A/N: Again, I own nothing and make no money from this. I just wish these were my own characters ;)

"Would you care for some wine?" Severus asked upon arriving at his home.

"Yes, please." She said with a smile. While he was in the kitchen pouring their drinks, she cast aside her outer robes and entered the sitting room, starting a fire and trying to calm her nerves.

"Here you are." She turned to see Severus enter the room and pausing just a moment upon seeing the back of her dress. She saw him swallow hard before continuing on to her and handing her a glass, dragging his eyes upward.

"Do you like it?" She asked, turning slowly.

"It's very beautiful on you." He crossed and sat in his chair, still not taking his eyes off of her. She sat opposite him and took a large gulp of her wine, savoring the taste and hoping to gain some liquid courage.

"Thank you for having me here."

"Thank you for coming." He sounded surprised that she would thank him. An awkward silence followed and she knew they were being too polite. Formulating an idea quickly, she summoned a record player and put on some classic, romantic big band music her parents had played when she was a child. Frank Sinatra started crooning 'The Way You Look Tonight'. Severus's eyebrows rose in surprise as she took another deep drink and then pulled him to his feet.

"Dance with me." She said huskily. He obliged her immediately, his hand warm on her bare back. They began swaying to the music, gazing deep into each other's eyes. By the time the song finished, there was a thick tension in the air.

"Come with me." He said quietly, grabbing their drinks and leading her up the stairs. They curled up on his bed and continued their drinking in a more intimate setting.

"I've missed you." Hermione whispered.

"And I you." He replied.

As they sat on his bed, his entire body ached to be touching hers. He didn't want to rush things, but he longed to touch her skin, taste her lips… he swallowed hard as he watched her. She continued sipping her drink, licking her lips often. He could see her neck pulsating with her quickened heartbeat.

"I've missed you." She whispered. His heart ached for her.

"And I you."

She glanced up at him, eyes full of longing. He could take it no longer. Downing his wine in one last gulp and dropping it to the floor, he leaned forward and crushed her lips with his own. He heard his own glass shatter on the floor followed closely by hers but he didn't care in the least. His hand dug deep into her hair and held her face against his as they kissed desperately.

Her hands wove up around his neck to his face and hair. With a groan, he pulled her against himself and moved down the bed until they were lying on their sides. With his right hand he reached down to grasp her calf, pulling it up and hooking her leg over his hip. Slowly and gently, he brushed his hand up and over her knee and, pushing up the dress as he went, moved up to the top of her thigh. Her skin felt as smooth as the silk of her dress and only aroused him further. He knew they'd have to stop soon, but he couldn't bring himself to break apart first.

After a few moments, she finally broke contact, ducking her head and breathing heavily. He leaned his forehead against her, thankful that she stopped but wanting so much more. He gently stroked her face as they caught their breath and she withdrew her leg, smoothing her dress down.

"Wow." She breathed.

"You are amazing." He said earnestly, gazing at her in awe. The fact that he was granted another chance with such a wonderful young woman truly made his head spin.

"I've been waiting a long time to kiss you like that. I'd like to do more but…"

"It's too soon. Let's not rush things – I want to do it right this time." He kissed her forehead softly.

"So," Hermione cleared her throat. "Should we talk about this?"

"About what?"

"What we are? What we're doing? So there's no confusion."

"Where would you like things to be with us?" He asked softly. If he had it his way, she would already be his. She would need to decide this on her own.

"It sounds much too…immature or something with us but, I would like to be your girlfriend. And one day, hopefully, your fiancé." She said, sneaking a look up at him with nervous eyes. He smiled warmly at her.

"Then that is what we shall be." He said simply. She smiled and snuggled up against his chest.

"Perfect." She sighed.

"Would you consider one thing for me?"

"What would that be?" He shifted so he could look at her.

"I've heard of a custom called a 'promise ring'. It means-"

"That you will one day be married? That you promise to propose when the time is right?" She interrupted him with a smile. "I'd love that. Do you have one? Where is it?" She looked around as if it would be beside the bed.

"Now, now; patience, Miss Granger," He teased. "You'll get it when I'm good and ready to give it to you." She burst into giggles and he smiled at the sound. He loved making her laugh.

They talked for hours about what they had done during their time apart. Severus had even more customers, though he was taking the holidays off. Hermione thoroughly enjoyed teaching – as did Harry it seemed. They apparently spent a lot of time together doing lesson plans and grading. He didn't know if Harry knew that his position was temporary or not so he didn't mention Minerva's offer just yet. They talked about what they wanted to do for the holidays and how they had celebrated Christmas as children. Soon, Hermione was visibly exhausted and Severus was feeling ready to sleep as well.

"I suppose I should go to my room and get some sleep." She yawned, sitting up.

"No!" Severus said before he could stop himself. Hermione turned and looked at him in surprise. "I…I only meant… perhaps…perhaps you could sleep here? With me?" Hermione smiled shyly.

"If that's alright, I'd like that very much."

Without another word, Severus quickly transfigured his clothes to black silk pajamas and her dress to a long blue satin sleeping gown. He also cleaned up the broken glasses before he forgot about them. Pulling back the covers, they both climbed in and he pulled her to him, her arm and leg across his body and her head tucked neatly into his neck. He soon felt her head grow heavy and heard her breathing grow heavier. With a content sigh, he wrapped his arms tightly around her and fell asleep himself with a smile on his face.