The school year finally was over, and the feeling of summer and freedom made the students – and the teachers as well – very happy. Hogwarts was filled with chatting and laughing children. Minerva was watching them with the headmaster.
Dumbledore seemed also happy, but Minerva knew how much he did not like when the school wasn't occupied with the students. Minerva loved the children too, but she still was happy to have some peace, after all a teacher needs a little solitude, to pull herself together.
„It makes one so said," Dumbledore said as they were looking at the youngsters „you know my dear, just the thought of how empty is the school without them."
Minerva studied his face before answering. „Yes, I know, you are quite fond of the little monsters Albus…"
„Little monsters?" he looked at her with his beautiful blue eyes „You sound just like Severus. But how can one avoid being affected by her beloved one?" Albus smiled, and that smile was real. Minerva blushed lightly in response.
When she had told Abus about the nature of her relationship with Severus, she had expected him to be surprised or at least looking at her awkwardly, but instead, he had taken one her hands and said in a very calm and loving voice: „I know my dear, do you really think there is anything here I'm not informed about? But as you see I'm very happy about it, I know you and Severus, and you are the perfect match for each other."
Minerva was so deeply in her thoughts, that she didn't notice what was Albus saying to her.
„Pardon me, but what did you say?"
„I asked if you and Severus are free tonight, there will be a little party, you know with the school staff. It would be lovely if you two could come too."
„Of course!"
So as Minerva had promised, she and Severus attended Dumbledore's little party, which was mainly like drinking and telling the funniest and the most embarrassing stories about the students. So it was nice, even Severus couldn't deny the fact that it wasn't that bad. But of course, they were the ones who left firstly. Even though Severus did try to be more socialized, he still had his own limits.
As they were walking down to Snape's chambers – they decided to use his rooms until they leave to Italy – Severus gently reached for Minerva's hand and locked his fingers with hers. It was one of the little habits of his which always made Minerva's heart beat faster. These little gestures represented just how fond he was of her. For a stranger, it wouldn't mean anything special, but from Severus, it was very intimate, maybe more intimate than a kiss.
As they finally arrived at their target, Severus opened the door for Minerva.
„It wasn't that bad, was it?" she said as she sat down on the bed „You know, you are getting better and better in that."
He snorted. „ You mean talking with other adults? Thank you, Minerva, I really couldn't imagine how would I manage without your lovely compliments."
„Oh you know very well what I meant Severus." She changed into her nightgown, and let down her hair, while Severus slipped into the bed.
„Maybe I'm getting old, but I'm not as energetic as I used to be."
Minerva let out a little laugh and leaned above Severus, then put a very quick kiss on his lips. As she did this little procedure, her hair felt into Severus's face. He loved so much the sensation of her hair on his skin. "Softer than silk." He used to say. She sat up and started to braid her long silvery hair, but he stopped her.
„Please," he said „let me do it." So he sat right behind her, getting the silky mass of her hair between his hands and started to braid it. She let out a giggle.
„What?"
„Nothing. Just imagined what would your students think of this – you, the grumpy potions master doing my hair."
Severus rolled his eyes. „Anyways," he started „What's the matter with Hooch and Poppy?"
She wasn't sure if he had asked this question to act like he cared about her friends, or he actually cared, or simply was interested.
„Well, that is something I would be really glad to know. But you know friends sometimes fight, and have misunderstood."
„Ah, friends, I see."
„Hm?"
„Nothing," he finished braiding her beautiful hair „Here you go," then he put a soft kiss on her white neck „I guess they will be over it through summer."
„Goodnight." He said as he turned off the candles and got under the duvet.
„Love you," she whispered, and moments later both of them were sleeping.
Nearly a week later they were in the same situation - in bed together, after Severus braided Minerva's hair, but this time it wasn't a familiar bed.
„This place really is amazing, I really can't wait to explore it!" Minerva sighed.
In the dark Severus allowed himself a little smile. He loved the fact that he could make this woman be this excited, to show her new things. Much of the time he couldn't believe that he, and what he could give, would be enough for Minerva, to make her happy, but so far it seemed like he was good at it.
Making her happy. Something that had become a habit of his, a rather new one, and a rather pleasant one.
„Only if I could manage without wearing those muggle clothes," she continued her little monologue. Indeed she wasn't very fond of the clothes she brought with herself to Italy – neither was Severus with his – but it was just a little unpleasant thing, and to tell the truth, she looked rather fine in those women clothes.
Severus turned in the bed. „Well-well, I would rather have you without any kind of clothes." He began to put little kisses on her shoulder.
„You're such a charmer." Said she, but she returned Severus's affection with a passionate kiss and with a hand stroking his body…
The following days, and weeks they spent like any romantic couples who were visiting Italy for the first time. Minerva found most of the places exquisite, and it turned out she knew a great many things about art, which she tried to share with her companion. Severus himself wasn't sure if he was enjoying this journey or simply the company of Minerva. Well, they had been a couple for nearly two years, but in the school, they didn't always find time for ourselves, and most of the time they were simply exhausted. And now he felt like a teenage boy again, always filled with desire for her.
Lastly, they stopped at Florence, to spend some lovely days there too.
It was dinner time, and they were sitting in a very Italian restaurant.
There was a sudden silence between them, but nor the uncomfortable one, when Severus started to speak. You can do it. Now. He said to himself.
„I…" he tried but when he met Minerva's gaze he decided not to say whatever he wanted. „ I think you look marvelous in that dress."
„Why, thank you." she picked up her glass of wine. „ I know you like when I wear Slytherin colors." She was quite right, but he didn't mean only the dress. He meant she that she looked marvelous just sitting there, her hair in a messy bun, the dress touching her shape gently…
„Anyways," she said after sipping the wine „I wouldn't have guessed that you were such a fan of the Italian cuisine."
„There are many things you don't know about me yet," he said in his low baritone.
„But really Severus, how can you eat lasagne every single day?"
And the conversation went on like that, filled with some laughter.
When they decided to finally go back to their accommodation the sky was filled with grey clouds. It was very unlikely, most of their days in Italy was sunny and warm. But it seemed like today was quite different. They hadn't reached the hotel they stayed in when they heard a cracking from the sky and all of a sudden little raindrops started to pour down.
As a reflex, he wanted to make a little an umbrella charm but this wasn't the right place for it. They decided to wait for a little in some dry spot, but they were already wet. A little curl came out of Minerva's bun and it only made her look more beautiful.
„I…" He started again but failed again at the same moment. It wasn't right. But when will it be right? He wondered.
„Yes?" She asked.
„I think we should go, we can't get any wetter."
After changing into some nice dry clothes they found themselves in their room, without anything to do, so they decided to read. They settled on the little but comfortable couch in the hotel room, with Minerva lying and her feet in Severus's lap.
Maybe they were doing this for an hour or so when suddenly Severus started to speak, but the words that came out of his mouth were so unexpected that Minerva just froze.
„I think we should get married." Were the words he said. Simple but quite meaningful ones.
Notes: So I know my writing is just messy and awful and I still haven't decided what to do with Poppy and Rolanda Hooch... But what do you think? I really enjoy writing it and any nice comments would make me happy.
