A/N: The quote in here is from Song of the South, though I have debated with the husband on if I got it totally accurate. It works better the way I remember it ;) I also give a nod to a certain Disney movie, if you can spot it (it's pretty obvious, now that I think about it).
Harry finally found Ron in his room. Ron was sitting on his bed, holding a picture of him with his arms wrapped around a smiling Hermione. Ron smiled as Harry entered the room, then returned his gaze to the picture.
"You coming down?" Harry asked.
"It's just harder than I thought, seeing them together."
Harry sat on a chair next to the bed. He placed a hand reassuringly on his friend's shoulder.
"She seems so happy," Ron lamented, running a finger over the laughing image of his ex in the picture.
"She does," Harry said stupidly, unable to think of something else to say.
"I saw you talking to him," Ron stated, then looked to his friend in a hopeful, unasked question.
"I did," Harry said slowly. He didn't want to tell Ron what he had talked to his former Professor about it, there was no hope for him in it. Reluctantly he sighed and said, "He told me he loves her."
Ron's body seemed to deflate.
"And it seems she's got the same feelings for him."
Ron's eyes closed and the picture fell to his lap. "I knew it," he whispered. "She seemed so happy when she arrived."
Harry nodded, unsure of what to say.
"This is it, Harry. I'm going to have to let her go, aren't I?"
"It's not like they're making wedding plans or anything yet," Harry tried to talk Ron down.
"It's only a matter of time," Ron replied sadly. He placed the picture on the stand next to his bed. "What do you think I should do?"
"I think you should decide if this is worth losing her friendship over," Harry said firmly. He knew that if someone wasn't firm with Ron he would be moody and sulky for weeks, if not months.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean if you can't be in the same room as Hermione without getting all bloody upset about it, you might as well write your friendship off as a loss. She loves you and values you as one of her best friends, but I don't think she's going to give up her relationship because you get all emotional whenever you're around her."
Ron thought about it for a moment. "The two of you have been my best mates for years. I don't want to lose either one of you."
"Well, if you want to keep Hermione as a friend, you're going to have to accept the fact that she's found someone else that she loves."
Ron nodded. "I'll never find love."
"Don't be a prat, Ron. There's someone out there for you. You'll find love, it's just not going to be with who you thought it would be with."
Ron straightened up slightly.
"I think you should go down to that party. There's going to be lots of single girls, and you're bloody Ron Weasley. You'll find someone you like. Besides, you can't run away from your troubles, there ain't no place that far."
Ron's straightened up some more. "You're right. I'm going to go down there."
"Just don't do anything stupid, okay?"
"You know me."
"Yeah, I know, Ron-Ron," Harry smirked.
_______________________________________
The tent was packed with well-wishing family and friends. It was hard to move without bumping into someone else. Pleasantries were exchanged left and right with friends that hadn't been seen in years. Several other Hogwarts Professors had arrived, and were occupied reminiscing with former students over past assignments, interesting lessons, or the general chaos that had reigned during the years most of them had spent at the school.
Snape proved to be more popular than one would have thought. Most students were surprised to say the least at his presence, and even more surprised that his usual surly self was not the man in attendance. He and Hermione had gotten separated when she was spirited away by Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, and the Patil twins, and he had been unable to pry himself from Angelina Johnson, who was talking about her job as a potion maker for St. Mungos.
He talked politely with the younger woman, keeping his gaze discretely on Hermione, who was laughing quite often at Dean, who was obviously flirting with her. As Dean became more brazen in his affections towards Hermione, Snape decided it was time to act. He excused himself from Angelina, plucked two glasses of wine off a nearby waiter's platter, and walked over to where the group of former students stood.
"Professor Snape!" Parvati said in surprise as he appeared at Hermione's side.
"Ms. Patil, Mr. Thomas, Ms. Patil, Mr. Finnegan," he nodded to each one, then handed one of the glasses of wine to Hermione.
"Oh, thanks, Severus," Hermione said, taking the glass and reaching up to give him a kiss on the cheek.
Her friends jaws dropped in unison. Snape smirked.
"I'd introduce my date, but I'm sure you already met," Hermione said with amusement.
"Date?" Dean couldn't stop himself from shouting.
"Yes, Mr. Thomas. Date," Snape sneered. He placed his arm possessively around Hermione's waist and drew her close to him.
"How long has this been going on?" Padma asked.
"A couple months," Hermione replied.
Padma and Parvati exchanged smirks as Harry entered the group. He was greeted by enthusiastic hellos, handshakes, and hugs. His brow was covered in sweat from dancing with Ginny, and he was grinning somewhat stupidly.
"Well, we've got Harry, and we've got Hermione," Seamus said, looking around. "Where's Ron? Aren't you three joined at the hip?"
"Oh, he's around," Harry beamed wider. "He's just... doing something stupid," he said low enough only Hermione could hear. He pointed to a corner where a familiar crop of red hair was entwined with a mass of long, light blonde mane.
"Is he making out with Luna Lovegood?" Hermione asked in surprise.
Harry nodded over-enthusiastically. A song came on that caused all the women to rush to the dance floor, leaving Dean, Seamus, Harry, and Snape.
