CHAPTER NINE

The rest of November passed quickly for the pair. Hermione was engrossed in a clinical trial and Severus decided to go house-hunting. Owls slowly began flying between them as they discussed their futures.

Dearest Hermione,

I missed you today as I taught my class of second year Gryffindors and Slytherins. This particular year can claim two "Neville Longbottoms" – one in each house. Unfortunately, I do not have two "Hermione Grangers" to help rescue the young men. I therefore had simultaneous exploding cauldrons today in my classroom. I do hope you make up your mind soon, my love, otherwise I may not survive to celebrate our vows.

Severus,

I do believe that if you would quit hovering over students like a rabid overgrown bat, that they might relax enough to successfully complete a potion occasionally. Of course, I could be wrong, after all – I am just a Gryffindor.

Dearest Hermione,

I had the most unnerving experience today. My niece decided that I should take her shopping. She seemed to think that prowling Diagon Alley and Muggle London in search of maternity clothes and underthings was just the thing to cheer me up. Although I did rather enjoy her horror when confronted with the enormous knickers she found, I was a bit sad during the jaunt. I would much rather make the same shopping trip with you. We may have to discuss the knickers issue however, as I'm certain we can find some alternative. At least, I hope so.

Severus,

I must confess that I sometimes think about you when I'm shopping, too. Sometimes, it's the sight of bat wings in the window of the potions shop. Sometimes, it's when I run across a rope of garlic while I'm shopping for groceries. And sometimes it's when I see frightened small children cowering in the aisles of a local shop. It all makes me think of you. And sometimes, I pass a man in black robes carrying his son or daughter in his arms. And I think of you. And don't think you're going to get out of seeing me in maternity knickers, if we go ahead with this crazy relationship and marriage.

Dearest Hermione,

I would love to see you in giant maternity knickers. Shall I pick some up for you my next trip to Muggle London? I'm sure they'd look just lovely on you.

Severus,

Sod off, Snape. Be careful what you wish for. Maternity knickers, my arse. I'll bloody well go without.

Dearest Hermione,

Now THAT I can't wait to see. On to more intellectual topics, not that I don't love discussing your underthings, but I wondered what you thought about the latest research into ---

Severus oscillated between near-giddiness that startled and frightened his coworkers and a nasty, foul depression that startled and frightened his students. But, hope is an amazing thing. It allowed him to continue living and continue looking to the future. A future he was planning to spend with Hermione. The people he dealt with on a daily basis were completely confused by his behavior. Even the headmaster was admittedly frustrated at his inability to figure out the puzzle that was Snape's love life. The first week of December saw the potions master bent over a stack of parchments in the staff room, companionably sharing a pot of tea with Harry Potter, when Albus Dumbledore swept into the room.

"Severus. Harry," he said. The greeting was returned by the two men, who quickly went back to their grading.

"Severus."

Snape looked up and focused his attention on his boss, a question written in his eyes.

"I give up, Severus. For once, I have no idea what is happening at Hogwarts and it is driving me mad," sighed Albus. "Put a poor old man out of his misery and tell him what is going on with Hermione."

Severus shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine, Albus."

"I hear that she is wearing your ring," Albus said.

"That she is."

"And --?"

"And nothing. I left her the rings in mid-November and she promised to think about 'us.' Harry told me that she is wearing the ring as a touchstone of sorts while she makes up her mind."
 

"She said it helps her think, Headmaster," grinned Harry. "I think she is just scared to be engaged again. The last engagement didn't end very well."

"So I'm waiting," said Severus. "I waited more than a decade to see if Catherine came around, so I think I can give Hermione a few more months. Besides, if I have my way she won't have to worry about the 'engaged' part for long. I think that between my mother, her mother and the Hogwarts staff, we could pull a wedding together in a week or two. Don't you, Potter?"

Harry nodded and grinned. "Toss in Molly Weasley and you could do it in 48 hours or less."

"But you –" the old wizard stopped, eyes narrowed in confusion. "Severus. I just got off the Floo with Gringotts, confirming that you are indeed gainfully employed by me. They seemed to be under the impression that you were buying a house in Hogsmeade."

Severus simply looked at his boss, a small quirk of a grin on his lips.

"A house for you and your future wife."

"They said that, did they?" Severus replied, leaning back in his chair and sipping at his cup of now-cool tea. "Albus, relax. There is no news. I am simply – hopeful."

