The Matchmaker

Joy Cutting

Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING!

Rating: The rating has increased to M, for increased language and content. Note that the rating may change at any given time. A major slash warning is also implied for the rest of the story.

Summary: You thought one Snape was bad? What happens when the Potion Master's twin shows up and starts plotting? Severus and Hermione never stood a chance. SS/HG, SS2/HP. Due to HP6, this story is now AU.

Author's Note: TINY SPOILER WARNING! Do not read Author's Note if you haven't read HP6 yet!

After reading HP6, I find myself not too fond of Snape anymore. Bastard. Anyway, that, combined with the fact that some really horrible things have been happening in my life lately, has brought me to the decision to end this story. That's right folks, you are looking at the last chapter.

I apologize profusely for delaying this chapter so long, but like I said, bad stuff has been happening.

Anyway, this story is nominated for Multifaceted awards! I would really appreciate it if everyone would vote for me! You can find the link to the website on my author profile!

Once again, I want to send out a huge thanks to all my loyal readers! I love you guys!

"Ten points from Gryffindor, and don't let me catch you breathing so loudly again, Mr. Potter!" Severus scowled as the young man smirked at him. Sparing a quick glare at his brother's lover, he swept around the dungeon classroom; surreptitiously sneaking glances at Hermione as he pretended to inspect the potions that his students were currently laboring over in preparation for the quickly approaching N.E.W.T's. It was clear that June had arrived, and with it a flurry of activity from the fifth and seventh years alike as they scrambled to study for their respective exams.

Severus hated to admit it, but he was quite jealous of the N.E.W.T's. Hermione was spending more time fawning over them than him, and he found that -- despite twenty years of solitude -- after a mere five months of courtship, he felt a certain dismay whenever they were apart. A sudden hissing drew Snape out of his reverie, and, spinning on his heels, he stalked over to the student at fault.

"Mr. Zabini, would you care to explain to me why your potion is spitting out violent red sparks, when it should be simmering gently?" Blaise's usual cool exterior melted briefly as he blushed a crimson red.

"I think my Murlap Root has expired, Sir." He replied with only a hint of a waver in his voice. Severus cocked an unamused eyebrow.

"Is that so?"

"Yes, sir?" It was more of a question, causing the potions professor to tsk loudly.

"Can anyone tell me what the first rule was that I gave you when you first stepped into my classroom as first years?" Severus called out in a steely voice, his back turned to the students. He could almost swear that he heard the air whoosh as Hermione's hand shot into the air. Without turning around, he drawled lazily, "Miss Granger?"

"You told us to check the expiration dates on our ingredients at least twice a month, Sir." She answered mechanically, a small smile on her face. Until five months ago, the dour professor had never called on her to answer a question. 'I really must be softening him up!' Hermione thought with a triumphant gleam in her sparkling eyes.

"Correct. Five points to Gryffindor." Eyebrows flew into the air as the startled students looked at one another. Snape had never awarded Gryffindor house points! They didn't dare say anything however, not wanting to test their luck.

Severus smirked to himself, before turning to face his students.

"When was the last time that you checked the expiration dates on your ingredients, Mr. Zabini?" His voice was silky, yet held a deadly quality that Gryffindors had always feared, yet never thought they would hear turned on the professor's own Slytherins.

"Um… Two months ago, I think?"

"Two months ago…" Severus trailed off, gearing up to rant at the cowering boy before him, when the door to his classroom suddenly banged open. Glaring up at the intruder, Snape was somewhat surprised to see Sebastian striding through the entrance. He stared at his brother indifferently as the other man came to a stop in front of him. "Can I help you?"

All of the students, including a partially relieved Zabini, stared at the twins with curiosity.

"Dumbledore wants to see us in his office immediately." The usually playful man was oddly somber, and Severus could detect a hint of fear in his brother's voice. Glancing quickly at Harry and Hermione's table in question, Severus stifled a groan at his twin's barely perceptible nod.

"Very well." He turned to his students. "Collect a vial of your potion, label it with your name, and place it on my desk." As they hurried to do so, Severus locked up the store cupboard. "After you clear up your work stations, you are dismissed. If I find one hint of a mess when I return, the entire class will have detention!"

Sweeping back down the aisle, both professors headed toward the door. There was an audible sigh of relief from the dark Slytherin, who felt quite lucky that he had escaped his punishment.

