Hermione was completely and utterly lost. Wherever she was, it was very unpleasant, and she hated it just as much as the fact that she was lost. It was hot, humid, and dark. All the trees were dead and rotting, which created an awful stench.

She was not sure how long she had been wandering, but it was definitely days. She had eaten nothing and only had a little to drink. Hermione was surprised she was still alive, but barely. She was very weak from the lack of food and drink. She had been wandering desperately to find something, anything. All she had found was mud, rot, and death.

"If this is Hell, I don't like it. But what have I done to deserve this?" she asked out loud despite the fact she was alone.

Then she heard it: a voice amongst the dying wood.

"Hello? Is anyone there?"

No response.

"Great! Just bloody great! Not only am I talking to myself, I'm hearing voices!" Hermione continued her aimless wandering. There it was again, a little clearer. "Don't play games with me, whoever you are! I am not in the mood!" she screamed.

"I'm sorry," the voice said so clearly this time she knew who immediately who it was.

"Severus, where are you?"

"Come back please. I need you."

"I need you too, but you have to tell me where you are," she replied, getting closer to the source. Finally, she saw light coming from a pile of branches. Hermione frantically began digging.

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Harry was glad Voldemort was gone, but he had almost lost himself in the process. He was also deeply worried about Hermione. He felt responsible for what happened to her. He knew he should not allow himself to do that, but he could not help it. He would not let her die, but it was not looking good, even with Snape there. Harry knew he did not want to face that man if Hermione did not come back.

Several moments after his conversation with Snape, or so Harry thought at first, there was a very loud exclamation. Harry jerked out of his slumber, reality dawning on him that he had actually fallen asleep. He snuck a peek toward Hermione's bed and could not help getting up and walking over there.

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"Severus, I'm so happy to see you. It was absolutely awful," Hermione said, hugging Snape.

"Hermione, I'm so sorry. This is my fault. I should have been honest with you from the beginning. I don't know what I'd do without you. I love you, Hermione Granger. Can you forgive me?" Snape replied, the words tumbling from his mouth. He knew how uncharacteristic it was of him, but there was little he could do in the situation. The elation he felt holding her in his arms knowing she was safe was too much for him.

"Can you forgive me? I love you, too, Severus Snape. I didn't mean any of it. I was just so angry. I . . ." Her words were cut off by his mouth capturing hers in a passionate kiss. "Wow," she finally said after they pulled apart.

"I know this may be a bit soon, but I love you, Hermione. I don't want to squander what time we have together. Will you marry me?" he asked. She squealed, which is what woke Harry.

"Of course I'll marry you. I wouldn't imagine it any other way." He pulled her into another kiss at the same moment Harry happened to roll out of bed.

"Oh, sorry," Harry apologized causing Hermione and Severus to separate. "You really should warn people when you're going to do that, you know?" he joked.

"Mr. Potter," Snape said, looking rather amused, "shouldn't you be getting your rest?" He cocked his eyebrow in a questioning manner.

"I could ask the same of both of you," Harry replied matter-of-factly.

"Severus, Harry, be nice," Hermione warned. "You're practically family now." Harry looked confused so she explained. "We're engaged." Snape looked rather smug as Harry returned the look with a smile of his own.

"Allow me to be the first to congratulate you."

"I do hope, dear, that you won't be telling this to everyone so easily. We do need to exercise discretion in this matter. That includes you, Harry," Snape said darkly.

"Harry wouldn't tell."

"It's not him I worry about, it's you, Hermione." Snape and Harry shared a look.

"Oh, well, I won't if you won't," she teased.

"Yes, that's exactly what I wish to do," came his sarcastic reply.

Harry decided he better get back to bed before Madam Pomfrey showed up and yelled at them. "Good night. Don't stay up too late, otherwise Madam Pomfrey will have some choice words with you in the morning."

"Good night Harry," came the simultaneous reply.

As Harry got back in bed, he heard Hermione ask, "You will tell Dumbledore though, won't you?'

"Miss Granger, I'm glad to see you up and about again. You are looking quite happy at the moment," the Headmaster said. There was very little he did not know about within Hogwarts.

"Good morning, Professor Dumbledore. I am glad to be 'up and about' as they say." Hermione suddenly became a bit self-conscious of the fact she was sitting on Snape's lap.

"Albus, it's good to see you, of course," he added.

"Morning Professor," Harry said, coming back over. Dumbledore would have gotten around to him eventually, so Harry figured sooner rather than later.

"The three of you should be in bed. If Poppy finds you, she will not be pleased."

"I believe Mr. Potter just informed us of that fact, Albus" Snape nodded toward Harry.

"I did. I'll be going back to bed now," Harry responded, returning to it.

Dumbledore cleared his throat alerting Snape and Hermione to their current positions. Hermione shifted herself from Severus' lap to her bed. "You best heed Harry's advice, Severus. We wouldn't want you coming down with anything now would we?" Snape went back to his bed. Dumbledore made his way to the door but stopped before leaving. "By the way, congratulations. You're secret is safe with me," he winked before closing the door.

