In Sickness and in Health

{19}

Hermione and Severus had decided, that after much debate on the werewolf talk, they would attend lunch. Work had bled into the free time since she was on a time constraint, and Severus was merely enthralled in the topic. His happiness had transcended the change of location, luckily, and he was as equally joyful, if not more so, in the cafe they were in. It was in wizarding London, so that made everything much easier to discuss.

Over the small lunch, and steaming teas, Hermione found that she couldn't help but peaking around her files and staring at Severus. He was very intent on his work, and she simply wanted to be in his world when he concentrated in such an attractive fashion. The intensity with which he did things always had caught her eye, but now it only fed into the attraction they had.

Why wasn't there room in each other's lives to possess the type of relationship he had started? He had been so insistent to not continue their relations, and so had she, but now it was tearing her apart. Hermione was hopeless on what to feel.

"You look troubled," Severus noted as their lunch neared its end.

"No, I'm sure it's just the cold," she lied, pulling her coat about her for emphasis as Severus gave his classical look of doubt. It reminded her of school days, which she felt she'd been reliving a lot lately.

"I can't make you do anything you don't want to," he said in surrender, though it looked very much like he was giving up entirely.

She wanted to tell him, it was just that it was highly advisable she did not.

"I've simply been thinking on... us as of late."

It was good she hadn't been listening to reason lately.

Frozen still, as if hit by a charm, her companion did not move, his tea halfway to his lips now suspended in air. He sat in the stillness for a pause and then looked up at her with something akin to pity or remorse... Hermione wasn't sure which one it was. The tea was set down on its saucer and clinked onto the table before he spoke.

"I would have thought that with your young suitor you would have been well-equipped to avoid such problems."

"That's just it, I don't find it a problem, and frankly, I simply want you in my life as more."

Hermione was flustered, speaking so out of turn and abruptly, at the edge of her seat as if she were to attack him. He merely had pursed lips and a wary glance upon her. There were other wizards and witches in this cafe, she knew she needed to be careful, but caution had already been floating in the wind for some time now.

"You must realize that by now we've both crossed too many lines to be together, Hermione," he said in hushed tones, glancing around them to make sure no one was listening in.

"I understand, but wouldn't they understand if we followed our hearts instead of leading them somewhere that won't get them anywhere?"

"I am not leading Nadine down any false path, I care for her deeply. It is not my fault if you entered into a relationship in which you have no faith, Miss Granger."

Hermione angered, feeling her temper flare for no particular reason other than the fact that he was being such a git!

"How dare you?" She menaced, "I care a lot about Neville, for he knows more than anyone does about the situation I am in present."

He looked at her with a wary glance. Hermione had no clue how Severus was remaining so calm through all of this. It was almost as if he didn't care at all about her any longer. If that was the case then why didn't he tell her he'd moved on? She would have understood.... she might have... well, she wasn't too sure how she would have truly reacted.