S everus hadn't heard from Hermione in several days, and was becoming desperate, it was this desperation that led him to Minerva's cottage and had him rapping upon the door.

"Severus, what a pleasant surprise, care to join me for a cup of tea, the kettle's just boiled." Minerva gestured him in in a way that showed this was more of a friendly order than a question, and Severus gratefully complied.

"I didn't mean to intrude on your weekend, but I need your opinion on something." Severus clasped his hands behind his back and gingerly sat down on the sofa.

"Oh, how mysterious, what could Severus Snape need from me?" There was a brief pause before something shifted in Minerva's expression.

"Is it about… the research partner?" Severus sighed, rubbed his forehead with his long fingers before replying.

"Yes, they've been very, reclusive lately, and I'm concerned as to why and whether, it may have been, well my actions that had caused it." Minerva sat, mouth slightly agape as she took in the way that Severus was confiding in her.

"Well this certainly is a surprise, pray tell all and I'll see what I can do." Severus tried to ignore the smirk on her face as he began the tale of their relationship, still concealing the identity of the person involved.

"You know Severus, this would be much easier if I could know who.."

"I don't think that's entirely necessary" Severus interrupted. Loathe to have to admit it was one of her own Gryffindor protégé's that had become so important to him.

"Oh come now, don't be so shy, I'm sure you've kept worse company over the years." Severus scowled at the old headmistress and she cackled into her tea, his glaring features having no effect on this wizened witch.

"Fine." He grimaced before almost spitting out her name.

"It's Hermione". Minerva's eyes grew twice the size as her hand flew to her mouth.

"Hermione Granger?"

"Yes."

"The Hermione Granger?"

"Yes."

"Gryffindor scholar"

"Yes."

"Best friend to the boy who lived".

"Yes."

"Well Severus, you do know how to pick them". That final statement was left with another scowl as he sank back into his seat, attempting to bury himself in the ridiculous amount of pillows this witch seemed to have.

Hermione was in a small coffee shop, slowly sipping a long black when she flipped over the daily prophet and saw emblazoned on the front.

"MINISTRY MAYHEM: SILVER SALES GO SOUTH, SPY SUSPECTED!" The article stated in grave detail how an unknown buyer had gotten into the silver trade, creating a monopoly in Europe and proposing sales at exorbitant prices, crippling the Ministry's trade deals that had been in the works for months. In even more unflattering detail was the moving image of a sweating Percy Weasley, surround by bustling office workers trying to find out the who, what and how, as well as to find a solution to this nightmare.

"A certain Percy Weasley seems to be at the heart of this story, much unlike his younger days when he was nowhere to be found alongside his brothers fame and fortune. This boy was from this reporter's memory, working with the wrong people for a while, as his brother Ron laid down his life for the cause, and his older twins managed to open a successful and beloved Joke Shop." Hermione cringed at the glorification of her ex, but felt deep remorse for the situation she had put Percy in.

You had no other choice

She knew this, she knew it more than anything, yet it constantly plagued her. And as of late the thought of Severus, and him finding out terrorised her more. She had managed to keep it a secret for so long, but she could tell he was starting to catch on, starting to realise that not everything was as ok as she was desperately trying to make it seem. And if he found out, she was worried that would be the end of everything. It was not his anger that scared her, that she could handle, it was his disappointment.

"It seems to me Severus, that you may be overthinking this whole mess". Minerva placed down her empty teacup.

"I mean clearly something is going on, but I highly doubt if it is to do with you. If anything, she may be being so reclusive as she doesn't wish for you to know". Severus rubbed his forehead, attempting to massage the stress away.

"And if it is, what could she possibly want to hide?" He countered.

"I'm sure I don't know Severus, but I would recommend the best solution here, and its rather ingenious at that, you may have even heard of it before..."

"Out with-it witch."

"Ask her". Severus harrumphed at her antics before standing to make his leave.

"As always Minerva, your unwavering wisdom and unparalleled astuteness never cease to amaze. Good day." And he left to the sound of her laughter.

The late afternoon rays bounced off Hermione's mirror and the curls in front of it as she twisted her hair high above her head, curling it around until it resembled a bun. She glanced at the clock and felt the ticking resonate deep in her body as she saw there was half an hour until Severus would be knocking at the door. He had sent an owl earlier that morning, suggesting dinner, apparently, he had something he wished to discuss with her. As such she assumed that there had been a new development in their research that he wanted to tell her about like an overexcited schoolboy.

Hermione wanted to see him, more than anything she wanted to see him. But she was terrified, terrified she would give it away. The closer she grew to him the harder it was to hide her unorthodox arrangement. Her heart wanted to be as familiar to him as she were to Crookshanks, who was busy lounging in the last light of the afternoon. However, her brain, prohibited her, reminding her that whilst Crookshanks seemed capable of judgement, that was quickly solved with the promise of dinner, but with Severus less so.

Before long Hermione was sat in her living room, rhythmically tapping her fingers on the sofa, waiting for the characteristic rap on her red front door.

She waited.

She Tapped.

Five more minutes passed.

She waited.

She Tapped.

She waited.

She Tapped.

And then there was a knock.

A.N: Wow another chapter out super quick, can anyone else tell im on uni break? Thanks so much for still supporting this story despite it being started years ago. Im trying to get a good plot going so I hope you enjoy it. Feel free to discuss in the comments what you thinks happening, whats Hermione hiding? Who is she meeting with? How will Severus react? As always continue to like, comment and share and thank you for reading.