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They both had a shocked expression on their faces.

"I said, good afternoon."

Sarah was the one to speak first.

"Good afternoon, Professor."

"Nice of you both to finally decide to join my class."

After looking at both of them, the Potions Master relented.

"I do hope that you will both never attempt to escape from the castle in this manner again."

They both looked at him with guilty expressions on their faces.

"No, Sir."

He rolled his eyes at both of them.

"Somehow I find that hard to believe. Merlin's beard, Severus. You could both be expelled for this."

"I do apologize, Sir."

"Never thought I'd find out, did you?"

Severus shook his head.

"Too bad the floos in this castle have charms on them to let us know when they've been in use."

'Damn. I'm sorry, Sarah.'

She squeezed his hand.

'I chose to go with you.'

"Despite the fact that I could expel you both for this behavior, it would do me a great dis-service to do so. You both have detention this evening, here in my office. I gather you won't need a map to find it?"

"No, Sir."

"Promise me one thing, both of you."

They looked at the Potions Master with intent.

"Don't ever put me in this position again."

"That's a promise, Sir."

"8:00 this evening. Don't be late."

The Potions Master turned to walk out of the classroom, and stopped at the door.

"You'll both want to tidy yourselves up before you head to your next class."

He pointed his wand at his desk and a plate of sandwiches appeared.

"You'll also want to eat something; you've missed lunch."

Suddenly, Sarah realized that she was quite hungry and she thanked the Professor.

"Thank you very much, Sir."

"Don't do it again" he said to them both, trying desperately to hide his smile as he left the classroom.

Sarah and Severus each took two of the sandwiches that were conjured on the table and started to eat.

"I'm sorry, Sarah."

"Severus, you have nothing to be sorry about. I told you that it was my choice to come with you. I didn't have to, you know."

He smiled at her, remembering the events of the past 12 hours.

"I'm very glad that you did."

She looked up at him and smiled.

"Me too."

After eating their sandwiches, they left the Potions classroom and headed to the Slytherin Common Room. They were greeted with a chorus of 'where were you two?' when they entered the room. Neither of them said anything, they just smiled at each other and headed to their separate rooms to collect their books for their next class.

It was the end of school feast. Severus and Sarah had both become so consumed by their N.E.W.T.s that they had not thought about what they would be doing when school let out. Severus knew that he would be heading home, but Sarah had almost forgotten that she was not welcome at home anymore, due to her decision to accept Severus' proposal. She sat beside him at the table, as the highest grades for this year's N.E.W.T. classes were announced.

"To conclude this evening's events, I have the final grades for this year's N.E.W.T. classes to congratulate the highest scoring students in each class. For Potions, Mr. Severus Snape."

A cheer went up from the Slytherin table, and Sarah gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Well done."

"Thank you."

"Defense Against the Dark Arts is also Mr. Snape."

Again, another cheer from the Slytherin table, and another kiss on the cheek.

"Herbology, Mr. James Potter."

"What?"

Severus looked at Sarah.

"You aren't kidding. How did that happen?"

"Transfiguration, Mr. Remus Lupin."

Sarah chuckled.

"Big surprise there. He has a lot of practice in that every month."

"Charms, Miss Sarah Somerville."

Severus gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"Well done."

"Thanks."

The rest of the marks were read out, and at the end of the professors from each class came to congratulate their top scoring students. Severus had three different people waiting to congratulate him, as he was also top in his Arithmancy class. Everyone started heading out of the Great Hall, and Sarah and Severus both decided that they would head to the Common Room. Most everyone else was outside enjoying the fresh air, but they decided that they should take advantage of the quiet and begin packing their things. After about an hour, Severus was all packed so he went to Sarah's dorm room and knocked on the door which was open. He looked in, and found her sitting on the bed looking at a picture frame. He entered cautiously, and sat on the bed beside her.

"What are you looking at?"

She held the frame out to him and he sighed.

"Sometimes I forget what you've given up for me. I truly don't deserve you, you know."

She set her head on his shoulder and he put his arm around her, placing a kiss on the top of her head.

"I would have written Mummy and Daddy about being top in Charms already, but I didn't think that they would want to hear from me."

She started to tear at the thought of her parents not wanting to have anything to do with her anymore. They were such a large part of her life and she was now facing a complete void. Severus sensed her depressed mood.

"You know that there's no question about you living with me, right?"

She nodded her head.

"I know, sweetheart. I just…"

"…miss your parents."

"Yeah."

