"Wow, would you look at this place, it's huge," Hermione said as they walked through the grounds of Severus' mansion. "He must be worth a fortune."

"He is," Remus said. "I came here once, during the war, met his mother lovely woman."

"How did Sirius get him to agree to this? I know I wouldn't let us lot lose in a place like this." Remus shrugged and they knocked on the large double doors at the front of the house.

Sirius opened the door smiling broadly. He appeared to have consumed quite a substantial amount of alcohol already and the party hadn't even started.

"Come in," he slurred waving a bottle of something around, gesturing for them to enter. They all looked at each other and raised there eyebrows, all wondering what Sirius would be like by the end of the night.

They walked in and found themselves in a cavernous entrance hall with painting lining the walls. The people in the portraits were all distinguished looking and all had jet-black hair. They waved politely apart from a little girl with raven ringlets who punched the young boy next to her and then ran out of the picture.

"Wow," was all Harry could say as they walked into a smaller room where they could hear music blasting out of a speaker.

"Isn't this the best place to have a party?" Sirius shouted over the music swaying as he looked around. "Come on I'll get you all drinks." He stumbled his way towards the table that the drinks were spread out on.

"You're a real piss head, you know that?" Remus said shaking his head.

"And you can be a real miserable sod when you want to be," Sirius said as he handed him a large glass that was full of an amber coloured liquid. "Go have a good time, drink lots, but if you break something you have to pay for it."

A few hours later everyone had drank more then their body weight in alcohol and luckily enough nothing had been broken. Hermione's vision was going blurry and when she sat down the room seemed to spin, it was as if she could feel the world as it spun on its axis. She was unsteady on her feet as she was swung around by Sirius who was falling over every five seconds and slurring his words, but still continued to deny that he was drunk.

"He's going to be so ill in the morning," Severus said as he sat down with his drink. He had consumed a large amount himself and had to stare at things a long time before they came into focus.

"No he won't," Remus said bracing himself on the table to stop himself from swaying, the motion making him feel queasy. "He never does, I'd love to know his secret." Severus raised his glass as if to toast Remus' words.

Hermione came up to them, smiling, her eyes glassy and unfocused, but she looked happy.

"Hey," she said cheerfully falling onto a seat rather ungracefully.

"Hey," Severus said back mimicking her tone.

"This is a great house," she said looking around slowly so that she wouldn't get dizzy. "It's really…old, and…big." Severus laughed at her words, they seemed so inarticulate for someone as intelligent as her.

"Do you want the grand tour?" He asked standing up rather shakily. She nodded excitedly and he took her hand, pulling her off her chair and breaking off into a run. Realising is was a bad idea in his state he slowed down and she whacked into him making them both stumble and struggle to keep their balance.

Once they were steady on their feet again he led her through a large door and into another room. It was just as big as the last room and the furniture was made of the same heavy, dark wood that must be old and expensive. They could hear muffled voices coming from inside the room and they immediately began to investigate.

Two people lay on one of the large ornate sofas. It was Draco and Claire. They looked up, embarrassed at being caught like this and went to sit up. Draco was blushing heavily, making his usually pale skin red. Claire was trying to cover herself up, but was failing miserably.

"Sorry to disturb you, we'll just be going," Severus said trying to contain his laughter. He dragged Hermione out of the room and into the large entrance hall. They both burst out laughing once the door was closed behind them but they tried to stifle it knowing that they could still be heard through the door.

"That image is going to haunt me you know," Hermione said through her giggles. Severus nodded in agreement when she looked up at him.

Their laughter died away and they looked at each other. Herman felt her heart beat increase until it felt like it would burst through her chest. The tension crackled between them and Hermione felt herself being dragged towards him. It seemed like he was under the same compulsion as he too moved towards her until their lips met. It was a feeling that they had both missed, the feeling of soft lips meeting, moving together.

"I don't want to wait for you," Hermione whispered against his lips. He gasped slightly and pressed forward, capturing her lips in a more heated kiss. Holding her by the waist he pulled her close and she wrapped her arms around his neck he pulled away and kissed the side of her face.

