Hey everyone, sorry for the short delay but as promised my computer has been restored and I have posted a new chapter for you to enjoy!!!!!! Oh and there is a little heavy snogging ahead. Just a warning!!!!! 

Chapter 7

Hermione flooed over to her office and picked up her book charmed quill, plenty of parchment and a bottle of ink then put them in a bag she transfigured from a piece of string. Hermione stuck her face in the fireplace and floo called Minerva.

"Professor, do you have a minute?" She asked.

"Come through Miss Granger." She said. Hermione did as she asked and she took a seat in front of the desk. "What can I do for you?" She asked.

"I was wondering if the offer to stay in the castle for a few days was still open." she said.

"I hoped that you would. There is a set of quarters at the base of Gryffindor tower that you can use. I will show them to you after supper." She said.

"I hope I will be done chaperoning by then. Mrs. Weasley asked my to watch Harry and Ginny while they are here. They want to finesse their plans for Friday and get some flying done." Hermione said.

"I wonder how Ron and Neville are doing." Minerva said.

Neville is doing better than Ron. Luna Lovegood had a rather nice ring on her left ring finger and was sitting with Neville and Gran Longbottom yesterday. Ron is barking up the wrong tree and needs to try his luck with Susan Bones." Hermione said.

"I think that Neville and Luna will make a fine couple. Luna has some quirks to look past but she is rather intelligent. She just needs more to do." Minerva said.

"Don't tell Severus where I am staying. He set some pretty stiff demands for our contract and I would rather not face the consequences if we break the contract."

"Godric has already reported that incident. But you handled it quite well." McGonagall said.

"I swear I think that he would be a better portrait guardian than an office portrait. He must love to spy." Hermione exclaimed.

"Next Saturday, I will make him just that but until then, I think that I shall leave him there. He rather likes it there." She said.

"I promise there will be nothing more than snogging there. I am aiming for 10 NEWTS well Nine if I mess up on Astronomy. But I am not taking Divination or Muggle studies." she said.

Nine is a fine number. I thought that you would try muggle studies." Minerva said.

"I really must get back so they are not waiting for me."

"Go. I am sure they are waiting on you." Minerva said.

"Hermione flooed back to find Harry and Ginny in her armchairs dutifully waiting.

"You realize that I won't be able to cooperate like this next term." Hermione said as she shrunk her chair to fit in her pocket.

"We know but we won't need to sneak off to find time for a good snog either." Harry said.

"Please, no more details of your personal lives." Hermione said joking at them.

"Godric has been regaling us of all of the famous couples of the school. He said that there have only been a dozen Slytherin non Slytherin couples that he can remember and yours is the only Gryffindor. All of the others were Ravenclaw." Ginny said.

"Severus said that I am the only one with enough courage to be a companion to him." Hermione said.

"Were you gathering courage with your Slytherin?" Godric asked.

"NO. I was obtaining my quarters for the remainder of my stay here." She said.

"Hermione are you ready?" Harry asked.

"Yes. Let's go then shall we." She said as she picked up her book bag.

Harry and Ginny led the way to the Room of Requirement. She set her chair down on the floor and spelled it back to the proper size then she took out her supplies and set everything up then began more revising. She knew that she was in for a long wait as they shut the door behind them.

She summoned Dobby for some tea after what she knew had been two hours. She didn't dare look in on them for fear of what she would see. She paced the hall reading the text and dictating notes as she went. Once her feet began to tire, she stopped pacing and sat down again to resume her revisions.

Severus found her as she was nearing the end of her book. She was grateful for the company. She transfigured him a chair from the bag and they sat for more than an hour with him quizzing her on all of the seventh year potions then he moved down to the other years. He quizzed her till he was satisfied that she was ready for her exam then they moved into idle chat.

"Minerva said you were hiding from Godric."

"No. Not hiding, just seeking peace from his excessive goading." She said.

"She said your charges as she called them were here in the castle." Severus said.

"Two of them." Hermione said pointing to the door.

"So, I take it they are making use of the room."

"Yes."

"And have you been checking in on them?" He asked.

"Yes. But I would rather not see anything at this point to give me any ideas so I have been keeping my distance lately. Last I checked they were still asleep on the sofa cuddled up together in front of a nice fire." She said.

"Ideas?"

"Yes. We could doing that instead of revising and I really need to revise." Hermione said.

"You have a good jump on your revising. You will receive and O in potions and from what I can feel and O in Transfigurations in practical form. The chair is comfortable and an exact replica of the one in my office." He said.

"But that is two and I need six." She said.

