Severus slowly woke up, blinking his eyes, and relishing in the fact that what happened last night was actually real. He stared at Hermione. He admired her unnatural beauty; the way her skin seemed to literally shimmer in the sunlight, the way she breathed one shallow breath and then two deep ones, repeating it again and again, the way her lips formed into a pout when her eyelids fluttered, the way her eyelashes gently brushed against the lower part of her cheek. Severus loved it all. Did it make him a stalker? Well, yeah, kind of, but he loved her, and she knew it. Did she regret last night, though? Did she hope for a younger, better-looking, nicer guy? Hopefully not. Severus loved her far too much for her to give up on him now. Suddenly, he felt a stirring on top of his chest. Hermione was waking up.

"Severus?" She looked into Severus's black eyes.

"Good morning, Hermione." Severus was still a bit worried that she'd be angry at him, but also knew that they'd have to face this either way.

"Severus… you didn't, uh…. You didn't regret last night, did you?" Hermione was so worried that Severus would be angry with her and she was so scared that he'd call her a whore and say that he didn't want used goods, but he didn't, he just enveloped her in his lean, but muscular arms and kissed the top of her head.

"Hermione, how could I possibly regret last night? Last night was the most beautiful experiences I've ever had; I think I could die happy." Hermione giggled and snuggled closer to Severus and laid little, chaste kisses on his sculpted chest.

"Severus, I love you so much. I'm so sorry it took me this long to be able to-" Severus interrupted her with a kiss, pressing his pale lips to her beautiful pink-coloured ones with fervour.

"I don't care how fucking long it took you, Hermione. I'm just thankful that I finally have the one thing I want. You," Hermione ducked her head, avoiding his eyes in embarrassment. She'd never been told flat-out that she was the one thing someone wanted. Mainly because no one wanted her that way, but now she had Severus. There was only one thing that could make her dream complete; Friends and Family. Hermione had a dream last night. It was a lovely dream, one that didn't force her to wake up, gasping for breath. No, this one was of her. She was in her mid-twenties and Severus was in his mid-forties, though he didn't look a day over thirty-five. They were lounging outside, side-by-side on lush, green grass, behind a mansion. It was the Prince Manor. Severus and Hermione were holding hands and watching a little girl play with a little boy with bright, blonde hair and grey eyes. It was Harry and Draco's son, although neither Hermione nor Severus knew how their son had developed each other's characteristics. The little boy, Scorpious, was teasing their daughter, Sylvia, by gently tugging her hair. Hermione was chuckling and holding back and annoyed Severus, keeping him back with promises of kisses and sex later if he behaved. Severus nuzzled her neck with his prominent nose, making her giggle, Draco coo, and Harry roll his eyes. Hermione had never been happier in her entire life.

Severus saw Hermione going off into her own world and took that time to think about what they were going to do that day. It wasn't a school day because there was some sort of holiday for them to honour some famous guy from Wizarding History. Hermione eventually came back to her senses and smiled at him, revelling in the fact that Severus was hers. All hers, and neither one had eyes for anyone but each other.

"Severus?" Hermione searched his eyes with hers, looking deep into them and holding the gaze.

"Yes, Hermione?" Severus wanted nothing but to hit himself after remembering the promise he made to himself. He wasn't supposed to make love to her until the wedding! But, Severus, you know Hermione needed it and you know that you wanted it, so why bother beating yourself up about it? True, Severus thought, very true, but what if I was just taking advantage of her emotions? She was upset and that's one of the main reasons we had sex… right? No, you idiot, she loves you and you love her. Her emotions just prodded along the waiting period.

"Well, you don't think that I was just toying with you… right?" Severus stared at her in disbelief. Why would she think that?

"Hermione, I would never think about you like that. Yes, I though that I was taking advantage of you and your emotions, but I do NOT think that you were just toying with me." Severus took her chin in his hand and lifted her face so that he could look her in the eyes. Her beautiful, chocolate-caramel coloured eyes. "I love you," he plainly stated, leaving no room for arguments. "No one will ever change that, and I pray to the Gods that you feel the same way." The unspoken answer to a barely concealed question lingered in the air, Severus feeling his heart breaking as she didn't answer, but continued to stare. Finally, Hermione took a breath.

"Severus, you are the love of my life. I could never live without you, and if you died, I'd have a piece of my heart ripped away from me in a most brutal fashion. Severus, you are the one I want to live with forever. I love you." Severus stared at Hermione in disbelief. He'd never heard that many words expressing how much she loved him until now. This witch was amazing. She could either raise or shatter his entire world with one phrase. She was the one meant for him. Forever and for always. Severus leaned his head down as she leant hers up, their lips meeting in the middle perfectly. Hermione sighed into his mouth as Severus cradled her face in both of his strong, able hands, gently prodding his tongue into her mouth, exploring, tasting her as the passion between them built to a breaking point and Hermione lowered a hand to cup his dick. Severus gasped, but pushed her away, not wanting to start something he would be unable to finish.

