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 40

The green smoke that surrounded Hermione was easy to breathe; it wasn't suffocating her at all. She never heard of anyone ever being surrounded in green smoke when hit with the killing curse. She attributed it to her immunity to such a curse. When the curse came flying at her, she knew she would have easily dodged it but for some reason she knew she would be safe even if the curse hit her. Hermione figured this would be a perfect time to distract the Dark Wizard long enough for Harry to get off the curse that was needed to finish Voldemort's life once and for all.

The smoke cleared slowly and she simply smirked, wanting to see the shock on Voldemort's face when he learned he failed to kill the 'mudblood'. "Voldemort, is that the best you can do?" Hermione spoke once the smoke cleared.

"It can't be!" Voldemort shrieked in disbelief.

Harry watched and realized now was his chance, "Avada Kederva," he said with wand pointed at Voldemort. Hermione added her own killing curse to add power behind Harry's curse. Severus did the same, ensuring Voldemort would never rise to power again. The curse hit Voldemort, but it reacted differently than it would other wizards. The body of Voldemort started to decompose at an extremely rapid rate. As the Dark Lord try to scream his sounds were non-existent because his voice box had decomposed quickly leaving the wizard to only gasp and scream silently.

The three watched as the body fell to the ground, Severus not taking chances, torched the body with fire leaving nothing but aches.

Severus, Hermione and Harry worked together to finish defeating the Death Eaters.

Before anyone realized it, the Death Eaters were defeated and all injured persons were sent to Madam Pomfrey. The Aurors already there sent for more to take the Death Easters to prison to await trial. The fighters that were all right took in the bodies of several dead wizards and witches. There were not many, but the few that were there were hard to accept. Dumbledore and staff and quickly gathered the bodies of their comrades and levitated them to a back area of the Hospital Wing ensuring not many would see them.

The children and other adults that were safely in the castle waited anxiously for news of the battle. When several professors came in and told them of the news, cheering could be heard throughout the castle.

~~~~~

Everyone was mingling and having a good time except Severus, of course. When Hermione and Severus first arrived, the other guests of the ball stared in surprise at seeing the two together. Severus wore his usual black robes, but his cloak was deep charcoal gray. Hermione was dressed in new robes herself, in deep red burgundy color with silver trim. The couple made for an interesting pair. They were seated at the table with the other guests of honor. Harry, Ron, Ginny, Draco, Lupin and Black.

Black had been found innocent when Peter Pettigrew had taken Veritaserum and told the truth about him framing Black and telling it was he who had betrayed the Potters, costing them their lives.

Two seats were available between Draco and Black. All assumed Hermione would sit next to Black to separate him from Severus. To everyone's surprise Severus pulled the seat next to Draco out for her to sit, leaving himself next to his loathed enemy. Severus made a point of turning his back to Black leaving Hermione the freedom of not really having to interact with the man.

Conversation flowed among the heroes as jokes and tales were fluent. Hermione's chair was touching Severus' half way through dinner, not to anyone's surprise. Dessert was a treat among them all. Hermione had some interesting ideas what she would like to do with her dessert, but she behaved herself. After dinner and dessert was through, dancing started in the center of the hall. Harry and Ginny were soon on the floor dancing. Ron and Draco found themselves asking a few other witches to dance with them. Hermione knew Severus would not ask, for their dancing always led to the immediate need of a bedroom. She didn't mind though, she was enjoying just sitting with Severus in public, not having to hide their relationship.

"Hermione, would you care to dance?" Black gracefully asked standing next to her offering his hand.

Before she could answer, Severus rose and stepped next to Black, "Stay away from her," he growled in a whisper.

Black smirked at the wizard, "Afraid to lose her to me?"

"No, because she is mine."

"You make it as if you own her," Black said.

"I do," simple response.

Black smirked thinking he could use this to his advantage. He spoke a little louder for Hermione to hear, "You do not own Hermione!"

"Yes I do," was pronounced at the same tone.

Black looked to Hermione who had watched the whole interaction, "Hermione, you cannot stay with a man who would treat you as a possession. Come with me."

Hermione stood and faced both men, "Severus, think you own me do you?" She asked as if she was getting angry.

"I don't think it, I know it," Severus said with no fault.

Hermione stared at him for a moment then was smirking, "About time you realized it." Hermione saw the disbelief written on Black's face.

"You can't mean that Hermione, he's a bastard. He'll treat you like shit," Black tried.

"No he won't."

"How do you know this?" Black asked incredulously.

"Because he may own me, but I own him," Hermione smiled at Severus who now raised a hand out for her to grasp.

When she took a hold of his hand, they went to the dance floor and started to move together very closely on the edge of the floor, avoiding other dancers.

Black was left looking shocked and staring at the couple. Several people around him laughed at his position, noticing how Hermione Granger, the brightest witch to ever graduate from Hogwarts chose Severus Snape the most hated professor at Hogwarts over Sirius Black.

After a few dances, attention was brought to the podium in the front of the ballroom. Mr. Weasley, the new appointed Minister of Magic stood in place. Hermione leaned against Severus as they watched; both weren't really paying attention as they were focused on each other. But when Harry's name was called both paid attention to the podium. That was when they realized what was happening. Harry was being awarded Order of Merlin First Class. Hermione clapped with everyone else giving their applause.

The next name was surprise to her.

"Hermione Granger, is another individual tonight who will be honored for facing Voldemort," Mr. Weasley stammered out, "and help defeat him. Please come up Hermione."

Hermione froze, realizing everyone was staring and waiting on her. With a slight push from Severus, she walked to the stage. Mr. Weasley placed a medallion over her neck and she went to stand next to Harry. Mr. Weasley spoke a few more words and turned the podium over to Dumbledore. "Tonight, I have the honor of awarding Order of Merlin First Class to a close friend of mine. Without his help, we would not have been able to defeat Voldemort. Through many years, he had faced Voldemort repeatedly, endangering his life to gather information for the side of good. Severus Snape, please come up here," Dumbledore spoke clearly.

Silence was heard for a moment before Hermione, Harry, Draco, Ginny, Ron and Lupin started clapping. Everyone else followed suit. Severus approached the stage in complete shock, but was able to hide the reaction.

Dumbledore placed the medallion over his neck and clapped with the rest of the audience.

Order of Merlin's Second Class was awarded to Ron, Ginny, Draco, Lupin and Black for the capture and defeat of most Death Eaters during the battle. The rest of the night was a blur for Hermione and Severus being congratulated. When it was over Hermione and Severus went back to Hogwarts happy and ready to be alone.

