Hermione was glad to be home, the ball had to have been the most boring thing she had ever attended. Sighing as she took of her shoes Hermione rubbed her feet. Severus sat down beside her and started rubbing her feet for her. Hermione sighed; "Oh Holy Merlin that feels good."

Severus chuckled slightly, "Why do you wear shoes like that if they make your feet hurt?"

"I had charms on them to cushion them, along with charms to keep my toes from sliding to the end. But, they still start hurting after about four hours no matter what you do to them."

"Like I said why do you wear them?"

"Because I hate being just a little over the size of a dwarf of five foot one inch and these give me three full inches. It doesn't help that you are what six foot?"

"Six foot two inches to be exact; I believe that makes me about a foot taller then you."

"Plus you have on boots that add at least an inch on you! So if I don't want to look like little child next to you I have to wear three inch heels."

Hermione laughed at the look on Severus's face, "What do you think of my dress tonight?"

Severus pulled on Hermione's legs and drug her down the couch to him. "I'll show you what that dress does to me. It drives me to this." Severus kissed her first on the tip of her nose, then her right check, then the left and finally he lightly sucked on her top lip before deepening it to a full kiss.

As the kiss continued Hermione pulled Severus down on the couch with her, ran her hands up his back, and entangled her hands in his silky fine hair. She had discovered shortly after she came to the Manor that his hair was extremely thick but baby find and what looked greasy was just the shine from it being so fine. She loved playing with his hair and really loved that he had grown in out some since he was no longer over a cauldron 8 to 10 hours a day.

Severus groaned as Hermione ran her hands back down his back and then ran her hands over his butt. He didn't know if he was going to make it to Saturday if they kept up this snog feast. All he wanted to do was make love to the witch. She had curves in all the right places and her breasts were just the perfect size to give him a hand full.

Hermione was breathless when Severus opened the clasp on her out rob and started caressing her breasts. The both groaned when Severus rubbed his wool covered cock against her mound. All Hermione could think was that she wanted all of him. Panting Hermione pulled at the buttons on Severus's coat trying to get it off him; not having any luck she groaned his name.

Severus realizing that things were getting totally out of control pulled Hermione's hands over her head and took a deep breath. Taking a second deep breath, he groaned her name. "Hermione we have to stop, in all that is holy we have to stop. If I don't stop now I'll not stop at all."

Hermione groaned and tried to free her hands, but Severus held them tight. "Severussss, why, I want you all of you."

"Hermione we have managed it for this long we are going to wait the two days. When I make love to you, I'm going to do it as your husband. And we are going to do it right."

Hermione groaned but nodded, "I know you are right but I've never felt like this before. Never, I've never wanted to make love like this."

"Hermione, don't do this! I want you just as bad but I'm a big man, I want to make sure it's as comfortable as I can possibly make it."

Severus rolled off Hermione and settled himself on the edge of the couch. Hermione adjusted her clothes and leaned her front against Severus's back wrapping her arms around his shoulders. "I love you Severus."

Severus reached up and wrapped his arms around hers; "Hermione I never thought I would find someone I love. But, I love you so much it's very hard for me to keep my hands off of you."

Severus rose and helped Hermione up from the couch. "Go to bed Hermione, I'm going to go back to Hogwarts tomorrow afternoon so that I keep with the muggle tradition you are used to of not seeing the bride until the wedding. I'll see you in the morning."

Hermione went up on tiptoes, gave Severus a quick kiss, and went into her room. The day after tomorrow she would be bound to Severus for the rest of her life.

Hermione curled up in her bed thinking about Saturday; they were originally going to married in the courtroom. Hermione changed the plans; she wanted married outside. Since the Dark Lord demanded a traditional binding, Hermione wanted to do a true traditional binding outside at dawn with both of them barefoot.

Friday morning Hermione woke up to the smell of bacon cooking. Stumbling out of bed Hermione pulled on a robe and went into the kitchen. "Severus what are you doing fixing breakfast?"