She started to cry, and the tears seemed to not want to stop. He held her close, and she cried onto his chest, the security of his arms around her being the only thing that was keeping her from not coming unglued.

After twenty minutes her tears started to ease, and she sat up and looked at him.

"Severus, what are we going to do?"

"About?"

"Being together. Is there anything that you want me to do? I can't get my job as a healer yet, I still have training to undergo for that, and I won't be making a large amount of money during that time. I can tend to the house, I can do anything that you would need. I just…"

"Shhhh. Why don't we just worry about getting home first and getting settled into our life, then we can deal with those details later. Yes?"

She smiled at him and wiped her eyes.

"Alright."

He leaned towards her and placed his lips gently against hers. She sighed at the sensation that it caused her to feel.

'If I were to die tomorrow and this was the last thing I would remember, I would die a very happy woman.'

He pulled back from her.

"Don't even joke about that."

"About what?"

"About you dying tomorrow. I couldn't handle that."

She smiled at him, her hand cradling the side of his face as she has done so many times.

"Severus, it's just a figure of speech. I have no intention of going anywhere. I only meant that I would be happy knowing that I'm so loved."

"That you are."

He smiled at her and she returned it to him.

"I should get out of here before I get into trouble. Will you be ready soon?"

"Give me about an hour and I should be ready."

"Would you like some help?"

"Please. I can't believe that the Potions Master is letting us floo to your place. Especially considering that we really broke the rules before."

He smiled and helped her gather her place her things into her trunk. He wasn't about to go through the dressers, in case there were the unmentionables of her roommates in there.

"Very true. I think since there won't be anyone to meet us at the station they're bending the rules for us just this once."

Sarah got a little quiet, but continued collecting her things and placing them on the bed. He took her by the arm, and she turned to him.

"Alright?"

She smiled at him honestly.

"Alright."

She turned and continued collecting her things amid his frustration about the amount of clothing that one woman could have. She started to laugh at him, which sounded like music to his ears. It had been a while since he heard her laugh with enthusiasm, and he intended to keep her happy as much as possible.

"Sarah, I have a couple of things to take care of. You'll be alright on your own?"

She nodded her head.

"I'll be just fine. Where will I meet you?"

"Outside Potions I think should be fine. See you in about an hour?"

Again, she nodded her agreement. He looked directly into her eyes, placed a kiss on her lips and whispered against her.

"I love you, Sarah."

She smiled.

"I love you too, Severus."

An hour later, Sarah had charmed her belongings to accompany her to the Potions Classroom. She sat outside the room waiting for Severus to arrive. After sitting and waiting for 30 minutes, she started to get frustrated. She was just about to get up and return to the Common Room when the door to the Potions Class opened and Severus came out to greet her.

"I've been waiting here for you for 30 minutes, Severus. Why didn't you come out to get me?"

He smiled at her.

"I apologize, Sarah. I was just finishing up. I took my things home already and I wanted to get a few things ready for you. It took me a little longer than I had anticipated. Forgive me?"

She relented. His simple request for forgiveness melted her heart.

"Of course."

"Would you like some assistance with your things?"

"Please."

He pointed his wand at her trunk as she picked up her suitcase and bags.

"Wingardium Leviosa", he chanted and the trunk lifted into the air, his wand leading it in the direction of the Potions Master's office. They entered the office and found him waiting there for them.

"Sarah. Severus."

"Sir. Again, thank you for allowing us to use the floo for a legitimate reason this time."

He got a smirk across his face.

"I dare say that the previous time was for a legitimate reason as well, am I not correct."

Severus spoke in response.

"Most definitely."

Sarah blushed.

"Well, Severus has told me of your acceptance of his proposal, and I can honestly say that I am very happy for both of you. Congratulations."

"Thank you, Sir."

"I'm quite grateful that she gave me a chance."

Sarah put her arm through Severus', and she smiled at her now former Professor.

"Thank you, Sir. When plans are formalized, I'd love for you to attend."

He looked shocked at her invitation.

"I'm surprised. Very gracious for the invitation of course. Most students don't want to have any memories of their time here at Hogwarts, let alone invite their professors to their nuptials."

Sarah looked at him with a smile on her face, and removed her arm from Severus'. She walked up to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Sir, you were without question one of my favorite teachers. I will never forget your kindness towards me."

He started to blush.

"Sarah, thank you. That means a great deal. I always try and push my students to the limit, especially if I know that they can exceed my expectations, which you certainly did."

"Since I'm no longer your student, Albertius, I have no hesitation in inviting you for a meal over the summer."

