The next few weeks passed blissfully and quite uneventful, Hermione's mind mainly focused on all things wedding related. She had already decided that Lily would be her maid of honour and although it saddened her to think that Harry and Ron would not be there on the happiest day of her life, she was very happy to have Lily beside her instead. She had decided on a pretty white dress with a lovely red and gold sash and emeralds embodied onto her corset. For Lily, she had decided on a short deep crimson dress with hints of gold. She felt this would reflect both Gryffindor and Slytherin in unity. She did not know much about what Severus was going to wear, she only knew that it was to be a mixture of emerald and black but she felt that no matter what he picked it would be perfect. Each and every day she spent with him she felt more and more in tune with him and often believed their souls were entwined, thus she could not wait to make her feelings known to the world and their love unified.
Looking up from her sketches of all things to do with the wedding, she saw Severus walking around the lake towards her. He quickly made his way to her and gently bent down to kiss her softly.
"What are you doing baby?" Asked Severus, trying to sneak a look at her sketches.
"Oh, never you mind! You can't see anything to do with my dress until the day, it's bad luck." Replied Hermione.
"Hermione, for as long as we are together I don't think any bad luck could ever come between us."
Hermione turned and smiled at Severus. She could not believe how much love she felt for this man. A man she once hated and now was the reason she got up in the mornings and wanted to live. She sighed happily and rested her head on his shoulder gazing out across the lake as it shone and glistened in the sun. Life was perfect.
Just as the sun was beginning to set the couple decided it would be a good time to head back to the castle, get some dinner and then head to the library to work. Even with wedding planning, studying still came first in Hermione's mind. As they reached the great hall they bumped into Dumbledore.
"Ah Hermione, I was wondering if I could have a word in private?" Dumbledore asked politely.
"Of course sir. You don't mind do you Severus, I will meet you in the library later?"
Severus nodded and with a quick kiss on the forehead he wandered off towards the Slytherin table and as Hermione noticed, he decided to sit away from his peers, rather than spending time with them. Still quite a loner, even though he had her. She vowed to never leave him to be alone again, she would be with him until their last breath together, she thought to herself.
"Hermione my dear, would you care to follow me to my office, I have a few things I would like to discuss." Dumbledore had already began motioning towards his office whilst saying this and Hermione followed closely behind.
"Take a seat, take a seat; sherbet lemon?" He asked as soon as they arrived. Hermione shook her head and gracefully took a seat.
"So I have heard some news about you and Severus? Marriage? Is this true?"
Hermione smiled ecstatically. "Oh yes professor, I am so excited, I never believed I would find someone that I was so at one with. He is my soul mate and I am his"
Dumbledore pondered this for a moment before asking; "I assume with this in mind you have given up all hope of returning to your own time?"
She looked dejected for a moment. Memories of her former life came flashing back; her lovely mum combing her hair, her jolly dad telling her to brush her teeth. She sighed. Never again would she see them and they would not be there at her wedding, her own parents absent for the rest of her life.
Dumbledore noted her change of expression. "I'm sorry, I did not mean to cause you any upset, I just wanted to make sure that you knew what you were doing and that your mind was completely clear. I have no objections to you marrying Severus, he is a fine boy but only do this if you are entirely sure that you will not be attempting to find a way back home. You are a very smart girl Miss Granger; I know you will do the right thing."
She looked at Dumbledore in the eyes, saw them sparkle as she had seen so many times before and knew that he was just being there for her. He had her best interests at heart. She smiled and said, "I will Professor, Thank you. Do you mind if I head to the library now?"
He could see that her mind was swimming with thoughts and knew his words had sunk in. "Of course, and if you need me you know where I am."
As she got up to leave she realised that if she were to stay in this time forever, she would need a father figure. She believed Dumbledore was such a man. She smiled once more at him before turning towards the door. Upon leaving she wandered quite aimlessly towards the library her mind deep in thought. 'Could I really go through with this, knowing I can never go back to my own time? I love Severus and our relationship but is love enough to give up on finding my way home?' Hermione looked up from her thoughts to find Severus sitting at a table with several books open in front of him but his eyes staring at her, his mouth giving a playful smile that he only gave for her. 'I love him, he is my life, I cannot be without him. This is my life now.' She thought as she sat down next to him.
'I love you Severus.' She whispered to him. He turned to her, looking deep into her eyes, 'I love you too Hermione, with all my heart.'
