𝑮𝑬𝑵𝑬𝑻𝑰𝑪 𝑶𝑩𝑺𝑬𝑺𝑺𝑰𝑶𝑵 || 𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟎𝟐.

"Do you have to deal with that sort of thing often?"

Severus looked at the petite witch on his arm.

"What sort of thing...?"

She made a noise in the back of her throat.

"Well I suppose that tells me everything I need to know. The nerve of that woman, asking me how you are in bed, just because you were kind enough to offer me your arm! Even Harry didn't have his love life explored in such a vulgar fashion...and women tossed knickers at him for two years after the Battle of Hogwarts."

Severus chuckled darkly. "They do seem rather intrusive about my preferences." He sounded absolutely disgusted.

"I'm sorry. I doubt the publicity was what you expected your life to be like when the war was finally over."

He looked down at her and his expression softened. "I hardly expected to live at all. But if I had anticipated outliving both masters, I would have expected little more than a cell at Azkaban. The way the Wizarding world has embraced me is...not unwelcome...it is simply more intrusive than I would prefer."

Hermione nodded. She noticed that they were heading away from the conference rooms and back into the main hotel.

"I suppose we'd better keep an eye out for you fan club again."

He snorted. "I'm just glad that none of them seem adept at curse breaking...otherwise there is no telling what I might find in my bed when I returned to my rooms."

He looked around as if noticing something for the first time.

"Where the devil is Potter anyway? Why did he leave you to deal with those reporters alone?"

Hermione placed her other hand on top of his arm. "Harry is organizing all the law enforcement units for the symposium. I'm sure he has things under control."

Snape nodded. "I'm sure he has the majority of things under control. I am happy that we ran into each other. This way, I can examine your rooms myself."

She laughed. "If you want to, I'd appreciate it. Otherwise Harry will make me call one of the Aurors in...I'd rather have you in my personal space...and Harry can't deny you're more adept than most of his staff. Would you like me to return the favor? Make sure that you don't have fan girls hiding under your bed?"

He could smell her hair. It was unusual...violets? Hyacinth? Floral and light with powdery amber notes underneath.

He felt like teasing her. "My 'fan girls', as you call them, are unlikely to do more than try to compromise my already well-compromised virtue, whereas your admirer seems a bit more worrisome. "

She snorted. "That does seem somewhat less insidious than a kneezle's heart in a box...but ..."

Severus was suddenly less inclined to tease.

"He sent you a kneezle's heart? Are you certain?"

"He's sent me the hearts of several creatures. Harry had the aurors check out the origins...the flying pig's heart looked very human..."

There was a something he should remember...something he'd read about many years before...something dark and strange....

They finally arrived at her door and she removed her enchantments. He nodded his approval. They were well done; the outer layer looked like a very common set of enchantments...underneath was a booby trap that wouldn't allow even a house elf to cross her threshold uninvited.

"Impressive."

She blushed. "Well, I did learn a thing or two after I left Hogwarts."

He pulled out his wand as she opened the door, moving her away from the entry as he ghosted through the room.