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Hermione Granger smiled and stretched as she woke, this was her first day in her new home and one where she hoped to be happy.
She had had a tough few years post war and decided living in a fully magical community was not for her. She had tried teaching at Hogwarts under Minerva McGonagall but her memories of the battle were all around her and she did not wish to live her life taking endless sleeping and calming potions to get. her through each day. Instead she left the magical life behind her.
After a light breakfast she left her car at home and had decided to walk on foot to discover her immediate surroundings. She had of course done her research but had used her computer to check out on a map what was where but she knew on foot she would get a better feel for her local community..
She loved the feel of the place, it was historical too as she had passed an ancient Battle Ground. She kept walking and after half an hour had walked into the town .
She recognised the office where she had purchased her house as well as her Solicitors offices. A tall man approached and nodded at her in passing. It was only later that it dawned on her that he was the agent who sold her her new home.
Hermione liked the look of the streets, it was not so busy in February, but she knew it was a popular place for tourists in the summer months. She decided to look for a quiet place for a coffee and as she looked down a side street she began to smile as she spotted a coffee shop , and had a distinct compunction to head straight there.
The Book Nook was a combination of a book shop and a Coffee shop. As she stepped inside, it looked to be a casual and cosy space where she could easily immerse herself with a good cuppa and a new book. She inhaled the aroma and chuckled as her stomach rumbled as she looked upon fresh baked goods.
She placed her order. then browsed at the second hand book section and chose a book and paid £2.50. She read a sign that stated that customers could return books when finished and would get £1.50 for it. She liked to recycle her own books and decided to bring down some of her own old books.
The barista was taking an age to make her coffee as she sat and waited and when it arrived most of it had sloshed into the saucer and the cake she had ordered had no serviette or knife. She had the impression that the young man was more interested in his phone than serving customers.
She was thoroughly engrossed in her book about Stirling and its history and took no notice of anyone around her. She sipped and nibbled as she read. The coffee was good but a bit cold but the cake was delicious.
“Miss Granger?” A deep voice spoke, she never heard it until the man coughed and repeated himself for a third time clearly annoyed at being ignored.
The voice filled with irritation seemed to reach her brain and she stiffened. She was immediately taken back to being in a classroom with her hand raised and a voice snapping at her. She had the image of the whole scene flash into her head of Professor Severus Snape in his swirling black robes. He had died during the war over five years before.
She looked up from her book and froze. This man looked younger, smarter and wore glasses. It could not be her Professor.
“Miss Granger, finally I have your attention, as usual your nose is stuck inside a book!”
Her whole world was immediately turned upside down,- as she fainted.
+++
Severus Snape entered theBook Nook and headed towards the main counter to pick up his regular order. He glared at the member of staff who kept him waiting as he was playing with his mobile phone. Severus had to bang the counter to get his attention. Even then, the man took his time before pocketing his phone, then handed over his order.
Clearly annoyed, he paid for his order, turned,intending to leave. Instead he stiffened short of the exit, as he immediately recognised a curly headed witch sitting with her nose stuck in a book.
He hesitated and swithered whether to approach her or not but felt his feet walking automatically towards her then his wayward mouth speak up.
“Miss Granger?”
He received no response and had to repeat himself once again. It was not his day getting people’s attention, had he lost his touch?
On the third time he raised his voice and barked out, “Miss Granger!”
Her face snapped up immediately, her amber eyes taking him in.
“Miss Granger, finally I have your attention, I see things have not changed and as usual your nose is stuck inside a book!”
Her eyes were fully focussed on his face and at his words they went even wider and then glazed over.
“Buggaring fuck!” he swore under his breath as he swiftly moved to stop the witch from falling to the floor. He had not expected her to faint.
He called out to a staff member for water as he sat beside the witch and popped a pepper up potion into her mouth.
He knew he hadn’t asked permission but would explain to her later. He was glad the place was not so busy as the morning rush had passed and the lunchtime one, not yet begun. She came around just as the water arrived.
“Professor?” she choked , but he silenced her immediately as he placed his index finger upon his own lips.
“Hush, you fainted, I will explain but not here.”. He held out the glass of cool water to her lips and she drank.
He collected his abandoned lunch as he offered Hermione his other arm for support, she clearly was still in shock. He guided her out onto the pavement and nodded with his head towards a building further along on the opposite side of the street.
“We’re heading over there, please do not speak until we are inside and out of earshot of anyone.”
Hermione nodded and leaned into him as her legs still felt rather wobbly and she was still in shock.
+++
He led her inside an ancient and very rundown tenement. The place was filthy and the corridor that they walked along stank of stale alcohol and piss. She shuddered and hoped he was not down on his luck.
Severus removed his arm from hers and lowered his wards that allowed them both to pass through, inside the barrier it was clean, bright and very modern. A lift was accessed via a flick of his wand.
“Welcome to my home Miss Granger.”
Severus opened the door with a flourish and allowed her to enter in front of him. He watched as her face brightened and then heard her gasp of surprise.
The huge modern sitting room had Top to floor windows with an excellent panorama on three sides of the whole town set out below with its winter Highland scenery as its backdrop. Her shock temporarily forgot as she gazed upon the spectacular view.
Moments later he tapped at her arm and indicated for her to sit down.
