Chapter 11

Hermione had just finished telling Ginny what had happened today. She was so thrilled because of the things she had experienced and she simply couldn't wait for her weekend to begin. She was SO excited to be spending a weekend- Hermione had owled her mother earlier to let her know that she had met someone that she thought she just might marry- she described how she had to remember to breathe because he absolutely took her breath away. And as she wondered what her mother would write back to her in response, an owl came to the window. Hermione saw a beautiful red paper with pink hearts all over it-

"Ginny!" She called. "There's a letter for you."

Ginny grabbed the letter and before opening it said "No, Hermione- it's for YOU!"

"You don't think he would send something to me like this? I mean I feel passion with him but this is romantic- almost out of character for him." Hermione was wondering who her real secret admiror was. She thought it was probably Terry Boot or Ron again trying to get back together with her. She carefully opened the letter and read it out loud to Ginny.

"Hermione, I can't stop thinking about you and I can't wait to see you tonight. Since you never had a proper Valentine's Day- I'm going to take you out for a night you'll always remember.

–Severus-"

Hermione squealed "WHAT! Oh Ginny I cannot believe he wrote this to me!"

Ginny smiled at her and said abruptly, "Sit down girl before you faint!"

Hermione sat down and began to hug the letter to her chest. What a wonderful night they were going to have. One to remember. She would never forget what they had already done and yet he planned to take her out for a Valentine's date. Hermione felt tears stinging her eyes.

"Aren't you happy Hermione?" Ginny asked with sincerity.

"Yes, I'm very happy- so happy that I just don't even know what to do. The fact that he walked in on Ron and I and with everything we've been through this week, and to receive this- I can't believe he is taking me out on a DATE!"

Hermione was definitely swooning over him.

"Hermione, you know what you were telling me about loving him earlier?"

"Yes?"

"I think HE is the one who loves you. I mean WHO does THIS type of stuff?"

"I don't know Ginny, I really don't."

"And let's not forget he's not just any guy- this is Professor Snape evil man of the dungeons, spiteful potions teacher. And he sends you this? Oh Hermione, I think I'm falling in love with the two of you falling in love."

"Do you really think he might actually LOVE me?" Hermione wondered.

"I don't think there is a might about it Hermione- and I think this weekend you will find out the truth about how he really feels."

"I hope he feels like I do. I really do. But if we both feel this way, then there won't be any hiding it anymore."

"Honey, if you two think you are hiding it now- that's a joke and you just wait until this weekend is over."

"Ginny, what if I don't know what to do? What if it hurts? What if I don't make him happy enough? What if I don't do it right?" Hermione showed concern in her face.

"You will be fine Hermione. Did you ever imagine that you would have known how to do those things that you did with him before?"

"No, but this is different. I'm not experienced."

"What part of 'he loves you' don't you understand?" Ginny was very interested to know.

In two hours she would be here, he had booked the restaurant, he had made reservations at the club, and already had the dozen roses ready for their date tonight. He was all prepared except for getting dressed. He was so looking forward to this night that he had planned and hoped that she would appreciate the planning that he put into it. The very fact that they were going to be able to go out and be seen together made him feel SO happy. The fact that he would walk around with her on his arm and as his woman made his heart fill with joy. He wanted this night to go perfectly because she deserved it. He remembered a muggle story of a Cinderella and he wanted to make her feel special like Cinderella did.

He anxiously paced around the room making sure that everything was cleaned up, looked presentable, and that he would be able to impress his dear Hermione. How strange would they feel after this night? It WOULD be different between them and then everyone would know. He would have to talk to the Headmaster about his love for Hermione.

'His LOVE?' he snarled 'I love no one and nothing.'

Then he pictured her beautiful face in his mind and like a slideshow in his mind he began to remember the events of this week and reflect upon how much she meant to him. He realized as he closed his eyes remembering when he looked inside her mind and dropped her, when she sweetly asked him to lay down with her, the sexy dance she did in his office, the kisses that they shared, and the many looks they had between them he felt his heart stop.

It was at that moment that he realized- he had fallen in love with her and he had no idea what to do about it.

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Hermione finished dressing- she was wearing a sexy LBD (little black dress) that Ginny once again had let her borrow. Ginny said she didn't want it back though after the weekend of passion she imagined Hermione would have. Ginny helped Hermione to fasten the beautiful silver necklace and promised that she would tell everyone that she had gone to see her parents. Ginny watched Hermione finish packing her bag- makeup, toiletries, fresh panties, sexy panties, and some comfortable clothes.

As Hermione put earings in her ears and finished teasing her hair- Ginny smiled at her.

"Hermione, you look so beautiful."

"You are so sweet Ginny. You are awfully emotional tonight- what is going on sweetheart?"

"If I told you, you wouldn't believe me." She answered.

"What is it? What has you so emotionally stirred up?"

"To watch you fall into love and to watch him fall into love with you reminds me of so many muggle stories that my dad used to read to me- like Beauty and the Beast." Ginny teared up as she missed her dad reading those stories to her.

"I assure you he is NOT a beast, but that is a sweet comparison Ginny. And just think- you and Draco helped bring us together by sending us those letters."

"Yeah, about that- we had a few more pranks than that. Like the explosion in the hallway." Ginny smiled.

"You wouldn't, you didn't Ginny, oh my- you DID!" Hermione started giggling as she pulled her friend into a hug. "Thank you. I love you forever and I promise you this. If Severus and I do get married I want you to be my maid of honor."

Ginny wiped the tears away from her face- "That is SO sweet- now goodbye honey have fun- you don't want to be late. Destiny is waiting. He is waiting. Make sure you wear a robe over the top so no one suspects where you are going."

Hermione put on her borrowed black heels and with anticipation and excitement in her tummy waved goodbye to Ginny and left the room in search of the man that she loved.

"Where is Hermione?" Ron asked slightly upset.

"Ron she went to go see her parents." Ginny explained.

"What is she going there for?" he asked.

"She just really misses them is all."

"I wanted to give her a present- I think she'll like it- what do you think?" Ron held out the gift to his sister.

"Ron!" she screamed. "What is THIS?"

"An engagement ring- I want her to marry me. When she told me that she was so happy and didn't think she would ever be single again it broke my heart so very much. So I want to ask her to marry me."

Ginny sighed and put her arm around her brother, "Ron, while that is very sweet- Hermione has already found the man she is going to marry. She is in love with him and he is in love with her. And I believe they will be married someday very soon."

"No, I won't allow it! Hermione and I were supposed to end up together. Everyone was expecting it. She is letting me down- I need to find her and reason with her that she still loves me." Ron was almost in tears.

"Ron, she doesn't love you anymore. Her heart is taken by someone that was meant for her. You need to find someone else and move on."

" I will bloody well NOT move on. She was supposed to be MINE Ginny. Who the hell is this guy? I can take him. He CAN'T have her. Who is it Ginny?"

" I don't know." Ginny replied with lips pursed.

"You tell me now or I will tell mom and dad that you have been shagging Draco Malfoy." He blackmailed her.

"Good luck trying to prove that one Ron. And the answer is still NO I will NOT betray my best friend like you betrayed her- but you know what? I sincerely hope Pansy was worth it to you because if you truly DID love Hermione you lost her over Pansy. And if you want my honest opinion you are never going to get her back either." Ginny shook her head at her brother feeling sorry for him but stressing her point that Hermione was gone.

"When I find this wizard and I WILL- I'm going to fight him for Hermione." Ron said as he put his wand up.

"Yeah, you're kind of at a disadvantage there Ron." She said laughing.

"You just wait and see Ginny. Hermione will be mine again. I can still win her back."

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