"I occasionally do cook; I thought it might be nice for the two of us to spend the morning totally alone. It doesn't' happen very often and tomorrow we marry."

"It smells delicious, I expected you would be a good cook; it is very similar to potion brewing. May I help you?"

"You can check the scones in the oven and then fix the tea."

Hermione and Severus danced around each other as they finished their breakfast. As they sat, down to their breakfast Hermione realized that this could be very much what the rest of her life would be like. The two of them fixing a meal together then sitting down to enjoy it. Hermione sighed as she thought of how wonderful it would be.

Severus looked up as Hermione sighed, "Is everything alright Hermione?"

"Yes, it's perfect; I realized that this could be a very real look into our future and how enjoyable it was."

"It is rather peaceful isn't it? I think I could get used to this without too much trouble. Unfortunately, at least nine months out of the year we will have breakfast in front of several hundred children."

Laughing Hermione finally answered Severus, "I guess that is true but we can enjoy the three months there aren't dunderheads around us."

"What would you like to do today Hermione? We have the whole day free till midnight; of course we should probably be in bed before midnight considering we will be getting up before daybreak to get married."

"Are you angry that I wanted a true wizard wedding; the Dark Lord demands we do a traditional wizard binding I just wanted it a really true binding; both of us bare feet with mother earth under our feet. Everything I've read and learned from the purebloods is that a true binding is to be done at daybreak in bare feet outside."

"No I'm not upset; I like the idea of doing it the proper way. I like that you stood up to Cissy and told her it would be done your way. We both love the rose garden and the area with the little arbor is the perfect place for us to wed.

So once again, what would you like to do today? We have the entire day free."

"I really don't have any preference just want to spend time with you. No actually I would love to go to the zoo."

Severus groaned but agreed, "Why do you want to go to the zoo?"

"It's a cold day so not many people will be there and we can spend the day together without being bothered. And besides that I love the Polar Bears."

Severus just shook his head, "Very well, get on warm clothes I suppose I'll have to go without my robe. But, I'm sure I can get by with my black cloak."

Hermione laughed, "You will be dressed in perfect Goth look in your coat and slacks with your heavy cape. I'll transfigure one of my robes black and wear my heavy black cloak."

Hermione went off to dress when she came out she had decided her Navy blue robes would work. So Hermione had put on her heavy winter robes, her dragon hide boots that she had bought for her apprenticeship and she had tipped the ends of her hair black and had braided a portion of her hair on one side and turned it black also.

Severus looked at Hermione and laughed, "What did you do to your hair?"

"Since you look very much part of the English Goth movement I am dressing to blend in with you. We will get a few strange looks but most will not be surprised by our dress."

Severus just shook his head and decided to let it go; "Do you have your gloves and all that you will need?"

"Yes I do and I even know of the perfect place to apparate to just outside of the zoo."

Severus groaned slightly but led Hermione to the floo on the main floor and they flooed into the Leaky Caldron. Exiting the back door, they entered the courtyard and Severus allowed Hermione to take his arm and side along apparate them to the place she was aware of right outside of the zoo. When the feel of apparition passed Severus found himself standing in the back of an alleyway next to a trash bin.

"At least your apparition is very smooth, I absolutely will not allow Draco to side along; I feel like I've been half splinched when he does it."

"Was that a compliment Severus?"

"I suppose it was, now lead the way and let's get this day under way."

Hermione led the way to the gate and paid for their tickets. Hermione had been correct since the day was so cold there were very few people around the zoo; and the few who were there didn't pay that much of attention to their dress.

Hermione had to laugh when another paid dressed in Goth tried to talk with them. Hermione spoke with the girl a few minutes and then explained that they needed to move on. When they separated from the other pair Hermione started laughing. "I told you there would be at least one other group that would be dressed similar. That is called dressing Goth as you can see our mode of dress is very similar."

They continued with their day Hermione loved spending the day at the zoo; it reminded her of being a little girl visiting with her dad and mom. The polar bears were very active in the cold and Hermione spent a long time watching them play there was a young cub that had a block of ice it was playing with Hermione laughed as it placed. Severus spent the time watching Hermione laugh instead of the bears.

