Less Than Strangers

Less than Strangers

Chapter Ten

And in between the moon and you the angels get a better view of the crumbling difference between wrong and right. ~ Counting Crows

It was pitch-dark outside when they appeared in the woods outside of Severus' house. Hermione didn't let go of him but instead tried to get even closer.

"Afraid of the dark?" he asked, and she could tell that the question was sincere, that he was not making fun of her.

"Not so much afraid of the dark," she answered. "It's more what lives in the dark that scares me."

Severus didn't answer, and for some reason, it was an uncomfortable silence. Over the last few weeks, she had started to feel very comfortable in his presence, and even when they weren't talking or working, she would often wonder at just how content she felt.

"I... I hope you don't mind brewing that potion - I do want to remember, you know," she said in an attempt to get him talking.

"It's not that," he finally said, sighing deeply. "I was only thinking... when you take the potion, you will remember everything I ever told you. Not that I didn't want to tell you, but some of the things weren't pretty."

"Are you afraid I might not like you anymore?" she asked, looking at him incredulously.

Severus smiled sadly. "No. But once you learn who - what - I was, you-"

"What you were?"

He laughed bitterly. "I suppose you could say I was something that lived in the night."

"Oh." He wanted to imply that he was dangerous, and that she would be scared of him. Hermione shook her head and laughed sharply. "You don't think that I'm still as naïve as I was before my kidnapping, do you? I know quite well that you were a Death Eater, and are now a spy. I know you did - and probably still have to do - the most horrid things." She paused. "But that does not change the fact that I feel safe with you. Or that I want to be with you."

They reached the front doors, and Severus opened. While he took her cloak and placed it in the cupboard, she watched him intently. His back was turned to her, and he seemed more rigid than ever.

Hermione smiled. He was probably trying to get himself under control by ignoring her for as long as possible. She didn't know how and why, but she suddenly felt the urge to kiss him again.

"Severus?"

He froze. Without turning, he said, "Yes?"

"What would you do if I wanted to kiss you again?" she asked, licking her lips.

"Tell you to get a grip on yourself," he said harshly. When he turned around, his expression was as cold as ever.

"Would you really?" She raised an eyebrow, and, conspicuously inconspicuous, she trailed a finger down her neck. She saw his eyes following her movement, until he snapped out of his trance-like stare.

"Stop it!" Abruptly, he turned and strode off towards the kitchen.

Hermione followed him, opening the top buttons of her blouse as she went. When she entered, he was downing a glass of whisky.

Determined, she walked up directly to him and used her body to press him against the kitchen counter. He gasped, and quickly shoved her off of him.

"So you don't want me," she said, realisation hitting her. Of course he didn't want her! Who would want her after HE had had her? How foolish of her to think that he actually wanted her!

But yesterday, a small voice in the back of her head said, yesterday he wanted you, didn't he?

She told herself to shut up. The episode the day before didn't matter. Even if he had wanted her - he didn't want her now.

"You don't really believe all that crap, do you?" he asked, glaring at her furiously.

"Well, what am I supposed to think?" she yelled back. "How am I supposed to know what you want if you don't talk to me?"

"It doesn't matter what I want," he roared, smashing the glass on the kitchen floor. "This is about you and your stupid ideas." With an angry gesture, he wiped the shards of glass from the floor and conjured up another glass of whiskey, which he downed immediately.

"Yes, my stupid ideas," she hissed, fighting back her feeling of rejection and humiliation. "Stupid of me to think you would want me!"

"You think I don't want you?" he asked, and suddenly he seemed very menacing.

Before she even knew what was happening, she was pinned against the kitchen wall, Severus' body pressing into hers. She could feel his arousal, and when she looked up, she met his staring gaze, his eyes even darker than usual. He narrowed his eyes and shifted slightly, making her feel the full length of his erection.

She started squirming, but his right hand held both her arms tightly above her head, and his body pressing into hers prevented her from kicking him. Her heartbeat sped up, and soon she was breathing violently. Fear, she knew, was showing clearly on her face.

Forcefully, he claimed her mouth. The kiss was neither gentle, nor very long. It was meant to scare her and show her that she was helpless. It worked.

Severus' lip trailed hard kisses along her jawbone and to her neck, where he bit the skin - not enough to make her bleed, but she was sure she would be bruised in the morning. Then she could feel his hot breath in her ear as he whispered, "Do you still think I don't want you?"

Tears were not flowing down her cheeks, and all she could do was shake her head.

