Summary: First date

A/N: Thanks for reading! Please enjoy the first real dating interaction between our couple.

Chapter 7

Severus nervously tied and untied his cravat. Glaring at his visage in the mirror, he looked away, frowning. How could Hermione find anything meritable in him? He was not anything good to look at, and he had been short-tempered and unyielding for a good part of his life.

Looking down at his outfit, he sighed. At least his robes fit him well. Glancing back at the mirror, he ran his fingers through his hair and shrugged. He looked as good as he was going to get. Reaching up, he tied his cravat one more time, turned, and left his home.

He was living at Spinner's End but wanted to sell it as soon as possible. He hated the place, and it had only been used as a stopping ground during his summers. The thought of living in it full-time made his skin crawl.

Apparating to Grimmauld Place, he quickly made his way up the sidewalk and knocked on the door. It took no time at all for Hermione to open it and flash a broad smile at him.

"Come in," she offered.

He stepped in and halted in the entry.

"Is Potter here?"

"No, he's with Ginny."

"Thank Merlin," Severus sighed in relief.

Hermione's light laughter filled the hallway as she retreated and grabbed her purse. She was back at his side in a moment.

"I'm ready."

Severus extended his arm for her to grasp.

"Shall we?"

She nodded and they disappeared in a swirl of Apparition. In a moment they reappeared in Diagon Alley in front of an elegant-looking restaurant.

"The Wizard's Respite," Hermione read aloud.

"This place was brave enough to open up in the middle of the war last year. There weren't many people eating out at the time, however, they've made a name for themselves and are considered the best Wizarding restaurant anywhere."

"I guess you miss a lot when you're on the run," Hermione said offhandedly.

"Well, now you get the chance to try it."

"Wasn't it hard to get a reservation?" she asked.

He shrugged. "Not when you're war heroes."

Hermione's eyebrows rose as they stepped into the restaurant. They were seated quickly and studied the menu.

"Have you been here before?" Hermione asked.

"No, I had no time to do such frivolous things last year."

"Well, we'll experience it together, then."

He smirked at her before going back to his menu. It took no time at all for them to decide and give their orders to the waiter. They looked at one another as the waiter moved away from their table.

An awkward silence came over them. Hermione fidgeted and looked away from him. Severus stared down at his lap, not looking back at her. Hermione huffed.

"Severus," she called out, making his eyes move from their downward gaze up to hers. "This is silly. Why are we so nervous?"

Severus cleared his throat. "There's a lot riding on this date, Hermione."

"I know, but we've conversed before without feeling awkward."

Looking back down in his lap, Severus sighed. "For me," he began, "this is a very important… date. Our first one. And I want it to go well. It's one thing to have visions about each other and to talk to me when I couldn't respond, but another to converse like normal individuals. What if…" he frowned. "Never mind." Scowling, he averted his eyes and concentrated on a table across the room.

"Tell me," Hermione said as she extended her hand to him.

Looking at her hand, he mulled over whether to reach out or not. Frowning, he tentatively grasped it. Her hand fit snugly into his, and he was tempted to smile, but refrained. She squeezed his hand.

"Tell me," she repeated.

Sighing heavily, he looked down again. "What if we find that this date goes horridly, and soulmates or not, we just aren't compatible."

Hermione's lips thinned and formed a serious line. "I've been worrying about that all day."

Severus' eyes snapped up at her. "You have?"

She nodded. "My mind has made up numerous instances where things go very badly tonight."

Severus smirked then. "I figured you'd just tell me that you didn't have any desire to go out with me again once we were done."

"I imagined you would laugh at the idea of continued dating and stalk off, leaving me here at the table all by myself!"

He arched a brow. "Are either of those situations going to come to pass?"

Hermione smirked. "Not yours."

"And not yours," he agreed.

Hermione shook her head. "We're being foolish, aren't we?"

"Yes, but I have a reason."

Hermione gave him a curious look. "What is that?"

"Nothing ever works out well for me," he ventured.

Hermione pursed her lips. "We're different, Severus, you and me." She squeezed his hand. "We care about each other. When I'm not freaking out, I feel like we'll be really good together."

