men continued to make remarks about his wife's beauty. While they saw what he had in terms of her appearance, they knew nothing of her heart, which had very much belonged to him...at least for a little while longer it seemed. Attempting to block out the fast approaching thought of inevitability, He turned his attention toward assisting his wife with her shopping needs.

Hermione's excitement could hardly be contained as she'd found two books already that had caught her attention. Muggle writings of course, a prominent play by Shakespeare and a collection of old stories. The Potions Master had not addressed it fully, but he found her happiness pleasing in it of itself. This little venture had turned out to be well worth it from the looks of her.

"Severus!..." she said excited but mindful of the quiet nature of the shop. "Severus, look what I've found."

"Find what you are looking for, Mrs. Snape?" he asked in a casual tone.

"I found that and then some." she replied happily.

"Good." said Snape still noticing the other men in the store having their eyes on them. "Perhaps there are more shops that hold your interest?"

Hermione seemed to be in agreement as she paid for her books via Snape's apparent Muggle credit card and they headed toward the door. Once again arm in arm after she shrunk her quarry down to travel size so as not to burden herself during the trip. Snape seemed to be intently focused as they continued their walk basking in all that had been around them.

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Open Street, Unknown Location, Unknown World...

Hermione had not known what to say as Snape whisked her away on this rather strange and pleasant getaway. They continued their walk for a while taking in the sights of street performers trying their hand at music and art works while making note of the numerous shops that lined the walk. While she appeared to be closer in age to the women in fancy dresses that surrounded them, Hermione had not been too keen on the way they were staring at her husband. He paid them no attention of course not just for her sake but because he had been Severus Snape, the idle chatter of random women had not appealed to him in the slightest and despite his rather dashing appearance, he'd been his usual dour self whenever anyone approached him to offer a compliment. There was an easy comfort in knowing that no woman could ever gain the affections of her husband like she could and that she alone could melt that icy exterior and ignite a passion within him that no other had seen in quite some time.

After becoming annoyed via the encircling women, Snape made the suggestion that they stop for a bite to eat before continuing as the night was still quite young and he had not wanted it to end due to her stomach rumbling. Hermione found herself in agreement when her stomach had indeed began to rumble as she had not had a proper meal since lunch in the great hall. Snape seemed delighted that she agreed although he'd never admit to being hungry himself.

He escorted her inside, holding the door for her as they entered the rather warm establishment.

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Elegant Restaurant, Unknown Location, Unknown World...

The moment they walked in, they took note of the numerous people each sitting at their respective tables and a few more standing in line awaiting their turn to be seated. Hermione didn't think they would be able to get a table with all the people ahead of them but Snape seemed quite confident that they could. He briefly asked to speak to the owner of the establishment and then the two stepped away from the crowd. Before Hermione knew it something of a slight flicker surrounded the man's head and he very graciously gestured for Snape to bring her along. Snape continued on as if nothing were amiss as did the Muggles awaiting their respective tables. The owner escorted them to their newly freed seat himself with a pleasant expression and manner not seen on a Muggle with this much of a business rush in an establishment.

Hermione arched a brow as Snape scooted her into her chair and took his own seat opposite her across the other end of the round table with elegant décor.

"Severus?" she began.

"Well did you wish to dine at some point to night or spend our vacation standing in line?" asked Snape knowing all too well what she was going to say.

"Those people..." she began.

"Will be fine with their usual wait time." he replied. "Enough with the Gryffindor sentiment woman, you're on vacation you have my permission to be selfish for the time being."

"Git." said Hermione picking up her menu.

"Can you honestly tell me that it wasn't worth it?" asked Snape picking up his own menu as Hermione attempted to hide the smile she had behind hers.

She of course couldn't and her stomach rumbling seemed to be in agreement with her husband.

"I may be able to teach you yet Mrs. Snape." remarked Snape turning his attention to his own menu.

He had been partial to steak and whatever garnishment came with it. Hermione ordered a salad of course and the same meal as her husband interested in why it had been so appealing to him.

The evening got on with a bit of small talk and suggestions for dessert once the meal had been complete. It was good to appear a regular couple for a change, Hermione had not known how much she needed this night until Severus talked her into it. From the moment they were wed, their marriage had been about the appeasement of other people and now it had been just the two of them alone together for something aside from a fun romp between the sheets.

When their meal came they continued the seemingly mundane chat pleased to have something more the norm to speak about.

"Exam season is fast approaching." said Snape finishing off the rest of his steak as he looked up at his wife. "Are you adequately prepared?"

"As ready as I'll ever be." replied Hermione doing the same.

The meal wasn't half bad as it were and Snape made sure to give their compliments to the chef.

When dessert arrived, Snape had other plans as he got up from his seat and approached the confused witch whom had wondered why he'd done so.

Snape extended his hand and Hermione took it as he led her to what appeared to be a dance floor. She had not noticed it when they came in but it had been possibly due to her mind being on the pressing matter of filling her rumbling stomach at the time. The Potions Master seemed unaffected by the number of eyes that had been on them as he'd been more concerned with pleasing his young wife than the idle gossip going on at the tables.

"Severus?" said Hermione seemingly overwhelmed.

"Lucius insisted that I dance with you at least once while we are here." explained Snape.

Hermione made a mental note to thank the Senior Malfoy for his input on the night's festivities. She had not liked the man very much, but he'd been like a brother to her husband for many years.

As the minutes passed, Hermione had no idea she'd be doing a wizarding waltz with Severus Snape of all people in front of inquisitive Muggles. When the tempo changed from something upbeat to a slow rendition, Snape pulled the young witch close to him taking in her scent as he had no doubt she'd been doing the same. Their eyes locked for a few moments as the world fell away and the slow embrace became all that they knew.

Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck as her leaned down to accommodate her, his hands gripping her waist as they moved as one across the dance floor.

"Romanticized views are not so bad." said the seemingly contented witch as they continued to dance.

"No." replied Snape still holding her close. "Not always."