Disclaimor: All things Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling.

Thank you Corazon for all your help and advice with this story and beta reading it!

Chapter 36

Lessons continued for everyone. The Gryffindors and Draco were becoming D.A.D.A. experts. The four 7th year students arranged time for studying N.E.W.T.s once or twice a week. Ron, Ginny and Draco were able to work excellent together, Harry and Hermione always were with them, helping Severus prepare them. Harry and Hermione were doing excellent in their own training with Severus, though he still hated Black always being there.

"Potter, when cursing Voldemort, do it after he fires his so your wands do not lock. You should have no reason to dodge curses but we should practice with you firing a few off while dodging. Voldemort assumes dodging curses is a weakness so he would not think of you cursing him," Severus instructed.

"Isn't Hermione going to help curse him? She has the power so you should let her, she's very skilled," Black commented with a grin to Hermione.

"Black, you are to watch only. I'm instructing them," Severus sneered.

"Relax Snape, I'm just saying she can do more than blocking."

Severus turned away from Hermione and Harry facing Black. "I'm well aware what she is capable of. Potter needs to learn this though, so shut up or I'll get a muzzle for you."

~Lover, keep teaching Harry I'll sit out and wait.~

*He's going to come on to you.*

Hermione could hear the jealousy in his voice.

"Hermione, relax. Potter, lets practice."

Hermione sat down against the wall and watched the two men teach and learn. She also noted Black coming over and sitting next to her.

"Snape should be showing you this also. You can do it, I'm sure," Black said.

"Harry is the one that needs instruction right now," Hermione replied.

"He's underestimating your skill, milady, you deserve better," Black stated.

Before Hermione could reply, Severus interrupted.

"Hermione, Potter could do with a demonstration. Would you please provide one?" Severus asked.

"Yes, what would you like?" Hermione asked.

"Forward flip and roll with two spells."

"Target?" she smirked.

"Potter," Severus commanded. Severus stepped back and let them have room. "Begin when ready."

Hermione backed up a few steps to give her room, she then ran forward a few steps did a forward flip, "Conjunctiva," she landed into a forward roll, "Expelliarmus," when she jumped back up to her feet she caught Harry's wand in her left hand.

Harry was able to block the curse but not the disarming spell, "That was brilliant Hermione," Harry exclaimed.

Hermione shrugged and gave his wand back, "Thanks."

"Potter, do you see what I meant about being able to distract your opponent and getting a few spells off?" Severus asked walking back to them.

"Yes, Professor."

"Thank you Hermione, you can sit down again," Severus said.

She nodded and retook her sitting position from before.

"That was great Hermione. I guess the git doesn't need to teach you after all," Black said.

"He already taught me is why," Hermione said offhandedly.

"Surprising," Black muttered.

"Why is it surprising?" Hermione asked annoyed.

"Because he's a royal bastard. He's only teaching this because Dumbledore told him to."

"Actually no. He taught me before Harry asked him for lessons."

"Harry asked Snape for lessons?" Black gasped surprised.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because Harry wants to be prepared and asking Professor Snape will prepare him. The Professor knows Voldemort and that will help Harry," Hermione answered.

"Why not ask Remus for more help?"

"Harry planned on it when Professor Snape brought the request to the Headmaster, Dumbledore asked him to teach all of us with Professor Lupin and he agreed," Hermione was enjoying surprising Black.

"Why did he teach you before anyone else?" Black asked suspiciously.

"Because I asked him to. I'm interested in dueling, and who better than learn from than a dueling master?"

"I didn't know he was a dueling master," Black said through gritted teeth.

"There's a lot he keeps to himself."

"I'm sure, like his years as a Death Eater. Hermione, how can you love him? You can do so much better. When you have children, would you really want him as the father? You need some one compassionate and not such a git," Black tried to convince her.

Hermione kept her cool. She knew this was going to happen but she still hated it. "He's told me about his years as a Death Eater. He made mistakes like all of us have. And when we do have children I can't think of anyone but him who I would choose as the father," she said evenly.

"How can you find him attractive, he ugl..."

Hermione tuned him out, ~Severus, end this lesson now and come kiss me.~

Severus could tell she was annoyed, "Potter, that's enough for now."

Harry nodded.

Severus immediately walked over to Hermione and offered her a hand to help her up. He pulled her to his body and took possession of her mouth. An open mouth kissed followed, deep and passionate, usually only seen in private and when they made love. Hermione's weight was on Severus and he gladly supported her. When he started to pull away she moaned in disappointment and he deepened the kiss again. They only broke apart when they heard Harry clearing his throat to draw their attention.

Hermione blushed, but still had her arms wrapped around Severus' waist pressing him into her, "Yes, Harry?" she asked breathlessly.

"Sirius and I were wondering if you wanted to come to Lupin's. We'll all going to be there and hang out with no mention of Voldemort, so we can all relax," Harry invited.

"Sure," Hermione accepted.

Severus frowned. After that kiss he wanted to go to his chambers with Hermione and make love to her. He saw Black's smug expression.

"Be there in a minute," Hermione finished.

Harry nodded and Black turned to leave with satisfaction written on his face. Harry followed not noticing the difference in his godfather.

After they left, Hermione kissed Severus again but not with the same fervor, it was slower and more intense. It didn't lack passion but teased in the littlest bit. It clearly said what she felt for him. When they broke, she pulled on his hand, "We better go."

"We? Potter and Black," he spat the name, "are expecting you."

"And they shall get me for a little while, that's why we better go," Hermione explained.

Severus pulled her to a stop, "Do you honestly think I'm going to attend this 'meeting'?"