~~~~~

When Severus and Hermione apparated to the Hogwarts' gates, they were tired and were looking forward to being alone and out of the spotlight.

But that was not what they got.

Hermione and Severus were greeted by an unwelcome guest.

Victoria Snape.

Taken aback by the appearance of his mother, but masking his reaction, "Mother."

"Severus," Mrs. Snape greeted him just as coldly as her son. When she saw his arm around Hermione's waist she sneered, but said nothing.

~Severus, lets go inside. We can't stand out here all night.~

Severus knew Hermione was right, "Inside."

Mrs. Snape turned on her heel and started the walk to the castle. Hermione and Severus walked at their usual pace keeping silent. When all were inside the Entrance Hall, Severus continued with Hermione to the dungeons leaving his mother to follow. After entering Severus' quarters, Severus told his mother they would be out in a minute.

Hermione and Severus went to their bedroom and changed into more comfortable clothes, although Severus ended putting on his full teaching attire. Hermione simply chose some black muggle jeans and white blouse. "Severus, is this all right?" Hermione wanted his approval because she didn't want to cause more trouble.

Severus watched as Hermione changed. He used magic to change his clothes quickly enough; Hermione always seemed to take her time with such acts. He enjoyed watching her though, giving him a chance to gaze at her body. "Certainly Angel," he came up to her and hugged her.

"Are you all right Severus?" Hermione whispered into his chest.

"I will be. I haven't seen her in ten years, I'm just wondering what she wants."

Severus released her and they went out to the sitting room where Mrs. Snape had sat on the couch waiting.

"Severus, I'll wait until you return her to her quarters," the older lady said.

"We are in our quarters. Now why.." Severus was interrupted.

"What do you mean? Are you living with this mudblood?" Mrs. Snape said with hatred.

Hermione and Severus tensed, knowing this was going to be a complicated situation. "Her name is Hermione Granger and she is not a mudblood," Severus growled.

"Whatever, just get rid of her. We need to talk," Mrs. Snape said dismissively.

Severus sat down in one of the over stuffed chairs and pulled a surprised Hermione onto his lap. She was going to sit in the other chair.

~Severus what are you doing?~

*Keeping you next to me.*

Hermione looked at Severus and could see the intensity in him and realized he needed her next to him; she relinquished and faced Mrs. Snape again.

"What is it you want mother?" Severus asked the woman who was glaring at Hermione.

"This is family business," a curt voice.

"Hermione is my family. State your business now or leave," Severus ordered.

"It is about your fiancée."

"What about her?"

"When do you plan on marrying her, she is waiting." Mrs. Snape said.

"Hermione, when are we getting married?" Severus smirked. This is not what his mother meant and he knew it. The night Hermione told him about the vision, he asked her to marry him. He offered to buy an engagement ring but she only wanted a wedding ring.

"She is not your fiancée," Mrs. Snape stood up.

"Yes she is," Severus growled.

"She's a mudblood! You cannot taint the family line," his mother screeched.

Severus stood up leaving Hermione in the chair. "Mother, you have over stayed your welcome." He took a firm hold on her upper arm and guided her to the door and warding it making sure she could not re-enter. Once it was secure he walked back to Hermione who was still sitting. He kneeled in front of her and put his head in her lap.

Hermione soothed him, whispering words of her love and caressing his hair through her fingers. They stayed like that for a while before Hermione urged him to his feet and pulled him to their bedroom. With a wave of her hand, both were naked and getting into bed. She pulled him close to her, resting his head on her breasts. She continued to soothe him and noticed he fell asleep.

"I love you Severus Snape," she softly whispered before sleeping herself.



To Be Continued...