I do not own any of the characters within this story. They are all property of JK Rowling.

HG/SS Romance - I hope you enjoy. If you no likey...no lookey!

Chapter One – How things changed

Severus sat with a glass of red wine contemplating how much his life had changed since the Final Battle and Voldemorts defeat. Who would have thought he'd be sitting, as he did every Friday night, conversing with Harry Potter and his wife Ginerva at their quarters at Hogwarts. All ill feeling between Snape and Harry had been put to rest after Harry saw Severus for the hero he really was, so much so that Severus was the Godfather to Harry's eldest son, Albus Severus. He made every effort to see the boy and spend time with the Potters. He had spent too many years chasing the ghost of Lily and was ready to begin living his own life as he was supposed to. Even if it meant putting up with a Potter.

As he took in the type of environment Harry lived in, Severus couldn't help but feel alone as Harry kissed his wife goodnight and sent her off with a playful spank of the arse. Of course he had many an offer of night-time entertainment from his avid new found fans since his tale in the battle was publicised but he had never accepted them. As much of a red-blooded male that he was, he found that he wanted more than a midnight fumble or shag. Severus wanted true love, a woman who he could sit and talk to night and day, could be himself around and make love to at his leisure.

However, he had found that no such woman existed, he'd looked, quite frequently but found that no one met the cut…perhaps with the exception of one particular young woman, although she wouldn't look at him twice in that manner he was sure.

He was snapped out of his reverie when a certain bushy haired know-it-all came tumbling through the floo.

Hermione Granger had matured into a beautiful and intelligent young woman who currently worked with Severus and Harry at Hogwarts, Severus was still Potions Master and Harry had taken on the position of DADA professor, and Hermione, the Transfiguration Mistress. He found himself rather taken with the young Griffindor, but he couldn't resist reverting back to his old ways…taking her down a peg or two whenever possible, old habits die hard and all that jazz.

He didn't deny her intelligence, she was a truly brilliant scholar, but something, just something, compelled him to be a shit to her. She always had an answer and there wasn't a topic that he could bring up without her throwing in her opinion and various book references.

"Well good evening gents! How are you two this fiiiiine evening?" Hermione giggled like a little girl and it was fairly evident that she was steaming drunk.

"Mione, what have you been up to? You're legless!"

"Well Harry, that's what happens when your date doesn't turn up and you decide to opt for Fire Whiskey rather than hot cocoa!"

"My, my Professor Granger, I do believe this is the first time I have seen you let your hair down so freely. What happened to your young man? Did you lose him in that bush you call hair? Or perhaps he caught sight of your face and that alone scared him away for good?" Snape sneered.

You see, Severus had been particularly mean to Hermione of late after he began to feel horrible jolts in his stomach whenever she had began to see a young man. At first he had just decided it was indigestion but upon further reflection he discovered what made him very feel so sick.

Severus Snape was jealous.

Severus Snape liked the Gryffindor Princess…loved her even.

Severus Snape was in BIG trouble.

"Why are you such an arse to me Ssseverus?" She stammered, "I am nothing *hiccup*...nothing but polite and considerate to you and you seem to go out your way to be horrible to me! And no, he just never showed up, I've never even seen him. Ginny set me up on another blind date, I will not be doing that again that's for sure!" She flung herself against the wall dramatically and started fiddling with the togs on her jacket avoiding Snape's glare.

However, at her declaration against dating, Severus felt a calm take over him. If she was refusing to date…he might have a chance to 'work him magic' on her and pounce when he felt comfortable enough. Severus ached to be civil to her, to tell her how much he thought about her and her fascinating mind, but he'd have to work up to that slowly. She'd never believe him if he went from snarky bastard to charming academic in naught to sixty seconds. So for now she was stuck with Snarky Snape.

"And so, the male population may sleep easy tonight. Hermione Granger is taking a break from dating! Thank Heaven for small miracles!"

"Severus stop being so mean to Mione!" Harry exclaimed with a smirk.

"No. I will not. She is a silly young woman who is too busy concentrating in finding herself a partner to realise that NEWTs are due to begin in a few weeks and her students are in need of an adequate professor. "

Turning to Hermione with his best sneer in place, he continued, "Tell me, Professor Granger, do you even bother to wear knickers on these dates? I swear the males must sense the desperation from you."

Her face reddened and her tipsy expression turned to one of hurt and anger. "Fuck off Severus. For someone who considers me to be beneath their attention you seem to take a massive interest in my love life! Whether or not I wear knickers at any time of the day is none of your business and neither is how I decide to try and find a suitable partner. I suppose being alone for such a long time has allowed you to forget the need for human contact and conversation. Tell me, Professor Snape, do you even have a dick any more or has it cowered back inside you from lack of vaginal attention? Are you as anatomically equipped as a muggle Ken doll? Do you perhaps just entertain yourself with Pamela and her five sisters?" She wildly waved her hand in front of his face, smirking.

Harry couldn't believe what she had just said. Alcohol always made Hermione a bit more vocal than normal but never ever this brave. He was glad Ginny was in bed along with the kids to save her the embarrassment of listening to two of his dearest friends speak to each other with such heat and hatred.

After her outburst, Severus only had one thought;. I want to fuck her brains out right now!

Standing up and slowly walking up to her, he leaned in close enough to whisper in her ear, "Well Hermione, I assure you my dick, as you so called it, is in perfect working order although it has been a while since he received any vaginal attention I admit. Although… if you ever find yourself wanting…I'm sure he'd be pleased to explore your depths…." Severus made a point of a slow pronunciation of the last three words whilst inhaling her scent of hair and staring into her eyes with intensity. Merlin he could be the master of seduction when he wanted to be!

Before she could retort, he quickly turned, bid good night to Harry and swept out the room without looking at her again.

Hermione turned to Harry, eyes wide and biting her bottom lip in shock.

Her knickers were soaked.

Reviews would make me happy :)

I warn you this is not going to be a smutty story but it will be blue in places - some colourful language but not a swear-fest either. I hope you enjoy. If not, well I tried.

Thanks, Jenni x