"You will do fine in charms. You just need to practice the list of charms and Herbology is memory as is Runes. You are a natural arithmancer and they give you a slide rule so that is six. " He said.

"And what if I want more than the minimum?" She asked.

"Then read more of the texts. I bought you 11 of the 12 texts." He said.

"What if I do not pass six?"

"Then your betrothed will still love you and support you no matter what you decide to do." He said genuinely. "I have no doubt in you abilities to score outstanding in every exam you sit." He added.

She smiled at him. He had always wanted her to give him one of those I love you smiles that she would frequently give Harry and Ron. He had always been jealous of them for receiving them. But she just did and it screamed I love you.

"If you don't score at least six O on your exams, I will wear Gryffindor red and sing the Hogwarts anthem at the starting feast before the awards ceremony." He said.

"That might be worth it to see." She said cheekily.

"Well, if you make at least six, then I promise I will make your betrothed dance one dance with you at the celebration." He said.

"And if I make more than six?" She asked.

"Then I shall make sure he showers you with as much of the romantic dribble that you can stand when the two of you return to your quarters that night and you'll still get your dance." He said.

"I think that I shall hold you and him to it." She said.

"I know you will. Now revise. Floo call me when you return to your office. We have some details to discuss concerning your compatriots in arms." He said then walked away leaving her with her book and quill.

She finished her Charms text and had regretted lying to Severus about her chaperoning but she didn't want to see anything that is supposed to stay private. She took up the next text Arithmancy and began with it. She knew that it was nearly supper and she wanted to eat in the Great hall so she hoped that they would come out soon. Arithmancy revisions would be the quickest for her. It was like muggle math. Once you got the principle and knew that application then she had the whole process. she soon needed to pace again to get the blood flowing through her legs but it didn't last long. Harry and Ginny came out of the room with the same look as they went in.

"Are you ready?" Harry asked.

"I will be. She said as she quickly transfigured Severus's chair back into the bag, packed everything and shrunk her chair returning it to her pocket. They all walked back to her office and she watched as they flooed home. She floo called Severus but he was not in his office. She tried their quarters but he wasn't there either. She flooed Molly and told her not to worry about Harry and Ginny then she unpacked her bag and returned her chair to its proper size. She warded her office and headed for the great hall where she had barely beaten McGonagall to the table.

"So, Miss Granger, how are you revisions coming?" Minerva asked.

"Good. But I have a favor to ask. Please call me Hermione. Everyone if it is okay with you all that is." She said.

"We have been waiting for the invitation. Now you must do the same." Minerva said.

"Our dour Professor to my left thinks that I am ready for at least one of my exams and I have just started my fifth text so I am half way there." Hermione said.

"Severus did you quiz her?" Minerva asked.

"No I gave her the entrance exam for my apprentices and she scored better than anyone who ever attempted an apprenticeship with me." He said.

"Maybe you should go into the potions field. Severus never gives that kind of praise to anyone." Hooch said.

"Sebastian Inc. is a potions company." Hermione said then she added, "I think there is a conflict of interest."

"Too right. I have already claimed Hermione and her wand for Transfigurations one day." Minerva said.

"You need to visit the office you are letting her use. Her charms skills are quite excellent." Filius said.

"I just might do that." Minerva said. "I could give you a quiz when you think you are ready for it." She added.

"Anytime. I have finished those texts for the exams." Hermione said.

"How about tomorrow then?"

"Sounds good." Hermione said.

"Great. I'll floo in the morning." Minerva said.

"Hermione how is Harry?" Remus asked.

"He is aching to get out of the house, go to town and do some shopping or just do something." Hermione said.

"Being cooped up is not fun but I have a feeling that it will get better. Molly wants to plan shopping trip for Thursday. Will you be coming along?" Remus asked.

"Why not, I will be free by then." Hermione said.

"When are your exams?" Minerva asked.

"Either the 18th and 19th or the 19th and 20th. They have not sent the schedule." Hermione said.

"Minerva looked to Severus who nodded then she addressed them all. "I am having a party on the 22nd. Will everyone be able to attend?" She asked everyone said yes. "Good plan on being in the castle around 2 that afternoon. Your invitations with the specifics will be given out at breakfast that morning." Minerva said.

"You are really going all out on this one." Poppy said.

"Well we really have something to celebrate. But for now it is a surprise." She said.

"Minerva when will the new Head of House be revealed; and when will we be meeting the new professor?" Sinistra asked.

"I am waiting on one more candidate to interview but she has been detained. I will have my decision a week before the new term begins and I will be personally training the professor to the job." Minerva said.