"Nor I you," he whispered into her ears, making her shiver with the erotic sensation. "Shall we cut the tour short?" He asked and she nodded eagerly.

He scooped her up in his arms and she gave a little squeal. It seemed such an archaic, romantic gesture but it seemed to be appropriate especially considering their surroundings. He started to walk up the stairs with her up he lost his balance half way up the large staircase. He put one hand out to stop himself being hurt and the other braced her so she would not be crushed. They both started giggling and as they got to their feet and despite Hermione's protests Severus picked her back up and carried her the rest of the way.

At the top of the stairs he walked a little way down the landing and then through a door. It was a bedroom with a large king sized, four poster bed, covered in silky green sheets. Severus stumbled a little and they fell onto the bed both still chuckling in between kisses. She fumbled with the front of his tee shirt and Severus looked down at her, raising his eyebrow.

"What are you doing?" He slurred.

"Trying to undo the buttons," she said and he laughed. "What?" She asked and he continued to laugh. "What?" She asked laughing as well but not knowing why.

"There…aren't…any buttons… on it," he said his words punctuated with laughing fits. She laughed as well as she looked down and saw he was wearing a tee shirt.

"Well that makes things easier," she said and pulled his face down for a kiss. The kiss was lazy and relaxed, the only trouble was it was a little too relaxed. She seemed to go still and Severus pulled up to look at her. She had passed out cold. Severus sighed and rolled off the bed, landing clumsily on the floor with a thud. He got up and tucked her into the bed, kissing her on the forehead before leaving to rejoin the party.

When Hermione got up in the morning she looked around the room, not remembering how she got there. She had a thumping headache that was making her nauseous and she rubbed her temples trying to get rid of the pain. She looked around and saw a bottle on the bedside table with a note attached to it.

Hermione

I figured you would have a flaming hangover so I thought you might appreciate this.

Severus.

Hermione smiled and consumed the contents of the bottle feeling it start to work immediately. She pulled herself out of the comfortable bed and walked downstairs. She walked into the room where the party had been held and was greeted by the strong smell of alcohol. There were discarded glasses lying around and some of the liquid had been spilt, it looked a complete mess.

The door opened again and Harry walked in. He smiled at her and seemed to ignore the state of the room.

"Hey," he said. "You're awake. You passed out last night." Hermione cringed.

"I didn't make a complete fool of myself did I?" She asked and Harry shrugged.

"Dunno, you were with Severus, he put you to bed. You feeling okay?"

"Yes, Severus left me a hangover remedy," she said. "This place looks like a tip."

"Don't worry Severus has already surveyed the damage, said it's nothing that can't be cleaned up," Harry said pulling Hermione from the room.

"He was that calm about it?" She asked in disbelief.

"Well not at first but once he'd had some coffee," Harry said dragging her into a room that looked like the dining room. "You should have some coffee to before we set off for home, it's dangerous to aparate if you haven't got a clear head."

They drank the coffee that Sirius had made them all. You would have never guessed that Sirius had drank anything last night, he was cheerful and far too energtic.

"Great party," Sirius said as he bit into a piece of toast, making everyone feel a little sick.

When they had all fully recovered they left for home. Sirius had tried to escape as well but Severus had made him stay to help him clear up the mess. Saying their goodbyes they all aparated back to their homes and Severus watched Hermione leave him once again.

Months later…

"What are we doing in Muggle London again?" Severus asked Hermione as they walked down the road, past record shops and café's.

"To get my cousin's birthday present," Hermione said as they pushed their way past a crowd of people all trying to get into MacDonalds. "She doesn't know I'm a witch so I have to buy her Muggle presents." They walked a few metres down the road when Hermione stopped. "I need to pop in here for a minute." Severus walked behind her but stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the shop's sign.

"I can't go in there," he said backing away from the shop. "It's lingerie shop." Hermione laughed, and when she saw his indignation she tried to smother it.

"Why not?" She asked almost enjoying his discomfort.

