It's just a dance, Severus." Hermione held out her hand to her former professor who glanced around at the crowded ball room before standing and taking her hand. Hermione's gown swirled around her feet as they walked to the center of the dance floor and held each other at a safe distance.
"How is your wife?"
"Straight to the point then, Hermione?"
"I see no need for seemingly polite conversation, it has been ten years. Can I not ask how your dear wife is?" Hermione smiled slightly. "I hear you also welcomed a second child to your happy family."
Snape blushed slightly and looked past her. "I would prefer not to mention my family, Hermione."
She laughed, the sound piercing his heart. "Come now, don't be shy! You were always very open with me, has she truly changed that? I mean you have everything you wanted, that I couldn't give to you." She brushed a stray hair from his face. "You know I wish nothing but the best for you."
He sighed, "I know. You always put my happiness first, even if it killed you."
They both went silent, lost in the memories of their courtship and the broken engagement nearly twelve years before. Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead. "Hermione, you know I never meant to hurt you."
"I begged you to not forget me, but I can still hear that clearly every time I close my eyes. 'I can't love someone who won't want what I want'. You broke my heart, Severus, but I've moved on." She pulled away from him as the dying notes of the song faded into a more upbeat tune. "I'm leaving England permanently, moving to Papua New Guinea actually. You don't have to worry anymore, Severus." She stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek one last time. "This was goodbye, my love, I am leaving now." She turned away from him, walking towards the doors that would gently close behind her as she left her homeland.
"Hermione!" She turned to look at Severus Snape, the love of her life, one last time. "Good luck. You know I will miss you. I wish nothing but the best for you." He gave a rare smile as she waved goodbye.
He watched her disappear past the doors, still standing on the dance floor, their last dance. "Severus?" He turned to see his wife, her curly brown hair in a neat bun and dark khol rimmed brown eyes looking at him curiously. "Are you alright?" she placed her hand on his arm.
Snape looked from the door where his love had left, to his wife. "I am fine Helen. Let's go home."