By noon, Hermione was very cold and Severus was beginning to get cold, "Let's get some lunch inside where it's warm."

Hermione quickly agreed and they went to a small café at the zoo. The heat in the café felt wonderful; Hermione looked over the menu and decided on beef and barley soup with crusty fresh baked bread. Severus finally decided on a Roast Beef sandwich and a bowl of the beef and barley soup also. They both finished their lunch with German chocolate cake and a pot of tea.

Hermione watched Severus as they ate. He had chosen a table in the corner of the café so he could sit with his back to the wall. When they sat to eat, he had pulled his wand out of his pocket, placed it on his lap, and covered it with his napkin. "Severus do you really think we will be attacked while eating?"

"Hermione I didn't live through two wars by being careless. I know we won the war but there are still those that aren't happy with the new way of life."

"Will we ever live in complete freedom from fighting? No more war, no fighting, no worry about watching our backs."

"Never will that happen especially while we are so high up in the hierarchy of Lord Voldermort's court."

Hermione really didn't want to hear that but knew it was very possible that Severus was right.

Severus realizing that Hermione was sad changed the subject, "So would you like to visit your polar bears again or would you perhaps like to go to the reptile house it should be nice and warm."

"Actually, I would like to visit the rainforest exhibit."

Severus had hoped they could leave but also wanted to cheer her up, so he agreed to visit the rainforest exhibit. Severus was glad that the exhibit was nice and warm; he was still chilled from earlier. Hermione loved seeing all of the different animals that lived in the rain forest. She especially liked the monkey's that were playing around the trees chasing each other.

By three Severus had taken all of the zoo he could stand, "Hermione let's return to Diagon Alley; we can spend some time at Flourish and Blotts and I can drop an order off to the apothecary."

Hermione agreed, she could tell that Severus was tired of being among muggles. "I would love spending some time at Flourish and Blotts, is there anything I should pick up for my apprenticeship?"

"No I have all the books that you will need, we do need to stop by the Ministry of magic either before or shortly after school starts to get your apprenticeship recorded. I also need to talk to Slughorn about your doing some teaching starting next fall. That will be part of your apprenticeship."

Since the zoo was so empty, they moved behind an exhibit building and Severus appparated them to a small alley in Diagon Alley. Severus led Hermione to the apothecary, spoke to the owner a few minutes about his list, and arranged for the ingredients to be delivered to Hogwarts. Then the two of them made their way to the Flourish and Blotts.

Hermione being the bookworm that she was could spend a full day in the bookstore without any problem. Severus was looking at the books in the Herbology area and Hermione moved to the books in the potions area. From potions, Hermione moved to charms, she had read that many potion masters did charms on their potions. She knew that Severus charmed some of his potions to be time released. She finally found the book she thought was fascinating; it talked about charmed potions and the charms that were used. Hermione put it in her basket and moved back to the potion books she knew that Severus had all the books she would ever need put she still wanted to look through what was available she also wanted to pick up the 7th year potions book so she had all seven years.

Severus in the mean time had picked up several books on Herbology and their properties; one was on muggle plants and their magical properties. Severus found Hermione in the potions section about an hour later. "Are you ready to leave Hermione? I thought we might try the new French restaurant here in the quarter for our dinner."

Hermione nodded and went to the checkout counter; as she went to pull her money from her wallet Severus laid his books on top of hers and told Mr. Blott's to charge them all to his account. Once the books were wrapped Severus took his wand shrunk them and put them in his pocket.

"Are you ready for dinner or would you prefer to shop someplace else?"

"I would like to pick up some cat treats and food for Crookshanks if that would be ok?"

"Of course," Severus led Hermione to Magical Menagerie, where she picked up what she needed for Crooks. As they passed the Owl Emporium Severus stopped, "Hermione do you have an owl?"

"No I never got one I always just used the school owls or Harry's Hegwig."