"One last thing, Hermione," he hissed. She flinched at the use of her first name. It seemed far too absurd and hurtful that he would use it in such a situation.

"Think twice before starting something you have no control of once you set it in motion." With that, he let go of her hands and stepped back, allowing her to move again, but all she could manage was slump down and cry.

For a few minutes, she cried silently, burying her face in her hands. She knew he was still in the room, although he made no sounds and didn't move at all. He was probably watching her.

Then there was a sudden movement, and Severus crouched down beside her. He gently patted her back and then scooped her up in his arms. At first, she stiffened and wanted to get off, but he just held her closer.

"Shhh," he said. "I'm not going to hurt you."

The irony of his words wasn't lost on her, but she was too weak to laugh. All she could do right now was submit.

"I needed you to understand, Hermione," he said softly, kissing her hair. She didn't know what she was supposed understand.

"You don't have to prove that you are desirable," he murmured. "And you shouldn't do things you would regret a very short time later."

She knew she should be afraid of him, or furious, but when she thought about it, she was only glad that he had stopped her. She was ashamed to admit even to herself that she probably wouldn't have stopped had he merely asked. Oh God, what possessed me?

She felt guilty for putting him in that situation. Of course he wanted her! The conversation from earlier that evening echoed in her head. He loved her, didn't he? He hadn't said it, but she knew he did. How could she possibly be so cruel to him? Oh God, she thought, burying her head in his shoulder. He must hate me now.

They reached her room and Severus laid her down on her bed and pulled off her shoes.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I'm so sorry."

"Shhh." He pulled her in his arms and held her tightly. "Don't be sorry. Nothing of it was your fault. Not today, and not four months ago, do you hear that? It was not your fault."

"I know," she said, the sounds muffled because her face was pressed against his chest.

"And do you also know that I wouldn't hurt you?"

She pulled away slightly and looked him in the eyes. He was anxiously waiting for a reply. Suddenly what happened in the kitchen seemed far away, almost as if it was only a dream.

"I know." She bit her lip. "I think I still trust you."

"Good. But never forget how you felt just a few minutes ago," Severus warned. "The only person you can ever trust a hundred per cent is yourself. No one else. If I ever - ever - do anything like that again, don't trust me." He cupped her cheek and made her look at him. "I mean it. Should I ever try to hurt you, I want you to stun me, or better yet, kick me where it hurts."

She nodded.

"Good. Now sleep." Severus stood up and walked over to her door, turned off the lights and started to leave.

"Wait!" She sat up in her bed, biting her lip. "Stay." She stood up, and quickly added, "It's just - I don't want to be alone right now. I didn't..." She drew in a breath. "Please."

Severus nodded hesitantly and stepped back into her room.

***

"The Headmaster wants to be present when you take the potion," Severus said, handing her a short letter.

She scanned it quickly and then shrugged. "I don't mind, but he'd better not start talking to me." She was still angry at everyone, except maybe Tonks. The Headmaster hadn't helped her situation at all in the last few months. All he did was give her vague advice and talk in riddles.

No, she told herself. Don't spoil your good mood by thinking of the Headmaster.

She was having an incredibly relaxed morning. Waking up with Severus beside her the second night in a row had been far more pleasant than she would admit. He had made coffee, even though he preferred tea, and tried to make an omelette - Muggle-style. The sight of the feared Potions Master standing in the kitchen, helplessly holding a frying pan and an egg had been enough to make her fall over in a fit of laughter. Severus had joined in shortly afterwards, finally admitting that he was no use when it came to Muggle cooking. Usually he only needed one flick of his wand to have breakfast ready, and this morning he had spent half an hour trying to figure out how to heat up the plates on the cooker.

"Do you think the potion will be ready today?" she asked.

Severus nodded. "If we start now, it should be ready before nightfall. I'll owl Albus." He paused before adding, "I still think it would be better to have Madam Pomfrey here, just in case."

Hermione frowned. "You know she's on holiday and doesn't come back until after the start of the next term. I don't want to wait that long," she said. "And besides, the Headmaster will be there. I'm sure it will be all right."

Severus sighed and she knew she'd won already.

"I'll set up the cauldron," she said, practically bouncing up the stairs. She really was in a good mood, and she doubted that anything could destroy that feeling of contentment.

Severus joined her a short time later, and they brewed the potion in silence, only asking for an ingredient or an instruction every now and then. Finally, it was time for the last ingredient.

"So, after adding the dried oak leaves, the potion should turn a bright blue, and then start getting darker and darker. When it's cooled off, it should be a dark grey-blue colour." Severus took the carefully prepared oak leaves and then stopped, his hand hovering over the cauldron. "If this doesn't work, and the potion is not the right colour, you will not drink it."

