Author's Notes: Just quickly, thank you to all the readers, and special thanks to:

smithback: I love seeing your name pop up in the reviews - thank you for being here so consistenly. I really appreciate it.

Amarenima Redwood: Beautiful to see your name pop up after the 4 year hiatus (on my part!)

Chapter 6: The Moments

Dressed, shoes in hand, she walked back over to the bed.

Severus held out her wand as she approached. He did not let go when she grabbed a hold of the other end, instead he used it to pull her to him, and kissed her fully on the mouth. The bumping of their noses had long been navigated around.

'We could go for another round,' he said when they broke apart.

'Crooks needs his dinner.'

She smiled at him. Pulling her wand free from his grasp.

'He is a damn cat, he can hunt for himself.'

'Half kneazle, half cat,' She corrected on, smirking back at him.

'More reason to let him fend for himself.'

'If you are not nicer to him, he may just have you for dinner.'

'Does that mean we're doing it at yours then?' The mischievous glint in his eyes twinkled at her.

'You insatiable man!'

Expertly flicking her wand she sent a sparkler his way. It exploded upon impact against his nose and a small set of fireworks went off in front of him. It was a neat little trick George had showed her the last time she helped him with babysitting Fleur and Bill's little one.

Severus played annoyed; arms crossed, he growled at her. This only made her smile that him.

'Had you seriously injured me with that little trick-'

She interrupted, 'I'm sure you could have stopped it if you wanted to, Professor.'

'Begone, you tart.'

She knew he meant no harm. The two of them had continued their arrangement. And the more time they spent together the more equipped Hermione had become in deciphering his moods, and his mock-moods - it turned out Severus Snape took pleasure in getting a reaction out of her, and he was one hell of a drama queen.

Their arrangement was working out well. They had sex and then they went their separate ways. There was no messy morning after, or breakups, or illusions of commitment. It was simple.

Simple worked. These days it was more civilised with missives sent via owls to arrange a time, rather than their previous means f sneaking away to fornicate during a holiday event, be it ending up in a bathroom, spare bedroom, or even the occasional cupboard.

#

'Merlin's balls!'

He was trying to be quiet, but the imbecile cat's stupid bowl got in his way. Now there was water everywhere, and his toes were wet. Whilst it did not take him long to rid the mess, it was still an inconvenience. As much as the hissing kneazle that was staring him down.

He knew that Hermione had had a tough few days with the first reading of her proposal, and he simply wanted to be off to his home without disturbing her slumber. When he did not hear a change in her soft snoring he concluded that the ruckus with the cat's bowl had not done the worst.

The two of them had been going together for some time now and he had learned early on that a tired and overworked Hermione was a snoring Hermione, however she had shot him down when he had first brought it up. Calling him ludicrous and senile. He chuckled to himself softly at the memory.

Securing his belongings in the crux of his arm, he threw the floo powder into the fireplace with the other.

'Severus Snape's Private Chambers at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.'

Crookshanks, the half kneazle watched on as Severus was sucked into the green, smoky abyss, heading towards his own rooms. The flat was once again quiet, just the way he preferred it. Jumping down from the chair he had occupied, he wadded* across the floor towards the bedroom. He jumped onto the bed. The duvet and mattress sunk under his paws as he walked to the other end where he got comfortable. Pressing up against Hermione's shoulder, Crookshanks went down for a nap.

#

'You are such a hateful man!'

'We have already established that.'

She growled in his direction and then threw the book at him.

With a flick of his hand, he easily stopped the flying tome and levitated it onto the shelf.

'Now what did the book do to you?'

'It's yours.'

She glared at him. He could only assume she was trying her best to burn a hole through his head.

Hermione had arrived not long ago at their arranged time. From the moment she had arrived he was well aware of her irate mood. She was never very good at masking her emotions, and this had been true even today.

He mentally kicked himself for having asked. He also mentally kicked himself for showing weakness in his concern for her. Her answer to his simple question had been to call him an insensitive bastard and throw the glass of wine he had given her at him. Now, not only both glasses were broken, but his copy of the Daily Prophet was floating in a burning heap over his table.

Then her shoulders fell.

'The preliminary hearing vetoed the Bill,' she finally said.

'That's all?'

He regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth. Her glare was back.

Walking towards her, cautiously, he continued, 'As you know a preliminary hearing is not binding. You just need to sweet talk some of those old suckers and the Intermediary Appeal may push it into the fourth reading.'

He reached her. It was only when he gently grasped her shoulders that she looked up to acknowledge his proximity.

He smiled at her, something he did rarely, even with her.

'A little bit of elbow grease and it will work itself out.'

She sniffed.

'I am usually right in these things.'

Approximating her reaction he continued in a lighter tone, 'I could also come billowing in and light some fire under their arses if you want.'

A small smile played on her lips.

Seamlessly he continued, 'Metaphorically, and literally if you want.'

Her resolve broke and she snickered briefly. The worst was over, if that was not a sign, the fire on the Daily Prophet ceasing and the blackened ball descending onto the table sure was.

He pulled her into a hug. His chin resting lightly against her hair. In an effort to be comforting he also gently rubbed her back. This was all too foreign for him.

'How about a glass of firewhiskey?'

She pulled away from him slightly, dislodging his chin from against her head.

Looking at him, at the precipice of a smile she spoke quietly, 'Three?'

He chuckled.

'Three,' he confirmed.

#

The bright red lights told him it was four in the morning. He had not intended to doze off for so long. Even though it was still dark out, the birds had begun chirping already. They were not doing his worsening headache any good.

May. This month not so many years ago he had been at death's door. He could have died this very day. But he hadn't. He had survived. Since then Severus Snape had learned quickly that he was quite unable to make it through the month of May in a less than hostile mood.

His arrangement with Hermione Granger was helping. The celebrations for the victory of the Side of Light were a yearly reminder of the years he would rather forget. Years spent lurking in the shadows, his feet on both sides of the war. The carnage he had seen, and the carnage he had dealt. He wanted none of it.

Every year since, Severus found resolve at the bottom of a bottle of firewhiskey, if he was lucky. If not then hopefully at the bottom of two.

Early in the evening, or rather yesterday evening, as his head cleared he recalled that Hermione had found him stumbling in the shadows towards the Castle. She had gathered him in her arms and apparated them both back to her flat.

In the arms of a beautiful woman was definitely a better way to end the night than what he had been doing the last few years. Said woman, rolled over and buried herself against him, and she slept on. He could smell the scent of her shampoo - green apples.

He shifted slightly. Examining their position in bed, he was certain he would not be able to get out without waking her.

He leaned close and whispered into her hair, 'Hermione.'

She murmured some form of acknowledgment and confirmed consciousness.

'I need to head out.'

He wriggled his arm which was trapped beneath her.

'Mhhrump,' came the incoherent murmur.

'To avoid a rude awakening, for you, I suggest you roll over.'

She did roll. Closer into him, burying herself firmly against his side.

Severus let out an aggravated growl.

She did not move, but quietly she spoke, 'Unless you want to find yourself with only the company of your own hand for the foreseeable future, you'll just shut up and hold me.'