"Because I'll look like a pervert," he said in a hushed voice, looking around nervously at the people walking past.

"Not if you're with me, you'll just look like my boyfriend." His posture stiffened at this. They had not talked about the manner of their relationship for months now, what she said brought it hurtling to the front of their minds. "Look okay," she said choosing to get off that subject. "You don't have to come in, you can wait outside."

With that agreed she went into the shop and Severus stayed outside. She knew that he would not want to come in this shop with her and she was glad. She walked up and down the aisles looking for something sexy. Just because they hadn't spoke about their relationship didn't mean that Hermione hadn't thought about it. She was working herself up to discuss it with him and she hoped that they would finally get together. Hence the sexy underwear that she wanted to buy.

Severus was outside patiently for Hermione. He watched people go past, the people going about their everyday lives he. He was deep in thought, Hermione had mentioned their relationship, and perhaps this was an indication that she was read y to start a relationship with him. The prospect both excited him and scared him. He'd become used to their friendship, even though he had desire more.

He was brought out of his thought when he saw a familiar face across the road. A man walked out of a shop with a young, thin woman very long straightened brown hair. Greg and his new girlfriend presumably were coming out of a café. She was laughing and stroking his arm, and he seemed to be enjoying it.

Severus walked across the road weaving in and out of the gridlocked traffic. He walked up to Greg who seemed to recognise him immediately. Severus put on his best "we're having guest round for dinner" manners and greeted him.

"Greg, hello. Do you remember me?" He said extending his right hand. Greg looked at the hand with disgust but shook it anyway.

"Yes, but I'm sorry I don't recall your name," he said in his posh but bland voice.

"Severus," he said and saw that Greg rolled his eyes slightly at this.

"Yes I thought it was something unusual. This is Marisa." He gestured towards the woman on his arm and she held her hand out to Severus, who took it and kissed it lightly.

"A pleasure," he said making his voice as provocative as he could make it. Marisa blushed and giggled earning herself a glare from Greg.

"What brings you here? Not your sort of place this." Greg said looking Severus up and down, taking in the sight of his "normal" clothes.

"I'm her with Hermione," Severus said enjoying the nervous look on the man's face.

"Really? How is she?" Greg asked not really sounding like he wanted to know. Severus looked around and saw that Hermione was coming out of the shop.

"Why don't you ask her yourself? Hermione!" He shouted attracting her attention. When she looked at him he motioned for her to come over. She saw him standing with Greg and another woman and she froze. She was thinking about running around but Severus was persistent so she crossed the road and joined them. "Did you get everything?"

"Yes thanks." She turned to Greg. "Hello Greg, you look well," she said just to be polite.

"Thank you. Hermione this is Marisa, my fiancé."

'Well he didn't waste any time,' Hermione thought.

"Pleased to meet you. I'm very happy for you," Hermione said feeling quite sad.

"Yes, I only hope you are happy for us as well," Sevrus said putting his arm around Hermione's shoulders. Hermione had to hide her surprise.

"Oh, well, of course I'm very happy for you." Greg had suspected that they were together and that had confirmed it. "Now, I hate to be rude but we really have to be going now."

"Of course, well nice seeing you again, Greg," Severus lied and shook Greg's hand once again. "Good bye Marisa," he said as they were walking away. She turned around and smiled at him, looking back longer than Greg would have liked. Severus winked at her and she giggled giving him a small wave.

Once they were out of sight Severus and Hermione walked away in the opposite direction.

"She was very pretty," Hermione said looking at the floor as she walked. She didn't see Severus' shrug.

"She's all right. It's a shame she's after his money though," Severus said a hint of amusement in his voice.

"How do you know she is?" Hermione asked looking up at him.

"Because she was flirting with me the whole time I was standing there, batting her fake eyelashes at me," he said.

"So?"

"So, women don't usually do that to me, unless they want something. Women like her can sense how much money a man has."

"Are you speaking from experience?" Hermione asked.

"I've dated a few women who only liked me because they'd seen my family name in the society columns, yes."

