CHOICES
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
A/n: I AM SO SORRY THAT IT HAS BEEN SO LONG. I KNOW I HAD THE NUMBER OF REVIEWS I REQUESTED BUT I HAVE BEEN SO BUSY. I have mid-terms coming up in two days and I'm freaking out. But I am really sorry. So here is the next chapter and enjoy. R&R.
Chapter 10
Hermione closed her eyes and concentrated real hard. One minute, she was standing there, the next there was a beautiful butterfly flitting around. The whole class gasped. She changed back to her original form.
"That was splendid, Hermione. How long have you been able to transform, by the way?" asked Professor McGonagall.
"Since the end of fifth year, over the summer break," answered Hermione, blushing.
"Well, that is very impressive, Ms. Granger, 20 points for Gryffindor. Now on with the lesson. Mr. Weasley, please come up," said McGonagall.
Ron walked up and said the spell, a silvery fox shot out of his wand. "Good, Mr. Weasley. Now, Mr. Potter, you next." Harry walked forward said the spell and a silvery mustang (not the car, but the wild horse from the old west) shot out of his wand.
"Very well, Mr. Potter, it suits you. You are always bucking the rules." She started laughing and the bell rang. Never had they been so happy to leave from class. Next, they had charms and after that, History of Magic. Lunch was after and then Hermione's favorite: Potions.
Charms went by smoothly, they learned how to change the color of animals fur. History of Magic was pretty good, since they had finally convinced Professor Binns that he was dead and too old to be teaching. They went to lunch and were eating when Severus came up behind Hermione and said, "Ms. Granger, would you be so kind as to come to my office for a few moments?"
"Yes, Professor," she said as she got up and followed him out into the hall.
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When they were in his office he shut the door and locked it. He turned around and walked towards her. He had the look on his face that meant something was about to happen, so she started backing up. She hit the desk and was now in between Severus and the desk. He was about two feet from her, and closing. He finally reached her and kissed her. Hermione could already feel something starting to grow on him, because he was so close.
"Kitty, do you know how much I have missed you?" he said breaking off the kiss.
Hermione looked him straight in the eyes and said, "Oh, Severus, I have missed you too, but if you don't move away and calm down I'm afraid you will have to put your black robes back on to hide your…um…er…body function."
"You are right," he said, "We had better go now. I will see you in class. Bye." With that he kissed her and shoved her out of the door.
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Hermione always wondered why he pushed her out the door. She figured she just might ask him…one day. When she got to the classroom she went to her seat close to the front. She had the bad luck of sitting in front of Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil. They were the gossips around school, if you wanted to know something about someone they knew. And they were so nosy.
"Hi, Hermione," said Lavender. "Do you know you smell like a guys cologne, who have you been kissing?"
"No one, except my boyfriend," she replied. Ugh, she gets on my nerves, thought Hermione.
Before Lavender could say anything Severus stalked in. He walked right past Lavender and Hermione. Lavender said, "Professor Snape, your cologne smells just like the stuff Hermione's boyfriend wears."
"Thank you for that useless information, Ms. Brown, for that 15 points from Gryffindor. Now begin your assignment. It is on the board." He flicked his wand and the instructions appeared. He started walking around the room and stopped right behind Neville. Neville was horrific at potions and he could sense when Professor Snape was near and he would get nervous. He added the wrong ingredient and his cauldron melted.
"Mr. Longbottom, why must you insist on destroying every damn cauldron you have. 10 points from Gryffindor, for you imbecilic idiocy." Severus moved away from Neville once he had cleaned up the mess and this time he stopped behind Hermione. He bent over and whispered in her ear, "Are you ready for our date in 2 weeks, because I was going to ask you to the Masquerade Ball on Halloween? So you would have to pick out a costume with Ginny in Hogsmeade."
"Yes, I really am," she answered.
"Well, that settles it. Now what is your answer to the Ball?" asked Severus.
"Yes, I will go with you," she answered.
"Okay, see you tonight." Then he walked off and the bell rang.
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Later that night, while getting ready for bed, Severus said, "Ms. Brown almost ruined it for us with that comment, you know."
"Yes," said Hermione, "Almost. But she did not ruin it. Now go to bed."
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The weeks had passed so quickly that it was now the first Quidditch match of the season. Hermione and Severus were falling more in love with each other everyday, but for right now they were getting ready for the Quidditch match and their date after. Since it was a weekend they could wear regular clothes.
Hermione was wearing a green shirt and matching skirt. She didn't know what Severus was wearing because he was putting on the glamour and he did not want her to see him before he was finished. So while waiting for Severus she sat on the couch and rested for a while. Working on schoolwork and studying for the NEWTs was hard work. Severus came out a few minutes later and said, "Ta-da," while spreading his arms out.
Hermione thought he even sounded different, but because she was still so curious, she started from the bottom, up.
He was wearing brown sandals and tan cargo capris that the guys wear, and a brown striped shirt with a beaded black necklace. When Hermione got to his face she gasped and covered her mouth with her hands.