"Oh, and ten points from Slytherin, Mr. Zabini." Severus called over his shoulder, chuckling inwardly to himself as he heard the loud groan of frustration.

"Did I hear you correctly?" Bastian gaped playfully, hand grasping his heart in mock surprise. "Did you just take points from your own house?"

"Sod off."

Grinning at his brother, the defense professor shoved his hands in his pockets as they strode quickly toward the Headmaster's office. Severus attempted to scowl in return, but his lips betrayed him as they curled up at the ends.

As they approached the gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's office, both men blanched, hearts sinking immediately.

"Whatchamacallit." Bastian muttered, rolling his eyes at the password of the week. Apparently, Dumbledore had a new affinity for muggle candy bars. Silent, both men ascended the spiral staircase; dread filling their bodies as they imagined the lecture to come. Severus raised his fist and rapped soundly on the oak door.

"Enter." Came the muffled reply from the other side. Taking a deep breath, the twins entered the large room and took a seat in the two chairs opposite Dumbledore's.

"You wished to see us, Albus?" They replied at the same time; something they hadn't done since they were teenagers. Albus quirked an amused eyebrow as he plucked a sherbert lemon from a tin on his desk, popping the sweet in to his mouth as he leaned back in his chair and gazed contemplatively at the two men before him.

"Yes, yes I did." He murmured at last, steepling his fingers on his chest as he stared unblinkingly over the rim of his half-moon glasses.

Severus shifted uneasily in his chair, shooting his twin a worried glance. He hadn't felt this remorseful since the evening he came to this very office to beg Dumbledore for his life. Bastian returned an equally uneasy look as he folded his arms over his chest.

"I would like to discuss the issue of your relationships with Mr. Potter and Miss Granger." Albus murmured calmly, belaying no hint of what was to come. Silence reigned once again as the twins gulped audibly. While student/teacher relationships where not entirely prohibited, they were highly frowned upon for the complications that they caused.

"Listen Albus." Bastian broke the silence at last, leaning forward slightly with a pleading look on his face. "I'm ready to face any punishment you throw my way, but I absolutely refuse to end my relationship with Harry… I love him."

"Nor will I leave Hermione." Severus threw in, a bit disconcerted by the sudden twinkling in the Headmaster's eyes.

"Is that so?" Leaning forward himself, Dumbledore's gaze penetrated the Snape twins, who, once again, shifted anxiously in their seats. After what seemed like an eternity of silence, Albus fell back into his chair. "As Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, I have the authority to perform the Marriage and Bonding rituals, if you so choose. Also, Hogwarts is at your disposal, should you need a place to hold the ceremonies."

Blinking rapidly, Severus and Sebastian glanced back and forth between each other and the crazy old man across from them.

"Are- are you serious, Albus?" Bastian spoke at last, eyes wide.

"Quite serious, I assure you."

"But-"

"I will let you both in on a little secret." Dumbledore whispered conspiratorially, leaning forward once again. Curious, both Snapes did the same. "I have known about your relationships since their inception."

"WHAT!" Severus bellowed, surprised at this development. Here they had been tiptoeing around the Headmaster, afraid of the repercussions should he learn the truth, and the old coot had known all along!

"I had been hoping for them for quite a while, actually."

Neither man knew what to say, so they merely stared at Albus incredulously.

"Should you need any assistance planning the proposals, I am at your disposal." Eyes twinkling more than ever, Dumbledore waved his hand at the door, causing it to swing open silently. "You may go."

Numbly, both men stood and exited the office, deaf to the chuckles emanating from within.

"C-can you believe the nerve of that man?" Bastian muttered half-heartedly, looking at his brother to see what his reaction would be as the duo walked through the empty halls. Severus remained silent; seemingly lost in his own world.

"How did he know?" He spoke at last, still staring off into space. Bastian furrowed his eyebrows.

"Some of the portraits probably saw what happened on New Years and reported back to him."

"No… How did he know that I am going to propose to Hermione?"

"W-what!" Bastian sputtered, shocked at this discovery. He knew that his older twin was quite in love with the fiery young woman, but he had know idea that he was already entertaining thoughts of marriage. Bastian, himself, hadn't even gotten that far. Though, now that he thought about it…

"I bought the ring last weekend. I plan on proposing to her during the Graduation Feast." Stopping suddenly in a deserted corridor, Severus at last turned to face his brother. Bastian was surprised to see how young and healthy the usually sallow man looked. 'Hermione really must be doing wonders for him.' He thought to himself, an unexpected wave of relief flowing through him at this revelation. It was good to see his brother happy again.

