**A/N** As much as it saddens me, I must inform you all that this story
doesn't have too much further to go. There are a few more chapters, of
course, but I thought I'd warn you all now! Keep reviewing, and if you
don't like what I do from here, just pretend that chapter 30 or 31 was the
ending. Hope you all enjoy this!
The living sat in silence as Dumbledore read aloud the names of the dead. It was a bittersweet day for everyone. On one hand, the greatest evil ever faced by the wizarding world had been eliminated. On the other, many great witches and wizards had been lost, and those who remained were going to miss them.
Reporters, sympathizers, family members, ministry workers, and even simple spectators were gathered in the Great Hall to celebrate victories and to mourn for the many lives lost.
"And, though I have been given the sad task of naming the many brave friends we have lost in our battle against evil," Dumbledore smiled gently. "I have also been given the privilege of honoring three exceptionally brave members of the wizarding community. Would Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, and Severus Snape please come up here?" The three of them, who were sitting together, looked at each other confusedly. With a shrug, Hermoine set the example and stood up, soon to be followed by her friends.
Once they were standing and facing the audience, all looking suitably humiliated, Dumbledore smiled, finally allowing his eyes to twinkle. "It is with great pleasure that I award the three of you Order of Merlin, First Class, for your bravery, cool-headedness, and awesome displays of power. Congratulations." The three of them just looked at each other, bewildered, as they were given large silver medals and reporters snapped pictures of them wildly. Hermione had never seen Severus looking so embarrassed. The applause was deafening.
"And, on behalf of the University of the Isle of Man, I offer Hermione Granger her degree upon graduation from Hogwarts, as they feel she has already completed the necessary parts of her education. They will also be giving her a substantial research grant." More applause.
"Also," Dumbledore called as the clapping died down, "I would like to congratulate all of the students of Hogwarts for their loyalty to their school and their bravery in defending it--and each other." There was even more applause, and the new heroes took that time to sneak back to their seats.
The ceremony ended after what felt like hours of speeches. Hermione and Severus spent most of their time communicating telepathically.
[I think Fudge is pissed that he didn't get Order of Merlin,] Hermione thought. [Thankfully he didn't get it!] Severus replied. [When inept pricks start winning prestigious awards as well as powerful positions, I'm going to give up on the wizarding world and live as a muggle.]
[I'd like to see that. I doubt you could figure out how to wear blue jeans.] He had to hold back from snorting out loud. [Shut up! On second thought... perhaps you could help me learn?] Hermione almost laughed. [Once your robes were off, I don't think I'd want to help you put something else on, Severus.]
[Oh? Hmm... you'll have to at least try to assist me, then. At least if you fail I might have other...uses...for you.] Hermione peeked at him and saw the telltale smirk.
[Uses? Don't you think it's the other way around? You know you can't handle me.] Severus almost laughed out loud. [All I have to do is talk, and you can barely contain yourself. Don't even start with me.]
[I can still kick your ass when we play chess.] Hermione felt him bristle slightly, and grinned to herself. [Only half the time. You seem to forget your rather humiliating victory the last time we played. Your pieces are still complaining about your lack of decent strategy.]
[How was I supposed to concentrate? You were looking at me in that... that way, and then you started to--] Severus reached for her hand and squeezed it, deftly running his thumb across the inside of her wrist. Hermione shuddered. [Hermione, I suggest you don't remind me, or I might be tempted to ask for a rematch--and as I'm not feeling particularly patient today, our current location is hardly suitable.]
She grinned and pulled her hand away, making sure to brush his thigh ever so slightly. Her grin widened when she heard his sharp intake of breath. Once this little ceremony was over, she had a feeling he'd exact his revenge--in the most enjoyable way possible.
~~
Unfortunately, Hermione's hopes for a quick escape from the Great Hall were soon dashed when she and Severus were almost literally attacked by reporters.
"Is it true that you two are a couple?" piped one. "This could be the romance of the century!" crowed another. "Is it true she's your student?"
[Uh oh,] thought Hermione. [How are we going to get out of here? Without being rude to them, please?] Severus simply placed a hand on the small of her back, glared at the reporters to make them shy away from him, and guided Hermione out of the Hall with relative ease. Once they reached the dungeons, Hermione started laughing.
"That was the strangest thing that has ever happened to me!" she gasped as Snape slipped an arm around her waist.
"I've seen stranger. I do hope that will die down soon--I can't stand reporters. That's excellent about your college degree, though." Hermione laughed and smiled up at him wickedly. "So, what do you want to do now, Professor? Up for that rematch?"
"Always," he purred into her ear. "Don't expect me to go easy on you." His silky voice still made her shudder. Hermione turned to give him one of those looks that drove him mad. Then she ran a hand slowly up his chest, smiling as his breath hitched. "I wouldn't dream of it," she replied coyly as they walked into his classroom. Once inside, Severus shut the door and was about to kiss her when someone cleared her throat rudely.
"Excuse me, you two lovebirds, but I believe that before you can be left to your own.devices.you owe me the answers to a few very important questions. And I suggest you answer them, before I make up the answers for myself." Snape and Hermione turned simultaneously, equally enraged. Sitting behind Snape's desk as though she owned it, dicto-quill poised for action, was a smug and smirking Rita Skeeter.
