For Mudblood_andProud

[wizardspy]

Severus glanced the clock on the wall then back to his drink. He'd arranged to meet Hermione at a pub in Muggle London, somewhere far away from Diagon Alley. He felt almost guilty that he had to sneak around to see her, as if he were somehow ashamed to be seen with her. But it was for her safety and his own that it be this way, they both had roles that still needed to be played. But with Dumbledore gone he truly had no one who cared for him, cared whether he lived or died. To find someone who genuinely did was both amazing and terrifying.

He blew out a breath of air shaking his head. He'd been distracted, thinking about her, of what could be and that wasn't good. If he was going to do this, to be friends with the girl -- woman, then he needed to compartmentalize her, keep her away from the darkness. Now he glanced at the door, almost willing her to walk through it.

Comments

[mudblood_andproud]

It was important that no one knew that they were meeting. So Hermione had spent a little more time on her make-up and her hair.

The result was that she looked a little older. A little bolder. And a lot less like the mousy Hermione Granger everyone knew.

She walked through the door of the pub with confidence. With a glance around, she soon spotted Snape. And a smile appeared on her face, as she headed in his direction.

[wizardspy]

Severus rose to his feet as Hermione approached and waited for her to be seated before taking his own seat. "Thank you for joining me," he said, studying her. "You look quite fetching tonight," he added with a small smile.

"Did you have any trouble finding the place?"

[mudblood_andproud]

A small smile and a blush appeared when he called her fetching.

"No. Your directions was very precise."

[wizardspy]

"Good. Would you like something to drink? Something to eat perhaps?"

[mudblood_andproud]

"A Greek salad would be lovely."

[wizardspy]

Severus nodded and waved the waiter over. He ordered a Greek salad and stew for himself. Once that was done, he leaned back and looked at Hermione. He couldn't deny her beauty, she'd grown into a beautiful woman. Why she cared for him a complete mystery, one he wanted to solve.

"I meant for you to hate me, for all of you to hate me."

[mudblood_andproud]

"Why did you push everyone away?" Hermione matched his question with one of her own.

[wizardspy]

"I had no choice. I have a role I must play for the good of all and having you like me was not part of the Dark Lords plan." He shrugged. "Potter especially had to hate me, suspect me of betrayal in order for the Dark Lord to trust me. I regret nothing."

[mudblood_andproud]

"Now that is not quite the truth." Hermione debated. "I understand that you felt that your role had to be the Dark Lords lap-dog... but there were other roles you could have played."

"You went this road because it would mean less people on your side. I think you didn't want people close to you."

[wizardspy]

Severus sat in thought for a long moment, watching Hermione. Long moments later he responded. "You are correct, it's not safe for people to be close to me. I'm not sure why I'm even allowing this."

[mudblood_andproud]

Hermione set down her fork for a moment. Reaching over the table to place her hand on his.

"Maybe you are tired. And just want someone to confide in?"

[wizardspy]

"Perhaps," he agreed, staring at her hand. It will still foreign to him, getting comfort from someone, he wasn't sure how to handle it all.

"I do appreciate you agreeing to meet with me, perhaps that's a start."

[mudblood_andproud]

"Well, I am glad we were able to resolve our conflicts." Hermione smiled softly. After a moment she removed her hand.

[wizardspy]

Severus watched the hand move away and his suddenly felt cold.

"It's a start, at the very least."

[mudblood_andproud]

Hermione didn't know what to do with her hands. After a moment, she decided to go back to eating her salad. Even after all this time, her attraction for Severus was still there. But it just felt like it would be something that would bother the man. And he had enough on his plate.

"The one thing we should promise... is to not discuss anything related to the Dark Lord or the Order when we get together. This should be a time of getting away from all of that."

[wizardspy]

Severus considered her proposal, then nodded. "Agreed." He took a few bites of stew before asking, "Why is this so important to you? I fail to understand."

[mudblood_andproud]

Hermione tilted her head. She didn't think Severus would ever understand.

"I have always felt that you were a good man." That was just the tip of the iceberg.

[wizardspy]

"But why? What have I ever done to give you that impression? Most find me to be a cantankerous bastard and they are not wrong."

[mudblood_andproud]

"It was just an impression I had when I first met you." And that she found him attractive gave her pause for thought when he was cantankerous.

"Your intelligence was something to be admired. Your determination pushed me to excel in things I might have not thought about. And, your control was also something to marvel at."

[wizardspy]

Severus arched an eyebrow. "My determination convinced you to excel, or my deliberate harassment of you and your friends whenever I got the chance?"

[mudblood_andproud]

"Both."

Hermione shrugged. "For me... I wanted to prove myself in your eyes."

[wizardspy]

"You have exceeded my expectations, I assure you." He gave Hermione a small smile. "You have very much to be of which to be proud."

[mudblood_andproud]

"Thanks." A small blush covered her cheeks. By now, her Greek salad was pretty much finished, so her attention was returned to him.

[wizardspy]

He tilted his head. "You're blushing. I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable," he said, frowning.

[mudblood_andproud]

"Uncomfortable is not the word I would use." She replies softly.