Hermione awakened to the sound of light knocking at her door. Gazing confusedly at the clock, she tried to remember if she was supposed to leave the door open for Selene's boyfriend. She glowered darkly, thinking that things would be so much easier if the university would just let them clone the keys. Unfortunately, even her formidable abilities had not been up to the task of breaking Dean Erastus' enchantment. But it had been interesting to try.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

Growling in disapproval, the irritated witch dragged herself to the door, mind still fuzzy from sleep. Her roommate's scattered clothing proved to be a slight hindrance to her movement, but her vision adjusted to the darkness quickly, which improved things immensely. A quick glance up at the clock confirmed in bright green numbers that it was entirely too late to be letting Selene's boyfriend come sauntering it. If he thought he was going to continue to have free reign of their suite, he had another thing coming.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

Hermione flung the door open before the third knock came and glared at the man in the doorway. "Bloody hell, Jason! Can't you tell the…" Shock silenced her as she noticed the identity of her visitor.

"SEVERUS!" Ignoring the beautiful bouquet of flowers in his arms, she leaped into his arms, enthusiastically latching herself to his body. Out of necessity Severus was forced to drop the expensive floral array to concentrate instead on the excited witch now wrapped around him. His face became slightly flushed as he noticed Hermione's now-matured body felt against his, rubbing him in places he only dreamed of for several years now.

"Hermione," he said hoarsely, placing his surging hormones under an iron control. "Hermione, love, I think maybe we should take this inside your room?" He hated saying anything, especially since his words immediately stopped the rain of her kisses. But he was very uncomfortable standing in the hallway with so many eyes on them. It was obvious everyone on the floor was shocked at his beloved's behaviour. He smirked. He imagined they were beginning to reassess the "boring bookworm".

He almost moaned when she slid down his body to stand barefoot on the floor next to him. She was still nearly a foot shorter than he, but obviously had worked out the mechanics of that one.

A startled gasp halted their progress into the dorm room, causing Severus to nearly growl in frustration.

"Hermione? What… Oh!" A stunning blond with green eyes, tan skin, and very long legs sauntered up, giving Severus a very thorough appraisal. He shivered. His skin had not crawled like this since Bellatrix Lestrange pinched his arse and offered him "the ride of his life".

"Selene. This is Severus. Severus, Selene, my roommate."

Giving him a coy smile, Hermione's roommate held out her hand to Severus. "My pleasure," she cooed. Without taking her eyes from the dark wizard, she smirked, thrusting her chest out to emphasize her generous attributes. "Hermione never told me you were so… handsome."

Out of the corner of his eye, Severus could see Hermione flush angrily, and decided he needed to stop things before a cat-fight ensued. Why this blond bint was hitting on him he did not know, but he was tired of being bothered by annoyingly persistent blonds with no respect for his beloved.

He sneered, "Miss…"

"Hanson," supplied Hermione helpfully.

"Yes, thank you, love. Miss Hanson. I'm not sure what you may be thinking by your pathetic attempts at flirtation, but rest assured I find you about as interesting as a house-elf." He eyed her scathingly. "How you honestly think yourself attractive enough to divert my attention from my Hermione I cannot fathom, but I imagine it involves some rather impressive self-delusion combined with inordinate amounts of attention given you by the lustful, university boys looking for a quick shag. I imagine the only reason the door to this room is not revolving has more to do with school policy than your personal choice."

He nearly smirked at the shocked look on the girl's face, and preened silently at Hermione's surprised but loving gaze.

Selene gaped at him, stunned, before stammering indignantly, "I beg your pardon! I..."

"Has no one taught you to respect your elders, Miss Hanson? No? Than I would advise you to be silent!" He continued, "Your blandishments are transparent and clumsy, nor do they hold represent the slightest temptation to anyone with an actual brain. I suggest you moderate your behaviour in my presence before I grow truly irritated…"

Again the bint interrupted him. "I was just trying to be friendly! And this is how you treat the roommate of your girlfriend? How dare you!"