He looked up at Severus to obtain his permission to accept.

"Don't even ask Severus, this is my invitation. So, send an owl when your plans for the summer are formalized, and we'll have lunch, alright?"

"Definitely. Thank you, Sarah."

He gave her a hug and a friendly kiss on the cheek.

"You've got yourself one hell of a woman, Severus."

He nodded his head.

"Don't I know it."

They charmed Sarah's trunk to move into the floo, then they both sat on the trunk with a handful of floo powder.

"Snape Residence" he spoke clearly. A flash of green flames and a few minutes later, and they were in the floo of their house. Sarah reflected on that for a moment before she left the floo.

"I'm home."

He left the floo and extended his hand to her.

"Yes, you are Ma'am."

"I'm not a Ma'am yet. Miss will still be acceptable."

"Well then, Miss. Would you like help bring your things upstairs?"

"In a moment maybe. There's something I'd like to do first."

"What's that?"

She stood up to face Severus and placed a gentle kiss on his lips, which he readily accepted. He pulled his head back a little from hers with a questioning smile on his face.

"To what do I owe that exceptional pleasure?"

She smiled up at him, her arms wrapped around his waist as she spoke with a sense of wonder in her voice.

"I really am home, aren't I?"

He smile at her and held her close.

"Yes, you are. Welcome home."

They shared another sweet kiss, then he cast Wingardium Leviosa on her trunk and lifted it up the stairs to their room. She followed him upstairs carrying her bags of extra 'stuff' that she had collected over her years at school. They got upstairs, and Sarah had realized that he had in fact changed a great deal about their room. It seemed bigger than it had when they were here a month ago. She looked at him with a questioning glance.

"Severus, is it just me or is this room bigger than it was?"

He smiled.

"I figured since there are going to be two people living in here now, it should be able to accommodate two people, one of those people being a woman with an incredible amount of 'stuff'."

She smiled as she looked around the now much more spacious room. He had made room for her in the closet, charmed another large chest of drawers, and most importantly for her, a vanity where she could, as she said, 'put on her face'. She smiled at him.

"This is really all too much for me, Severus. You really didn't have to do all this."

"Well, I wanted you to be comfortable."

"Wherever you are, that's where I'm comfortable."

She looked at the bed, and realized that it had changed as well. In fact, all the colors in the room had changed. Before this, the room was white, plain and very masculine. Now she saw color in the room. Granted it was decorated in Slytherin colors, but her favorite color was in fact green, so this suited her just fine. She noticed that the bed had been transfigured into a shining black four poster bed, with brilliant silver spindles. She noted the fine detailing on the posts of the bed, and realized that he had been able to transfigure the old wood into the gleaming ebony she saw in front of her. It was beautiful, she had never seen anything so lovely in all her life. The two chests of drawers matched perfectly; brilliantly shiny black with silver hardware. The walls were a faint shade silver, with what looked like a large S pattern enchanted into the walls.

'How perfect', she thought.

She noticed there was a door beside the closet which she thought was an additional closet space. She opened it up and walked into an incredible ensuite. Beautiful green marble was everywhere, with a black marble floor. She noticed the bouquet of white roses on the counter and leaned over to inhale the fragrance. It was then that she noticed that they were tipped with silver. As she noticed this, she heard a cough from the doorway.

"Am I correct in my assumption that you approve?"

"Severus, it's beautiful. When did you transfigure this?"

"Well, when you were busy last weekend studying, I came home, with the Headmaster's permission, and got this all ready for you. I know that women need to have their powder rooms all ready for them. If you don't like the color, I can always change that."

She ran up to him and threw her arms around him.

"I love it. Don't change a thing."

He smiled.

"I'm glad. That's what the muggles call a hot tub, you know."

"I can see that. I remember that from Muggle Studies class. Sometimes it's fun to do things as the Muggles do."

"At the end of a long day of doing magic, I must agree. A nice hot bath is good for what ails you."

"I agree. I see that this is big enough for two. After supper would you care to join me?"

Severus looked shocked at this. He had never thought to share a bath with her, but the idea was intriguing to him.

"That could be arranged."

His mind was already wandering. She knew where it was wandering to, and she rolled her eyes at him.

"I'll go whip something up for dinner, Severus. Would you mind finishing this unpacking for me?"

"Not at all."

She walked towards the door of their room when Severus called her back.

"Sarah?"

She turned to face him.

"Yes."

"Welcome home."

She smiled.

"Thank you."