AN: Thank you for all the support! It is very deeply appreciated!
Hermione hated lying.
As she took her place at her counter, she reflected the letter she'd written Steven. She'd tried to be honest, or at least as honest as she'd ever been with him. Last night, she'd had every intention of dreaming about him. Granted, one cannot always control their dreams, but a dreamless sleep would've been preferable to what had occurred.
Once again she was at Sinatra, the diamonds on the chandeliers glistening in the overhead lights. Frank Sinatra's soft crooning played around her as everyone conversed in hushed tones. Someone pulled a chair out for her. With grace, she sat upon it. "Thank you."
"The pleasure is entirely mine."
A shudder raced up her spine. The silky voice was not Steven's, but as that of her best friend, her platonic best friend with whom she desired to play strip poker.
"Severus," she twisted her lower lip as he sat across from her. "I didn't know you were such a gentleman."
"I am as much a gentleman as anyone else is capable of being," he gave her a smile which made her heart flutter.
"Chivalry isn't everyone's strong suit."
"That is unfortunate, for anyone can be a gentleman if they understand how to treat a woman like she is the most important person in the world."
"The most important person in the world?"
"Indeed, that's what you are to me," his voice was tender. "I esteem you above all others, hence the reason I can be a gentleman around you."
"I've never seen you be a gentleman," she felt her blush forming.
"I shall try harder to impress you in the future."
"You're impressing me now."
"You are easily impressed then. Any dunderhead can do something such as pull a seat out for a woman. It's treating a woman well which is trickier to master."
"You're right. Most men wouldn't know how to treat a woman if their lives depended on it. Then again, I may just be dating the wrong men."
"Indeed, you have dated some real arses," he put a napkin on his lap.
"Yes, ones who didn't understand what I wanted in life, that sometimes I want to be spoiled."
"Every once in awhile it is nice to be spoiled," he admitted. "Still, I was always under the impression that you didn't want to be pampered too much. You are woman who cherishes her independence, not one who wants a man to come charging in and demanding everything be done his way in exchange for a fancy ring."
"You are correct there," she admitted. "Still, I do like a gentleman spoiling me every once in awhile."
"Yes, but you also want a rough gambler from the poor side of Cokeworth," he smirked in a way that sent desire racing up her spine, "One who challenges you, one who drives you to distraction, one who only wishes to see you smile, one who makes you laugh because he knows what to say to ease your discomforts and frustrations."
"I'm getting frustrated right now," Hermione answered, wondering why pleasure was washing over her body.
"Then why don't we have our meal and return home, where I'll show you just how much of a gentleman I can be," he let out a low chuckle. "Unless you'd prefer the gambler from the poor side of Cokeworth who has everything he needs when he holds you in his arms. It's whichever you prefer."
"What if I want you to be yourself?"
"Then I shall be myself," he purred once more. "The man you find irresistible."
She opened her mouth to say something…
Thank goodness she awoke when she did! If she'd dreamt of Severus any longer, the dream could have gone in an exciting direction, one which would've necessitated a cold shower come the morning. For the next half hour, she lay in bed, her thoughts bouncing between her dream and the thought of playing strip poker with Severus.
When had her best friend become the most alluring man she'd ever seen? Why was she having this dream when she was becoming infatuated with another man? What did it mean to dream of having one's best friend in love with them? At some point, she needed to look up what those kinds of dreams could mean. Somewhere she'd heard that dreaming of dating someone other than your partner meant you were dissatisfied in your relationship. Was it too early to be dissatisfied with Steven? What did he lack that she needed? Why did she think Severus had everything she'd ever want and need in a man?
A flashing light interrupted her musings.
Her eyes grew upon regaining their focus. A man stood before her, one she had hoped to forget. His grin could only be described as predatory, the gleam in his eyes that of a spider who had caught a ladybug in his web.
"Dennis Creevey?" She shook.
"The one and only," he answered.
"W-what are you doing here?" Her stomach fell upon remembering the last interview he'd done of her, the one where he'd asked if she wished she was as attractive as Cindy was.
"I wanted to see if you had a response to Marietta's accusations that you were sleeping with Harry Potter in order to gain a prestigious position in Dumbledore's Army."
"What?" She exclaimed.
