BA/N: Yes, I know you can apparate or disaparate in Hogwarts, but there's an exception for emergencies such as this. Hope that answers your little qualm. The rest of you thanks for the reviews and keep them coming!/B

Her hands grew bolder and she explored his back until she had to come up for air. "Wait, I can't do this" she said breathlessly.

"You're right" said Severus pulling away from her, "I understand"

He turned to go, but Hermione for the second time that day called him back,

"I didn't mean I wanted to stop kissing" she said looking panicked because he was going. It was now or never. She had to tell him of the promise and he might laugh and leave her. And hat was something she couldn't bear since she had fallen in love with his childhood self and the man who comforted her and kissed her with such a passion that she felt alive for the first time in a year. Glad to be alive.

"I'll understand if you don't want to continue this relationship with me after you hear this" she said eyes downcast.

He pulled his arm up and thrust a finger under her chin and lifted it up.

"Don't judge for me. Just tell me" he said looking deep into her eyes.

"I made a promise to my parents before they died. They weren't deeply religious but they did believe that I shouldn't have sex before marriage. And to be honest, I want to honour that promise" she watched his reaction, "With you. I'm scared. I know the mechanics, but it's doing it that scares me. I want to be with someone I love with all my heart and would trust with my friends lives"

Severus was stunned. She wanted to eventually get married to him. No woman had ever wanted that from him. The only woman who he had truly wanted had been killed in the war along with their son. He was so angry that Dumbledore had made him go back to his wife and son's killers

"Hermione" he finally spoke, "That is a wise promise, but I don't think I can uphold it"

She was ready to cry as she turned her face away from him. He didn't want her now.

Severus watched with difficulty as she neared hysteria and started to cry. 'Tell her the reason you fool!' hissed his subconscious, 'Or risk losing the greatest thing you can have'

"I can't uphold it because I fear you getting hurt. I lost my wife and 2 year old son in the second war. It has only been a year, but like you I'm afraid"

Hermione stopped crying and yet the tears still dropped down her cheeks as she heard him say those words.

She pulled him back onto her bed and hugged him.

"I didn't know you had a family," she said quietly.

"Yes I did, they lived in Hogsmeade. I went to visit my wife Amelia and our son David every weekend." He said, his voice thick with emotion.

"How did they die?" she asked wondering if he would tell her.

"I came home one weekend to find the Dark Mark overshadowing my house. I prayed for it not to be true, but it was" he said as he finally broke down and cried into her arms.

"That was the night Harry defeated Voldemort for the second time. I just.wish he had done it sooner. I don't blame him, but still" he croaked through a fresh wave of tears.

"Shhh" said Hermione soothingly.

"I fear if I ask you to do the honour of being my wife you too will die or resent me for taking away your youth" he said whispering through his tears. He head on her lap as she stroked his hair.

"I won't. I'll try not to die, but Severus, I think I'm falling in love with you" she said quietly.

"Me too, but I can take this as slowly as you want." She said still stroking his soft black hair, which was NOT greasy but silky.

"This is fine" she said still stroking his hair.

And so they spent the rest of the evening in silence until Severus told Hermione he had to go back to his rooms. Kissing the top of her head goodnight, he left.

And for the first time in over a year, Hermione had a good night's sleep. She dreamed of Severus and the next morning awoke smiling.