There was silence for a few minutes as they walked further towards the aparation point down an alley behind a small restaurant. She looked at the people they were passing on the street. She watched as a woman struggled to get a pushchair onto a red bus, and saw how the other passengers tutted as the bus was being held up.

"I don't think I've ever looked at the society column," she said after a while. He stopped in his tracks for a moment then carried on walking, never looking at her, thinking to himself.

"I know," he replied getting what she was hinting at. He was never very good at reading female subtext but what she had implied was blatantly obvious.

"Did you, erm, mean what you said, back there, with Greg?" She asked still looking down, kicking a stone that was in her path.

"About you and me?"

"Yes."

"We'd never really discussed it, not for a while anyway." He paused and the silence fell over them once more.

"Maybe we should discuss it," Hermione suggested.

"Okay." Neither said anything, both hoping that the other would be the first to start.

They arrived at the aparation point and they had still not begun their discussion.

"Shall we back to my place?" She asked and Severus nodded. With that they both disappeared into thin air.

Back at Hermione's house she let them both in and soon they were sitting in the living room drinking tea, still trying to avoid the subject of their relationship.

"Okay I'm just going to come out with this," Hermione said quickly putting down her tea. "I was a complete bitch to you, I chose my sod of a husband, who turned out to be a cheating bastard and so naturally you were pretty pissed off." Hermione was congratulating herself for being so coherent, fearing that she may have turned into a bumbling idiot. "I believe that we have got past that, but if you haven't and you no longer feel that way about me then that's fine but you need to know how I feel."

"Hermione," he butted in but she held her hand up to silence him.

"Please, let me finish." She took a deep breath praying that she would not be rejected. "I love you." Silence again, but this time it was a tense silence that Hermione felt was suffocating her. "Say something," she said looking over at Severus who seemed to be in a state of shock.

"I apologise, it's just that I don't get many women confessing their love for me." She smiled sheepishly and blushed. "Especially not women who I happen to be in love with myself."

"What?" She said scarcely believing that he felt the same way, she was sure that he would have thought about her differently.

"You heard me," he said not willing to repeat it.

"I wasn't expecting you to still feel like that," she said.

"Of course I do, do you have any idea how hard it's been to just stay your friend?" Hermione smiled, feeling elated at being the object of his affections for so long.

"Well I'm sorry, but you were right, I needed all that time to get over what happened with me and Greg," she said and leant over to put her hand over his. "But today when I saw Greg with that woman I felt nothing at all, I didn't feel jealous that he was with her, or that they were getting married. You know what made me the most jealous?"

"What?" Severus asked his voice seemed smaller than usual.

"The way that really beautiful woman was flirting with you, I mean, don't you find me unattractive? She asked. Severus smiled a little and rolled his eyes.

"Hermione."

Putting his hand on the back of her head he pulled her closer. He met her half way and their lips touched. She inhaled sharply through her nose in surprise, her nostrils being invaded by his strong, expensive scent. She had forgotten how soft those harsh thin lips felt and what a wonderful kisser he was. Her hands which had hung limply at her sides now encircled his neck pulling him closer. He shifted and pushed forward so she had to lie back. They were kissing with more and more passion now and his hands were free to roam about her body underneath him. Hermione felt like she was on fire, she had wanted this a long time ago and now she that had it she felt more complete, more alive. The last time she had been with him she had compared him to Greg, but now she wasn't thinking about anybody else, nobody else mattered anymore.

"Hermione," he said breathlessly as he pulled away from the kiss and sat up. "Are you sure about this?"

Hermione said nothing, she just sat up and swung her legs over the side of the sofa, standing up in one motion. She reached for his hand and pulled him up off the sofa, leading him out of the living room and upstairs to her bedroom.

She had thought that their coupling at the party had been wonderful but this made it look like drunken fumbling. The added bonus this time was that it was light and they could see each other. But the most important thing was that it wasn't about sex, the last time she had been confused and frustrated, this time she knew that she wanted him not just his body, all of him.

He brought her closer and closer to completion and she revelled in the feeling of being with him, the feel of him on top of her and inside her, his scent, the sounds he was making, the look on his face.