Severus' face was so different she wouldn't have even recognized him. His nose, usually long and curved, was now short and not so curvy. His eyes, usually black, were now a light violet color. His mouth was fuller now, and his hair was still black, but it was now short and spiky, instead of the usual shoulder length. (A/n: mmm mmm good.) He looked like an American hip-hop star to her.
"Well, I'm speechless," she said. "So at the end of the day the spell wears off?"
"Yes, I'm afraid so," he answered.
"Damn, well, I like you the other way, but you appeal to me this way too. Are you going to wear this at the ball too?" she asked.
"Yes, but only because I have told Albus I am not going. Otherwise, I would take you out on that dance floor, kiss you senseless, and not even be ashamed of it," Severus answered.
"Oh, Sev, I wish it were that easy, but it's not. People would talk, but…if you were like this you could still kiss me on the dance floor and nobody will ever know. And I promise you this, as soon as the graduation ceremony is over and I am officially no longer a student, I am going to run into your arms and kiss you senseless."
"All right, I accept that promise, but for now we have to pick out what kind of costume we are going to get. Since, Mr. Potter and Ms. Brown will not be joining us, I will shop with Draco and you with Ginny," said Severus.
"Why don't we go with Medieval time costumes?" asked Hermione. "We could get matching colors."
"That sounds good, but you have to remember to call me Sebastian around other people. Now it is time to leave. Do you need you coat, Kitty?" he asked.
"No, not really, but before we leave can I have a kiss?" she asked.
"Sure." Severus walked over and planted a big one on her. He let her go and opened the door for her.
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The whole way down girls were starring and pointing at Severus (Sebastian), who was holding Hermione's hand as they walked down to the carriages that would take them to Hogsmeade. One girl had the audacity to ask him if he was single.
"No, he is not. Don't you see us holding hands. Go away, NOW!" said Hermione.
"Getting jealous are we?" asked Severus, raising an eyebrow.
"Shut up. I can't help it. She saw us holding hands," said Hermione. "If the little hoe thinks that she can steal my boyfriend, she has another thing coming." She got into a carriage and he climbed in after, but he did not shut the door because Ginny and Draco were coming to get in.
When Ginny got in and sat down, she looked at Severus for the first time. "Oh, be careful my bleeding heart. Sebastian, if I didn't have a boyfriend and I knew Hermione wouldn't kill me I would go out with you in a heartbeat."
"Hey," protested Draco, who had taken offense at that. "I'm not that bad looking."
"I know that," said Ginny, "I was only joking. You know, Draco, blonde suits you."
"What does that mean, Gin?" he asked. He was very confused by what she had just said.
"See, exactly my point," answered Ginny.
"Draco, she means you are dumb," explained Hermione.
"Oh, well that explains alo—hey! Ginny. If I am going to be insulted the whole time, I will just ignore all of you, then." And he turned away from them.
When they had got in Ginny and Hermione had got on the same seat, while Draco and Severus were on the other. So when Ginny told Severus to sit by Hermione, they had to bump and jostle each other to switch seats. Ginny leaned into Draco.
"Draco, Sweety, I did not mean it," she said. He still wouldn't look at her and she was getting ideas. And it definitely was not a good thing if Ginny Weasley started getting ideas. "Draco Lucius Malfoy, do not make me use the secret weapon on you." He shrugged his shoulders and said, "You wouldn't dare with them watching. Then it wouldn't be secret anymore."
"Oh," said Ginny, "Wouldn't I. 'Mione, Sebastian, would you mind turning around for a minute?"
"Sure," said Hermione and Severus at the same time. They found this amusing.
Ginny reached around Draco, and made a few choice moves. When she pulled back Draco started laughing and when he turned around he was…blushing.
"Ok, you guys can turn around now," said Draco.
"Draco," said Severus, "Was it just me or did I hear a moan somewhere between the laughing?"
"No," said Draco, who was blushing redder. If it was possible.
"Actually," said Ginny, "That is just a trick of mine that I use on him."
"Ok," said Draco, "Enough talking about that. We are here." And as he said that he opened the door and got out. "My fair, Ginny, come here," he said. He helped Ginny out of the carriage, and then Severus got out.
All movement in the streets and nearest shops stopped. He held out his hand to Hermione and when she grabbed hold he pulled her so that she fell into his arms. He kissed her and put her down. All the girls were starring.
"Ready to go shopping?" asked Hermione.
"Sure," they all said.
"Okay, Sebastian, you and Draco go and we will meet you at the Three Broomsticks. And remember I am not showing my dress to you until the ball, so pick matching colors. See you later." Ginny and her went off to do their shopping.
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As Hermione and Ginny were walking they passed a couple of shops with costumes, but they did not go in these. They had a better shop.
"Gin, on the carriage, what exactly did you do to Draco?" asked Hermione.
"Well, I, uh, I tickled him where the top of his boxers are," she answered.
"Ok," said Hermione, "Then that was a moan we heard, was it not?"