"Yes," he was unfazed by the outburst. "Did you sleep with Harry Potter?"
"No," she snapped.
"Is it true you wanted to sleep with him?"
"No!"
"So you slept with Viktor Krum because you couldn't have him then?" He sneered.
"No, I didn't. I never slept with Viktor Krum or Harry Potter!"
"Do you have any comment on anything else pertaining to Dumbledore's Army?"
"No, I have no comment."
"Are you sure?"
"I said no comment!"
"Come on Hermione." he approached her. "People want to know: did you sleep your way to the top of Dumbledore's Army?"
"If you believe any of those ludicrous accusations against Hermione, you are the biggest dunderhead alive."
Hermione and Dennis glanced up at the imposing figure in the doorway. A warmth washed over her body as a familiar desire welled within her.
Why the hell did she have to have a dream of her best friend flirting with her? Worse, why did he have to look like the sexiest prince ever to ride to a woman's rescue? Good Merlin she needed to get herself under control, lest she race into his arms and beg him to take her to his house where they could spend the day in bed, forgetting the rest of the world existed.
"Snape?" Dennis' eyes grew.
"I see your powers of observation are as sharp as ever," he strolled into the room, robes billowing behind him.
"I was going to look for you, but you've saved me the trip," Dennis picked up his camera and put his hand over a red button to take the picture.
With a wave of Severus' wand, the camera flew into his hand.
"Hey!" Dennis stomped his foot. "Give that back."
"I think not," Severus began examining the object. "I've needed a new camera for quite some time. This will serve my purposes nicely."
"What do you need it for?" Hermione prayed she wasn't giving him a stupid smile, but she feared she was.
"I plan to become a model," Severus held it up. "This will do nicely in taking some of my headshots."
"What do you plan to do, give your picture toGreasy Git Monthly?"
"Tsk tsk, I thought that in being a muckraker reporter you'd find a more creative insult than that," Severus replied. "I mean there'sNaughty Nose Newsweek, Ugliest People's Magazine, The Gitty Guardian,need I continue?"
"You aren't ugly," the words came out of Hermione's mouth without considering the implications. "You're one of the most handsome men I've ever met."
Dennis glanced at her as if she'd just announced that tricycles were a nutritious breakfast.
"Careful witch," he purred the same way he had in her dream, "you wouldn't want a man such as myself to develop a bigger ego than he already has."
"Perish the thought," she continued. "You may develop a healthy sense of self-esteem. We cannot have that now can we?"
"No, we cannot."
"Give me back my camera," Dennis demanded before rushing over to Severus.
The man in black flew until he was over a yard above Dennis, keeping the camera above his head. The latter pulled out his wand. Before he could cast a spell, Severus waved his hand, causing Dennis' wand to go into it.
"You can't do this to me!" Dennis shouted.
Severus gave him a look of pure boredom.
"I'm going to call the police!" He threatened. "I'm going to call the police and tell them you're stealing my equipment and holding my wand hostage."
"If you do so, I will tell them you were trespassing upon private property."
"What?" Dennis spat. "This is a public area. I can go wherever I want."
"Actually, stores are private property under Wizarding Nevada Law, giving the store owner the ability to expel anyone so long as the reason is not discriminatory based on race, gender, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, blood status, and any other protected status I forgot to include. The list is more extensive than many realize, but I can guarantee that a protected status does not include reporters."
Dennis made two fists.
"Hermione," Severus turned to her, "Do you want him in here?"
"No," she answered.
"Would you like him to leave?"
"Yes."
"There you have it. You are trespassing under Wizarding Nevada law," Severus noted.
Dennis snarled.
"Now, I will give you back your wand and your camera under two conditions."
"What?" Dennis glowered at him.
"You leave Hermione alone and forget she ever existed," Severus answered.
"I can't do that," Dennis' eyes were wide. "The people of Britain want to know everything about Dumbledore's Army. That includes her and her involvement with them."
"Then they will have to learn to live with unsatisfied curiosity. "
"But I need to interview her. Hermione was a leader in Dumbledore's Army. People want to know the extent of her involvement."
"And as a thank you to all her contributions to the war, you spread lies that are unfit to discuss in polite company."
"Were they that bad?" Hermione paled.
Severus' eyes softened, telling her all she needed to know.
