Protecting the Future Minister - On Hiatus

Chapter Three

Severus returned less than 15 minutes later and walked up to the kitchen where he found Hermione sitting on the counter drinking a rather full glass of red wine and Harry cooking. "You're asking me to be nice?"

"You aren't the easiest woman to be around Hermione." She furrowed her brows and gave him a confused pout. "I love you, you know I do, but you can be a tad much. Now, are you paying attention or not? I thought you wanted to learn."

"If I learn to cook then I'll have no reason to come over so often." She took a small sip of her wine and rested her head against the cabinets behind her. "At least this way I know you'll feel obligated to invite me over twice a week," she continued, smiling at him cheekily.

"Not for the foreseeable future, tomorrow excluded, of course."

"Merlin's underwear, Potter, what have you gotten me into this time?"

"You got yourself into this one." He pointed the sauce covered spatula at her. "I never told you to become the minister."

She used the tip of her finger to steal a bit of the sauce from the spatula. "How is this going to work? Am I supposed to care for him in some way?" She licked the sauce off of her finger and nodded approvingly. "We both know I cannot cook for him."

"Why do both of you view this as babysitting? No, you do not need to care for him. He's an adult. You simply need to cohabitate with him." He wouldn't admit it out loud, but he had his concerns about these two living together. They could either bond over the myriad of similar interests, or murder each other. It was a knut toss. "Please, do not cook for him, I need him alive long enough to see you into office." He placed the utensil down and started cutting the bread he brought over for her. "If I recall correctly, he's quite the chef himself. Perhaps you can convince him to show you a thing or two." He took a bite of the bread, and leaned against the counter to face her. "At least I know you'd listen to him, we all know how much you enjoyed his lessons."

"You're the actual worst." She hopped off the counter and grabbed a slice of bread for herself. "If the food is ready, you can leave."

"Ungrateful," he huffed. He watched Hermione spread three times the amount of butter he thought was needed for her slice. "I told you I wasn't leaving until he got back."

"He's been standing just outside the kitchen for at least 3 minutes." As if waiting to be announced, Severus stepped into the opening to the kitchen, not showing any shame for having been eavesdropping on their conversation. Harry cleaned up his mess as he told Severus of a few details he had forgotten earlier. When he finished, he gave Hermione a small hug and a kiss on the cheek, said goodbye to the other man in the room and excused himself.

"Professor," she was shocked to find a slight nervousness within her, which she tried to mask by turning away from him and taking another sip of wine.

"You needn't call me Professor, Ms Granger, seeing as I have not been one for some time."

"Well in that case, you needn't call me Ms Granger, sir."

"Have you married?"

"What? No," she laughed. "Obviously not!" When would she have made the time to find a husband without the use of a time-turner? "I meant that if you are to forsake your title as my professor, then I shall with my title as your student. I would much prefer you call me Hermione."

"That would be rather improper."

"That would certainly be a sight to see." He was both unamused and confused by her giggling, which she picked up on and continued. "Severus Snape, the epitome of stoic refinement, doing anything considered improper. I think I'd rather enjoy that. Although, I must admit I find the idea of you calling me Ms Granger to be equally stimulating." Stimulating? No, comforting. She meant to say comforting... Because that was familiar to her. "So, what shall I call you then?" she pressed on, trying to ignore the feeling that was developing in her gut. "Master Snape?"