A/N: After Hermione's introspection last chapter, we now have Severus'. I am going to try and get one more chapter out to you before I hit 'Calamity Week' but I can't make any promises. Normal service should resume from November 21st though so please be patient with me.

Mrs Longbottom

Severus looked up at the clock over the mantle, the hour one he was more than familiar with from years in the teaching profession. He hoped that Hermione was meeting her first class with confidence, certain that she was more than ready to face the challenge before her.

It had been a whim when he woken that morning and decided to wish her luck with more than a letter through the floo, finding himself in Hogsmeade before he had even given it proper consideration. He had ignored the looks he received when he purchased the single red rose, certain that every witch and wizard in the vicinity knew whom he intended it for but he could not bring himself to care about their opinions. He had wrapped the stem with the note he had written before purchasing an owl to take it the short distance to the castle, pressing a kiss to the bloom before he sent it on its way to her.

He had returned home but had forgone the packing that awaited him in favour of settling in his chair with the book Hermione had sent him, happy to pass the morning in quiet study rather than crates and newspaper. He knew if he did not occupy his mind he would spend the day watching the clock, waiting for the time when he hoped Hermione would write to him about her day.

He lost himself in the pages of his book, barely aware of anything but the words on the page before a knocking at his door roused him once more. He looked up; realising only an hour had passed so there was no chance it was Hermione at his door. He groaned as he thought of all manner of muggle interlopers that could be knocking, salesmen and their similar ilk unmolested by the wards that protected his home from magical ill intent. Unable to ignore the knocking though he got to his feet, content to send whoever was there away with a flea in their ear as he fixed his best scowl, once reserved for Gryffindor students, upon his face as he opened the door.

The scowl melted into a small smile though as he recognised the woman stood on his doorstep, her answering smile far sunnier than he was sure he could ever achieve.

"Mrs Longbottom," he said fondly, stepping aside to let her in, "I didn't know you were back."

"We got home yesterday," said Luna, patting his cheek as she passed him, "What was with the look you had on your face before you realised it was me?"

"Thought you were here to sell me something," said Severus, "This time of year seems to bring them out of the woodwork."

Luna shook her head with a chuckle but it was cut short as she stopped in the doorway of the living room, "What happened here?"

"A few changes have occurred since last we spoke," answered Severus, nudging her into the room before he picked up his wand from the desk, a quick spell moving the boxes from the sofa so she could sit down, "I'm moving soon."

"Moving?" said Luna, "Where?"

"Hertfordshire, for my sins," said Severus, "With…it's a long story."

"Then tell it," said Luna, with a small smile, "It didn't come all this way just to say a brief hello. Funny though, I could have sworn Hermione mentioned a house in Hertfordshire."

Severus shook his head in mock despair, "You've seen the Prophet," he said, "And don't you deny it, artifice doesn't suit you."

Luna laughed, "I may or may not have seen the article Neville's grandmother waved in our faces in scandalous outrage," she said, her grin quelling any unease her words brought to Severus, "Really though, I thought we were friends yet you go public in that old rag rather than in The Quibbler? Especially after Neville and I brought you together."

Severus barked out a laugh as he sat down in his own chair, an indulgent smile on his face, "You knew and you made sure we were at your wedding," he said, "Oh you have a devious streak my friend."

"You made it all too easy, all but cuddling that letter she sent you the day we came to collect the book," said Luna, "I recognised her writing. When we decided to get married as quickly as we did it seemed logical to ask you both to be witnesses. I figured that either you would smile politely and say goodbye once we'd gone or you'd take another road. From the photo in the Prophet, I'd say you decided on the latter and I'm very pleased for you both. You're choosing to live together so soon though?"

"Not romantically as such," said Severus, "I've been forced into a situation by muggle law that means I will lose this house and Hermione has kindly offered me a place in hers whilst she is at the school. Right now, I will be her guest but I hope…we hope that one day it will be more."

Luna smiled, "I'm so happy for you Severus, you deserve some joy in your life," she said, "Are you angry that I set you up the way I did though?"

Severus shook his head, "Not in the slightest," he said, "Without you and your scheming we may well have never met again and may have even given up writing to one another. Instead, I receive her letters daily and eagerly anticipate our next meeting. I am very lucky she has chosen me when she could quite easily…"

"Stop right there," said Luna holding a hand up, "No running yourself down in front of me. Hermione is lucky to have you and you are lucky to have her, you are equal in that regard. I'm just glad Neville and I helped bring you together. Promise me that should any other announcements be forthcoming you will use The Quibbler as your publication of choice though."

Severus laughed, "Well that I can promise," he said, "Thank you for giving us the chance to meet again, especially on a day so important to you."

Luna shrugged, "That day was a formality," she said, "Signing a bit of paper hardly confirmed our love but I was glad we shared it with two people who are very dear to us and I did get to feel very lovely in the dress you gave me."

"You looked beautiful in it, my friend," said Severus, "And I'm glad it found a use. With everything as it is now it probably would have been consigned to the scrap heap."

"Are you certain you don't want it back?" said Luna, "Things have changed since you gave it to me with a view of never having a daughter of your own."

"Yes, I suppose they have," said Severus, his tone softening before he smiled ruefully, "I'm not sure if children are as yet in my future though. It's hardly something we've discussed."

"Well if you ever want it back, for whatever reason, then all you need to do is ask," offered Luna, her gaze leaving him to take in the room, "This poor old place looks so dilapidated now. Do you want some help packing? We've got so much to catch up on but we can work and talk if you prefer. We went to Holland when we ran away on honeymoon and you wouldn't believe some of the plants we found in the Lowlands, Neville was in his element and some of the creatures were utterly fascinating."

Severus cocked a dark eyebrow in amusement, "Aren't you meant to be preoccupied with other pursuits when on honeymoon?" he said with a chuckle, "You and Neville are quite well suited it seems and I am looking forward to hearing about your discoveries. Shall I put the kettle on?"

Luna nodded, "An excellent idea," she said, "And when I've told you about our trip you can tell me how you won Hermione's heart."

Severus got to his feet, "I'm not sure I've managed that just yet."

Luna hummed happily, picking up one of the books that hadn't yet made it to the crates, "That picture in the Prophet would say otherwise," she said, opening it to a random page, "No sugar in my tea please, I'm trying to cut down."

Severus nodded absently as he made his way to the kitchen, his thoughts drifting back to the night and the kiss Luna was referring to. He recalled Hermione's blush when he asked if she would write to him from her bedchamber, the desire the look on her face had sparked being something he couldn't remember having felt before. It had been the need to remain with her though, that hit him the hardest, wanting nothing more than to keep himself in her presence even if it were only to have her company and conversation.

He had wondered from that moment if her feelings mirrored his or if he would be merely a passing fancy to her. He had suspected the former but did not want to trust the thought. Luna's words though gave him a far greater hope and he knew the night of their next meeting couldn't come soon enough, longing to see again the woman who had reminded him that he did have a heart. All he needed to discover was if he also had hers.