"We can't just leave her out of this exposé," Dennis argued.
"Actually, you can and you will," Severus argued.
His face became redder.
"Get out of the store before a cast a Patronus for the police," Hermione threatened.
Dennis glared at her, then looked up at Severus. The former professor gave him the same expression he gave a misbehaving Gryffindor.
"Fine," Dennis huffed. "Hermione probably didn't have anything interesting to say anyway."
"I am glad we could reach an understanding," Severus flew to the doorway.
"Wait, you have to give me my stuff back!"
"I will as soon as you are a few blocks away and I can ensure you will not return to bother Hermione."
He pointed to his former professor. "For someone you called a bushy-haired-know-it-all and couldn't tell when her teeth had grown, you sure are protective of Hermione."
"I am simply doing my job as the person who keeps the streets clear of unnecessary congestion. The last thing I'd ever want to do is lose my job due to slacking off. It does pay quite well."
"What is the rate of pay?"
He flew closer to the door. "Seeing dunderheads like you leave innocent shopkeepers such as Hermione alone."
"There's nothing innocent about Hermione," Dennis argued.
Severus began fumbling with the camera.
"What are you doing?" Dennis screamed.
"Your camera is heavy. I may drop it if I remain in here," Severus held onto it differently.
"Then give it back to me!" Dennis reached up.
"Not until you apologize to Hermione and leave her alone."
"Fine, I'm sorry." Hermione had never seen anyone run out of a store as quickly as Dennis did.
"Dunderhead," Severus lowered himself. After tapping the camera with his wand, he left.
Hermione groaned and rubbed her face with her hands. Part of her wanted to purchase a copy ofThe Daly Prophetto see what people were saying about her,but what good would it do? It would only be lies she had no defense against. Nobody would listen to her, not when they had already painted her as the harpy who could not hold a man's interest for any length of time. She may as well resign herself to the fact that most of Britain saw her someone underserving of the chance to be herself.
"Are you going to be okay?"
Hermione glanced at Severus.
"Do you need anything?" His voice was tender.
"I'll be fine," she exhaled. "I'm just exhausted from all these Dumbledore's Army stories. I can't wait for all this to be over."
"Sadly, that will not be in the near future. If Ricardo is to be believed, these articles will run for the rest of the month," Severus warned.
"Great," she groaned.
"If it gives you any comfort, their ability to take pictures of you has been greatly hindered."
"Oh?"
"I charmed Dennis' camera to explode if it gets within five hundred feet of your house or store. That should keep him away, at least for the time being."
"That is quite diabolical," she grinned.
"It is the best way I've found to defend myself from the media anyway," Severus approached her counter. "I'd dare to say it's one of my greatest accomplishments outside the field of potions."
"You invented the spell?"
"Indeed I did." He leaned against it. "There were so many people taking pictures of me before and after my trial I had to find some way of keeping them at bay."
"You'll have to teach that spell to me sometime." She leaned over and gazed into his eyes. The aroma of herbs and spices wafted in the air, intoxicating her more than any piña colada ever could. Her eyes fell on his mouth. For one brief moment, she wondered what it would be like to brush her lips against his. Of course it would all be in the name of appreciation. Some of her books said there was no greater sign of appreciation than a kiss.
He stepped closer to her, his eyes on her lips as well. His eyes were seeped in desire. If she leaned in a little closer, if she gave him some kind of cue she was interested in showing him her appreciation the best way she could, then he may capture her lips. Then, she could show him how much she'd come to value him, that he was the most important person in her life, and always would be.
He gazed into her eyes for a long moment before whispering, "Let me know if anyone else harasses you."
"I will," she breathed.
"Will I see you tonight?"
"I'll bring the Dum Dums."
"Good," he swallowed before his eyes shifted downwards. "I should return to the apothecary. I shall see you in a few hours."
"I can't wait to see you again."
"The feeling is mutual."
She gave him a small smile.
He strolled away, only stopping at the door. After taking one last look at her, he exhaled and continued walking.
Hermione shook her head and groaned. When she returned home, she needed to read Steven's letter again. That would remove this ridiculous Severus Snape frustration from her consciousness. If she focused on how Steven made her feel during their date, this whole wanting to kiss Severus thing would resolve itself.
Of that, she was certain.