"Sev, are you sure about this?" He asked, though he believed he already knew the answer.

"Absolutely." Came the firm reply; a fire lighting in Severus' eyes the likes of which Sebastian had never seen.

"I'm happy for you, Severus. I really am." Realizing that if his nasty, sardonic, evil git of a brother could fall in love and get married, than he could too. Bastian felt a surge of something warm and fuzzy shoot through his body at the thought of spending the rest of his life with Harry. Snapped out of his reverie by a warm, gentle hand on his shoulder, the younger twin looked up at his brother.

"Thank you, Bastian." Severus murmured earnestly, smiling awkwardly, before striding off toward the dungeons.

"Great Merlin, am I glad those are done!" Harry exclaimed in relief as he fell onto the bench between his two best friends at the Gryffindor table two weeks later. Having just completed his last exam, the young man finally allowed himself to breath. Hermione chuckled next to him.

"They really weren't all that bad, Harry." She admonished playfully, spooning a generous helping of stuffing onto his plate for him as he gorged himself on gravy drenched turkey.

"Oh, come off it Hermione!" Ron exclaimed, leaning forward to look past Harry and glare at his friend. "They were horrible, and you know it!"

"If you insist…" She smirked good-humoredly, daintily buttering a dinner roll. Both boys rolled their eyes at her before returning to their own dinners. An easy silence surrounded them as they reflected on the past week. There had barely been a moment when they weren't studying or testing, and Hermione and Harry had both found themselves becoming increasingly agitated as the days passed without seeing either Snape. Despite what she told the boys, the exams had been quite difficult for Hermione, if only because her mind kept drifting back to her favorite potions master.

"Can you believe we're graduating in two days?" Ron spoke, bringing Hermione back to reality. She smiled at her friend, though her heart secretly broke at the thought. She dreaded leaving Hogwarts; though she knew that she'd be able to spend the summer unencumbered with Severus, she wasn't looking forward to only weekend visits when the next school year began.

"Yeah. It seems sort of surreal, doesn't it?" Harry added, once again drawing Hermione into their conversation.

"Yeah…"

"Hey! What's that?" Ginny piped up from across the table, pointing toward the rafters, where a dozen owls soared through the open windows and flew over Harry; each dropping their load. Dozens of roses rained over the Gryffindor table, causing everyone in the hall to gasp in awe.

"What the?" Harry murmured as a last owl flew in and deposited a small package before him.

"Open it!" Ron elbowed his friend in the arm impatiently. Hermione leaned forward as Harry unwrapped the small box, curious as to what it could be. All of those who could see what was in the box as the Boy Wonder snapped it open, gasped in surprise.

Harry stared in disbelief at the intricately engraved platinum band within, not exactly sure what to do or say.

"Marry me?" A voice whispered sensuously behind him, causing him to jump in shock. Whirling around in their seats, the trio gazed in surprise at Sebastian, who was kneeling before Harry.

"Huh?" Blinking rapidly, Harry's mouth gaped open as what was happening finally dawned on him. Bastian chuckled softly as he took the band from the box and lifted the young man's left hand with his own.

"I love you Harry, more than I ever thought possible." He whispered, aware of the entire room's eyes on him. "But now I realize that I can't imagine spending the rest of my life without you. Will you marry me?"

"Is that possible?" Harry said, elated yet wary; afraid of too much of a good thing. "I mean, can two men even get married?" Bastian grinned, chuckling once again.

"I assure you, my love, that it is quite possible. Albus even offered to perform the ceremony." The hand holding the ring hovered expectantly over the ring finger on Harry's hand, shaking slightly as Bastian awaited his lover's answer.

"Then yes, I will marry you." The Great Hall erupted in cheers as Bastian slid the ring on Harry's finger, then swooped down and captured the young man's lips with his own. They held each other, happy tears trekking down flushed cheeks as the congratulations poured in.

Meanwhile, up at the staff table, Severus was livid.

"Bloody bastard stole my idea!" He muttered under his breath as he glared down at the celebrating couple and the crowd around them. Truth be told, he was more surprised at everyone's ready acceptance of the pair, than he was angry at his twin.

"Fear not, Severus. I do not think Hermione suspects." Albus murmured beside him, pointing out the young girl who was caught up in the turmoil; a large smile spread across her face as she hugged first her best friend, then her defense professor. "And believe me when I say that your proposal will cause much more of a shock than Sebastian's."

