Survivor

Chapter 20 - Slow

I present to you the smut chapter that kicked off my 3 year writers block. Sorry about that. H X

Hermione returned home that evening feeling like a dead girl walking. She kicked off her heels at the door, in the small dimlyh lit hallway and padded into the living room. Severus was not sat in his armchair, as she had come to expect. Hermione thought nothing of it, and continued into the kitchen.

Severus was poised wand in hand, and was directing several cooking processes at once, looking like a orchestra conductor. He was peeling potatoes and cutting up greens whilst pan-frying a large filet of steak. Hermione almost fell to her knees in awe. She felt like the proverbial weary traveler who was seeing food properly for the first time in months.

"What's all this?" She asked, stunned. With a flick of his wand, Severus had pulled a chair out from the table and nodded for Hermione to sit down. A small glass of wine soared over to her. The lights were dimmed and there were even a few candles at the center of the small table.

"A dinner to say thank you. For being the best know-it-all I know." Severus said with his back turned to her.

She laughed disbelievingly. "You didn't need to-"

"It was the only way I could think of to get you to stop working and take some time for yourself." He admitted.

Hermione sipped her wine and relaxed into her seat. "Its the nicest thing that anyone's ever done for me."

"Well that isn't surprising knowing the company you keep." Severus turned and Hermione could see the faint blush on his cheek from the heat of the stove.

"Never mind that." She said, the tone in her voice told Severus not to go there.

It was true, Hermione was always the person to organised surprises for her friends. Every year, without fail she had reminded Harry and Ron of the other's birthday, so that they might receive presents on time. She had even gone to the effort of baking Harry a cake for his last birthday, though had never gotten the chance to give it to him. Harry and Ron had repaid her with late presents and hasty apologies when it came to her own celebrations. She had always chalked it down to being the only female in the group, but now she realized that there really was no excuse.

Severus had been thinking about doing something nice for Hermione, for the past couple of days. He was mostly inspired by Lucius Malfoy (he hated to admit it) who had showered Narcissa with gifts and sentiments constantly for as long as Severus had known them. He knew that Hermione wouldn't want a large gift or a grand public gesture; it wasn't her style. So he decided to make them both a quiet romantic meal. The Order of Merlin Ceremony had provided him with the opportunity, what with her being out of the house all day. He had even cleared up around the house a little, and changed their bedding.

Severus looked over at Hermione, and admired her for a second. She really was beautiful. He wanted to tell her so but found himself unable to. He wished that he could romance her with his words, but instead he held his tongue, too used to hiding his true feelings.

Hermione caught him staring and they both blushed. Severus turned away to the stove and Hermione tried her best to lighten the mood. "I'm a little suspicious. What do you want Severus Snape?"

He chuckled, continuing with the food. "Nothing. Why must I want something? Can't I just be kind?"

Hermione grinned. "Minerva once told me that you were anything but kind."

"I am deeply offended" Severus said with absolutely no emotion in his voice. "I simply wished to surprise you with dinner." He said, resolutely.

Pausing, Hermione considered his answer. She had been trying to fathom out Severus's love language (a theory Ginny had told her about). Severus was certainly not someone who offered words of adoration, nor was he a man who spent money on gifts. Hermione concluded that he showed his love by being present. In the past, Severus had out right refused to spend time with people who's company he didn't enjoy. She also knew that he showed his love through small gestures. Severus seemed to enjoy making Hermione breakfast even though he rarely ate it himself.