"We were hoping the little party would be to welcome the new staff member." Hooch said.

"No. If you must know, I am having my binding ceremony here at the castle and am hoping you all will attend." Severus said.

"Congratulations." Was the chorus around.

"So, Severus please tell us all the details. When did you meet her, who is she, how long have you known her?" Panoma asked.

"I met her nearly seven years ago with a potions conference and we have had a lengthy correspondence and have recently stepped up our plans since the war ended." He said.

"Do we know her?" Hooch asked.

"I really don't think so." He said.

"When do we get to meet her?" Poppy asked.

"Saturday, and it is a surprise." Severus said.

"Really Severus, you are no fun. At least tell us what house she is from." Panoma said.

"Why ask she's probably a Slytherin." Vector said.

"Slytherins do not have the courage to be a companion to me." He said.

"Now that is a shock. The Head of Slytherin and his sworn rival a Gryffindor." Panoma said.

"You have no idea how true that is. I have had the pleasure of dining with them and they are quite a match. The house differences make for an entertaining event." Minerva said.

"Minerva, how are we entertaining?" Severus asked.

"The banter between the two of you is quite refreshing. But it is all of the subtle exchanges and playful nature of your relationship that is entertaining." She said.

"Playful, Minerva are you sure you are talking about Severus?" Hooch asked questioning Minerva's memory.

"Yes. The dour professor has a very playful side that hopefully be expressed more." Minerva said.

"This I must see." Sinistra said.

Severus conjured a large phonograph and an upbeat orchestra dance number began to play and he asked, "Minerva, you care to dance?"

"I would be honored but I can't keep up with you. Please if Hermione approves, she would be a better partner." Minerva said. Severus nodded and held out his hand for Hermione.

"Miss Granger?"

"I'd love to." She said accepting his hand.

Severus took the lead and held her professionally but his moves and their exchanges were playful. Thy both could dance very well. They pushed and pulled one another and were great compliments of one another. Even when he dipped her he was playful and not the hard severe man they had only seen. Even when they bowed, at the end he kissed her hand, they did not expect Severus to pull her back and twirl her around then sit her back down on her feet then walk away. Everyone of the staff member s had a stunned expression.

"Severus you should dance more. You are a great dancer." Filius said.

"I have never had a dance partner that could keep up before. I promised my wife to dance one dance next term." Severus said.

"I hope she dances as well as Hermione. If she does then it will be the event of the night." Poppy said playing along.

"The first formal event of the term will be the start of term feast. There will be an order of Merlin ceremony as well as a ball for the Order of the Phoenix and all of the students in fourth year and above, after the minister makes an announcement about the new law." Minerva said.

"New law?" Poppy asked.

"Yes. It might affect some of the students but we will get to that the week before term in the staff meeting when the new professor arrives." Minerva said.

"Minerva, everyone, I must be going, I have another engagement this evening. Please excuse me." Severus said and left.

"Let's begin the betting pool shall we. Bets for age, looks, personality and profession." Hooch said.

"Minerva can't play." Vector said.

"Nor can I." Remus said.

"I can't either." Poppy said.

"Well, who shall start?" Hooch asked.

"I will. Tall dark everything, 30's Potions mistress." Sinistra said, handing over 5 galleons.

"Oh, why not. Tall, skinny blonde early 40's apothecary." Panoma said handing over her galleons.

"Um red head, short fat, 20's advertising." Trelawney said handing over her galleons.

"Is she a hag as well?" Hermione asked.

"If the shoe fits." Trelawney said.

"How about a side bet. Hag or no hag? 10 galleons." Hermione said.

"You're on." Trelawney said producing another 10 galleons as did Hermione.

"Did your inner eye predict that one?" Hermione asked.

"I saw her in a vision." Trelawney said.

"We shall see in two weeks then." Hermione said.

"So, Hermione, would you like to make a wager?" Hooch asked.

"Can I make it just on profession?" She asked.

"Why not."

"How about five on Professor." Hermione said handing over 5 galleons. "Now, your prediction."

"20's petite, brunette straight hair pale complexion. Solicitor." Hooch said throwing in her 5.

"So are we even remotely close?" Panoma asked.

"Oh you might split the pot but you won't find out from me. We have matron patient confidentiality." Poppy said.

"Minerva what is so funny?" Hooch asked.

"Hermione just stuck up for one of her own and she might not even know the woman. She is a true Gryffindor." Minerva said.

"If you will excuse me, I am going to finish some revising tonight before I retire." Hermione said.

