A/N: More to enjoy!

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"Am I meant to actually leave the house with you looking like this?" A deep purring voice rumbled in her ears. Severus's fingers swept across the warm, olive flesh left out of her dress. The entire ensemble was a thin piece of fabric. Black, to match his suit, clung to the curves of his witch. Her back was completely exposed save for strands of sparkling stone chains which seemed to be the only thing holding the dress together. He had caught her pulling her riotous curls into a sexy updo and when she turned to smile at him, it was with enticing ruby red lips.

"Yes, all of this is for you, but not for you to have right now. Plus, it's a nice restaurant and our first outing in the wizarding world as a couple. I need to look my best," The brilliant Potions Mistress answered, spritzing her body with a delicious smelling perfume. God, she was making this hard, pun intended. "Now keep those wonderful hands to yourself. I don't want to ruin my makeup by pouncing on you."

Severus merely smirked, dipped his head and placed a kiss on her neck. "My hands aren't the only thing I can use…" As expected she gave a pleased shudder, but before he could go further she stepped away.

"Ah, ah, ah, no touching. I mean it," Hermione smirked, checking herself out in the mirror once more. "Come on love, we don't want to be late. You look dashing, by the way. I love it when you let your hair loose," she added, briefly letting her fingers rake through his inky tresses.

Usually he would always tie it back because he might be brewing or in general not wanting to deal with the fuss of arranging his long hair, but tonight he made an exception. Just hearing her compliments made him smile as did her term of endearment. It hit close to home, considering he was contemplating confessing his love to her tonight. Perhaps they were on the same page and it wouldn't be too soon? "Right, you ready to apparate? The sooner we get this dinner over with, the sooner I can take that dress off of you." That earned another brilliant smile and then she looped her arm through his and he led her to the apparition point.

The restaurant was as ritzy as they come. Vaulted ceilings, marbled pillars, and tons of witches and wizards in fancy clothes mingling at the bar or chatting away at tables. A few curious gazes landed their way, but Severus surmised that they were mostly in appreciation of his date. Especially since most were male. And he was sure that Hermione had no idea just how alluring she looked. And her dress left little to the imagination but somehow managed to be decent. Save for that long, tan leg peeking out from the slit in her dress. Improved by the strappy heels she wore bearing matching stones. All in all she looked gorgeous. And not at all like a witch he ever thought he would end up with. He was so lucky. "Oh look Severus, that's them over there," Hermione said, interrupting his thoughts. "I can recognize that patch of platinum blonde hair anywhere."

Sure enough both wizards were sitting on one side of the booth, heads bowed slightly as they conversed. Severus braced himself for the inevitable meeting, a protective arm around Hermione's waist. Together they approached the table and Hermione cleared her throat, "Hello gentleman," she greeted with a smirk. "Meet my boyfriend, Severus Snape."

"Wait, what?!"

"Nice work, Uncle Severus."

The two Slytherins grinned at each other briefly but Severus was highly aware of the shocked, confused expression on the Boy Wonder's face. "Mr. Potter, I understand that you may be alarmed but I hope you understand that subterfuge was necessary. We couldn't air out our involvement with each other unless we were both sure of our attachment. Especially given our professional relationship. While it's not against policy, it is somewhat frowned upon."

Harry blinked, an unsure frown on his face. "Right. Still, I can't help but to feel...miffed. Surely you could have told me sooner, right? I've been so worried. I still am."

Snape's eyes narrowed at the younger wizard, and he wished he could have used legilimency in that moment. Then again, the fiery look in the wizard's face was eerily familiar. "Perhaps Harry and I should have a word, privately. If you would follow me to the bar please?" Just as he turned to leave he caught Hermione's worried amber gaze. Doubling back, he reached for her hand and squeezed. "Don't worry, we'll be right back." He waited for her nod and then Draco took over and ushered her into a seat.

There was a lounge adjacent to the bar where there were small alcoves for people to chat in. That, combined with a strong muffliato was enough to grant them a sufficient amount of privacy for this discussion. "Okay Mr. Potter, why don't you just tell me what is bothering you so much about my involvement with Hermione? I would hope it's not my past Death Ester status since your own testimony helped with my exoneration. If it's my being a Slytherin that's very hypocritical considering….. Is it my age? Because Tonks and Lupin had a significant age gap and no one batted an eye. Or maybe my behavior as a teacher? Well don't you think Hermione and I have already gotten over that? If she was still upset about that then she certainly wouldn't stand for it while working for me, let alone in a relationship. Besides, you've noticed yourself that she is happy, so what is the concern for?"

Harry, who had been quietly stewing during this whole rant simply glared. "And what about my mom? Huh? Because I witnessed a man on his deathbed and she was all he could think about. I watched you declare that you would always love her. I've witnessed a devotion that lasted well over a decade. True, the war is over, but that was only a few years ago. I just find it difficult to believe that you could have any space for my best friend in your heart with my mother still haunting it." He spat, eyes blazing. "Hermione is a good woman and I can see that she cares about you a great deal. So much so that I'm afraid of how much it'll hurt when you leave her because she is not, and can never be Lily. I recognize the similarities between them and I can't help but wonder if you've found a nice place holder but inevitably she won't be enough. So yes, I am concerned. Am I wrong to be Snape?"

Lily. He had forgotten about her. Which was actually quite the feat in a way. It only furthered his resolve to tell Hermione his feelings. He just hated that he had to share them with Potter first. "Harry, I'm not sure if you'll believe me, but I am not in love with Lily Potter. Not anymore. While you are correct that I have harbored a deep love for her for years and even on my deathbed my thoughts were of her it is not because I was still in love with her. Not entirely anyway. I was also thinking about you and what you had to see in order to do what was needed. I was thinking about my own guilt . Leading you like a pig for the slaughter when all I have ever wanted was to protect you. The last piece of Lily left. And do I still have love for her now, yes, I do. But I am not in love with Lily Potter. Nor does she haunt my heart as you so eloquently put it." He sighed, hating how vulnerable he had to be to reveal this much to this young man, but it was necessary. "I am, however, in love with Hermione Granger. And despite any perceived similarities I am very aware that she and Lily are not the same woman. In fact, I am very grateful for that. And I can honestly say that what I feel for Hermione even in this short time frame completely eclipses my feelings for Lily."

Harry scoffed, "I find that hard to believe."

"I'm not surprised, but let me explain it this way," Severus replied, not deterred by the other wizards' skepticism, "Lily was for a long time, one of the only things that I thought was good in my life. But she couldn't accept that I was naturally inclined to darker, more complex magic. And I am snarky. And moody. And a great many other things that eventually Lily could not accept. When I called her that word I think there was some relief that she finally had an excuse to be rid of me. I couldn't see this at the time, but over the years as I analyzed my feelings for her, I realized that we never would have worked. But Hermione, she came to me with full knowledge of the man that I am and she has not sought to change me, nor does she carry me as her shame. We argue, fiercely sometimes, but she has not left me and she doesn't make me feel insecure about if she will. And frankly, unrequited love can never compare to the actual feeling. At least, I am hoping she loves me in return. It is how she makes me feel when we're together. So yes, I can say I love her more than I've ever loved anyone else. Because this is real love, Harry. Pure, and imperfectly perfect. Not at all like the love tainted with guilt that I had for your mother. Do you understand?"