Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. I am making no profit.
There's a thin line between love and hate. That's what some people say, anyway. But Severus knew that line was quite thick. It was just easy to cross.
He had crossed it. It took a while, but he had. When she first stepped into his classroom fourteen years ago, he had hated her. Hated her more with all her adventures with Potter and Weasley.
But then they were forced into interaction. Spending months in the same hospital room can do strange things to people, even if they despise one another. Especially when both parties are in a weakened state, recovering from the same thing.
Then there were the few months after that, having to work in the same room to restore the supplies of the Hogwarts Infirmary. She chose to help him. He didn't protest.
All in all, they had spent nearly a year in each other's company. During that time, Severus had let down some of his guard, letting her get close to him. She brought out his better side. And his worse side, but Hermione was beginning to turn him into an optimist. Concerning her, anyway.
They became colleagues, which turned to companions, which turned to friends, which finally became lovers. Severus could clearly remember the rush of emotion when they first kissed. It was under the mistletoe in the Great Hall after everyone else had left. They had begun to leave together, when Hermione paused, pointing out the mistletoe. The next thing he knew, their lips were pressed together, arms wrapped around each other.
How very romantic, to share their first kiss on Christmas.
And now she was his. His ring was worn proudly on her finger. He was the first person she saw in the morning. The first person she smiled at. The only person she kissed, unless it was on the cheek to some friend or another.
He was never going to let her go.
A/N: Concrit, please!