A/N: Thanks for the reviews, it's great fuel for my pen! Also blame Google translate for any botched French. This chapter is longer than normal since I couldn't reach a good stopping point. Hope you enjoy!

She had that swimsuit on again.

And it was doubly tempting since he had touched the coveted flesh that was revealed there. He'd give anything to replace his hands with his mouth this time. Severus growled. He knew if he was thinking such thoughts then Henri was probably thinking the same. Stupid auror. Only, he wasn't stupid. If the man had been incompetent then Severus wouldn't have hated him half so much. But he was smart, rich and handsome. Likely part veela, and that's what bugged him the most. Severus normally didn't concern himself with too much foppery, but next to the blond Frenchman he felt ugly. And old.

And Hermione Granger in that swimsuit...old was the last thing he wanted her to think of him as. She sat down at the edge of the pool grinning down at the two men in the water. "So, what do you propose we do for fun?"

Henri smirked, "We could race. The winner, if you could forgive my boldness- gets to take Hermione out on a date."

Hermione looked surprised, but smirked and turned to Severus, "What do you say?"

Severus growled, "Fine by me."

Henri cheered. "Great! Just so you know, I was the best swimmer in auror academy."

Severus simply nodded. "I'm sure I'll keep up." Severus did more than keep up, he smoked the poor boy fair and square. Henri was clearly saddened by this turn of events, but he laughed it off.

"That was great fun! We should race again sometime. You too, 'ermione," he added. Severus turned to see Hermione smile at Henri gently. The blond haired wizard smirked, "How about a kiss as consolation prize?"

Severus felt like interceding, but Hermione shook her head. "I don't think that would be a good idea…I'm taken."

"Taken?"

To his shock and express pleasure, caramel eyes flitted over his form. Sure, they had entertained thoughts of giving things a go, but he hadn't thought….was she really so attached? He offered his hand and hers slid over his own like a deal. "Yes Mr. LaCroix, she's with me." There was a certain amount of pride that came with that statement. And lust. And something else, something softer. Love. He recognized the symptoms.

"You're a lucky man," Henri acknowledged. "elle a un bel esprit."

Severus nodded. She did have a beautiful spirit. Nothing short of that would inspire a woman like Hermione to take the time to understand a man like him. Especially given their history. "Well, I should be going," Henri announced. "It was very nice meeting you both. Au revoir!" And he disappeared into the house.

Severus watched as Hermione used her free hand to smile and wave at LaCroix's retreating figure. "So you're taken?" he asked causing the brunette to whirl around and face him.

She gave him a warm, intimate smile. The kind of smile that makes a man feel tall. "Yes, I'm taken. Completely infatuated and utterly enthralled by you, Severus."

Well, it wasn't a declaration of love, but it was the closest anyone had ever come to saying it to him. He stroked the side of her face tenderly, "I must admit to being taken myself, Hermione."

She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch, "So what do we do now?"

He pulled her close, happy to feel her arms wrap around him naturally. "I suppose we should just see where this goes and at the end of the week…."

Hermione kissed his bare chest and Severus couldn't remember the last time he felt so full. "You know this feels like a fairytale. I have always admired you Severus. I never hoped….."

He tilted her head up, so he could gaze into her eyes, "So perhaps we should thank our grandparents. Without this, I doubt I would have ever had the courage to approach you-let alone marry you."

"And now?"

"Now, I'm looking forward to our date tomorrow, and every day after that," he bent down and this time their kiss was less demanding. It was sweet and slow. When they finally parted for air Severus was convinced of one thing: he'd be a fool if he let Hermione go. Today confirmed that for him. Seeing her talk with Henri had completely soured his mood, especially when he felt that he had no right to lay claim over her. If she hadn't have turned down the young man's advances…..he shuddered to think about what he would have done. It was true, Hermione had a beautiful spirit-one he didn't want to live without.

AAAAAAAAA

The next evening Hermione took extra care with her hair and makeup (with Maria's help of course). Severus had been suspiciously absent all day and only a letter he had sent to her bed chamber let her know that they were still on for that evening. Apparently there was a magical community in Marseille and Severus was taking her to dinner there.

