A/N: So, this is one of the glimpses I have been so excited to write. I hope you guys enjoy it!
Disclaimer: I don't own HP or "How Forever Feels." J.K. and Kenny Chesney do.
Tonight's the night
Feels like perfect timing
Severus Snape was pacing back and forth in front of his bed, wringing his hands in anticipation. He couldn't back out now; he had come this far. He loved her, he knew that for certain. And there really was no question that she loved him. They had been together nearly a year now, the only thing left to do was ask her the question. The question consisted of four simple words, but they were going to be the four hardest words he had ever uttered in his life: Will you marry me?
Hermione was at her evening class, receiving her license to teach. After Hogwarts, she realized that was all she had ever truly wanted to do. She only had a few more classes left before she would have her certificate, and Severus had never been more proud of her. He looked at his watch. Seven o'clock. She would be home any minute. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small heart-shaped velvet box. He snapped open the lid and admired the ring he had picked out. It was platinum (very expensive, but he had once heard Hermione mention to Ginny in passing that she had always dreamed of a platinum engagement ring), and the diamond was a 1 ½ carat princess cut stone. The clarity was near perfect. Severus smiled as he pictured the look on her face when she saw it (and tried to forget how much it had set him back). As he heard her key click in the lock, he snapped the box shut hurriedly and placed it back in his pocket. He walked to the living room to meet her. He reached the room just as she was opening the door. He smiled at her.
"Hi, dear," he said, leaning to her to give her a kiss on the lips. She kissed him back.
"Hi, Sev, how was your day?" she asked, setting her messenger bag on the dining room table.
"Oh, it was fine," he replied, his hand brushing the velvet box in his pocket. "And yours? How was class?"
"Oh, it was good, just another week and I've got my certificate!" she exclaimed suddenly, running over to him and jumping on his front, wrapping her legs around his waist. He laughed and wrapped his arms around her.
"Yes, you do, Hermione, and I am so proud of you!" he cried, hugging her tightly and setting her down on her feet gently. "Now, come on, we're going for a walk," he said, opening the front door.
"Right now?" she asked, looking down. "I need to change," she said.
"Change? No, you look perfect," he said, looking at her admiringly. She was wearing a black knee-length skirt and a blue button up shirt with black strappy heels. She sighed.
"Oh, alright, Severus, where are we going?" she asked, following him out the door.
"You'll see," he said. He had decided to propose to her in the Great Hall. What other place besides Hogwarts was more perfect? That was where their entire relationship had blossomed, and the Great Hall was where they first decided to do something about it.
The castle was darker than usual that night, it still being summer vacation and only the faculty there to inhabit it. They made their way to the Great Hall, holding hands. Hermione turned to Severus as they reached the doors.
"Sev, why are we going in here? Nothing's going on in the Great Hall this time of year," she said, thoroughly confused.
"Stop asking so many questions, Hermione!" he said simply, and with a flick of his wand, all the lights went out on the other side of the door in the Great Hall, save one bright star shining down from the enchanted ceiling, right in the middle of the room. All the tables disappeared at the same time. He opened the doors of the Great Hall with a flourish, revealing utter darkness and emptiness, except that one spot of light. Hermione looked at him, even though she couldn't see his face.
"Severus, what's going on?" she asked. He said nothing, but led her to the bright light in the middle of the room. He stood facing her, holding both her hands. They could see each other clearly now, the silvery light illuminating her every feature. He took a deep breath.
"Hermione, I love you," he said, looking into her eyes.
"I love you too, Sev, but you didn't have to bring me to the Great Hall to tell me th—" her sentence stopped short and her breath caught in her throat as he dropped to one knee. She gasped, let go of his left hand and covered her mouth with her right.
He reached in his pocket with his now free hand and pulled out the box. Using wordless and wandless magic, he opened it. The ring sat in the box, shining under the starlight. She took one look at it and her eyes filled with tears. He took the ring out of the box and held it in his left hand. The box floated to the ground.
"Hermione Jean Granger, I love you more than life itself. Every day we've been together has been better than the last. You have brought light into my life. I never thought I would be happy, and then you came along. Ever since you walked into my life, you have made each day a blessing, and I never thought anyone could do that. I want nothing more than to make you happy, make you smile, and love you for the rest of my life. Hermione," he took another deep breath, "will you marry me?" he asked, holding the ring near her left hand.
Tears were flowing down her cheeks.
"Oh, Severus, yes, yes, yes!" she said, sobs choking her every word.
He sighed in relief and slipped the ring onto her left ring finger. It fit perfectly. She looked at it and covered her mouth again. She looked up at him, her eyes shining. She wrapped her arms around him and he enveloped her in a tight hug.
As soon as they embraced, the lights came up in the Great Hall and applause ruptured all over the room. Hermione jumped, but immediately began to cry fresh tears.
Everyone was there, in a large circle around them. She let go of Severus and turned around. Her parents were there, Dumbledore and McGonagall, Professors Flitwick, Lupin, Sprout, and Hagrid. Ron, Ginny, Harry, Luna, Neville, Dean, Seamus, Fred, George, Bill, Fleur, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, The Malfoy family, Lee Jordan, even Crookshanks was sitting in between Fred and George. All of them were clapping, smiling, and some (Harry and Ron included) were crying. There were many other people there, but her tears were blurring her vision. She turned back to Severus and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Severus, I am so glad you let all our friends and family share this moment with us," she said, looking up at him with adoration. He grinned.
"I knew you would love it," he said, wiping the tears from her cheeks.
"I love you, darling," she said.
"I love you too, and I cannot wait to make you happy," he said, leaning toward her.
"Oh Severus, you already do," she said, her lips meeting his in a passionate kiss.
Now I know how forever feels.
tbc
So, how was it? Finally, Sev and 'Mione are engaged! Please, leave reviews! Love, love!
-r