Hermione finally had enough. Rolling her eyes, she snapped, "Oh stifle it, Selene. Everyone on this floor knows that you were trying to get Severus to fall lustfully at your feet like every other mindless idiot at this school. It's not like we haven't all seen the way you operate around any attractive male within sniffing distance." Her eyes flashed angrily as she motioned to her wand. "I advise you to leave Severus alone or I will treat you to a quick demonstration of the things I learned in the war against Voldemort!" Her voice lowered dangerously," Do you get me?"

The cowering blond eyed her roommate as if she had never seen her before. This was a side to Hermione no one ever imagined she possessed! "Y… yes, Hermione. S… sorry."

The angry witch suddenly calmed and smiled brightly. "Good. Well, then, I do hope you understand that Severus and I have some catching up to do. I imagine Jason has plenty of room for you tonight." Dazed, Selene nodded. "Wonderful. I appreciate your consideration. See you later!"

Severus found himself jerked into the darkened room before he could react, the door slamming behind him. "Now, where were we?" murmured Hermione in a voice dripping with sensuality. His response was immediate.

"I believe it involved you wrapped around me like this, my dear," he replied, lifting her. Pinning her against the wall, Severus allowed some of the repressed passion from the past three years to show in his eyes before kissing her deeply. Her response was so enthusiastic that he was unable to suppress a moan.

"Oh, god, Severus!" Hermione's legs tightened around him as she ground against him, her bottled-up emotions surging to the surface. "I missed you so much."

Raining kisses upon her face and neck, he growled in response. "Hermione… oh my darling… I'm missed you so…"

"Severusss…" she hissed as his lips found a particularly sensitive spot. He focused on it for some time, reveling in the tiny cries of pleasure his beautiful love made in response to his ministrations. She continued to writhe against him, bringing him closer to the point at which he would be unable to restrain his desires.

It was the thought of taking her without talking about their future, first that washed over him like cool water, calming his fiery passion.

"Hermione…"

"Oh, yes, Severus," she moaned, latching onto his neck like a starving lamprey.

"Hermione," he pulled her lips away from his neck, "perhaps we should talk, first."

Her pouting look nearly drove him to forget his promise to work out some things before ravaging her. He reminded himself she was a virgin, and that he needed to exercise control for her sake. He was not about to take advantage of her youthful excitement and hormones. He led her over to a couch.

Ignoring his no-to-subtle hints, Hermione snuggled up to Severus, refusing to allow him to keep distance between them. She waited for this moment for years and she was not about to waste a second of that time pussy-footing around his foolish fears and out-dated sense of chivalry. The evidence of his physical interest was quite apparent mere moments ago, and it was obvious he had not expected her to be as developed physically.

Boy was Severus in for a shock.

She turned to him, draping her arm around his neck so she could play with the shell of his ear. "So, Severus," she purred, "you wanted to talk?" Her lips quickly found the sensitive spot on his neck again.

"Er… yes." He shivered." "I… uh… would like to discuss… uh… your… um…" She licked his ear forcing a moan from him before he could quash it. "Hermione… I… oh… my… uh… great Merlin, Hermione!" With a deft movement he flipped her around so she was prone underneath him. Nuzzling her neck, he gave her a dose of her own medicine. "Hermione," he whispered silkily, "I do hope you understand that I do not wish this to be a one-time thing…

She sighed in pleasure, arching against him. "Y… yes, Severus. I… don't either…"

"Then you will understand what I mean when I say that once I claim you, you are mine." He ran his hands along her body, appreciating the writhing movements of her lithe form.

"Yes," she gasped. "I will be yours always."

"Forever, Hermione."

Her glazed eyes met his, the love shining in them striking him like a wave of heat. "Forever, Severus. I will be yours as long as you wish it."

He groaned as a tidal wave of emotion – love, lust, and a thousand things he had no name for – nearly flattened him with its power. Passion rose within him, and decided the time for talking was over. Now was the time for action. Scooping Hermione into his arms, Severus headed for the bedroom, murmuring endearments and words of love, to his great surprise, and the promise to be with her forever.

