Show them you`re flame to the fire
It`s written like your name on a flyer
They wanna tame your desire
But you light it up now your aim's getting higher
Light It Up (Feat Nyla & Fuse ODG) — Major Lazer

Severus knew that Hermione was small, at least compared to him. Her height was more of a source of entertainment for him than an obstacle, so that even with the sensible heel to her dragonhide boots and how fiercely adult she looked in her apprentice's robes, he still found his lips twitching.

Narcissa had been visiting Draco and Harry in the Heads' suite when Severus and Hermione returned. The three of them were going to take advantage of the free period to have a late lunch, which Hermione had been officially invited to after Severus explained the situation with her apprenticeship. Hermione's hesitation at separating from him again had been tangible through the bond, but Narcissa and the boys were far more qualified to help her build a new wardrobe than he was, so they'd begrudgingly parted once again.

If anything, the discomfort they'd both been feeling upon being reunited hours later was all the proof they needed to know that they wouldn't have lasted a week of returning to classes with Hermione on her previous schedule.

Now, they were preparing for Severus' first day back since Hermione's bond-induced coma. Hermione would spend the first half of the day in his private lab cleaning and organizing to make room for her to work there with him comfortably. Then she would join him for the 7th year afternoon period, revealing her to her former classmates. Albus' last minute addition to their little plan, which had really been Poppy's idea, was to allow Hermione to remain Head Girl, since she was still a student under the tutelage of a Hogwarts professor, even if she wasn't attending formal classes anymore.

Severus had basically informed Albus that he would dub Hermione his deputy head of Slytherin, officially or otherwise, if her safety became an issue. Albus' only reply had been a particularly annoying twinkle and a smile.

Hermione stretched, reminding him of her cat and bringing his attention back to her new attire. Narcissa's influence was less than subtle and the results were both visually appealing and wholly appropriate for Hermione's new status.

Her heeled boots, black with textured green edges indicative of where scales had once fused with the dragon leather, stopped just below her knees and were laced up smartly. Her leggings he recognized as muggle, though they would pass for real leather to the uneducated eye, while her dress stopped at her mid-thigh in the front and reached her knees in the back. It was designed to be reminiscent of older styles of apprentice wear, back when full corsets and frocks were no less than expected of a young woman. Now, the modern twist on the simple dress was covered by a fitted cloak that was snug until it reached her hips, where the rest of the material fell to skim the floor. The thick green belt around her waist was the same color as the accent on her boots and was studded with glittering ebony stones. All Hermione had to do to make the front of the cloak close like proper robes was tap her wand thrice against the fabric, and it would pull together seamlessly. Another three taps would let it open again, showing the bit of her dress and her boots.

She looked fierce, intimidating, and very much like his apprentice.

But she was still short.

"You're laughing at me for some reason," she said accusingly with her hands resting on hips that were no longer obscured by the standard school robes and a frown on her face. "Narcissa and the boys really liked this one and it's not even one of the outfits I picked. Does it look silly?"

"No," he said honestly, taking a drink of his tea. "I've only just realized that there are neither tall enough heels nor black enough clothing to make me find you intimidating. It's amusing to see, nonetheless."

Her frown became a halfhearted glare. "So I don't look ridiculous then?"

He rolled his eyes. "No, Hermione." Far from it. She looked like a witch on a mission, a witch that knew what she wanted and how to take it. She looked like a woman, not a schoolgirl.

He hadn't fully connected her being a legal adult to her being an actual adult, though the reality of which was staring him in the face. She was young, yes, but the eighteen year old before him had age beyond her years and a waistline he couldn't seem to stop being aware of. The wild, frizzy locks she'd been sporting in her very first potions class were replaced by a thick French braid that started at one side of her head and diagonally made its way to her opposite shoulder. A thin piece of black satin held it together, the loops of the small bow resting atop her cloak, just above the curve of her natural waist.

"You are more than presentable," he added upon seeing that she was still hesitant. "Do you think I wouldn't tell you if I thought you'd embarrass either of us in some way?"

She unsuccessfully fought a smile. "Well, when you put it that way."

Severus hummed, amused and more content than he knew how to be comfortable with despite the potential disaster awaiting them. "Off to the lab with you," he said. "Enjoy the peace while you can."

She rewarded him with a smile before she made her way into his kitchen, boots clicking not unpleasantly across the stone floor, and Severus pretended he hadn't watched her walk away.

I don't deserve you unless it's some kind of hidden message

to show me life is precious

Then I guess it's true

But to tell truth, I really never knew

'Till met you... See I was lost and confused

Twisted and used up

Knew a better life existed but thought that I missed it

My lifestyle's wild I was living like a wild child

Trapped on a short leash paroled the police files

So yo what' s happening now?

I see the sun breaking down into dark clouds

And a vision of you standing out in a crowd

Butterfly — Crazytown

Her former classmates hadn't known what to do with her and it amused him to no end.

Severus could tell which of his Slytherins hadn't been expecting to see him alive and well. They were better at hiding their emotions than the Gryffindors, certainly, but their shock had still been evident, as had their weariness of him, which had increased over the double period.

Hermione was in the best mood he'd seen her in for weeks, even as she covered the Gryffindor side of the classroom, monitoring their actions and progress with the advanced healing potion he'd assigned the lot of them. He handled the Slytherins, knowing better than to trust that they wouldn't try to discretely attack the Head Girl before he made the lay of the land perfectly clear. As much as he didn't want to taunt the Dark Lord, Severus' resentment towards his years as a spy made him bitter and mocking.

What a statement it would make, he mused, for the world to find out Voldemort had lost one of his 'best men' to a muggleborn witch's unconscious refusal to let her mate leave her side.

Severus would pay good galleons to gloat freely, preferably with Hermione on his arm and his sleeves rolled up to show his unmarked skin. He would cherish every moment of it, kill the bastard, and take his witch home.

He ventured into his private lab after assuring all of his students actually went on their respective ways, and was momentarily stunned to find it in immaculate condition until he remembered who his mate was and that his personal standards probably made her obvious deep clean easier. What caught his interest the most, however, was the new door that had appeared across from the preexisting passage that led to his private rooms.

He realized he could hear the muffled sounds of someone on the other side. Since Hermione had left for the Head's dorm to spend a bit of time with Draco and Harry, Severus squinted at the door in confusion and quietly approached it with his wand drawn.

A shriek, a small crash, fast footsteps, and multiple sets of laughter came from the other side, as well as a muffled cry of 'Damnit, Harry!' that made Severus' raised hackles settle.

He wasn't sure if Albus the Meddling Old Fool was to blame, or if the castle itself had acknowledged their newly mended bond and reacted accordingly. He knew himself and Hermione weren't the first occurrence of a member of the Hogwarts faculty finding their mate in a student, though he doubted such convenient doorways would appear in common dorms.

Severus made a mental note to ask Poppy if the Head's Dorm was a converted couples suite from the days where being married off in fourth year was commonplace. He also made a note to suggest that Hermione tell her head of house the truth about their situation, since he knew Albus had been blocking the furious Gryffindor matriarch's inquisition for a little over a week now.

He listened to the laughter and obviously good-natured fighting for a few moments before heading into his chambers to make tea and wait for his witch.

A/N: Part II won't be as long by the way, but does tie up some loose ends in a way I've been told is satisfactory. xoxo Hopefully you guys agree. And thanks so much for the love and support on the last chapter :3