Beth Ann - Yes, so much for my original plan for this story to be short, oops!

Marston Chicklet - All right then..

Avid Reader, ccc, hasapi, kai shikaido, lollylips3, PhoenixFeather7, Raija D., RoseWithThorns, Ryoki, Strega Brava, Tracy - Thanks!

Goddessnmb1 - I established early in my story that in regards to teacher/student relationships, if the student is over 18 and in her last year the Ministry of Magic looks the other way because they want as many wizard babies born as possible. This is a post-Voldemort world and many wizards in the wizarding world are dead and need replacing. Sirius took advantage of this and married an over-18 Ravenclaw student. Professor McGonagall would rather that a brilliant student like Hermione marry a fellow Gryffindor so that any hopefully brilliant children of hers become Gryffindors as well (in my version anyway).

Hpz26 - You'll see.

Logospilgrim - Thanks, I have a tendency to like mushy stories also. I always have to do heavy editing of potentially mushy scenes from my chapters.

Noctivague - Look, my story isn't worth staying up all night for, really!

Rosmerta - I didn't think everyone would immediately accept a H/S relationship..

Taryn - You want to see children? Hmm.

Witchy-grrl - If dog-Sirius had bit Sev's leg the results would not have been pretty (for Sirius that is).

Zoe - Thanks, I thought Lavender often gets left out stories so I thought I would do something about that.

Part 27

Throughout the morning Hermione was aware of being stared at from every direction it seemed. This made it hard at times for her to concentrate on her work but she was thankful though for the steady support of Harry.

Harry had had his own experiences of being a pariah - you never realised how much you relied on the countless day-to-day interactions with others until you were put in a social void, sometimes through no fault of your own. He was aware of puzzled looks cast his way. 'Why would you be supportive of Hermione since she's sleeping with your enemy?' they seemed to say.

All right, the 'sleeping' part still made him feel uneasy when he thought about it, but it seemed that Hermione was bringing out a human side to the sneering Potions Master, and there had to be something good about that.

Harry was sad that Ron was avoiding Hermione, though. Indeed, Ron had commented privately to Harry that Hermione 'had her head screwed on the wrong way' these days (for his pride was offended that she preferred 'the greasy git' over him).

Though she seemed to be paler than usual Harry felt Hermione was taking things in her stride, her chin lifted stubbornly to the world and a challenging glint in her eyes. However, she kept her otherworldly bracelet underneath her sleeves, obviously not wanting another reason for people to stare at her. Harry found though that a part of his mind was keenly aware of the bracelets nearby presence, and he uneasily wondered at that. He wasn't a Slytherin, and he doubted that Hermione was becoming a Slytherin even though others had hinted at this.

Perhaps it was because he had part of Voldemort in him, the unwilling transfer of powers years ago on the day that left him an orphan. A sensitivity to Slytherin artefacts, perhaps? That thought didn't make him feel any better. It probably wouldn't be long before the other Slytherins heard about the bracelet.

He was right.

When he was on his way with Hermione to their next class, Lavender and Neville accompanying them, a group of Slytherins led by the sly-looking Marcus Flint stopped in front of them. Though there were a few smirks on their faces as they looked at Hermione, there was uneasiness amongst them.

Marcus didn't waste time with small talk. "Granger, is it true?"

Beside Harry, Hermione snapped, "Is what true?"

Marcus curled his lip at her. "That the Snake of Slytherin gave you a bracelet, something that should only go to Slytherins."

There were mutters of agreement from the other Slytherins.

"Yes," Hermione replied curtly, pushing back her sleeve so that the bracelet was revealed.

There was a disbelieving look on the face of Marcus. "That piece of cheap looking junk? I don't believe it. What's it going to do, bite me?"

There were some sniggers from his friends that changed to gasps when Hermione suddenly disappeared, to reappear behind the Slytherins a moment later.

"Not bad for a 'piece of junk', don't you think?" Hermione said coolly.

Marcus gaped at her then sought to regain his composure while a Slytherin muttered that this wouldn't have come about if 'Toilet Boy' hadn't pushed her down the stairs, which made Harry's ears perk up. Toilet Boy?

"Well, don't think we're going to bow and scrape to you, Granger," the Slytherin snarled. "You better hope for your own good that Professor Snape gets rid of your attitude."

With a final, resentful glare at her Marcus and the other Slytherins walked away, muttering amongst themselves.

Lavender spoke up. "Hermione, what did he mean with that 'bow and scrape?' line?" she said in puzzlement.

Harry saw Hermione hesitate for a moment. "Apparently the bracelets have only been given to a few people, and as a result they probably would have been given a lot of respect by the others."

"By the other Slytherins," Lavender pointed out.

"Yes," Hermione said curtly, "but that's the last thing I want."