The walls lined with bookshelves identified the left-hand room as hers. They continued to kiss as he crossed the threshold. With a lightning move his foot lashed out, kicking the door closed and activating the brilliant witch's latent wards designed to prevent interruptions.

Later that night, Hermione and Severus lay in bed with his arms wrapped around her. Both were drifting in the afterglow that usually accompanied several bouts of unrestrained passion, but thoughts began to poke through the haze, grabbing the Potions master's attention.

"Hermione, love," he rumbled, "perhaps now would be an appropriate time to talk?"

She sighed, somewhat disappointed with the change in mood, but recognizing it was necessary if they wanted to have a deeper relationship. "What is it, Severus?"

He moved to face her. "First of all, I wished for you to know that I did not willingly stay away from you this evening. That ridiculous excuse of a Potions mistress latched on to me like a bloody barnacle. I could not get away without being rude, and Albus requested I do my best to be polite."

Hermione chuckled. "Professor Anderson is like that. Especially toward guys she finds attractive. She probably spent the whole time trying to impress you with her 'incredible' knowledge."

Severus' face darkened. "She made several transparent attempts to claim the results of your research as hers. Surely the idiotic bint could not possibly think I would believe her."

"Unfortunately, she has had far too much success with that particular line to think otherwise." Her face twisted into a grimace. "I was one of the fortunate ones. I had this wonderfully snarky Potions master suggest I register all my research with the goblins. Others in my group were not so lucky."

"They merely trusted her at her word?" his voice rose incredulously.

She nodded. "They didn't think a professor would steal their research from them, which is why they ignored my advice when I recommended we all do it."

"Idiots."

"To be fair, Severus, none of the other professors did this. You can't blame them for trusting someone they are supposed to trust."

He grudgingly nodded. "As Hufflepuff as the sentiment is, I see your point."

Hermione pulled his head close, brushing his mouth softly with her lips. "And I forgive you for being late, should you feel the need for it."

His arms tightened around her. "Thank you." He bestowed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Hermione," he murmured.

"Yes, Severus?" Both felt sparks as her honey brown eyes met his obsidian, love shining in their depths.

"I…" Tell her, urged Dumbledore's voice. He licked his lips. "Hermione, I… I…"

She shushed him with a gentle touch on his lips. "It's okay, Severus. You don't have to say it until you're ready."

Her quiet acceptance caused his heart to sing with joy, loosening the tight grip of fear his uncertainty had upon it. He gave her a slight but genuine smile. "Thank you, love, but I do want to say it." He took a deep breath. "I…"

"I love you," she interrupted. "I love you, Severus, and I will be happy forever with you, even if you can never say the words."

"Hermione…"

"It's not the words that are important anyway, Severus. It's the emotion behind them."

"Hermione, love…"

"I know you have deep feelings for me. I can see it in your eyes. I don't want you to make yourself…"

"Miss Granger!" Severus bellowed. "Will you PLEASE be quiet!"

She blinked at him, mouth snapping shut in surprise.

"Hermione," he continued, his tone gentle, "please let me speak."

The wide-eyed witch nodded silently.

"I love you, Hermione. I have for some time, and I have lived with the hope that one day you would be willing to return to me. Be with me always, as you are in my dreams."

Hermione melted against him. "Yes, Severus. Always."

He gripped her shoulders. "Do you know what I am asking, Hermione?"

Her look turned inquiring.

"I wish…" He gestured and a small velvet box flew into his outstretched palm. He opened it, slipping off the bed to kneel beside her. "I wish for you to be my wife, Hermione. I love you, and my life is incomplete without you."

With a shaking hand, she took the ring, silently marveling at its simplistic beauty. The band was a simple platinum circle carved with the runic symbols for faithfulness, love, joy, and happiness. A square-cut diamond was nestled in the center between two stones, one emerald and one ruby. Inside the thin band was carved the phrase 'El amor es para siempre'.

