Day By Day

6

They spent the day together. First they explored his beautiful garden, Hermione was so excited to be able to have a space to grow things. Her little apartment didn't even have a balcony, so the best she do could was a few small potted herbs in her kitchen window. Severus later took her into town where they had lunch on the high street. It was a small bistro that had seating outside. They talked about potions and the most recent developments in a scar potion that had worked miracles for both of them. His marks from Nagini were no longer visible. Hermione had been using it for about 6 months on her scar gifted by Bellatrix LeStrange. She had held out her arm to show Severus. He held her arm and ran his thumb over the practically perfect skin. He expressed how sorry he was that that crazy witch did that to her, he didn't know all the torture she had gone through. She told him of being captured and almost raped by Fenrir Greyback. They both still suffered nightmares occasionally from the war.

After lunch Severus took her to his favorite bookshop and then to the apothecary he owned. He was a silent partner but planned to open two more before the years end. All in all it felt like they had 3 dates crammed into one day. Hermione was grateful for it. Her apprehension about their rushed circumstances lessened. As late afternoon set in they walked to a nearby park to watch people in little rowboats on a small lake. Severus crossed his legs and put his arm on the back of a park bench. Hermione nestled in next to him. He was warm and it felt nice.

"Should we talk about tonight?"

His question gave her butterflies.

"Yes, I suppose we should."

"Midnight is the deadline, if you're not ready I won't force you. The Ministry can sod off."

"I just wish we had a little more time. I've so enjoyed the little bit of time we've had together and I'm just worried."

"What are you worried about lovely girl?"

"It's going to change things. I don't know if this makes sense but this strangely feels right. Like maybe if we had met at Harry and Ginnys we would have started seeing one another and come to this on our own. Not by being forced."

"Yes, I've thought that myself."

"Not to sound old fashioned, but this part, this early part in a relationship, it's always the best part. I feel like we're being robbed of that."

Severus curled his hand around her upper arm and picked up her hand with his other bringing it to his lips and gently placing a kiss on her wrist. This set off the butterflies in her belly again.

"It shouldn't be like this. But if it's any consolation, I'm thankful it's you. I've always thought divination was a right load of codswallop, but now...I'm questioning that."

"I know what you mean. Maybe we thought that because Trelawney was a nutter."

Severus chuckled.

"You know she once grabbed my bollox at a staff Christmas party."

Hermione shot up and faced Severus.

"What! Oh my god! Tell me that isn't so!"

"She did. She'd been in Minerva's stash of scotch. She practically knocked me over. Her breath was atrocious."  He made a disgusted face.

Hermione was barely able to contain her laughter. She placed her hand on his thigh and threw her head into his shoulder tears streaming down her face.

"It's not that funny."

"Oh...yes it is!"

"Anyway, she moved on to Filius."

"PROFESSOR FLITWICK!"

Severus nodded.

"Did they?"

"They did."

"But...he's....he's so...small."

"Filius may have tiny arms and legs but he's hung like a Hippogriff."

"How do you know?"

"I had the misfortune of having to brew a potion to rid him of pubic lice."

Hermione's eyes nearly popped out of her head.

"Pomona called me to the hospital wing, apparently he had been found passed out drunk and left naked behind The Red Witch. As you can imagine there's not a huge demand for pubic lice potion at Hogwarts."

Hermione shuttered at the thought.

"Severus. That might be the single most disgusting bit of information I've ever heard."

"Seriously? Remind me not to tell you what I walked in on Albus doing once."

Hermione's jaw dropped as she looked at him wide eyed.

"I'm only joking, silly girl." He pulled her into his arms. "He was just having a wank with the portrait of Headmaster Fortescue."

Severus held her as tight as he could laughing loudly and shaking while Hermione wiggled and screeched trying to escape his clutches.

Just then an old woman came up and started poking Severus in the shin with her cane.

"I say! Stop that this instant young man!" The woman bellowed. Severus loosened his grip. "Are you alright dearie?"

Hermione flipped her hair back, and took at deep breath. Her face was beet red.

"Yes, yes I'm fine. My husband is just pervert."

The old woman looked shocked and gave them both a disgusted look before moving on mumbling something about the youth of today.

Severus chuckled. They both relaxed back into the bench. Hermione leaned back on his shoulder. They sat there in comfortable silence as they caught their breath. The sun was starting to set. Severus kissed Hermione on the forehead.

"Thank you for a lovely day." Her voice was quiet.

"It was my pleasure...Mrs. Snape."