Severus closed his eyes for a moment. Finally, he sighed and opened them, looking at her. "I have felt that too. I just refuse to let that feeling grow within me."

"Why ever not?" Hermione huffed.

"As I said before, nothing works out for me. I refuse to have hope that anything will."

Squeezing his hand again, she gave him a knowing look. "We will work out, Severus. I'm sure of it."

"Are you? How can you be so sure?"

She shrugged. "It's just a feeling I have. I've felt it from the start, but I was just panicking and ignoring it today while worrying about this first date going well."

"And these feelings… they are usually right?"

She opened her mouth to answer, then closed it again. Regarding him seriously, she finally continued.

"I have found they are usually on point."

"I guess that's good," he remarked.

He studied her in silence as their food came, and they straightened as it was placed in front of them. Severus looked at her, debating what she'd said.

"I want to believe you," he replied dryly, "but…"

"No buts!" Hermione cried. "Stop worrying and just let what is going to happen, happen," she demanded.

"How do I do that?"

"Hmm." Hermione thought. "Live in the moment," she directed. "Don't worry about what will happen in the future… just the here and now."

"Right here…" Severus murmured.

"Yes. And I will follow my own counsel too."

She reached out, her palm up, beckoning him to take her hand again. Severus snaked his hand into hers.

"Okay, that feels nice, right?" Hermione asked.

He arched a brow at her. "Yes, it does."

She squeezed his hand. "Okay, are you better?"

"I think so."

"Remember, one moment at a time."

She grinned at him while he nodded at her. They released each other's hands and began to eat.

"How is your Wellington?" Severus asked.

"Sinfully delicious," Hermione gushed before popping a piece in her mouth.

"This lobster fettuccine is also very good."

They conversed throughout the rest of the meal, Severus' fears in check. The longer they conversed, the more relaxed Severus felt. Soon their meal was over, and they left the restaurant. Severus looked shyly at Hermione.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"Ready for what?"

He smirked at her and linked his arm with hers. They Apparated away and found themselves on the banks of the Thames. He grasped her hand, and they began to walk. There were a lot of people out and about that night. Severus frowned as they walked. It was hard not to be jostled by other passersby. Directing Hermione over to a side street, he stopped and faced her.

"I thought a walk along the river would be nice, but it seems like everyone else had the same idea. Would you mind going somewhere more private?" he asked.

She smiled at him. "That would be lovely."

He spun them around again, and they appeared in an open field next to a small lake. Severus conjured up a blanket, and they settled in at the lake's shore. Hermione looked up at the sky and gasped.

"Oh, you can see so many stars out here, Severus!" she exclaimed.

"Yes, this is one of my favorite places to view the stars."

"Where are we?" Hermione asked as she looked around.

"We're about fifty miles north of London. The Potioneer I studied under has his lab in a small town nearby. I discovered this the first weekend of my apprenticeship."

"It's lovely."

Hermione laid back on the blanket, staring up at the stars. Severus lay alongside her, grasping her hand as they both stared upward.

Hermione gasped suddenly. Her free hand shot up, and she pointed. "Look, Severus, a shooting star!"

"Mmm," he murmured as he caught sight of it before it disappeared.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Hermione asked.

Severus turned his head toward her, making her turn to look at him.

"It is, but I find you even more so."

She grinned brightly at Severus, and he found himself wishing she would always smile at him like that. Giving her a tentative look, he reached out and grasped her arm, turning her and drawing her closer to him. Leaning in, he cautiously kissed her. She opened up to him, and he grew brave, showing her how he felt about her and increasing his passion. She made a small moan which just encouraged him. He entered her mouth and they were enraptured with one another for quite some time.

After a while, they separated. Severus arched a brow at her despite feeling incredibly self-conscious.

She smiled at him and pulled him in, kissing him once again. His heart exploded with the knowledge that she wanted to kiss him more. He was worried that once might have been enough for her, but that didn't seem to be the case. Tossing his insecurities away, he enjoyed her and her affection.

They pulled apart again, and he smirked at her. She smirked right back.

"So, you seemed to have lost your nervousness," Hermione said with a grin.

"I have been taking your advice and living in the moment."

"Would you be okay with having another moment?" she teased.

"As you wish," he answered, pulling her close once again and showering her with affection.