She followed him towards the two large black sofas and they sat opposite each other.
To her surprise there was tea already laid out in front of her complete with sandwiches, cakes and water.
“Sit, you look exhausted Miss Granger and I think I have much to explain to you. First, drink some water and I will pour us both some tea.”
“As you see I live, this is all due to you and the potion that you thrust upon me before the battle..”
Hermione shook her head, she had put some memories out of her mind and could not recall making or giving him any potion.
He noticed her frown. “I can share my own memory of that later, but I just wanted you to know that the ‘Stopper In Death’ potion you created did work.”
Her eyes flew wide and she gasped, “I do remember making it now but did not know what I had done with it.”
“I had no choice but to take the potion as you thrust it into my pocket along with other potions that no doubt did save my life.”
“I watched you die.” She said in a whisper, “I returned but you were gone.”
“I do apologise Miss Granger, I had to leave but I did see you return and watched from under Potter’s discarded invisibility cloak.”
She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. “I am so pleased you lived.”
“All thanks to you Miss Granger and I owe you a life debt.”
She shook her head. “No, I don’t as you saved me so many times over the years, lets call it quits. I ask you one favour though that you call me Hermione.”
“If this is what you wish Miss… Hermione. But please then call me Severus as I am no longer a Professor or Head master.”
“I agree Severus,” she held out her cup of tea and clinked their cups together in a toast. “By the way, Severus, you are looking extremely well “ she blushed and added, “these cakes and sandwiches are delicious.”
“”I am delighted you noticed Hermione.”
She had not expected him to smile.
+++
Later…
“This apartment has magical features as you may have realised. It also has a separate basement area - where I conduct potion making and experimentation.”
What she thought was just a window slid back at a touch of Severus’s hand. Her eyes widened at the elegant kitchen with all mod con’s., complete with breakfast bar and stools with plenty of work surfaces and modern cooking equipment.
“You bake?”
“Yes, you just tasted some of my bread and cakes.”
“Really, you made these?”
“Yes, but first I need to tell you my story before we discuss cakes.”
“that’s fine by me,” Hermione said.
“I had time to prepare myself as I knew I was going to be killed by that damned snake.”
He told her his own story of how he retreated to Muggle life under a new guise and name. Dumbledore had put curses on him to look older and ugly with greasy hair. Since he removed himself from the magical world he had improved in looks and was more at ease with himself.
He took over a very run down muggle book shop. As he was on a tight budget began to bake some scones at first then as his knowledge grew so did his business. He then relaunched his business two years later in the same but now refurbished shop as the “Book Nook.
“Oh wow,” her eyes went wide with surprise, that shop is yours?”
“Yes,” he nodded and added. “I still provide the baking fresh each day for the Book Nook. It was a new hobby of mine when … well … after I left the Magical world. I still visit each day at 11am for my lunch and to check on the staff without them realising I am the owner.”
“I felt a tug towards the shop but never realised why…””
She looked at him and smiled. “I’m pleased you are alive and looking so well.”. She frowned and then blushed. “Mind you that member of staff on duty today was very slow when I ordered coffee and cake.”
“That has not gone unnoticed.” he explained as he made a fresh pot of tea and took out some food from a huge fridge.
“I put in a manager over six months ago. All appeared to be running smoothly and as I was setting up my new Potions business I think I took my eyes off the Quaffle.”
Hermione raised her eyebrows at this, she frowned. “The staff are not up to much.” She explained about her own experience and added she had been the only customer when she entered and assumed it would have been much busier.
He placed a mug of tea in front of her as she sat at the breakfast bar on a stool and nibbled at one of his home made Empire Biscuits.
“Yes, the takings no doubt are down and I suspect the manager has lowered standards in order to cover up his errors.”
“I think you need a new Manager and perhaps some new staff too.”
“I do believe you are correct and he leered at her and then began to smile. Hermione, you are good with both books and people. Perhaps you may like to become my new manager, I do trust you.”
Hermione let her cup clatter to the saucer, he was quite right. “I have only been in my house a day and I was going to look for a part time job as I’d get bored sitting doing nothing.”
She went on to explain her current situation.
“I left the magical world as I did not like what was going on and I found it hard to be around Hogwarts, I did try to teach, but there were too many ghosts and I do not wish to live on potions for the rest of my life or put up with constant badgering from the Ministry or the Daily Prophet.”
“I do understand Hermione.”
“I know you do and that offer of a job may just be the best thing for me.”. She frowned, “I do not wish to be in your way, so once the business is back up and making a prophet once more I may move on to something new.”
“I will agree to your suggestion and we could make it official, all legal and above board so we both know where we stand.”
“I will agree to that.” Hermione said and held out her hand for Severus to shake.
He shook her hand and he replied. “Deal.”
Then he brightened and went into his larder and produced a magnificent chocolate cake.
“Here’s a little something I baked earlier and was saving it for something special. I think you joining as my manager is that special something.”
Hermione agreed as she bit into the most delicious cake ever but never voiced the thought that went through her head, that this cake was so much better than sex, it did make her blush.
Severus wondered why Miss Granger blushed after biting into his cake but he smirked knowing what she was thinking, as he had the exact same thought every time he baked then ate this special cake. He had never shared it before until now.