Hermione continued to wear Severus' ring as Christmas drew closer. Each morning, she would get ready for work and debate whether or not to take it off her finger. Every morning, she arrived at the office with its comforting coolness on her hand. Her staff assumed that she had resolved everything with Snape and that they were engaged. She dodged several questions over the past few weeks, simply stating that she didn't think it was appropriate for her to bring her love life to work. No matter, the gossip columnist for the Daily Prophet had caught scent of the story and had already published a tidbit claiming that they were back together.

And then today came the news that Snape had purchased a home in Hogsmeade. It was a rather large house, too, Hermione mused as she skimmed the daily gossip. Plenty of bedrooms for children with a large lawn for them to run. She wondered why his latest owl hadn't mentioned it. Suddenly, she threw down her paper and closed her office door. Pacing, she tried to decide if it was annoying that Severus was being quite so presumptuous or if it was endearing. Glancing down at the ring she currently wore, she decided that they were both being rather presumptuous.

And she was slowly realizing that was a good thing. From their first night together there had been an odd feeling of presumption in their relationship. They presumed that there would be a second night, then a long-term relationship, then a baby, then a wedding.

Then Hermione presumed that he would cheat on her. But, she didn't anymore. So why was it so difficult to simply presume the best? A quick look at the clock on the wall told her it was time to head for home. She had Hermione-duties with Harry tonight. Perhaps she could spend some time talking to him about Severus.

Back at Hogwarts, a nervous middle-aged wizard paced his chambers. He was being watched by an amused young man with green eyes and rather dirty glasses. He was nervous to the point of being twitchy. And being stared at was not helping.

"Harry, if you don't have anything to say, please go away," Snape said, attempting a sneer. "Gods, what time is it?"

"5:30."

"And what time are you supposed to meet Hermione?"

"6:00. Calm down, you have half an hour before you apparate. And I still think you should be a few minutes late. Let her get there, get a table and settle in. Let her wait for you a bit. You've earned it, after all. She's made you wait since September," said Harry.

"I don't know if I can do this."

"The great git, Professor Snape? Afriad? Good Merlin, where is my diary, I need to write this down."

Snape stopped in his frantic pacing to turn and glare at his co-worker.

"If I could get away with hexing you, I would. You know that don't you, Potter?" he asked, sounding more pathetic than evil. Harry just laughed.

"I know. But then, I'd have to kill you and you wouldn't be seeing Hermione tonight. Did you change the sheets on your bed, by the way? You know she's a clean freak," Harry said with a rather ornery grin.

"Potter! I appreciate your help with Hermione. I appreciate your setting up this date tonight so that I could surprise her. I do not appreciate your prying into our sex life, however."

A sharp glance from the green-eyed man made Severus roll his eyes in exasperation.

"Yes, yes, I changed the bloody sheets!" he said, before resuming his pacing. Suddenly, he looked up and Harry was standing in front of him, holding a rose and set of keys. Severus took them both and then took a deep breath.

Harry looked at the older wizard sympathetically for a moment before impulsively hugging him. To his surprise, Snape hugged him back.

"Thank you, Harry," he said softly. "You will be my best man, won't you? If she says yes?"

"She'll say yes," Harry said, releasing the nervous man. "And I would be honored to stand up with you at your wedding."

With a nervous nod, Snape turned to the fireplace and threw in a handful of Floo powder. Albus' face suddenly appeared, and he quickly took in Severus' appearance. Muggle suit, hair in a ponytail, rose in hand. It was time.

"I'm dropping the wards ---now!" said Albus. Without another word, Severus apparated away.

"Good luck, my son," Albus whispered. He and Harry locked gazes through the green haze and they both took a deep breath. Now, all they had to do was wait.

Severus apparated into an alley not far from Hermione's favorite restaurant. He quickly entered the building and scanned the dining room for her. She was sitting near the back at a table for two, the bottle of champagne he had called ahead for chilling in a bucket beside her. He watched her as she sipped some from her glass and he took the sight of her in. Black wrap dress, heels, red lips, manicured hands and his ring flashing in the light. Beautiful, he thought.

Taking another deep breath, he walked up behind her, smelling her sophisticated Muggle perfume. He reached around her and placed the rose on her plate, leaning down to whisper into her ear:

"I don't think I can wait any longer to have you as my wife and the mother of my children. Please say you will marry me, Miss Granger?"

Shocked, she spun in her chair and saw him standing behind her. Black suit that showed off his lean form, grey turtleneck that only served to highlight his silver temples and long black hair, and a frightened look in his flashing black eyes. He looked like a man that had just laid everything he had on the line and would be irreparably crushed if things didn't go his way. He looked beautiful, she thought.

Their eyes locked for a long moment before Severus managed to choke out just one more word.

"Please."