Unexpected Places

Hermione had closed her eyes when Snape had apparated them from the field. When she opened them, they were standing on one of Hogsmeade’s side streets in front of a small restaurant. She recognized the street because a few doors down, was one of her favorite small bookstores.

Snape led her into the small restaurant. There were few people and a short dark haired woman came up to greet them.

“Professor, by Merlin, I haven’t seen you here in ages and with a woman! Would you like your usual table?”

Snape nodded and glanced at Hermione. She was grinning. The woman led them to a corner near a window. Snape held the chair for Hermione and then sat down. The woman handed Hermione a menu.

“Now if you would like something to drink, just tap your glasses and say what you want. I have new charmed drinking glasses, isn’t that amazing. If you need time to order, then I can come back.” She said.

Snape smiled at her. “Cassia, this is Hermione Granger. Hermione this is Cassia, the owner of the restaurant. If you couldn’t tell, I come here a lot.”

Hermione nodded her head in greeting. “I am ready if you are Professor.” She said glancing at the menu. He nodded and smirked at her.

“Let me guess steak, medium rare and roasted potatoes…” Snape said. Hermione laughed.

“Do I have a stalker, Professor? What is my favorite dessert?” she teasingly asked.

“Blackberry pie a la mode.” He answered promptly and then flushed when she laughed again.

“Stalker is so harsh, Miss Granger. Perhaps observant would be a better word.” He said smoothly.

Cassia watched the interplay with amusement. She had never seen the dour professor like this and silently blessed the young woman he was with. Cassia really liked Snape. He was a good man that she thought was disturbingly misunderstood. He had started frequenting the restaurant four years before and had once chased some would be robbers away. While they had not bantered like this, they had talked and she liked and respected the man that was considered the most feared teacher at the school.

“And your usual, Professor?” she asked finally. She had already written down the young woman’s order. He gave an absent nod and Cassia hid a smile. She may not know the Professor very well but she did know men and she could tell he was infatuated with the young woman with him. Cassia went to tell her cook the order.

“So you come here often?” Hermione asked when the owner had gone. Snape shrugged.

“It has great food and Cassia doesn’t force her presence on you. It’s quiet and perfect when you have all of the Hogwart’s students bustling around town.” He said.

Hermione nodded. “I understand. Sometimes I wish I had a place to hide out on those days.” She said wistfully.

They talked about many subjects, school, home, friends, life in general until Cassia brought out their food. Hermione tasted her steak and potatoes and gushed over how good it was. Snape had his usual which was grilled swordfish steak and rice. He told Hermione that it was the best he had ever tasted and it was what he usually ordered when he came here for dinner. They talked until they were finished eating and Cassia brought dessert.

They hadn’t ordered anything but Cassia had decided to treat them. She brought out Hermione’s favorite, blackberry pie with vanilla ice cream on top. A thick piece of chocolate cake was set in front of Snape.

“This is on the house, Professor, as long as you and the young lady come back here soon. I have enjoyed watching you have a good time. And you, my dear, are welcome to come in on those Hogsmeade days and just have a cup of tea with me. I would love the company.” She said before walking away.

Snape just smiled at Hermione, who looked very eager to make another friend. They ate dessert and before Hermione knew, it was over. The meal was paid for and the table cleared. Hermione was somewhat disappointed that the date was almost over because she had had such a wonderful time.

Snape helped her out of the chair, said goodbye to Cassia and led Hermione out of the restaurant.

“Hard to believe she is a Malfoy, isn’t it?” he commented. Hermione started and looked back at the restaurant.

“A Malfoy? But she doesn’t look anything like them.” Hermione said, not able to connect that pretty and cheerful woman with the cold Malfoys.

“Hmm… Abraxas Malfoy was not very faithful and had several children other than Lucius. They were not acknowledged of course. It just shows that your character depends on the way you were raised. Alex should have a wonderful character.” He told her warmly.

She blushed. “I’m sorry to see this night end, Professor.” She told him softly.

“Who said it is ending, Hermione?” he said, taking her into his arms. She looked up into is black eyes and smiled just as he apparated them away.

Hermione was almost disappointed to find herself back in the Moonflower field, despite his assurance the night was not over. She was then amused when he pulled several bags and digging implements from behind a nearby bush.

“I thought I would show you the correct way to harvest Moonflowers.” He told her with a smile.

She laughed. “Only you, Professor Snape, would have your date harvesting potion ingredients” she teased then she saw the uncertainty on his face.