The living sat in silence as Dumbledore read aloud the names of the dead. It was a bittersweet day for everyone. On one hand, the greatest evil ever faced by the wizarding world had been eliminated. On the other, many great witches and wizards had been lost, and those who remained were going to miss them.
Reporters, sympathizers, family members, ministry workers, and even simple spectators were gathered in the Great Hall to celebrate victories and to mourn for the many lives lost.
"And, though I have been given the sad task of naming the many brave friends we have lost in our battle against evil," Dumbledore smiled gently. "I have also been given the privilege of honoring three exceptionally brave members of the wizarding community. Would Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, and Severus Snape please come up here?" The three of them, who were sitting together, looked at each other confusedly. With a shrug, Hermoine set the example and stood up, soon to be followed by her friends.
Once they were standing and facing the audience, all looking suitably humiliated, Dumbledore smiled, finally allowing his eyes to twinkle. "It is with great pleasure that I award the three of you Order of Merlin, First Class, for your bravery, cool-headedness, and awesome displays of power. Congratulations." The three of them just looked at each other, bewildered, as they were given large silver medals and reporters snapped pictures of them wildly. Hermione had never seen Severus looking so embarrassed. The applause was deafening.
"And, on behalf of the University of the Isle of Man, I offer Hermione Granger her degree upon graduation from Hogwarts, as they feel she has already completed the necessary parts of her education. They will also be giving her a substantial research grant." More applause.
"Also," Dumbledore called as the clapping died down, "I would like to congratulate all of the students of Hogwarts for their loyalty to their school and their bravery in defending it--and each other." There was even more applause, and the new heroes took that time to sneak back to their seats.
The ceremony ended after what felt like hours of speeches. Hermione and Severus spent most of their time communicating telepathically.
[I think Fudge is pissed that he didn't get Order of Merlin,] Hermione thought. [Thankfully he didn't get it!] Severus replied. [When inept pricks start winning prestigious awards as well as powerful positions, I'm going to give up on the wizarding world and live as a muggle.]
[I'd like to see that. I doubt you could figure out how to wear blue jeans.] He had to hold back from snorting out loud. [Shut up! On second thought... perhaps you could help me learn?] Hermione almost laughed. [Once your robes were off, I don't think I'd want to help you put something else on, Severus.]
[Oh? Hmm... you'll have to at least try to assist me, then. At least if you fail I might have other...uses...for you.] Hermione peeked at him and saw the telltale smirk.
[Uses? Don't you think it's the other way around? You know you can't handle me.] Severus almost laughed out loud. [All I have to do is talk, and you can barely contain yourself. Don't even start with me.]
[I can still kick your ass when we play chess.] Hermione felt him bristle slightly, and grinned to herself. [Only half the time. You seem to forget your rather humiliating victory the last time we played. Your pieces are still complaining about your lack of decent strategy.]
[How was I supposed to concentrate? You were looking at me in that... that way, and then you started to--] Severus reached for her hand and squeezed it, deftly running his thumb across the inside of her wrist. Hermione shuddered. [Hermione, I suggest you don't remind me, or I might be tempted to ask for a rematch--and as I'm not feeling particularly patient today, our current location is hardly suitable.]
She grinned and pulled her hand away, making sure to brush his thigh ever so slightly. Her grin widened when she heard his sharp intake of breath. Once this little ceremony was over, she had a feeling he'd exact his revenge--in the most enjoyable way possible.
~~
Unfortunately, Hermione's hopes for a quick escape from the Great Hall were soon dashed when she and Severus were almost literally attacked by reporters.
"Is it true that you two are a couple?" piped one. "This could be the romance of the century!" crowed another. "Is it true she's your student?"
[Uh oh,] thought Hermione. [How are we going to get out of here? Without being rude to them, please?] Severus simply placed a hand on the small of her back, glared at the reporters to make them shy away from him, and guided Hermione out of the Hall with relative ease. Once they reached the dungeons, Hermione started laughing.
"That was the strangest thing that has ever happened to me!" she gasped as Snape slipped an arm around her waist.
"I've seen stranger. I do hope that will die down soon--I can't stand reporters. That's excellent about your college degree, though." Hermione laughed and smiled up at him wickedly. "So, what do you want to do now, Professor? Up for that rematch?"
"Always," he purred into her ear. "Don't expect me to go easy on you." His silky voice still made her shudder. Hermione turned to give him one of those looks that drove him mad. Then she ran a hand slowly up his chest, smiling as his breath hitched. "I wouldn't dream of it," she replied coyly as they walked into his classroom. Once inside, Severus shut the door and was about to kiss her when someone cleared her throat rudely.
"Excuse me, you two lovebirds, but I believe that before you can be left to your own.devices.you owe me the answers to a few very important questions. And I suggest you answer them, before I make up the answers for myself." Snape and Hermione turned simultaneously, equally enraged. Sitting behind Snape's desk as though she owned it, dicto-quill poised for action, was a smug and smirking Rita Skeeter.