Summary: Severus and Hermione's relationship moves forward.

A/N: Thanks to dragoon811 for her beta work. I appreciate you, hon. Thanks to everyone who is reading. Thank you for your comments. I hope you enjoy this next installment.

Chapter 10

Severus looked in the mirror as he tied his cravat. Hogwarts was throwing a Yule Ball again. This time it wasn't part of any Triwizard Tournament, thankfully. The Ministry had decided to do away with that tournament after the debacle when Potter was a champion. However, Minerva had loved the Yule Ball and the school had made it a tradition for them to celebrate with the dance the last day before the students returned home for the holidays.

Severus would usually attend and keep order as he wasn't one for dancing and partying, but tonight was different. Tonight, Hermione was accompanying him, and he felt a bolt of nervousness as he thought about it.

Their relationship was no secret, but this would be the first time they were at a public function together, even if it was only a school activity. He wasn't sure what the faculty would say, nor what the papers would report in the morning. He also was planning a surprise for Hermione and hoped it would be received well.

He took a step back and reviewed his attire. He'd bought new robes for this particular event, wanting to look his best. His suitcoat was made of the softest, deep-black wool. It went down to his knees. He left it open, revealing black slacks, a black satin vest and shirt, finished off by his black satin cravat. The outfit made him feel refined. The single shade of black in everything he wore looked very elegant. He was happy with the way it felt on him and the way it looked.

He was ready to meet his date.

Hermione was waiting for him in the Entrance Hall when he emerged from the dungeons. He was frozen in place for a second as he beheld her. She was magnificent. She was dressed in a floor-length green gown-like robe with sleeves that were sheer and floated down to the floor as well, creating a train effect. Her hair was in an elegant French twist. He'd never seen anyone more beautiful in his life.

Sweeping up the rest of the stairs and to her side, he kissed her chastely on her cheek.

"You look divine, my dear," he murmured to her.

She smiled at him. "As do you, Severus. My heart about stopped when I saw you approaching." Leaning up to whisper in his ears, she continued, "You made my knees go weak."

She pulled back giving him a beguiling look. He saw the devotion in that gaze as well. His heart swelled with love for her. She truly was everything he'd ever wanted, and he adored her for it. Extending his arm out to her, he smiled as she grasped it.

"Are you ready for this?" he asked.

"Definitely!" she agreed. "It's just the world that might not be," she said with a grin.

"They'll all be jealous that I have the most beautiful date in all the Wizarding World," Severus complimented.

Hermione grinned at him. "That was lovely of you to say."

"And the absolute truth."

She kissed his cheek as they entered the hall. He smiled down at her for a split second before his face became a mask of indifference. He looked straight ahead as they made their way to the line of faculty standing in front of the buffet.

"Hermione!" Minerva called out as they came near.

She hugged Hermione enthusiastically. "It's so good to see you," Minerva exclaimed.

"You too, Professor. It's been a long time."

"How are you doing at the Ministry?" Minerva asked.

"Oh, great. I love my job, and they seem to love me too," she told her.

"That's wonderful." Minerva looked from Severus to Hermione and down to their entwined arms. "So…"

"We are doing well, thank you for asking," Severus said tersely.

Hermione chuckled and placed her other hand on his arm reassuringly. "She was trying to be polite, Severus."

He harumphed. They turned and took their place next to Minerva as the rest of the students slowly came into the Hall with their dates. Some of them noticed the couple standing with the faculty, while others didn't even look their way.

Severus leaned over and whispered to his date, "Looks like we're being talked about." He motioned to a group of students chatting amongst themselves and giving quick glances to the couple.

Hermione smiled. "They're just jealous because I have the best date here."

Severus gave her a loving smile, his eyes reflecting his gratitude for her statement. He knew he wasn't a great catch, but he was thankful that Hermione appreciated him and was proud to be on his arm tonight.

Rita Skeeter waltzed in with a cameraman and spied them immediately. In a matter of seconds, she'd come up to the pair.

"Well, well, well, what have we here?" she gushed.

Severus scowled, and Hermione glared at her. "Rita, nice to see you," she fibbed.

"How long have you two been a couple?" Rita asked.

"Does it matter?" Severus drawled.

"Of course, it matters! My readers want to know! You've been seen around town, so rumors have been growing."

"Let them grow," Severus snarked.

Skeeter scoffed. "Come now, you want the truth to be known, don't you?"

"We'd probably have to go to the Quibbler to get the truth," Hermione said darkly.

"Fine, I'll just observe the two of you and make assumptions," Skeeter declared.

"Have fun," Hermione said as she turned from the reporter.

Turning back to her briefly, she narrowed her eyes at Skeeter. "Don't forget, I'm not one to be trifled with, so keep your reporting on the level."

With that, she turned away and started talking to Minerva again.

Skeeter's face showed shock before she grit her teeth together and eyed the younger witch furiously. Turning, she stalked away and set up nearby, where she'd have a good view of the faculty and the dance floor.

Minerva moved forward to start the ball and held her hands up in greeting.

"Welcome to the Yule Ball!" she cried. "May you all have a lovely time."

With a wave of her arms, music began to play, and the ball began. Several groups of students began to dance to a fast-paced song. The faculty spread out a little. Severus and Hermione stayed near the buffet table with Minerva, and the rest either headed for the dance floor or to one side of the room or the other.

They observed those dancing for a while before Severus turned to Hermione.

"Would you do me the honor of joining me in a dance?" he asked.

Hermione smiled and took his extended hand.

"Of course," she replied.

He drew her out to the dance floor and soon had his hand on her back, guiding her around elegantly. He pulled her closer as they danced together. She looked up, and her eyes met his. He almost stopped breathing at the loving look she was giving him. He was tempted to kiss her right there, but he had his limits to affection in public, and that crossed his personal line.