Hermione nodded. "Of course not. I'm not stupid enough to drink something I don't know the effects of."

"Good." He let the leaves fall into the now green potion and quickly stirred it until the leaves dissolved completely.

Hermione tensed up and watched the potions slowly change colours. It was now the hopeful-looking bright blue. Severus extinguished the fire and cast a cooling charm. Turn dark, turn dark, she prayed. Oh, please.

Severus stopped stirring, and they waited. Finally, Severus nodded. "Perfect," he said. "It has the perfect colour." He carefully warded the cauldron. "Now the potion will work effectively for the next three and a half hours. You have to take it until then."

"Do we really have to wait for the Headmaster?" she asked, pouting a little.

"Yes." Severus gave her a small smile. "But I don't think he'll take long. He always wanted to see my house."

"You've never shown him where you live?"

Severus shook his head. "Of course not. I'm Severus Snape. I don't invite people into my house."

"You did invite me," Hermione remembered him.

"Only because I-" He stopped and averted his eyes.

"You can say it. I know you do." She placed a hand on his arm and reached up with her other hand to cup his cheek. Then she turned his face towards her. He looked slightly puzzled, but then he seemed to catch himself.

"I know. It's just - it doesn't feel right," he said, trying to look away again.

"It doesn't feel right because I don't say it, too," she whispered, realisation dawning on her. Her thoughts were racing, fighting a battle with her feelings, and so far, they were loosing poorly. "But I do, too. I... I think I love you, Severus."

He simply stared at her.

"I don't mean I'm ready to-to, you know, but I do love you. I can feel it." She stepped even closer. "I suppose it's been there all the time, but I just didn't realise it." She smiled. "I love you," she repeated.

"You do?"

She nodded. Suddenly she was afraid he didn't love her back, but only for the fraction of a second, because after that, he put his arms around her and held her in his embrace.

"I love you, too, Hermione," he said into her hair, and she could hear his voice was full with emotion.

Her heart skipped a beat, only to speed up and race in her chest. Carefully, she reached up and pulled his face down, kissing him softly on the lips. Neither of them thought about taking the kiss further, and when it ended shortly later, a smile spread on Hermione's lips.

"Hermione, I don't think-"

"No," she cut him off. "It's not like yesterday evening," she said firmly. "I know what I'm ready to do and what not."

Severus nodded. "Tell me."

She felt a bit silly, but she knew how much she was ready to take - or thought she was ready to take. "No really intimate touches and no removal of clothes."

When Severus didn't laugh at her, but nodded earnestly, she allowed herself a little grin. "Except maybe shoes..."

This brought at smile to his lips, and she felt the urge to kiss him again. At first, Severus seemed a bit surprised at her sudden attack, but soon he gave up his half-hearted protests and kissed her back.

***

"Severus! Miss Granger!" Albus' voice rang thorough the house.

"The Headmaster," Severus gasped. He pulled away, breathing heavily. They had spent the last half hour kissing, and as a result, his hair was slightly tousled and his pale lips were a bright red.

He quickly cast a grooming charm on himself and then asked, "How do I look?"

"Very much snogged," Hermione laughed, trying to get her hair back in control. "Well, let's get this over with."

They left the lab and went down the stairs. They could hear the Headmaster in the sitting room, talking to someone. Severus tensed up when he recognised the voice. Remus Lupin.

Hermione stopped walking. "Why did he bring him?" she hissed.

Severus quickly cast a silencing charm on them. "I suppose he wants to make our lives miserable, just as he always does," he said dryly.

"I don't want Lupin here," she said stubbornly.

"Oh yes, now stamp your foot and say 'I don't like him anymore. Remus is no longer my friend'," Severus said, frowning at her. "I don't like the werewolf either. But the best we can do now is ignore him."

She made a face. "I'm being childish, aren't I?"

He nodded. "Yes. Although I can't blame you. I feel very much the same."

Hermione grinned. "At least I can try to make him squirm." She started walking again. "You coming?"

Severus nodded, but suddenly stopped. He pointed at her neck. "You still have that... er, bruise there. Shall I remove it?"

"No, leave it."

"But it looks like-"

"A hickey?" Hermione laughed again. "Good. That's point one on my 'How to make Remus Lupin squirm' list."

"You're using me," Severus said in a mock-hurt voice, entering the sitting room before her. She followed him still laughing.

