A/N: I don't own Harry Potter

This is for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Writing club: September

All sorts of Space: 7: Lance - The Loverboy and Sharpshooter: (trait) Flirtatious

Book club: 3-Marnes - Dialogue: "That's an awful word to use on a man my age." / Item: Canteen / Dialogue: "I'm glad you think it's funny."

Sophie's Shelf: 2. . Write about someone who is socially awkward.

Insane Prompt Challenge: 527:song: Mamma Mia! - Abba

Wacky Wand Makers: Wood – Larch: (event/setting) formal ball

Core: Veela Hair - (trait) temperamental

Length: 10 inches: (quote) 'Love has no age, no limit; and no death' - John Galsworthy

Word Count: 489

"That's an awful word to use on a man my age," he stated. Hermione laughed looking up at him.

"Severus, I never said you were old, I simply said you looked distinguished," she commented taking a sip of her punch.

"I know what you meant." She shrugged.

"Believe what you want, but that's not what I mean and you know it. I would never insult you like that."

"So you would insult me given the chance?" She paused thinking about it. She hadn't expected to run into Severus at the ministry gala. She hadn't expected him to speak to her, not after the war.

"You never missed an opportunity," she shrugged.

"Still a know it all, Miss Granger?" She laughed.

"Still you," she commented still laughing.

"I'm glad you think it's funny, since you used to cry at the words."

"No, I used to cry at the tone behind them, when they were used to be insulting. You're just trying to get a rise out of me." He raised an eyebrow looking at her.

"Is it working?"

"No. Sorry, but I think I see my boss. It was nice seeing you, Severus," she stated taking her drink and disappearing into the crowd. He watched her leave and suddenly found himself being pulled into a conversation about regulating cauldron thickness. By the time he managed to pull himself free, Hermione had disappeared somewhere. He started searching the floor and found himself facing Harry, who was drinking something from a canteen he'd smuggled in.

"Potter."

"Snape."

"Have you seen Miss Granger?"

"She's around somewhere." Severus' eyes narrowed. He nodded to the canteen.

"What's that?"

"Water, actually. I never drink the punch at these things, who knows what someone might have added to it." Severus found he couldn't deny the logic in that statement. He walked past Harry and continued searching for Hermione. So far, she'd been the only one with whom he seemed to be able to have a semi-intelligent conversation.

"You're still here, I'm surprised," a voice commented from behind him. He turned and saw Hermione leaning against a pillar, her drink in hand. She'd drank very little of it. He wondered if she, too, were erring on the side of caution.

"I was looking for you actually."

"Really? Why? So you can playfully insult me some more, in an obvious attempt at trying to flirt?" she asked. He tried to keep his face from flushing. She was brilliant, there was no denying that.

"You think I was flirting."

"You weren't?" she asked tilting her head a bit and giving him a look. He could see a spark in her eyes.

"If I was, then you're also guilty." She laughed putting her drink down on the nearest table.

"I never denied it, sir," she stated stepping over to him. He nodded offering her is arm. He took it and they left the gala to find a bit more privacy.