"Oi! Hermione!" called out her red-headed best friend.
Hermione froze looking around. She had reminded Ginny to refer to her as Professor Granger when around other students so no one accused her of playing favorites. Just then her friend smacked her on her shoulder
"You are so paranoid! I checked around before calling out for you."
"Good morning, Ginny, how are you this morning?"
"Famished, thank you for asking, how are you today, professor?"
"Fine, thank you. So, to what do I owe the pleasure of having myself called out to in such a way Ginerva?"
"Sheesh, Hermione, now you are starting to talk like him! Cut it out will ya!"
Hermione scowled at her best friend before Ginny continued.
"Don't forget meet Luna and I at the front doors at seven-thirty. I have Quidditch practice so I may be a few minutes late to the door. "
"Oh, no, I forgot. Ginny do we really have to do this? Wait, just you and Luna, what about Miner—the Headmistress," asked the worried woman.
Ginny shrugged, "she said she had tons to do and could not make it and she said she sends her apologies," the ginger saying the last part in mock towards the Headmistress.
"Stop Ginny, really, so what do you have planned for this evening," said Hermione, trying to change the subject.
"That's for me to know and you to find out!" The younger witch teased, "I can tell you it will be fun though, but you may not remember it in the morning!"
"Oh, no, I can only imagine what you have planned. Alright, go in and eat, I have some last minute things to pick up in Hogsmeade. I will meet you two later."
Both witches went on their way. Hermione walked towards the gates and Severus stood their leaning against the gate. 'He is so handsome,' Hermione thought to herself.
"I heard that," teased Severus.
"I know," smirked the young witch.
Severus grabbed her hand and they made their trek to Hogsmeade. Once there they went their separate ways and promised to meet up at the Three Broomsticks for brunch. Hermione went to Madam Malkin's and Severus headed towards Flourish and Botts.
'He came here for books?'
'Witch, you know as well as I do any chance to get to the bookstore you take it.'
Hermione chuckled and relented. It was true; one who loved books never gave up the chance to browse when given the opportunity. She walked into the older witch's store and was greeted right away.
"Ms. Granger, so nice to see you, your dress is ready would you like to try it on before the big day?"
Hermione brought up her walls, so that Severus was remind not to peek and nodded to the older witch. Madam Malkin took the dress to the dressing room and Hermione followed. She left Hermione to get dressed and waited for her outside the dressing room. It took Hermione a few minutes to get the dress on; she was treating it very delicately. Once she emerged from the dressing room Madam Malkin clasped her hands together in glee.
"Hermione, you look breath taking my dear."
Hermione laughed, "You say that every time I try this dress on!"
"But that doesn't mean it's any less true," answered the dress maker.
Hermione took the walk towards the mirror and took a look. She looked and felt like a princess and she hoped that Severus loved the dress. Though, she imagined, it wouldn't be on for very long following the reception. She giggled to herself. She looked over to Madame Malkin, "It's stunning, I cannot thank you enough."
"Of course, Ms. Granger, my pleasure, let's get you a bag. You can shrink it; I've put protective spells over it that keeps it from being damaged, stained, or wrinkled. Hermione widened her eyes in amazement and thanked her again. The older witch waved her off. Hermione went to change and levitated her dress out to help slide it into the bag. It took a couple tries but they were finally successful. Hermione shrunk it and put it in her pocket. Hermione went to pay the wonderful woman who helped her find the dress of her dreams only to be turned down.
"It has already been paid for," Madame Malkin announced.
"W-what? It's been paid for already, by whom," Hermione wondered.
"Well, she wanted it to remain a secret, but I really think you should know that this older professor, who might be the head of some school, paid for your lovely dress in full."
Hermione covered her mouth and started crying, "Thank you for telling me and thank you for making my dress."
"It was my pleasure, Ms. Granger and I wish you and Severus nothing but happiness."
She continued to let the tears fall as she exited the store. Severus had been waiting, leaning against the wall next to the shop, patiently. He realized Hermione was crying and came up to her, pulled out a handkerchief and reached down to dry her tears.
"Hermione, are you alright my love," he said in a whisper.
She leaned into him wrapping her arms around his waist. Severus looked around, at first, but decided he didn't care what people thought and wrapped his arms around her tightly and let her cry.
"S-s-severus, I don't think I can do this."
"Do what Hermione?" he asked trying to control his voice.
"My parents died, our friends died, and we've been through hell and back with the war, I am not sure how I am going to handle my close friend, who's like a mother to me, just dying."
Severus let out the breath he was holding. Hermione's walls had been up and he hadn't wanted to invade her thoughts without her permission, so he had thought she was second guessing the wedding, truly, this time.
"Hermione, it is going to happen and we will deal with it together. We will be there for each other. That is what husbands and wives do; they are there for each other. And even more soul mates are so in tuned to each other that it will be a little easier for us, when the time comes, to understand Minerva's decision."
Hermione stopped sniffling and looked up at her fiancé, she stood on her tippy-toes and kissed him, right there in front of everyone in Hogsmeade. Severus did not care, he was so in love that what people said about a little public display of affection wouldn't bother him one bit. She smiled at him and they linked arms.
At the same time, they both said. "I'm famished." Then they continued their walk to the Three Broomsticks.