"We need to get you an owl, nothing showy like that snowy of Potter's; perhaps an Eagle Owl. I don't care for brown owls they are slow. My raven owl is fast but I would like us to have different types of owls. Shall we go in and see if there is one that you like?"

Hermione followed Severus into the store and noticed a beautiful Northern Hawk Owl with black and white markings. Hermione walked over to the owl and held out her hand, the beautiful owl leaned down and rubbed its head against Hermione's hand. "Severus what do you think of this Hawk Owl?"

"He is a very handsome fellow." Severus turned to the proprietor, "How old is this fellow?"

"She is only one year old; she seems to have a really nice personality if she likes you. If she doesn't like you, she will bite something terrible. It seems that your lady has the right touch with her."

Severus walked over to the owl and held out his hand; the owl looked up at him, stared at him for a moment, and then climbed onto his hand.

Hermione smiled the owl wasn't as friendly to Severus as she had been to Hermione but she didn't bite him.

"Hermione are you happy with this young lady?"

Hermione nodded and reached up to scratch the owl behind her ear.

"We will take her we will need a cage and also food and treats."

Severus handed Hermione the owl as he reached for his wand to sign the charge for the owl.

Severus led Hermione out of the emporium carrying the cage with her new owl in it. "Let's take her to the Weasley's they can either keep her for us or take her back to the manor for us. Then we will go to dinner."

Severus opened the door to the Weasley's shop, Fred saw them first and came running and swept Hermione up in his arms and swung her around. "Hermione it's good to see you!"

"Fred put me down this instance!"

Fred just laughed and handed her off to George who did the exact same thing. Severus was angry, "Put her down Mr. Weasley, NOW!"

George quickly sat Hermione down, "Sorry Professor, Mione is our little sister and we don't get to see all that much of her."

Severus just shook his head; he knew the Weasley's would never grow up. "May we leave Hermione's owl with you while we go to eat?"

George looked at the beautiful owl in the cage, "Of course we would be happy to keep an eye on it. Will you be apparating from here?"

"I thought since we have the owl we might use your floo this evening."

Fred nodded, "no problem if we are closed when you get back there are stairs on the back of the building that lead to our apartment."

Severus handed the owl and its packages over to Fred and thanked them before leading Hermione to the new restaurant.

Hermione had not even realized that there was a new restaurant in the alley, but was thrilled when she saw it. The restaurant looked like it could have come from straight off of the left bank in Paris. The smell that wafted out of the door when it opened was amazing. It smelled of yeasty French bread along with garlic and other spices.

Hermione started her meal with Soupe a l' oignon gratinee followed by Filet de Saumon, salade de choux avec pomme et mail, coulis aux herbes and for desert Filet de Saumon, salade de choux avec pomme et mail, coulis aux herbes; Severus had the same soupe but had Plat de Cote de boeuf au cabernet avec pates for his entrée and had Croustillant feuillantine, douceur au chocolat, glace noix de coco, tartare de banana for his desert.

Both were stuffed when they finished their meals; they had also talked of places they would like to visit if they found the time. Severus really wanted to tour the states he had never been there. He didn't want to deal with all of the muggles but he did want to visit Salem Massachusetts, where the largest wizarding population lived.

With dinner over Severus lead Hermione back to the Weasley's finding the shop closed, they climbed the stairs to the boy's apartment. Hermione was surprised to find that their apartment was neat and clean; she expected to find a total disaster area.

Severus accepted the owl from the boys and then threw a handful of floo powder into the fireplace and the two of them flooed back to the manor.

Severus led Hermione upstairs and dropped off the books; "I will head to Hogwarts now. I have made arrangements to floo through after Pippy tells me you are down in the inner chamber." I shall see you at day break in the rose garden."

Hermione reached up on tiptoes and kissed Severus, he reached down and pulled Hermione close. "I love you Hermione and I'll see you first thing in the morning."

"I love you Severus."

Severus turned and flooed through to Hogwarts.