Snape only grunted in response as he slowly got out of his chair and made his way down to the dissipating crowd.

"Congratulations Sebastian, Harry." He muttered, looking for all the world that he was completely disinterested, when in fact he was putting up a front so that Hermione wouldn't catch on to his own plans. After shaking both man's hands, he strode swiftly out of the hall. "Now I have to cancel the bloody flowers and owls… Dammit Bastian!"

"Another fantastic year!" Dumbledore spread his arms out as if embracing the truth of the words. Gazing down on the students before him, the Headmaster smiled grandfatherly. "We've had highs, and we've had lows. We've had karaoke and masquerades… Rousing games of strip poker," he smirked when the students involved gasped audibly, "and exciting games of Quidditch. There has been love and hate, fights and proposals. And in the end, we all came out the better for it."

The room was full of agreeing murmurs and happy smiles. Everyone was just happy to be alive; and more than a few were relieved that the year had passed rather uneventfully. With no more Voldemort or Death Eaters to worry over, life had returned to normal. Blissfully normal. For the most part.

"And now I would like you all to sit back and enjoy the wonderful feast that the house-elves have prepared for us; for some of you, it is the last feast that you will ever enjoy at Hogwarts. Tuck in!" The hall filled with a burst of noise as the tables creaked under the weight of food and the students dove into the amazing food.

Severus sat stiffly, barely picking at his food as he watched Hermione laugh and converse with her friends. He could barely believe what he was about to do. Fingering the ring in his pocket, the nervous man glanced anxiously at Sebastian.

"Don't worry. She'll say yes."

Nodding mutely, Severus tapped his foot impatiently, waiting for the feast to be done. When the last of the dessert dishes were cleared away, he looked to Albus for the go ahead. Usually the Headmaster gave his parting words after the feast, but he'd promised the potions master to wait until after he'd proposed to Hermione.

"You have the floor." Albus murmured with a soft smile on his face. Taking a deep breath, Severus stood and descended the dais, striding purposefully toward the Gryffindor table. Coming to a stop behind Hermione, he glared at the students who gave him a frightened look. Taking her hand, Severus pulled the young woman up until she was standing before him.

"Professor Snape?" She questioned, careful not to abandon pretenses. Severus fidgeted nervously. "Sir?"

"Listen, Hermione." He began uncertainly, his prepared speech completely vanishing from every corner of his mind. He was definitely drawing a blank. Panicking, he looked everywhere but at her as he spoke. "These last few months have been great, really. You've showed me more love and compassion than anyone has in my entire life."

'Oh Merlin, he's breaking up with me.' Hermione suddenly thought to herself, tears stinging her eyes. 'And if front of the entire school!'

"I'm not listening to another word you say!" She bit out, covering her ears with her hands and clenching her eyes shut.

'That was certainly unexpected!' Severus thought, frowning in confusion. As he replayed his words in his head, it suddenly dawned on him why she was acting so peculiar.

"Hermione!" He called out harshly to get her attention. She opened her eyes, but refused to move her hands. Rolling his eyes and sighing in exasperation, he pulled out the ring and held it in front of her face. The square cut diamond, set upon a pristine white gold band, sparkled enticingly in the flickering light of the floating candles. Hermione blinked slowly, her heart skipping a beat.

"And just what, exactly, do you intend for me to do with that?" She dropped her hands to her hips and quirked a playful eyebrow.

"Wear it, you insufferable little know-it-all!" A few people dared to laugh softly at this. Hermione's grin only grew wider.

"And why would I want to do that?"

"Because you love me, and I love you, and I want to marry you, dammit!" Severus growled out, pouting at how difficult she was making this.

"Well, in that case." Hermione lunged forward, wrapping her arms around Severus and planting a steamy kiss on his lips. "I accept." She whispered softly in his ear.

"You do?" He pulled back, frustration sweeping out of him like a gust of wind clears fallen leaves. The young woman in his arms smiled lovingly up at him, tears in her eyes.

"I do."

AN: So that's it for the last chapter! I was considering making it longer, but it's pretty long already, and I didn't want to drag it out too far. I thought it was a fitting ending.

However, do not fear, there WILL be an epilogue. And in that epilogue, Snape will finally get some action! YAY! Plus we'll see where they all end up 10 years from now!

LEAVE ME SOME LOVE!