"Did I tell you how lovely you look tonight?" he murmured as they swayed together.

"I think you may have, but I enjoy hearing it again."

He grinned at her. "Well, you are the most beautiful woman on this dance floor, and quite possibly the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."

"I love you, you know," she advised as her hand ran through his hair.

"And I love you. I am proud to have you on my arm tonight, Hermione."

She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. "I know that's the only kiss you'll accept in public," she explained as she pulled away from him.

His eyes were lit with fire. "I wish we could just leave and be alone, but alas, I have duties to attend to here."

"That's okay. I'm enjoying myself here with you. I was wondering if you were going to ask me to dance, and I'm thrilled that you did. It feels like we have been dancing together for years."

"I thought so as well." He pulled her closer still. "It's like we were made for one another."

Hermione smiled at him, seemingly enraptured by his presence. In that moment, Severus was overcome with emotion and pulled Hermione into his chest as they wrapped their arms around one another and simply swayed. He closed his eyes and felt her nearness, filled with love for the woman in his arms.

They stayed like that for the rest of the song. When it ended, she pulled back, as if she was going to return to the sidelines, but he held her firmly.

"We're not done," he rumbled.

She gave him a coy smile. "Oh! Well then, let's keep at it, shall we?"

She returned immediately to his side, and they continued their dancing.

He leaned into her and whispered in her ear. "I want you to know that you are the only woman I want to dance with here tonight."

She chuckled as she pulled away and averted her gaze. Severus noted the dark blush that crept over her cheeks. The woman was enchanting.

Severus completely ignored his duties for the night as he danced with her again and again, never letting her leave his side. They chatted as the night went on, remarking at the students and how the night was going. They were one of the last couples to leave the dance floor.

"Shall we?" Severus asked.

"I suppose. I'm enjoying myself so much that I could dance until dawn."

"Yes, well, Minerva has been giving us pointed looks for the past fifteen minutes," Severus explained.

"All right. Let's put her out of her misery so she can call the dance finished."

They separated, and Severus pulled her hand up to his lips, kissing it reverently. "I shall escort you home," he told her.

"Lovely."

Straightening, he looked at Minerva and gave her a nod, signifying good night. With a glare at Skeeter, who was watching them avidly, he swept Hermione from the Hall, and they were soon at the Apparition point. Pulling her close, he spun them around and appeared in her sitting room. He didn't let her go, just gazed into her eyes.

"Severus?" Hermione asked curiously.

He swallowed awkwardly. He'd been planning this for weeks, but he was still nervous about the whole thing. Releasing her, he descended to one knee and grasped her hand.

"Hermione, I love you. These last few months have been the best of my life as I've gotten to know you and grown closer to you. I Want you in my life forever. Will you marry me?"

Hermione looked elated for a second, but then her face fell, and her eyes filled with tears. She pulled her hand from his.

"Oh, Severus! I… I can't!"

"You… what?"

His eyes searched hers. He had been sure she'd say yes but had always had that niggling feeling that this was all going to go south.

"I can't marry you, Severus. You deserve something more."

He stood then and took hold of her arms. "What are you talking about? No one could make me happier than you do, Hermione," he argued.

"But… you know I can't have children. You deserve a family, Severus. I can never give you that."

She pulled from his grip and turned away from him, burying her face in her hands. He stepped up right behind her.

"That doesn't matter to me, love."

"It will, though! You'll want children at some point, and I can never give them to you!"

He reached out and gently turned her to him.

"Hermione," he murmured softly. "I love you and want to be with you for the rest of my days. If children were to be involved, that would be lovely, but I can live without them. I can't live without you."

She searched his eyes but looked away.

"Besides, there is more than one way to have a child, you know," he advised with a smirk.

She ignored his attempt at brevity. "But it won't be yours."

"Nonsense! If we decide to adopt, that child will be every bit ours."

Her eyes strayed back to his. "I just want you happy."

"Do you not see that I am happy?"

"But you've seen your children from other realties. Won't you always wish that they were here with you?"

Severus sighed. "I hadn't really thought about it until this very minute." His gaze moved away from her before coming back in determination. "Hermione, I want our children, not some other me's children. If we never have a child, you and I will be enough for me. If we do, whatever way that happens, I will love them and be grateful that you helped me to create a family. I want you to be with me always, Hermione. Please, say you'll marry me! We have the rest of our lives to work this out."

"I just… I don't want you to settle."

He gave her an incredulous look. "How could you even say such a thing? I could search my entire life for someone to love me and care for me, but no one would come close to the way you love me. You are loyal, and caring, and devoted… to me! I can feel that when we are together. I thank Merlin every day that I moved through all those realms and realized who I really should be with. Hermione, it's you. It will always be you. I will never want another. Please… stay with me forever. Say you'll be my wife!"

"It's all I want, too, Severus."

"Then say yes, you daft woman!" he urged.

She smiled at that. "Yes," she replied.

"Yes?" he questioned, making sure that she meant it.

"Yes. I will marry you. I will be your wife. We will work together to see how we can add to our family. We will be happy, and we will be together forever."

Severus heaved a huge sigh of relief. "Oh, thank Merlin!"

He waved his wand over her hand and a beautiful diamond solitaire appeared on it. She gasped and looked up at him.

"It's lovely, Severus," she told him as tears began to stream down her cheeks.

"Those are happy tears, right?" he asked tentatively.

She nodded and gave him a small but encouraging smile. He pulled her to him then, kissing her again and again.

"I love you, Hermione. I can't wait for us to be married."

She pulled back and looked at him with determination. "I will always love you, Severus. I can't wait to be your wife."