It was exciting really. A chance to explore what the French had to offer. Would it be more like Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley? Or would it be comparable at all? She cast a tempus charm and saw that she needed to put some pep in her step. Slipping into her midnight blue dress and strappy silver heels she slid her wand into her invisible pocket and headed out the door.

Just like that first night he was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs. Only this time the smile she had for him was radiant. "There you are stranger," she greeted warmly as she sped up her descent into his waiting arms. "I've been waiting to see you all day."

He smirked slyly but the softness of his eyes betrayed his true feelings. "You look magnificent Hermione."

"You don't look bad yourself," she replied and it was true. His long, raven hair was neatly groomed. His tall, lean frame was dressed impeccably in a tailored navy suit and he smelled wonderful. Like grass and sandalwood with something spicier although she couldn't quite define the scent.

"Ready to go?" he asked and she nodded. "Hold on to me, we'll apparate straight there."

The magical village in Marseille reminded Hermione of Hogsmeade only in the fact that it too, was picturesque. But that was the extent of its similarities. Instead of cottages, most of the homes were in the French provincial style. Everything was balanced and symmetrical. Brick was most commonly used and the buildings had high steepled roofs. Tall windows with arched tops and porches with substantial balustrades. All in all it was a very romantic sort of climate. And the people….

There was something easy about everything they did. There wasn't the feeling of being rushed. They were kind too, greeting them both with indulgent smiles. And Hermione was already enjoying herself, just looking at the sights. Severus was quite patient with her, allowing her to peruse the little bookshop they passed. Although Hermione suspected he hadn't minded too terribly, unless she was mistaken and that wasn't a new book tucked into his jacket. She could tell the atmosphere was getting to him too because as they passed an old woman selling roses, he bought one and handed it to her. The faint pink of his cheeks endeared him to her even more and she thanked him with a small peck to his lips.

They reached the restaurant soon enough and that too was nothing like she'd been to back home. Although, she hadn't had a reason to go anywhere other than Broomstick's. The restaurant was called Millefeuille, which Severus told her was after the famous French potioneer. A fact she already knew and he affectionately called her a "little know-it-all" before launching into a deep discussion on whether or not there could be any improvement to his work. Which then led to plans of doing further research later on in the week.

The food was good too, not that Hermione expected anything less and they were waiting on dessert when they hit a lull in their conversation. She noticed that Severus had a rather pensive look about him and she reached across the table and pat his hand in concern, "Everything alright, Severus?"

"What are you looking for in a mate, Hermione?"

The question was so unexpected that she nearly jumped from shock. She chewed her lip as she mulled over her response. This was a crucial moment for them, anything she said could make or break whatever they were currently building. "I suppose I want what any sensible woman would want-to be respected and cherished. To have someone who protects me. Someone smart, who could not only keep up with me, but challenge me as well. And passionate. I want more than just a friend, I need a lover as well."

" And do I meet these qualifications?" his voice was shakier than normal, as if he were actually afraid of her response.

She caressed his hand fondly, before lacing their fingers together. "I believe you do." He sighed and kissed their joined hands. "What about you? What do you want?"

He smiled faintly. "Like you I too want to be respected and cherished. Someone not only smart, but who is also my equal. Someone who could handle my temper," here she smiled knowingly as his snarkiness was infamous. "Someone who...truly desires and accepts me. Past included."

This time it was her turn to be nervous. "And do I measure up to that?"

His response was slow, "I….would like to think so…" she frowned. Something was holding him back. And she believed she knew what.

Calmly she pulled her wand from her hidden pocket, ignoring his questioning gaze. "I'm going to show you something that no one save Madam Pompfrey has seen." She cast finite over her arm and the word "mud blood" was revealed. It seemed so very long ago that the hateful words had been etched in her skin, but she had been concealing it for so long that seeing it again was a shock to herself. She quickly recovered, meeting his eyes with a determined gaze.

"Does this scar change how you see me?" He shook his head vehemently. "Exactly. And you should know that the same can be applied to you. I may hate what some of your marks represent, but I love the man underneath them."

"You love me?"

Hermione's smile widened. "I know this seems early, but I do. Perhaps, not as much as I could later on, but certainly enough to know that there isn't any other word for it."

He grasped both of her hands and the look he gave her was a mix between happiness and awe. "Well my dear, you'll be pleased to note that I find myself in the same boat."

And at these words Hermione leaned over the table and snogged him senseless.