“Do you not want to? We could return to the castle…” he said hesitantly, cursing himself for a fool. Of course she wouldn’t want to do this on a date. She walked the several feet between them and put her arms around his neck and drew his head down.

“I’m only teasing. I think it’s a wonderful idea. It’s beautiful out here and I would love to stay and have you teach me.” She murmured before pressing her lips to his gently. He dropped what he was holding and wrapped his arms around her once more, deepening the kiss. Finally they pulled apart. She reached down and picked up the fallen implements and handed them to him.

He gave her a lopsided smile. “Well, you don’t want to damage the flowers so you…”

They worked together, gathering some of the flowers to be used in potions. After a while, Hermione decided it was time to quit. She sat down on a soft patch of grass and pulled Snape down next to her.

“It’s late. Do you want to go back now?” he asked softly and she shook her head.

“No, I… feel good when I am with you. Peaceful.” She said slowly, trying to think of the way he made her feel. He nodded as if understanding and she smiled at him.

“I feel the same way, Hermione. As if nothing could go wrong when I am with you.” He admitted. She laid her head on his shoulder and wondered for the millionth time who would have ever expected their dour potions master to be such a man. She thought she was falling for him, not realizing or admitting to herself that it had happened long before.

“If anyone had told me that I would be here with you, four months ago, I would have hexed them and sent them straight to St Mungos.” She said with a laugh. He nodded thinking that he would have done the same thing.

“You hated me. What made you change your mind?” he finally asked. He had been debating with himself as to whether or not to ask the question. She sighed.

“You are right. I did hate you. You were there when… Ginny died and you didn’t do anything. You didn’t help. I hated you so much.” She admitted in a soft voice.

“Why did you change your mind?” he asked.

“Harry changed my mind. He told me it was unfair to hate you. He said that if the sacrifice of one had to made to save the many, then it had to be done. You couldn’t break your cover or thousands would have died. It was a shock to hear Harry call Ginny a sacrifice but it made me think and the hate just faded away.” She told him with a small wry smile. “Why are we talking about this anyway? It’s a date for Merlin’s sake.”

He nodded “I was just curious.” He said, pulling her close to him and holding her. Hermione leaned in close, loving his warmth and scent. They sat there for a while longer until finally Hermione pulled away.

“I have to get back to Alex. Despite Harry’s experience, I don’t thing that he is ready for an overnight experience.” She said with a soft laugh. Snape smiled and nodded.

“I agree, though I would like to know where Potter got his experience.” He said helping her to her feet and making his way to the hidden door. They walked down the corridor together quietly, neither really wanting the night to end. In his office, she helped him put the harvested moonflowers away and then started to leave. He stopped her.

“Can I escort you to Gryffindor tower to pick up your son?” he said. She gave him a pleased smile and nodded.

“Of course, I would love it.” She told him and they walked together a little slower than normal. Neither of them wanted to night to end. When they reached the Fat Lady, Snape stopped, pulled Hermione into his arms and kissed her gently. He heard the portrait open and heard a gasp and a thud but he didn’t pull away from her. She was so caught up in the kiss that she didn’t hear anything. Finally it ended and Snape released her. She gave him a heated look and turned to find Harry standing in the portrait hole with Ron lying at his feet. Harry didn’t look too surprised but Ron had obviously fainted.

“I will see you tomorrow for lunch, Hermione. Good night. Good night, Potter.” Snape said before walking away, his robes billowing around him.

Harry had nodded but hadn’t said anything. He helped a dazed Ron up from the floor before leading them into the Gryffindor common room.

“Blimey, Hermione, you went out with Snape! What if I had followed you?” Ron asked furiously. Hermione gave him a cold look and then laughed.

“Oh yes, I can see you confronting him. I’m sure he hasn’t reached his rooms yet, Ron. Why don’t you follow him and have a talk with him, like you do anyone who shows interest in me.”

He stuttered for a moment before falling silent, settling for just glaring at her. She gave him an amused smile before turning to Harry.

“You didn’t seem too surprised.” She commented. He shrugged.

“I’m not. I can tell he likes you and you have been spending so much time together lately that I figured it was inevitable. I don’t care as long as he makes you happy” he said to Ron’s disgust. But Ron didn’t protest, knowing that he would likely get hexed by Hermione and then yelled at by Harry later.

They talked for a while until Hermione yawned. Harry gathered up Alex and his things and walked with Hermione back to her rooms. He said goodnight and returned to his room. Neither of them noticed the tall blonde shadow that had been following Hermione since she had come out of Snape’s office.

“She’s mine.” He whispered in the deserted hall viciously. “And they can’t have her.”