"Don't' revise too hard. You still have time before your exams." Minerva said.

"You have my word. I shall retire before I fall asleep in the chair." Hermione said.

"I shall hold you to that." She said.

Hermione returned to her office then floo called Severus's office.

"Severus?"

"Yes, Hermione come on through." He said. Hermione stepped through. Severus pointed to the couch and he stepped around to sit with her. "Now, we need to discuss what you are getting your friends for their weddings." Severus said.

"I don't really know." She said.

"How about all expenses paid honeymoons for all of them with no redemption date? Six days seven nights to any destination and the final bill comes to us." He asked showing her one of them. She looked them over and they looked promising.

"Are you sure that you really want to do this?" She asked.

"They are your friends and I thought that by being civil to them would be a start." He said.

"Then if this is what you want, let's give them the trips." Hermione said.

" I thought that you might like that idea. Now, to give you a taste of what our future might be like." He said. He nibbled down her neck, alternation with feather light kisses. "We have finished a long day of teaching dunderheads, and we have eaten in the great hall and are curled up on the couch." He said still kissing her neck. "There is a nice fire in the hearth." He gave her a chaste kiss. "We have nothing to grade and it's a Friday night." He placed another chaste kiss on her lips. "We are relaxing to the sounds of the fire." He kissed her again. "You are lying on my chest curled next to me." He kissed her more soundly. "We share a few glasses of wine." He said returning to her neck nibbling again and alternating to the shell of her ear then the hollow of her throat. "We stay like that for some time enjoying each others company." He continues his ministrations on her neck. "Then I suggest we go to our bed." He gave her a lingering kiss. "Where I remind you of just how much you mean to me." He said snogging her fiercely.

"Um. Sounds wonderful. But you have to add rounds into the picture." She said.

"Well, if we have rounds together," he said pausing to give her another lingering passionate kiss. "We have to clear all of the students' alcoves for snoggers." He trailed kisses down her neck then back up. "We could find a little nook that none of the students know about." He nibbled and kissed around her ears. "I could give you a proper demonstration of what its like to snog in an alcove like our randy charges." He snogged her soundly leaving her breathless. "If you are left in need of assistance," he kissed her slowly and deliberately giving her a taste of a gentle side. "I could introduce you to the many uses of the wall." He said hinting at his wild side.

He lowered himself down till his head was resting on the arm of the couch and pulled her to lay on his chest then he shifted an moved a leg so they were both on he couch then he held her hands in his. "See. We can be very comfortable lying on the couch." He whispered very seductively in her ear.

"But I still have to revise to pass my exams with good marks and you are distracting me. Granted you are a very nice distraction but I still need to study." Hermione said still lying there.

"If you do not take proper breaks, your scores will suffer." He said gently.

"That is why I came down for dinner and entered a few wagers on the lady that you are to marry. I bet that she is a professor and I bet Trelawney that she is now a hag." Hermione said wishing she could see his face.

"What did she claim you are?" He asked.

"20's short fat red head in advertising that is haggish."

"Was that a prediction?" He asked.

"She said, that it was a vision."

"I'd like to give her a vision." He said threateningly.

"Minerva thought that it was funny and called me a true Gryffindor for sticking up for one of our own without knowing whom it was." She said.

"At least you made money on Trelawney." He said.

"And defended your taste in women." Hermione added.

"They were stunned by our dance." He said.

"They are wondering if Minerva is loosing her mind and you are just playing along or there are some things that they just don't know." She said.

"Are you mad that I told them we are getting married?" He asked.

No. I am mad at them for not believing that you could be happy and find someone to settle down with." she said.

"You know better and that is all that matters."

"If you keep me here much longer like this, then I will not get the section done and if I don't make it to my quarters Minerva has for me then she will send out a search party." Hermione said.

"I don't like it when you leave me like this." Severus said.

"I don't like leaving you. But we do what we must for at least a few more days. Then we can stay together." She said kissing him as he stayed on the couch.

"Do you regret our contract?"" He asked seriously.

"No. I grew to love you in your letters. During class I became attracted to you and now that I can put the physical person with the letters, the connection between us is greater. I have seen both sides of Severus Snape and I want them both." She had walked back to him and kissed him with everything she had and he responded in tern giving as much as getting.

"I love you Hermione." He said looking into her eyes. He was completely unguarded. She could see the love in his dark eyes. They were soft, kind and gentle.

"I know. I love you too." Hermione gave him one last lingering kiss. "I will see you tomorrow." She said when she ended the kiss.

"Breakfast?" He asked.

"Yes."

"Until then." He said watching her floo away.