AN/ Firstly I feel obligated to tell you just how sorry I am for not writing. You all deserve an explanation and I will just say that life has been pretty shitty at the moment and I have not been up to writing.

But now I am back with a vengeance! Just to let you know that because I am back to college soon, I will update MINIMUM of once a week, if I get any spare time to do more then I most definitely will, but at least rest assured that you will get your weekly dose.

I hope you all enjoy, and once again I am so very sorry to you all, you have all been brilliant!

You Found Me.

By now it was mid December and Hermione was becoming restless. Not a whisper had she heard of Severus Snape and lately she just didn't seem to have the ability to concentrate. Which would explain what happened next.

"You stupid girl!" Nynette screeched, feebly hitting Hermione's arm.

She looked down at the bowl that contained the meringue mixture and could see no problem with it.

"What's wrong with it?"

"Salt!". "Nynette cried You have just poured in salt when it should have been sugar!"

Hermione cringed and mentally cursed herself for being so careless.

"I am so sorry Nynette, I won't let that happen again."

The old woman just scowled and scraped the gooey mixture into the bin and dunked the bowl into the sink for Hermione to wash.

She sighed and began cleaning up while Nynette went out the back to have a luxuriously long cigarette while reclining on the plastic sun chair Hermione had put out for her. Though winter was definitely on its way, Nynette remained un-deterred and bundled herself up in as many items of fabric as she possibly could.

By half four the cafe was cleaned and the few customers that had ventured onto the premises had long left. Hermione leaned over the counter and rested her head in her hand thoughtfully and let her mind wander in the direction she was so fond of, Severus Snape.

She normally didn't allow such thoughts to roam free within her mind, but the room within her mind that she had locked away all fantasies and topics containing her Potions Master was rumbling and threatening to break down the door. Just this once wouldn't hurt... wouldn't it?

Within five minutes she knew what she must do. Quickly she gathered her things and ran out the back to Nynette, claiming a false illness to get off work that extra bit early.

As it was Friday and they always closed a bit early for the weekend Nynette waved Hermione away with a "get well soon."

Purposefully she sped home, her mind set on her decision. After locking the door behind her and feeding Crookshanks she ran up the stairs, taking two at a time until she reached her bedroom. Wrenching her closet open, she pulled out her jeans and cosiest cardigan to go over her plain white cotton top. Though it wasn't icy weather yet, Hermione was one to be warm at all times and took comfort over style any day.

When she was dressed she sat on the bed to pull on her runners. The note he left her still lay on her bedside table, although a bit crumpled from the numerous times she had clutched it to her breast. Picking it up once more, Hermione was sure of what she must do. Quickly she picked up her small clutch purse that still bore the enchantments from the Battle. Though she knew that it was all over, Hermione needed her purse for comfort, it was like her safety blanket. A constant assurance that where ever she may be, she would be alright. After tucking her wand into her jeans pocket, she closed her eyes and disapparated. When she landed in Hogsmeade she waited a moment to allow the nausea that had shot through her to pass. It had, after all, been a while since she had done it, she was most definitely out of practise.

Checking her watch it was only half five. Knowingly, Hermione turned in the direction of The Hogs Head. Though the three broomsticks was the hot spot for Hogwarts Professors on a Friday evening, she knew from trysts under the cover of Harry's cloak to Hogsmeade that one Professor in particular preferred the dark and secretive corners of the Hogs Head.

When she reached the dingy pub Hermione ordered a butter beer off Aberforth before setting herself at the small wooden table closest to the door. The only other patrons were old drunks spread out around the room, all of which we bent over their table, suckling on their bottles of high percentage alcohol.

Her presence did earn her a few questionable and rude looks from the huddled men but Hermione knew that while Aberforth was there no one would dare to even approach her. Feeling relieved, Hermione delved into her bag and produced her latest muggle classic; Tess of the d'Urbervilles.

An hour passed and the door did not budge an inch. But Hermione did not worry. In fact she was feeling quite warm and mellow after her second butter beer and carefully she removed her cardigan, placing it over her knees for comfort.

Patiently she waited and another hour passed. The door finally opened and her heart leapt up to her throat and adrenaline shot through her entire body, leaving her gasping for air. But this was to no use as in walked a rather haggard looking witch.

This process was repeated three more times in the next thirty minutes and eventually Hermione stopped jumping at every movement in the pub. While she was engrossed in her book, she didn't see the door slide expertly open and a tall, cloaked man slither silently in and make his way over to the bar.

Halfway across the room, this man was stopped by a familiar movement from the corner of his eye. Hermione absentmindedly running her hand through her thick mane of curls, un-aware of the simple action she was performing.

He continued to the bar and ordered a fire whiskey and after some consideration, a butterbeer. No one in the room even noticed him as he glided towards Hermione. Even she, who was so good at sensing him, was to engrossed in her book to realise that the man she had been waiting for all this time was presently sliding into the chair opposite her.

"Hello Miss Granger."

His voice slid over her body, shocking her to the core. Her head shot up and in her haste, knocked her book onto the grimy floor.