"Oh, there you are," the Headmaster said cordially. "And in such a good mood, too."

"My good mood has nothing to do with you," she said, narrowing her eyes. She saw Remus' eyes fall down to the bruise on her neck, and he let out a barely audible growl. She ignored him. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to get this done as soon as possible."

"Of course, dear," Albus said, smiling warmly. "Lead the way."

She nodded and soon they were walking up to the lab. Hermione opened her bedroom door with a flick of her wand when she reached the top of the stairs before anyone noticed.

She was sure that Remus would smell both their scents everywhere in the room, and that would he would hate it. Ha, she thought. That'll teach you not to judge my relationship before you even listen to me.

Then they were standing in front of the cauldron and she was serious again. Severus handed her a carefully measures sample of the potion, and she closed her eyes, gulping it down at once. It didn't taste half as bad as she had expected, but it was of the consistency of syrup, which made it difficult to swallow it all in one go.

"Urgh," she said, feeling the liquid oozing down her gullet.

"Here, drink that. It will help that feeling." Severus gave her a glass of water, and she thankfully drank.

"So - does it work?" she asked after a few minutes.

"Only time can tell, my child," the Headmaster said, smiling. "The memories have been there, only you weren't able to access them. Now that barrier should be down, and with a little concentration, you should be able to remember. Go on. Try it." He looked at her encouragingly.

"But... I don't know what to remember," she said helplessly.

"Try the end of May, last year," Severus said.

"Okay," she nodded. She closed her eyes and tried to remember the previous May. She had studied for finals, of course. Then her parents wrote, informing her that they would spent three weeks in Pittsburgh, at her aunt's house. She had an argument with Parvati about the idiocy of make up used on a daily basis. And... Severus took her to Kennywood [1].

"Kennywood?" she asked hesitantly, not sure if she remembered correctly. It seemed a bit absurd that Severus would take her somewhere so distinctively... Muggle.

Severus nodded, seemingly relieved that the potion seemed to have worked, and she could see it in his eyes that he was barely hiding his smile. "You were upset because your parents visited your aunt, and you weren't able to go with them."

"Yes, because we always go in the Easter holidays, but it didn't work out last year, and I was upset. Usually, my parents would take me to Kennywood."

"You forced me on the... what was it called? Exterminator?"

Hermione grinned, now remembering the day perfectly clear. "You were horrified."

"No, you were horrible. You could have warned me."

"Aww, but that would have cost me my fun," she said, laughing at his scowl. "You were really cute, screaming blue murder, trying to hex me..."

"Ahem," the Headmaster said, clearing his throat. "I assume you do remember, Miss Granger?"

"Yes, Headmaster," she said, "Thank you for coming," she added politely, although she didn't really know why he had to be there, but she withstood the urge to ask. She could always ask Severus later.

"I believe you two have a lot to discuss," Albus said, starting to walk towards the door. "Remus, I suppose we leave the two to talk."

Remus looked livid. His eyes flickered with rage, and he growled at Severus, who had put an arm around Hermione.

"Remus?"

The werewolf's eyes narrowed, but he reluctantly followed the Headmaster out of the room.

Hermione let out a sigh of relief. She didn't know what Remus' problem was - he couldn't possibly let a silly grudge against Severus destroy their friendship and her trust in him, could he? Why would he do that?

"I'm sorry," Severus said, kissing the top of her head. When he looked at her again, a sudden flash of memory brought her back to the dungeons at school, with her and Severus in very much the same positions - she was leaning into him, and he had one arm around her, kissing her hair. In itself the moment hadn't been anything special, but to her it was.

"Are you all right?" Severus asked, starting to clear the working area.

"Yes," she answered. "I was just wondering... why did the Headmaster have to be here?"

"The potion is used is illegal, you know that. If anyone found me with it, and then noticed that I am a Death Eater, well..." He let the sentence unfinished, but she understood him nevertheless.

"But no one would find out!"

"Just because the Headmaster cast a charm to confuse the magical energies in the area." Severus took a book from the counter and opened it, holding the open book out to her. "There." He pointed to a passage. "It says that every magical creature, and every magical plant, can be tracked. The Ministry has tracing spells all over Britain to detect magical energy. That way they can estimate the amount of magic and the power of the spells that are used. They can also determine if the magic is used illegally."

Hermione quickly scanned the paragraph. "And the Headmaster used his own magical trace to deflect the trace of your illegal potion," she concluded.

Severus nodded and finished cleaning. "So - do you want to go for a walk?"

