After the war, even a Ministry pardon seems to be insufficient to redeem Severus Snape in the eyes of society. And yet despite keeping his head down and remaining out of the spotlight, trouble follows him even into his new life; a horrible curse with devastating outcome.

Harry never expected that this was what the afterlife would look like.

When the Potter and Weasley families throw a Christmas party Hermione finds herself seeking out the company of Professor Snape, the only other guest as overwhelmed as she finds herself. As the evening wears on Hermione makes a discovery that when put to the test by a Christmas prank might prove to be a merry gift or a season's worth of humiliation.

Hermione experiences the dissatisfaction of trying to buy a book, only to find it sold out. The feeling doesn't last, however, thanks to a tall, dark, and familiar former Professor.

The responsibilities of a Hogwarts Deputy Headmistress are numerous and varied. But after a series of nightly adventures, Minerva was more surprised than anyone when an unlikely friendship was formed.

It was times like those Severus couldn't help but wonder what could have made such a beautiful, loving, carefree soul like hers reach out and surround his bitterness and darkness. They truly were a study in contrasts.

Why then was it so difficult for him to dredge up some of that courage now, faced with the prospect of asking a witch to go to dinner with him? Fighting a war, giving instruction, taking care of people—these things were second nature to him. Asking Hermione Granger to go on a date with him, however...utter disaster.

Just about the last thing Severus wanted to do on Halloween was attend a Costume party.

It wasn't as though she had meant to fall out of love with Ron. Just as she hadn't meant to fall in love with Severus.

Scrunching his eyes shut a little tighter, Severus allowed himself to enjoy the pitter-patter of water as it bounced off the glass of the windows. With his eyes closed, however, his other senses became heightened and his nose detected another scent he was not familiar with in sleep normally. A sequel to Earl Grey.

Dating one's colleague was a tricky business, and before he had even asked her to dinner with him he had taken the chance of things not going well between them into consideration, and he'd asked anyway. A sequel to Incandescence.

Severus didn't know how he had been talked into attending the bonfire party, but there he was. If only he didn't have to stand by and watch while Theodore Nott was panting desperately after Luna Lovegood.

He observed her anxiously fidgeting with the photo she'd laminated at a Muggle printing store. Her nerves were understandable and expected; they always were whenever they made the bi-annual pilgrimage to Ottery St Catchpole.

What they had together was precious to him; a gentle and peaceful love that was free of complications and the drama many of those in his past had been lousy with.

It really was the perfect place for a first date; especially when one's date was someone you already knew, but had only just worked up the courage to ask to dinner. He'd arrived early, not wanting to chance any incidents delaying him. For him there was simply too much at stake. He didn't want to waste this opportunity.

He loved this place. It was so far removed from the grasping hands that tried to draw him back into the black pit of despair he'd managed to claw his way out of.

He moved to the Welsh countryside after the war to get away from London and the weight of expectations following his acquittal for Dumbledore's death. He goes walking every day, the exercise good for him now that he no longer haunts the halls of Hogwarts. He finds peace there, but did not expect to stumble headlong into love. Her arrival changed everything.

At the 88th Annual Global Potions Summit, Severus stumbles upon a secret garden and encounters a woman seated on a bench. Fascinated, he remains out of sight to observe her, and can't help but feel envious of her and the tranquility she seems to have found there.

To Severus Snape, his life felt as though he'd been watching a long-outdated television that still conveyed its images in black and white, and then she had come along and everything was suddenly vibrant and Technicolor.

Hermione didn't expect to find Severus Snape in the library, sitting in her favourite study space. And she had no idea that their chance meeting would turn into something else entirely.