Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

To Be Alive	By : Snapeoutofit Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 10343 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 5
Disclaimer: All characters and settings are the creation of JK Rowling. I own nothing of Harry Potter and make no money from this story.

Chapter List
- 1-One
- 2-Two
- 3-Three
- 4-Four
- 5-Five
- 6-Six
- 7-Seven
- 8-Eight
- 9-Nine
- 10-Ten
- 11-Eleven
- 12-Twelve
- 13-Thirteen
- 14-Fourteen
- 15-Fifteen
- 16-Sixteen
- 17-Seventeen
- 18-Eighteen
- 4
- 5
- 6
“I’m sorry, Hermione, but I don’t think I heard you correctly. Did you just say that Snape was nice?” Ron asked, a note of disbelief heavy in his voice.

“Nice by Snape standards... very nice by Snape standards. And a bit funny, too.” Hermione smiled inwardly as she remembered the way he smirked and held that small bit of light in his eye.

“I just don’t understand it,” Ron continued. “You’ve been running into that bat all over the place, and then he says he wants to show you something..and by the way I can’t believe you went with him in the first place.”

Hermione tried to interject in defense of herself, but Ron held up his hand to quiet her, and continued speaking.

“Then, you go to his house, which is not like a dungeon at all, and he makes you tea,” the shock plain in his voice. “You shared tea with Severus Snape?” Ron fell back against the sofa in mock anguish.

Hermione nodded. “There’s more.” She smiled inwardly and sipped her tea.

Both Harry and Ron sat up on the sofa. They looked at each other, but this time Harry spoke first.

“What do you mean there is more. And what did he want to show you?” Harry’s voice was barely a whisper, underpinned by uncertainty as he gritted his teeth.

Hermione placed her mug on the coffee table. “Well, remember the potion I told you about? For dreams?” They nodded. “I told Professor Snape about it when I tripped over him at the park last week. I didn’t think he’d been listening but apparently he was. He worked out the entire potion; the whole thing! He said it would certainly work! And he kept calling it ‘my potion’.” Hermione voice rose as her excitement rose. Harry and Ron stared at her, dumbfounded.

When they didn’t say anything, she nervously picked her mug up and took a sip. From behind the ceramic she said, “and we’re going to brew it together, too. This weekend.”

Harry and Ron looked at each other, then both jumped up and began talking at once. Hermione giggled and gestured for them to sit back down. “I will tell you everything. Calm down. But first, let me fix another cup” she chided as she went to the kitchen.

SSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHG

Snape moved about his lab, cleaning and straightening the already neat and tidy space. When he purchased the sunny home on the outskirts of the city he didn’t know if the basement could be converted into a suitable lab to fit his needs; actually he wasn’t sure if any part of the home would fit his needs. All he knew for certain was that he needed to get out of the dark in decaying hell hole in Spinner’s End. With a few charms, he was able to make his lab what he needed. He thought about keeping it dark, like his old potion’s classroom, but decided that might not best serve his mood. The new Severus, that was. The one that constantly reminded himself how good it could feel to be alive.

Truth be told he never thought he’d come out on the other side after everything that happened. Now, all he wanted to do was enjoy a simple, quiet life, brew some potions, do some research, and keep company with a good book.

But then she started turning up. Everywhere it seemed. Suddenly, thinking about his research and the books on his shelf didn’t seem to cut it. Severus couldn’t understand how the swatty little thing could captured his attention so much.

He pushed the thoughts aside as he inventoried his stores; triple checking that he had gathered everything they needed to brew Hermione’s potion. He began doing some of the prep work so that when she arrived the next day she wouldn’t have to spend time chopping, slicing, and preparing the ingredients. As he prepared each item he felt a calm wash over him; the usual calm the he felt during potion making. He placed each prepared item in a vial and labeled it “Hermione’s Dillweed” or “Hermione’s Moonglass” or “Hermione’s...”

He stopped. When in the bloody hell did he start thinking of her as Hermione? Since when did he drop all pretense and call his former student by her first name? He thought back. She had only ever referred to him as Professor, or Professor Snape in the last few weeks; like always. She had not broken from formality that he could remember.

Shit.

SSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHG

Hermione fiddled with the slip of paper in her hand telling her his address as she walked toward the front door. She stood outside for a moment and took a deep, steadying breath before bringing her hand up to knock. Right before her fist knocked against the white paint, the door swung open. Professor Snape stood before her in black trousers and a white cotton button down shirt. The top button was undone and she could glimpse the faint outline of a scar winding up his neck. He said nothing.

“Hello,” she offered as she awkwardly stood on the step.

“Hello. Come in.” The professor stepped to the side to allow her entry. She began removing her cloak and he offered to take it, hanging it on the peg beside the door.

They both stood there, uncomfortable for a moment. Finally, he gestured towards an open door that revealed a descending staircase.

“My lab is this way.” He began walking towards the steps and Hermione followed closely behind. They descended half way when Snape stopped suddenly and Hermione crashed into his back.

“Ouf, is everything alright?” She asked.

He looked over his should at her. “Ouf?” He spat. “What is an Ouf? What a ridiculous sound.” Hermione lowered her eyes.

He sighed and turned to face her. Since she was on a higher step, she hardly needed to look up to see into his eyes.

“It’s just..I’ve never allowed anyone into my private lab before.”

“Oh, if this makes you uncomfortable I can...” she turned and looked back up the staircase.

“No, no it’s quite alright. Come along.” Snape continued down the steps.

When they entered the lab Hermione was struck by how bright the place was. If his classroom was any indication, Professor Snape had always been an organized man, but this space bore no resemblance to the dungeon lab. Hermione saw equipment lined up along the lab bench. She went over to the supplies and saw many bottles and vials lined up, each one carefully labeled with her name.

She was suddenly stuck by the thoughtfulness of it all. He has prepared all of the necessary ingredients and carefully labeled each one with her name. She picked up some bottles and looked inside. He stood by the doorway and watched as she carefully moved about

“Professor,” she said serenely, “you didn’t need to do all of this. But thank you, sincerely.”

“I..I labeled each ingredient with your name. I wanted to be sure you had everything you needed. Also, since this is now a professional relationship, you may call me Severus. If you’d like.” He looked around nervously. “That’s why I just wrote Hermione on the vials.”

She smiled at him. “Thank you, Severus. I can’t imagine the amount of time you spent..”

“It was nothing.” He closed the space between them and stood beside her at the lab bench. He began rolling up his white sleeves, revealing the dark mark on his arm. Hermione made not to stare. “Shall we begin?”
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To Be Alive