"I wouldn't mind," Neville spoke up with unusual vehemence, having been on the receiving end of quite a few Slytherin practical jokes.

There was a gleam in Harry's eyes. "I think they were talking about Draco when they mentioned this 'Toilet Boy' - you did say Professor Snape was going to punish him, didn't you, Hermione?"

"Yes," Hermione said grimly then tilted her head to one side, a wicked smile on her face. "I have a feeling that Draco is the new janitor, which is a big step up in the world for him," she mused. "Pity he wasn't expelled."

Harry shrugged. "The professor probably thought it was more humiliating for Draco to be punished this way. If so, maybe we should pay Draco a visit sometime," he said. "Just to make sure he's cleaning the toilets properly," he added piously, and the others laughed.

"Now that's humiliation," Lavender said admiringly, and their spirits lifted, they all went off to the next class.

At lunch time as Harry and Hermione grabbed lunch from the Great Hall to take it outside to eat, Harry idly reasoned that with the current gossip going around about Professor Snape and Hermione, they would probably both decide not to make any waves and have 'public displays of private affection', as some of the prissier teachers called it when they caught students snogging in secluded corners.

Well, that had been his theory Harry thought as he saw Professor Snape moving towards them in the corridor, black robes rippling about the tall man. There was a faint look of irritation on his face that appeared to have been there all morning, but it eased slightly as he came closer to them (ignoring Harry). Harry had the feeling that the haughty professor seemed slightly edgy, as if it was one thing for him to say that he was going to acknowledge his relationship with Hermione in public, and another thing to actually do it.

When Harry thought about it, walking around with girlfriends was not something that the irritable professor did every day, and he concealed the glee he was feeling. This was going to be fun to watch.

Hermione ran a hand involuntarily through her long hair, obviously feeling nervous as well, Harry thought.

He and Hermione slowed and stopped walking as the Potions teacher paused before them, his pale hands restlessly moving by themselves.

"Good day, Miss Granger," Professor Snape said matter-of-factly. He had sufficient control over himself to act as if this was something he did every day.

"Hello, professor," Hermione said in an equally casual way, though Harry could sense the restless energy between the unlikely pair.

Harry spoke up. "Hello, professor," he said calmly. "I hope you're feeling better today."

Professor Snape's dark head swung in Harry's direction, his black eyes narrowed. He immediately assumed that Potter was mocking him, but as he stared at the son of James he came to the wary conclusion that the comment was sincere.

"I will live, Potter," Professor Snape retorted, though the tone of his voice was not as nasty as it had been in the past. Then the professor turned his attention back to Hermione.

"May I interest you in a walk, Miss Granger?" he said abruptly. "Alone," he added, casting a sideways look at Harry.

"Yes. Thank you," Hermione said casually, though there was a faint smile on her face. Harry noticed with interest how the watchful eyes of Professor Snape became a softer black at that, though they narrowed when the professor saw the almost-grin on Harry's face.

Hermione turned to Harry with a sudden apologetic look on her face. "You don't mind, do you Harry?" she said.

Harry couldn't resist a dig at them both. "No, I don't mind," he said casually. "It's a nice sunny day, good for romantic walks and stuff like that."

"Harry!" a pink-faced Hermione hissed, while Professor Snape scowled down at him. Then the professor looked at Hermione. "What do you think; shall I take off twenty points for cheek?" he said silkily.

Hermione appeared to consider it for a moment then sighed. "No, because then it would be bad for me as well. It was a good idea though," she pointed out.

"Very well. Consider yourself lucky, Potter," Professor Snape said dryly. "Come," he said firmly to Hermione and then the two of them walked off down the corridor. Harry grinned and went to find Lavender and Neville. They would love to hear about this.

They were actually walking together in public, Hermione thought, both delighted and apprehensive. She was happy. She felt tense. She was happy to be seen with Severus in public. She wished that people would stop gaping at them both as if they were freaks.

Severus was sorely tempted to tell the next person who stared at them both that they would be joining Draco in toilet-washing duty. He was more irritated on behalf of Hermione, for people had always given him less-than- pleasant looks in his life, but he had no wish for those looks to be given to her as well.

"Where are we going?" Hermione ventured quietly at his side.

"You will see," Severus said dryly, hoping that the place he had in mind would not be too crowded. He certainly had no wish to walk along the main corridors for everyone to gape at them.

Following his lead, Hermione turned left at an intersection and soon found herself in a little used courtyard with him. After crossing the sun-warmed paving stones she stepped through a narrow archway, Severus having brusquely indicated for her to go through first.

Hermione blinked and looked around her. She had no idea this particular way into the labyrinthine rose gardens existed. The air felt cooler here and was heavily sweet with scents from the various roses. A low, peaceful droning sound of bees could be heard as they wandered from flower to flower as well as the tinkling of water from fountains.

