Hermione was woken up by Ginny kindly throwing her pillow at her
"Damn, Ginny what's wrong with you?" She moaned still half asleep
"Come on it's time to get up, it's Hogsmeade day" she beamed
"Great" Hermione grunted
"Who's the rose from?" Ginny asked plonking herself on Hermione's bed
"My secret admirer" she responded cleverly
"Ooh who is it?" Ginny asked
"If I knew that it would not be a secret" Hermione sneered
"Jeez, who crawled out of bed the wrong way this morning?"
"I did, I did Ginny and do you know why? Because you woke me up with that bloody pillow!"
She screamed in anger

Ginny walked away thinking Hermione had lost the plot or something

Once they were in Hogsmeade everyone, including the morning delight that was Hermione Granger were in good spirits, Hermione had apologised to Ginny and was quickly forgiven.
"I'm just popping into honeydukes" Hermione said as she slipped in through the door
"Hello Mr Flume, can I get 3 chocolate frogs, a bag of fizzing whizzbee and 200 grams of liquorice wands please" she smiled at the chubby man and his wife. Mr flume disappeared and soon returned with the sweets. She got her galleons from her purse and paid for them
"Thank you" she said politely leaving the shop.

Harry and Hermione headed into the bookshop, Hermione found the book on modern magic she wanted and took it to the counter to pay
Harry was flicking though a quiddich magazine

Later the gang all met up at the three broomsticks for lunch and butterbeers.
They talked about how great it was to be out of Hogwarts and talked about students and Professors they disliked, the conversation made Hermione uncomfortable because it's not hard to guess which professor they slated the most. Harry looked over at his friend and gave her a knowing look, then got up from where he was sat join her on her side of the table

"How did last night go?" Harry smirked
"It was ok, not much happened really we just graded papers" Hermione sighed
"What? No gossip at all?" Harry pressed
"Ok, he apologised for the night before and called me Hermione as I asked in the note"
"See, we're getting somewhere now, well I mean you are" he grinned
"Stop it" Hermione laughed

"Ooh. Guess who got a rose from a secret admirer last night guys?" Ginny piped up
"Who?" Everyone asked impatiently
"Hermione, oh yes, someone loves Hermioneeeee" she giggled
Hermione just giggled back falsely
"No idea who sent it though" she sighed
Harry looked at her and she nodded, a big grin appeared on his face.

"Are you going to get some clothes like you said?" Harry asked
"No, I'm gonna save the money" Hermione smiled
Everyone was laughing as Luna and Neville just sat there necking each other
"Might be you soon" Harry joked
"Shut up! As if!" Hermione laughed

It was soon time to return to Hogwarts, so they paid and left the three broomsticks
"Hey 'Mione" Ron smiled walking up beside her
"So, you have a secret admirer...?"
"Yep, I guess I do"
Ron looked disappointed
"Why are you so sad, I mean, it's not like I'm with him is it?" Hermione gave a small smile
"Do you still like me, I mean really?" He asked
"Yes I do" She smiled
"Well will you go out with me? On a proper date, we could skip dinner and go for a picnic?"
Ron asked with a bright smile
"I'd really like that" Hermione beamed
"Ok, well i can't wait" he grinned

Ron didn't say anything more he just kissed her on her cheek and returned to Harry and Neville
Luna and Ginny hung out with Hermione on the journey back

When they arrived at Hogwarts there was no time to change clothes, Hermione had to get down to the dungeons or she would be even later than expected.
So she grabbed the bag of liquorice wands and left her room
Once she arrived at the potions room she knocked on the door
"Come in" she heard from inside "Hi Severus" she smiled warmly at him and he left his desk and walked towards her

"These are for you" Hermione smiled handing him the bag of sweets
"For me?" He asked quite taken aback by the gesture
"Thank you Hermione, how did you know these were my favourites?" He asked as he looked inside the paper bag
"They're black aren't they?" She jibed and Severus couldn't help but laugh, she made a very good point

"Did you get..." Severus started but never finished his sentence
"The rose? I did, thank you so much" she beamed
He was mesmerised by her beautiful smile
"Good" he said returning to Mr. Ice man again.

"I don't really have any work for you this weekend Hermione, I have already completed the tasks" Severus
"Oh, alright then well I'll leave you to your Saturday evening Severus" Hermione Smiled

"But you could stay" he smiled only slightly
"For company" he blushed
"Really? Only if sure you want me to Severus, but I'd love to"

"I want you to, come" He replied
Hermione followed him through the door at the back of the classroom
"These are my personal quarters" he explained
"Black everything, I'd never have known" Hermione mused
"Very funny" he growled offering her a seat on his sofa

"Would you like a drink?" He offered politely
"Yes please" she smiled
"Fire whiskey ok? Or muggle whiskey?" He asked with an eyebrow raised
"Muggle whiskey please, I am one after all" she giggled
"Anyone would think your trying to get me drunk" she added
Severus laughed
"I'm not trying to get you drunk, and I wouldn't normally serve alcohol to student but I thought
It's only one so it would do no harm" he smiled gently passing her the glass
He took a seat in his armchair opposite

"How are things with Mr Weasley?" Severus asked
"He's really messing with my head, he's been a total buttface all week and today he's jealous because Ginny told him someone Unknown sent me a rose," she paused
"However I agreed to give him another chance, he promised he would prove himself... We're going on a date tomorrow"
Hermione smiled

"I'm apologise if I caused more trouble by sending you the rose" Severus tried to hide any sadness that might have shown in his eyes
"You didn't cause any trouble at all, I loved it, you made me feel really special and
to be honest I don't think I've ever felt special"
Hermione whimpered as fighting back the urge to cry, there was no way in hell she would cry there with Severus, that would be embarrassing

Severus stood up from his arm chair and walked towards the sofa
Hermione tensed up with nerves as he got closer, he sat down beside her and placed his hand on top of hers, Hermione felt the hairs stand up on the back of her neck

"Listen to me, I have no idea why that boy isn't falling over himself to make you his, I can only put it down to his stupidity. I meant what I said the other day, you are beautiful and you need to believe in yourself more, and for what little it's probably worth... You are special."

Hermione turned to Severus and looked deep into his eyes, she saw something magical in them
It was as if they could pierce through her very soul.

He then slowly removed his hand from hers, and rose to his feet.
"Well it's getting late Hermione, you should probably get some sleep" he smiled
"Yes, it's getting late"
"Enjoy your date with Weasley" he smiled with an inner sneer
"Thanks Severus, goodnight" Hermione said happily
"Goodnight Hermione" he said silkily
When she had gone her poured himself another drink and shook his head
"There's no fool like an old fool, why would she ever want you" he told himself