The rooms in the Leaky Cauldron were just as distasteful as ever, Severus noted as the Floo dumped him and Hermione on the worn floorboards of a particularly gauche yellow room. Still, it was good to be back in the world he'd had to hide from and pretend to loathe for so very long in the latter years of the war. Getting to his feet, he offered Hermione his hand which she gratefully took in one of hers, dusting off her jeans with the other as she stood.
"You'd think the pub would make more space for the Floos after all this time - a simple expansion charm would do, and make the world of difference to guests' landings!", huffed Hermione.
"We could have just travelled directly into Diagon Alley.", retorted Severus, earning an exasperated eye roll from his travelling companion.
"That is out of the question, and you well know it Severus. We need to draw the least attention to ourselves possible if your glamour is to hold up against scrutiny." Hermione paused, noticing Severus about to repeat the same argument he'd given and lost several times already since breakfast. "And still no, there is not enough time to perfect a Polyjuice potion which will allow a wand to choose you for you, and not the person you're mimicking."
Severus was enjoying the back and forth - it had been far too long since anyone other than Minerva had felt comfortable bickering with him and although it was surely a bit toxic, he knew Hermione would hold her own.
"Are you seriously smiling? I knew you were just arguing for the sake of it! There was no way you were that illogical." Hermione triumphantly, bemusedly stated.
"I apologise, witch, it's just exhilarating to find a worthy opponent at long last." Severus grinned.
Hermione 'hmphed' in response, ducking her head down to hide her smile. She understood exactly what he meant, having had very few acquaintances over the years who could give as good as they got with her too.
"Right, any requests for the glamour?", asked Hermione.
"Your the one who has to be seen with me, witch. Whatever you won't be ashamed of", replied Severus honestly.
Hermione took a moment, looking at him thoughtfully before commencing the glamour carefully. Severus' skin tone took on a more golden appearance, his nose became less pronounced, and his eyes lightened. His hair retreated into a brunette buzzcut, and his body form seemed less imposing somehow. Looking in the mirror, Severus realised that despite the connection he'd been feeling with the witch, given the chance she'd almost certainly rather be with someone who looks like this - the very features she'd chosen when offered the choice. "Interesting", was all he could say amidst the racing thoughts.
"What's interesting, Severus?"
The man halted, unsure how honestly he should answer. Embracing how well unfiltered responses had gone at brunch, he spoke deliberately. "Just that this is what Hermione Granger would design a man with whom she is associated to look like."
To Severus' interest, Hermione became very flustered and blushed at this, before replying; "What did you expect exactly, ginger? A lightning bolt scar? Viking-esque?"
Severus chuckled at the idea, "Perhaps!".
"Well I'll have you know that, although looks are only part of what I enjoy in company, I rather like my men stereotypically tall, dark and mysterious. This is simply the most unlikely glamour to remind anyone of you, which is rather much the point I had thought." Hermione was now a rosy shade of red, faffing with her bag as she replied.
It was not lost on Severus that Hermione's dream man description fit him to a tee. Deciding to probe further, he asked; "And what, pray tell, would be the other aspects of companionship you enjoy?"
"You're rather curious today, aren't you?" Hermione defensively threw at Severus, who held up his hands in mock defence.
"Well if I am to be the opposite of what you'd embrace visually, I should probably at least act like somebody you'd choose to spend time with if our façade is to be believed in Diagon Alley." Severus responded casually, whilst inside his heart was racing.
"Seems a bit far-fetched, but as you asked. I like somebody who doesn't make me feel like a — like a nerd; who enjoys similar activities; can match my intellect; and can have intelligent discussions with me."
Severus' heart was bursting with hope. This mature, intelligent, stunning witch he was getting to know was describing… him? "You want a worthy opponent in conversations, and partner in life."
Hermione's eyes locked with Severus' as they both heard his sentence for what it was. Both truth, and an echo of what he'd said moments before about their interactions. "Yes.", she whispered. They maintained eye contact for what felt like an eternity, before Hermione panicked and thrust her bag to the man before her. "Here are your robes, if you'd like to take the bathroom and I'll change in here."
—
Taking one last glance at himself in the mirror, and deciding that he really could not care less how this glamour looked, so long as it wasn't an embarrassment to Hermione, Severus knocked on the door separating the bathroom and bedroom. Upon hearing Hermione calling the all clear, he walked through and his breath caught, spotting the witch in the most exquisite robes he had ever seen. They were a deep purple velvet with golden thread woven through in an elegant, glistening baroque pattern. There was a high collar drawn up around her neck, bordering the base of an elegant up-do she'd charmed her curls into. The fabric was fitted immaculately - drawn in around her waist and arms, with the length of lower robes left to flow majestically, giving her a presence that royalty and pure blood families could only dream of. Severus realised with a start that he was both extremely attracted to this woman, and delightfully much unable to reconcile her with the younger version he had previously known. Thank Merlin for whatever Albus had done with his timeline meddling that allowed him to now find himself in the same generation as this stunning, intelligent witch.
"Severus, are you okay?" Hermione asked gently, approaching him with concern written all over her features.
He quickly brought himself back to the present situation, and offered the kind face before him a warm smile. "I am perfectly well, I was merely admiring your robes. The material - the fit… Exquisite, if I may say."
Warmth glowed in Hermione's heart, as she stood taller, emboldened by this compliment. "I find the magical community responds better to me as Champion if I 'power dress' as the muggles call it. Something about a relatively young, muggle-born female doesn't command respect by itself."
"Well, you have my full respect both in and out of these robes, Hermione… That is to say, both in these robes and your casual clothes…" Severus stammered out a quick correction, realising far too late he had yet again made a Freudian slip.
A musical laugh came from Hermione, who was rather enjoying how poorly Severus could hide his embarrassment in this golden, short haired form. "The feeling is mutual, now let's get going - the glamour won't last forever -", she paused momentarily to make pointed eye contact with Severus before finishing, "- thankfully.".