***

"Remus, calm down," Headmaster Albus Dumbledore said, closing his eyes for a second. He felt every single day of his one hundred and fifty-two years. When Remus had approached him earlier that day, he hadn't liked the idea of taking the younger man with him. Severus had only agreed to let Albus come to his home because he didn't want Hermione to travel too much, and the old wizard hadn't wanted to betray that trust by bringing someone who didn't like Severus. And Remus, despite his regular visits at both Severus' home and his chambers in Hogwarts, was by no means a friend of the often sullen and bad-tempered young man.

Albus sighed. This is getting more and more complicated each day, he thought, gesturing for Remus to sit down.

Reluctantly, Remus took a seat and scowled at Fawkes, who continued to clean his plumage unfazed.

"I know that you are suspicious of the relationship between Severus and Miss Granger," he started, but was interrupted by the younger man.

"Suspicious?! I'm more than just suspicious. Snape is an evil bastard, and Hermione is such a nice girl. The two of them aren't meant to be together, can't you see? She's far too good for him, and he's - he's just a bitter, depraved bastard." Remus jumped up and began pacing. "After what Hermione has been through, she shouldn't be forced to stay with that fucked up pervert. Who knows what he's doing to her? Maybe he forces her to -"

"REMUS!"

Remus' head whipped around. It wasn't often that Albus Dumbledore raised his voice.

"I assure you, Severus does no such things. Miss Granger stays with Severus out of her own free will, and she is free to leave any second, should she wish to. From what I've seen today, I would say she is very happy, as is Severus. It is my firm belief that they belong together, and you will do nothing to destroy that relationship." Albus sternly looked at his former student, who in return shot him a defiant glance, ignoring the seat offered to him once again.

"I am still not convinced," he said. He stalked over to Fawkes' perch and tried to stroke the bird, but he was a bit rough, so Fawkes ruffled up his breast feathers and hooted angrily. Remus didn't notice, as he was still staring at Albus. The phoenix then started picking at the werewolf's hand, and Remus cursed, holding his now bleeding right hand to his chest.

"How long?" he snarled.

Albus, who got a perverse pleasure out of torturing Remus a bit, feigned ignorance. "How long what?"

"How long has this been going on between Hermione and Snape?" Remus hissed.

Albus stayed silent for a moment, contemplating on how much information he could entrust Remus with. From the look of it, not much - the werewolf was so agitated that the air seemed to heat up around him.

"Don't play with me, Headmaster," he said. "If Hermione was under-age when you set her up with Severus-"

"What makes you think I 'set her up' in any way?" Albus asked, shaking his head. "Miss Granger is a young woman who doesn't listen to old men like myself, I'm afraid. Everything she did, she did out of her own free will. Neither Severus nor I tried to force her into anything she didn't want."

"That doesn't change the fact that he is twenty years her senior - and her teacher!" Remus shouted, slamming his fist into the wall. "He's taking advantage of her, I tell you! How can you let that happen right under your nose?"

Albus sighed in exasperation. "Remus. As you well know, things aren't always what they appear to be. Miss Granger is very intelligent, and I trust her judgement. I have no business with my employees' or my students' private lives--" Remus snorted at that, but Albus continued unfazed, "--and I trust Severus. He would not betray my trust, nor my friendship"

Remus scowled, but said nothing.

Albus studied Remus over the rim of his half-moon spectacles and then stood up. He walked over to the younger man and placed a gently hand on his shoulder. "Remus, if you don't trust Severus, trust at least Miss Granger. She has been through a lot, and she is happy now. Don't destroy it for her because of an old grudge and some petty rivalry."

Remus slumped forward in his chair and nodded slowly.

"I suggest you lie down and take a nap before going back home. You know where the guest rooms are," Albus said, watching the other man leave.

He stayed in his office until it was time to go to bed, all the time staring at the door, thinking about the lives he had influenced.

***

"Two more days and we'll have to go back," Hermione said, letting her gaze travel wistfully over the lakeside and the forest beyond it. It had started snowing again a few minutes ago, and the sight was overwhelming.

Severus, who had his arms slung around her from behind, chuckled quietly, and she could feel the motion through the fabric of their clothing. She liked being close to him. He always emitted such warmth and comfort that she thought it hard to believe she once found him disgusting and despicable.

"Hermione Granger, know-it-all, bookworm and workaholic, is sorry to return to school," he said. "I never thought I'd live to see the day that happens."

Hermione elbowed him playfully. "Don't make fun of me. You know it's going to be difficult for us to see each other."