"Severus?" Hermione felt tears well up in her eyes. After all that, did he not want her? She felt a lone tear begin to roll down her cheek, but Severus quickly caught it on the tip of his index finger.

"Hermione, I want you, Gods, I want you, but I don't want to start something that we wouldn't be able to finish, or that wouldn't be the very best, most pleasurable experience for you." Severus explained to a put-out Hermione, hoping she'd understand. She put out her lower lip, forming her mouth into a beautiful pout; Severus wanted to bite that lower lip.

"Severus, I don't care. I just know that I want you. Only you!" Severus felt his groin growing, making him feel hot and horny, but he cared too much for Hermione to let it get the best of him. If they were going to make love again, Severus would do it right, and make sure that she felt more pleasure than what was thought humanly possible. Severus took both breasts in his hands. They were perfect. Not too big, not too small. They were enough to fill his hands perfectly. Severus lowered his head to one and began to weave pleasure into Hermione's body, never stopping until he knew that it was too much for her. He slid into her slowly, torturously, Hermione begging him to go faster, and him only complying when he couldn't take it anymore. Severus lost count of how many times he made Hermione cum for him, screaming his name, writhing in pleasure. He lost count of how many times she screamed a barely coherent, 'I love you'. Severus lost himself completely in the art of making love to Hermione, making her body sing for him.

Love was a beautiful thing. It could be lustful, hopeful, determined, perfect. Severus made it all of those things for Hermione. They had spent the better part of the day with each other, making love by his fireplace, oblivious to the world surrounding them. It was only him and her and the love and passion they both shared.

The next day was yet again stressful, but at least Hermione got the respect she deserved. Finally, she was being treated like an elder, and not one of "them". No longer was she a student with them, but a grown adult witch who deserved deference. She wrote what their assignment would be and they got to work, the only sounds were bubbling, slicing, splashes, and the occasional, 'can I borrow some of your ingredients?' Above that, no one said anything rude or out-of-turn. Just this morning, Draco came to Hermione, apologizing for his not stopping the others from making fun of her, but Hermione told him that it wasn't his fault, and even gave him a quick hug before her students came filing in. But her and Draco were good friends again; just like good old days. After the classes were relatively finished, Harry approached her, cautious and nervous of her judgement.

"Hermione? Er, Miss Granger?" Hermione turned to her old best friend.

"Harry, in private you still can call me Hermione, just not in class." He nodded and shifted his gaze to the ground.

"Hermione… I just- I just wanted to tell you how sorry I was. I never wanted to hurt you, I mean, you were my best friend! I was just too cowardly to face Ron, and after hearing what he did to you, Draco told me and I gave him the oath not to tell anyone who didn't know about it, I realized that I should have stuck up for you a long time ago when he was fucking Lavender, that slut. I should have when he kept calling you names behind your back, when he insulted you at every chance, and for that, I'm so, so sorry. Hermione, I love you like a sister, and ever since Draco and I got together- yeah, we're a couple now- I realized what a complete prat I was. But what I don't understand is why you were so distant. What happened to you, 'Mione?" Hermione stared into the dark green orbs of care and sadness, realizing that he still wanted to be friends with her, if not best friends.

"Harry… I haven't even told Draco this, so when I tell you, I need you to tell him for me, okay?" Harry nodded.

"Okay, Hermione." She took a deep breath.

"Well, it all started the night that I got the letter from Ron. He asked me to forgive him, but I just couldn't, you know? Well, the next owl was from Severus. He was requesting, or demanding, really, that I be his apprentice. I wrote back that I'd be happy to, of course. The last owl was from my father. He had informed me that my mum had d-died because of me. Because she'd gotten into one of the magic boxes I keep my things in. When she tried to open it, it killed her. My father snapped completely. When I got home, he would slam me into walls and doors. He'd make sexual innuendos, insinuating that I should suck him off in the kitchen like my mum did." She took a deep breath before continuing with the most horrifying story she'd ever told. "So then, he began beating me more ferociously. The first time I passed out, I woke up in the basement. I was covered in- in- blood and- and semen." I gasped, tears obscuring my eyes as Harry watched in disgust at my father and sorrow for me. "He did it a second time, too, but I was unconscious for both, thankfully. The third time he was going to do it while I was awake, but Severus came to my rescue. He's my saviour. Professor Dumbledore knew about it, and he sent Severus to my house. He left my father knocked out in the living room and took me to his private quarters and cleaned me up. I tried to kill myself by slashing my wrists soon after, but it didn't work. The next time I shot myself. I succeeded, too, but in the 'afterlife' I suppose, I saw my mother. She told me that it wasn't my time to die yet. I didn't want to go back. But then she showed me something that changed my mind. She showed me Severus holding my dead body in the infirmary, crying and telling me that he loved me. I needed him so badly.

