Better This Way

A Chance Encounter

Severus turned around to see who the imbecile was that could not keep a firm grip on their spoon. Black eyes met amber ones.


Hermione stood up quickly.


“Sev---er--Professor Snape,” she said nervously, extending her hand for him to shake it. “What a coincidence.”


Severus stood there dumbstruck. After a few seconds, he too extended his hand to grasp hers. He just held her hand for a moment, not even shaking it. After a few moments of silence, he dropped her hand, and they both flushed awkwardly.


“Here’s your ice cream, Professor!” Florean said cheerfully, reappearing behind the counter.


“Y-yes, thank you, Florean,” Severus said, and turned to take his ice cream.


He dropped a few coins on the counter, not even counting them, but a flash of gold indicated he had left a galleon, far more than the six sickle price.


They stood in awkward silence for a moment, before Hermione, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear , beckoned to her little table.


Severus nodded and took a seat across from her.


“Wow, it’s been a long time,” Hermione said, breaking the silent barrier.


“Indeed it has,” Severus said, taking a bite of blackberry.


“You look good,” Hermione said, tucking into her own vanilla with white chocolate sauce.


“As do you,” Severus said. “How are things in Livonia? Seeing anyone?” he asked her before looking away , embarrassed.


“Um, yes, as a matter of fact. I am,” Hermione said rather distractedly.


‘Oh, m-me too.” Severus said, face growing hot.


“Oh, anyone I might know?” Hermione asked before shoveling in another bite of ice cream.


“Sorry?” Severus asked.


“Is she anyone I know,” Hermione repeated, turning red.


“Oh, um, yes, I-I think so,” Severus trailed off.


“Do you want to tell me her name?” Hermione asked, ducking behind her ice cream.


“Oh, yes, of course. It’s Rosmerta,” Severus said, looking at the table.


“Madam Rosmerta?” Hermione asked incredulously. “Isn’t she married?”


“Widowed,” Severus said.


“Oh,” Hermione said, spooning another bite in her mouth. “Another fling?” she asked, looking at the ceiling.


Severus reddened.


“Perhaps not,” he said, wiping his hands on his napkin.


“Oh, well, me too, you know,” Hermione said face growing hot.


“No, I’m afraid I don’t know,” Severus said, looking at her with interest.


“I’m also seeing someone,” Hermione said matter-of-factly.


“Oh?” Severus asked trying to read her expression.


“Yes. It’s Viktor Krum,” Hermione said, taking another bite.


“The Bulgarian quidditch player? Since when is your style dating brainless oafs?” Severus asked her, amused.


“Well dating someone intelligent didn’t really work out for me, so I figured I would try something else. Besides, I would hardly call being a barmaid anything better,” Hermione said hotly.


“Touche,” Severus said, dropping his spoon into the empty dish.


Just then, the door opened, and in walked Rosmerta, turquoise heels and all, followed by the Grangers and Viktor Krum.


“Ve are all finished vith our shopping,” Viktor said, planting a kiss on Hermione’s cheek possessively.


Severus reddened at the display, but said nothing.


“I was just coming to say the same to you,” Rosmerta said to Severus, giving his shoulder a squeeze.


“Yes, well, Hermione, it was lovely to see you again,” Severus said, standing to follow Rosmerta.


“Likewise,” Hermione said and grabbed her coat from the back of her chair.


She looked forlornly at the door Severus had just walked through. It had been oddly painful when Rosmerta touched him that way. Hermione shook off the feeling. It wasn’t her right to feel that way now. It never was my right to feel that way Hermione thought. After all, I was just a fling.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


The Grangers and Viktor were all gathered around the Christmas tree. Every gift had been opened, and merriment filled the air.


“Well, perhaps I ought to help mother with the breakfast dishes,” Hermione said brushing tinsel off of her jumper.


“Vait, please. I have one more gift to give,” Viktor said, giving Jane Granger a wink.


“What’s going on with you two?” Hermione asked, looking from her mother to her boyfriend.


Viktor pulled a small box out of his pocket topped with a tiny red bow. Opening it, he dropped to one knee.


“Hermione Granger, Vill you marry me?”


“Oh, Viktor,” Hermione exclaimed looking at the sparkling ring. “I-I don’t know what to say.”


“Vhy don’t you take some time to think about it,” Viktor suggested, closing the box and handing it to her.


“Thank you so much,” Hermione said, taking the box from him. “I, uh, well I need to go and get some more coffee,” Hermione said, looking around the room for her coat.


She located it on the arm of the chair, and fled from the room.


“Don’t worry, dear,” Jane said warmly, giving Viktor’s arm a squeeze. “She was just caught off guard is all. She’ll probably go spend a few hours at the library. Would you like to come and have some Christmas bread?”


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


“Severus,” Rosmerta said, looking at him seriously. “Thank you for this lovely decanter.”


“You’re welcome. Thank you for the sweater,” Severus replied absently.


“What are we doing?” Rosmerta asked him, fiddling with her hands.


“I believe we are having breakfast at the Leaky Cauldron,” Severus replied distractedly.


“That’s not really what I meant. What is this thing that we have?”


“I don’t know,” Severus said, finally meeting her gaze.


“I don’t think there’s anything left for us,” she said quietly.


“Yes, I believe you’re right,” Severus said, taking a sip of coffee.


“I wish you the best of luck in whatever you do,” Rosmerta said, and kissed him on the cheek before leaving the Leaky Cauldron.


Severus sat in silence for several minutes. Just as his coffee cup refilled itself, he felt a shadow pass over him. He looked up to meet the red rimmed eyes of Hermione Granger.


“Her- Professor Granger, what are you doing here?”


Suddenly, Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and began to kiss him furiously.

A/N: Thank you all so much for the reviews! They are really keeping my muse nice and fat! I know you aren't too crazy about the cliffhangers, but I won't leave you hanging too badly for long.