Before she could react, he had swooped down and was now examining her choice of literature.

Still she could not speak. Her body betrayed her and not a word could she push through her dry lips.

He pushed the butterbeer towards her and motioned that she should drink some. Gratefully she did just that. It warmed her inside and gave her some liquid courage.

"How are you sir?" She recognised the formality in what he said and though it pained her to take such a step back, she knew not to push him.

"I am well, thank you." He said shortly.

This was not how she had imagined it.

After a moment he spoke again, this time his voice was soft and low.

"How long have you been waiting here?"

"Oh, just a while I suppose." She said brightly, her stomach was flipping inside of her. She lowered her voice and spoke, "I didn't hear from you."

He took a deep breath and leaned forward, his hand on the table, so close to her own. "I knew that when you were ready, you would come to me."

"That's it? You just knew that I would come crawling to you?" Her voice became high pitched as she tried to control her anger.

"Hermione." He growled, menacingly.

That one word quietened her.

They sat in silence for a while, simply basking in each other's company, not needing to say a word. Their hands remained side by side on the table. Both of them yearning to close that small distance, but neither being strong enough to do it. So instead they left their hands side by side, allowing the unspoken words pass between them.

"Come." He ordered, standing up suddenly.

Eager to follow she grabbed her cardigan and stuffed her book into her purse before following him through a room behind the bar. Aberforth paid them no attention as he poured out a generous serving of firewhiskey for himself.

Severus took Hermione by the arm and walked into the fireplace, taking some floo powder as they went and calmly said, "My personal chambers."

With a bang they were sent through the abyss, until they emerged into a blackened room. As soon as Severus stepped into the room, the walls lit up with torches, the flames licked the air, sending a deep orange light through the darkness.

Hermione looked around in wonderment; everything in the room seemed to interest her, the beautiful black and green decor, the odd shaped windows, the giant study desk and the wall to wall collection of books.

"Are you quite finished gaping like a fish?" He asked, raising an eyebrow for her benefit.

She couldn't even feel embarrassed; it was all so... wonderful. There was no word to describe how she felt while she stood, gazing at this academic haven.

She felt home.

Hermione composed herself before turning to face him and a smile playing on her lips.

"It's beautiful."

"I'm sure you probably expected me to live in a bat cave that is one of the many theories, thought up by only the finest of dimwits this school has to offer."

She merely smiled at him. "Yes I have heard that one. But I personally preferred the thought of you living in a secret underground layer where you bred your own beasts and creatures that would one day attack the house of Gryffindor.

He threw his head back and a deep, rumbling laugh roared out, echoing loudly through the room. When he finally calmed down and was wiping the tears of humour from his eyes, Hermione took her opportunity and closed the distance between them, wrapping her arms around his waist and staring up at his confused face. After a moment his body relaxed and he held her tightly, all the laughter was gone and the look that filled his face was enough to sending a throbbing need to Hermione's quim.

He walked them to the couch and pulled Hermione beside him and stoked the side of her face before leaning towards her and softly brushing his lips against hers. Her hot, sweet breath blew onto his face as she released a sigh of happiness.

This fuelled his need and he kissed her again, harder, allowing himself to run his tongue over her bottom lip, silently asking her to allow him entry.

Automatically she did. Hermione needed him to fill her, to consume her. She kissed him back passionately, nibbling his bottom lip while her hands roamed over his broad shoulders.

Slowly he lowered them backwards on the couch, so she was lying down with her feet over the side, while he hovered above her. She clasped his face in her hands and pulled him towards her lips, desperate to feel that warmth once more. He balanced himself on one arm while the other began stroking her topography through her cotton top. Expertly his fingers lifted the bottom of the top upwards, revealing her white, soft tummy.

He stroked her stomach lightly, sending shivers all over her skin. He moved downwards so he could place a kiss above her navel. She let out a sigh and lightly held his head and closed her eyes. Her body was warm and completely relaxed. He rested his head upon her stomach and she left her eyes closed. The butterbeer from earlier began taking effect and she felt rather drowsy.

She soon fell asleep, clutching him to her body. She slept deeply and didn't even stir when she was lifted and placed in a large soft bed, but Hermione automatically rolled towards Snape in her sleep when he slid into bed.

He affectionately placed a single kiss upon her head as he held her, before he himself gave over to the ever demanding call of sleep.

Hermione woke with a start the following morning and sat up straight away. But she relaxed when she saw the black tufts of hair on the pillow. He hadn't left her again.

Her heart filled up and she carefully slid back under the covers and pressed herself against his warm, naked back, draping an arm over his stomach. She lay there happily for another hour before sleep claimed her once more.

AN/ Just for those who are a bit confused: When Snape is not happy or nervous, or scared, or angry... (you see where I am going?) He will refer to Hermione as Miss Granger.

Hermione will refer to him as Professor... etc only when he forces her to or he has done something.

Since I am trying to move away from the whole professor/ student relationship.

Thank you all

I am, as ever, desperate to know what you think!