The rose gardens was not a place Hermione had spent much time in as her preferred place was usually in the library or in one of the main courtyards with Harry and Ron in her spare time. On the odd occasion they had come in here the boys had become bored quite quickly, not wanting to be seen anywhere near flowers (unless it was before a dance when finding the right rose to give to a prospective partner was acceptable behaviour).

The gardens showed signs of being cared for lovingly. Not a stone was out of place on the twisting ornamental paths, and the soft green grass had been neatly trimmed. The benches were a gleaming white and no mossy growth dared to make an appearance on the various statues scattered around (mostly of self-important looking wizards).

Best of all, there were no people around in this part of the garden.

Feeling relaxed Hermione turned to smile up at Severus, her cinnamon eyes shining as she felt a lot of the mornings tension leave her. "Thank you. I didn't think you liked the rose gardens."

"Silly girl," Severus said dryly as he drew Hermione into his arms, dropping a kiss on the top of her head. He was glad to have some privacy with her and this seemed to be the most suitable place. Just to be on the safe side he set up a simple warding charm that would deter anyone from wandering into this particular part of the garden. "Many of my potions have rose petals as a component. Not the outrageously pink ones of course, but some of the darker roses that only bloom at night.."

"I didn't know there were Slytherin roses," Hermione mused. Severus sighed and clasping her hand led her over to a nearby bench for them both to sit down. "As usual, no respect for your elders I see."

In a more sober tone he asked her if anyone had been hassling her.

Hermione, who was taking the opportunity to lean against his shoulder, sighed. "Let's see. Apart from Harry and some of my other friends, I'm seen as a traitor. Professor McGonagall practically read me the riot act and said my 'liaison' with you would be bad for my career."

Severus growled and said something under his breath that sounded like 'sanctimonious old bat'.

Seeking to soothe his rising temper Hermione turned her head to kiss his cheek. "Look, I'm sure in a short while everyone will think of something new to gossip about. There always is. You haven't been given a hard time, have you?"

Severus gave a short laugh. "Apart from random nasty looks and colleagues obviously wondering why you are with someone like myself with my ill- favoured looks, no."

Hermione sat up straight. "I don't think your face is 'ill favoured' at all," she said, indignant.

"Your politeness is noted, thank you. Five points to Gryffindor," Severus said ironically.

"I'm not being polite," Hermione said, lifting up a hand to his face and turning it so he was looking at her. His black eyes glittered at her. "I am no fashion plate, my Hermione, nor am I a particularly nice man at times. One day you may really realise this and.."

He stopped, his face tight.

"And what?" Hermione said softly.

He was silent for a moment then said equally softly, "And leave me."

Blinking, Hermione leaned forward and kissed him tenderly. "I love you and your face just the way it is and I'm not leaving you," she whispered, staring at him intently. "Not even if the whole school told me to. Do you want me to leave?"

"How can you ask that?" Severus growled back at her. "I want you to be with me always, to share my work and my bed, to argue with me when I'm in one of my tempers, to fight over together who gets the best part of the paper in the morning. You drive me crazy. I love you. I..."

"Yes?" Hermione whispered, feeling as though she was on the verge on something both wonderful and fearful.

To her surprise Severus stood up then kneeled down before her on the soft green grass, his robes spreading over the grass like dark petals about him.

"I want to marry you, Hermione Marion Granger, my Know-It-All Gryffindor. Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?" he said in a soft, intense voice, his eyes gazing at her as if she held his life in her hands.

Hermione gaped at him, unable to say anything.

"Say something, please. Even if it is no for this hubris of mine," Severus said faintly, unaccustomed appeal on his face.

Hermione managed to find her voice. "Yes!" she gasped, and leaning forward to embrace him found herself tumbling down into his arms. He caught her, a look of disbelief and delight on his austere face. "Yes," she said again and kissed him, happiness on her face and in her heart.

"You said 'yes' to me," Severus said in bemusement, looking as though someone had hit him.

"Do you want me to say it again?" Hermione asked.

"Please do," the professor said faintly, then a look of irritation appeared on his face. "Damn, I don't have a ring with me. That's what comes from spur-of-the-moment proposals. Though I meant every word of it," he added, kissing her.

"That doesn't matter right now," Hermione assured him, her arms holding him close. He was not in a hurry to let her go either; both of them sprawled on the grass in bemused happiness. Though no breeze was present a handful of white rose petals lightly fell over their heads. Severus cast a suspicious look at the petals as if he felt the universe was making fun him.

"You know, people will get the wrong impression when they see the grass stains on our clothes," Hermione mused after a while.

"Good," her fiancée said unrepentantly and kissed her again.

TBC

A/N: Look, I don't know where the proposal came from, honest! Oh dear.. g