He was feeling the same, he had dreamed about this body, her body. It wasn't exactly the sex that had haunted his mind, although it had haunted his dreams, it was being close to her. The intimacy was what he missed about sharing a bed with someone. The mind-blowing sex was just an added benefit.

Their love making was slow but soon they were desperate for completion, their pace speeding up until they cried out their release. He collapsed atop her as they both struggled for air, feeling hot and sweaty. She stroked his hair and he shivered as she touched the sensitive scar that he had on the back of his head, the one her and her friends had caused that night in the Shrieking Shack.

He rolled off her and lay on his side facing her. He smoothed the hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear. She smiled at him and he found himself smiling back.

"That was wonderful," she said as she snuggled into him.

"I agree," he said stroking her hair like she had done to him.

"Does this mean we're together now?" She asked still not sure despite what they had just done. He laughed.

"Yes, I think we can safely say we're together." She was ecstatic, she'd hadn't felt this happy since the end of the war when Voldemort had been killed. Not even her wedding day had made her this happy, that proved the strength of her feeling towards Severus.

"I love you," she said with confidence, knowing it to be the complete truth.

"I, er, I love you too," he said not sounding so sure. She was worried that maybe he hadn't meant it or wasn't sure. It must have shown on her face because he put her at her ease. "I have a problem with saying things like that."

"You told Dumbledore," Hermione said.

"I tell him everything, he's like my counsellor. I don't mind telling him things because he keeps them strictly between us. Although I'll think twice before telling him anything again."

"He only told Harry because he thought it was best for you," Hermione said. She was grateful for the headmasters gossiping mature, it was how she became aware of how strong Severus' feelings for her were.

"I know." They stayed in a comfortable silence for a while and then, even though it as early they fell asleep from exhaustion, it had been a busy day, what with the shopping and the passionate love making afterwards.

Severus woke up later, about ten o'clock PM, and for a moment forgot where he was. The surroundings were not familiar and the bed definitely wasn't his. He looked over at the woman sleeping in his arms and smiled, suddenly remembering where he was and why he was there. He also felt starving, his stomach rumbled in a sort of protest against the lack of food. Without waking Hermione he untangled himself from her and climbed out of bed.

After virtually throwing his clothes on, guessing that he would be taking them off very soon, he padded down the stairs and into the kitchen. He made some sandwiches out of what he could find in the fridge and was just about to take them upstairs when he heard a knock at the door. He was going to ignore it but then thought that if it was one of her friends they may worry at her not being in at this time of night.

When he answered the door he saw it was Harry, who was very shocked to see him there at night.

"Oh, er, hi," Harry said looking at Severus, seeing the state of his clothes guessing that he'd dressed in a hurry.

"Hello," Severus said not really knowing what else to say.

"Erm, tell her I found those lecture notes she wanted," Harry said handing him a few sheets of parchment.

"Okay I will. Is that all?" He said asking politely.

"Yes, I'll go now and leave you alone." He hesitated as if he was waiting to be told exactly what was going on. When he didn't get any verification he walked away saying his goodbyes. "Have fun!" He shouted from down the road.

"So Harry saw you dressed like that?" Hermione said later while they were eating in bed. She was sitting under the covers slightly but he was still half-dressed, on his knees sitting on his heels.

"Yes, I'm sorry I would have put on my best dress robes if I knew the Great Mr Potter was coming around." She gave him a playful smack on the arm for his sarcasm but laughed as well.

"Oh well, saves me the job of telling everyone we're together, if Harry knows it'll be round the group before you know it."

"Is that such a bad thing?" He asked.

"No," she said smiling and climbing out from under the covers and over to him. She sat astride him and put her arms around his neck. "It's great, I think they'll all be glad." She kissed him lightly.

"Not as glad as I am," he said as she placed light kisses over his face.

"What did Harry say?" She asked.

"He told us to have fun," he replied.

"Shall we then?"

He then pushed forward so she was lying on her back with him on top of her. Their food was soon forgotten.