"Please Severus, just for a little while. I want to relax with my friends and no mention of Voldemort," Hermione pleaded.

"I'm not stopping you from going Angel. It would do you good to relax since you have enormous pressure on you." Severus agreed.

"And I don't wish to go alone. Sirius is annoying me. That's why I asked you to end the lesson."

"What did he say?" Severus growled.

"It makes no difference now, you claimed your stake on me. I just do not wish to hear more of his blabbering."

Severus pulled her back into his arms and kissed her forehead, "I'll join you then."

"Thank you," she kissed him on the cheek.

Hermione and Severus got to Lupin's door where she knocked. A few seconds later Lupin answered the door, "Great! You made it," he waved both of them in and shut the door.

Everyone said hello even though they were surprised to see Severus, but they didn't seem to mind.

"I'll get you another chair," Lupin offered when there was only one empty seat excluding his.

Severus noted the seat available was next to Black. An oversized chair and there would be no place to seat another by it. He could feel the tension in Hermione, a sign that she too noticed the seating arrangement. He knew she would sit next to Black because he would normally not. Severus made a hasty decision that should solve most of their problems, "No need Lupin." Severus pulled Hermione's hand to the seat and sat down with Hermione into his lap.

Hermione relaxed into Severus, glad he decided this move. It would let them stay together and not let Black have a chance to annoy her more. She saw the look of surprise and hatred when she and Severus arrived. But Black's hatred turned to satisfaction over the seating problem until Severus easily settled it.

The others were pleased to see them and if they were surprised by Severus' move they didn't let on. Everyone included them on their conversations. Severus and Hermione both started to relax. Conversations flowed easily among the friends. Severus stayed quiet throughout most of the night but he enjoyed listening to Hermione and seeing her have a good time. Severus was able to have a small conversation with Lupin about some of the lessons, but otherwise they both enjoyed and forgot about their troubles.

Time passed and Severus thought they stayed long enough. "Let's go Angel," he whispered into her ear.

Hermione nodded and stood up. They said their goodbyes at the door. Draco had Severus' attention and Black was saying goodbye to Hermione. She saw the glint in his eyes and he was also standing awfully close and was getting closer. Hermione could tell he was going to kiss her on the cheek but she didn't want it.

~SEVERUS!~

Severus heard the panic and turned to her abruptly and could see why, "Ready Hermione?" he came and stood behind her, stopping Black's intention.

"Yes."

~~~~~

"I can't believe he had the gall to try and kiss me with you at my side," Hermione groaned sitting down on the couch.

Severus sat down next to her, "He's trying to charm you."

Hermione could here the jealousy in his tone. She pulled him until his head was in her lap and she ran her fingers through his hair. "Charming he is not being, it's just pissing me off. I would have thought the kiss and sitting in your lap would have deterred him."

"He wants you and I can't blame him. You're exceptional," Severus murmured looking up at her.

"He can't 'have' me and he will never 'have' me," Hermione said with determination.

"Hermione if you want..." Severus avoided eye contact.

Hermione placed two fingers over his mouth, "Do be quiet lover. I don't think I'll like what you have to say." Hermione saw the question in his eyes, "I've found my soul mate. Why would I choose another? Especially a dog?" she teased.

"Dogs are friendlier pets than snakes," Severus muttered.

"Severus, what will I have to do to prove I only want you and no other man?" Hermione asked gently.

"I'm sorry Angel, I feel like life will take you away from me after showing me how pleasant it can be."

"Have faith in me, in us. Some one like Sirius Black is not going to break us apart," Hermione clearly stated.

"I have faith in you, just not in life sometimes."

"You remember what my Mum told us about a seer in my family telling them about me?"

"Yes," Severus said curious to what she was leading to.

"The seer had another vision, but Mum only knew and told me in private," Hermione ran her fingers through his hair. "Remember how Mum was all right with you immediately?"

"Yes."

"My Mum realized you were the other person in the vision she was told about." Hermione's eyes locked with Severus' "Do you want to know what it was about?"

"Seers aren't supposed to give details. How would your mother know it was me and not some one else?"

"Little details were told. Only a couple of things were described but they cannot be mistaken for another."

"What was said about the male?"

"Long black hair to his shoulders," Hermione continued to run her fingers in his hair.

"Black and Lupin could be mistaken for that," Severus scowled.

"Would you like more details?"

"Yes," was the curt answer.

"Tall..."

"Black and Lupin."

"Sallow skin..."

"Black when not well," Severus turned his gaze away.

"There's two more," Hermione waited for his eyes to meet hers again, "his eyes were raven black and I was staring at him with love."

"What was the vision of?" Severus knew it had to be him.

Hermione grinned mischievously, "Are you sure you want to know?"

"Visions can change. It is a possibility, a very likely possibility since it was seen but the future can change."

"But I don't want this vision to change," she softly spoke trailing a finger down his jaw line.

"Tell me," he practically begged.

"You were dressed in elegant black dress robes..."

"Nothing unusual if I was attending a social function," Severus said with distaste.

"You were smiling..."

"At a social function? Not bloody likely."

"It wasn't a function. I was wearing 'special' dress robes myself, I was told."

"If not a function than what other reason for dress robes?"

"Can you think of one case where you would wear dress robes and be smiling with me in your arms," she teased.

Severus scowled at Hermione for playing with him but decided to figure this logic out. Dress robes. Smiling. Hermione happy. Special dress robes for Hermione... His eyes focused on hers, she was smiling down at him. "And this was foretold?" Severus asked in awe.

Hermione nodded.

"And you want this?"

"With all my heart."

"It was our wedding, correct?" Severus needed to know for sure.

"Yes," Hermione eyes glittered.



To Be Continued...