Here we go, Renata! She won herself a little drabble treat for working out that I'd finally, after many years, given my username the capital letter it deserved. She requested an SS/HG involving a book. I had fun writing this. Hope you enjoy. Keep tabs on me over at facebook, same username WITH capital letter!

As for this little titbit, let's say Hermione has returned to Hogwarts post-war (a war in which Severus conveniently survived) and is working alongside her former nemesis.

'Wrong book, Miss Granger.'

'No. Right book.'

He tuts. 'Nothing changes,' he mutters.

'What?' she snaps.

'What?' he queries indulgently, feigning ignorance.

'You said something under your breath.'

'No.'

'Yes, you did. What never changes?' She is insistent.

'You,' he concedes.

'Well, I could say the same for you.'

Pause.

'I thought you were supposed to be finding a recipe for a memory draft?'

'I was until you distracted me.'

He places a large volume before her. Ancient. Dust rises. 'This is the book you need.'

She is disparaging. 'This is about fungi.'

'A vital ingredient in memory drafts … as I'm sure you know.' A single dark eyebrow is cocked.

'According to whom?'

'According to … me.'

'And you are, of course, right.'

'Usually.'

She resorts to dismissing the book. 'There is nothing to indicate there's anything about a memory draft in here.'

'Don't judge a book by its cover.'

'As you would never.'

'Sarcasm doesn't become you.'

'Nor you.'

'Look.' He leans in and pulls back the heavy cover. She smells his aroma. Musky, deep, exotic. Alluring. He's close. Closer than he needs to be. She studies his fingers as they move through the book, turning the pages smoothly, gliding over the parchment, seeking.

Silence falls. She can sense the heat of him through his robes. His arm, close, nearly touching, is strong and ready.

'There. You see.' He points, the triumph not entirely disguised in his voice. '"An aide for the recollection of distant thought."'

He wins.

'I'm surprised.' She crosses her arms.

'You should open your mind, Miss Granger.'

She glances up and is met by dark eyes. Infinite.

'I do, usually.'

Silence once again. Different this time. Expectant.

'Perhaps you should try harder.'

'Perhaps.'

He's closer to her.

'Perhaps you should try … now.'

Try what again? All is blank. All except him. 'Try … what …?'

'To open … your …'

And he kisses her. And she kisses him back. Right there in the dungeon. Right there on his desk, he takes her and she takes him.

Don't judge a book by its cover.

Told you Severus beckons on cold November nights. ;-) If ever you want more of my writing, check out my original writing as Demelza Hart. My latest release and first proper solo title is out now on Kindle for the price of a few sips of coffee from Amazon etc - Spontaneous, Book One in the Suited to You Trilogy. And in the absence of Severus, I can guarantee that will warm you up on cold November nights. LL x