A/N: Hello Peeps - New Chapter for your enjoyment. Thanks Bri892 for prereading.

Chapter 35: The Talk

They returned home and thanked Pomona for watching Sabrina. A shy smile on Hermione's face and the lines around Severus' eyes and mouth told her everything she needed to know. Pomona hugged Hermione and patted Severus on the shoulder as she let herself out.

Through an unspoken agreement, they settled in their perspective arm chairs rather than the couch.

"I know we have been on one date but I feel like we are in a committed relationship already. Is that odd?" Hermione asked him.

"I do not think is is odd as I concur."

Hermione unfurled a big smile at him, "Well, the chemistry is there, the friendship is there. we can only grow from here."

He rewarded her with a small smile.

"I guess we need talk with Sabrina."

Frowning, Severus asked, "Is that necessary?"

"Do we not need to tell her? Maybe not unless we share a bedroom?"

Severus stood and took one step forward to reach Hermione. He dropped to his knees in front of her and took her hands into his.

"We can answer Sabrina's questions at that point," he paused to kiss her softly, "I would love to share a room with you but it would be in our best interest to take it slow. I care deeply for you, Hermione."

She sighed contently and dropped a kisses all over his face, "You are right."

~~~~O-O~~~~

Not much changed after their first date with the exception of a few chaste kisses, soft caresses and looks of intense longing. Sabrina didn't notice a difference in her parents.

Hermione kept the new relationship to herself, not wanting to burst the magical bubble they were in with questions and comments from thier friends and family.

Ron stopped by one afternoon to hangout. Hermione struggled to keep her thoughts to herself as they chatted. Sabrina was using him as jungle gym, climbing up his back and leaping off onto the couch, ignoring her mother's pleas to stop.

"Sabrina, if I have to ask you to not jump on the couch one more time, you will be placed in time out."

Ron plucked Sabrina from the couch and dangled her upside down, "Are you planning on visiting your family soon?"

"Not this weekend. I was thinking of going to Sunday dinner at the Burrow. I wanted to visit with baby Connor and the twins. It's been too long." Hermione answered him.

She wondered how long it would take Ron to finally break down and ask about Diana, perhaps she should ask him directly.

"Hey Sabrina, can you give your mom and I a minute?" He asked the little girl.

"Yup, I can count to 60. There are 60 seconds in a minute. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,"

Crouching down to Sabrina's level, Hermione smoothed her hair back, "Hold on, sweetie. Uncle Ron wasn't being literal. He wanted to have a grown up talk. Can you play in your room until I call you?"

Nodding her understanding, Sabrina raced down the hall leaving a red faced Ron alone with Hermione.

"Um, Mione, I um wanted to ask." Ron stammered.

Hermione sat down and pulled on Ron's arm until he sat beside her.

"You see, Hermione, I have been spending, um."

She watched as he sucked in another breath and decided to end his misery, "You like Diana, right?"

Ron threw himself backwards on the couch and sighed dramatically, covering his face with his hands. "Does everyone know?"

She tugged him back to an upright position, "I didn't know. Severus told me. I hadn't noticed."

"Merlin, Snape knows. This sucks."

"What's the problem, Ron? You like her and I am pretty sure she likes you."

Surprised, Ron sat up a little straighter, "Do you think so? Even if I am a wizard?"

"Ron, really? After all this time you have known each other, do you think she's prejudiced?"

He stood up and paced around the room, muttering to himself before addressing his childhood friend, "I guess I am just nervous."

"Start simple. I suggest you ask her out on a date and I'll be more than happy to babysit Helena."

After hugging Hermione, Ron called down the hall to Sabrina. She barreled into the room and wrapped her arms around his legs.

"You can't leave! We haven't finished playing."

"We can play Sunday night at Nana Molly's and Papa Arthur's okay?" Ron tried to peel the little girl from his legs.

Hearing Severus at the door, Hermione called out, "Sabrina, Daddy is home."

"Bye Uncle Ron!" She yelled as she scampered over the couch and jumped off the top.

Ron nodded to Severus and ducked into the fireplace.

Hermione walked around the couch to join her family, leaning in to give her boyfriend a kiss.

"Boyfriend sounds so wrong," she said under her breath.

Severus must have heard her; giving her a questioning glance.

"Sabrina, do you remember what I told you earlier. If you jump on the couch, you will be in time out."

The pout and puppy dog eyes were leveled at Hermione, "But Mum, I didn't jump on the couch. I jumped over it."

At the sound her of her father's clearing throat, Sabrina stomped over to the far wall and sat down on the floor, crossing her arms and huffing.

"Boyfriend?"

Hermione blushed, "You heard that, huh? I was thinking of who you are to me and boyfriend doesn't seem like the proper term."

Severus embraced her and kissed along her jaw and moving down to her neck. He rubbed his stubbled chin along her collarbone as he whispered, "and I can assure you, there is nothing boyish about me."

~~~~O-O~~~~