"Love is forever," she murmured, eyes glinting with tears of joy. Her gaze turned to capture his, eyes softening at the small hint of fear. "Yes, Severus. I will be with you forev… umph!"

In a flash, Severus sprang from the floor to the bed, almost tackling Hermione in his haste to hold her. He kissed her passionately, alternating feather-light kisses upon her face, neck and shoulders, with deep, fervent kisses with dueling tongues. Soon the two affianced lovers were wrapped up in their own world of ardent love-making, oblivious to the world around them.

The rest of the week passed far too quickly for the new couple. Hermione showed Severus around Boston and the surrounding area, reveling in the sarcastic commentary he bestowed upon the tasteless displays of Salem's so-called magical heritage. She learned so much about him, during that week, content with the small nuggets of information he slipped to her during their visit. He found himself opening up to her more than he ever thought he would, but the more she accepted, the more he felt the need to be worthy of that trust. He, too, learned a great deal about his fiancée, including the nickname her father gave her and her secret attachment to trashy romance novels.

Sunday morning found Severus frantically moving about, packing his bags. He was mortified by his total indifference to the time, but Hermione had been especially beautiful this morning, and he could not stand the idea of leaving without giving her a proper goodbye.

His Portkey would be activating soon, and it was important he return to Hogwart's on time, despite his desire to stay and bask in the glory of his future wife. His eyes drifted to where she sat, sadly watching him prepare to leave. Her words echoed his thoughts.

"I don't want you to go."

A flick of his wand ensured the packing would continue without his attention before he moved over to kneel next to her chair.

"I wish I did not have to, my love. But I must return to Hogwart's"

She smiled wanly, "I know. You have dunderheads to teach and potions to research. I just…" Her sigh tore at his heart. "I just wish I could see you more. It's been too long already."

"Soon, my darling. Once you finish your schooling you can…" Come to think of it, they never did get around to discussing her plans. "What do you plan to do after you graduate, love?" He regarded her curiously.

She fidgeted nervously. "Honestly, Severus, I'm not completely sure. I've already had offers from several Wizarding companies, as well as an invitation to join the American Agency of Thaumaturgical Law Enforcement, the Unspeakables, and the Ministry as a researcher. I kind-of like the idea of teaching, but I don't really have the experience, and there are no positions open at Hogwart's."

"Yet."

"True, but the likelihood of Professor Vector leaving by the time I graduate is slim, so I'm looking at something with the Ministry, the Unspeakables, or some company I know little about." She smiled. "I'll figure something out, Severus. I just need to see where I am… where we are," she corrected, "in two years."

Thinking hard for a moment, Severus gave voice to a thought he kept hidden in the back of his mind for years. "If you do not wish to move back to England, love, I am sure I can find somewhere else to work."

"Oh, Severus! I know you love Hogwart's. I would never do anything to take you away from that!"

"Honestly, Hermione, the teaching I do is far more important to me than its location. The main reason I'm still at Hogwart's is because Albus asked me to stay. I'd really rather teach at a university or work in a laboratory. I do not wish you to restrict your choices for me, love."

Her smile lit up the room. "I know, Severus. I love you for that. We'll just have to see what we can work out." Leaning over, she kissed him softly but deeply, conveying without words her passionate love for him. "I love you, Severus. And I will be wherever you go. That is my home."

He stood up, pulling her with him to wrap her slight body in his arms. "And my home is with you, love, so I suspect we will both be very fortunate in our living choices." He laid a gentle kiss on the crown of her head. "We can discuss this when you know more of what you wish to do, love. But I will support you in anything you choose."

"Thank you, Severus."

"My pleasure, Hermione." He pulled away reluctantly. "But I really must be going. Albus would be very disappointed if I failed to return on time."

Her smile was wan, and her eyes bright. "I know. I love you."

"And I you, my darling," he kissed her hand. "For as long as the stars burn in the heavens." At that moment, the Portkey activated, taking Severus away before she could respond. Staring at the spot her fiancée had occupied just seconds earlier, Hermione chuckled.

"Boy can that man make an exit."