"Don't meet up with people for a couple of years, and everything gets all crazy," Dean laughed. "Ron's seeing Luna, Hermione's seeing Snape... who are you seeing, Harry? McGonagall?"
Harry winced at the thought. "Nope, I'm engaged to Ginny."
Dean nodded and held his hand out to his former classmate in congratulations. "She's a good woman, Harry. And I should probably congratulate you as well, Professor. Hermione is a great woman."
"She is," Snape said, watching Hermione dancing with Ginny.
A few minutes later Hermione came running up to him. "Come dance with me," she demanded.
Seeing no point in resisting Snape followed her onto the dance floor as a waltz came on. Surprising Hermione, and most of the people around him, he placed one hand upon her waist, took her other hand, and swept her expertly around the floor. Several other people, including Minerva, stopped to watch them, several muttering. McGonagall stood at the edge of the dance floor, and uncharacteristic smile painted across her face.
Hermione stared up into Snape's face as he lead her effortlessly. She smiled as he gazed into her eyes, and she suddenly forgot everyone else in the room. As stereotypical as it sounded, she felt like she was dancing on a cloud in her own fairy tale. Snape returned the smile, and Hermione felt her heart flutter. The tent, the people, even the music melted away. There was only her and Severus moving as one around their cloud.
Too soon the dance was over and Snape released his hold on her. In a nod to an old custom Snape bowed to her as a way to thank her for the dance. Hermione replied by grabbing his hand and pulling him from the tent. She didn't stop pulling him until she had rounded the house, out of sight of the partiers. She pressed herself against the stone of the house and pulled him to her in a passionate kiss. He responded enthusiastically, and they were back in her fairy tale for a few moments.
"Where did you learn to dance like that?" she whispered, her lips grazing his ear.
He shrugged. "We were taught how for the Yule Ball a long time ago. I enjoyed it, I took a few lessons outside school."
"We need to do it more often."
"We do," he agreed before attacking her lips again.
A bright flash cut through the night, and they broke apart in surprise. A tall, brightly dressed woman stood a few feet away with a camera hovering next to her, a quill and pad of paper trailing behind.
"Oh, no, not you," Hermione moaned.
"Hermione, darling, how have you been?" Rita Skeeter smiled, flashing perfect, white teeth.
"I was much better before I saw you," Hermione replied through gritted teeth.
"Lovely, lovely. And here with Professor Severus Snape, I see."
"What in the world are you doing here?" Snape growled.
"Part of my job is to cover social events. The engagement party of a wealthy businessman and an international Quidditch player is certainly a social event. Luckily I usually find interesting stories at just such an event. And look at what I've come across here."
"Our love life is hardly an 'interesting story'," Hermione snapped.
"I have readers who would beg to differ," Rita replied with another smile.
"Why don't you go back to the party?" Snape said dangerously.
"In due time, dear Professor. How long has this been going on? Illicit teacher and student affair continuing on, perhaps?"
"No!" Hermione shouted. "Get out of here!"
"Hermione, Hermione, you're a public figure. Everyone wants to know what's going on with you."
"No they don't. They read your dribble for some stupid reason, you tell them they want to know what's going on with me, therefore they think that they want to know. If it wasn't for you they wouldn't care about my life, so why don't you just stop telling them?"
Rita chuckled. "As clever as you are, you certainly don't get the newspaper business, do you?"
Snape drew himself to his full height, crossed his arms over his chest, and advanced on the irritating woman. "I believe both Hermione and I have told you to leave us be. Why don't you go back to the party? Now," he hissed.
Rita looked as if she were trying to find some way to protest, but the agitated Potions Master stopping mere inches from her changed her mind. She retreated across the grass and back up to the tent.
Hermione sank against the house. "She's going to have this all over her page in the Prophet tomorrow."
Snape shook his head. "Don't let her get to you," he murmured, taking her in his arms.
"She's such a cow," Hermione said, resting her head against his chest.
"That's one of the nicer names she's been called."
"I'm sorry. This is my fault."
"How is it your fault? Would you have chosen another path if you knew that being part of the Golden Trio would have made you some sort of celebrity? Would you have turned your back on the wizarding world to keep your privacy?"
"Of course not, but I know how much you like to stay out of the public eye."
"I knew when we started this relationship that this would eventually happen. I admit, it's happened a little earlier than I thought it would, but that's part of being with you. I love you, and I'd rather be with you and deal with public scrutiny than alone in private."
Hermione threw her arms around him and began kissing him. "I love you, too, Severus. You always know the right thing to say."
He smiled at her. "As much as I'd love to spend the night out here kissing you, I think we're about to have company," he jerked his head towards two figures crossing the grass towards them, oblivious to anyone but each other. As they grew closer Snape and Hermione got a look at who it was.
Hermione smirked as Ron pulled Luna into another sloppy kiss. She covered her mouth to keep from laughing. Snape opened his mouth to make a snide remark, but she slapped her hand over his lips before words could escape them, and pulled him around the house and back towards the party. Above them fireworks started to light up the night sky.
Please review! It always helps to see that people like my work, and it motivates me to get off my tuckus and write another chapter (don't worry, I won't deny you if you don't review, but I really like to hear from readers.)