A/N: Moving right along….

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"What in the bloody hell is this Harry?!"

That was the wailing sounds of Ronald Weasley as he slapped the latest edition of the Daily Prophet onto the kitchen table. Right on the front page was a moving photograph of Severus and Hermione, kissing. Rather heatedly actually. And then they parted and stared at each other with unmistakably loving eyes. And then the photo started all over again. Harry sighed and set down his fork. He knew Ron was liable to do something stupid over this. Despite their amicable parting, Harry wouldn't be surprised if the ginger didn't still have feelings for Hermione. True, it had been years but if he hazarded a guess, Harry could bet that Ron probably always thought Hermione would be around for him once he got his act together. But even he could see that Hermione was an extremely attractive woman. Not to mention smart, mature, and a powerful witch. It was only a matter of time before she found a decent bloke. And it made sense that he was older since he doubted anyone their age could've kept up with her. "Ron, calm down. There's no need to get upset—"

"No need! She's on the front page kissing that Slytherin git and you say there's no reason for me to be upset?!" The redhead raged, eyes widened in incredulity. A throat clearing next to him made him falter slightly. "Err, no offense mate. But you know what Snape was like," he added looking guiltily at the blonde haired wizard.

Draco scoffed and helped himself to breakfast, glancing at the newspaper and chuckling, "What can I say weasel, you snooze, you lose. Besides, the keyword in that sentence is: was, past tense. Severus, is a changed man. Or at least, he's a much milder version of his old self. Plus, you don't know my Uncle like I do. He can be downright pleasant sometimes if he's comfortable enough to be so in your presence. And we were annoying back then."

"True," Harry admitted grudgingly.

Ron was appalled. "You're agreeing with him? You're not the least bit concerned about what he'll do to her?"

"If you mean shag her silly I don't think that's any of our business," Draco added knowing that would send the hotheaded Gryffindor into hysterics. He was not disappointed.

"NOT OUR BUSINESS?! B-BUT, BUT WE HAVE TO PROTECT HER FROM THE EVIL GIT!"

At this point Harry had had enough. "At this point Ron, the only git I see is you mate," he responded pointedly. "You can't be upset because Hermione has obviously moved on when you haven't bothered to see her since she came home! You're supposed to be her friend! But no, you've been busy gallivanting all over town with all sorts of witches. What, did you have an empty slot where you decided to pencil in friendship?" He snapped.

Ron looked thoroughly taken aback, and a bit embarrassed. The redness in his face fading slightly. "No…. it's not like that. I mean, I thought you'd be upset too. And…. well it's 'mione, you know? I always just assumed…"

"Yeah I have a feeling that you've assumed a great many things Weasley," the Slytherin wizard scoffed. "Just face it, Granger has moved on. The sooner you come to terms, the easier it'll be. Otherwise you may find yourself at the business end of either Snape's or Granger's wand. Frankly, I'm not sure which one would be worse…." Seeing the ginger boy shudder he smirked and added, "Now leave our house. I'd like to shag Potter one more time before we leave for work."

That sent the boy running for the floo in record time, a chuckling Harry and Draco could be heard in the background.

Two sated bodies lay in bed rather lazily, a manicured hand trailed across pale abs, long fingers tangled in curled locks and sweet kisses shared between a man and his woman. Knowing that said woman loved him made everything seem sweeter and the usually dour wizard had an actual smile on his face and in his heart. As they lay, he whispered secrets and sweet nothings in her ears, a pleased murmur tumbling from his lips whenever she reciprocated in kind. For someone who has been starved from love and affection this was heavenly. So much so that he never wanted it to end. "I have a proposition for you," Severus's usual deep drawl broke the comfortable silence that settled as they took a break from cuddling in bed. They hadn't bothered to get dressed, but they did sit down for lunch and were now enjoying some light reading in his library.

He could tell that he caught his little witch off guard because she flinched slightly at the interruption but looked up at him with an expectant smile, "What is it Severus? If it's what I think it is then you do know you don't have to ask so formally," she grinned, her hands reaching to untie his robe.

"No! Not that! Merlin woman, you're gonna be the death of me," He grinned, stilling her hands and bringing them to his lips. "Although depending on your answer I'm going to have access to your delights, much more often."

She grinned softly and tilted her head, obviously intrigued. "My answer to what then? I'm very curious now."

"I don't know if this is too soon, but would you like to move into the Manor?" Severus finally asked, his heart hammering in his chest as he waited. She seemed stunned and the silence was killing him so he added, "I can have Lola prepare Mistress chambers for you if you prefer? I just want you closer, Hermione. I had hoped you'd stay in the master suite with me but the Mistress rooms are the next bi—"

"Severus stop! I don't need my own rooms prepared," Hermione replies, and she must have noticed the tension in his body because she smiled tenderly and stroked his cheek, "Relax love, I'd very much like staying in here with you. I was just shocked by your invitation. I know you love me but I didn't know that you were ready for me to invade your space. It really means a lot."

Slowly his body seemed to let go of the tension he held and he pecked her lips, "Well, you already take occupancy over my heart and mind, might as well take over my home too. Plus, I quite enjoy having you around and at the risk of sounding even more like a sap, I can scarcely imagine parting from you at this point."

Much to his surprise and pleasure Hermione straddled his lap and planted a fierce kiss on his lips. "You sir, are increasingly and incredibly romantic. And such a beautiful man. How did I get so lucky?" She whispered, and based on the look in her amber eyes he knew that she was serious. It was an odd feeling, to know someone felt lucky because they had you in their life. He couldn't respond, he was simply overcome with emotion at both her agreement to stay and the declaration of her feelings for him. So instead of speaking he simply held his witch tightly and close to his heart.