"I know," Severus sighed. "Especially since Turpin and Abbott will spread rumours all over Hogwarts. By the day we return, there will be people watching our every step. It's almost as if Albus wanted to make this public," he said.

"Maybe he did," Hermione agreed. "But why?"

Severus shook his head. "I don't know."

"Let's think of ways to see each other," she said. "I surely wouldn't survive the first week without seeing you."

"You could always borrow Potter's Invisibility Cloak," Severus suggested. He rested his chin on her head and pulled her even closer.

"Yes, I know, but I don't want to ask Harry if I can help it. He and Ron are both not comfortable with our being together, and I don't want to make things worse."

Severus laughed. "I could always give you detention."

"Oh, yes, Mr Obvious," Hermione laughed. In a deep voice, clearly trying to impersonate him, she continued, "Detention tonight, Miss Granger. Be punctual - and wear that sexy dress under your robes." She broke into a fit of laughter.

"You own a sexy dress?" Severus asked. "Hmm, I think I really need to give you a detention."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Be serious. If anyone finds me sneaking around in the dungeons, the rumours will become ten times worse, and before we know it, I am known as your willing sex slave and you're just an old man with a fetish for young Gryffindors."

"You think I'm old?" Severus asked in a mocking voice.

Hermione sighed and turned around, freeing herself from his arms. "I mean it: Be serious," she said, looking at him accusingly for taking these matters as lightly as he did. "The Ministry could very well make both our lives miserable, not to mention the enraged parents, demanding an explanation as to why one of the professors goes about seducing students, or all the stares and comments in between classes and at mealtimes. You may be immune to all that, but I'm not."

Severus cupped her cheek, stroking it softly. "I'm sorry, love. I just tried to lighten your mood a little." He sighed. "I know that it will be hard for us. We will both be closely watched, and it would definitely better if we didn't meet for some time."

She shook her head. "No. I don't want that!"

"I don't want that, either," he said. Taking her hand, Severus led her back towards the house. "If you want, we can make it official. I mean, not hide our relationship any more. Of course, we shouldn't be caught snogging in the hallways of all things, but I think we can manage that..." Severus trailed off, staring at the snowy path, seemingly fascinated with what he was seeing.

"Severus?" Hermione asked hesitantly. "What are you trying to say? Are you...proposing in a weird sort of way?"

The look Severus sent her said everything.

"You are proposing," she whispered, stopping dead in mid-step. The sudden movement caught Severus off guard, and he was jerked backwards since he was still holding her hand.

Severus coughed nervously. "Well, I had planned for this to be more romantic and less... wet," he said, wiping a bit of snow from his forehead. "But I suppose this is as good a time as any." He slowly sank down on one knee and took a small black box out of his pocket.

Hermione gasped at the sight of the ring. It was gorgeous - very simple, but beautiful in its simplicity. A plain silver band, with a single white stone embedded in it, was sitting on the black velvet, the stone sparkling in the faint afternoon light. All in all, the ring was not unlike the one she wore on a chain around her neck, only that the stone on the engagement ring was white instead of blue.

"Hermione Jane Granger, would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?" Severus asked, looking up at her. Hermione could see the insecurity and fear in his eyes, as well as love.

She smiled. The answer came to her from inside her soul, she didn't even have to think about it. "Yes."

Severus smiled, and her heart leapt. She loved his smile and she loved him. Gently, he took her hand and slid the ring on her finger. He then kissed her hand, and she was sure she blushed again, like she did very often when he was around.

They were silent for a few moments, and Hermione admired her ring. She normally wasn't one for fancy dresses and expensive jewellery - that was more Parvati and Lavender's metier - but she could see that it was finely crafted and must have cost a fortune, while looking very modest and inconspicuous.

"You can set a date - I don't care when, it could be in two months or ten years, or even thirty years - take as long as you need. This way, we have every right to be together - here, at Hogwarts, or anywhere else," Severus said. "You are legally an adult, and the Ministry or the school governors can't forbid us to see each other, especially now that we're engaged." He grinned. "I'd love to see Fudge's face, though, when he hears the news. He's bound to fall flat on his face from the shock of it; he never liked me, and he will like me even less when he hears about this. I'm sure he'll come to Hogwarts and talk to you, so be prepared to hear some of his ridiculous accusations. He'll probably want to see for himself that you are marrying me voluntarily."

Hermione smiled at the thought of telling Fudge exactly what she felt for Severus - of course, she could enhance the truth a bit to make it much more visual. She giggled. "If you want, I can make him squirm in his seat for you."

End Chapter Ten