Ginny sighed, "Yes. He is very sensitive to touch around that area. How about this shop?" She pointed to one that said, "MAGICAL FASHION FOR EVERY CENTURY."
"Sure." They went in. "Oh my goodness," said Hermione. "This place is so cool. What kind of costumes were you and Draco looking for?"
"We are going with Renaissance costumes and masks."
They started looking around and Ginny spotted her dress. It was a mixture of three blues: dark blue, light blue, and silvery blue. The sleeves were long and covered her hands, but when they ended they made a triangle. It was tight at the top and flowed straight down at the bottom. It looked wonderful on her.
"Ginny, it looks great. I think it goes very well with your skin tone," said Hermione.
"Okay I will get this one then," said Ginny. They went looking for Hermione's dress. In the back of the shop was the perfect dress for her.
When they had paid for their dresses, they left to finish shopping before going to meet the guys.
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Severus and Draco were walking around looking at different things.
"Draco, what did Ginny do to make you blush and moan?" asked Severus.
"Well," said Draco, turning red again. "She, uh, tickled me."
"That is all. Come now, Draco, are you serious?" asked Severus.
"Yes. I am very sensitive to touch there. Let's not talk about that now. Come on."
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"This looks like me," said Draco, as he picked out a blue satin shirt with black pants and a white scruff.
"So you and Ginny are going with Renaissance?" asked Severus.
"Yeah, I think we would look good in Renaissance. What are you and Hermione doing?" asked Draco.
"We are doing Medieval times with Slytherin colors."
Severus spotted exactly what he was looking for. He found some black satin pants with a dark green shirt and a silver cloak.
"I will pay for these and then we have to meet with the girls," said Severus.
When they made it to the Three Broomsticks a couple of girls came up to him and flirted with him. He told them he had a girlfriend, but they wouldn't listen. So as soon as he saw Hermione and Ginny, he went to the door (with the girls following him) and said, "Hi, Sweetheart," and he took Hermione in his arms and kissed her passionately.
One of the girls said, "You're going out with that? Oh that is so sick."
Severus turned around and took out his wand and said, "If you ever talk about her that way again, I will curse you so bad, that being expelled would be an understatement of what I would have to go through, after cursing you. I love her, and she if far better than you. She does not have her face covered in whale tissue and she also does not go around sleeping with every boy, in every house. Come on, you guys," and he grabbed Hermione's hand and pulled her into the Three Broomsticks, with Ginny trailing behind.
When they were seated Hermione said, "You love me?"
Severus had been up since three in the morning dealing with what to do. He finally realized that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. So he sighed and took her hand as he knelt down on one knee and pulled out his Grandmother's engagement ring. It was sterling silver with two diamonds, two sapphires, and one ruby in the middle. Surrounding the sterling silver and in between the diamonds and sapphires were white gold leaves going around and twining through. As soon as he was down on one knee everyone in the bar had gone quiet.
"Hermione," he began, "I love you. And though I cannot give you everything…I would hope that my love is enough for you. I would make you so happy and you would make me the happiest man alive if you would do me the honor of becoming my wife. If you will have me that is. So the question I ask you today…has nothing to do with class but is something more. Hermione Jane Granger, will you spend the rest of your life with me, carry my children and love them forever as I will love you? Will you marry me?" When he finished he looked up and saw her crying. "Please tell me those are tears of joy?"
Hermione then smiled. "Yes, they are. I will marry you. Yes, yes, yes, yes." And she got up and threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.
"I think we should go back to the castle to celebrate," said Ginny.
"Yes, lets," said Draco, and they left for the castle.
They all made themselves at home in the dungeons with a bottle of Scotch and Brandy. After they said their good-byes, they went to bed.
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The next day Hermione wore her engagement ring to the Great Hall for breakfast. Harry and Ron spotted it and Harry said, "Wow, Hermione, when did you get engaged?"
"At Hogsmeade, yesterday," she answered.
"Cool. Congratulations." Then he held up his thumbs and mouthed, "Congratulations," to Severus. Severus gave him a smile so brief if anyone saw it, they would think they had imagined it.
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It was the night of the ball and both Hermione and Severus had spent the whole day getting ready in their chambers.
They already had it planned out. When Severus was through he would go down to the entrance hall with Ginny and Draco and when the time came for the ball to start Ginny and Draco would go in and wait for Severus and Hermione. Albus had told Hermione that because she was Head Girl and also engaged, that her fiancé and her had to walk in together and they could announce the engagement if they wanted to.
Severus was going to have his glamour on, and also his costume. When the dance started they were going to dance until it was over.
Severus was ready to go before Hermione, so he went to knock on her door.
"Yes," she yelled through the door.
"I'm about to leave. How long will you be?" he asked.
"I will be about 10 minutes. See you when I get there."
"Okay," said Severus. He went to meet up with Ginny and Draco.
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A/n: The bar is being raised. I want 20 reviews or no new chapter. But anyway, next chappie: the ball, a night of love, reasons for nicknames, DE revels, letters, dangerous secrets revealed, new information revealed, and the making of plans.