Secrets

Hermione and Snape walked together towards the greenhouses, Snape taking long strides while Hermione was almost jogging in order to keep up with him. She wrapped her cloak around her tightly and noted that it was getting colder every day. She enjoyed the winter months, though, and was invigorated by the changing of the seasons.

Snape said nothing, but Hermione noted he would slow down just a bit every so often for her benefit. Hermione had never been comfortable with men who liked to constantly keep their hands on her, and found she didn't mind at all that Snape wasn't one to walk slowly, hand in hand. She knew he found her attractive, and that was what mattered.

They reached the greenhouse, and the moon came into view through a gap in the thick trees.
"Oh, my..." Hermione said, astonished at the sight. It hung low and full, illuminating everything in a mixture of a pale glow and shadows. She briefly thought of Professor Lupin at the sight...

Snape opened the door to the greenhouse and stepped in, heading straight for the things that he needed. Hermione wondered down the aisles, admiring the different plants and seeing how many different ones she could name.


Snape heard Hermione gasp, and looked up quickly, searching for her bushy head among the rows of plants.
"What now?" he said aloud, half expecting something to be on fire again.
He walked over to her, and saw what Hermione was gazing intently at. She was looking at a tall, rather large flower. The petals faded from soft pinks and purples to vibrant oranges and reds, with large flecks of green throughout. There was nothing like this in the muggle world, and Hermione briefly thought what a shame that was.

"Is that Sunset Lilly?"
"Yes," he replied, "haven't you ever seen it before?"
"Well, only the root is useful to potions...and we both know how familiar I am with *those*, but I've only ever seen a few pictures of the actual plant. But...pictures could never compare to this. It really does look like a vibrant sunset, doesn't it?"

Snape looked odd for a moment, his eyes fixed on the plant, and then said, "Yes, that's why I named it that."
"What? You named it?"
"Yes, Hermione. ...I created it. I was allowed to experiment with various plants in order to find different uses for them, and finally came up with what is now known as the Sunset Lilly."

"How did you do it?" she asked, almost whispering she was so in awe.
"Now that I can't tell you," he said with a slow smile, but moved close to her and sat on the floor, drawing her into his arms.
Hermione, surprised by gesture, basked in every bit of attention he was willing to give. He was so wary with his emotions.

"Can I ask you something?" Hermione said, almost afraid of losing her place in his arms, but too curious to not ask. After she felt him nod against her, she tentatively asked, "Why on earth did you call it Sunset Lilly when it is clearly from the Orchid family."

She felt Snape stiffen a bit, but then relax slightly. He laughed- a deep sound that resonated within her. She failed to see the humor in her question, but was still happy to know that she had made him laugh.

"You know, you are the first person who wasn't an herbologist to ask me that?"
"So, was it on purpose, or did you mistake the flower for a Lilly?" Hermione asked, knowing that Severus Snape wasn't one to make mistakes.
"It was intentional. I did it for two separate reasons," he hesitated, but then continued on, "The plant reminded me of Lilly. Her hair was always such a vibrant red...and those green spots on the petals were totally unexpected. I guess...I guess they reminded me of her eyes." He said, seeming embarrassed at having to admit this. "You probably think I'm sentimental or just plain creepy."
"No..." Hermione said, her tone comforting, "I think it's- lovely. You know...you really should let more people know what else you are capable of, besides being a bastard of a teacher, that is."
He scoffed, but said nothing.
That sat there for a bit longer before Hermione raised up quickly and asked, "What was the other reason you decided on a misnomer?"
Snape smirked, "I was wondering when you'd ask that." And with a smile that looked downright devious, he said, "It was to confuse as many students as I could. Anyone studying it would never forget the plant they had to know about that was named Lilly yet was actually an Orchid."

"Oh, Severus, you are just downright mean," Hermione said, smirking.

They got up, brushing off their pants and gathered the rest of Snape's valerian root. They walked back to the castle slowly, taking in the cool air and each other's company. Neither said anything, but their silence was comfortable. Both felt like they had reached an unspoken understanding of some sort.

As they walked back towards the dungeons, Snape said in a low voice, "You know, the Vanilla genus is part of the Orchid family."
Hermione grinned to herself, knowing what he was hinting at.

They reached their doors when Hermione said, "You know, the vanilla plant is a natural aphrodisiac?" She reached up and kissed him, briefly but passionately, and then almost ran into her rooms. She shut the door and leaned up against it, breathing heavily, not really able to believe what she had just done.


Snape slipped into his rooms after standing in the hallway for a bit, shocked.
Snape undressed and went to lie down, sleeping peacefully without the help of a potion for the first time since Albus had died.