I aged physically because, during death, my body was catching up to the age that I really aged using the time-turner. I never felt so happy in my entire life. I could finally be with Severus, and no one would be able to stop it! However, my father sent me a letter claiming that he wanted me at my house for break, but Severus wouldn't allow it, forcing me to stay at Hogwarts. I was so thankful to him." The last sentence was a whisper, but Harry could still hear me.

"Oh, Hermione… why wouldn't you tell me or Draco this?" I felt more tears.

"Because, I didn't want anyone but Severus knowing that I was my father's bitch! How do you think it felt, being called a whore, a slut by your own father? It hurt, and I couldn't take it anymore!" Harry held up his hands in defeat, coming closer to me and hugging me like at Grimmauld Place when I got scared of the thunderstorms.

"So, you and Snape?" He joked, trying to cheer me up. I gave him a soft smile before shoving him.

"Yes, and at least he's more mature than anyone here!" I answered back indignantly. Harry snickered, probably thinking of saying another one of those lame, age jokes that he like to crack about Severus. I rolled my eyes and playfully shoved him.

"Well, I gotta get back to Severus, Harry. I'll see you later, and… thanks. For everything," I gave him his favourite lopsided smile and hugged my only real brother (other than Draco).

"I'll see you later, 'Mione. I really do love you, though. Although not like that, because that would be gross. You're like my little sister, you know?" Harry grinned and kissed Hermione on her cheek, walking back to Draco's room.

"So, you and Potter made up?" Severus asked Hermione. He actually was pretty happy for her; she'd been so upset ever since Harry called her a bitch, and she'd been wanting to patch things up with him. Severus was just glad that Harry had listened to what Hermione had to say. Suddenly, they heard a knock at the door.

"Hermione, get your cute, little ass out here right now!" It was Draco. Hermione smiled and got up, going to answer the door for Draco. He looked livid, but it was kinda hard for a gay guy to look very threatening. That is, unless you were Draco Malfoy.

"Yes, Draco?" Draco stormed in, making a quick, sharp turn to face Hermione, with his hands on his hips. Hermione stifled a giggle.

"Hermione, why on Earth would you tell Harry instead of me? I thought I was your BFF!" Hermione gave him a soft smile while Severus scoffed at his… well, gayness.

"Draco, I figured that it would be easier with Harry telling you instead of me, okay?" Draco thought about this and nodded, his facial features smoothing out.

"I guess you're right as usual, Hermione…. Hugs?" Draco held out his arms as an offering for Hermione, who took it and was engulfed in Slytherin robes and musky aftershave. Severus cleared his voice, halfway amused, halfway annoyed.

"If you would please get out, Draco, it would be greatly appreciated." Draco rolled his eyes, and ran up to Severus, giving him a big hug before running out. Severus shook his head in mock-shame.

"What has Narcissa done to the poor boy?" Hermione gave him a look before walking up to him, placing her arms around his waist and kissing him on the mouth.

"Well, I don't really know, but at least he has Harry. Harry will be good for Drakie-Kins."

Severus's nose wrinkled in disgust at the nickname Hermione gave Draco, but h didn't voice those opinions. He valued his skin.

"Well, Sevvy, what do you suppose we should do now?" Hermione's right eyebrow was raised in challenge at her calling him Sevvy to see what he'd do about it.

"What did you just call me?" Severus pretended to sound threatening, but Hermione just laughed it off.

"I'm pretty sure you heard me… Sevvy." She gave him a coy smile before shrieking in surprise when he began tickling her, Hermione jumping around in happiness. Somehow, she thought, life was definitely getting better.

"Surrender, Hermione, surrender!" She kept laughing, attempting to pull away, but couldn't under Severus's body and hands.

"Never!" He grinned and tickled her harder, swooping down for a kiss, Hermione plunging her tongue inside of his mouth, both of them falling to the ground in a heaping mess while Hermione laughed at the absurdity of this all. If someone had told her that Snape would've been laughing and having a good time while tickling her, she'd have told them to fuck off, and go to St. Mungo's, but here she was, with Severus, being tickled. Was this how love was supposed to be? It was definitely love, there was no mistaking that, but was this how it was supposed to feel? Light-hearted and freeing? It made her feel like she didn't have a care in the world. It made her feel like she was… special. Hermione and Severus eventually settled down, still breathless from recent activity, and went to sleep, hand in hand, side by side, and completely in love with one another.