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 even better to have him pulling her to him, into another kiss. Hermione welcomed that kiss feverishly. Her fingers ran through his hair. Her body arched to the warmth of his.

[wizardspy]

Severus finally pulled away breathless, looking around them, eyes searching the people passing by.

"We shouldn't be doing this in public," he sighed, still searching faces. "It's not safe to be so unaware of my surroundings."

[mudblood_andproud]

"I might get over my head if we go somewhere private." Hermione admitted softly, with a blush. But she understood his concerns.

[wizardspy]

Severus looked her, amused and still surprised that this was happening. "Somewhere a little less public then," he said, looking around. "I believe there is a bookstore down that lane, we can go there if you'd like."

[mudblood_andproud]

"You know me and bookstores." Hermione liked that idea. She took his hand in hers. Keeping at least that contact constant.

[wizardspy]

"Well, I assumed," he smiled, interlacing his fingers with hers. "Who is your favorite author?"

[mudblood_andproud]

"I have many. But the authors like Poe, Hemmingway, Twain and Crichton are among those that I usually grab."

[wizardspy]

"Chichton isn't one I'm familiar with. What kind of books do they write?"

[mudblood_andproud]

"He writes science fiction, medical fiction and thriller genres."

[wizardspy]

"Sounds intriguing, perhaps you can recommend on to me?" he asks, opening the door of the bookstore for Hermione. "I enjoy John Grisham, the american legal system is endlessly fascinating to me."

[mudblood_andproud]

"I am sure I could find you a few good books."

"It is interesting how Grisham keeps his stories very true and very accurate to the way that the legal system can work."

[wizardspy]

"Exactly the reason I enjoy his books," Severus said, smiling. None of his contemporaries read Muggle fiction, so it was nice to talk to someone who did.

"I read an autobiography of Winston Churchill you might enjoy. He was a very multifaceted man, particularly during the war."

[mudblood_andproud]

"Sounds interesting. I am sure they would have it here."

[wizardspy]

"On Christmas, my Hogwarts colleagues tended to give me potion related presents," he said, smirking. "As though I had no other interests."

[mudblood_andproud]

"Some people are hard to Christmas shop for."

Sorry, been sick as hell

[wizardspy]

"Apparently," he murmured, rolling his eyes. "Will you show me that author you like, Crichton was it?"

sorry to hear that. Hope you feel better now

[mudblood_andproud]

Hermione smiles softly. She quickly scans the shelves of the bookstore, before leading him down one of the farther aisles in search of the books they are seeking.

From the shelves, she picks up titles such as "Rising Sun", "Jurassic Park", and "Disclosure".

"The interesting thing about that last book, is how he looked at sexual politics in the workplace from a non-standard prospective, with the male as a victim."