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Madam Pomfrey was delighted to find Hermione awake and well the next morning. After going through standard procedure, Hermione, Harry, and Snape were allowed to leave. They had just enough time to freshen up before breakfast. Harry waited for Hermione in the common room, and they met Snape outside the Great Hall. He checked to make sure no one was watching before he gave Hermione a quick kiss. Then they entered together.

As they entered, Harry and Hermione in front, Snape behind, they were met with a standing ovation. Dumbledore's doing no doubt. Their seats had been saved near the head of the table. Harry sat between Ron and Draco. Hermione sat across from him, McGonagall on her right, Severus on her left. Everyone sat when they did except Dumbledore.

"Before we proceed to breakfast, I would just like to welcome all of you back. The school has not quite been the same without you, and I am truly grateful the three of you will be back when the rest of the students arrive later today. I have a view words to say before we begin, however. I promise to keep this brief. Firstly, thank you again Misters Malfoy and Weasley. You've both proved your courage in the battle. Hagrid, thank you for watching over these wonderful young adults and fighting for the safety of everyone. Professors McGonagall and Sprout, without you, we would not have our Potions Master with us today. Thank you for bringing him back to us in one piece. Miss Granger, I know you are frustrated by what happened, but you have proved your courage and cool-headedness in your actions. Voldemort could not have been defeated without you. You have also proved your strength. We're all proud very proud of you. And finally, Harry Potter, I've not forgotten you. You have triumphed over Voldemort at great personal risk. Your sacrifice shall be remembered. You have proved you possess great courage. Do not doubt your sorting anymore." Dumbledore stopped here as everyone applauded. He raised his hands to quiet everyone.

Turning to Snape, he said, "Severus, I've only got to say that I've hated sending you to the Death Eater meetings. You are the son I never had. If I could have gone myself, I would have. I know this is a time of many changes for you, and I suspect you have finally found your path in life. I wish only happiness for you in the future. You deserve it more than most everyone here. Thank you." Dumbledore sat down as the clapping began again.

Snape was in shock. This was for him. He never expected it. He was content with Hermione, but this was the icing on the cake. Finally, as the clapping came to an end, he spoke. "Thank you, Albus. I don't know that I really deserve this, but I thank you nonetheless. It's more than I ever expected." He smiled then. 'How out of character can I be in one day,' he thought. "Thank you to everyone."

"Dig in!" Dumbledore exclaimed.

It took a moment for the students to comprehend the food was in front of them. Snape was . . . happy? After the initial shock, however, everyone was chattering and eating.

Snape leaned toward Dumbledore. "Albus, was that really necessary?"

"Severus, I meant every word." He started eating, leaving a slightly baffled Snape to his own musings. Hermione just shrugged her shoulders and ate her food when he looked at her questioningly.

It was a happy atmosphere that morning. The owl post arrived as everyone was winding down. Most of the students received letters or papers. However, a box landed in front of Hermione. She looked at it while Harry, Ron, and Draco stared at her, Ron with mouth agape.

"Miss Granger, I doubt it will bite you. I suggest you open it," said McGonagall. "We're just as curious as you are."

Hermione picked it up. It was not large by any means. The box was all black with a silver and green bow tied around it. She took off the ribbon and opened the box. Snape could not believe what he was seeing. He turned to Dumbledore who just winked. 'So much for discretion. That had certainly gone out the window. And did Albus not say he would keep it a secret?' Everyone was looking at Hermione now. She had just taken out a gold ring with diamonds around the band.

"Severus, did you?" McGonagall mouthed behind Hermione's head.

He shook his head no, but McGonagall saw Dumbledore.

Hermione turned to Severus and whispered. "It's beautiful, but you couldn't have . . ." She also saw Dumbledore. "Oh," she said smiling.

"Great, the bloody git has told the whole school now," she heard Severus say under his breath. Hermione smiled brightly at him.

"Would you?"

"Of course, love," he replied, placing the ring on her finger. The perfect size no less. "I really do love you, but if they start teasing me, I'm done!" He glared at Dumbledore.

"Sure, Severus, whatever you say," she replied as the whole table burst into applause again.

At that very moment, a group a visitors arrived. Dumbledore managed to calm everyone again and announced, "Please, everyone, greet our guests."

Everyone looked to the door of the Great Hall. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were there with Hermione's parents and the Dursleys. Ron and Ginny ran to meet their parents. Harry was dragging Draco along as they slowly made their way to the group. Hermione looked at Severus.

"Now's as good a time as ever. Everyone else knows and it's better they find out now," she said to him.

"Whatever you wish." He took a deep breath and let out a long sigh to calm himself.

The two walked hand in hand to meet Hermione's family. Nervously, Hermione introduced Severus to her family. "Mom, Dad, I know this is going to come as a bit of a shock, but I'm engaged." They stared at her, wide-eyed. "This is my fiancé, Severus Snape."

Snape was not sure whether to run and hide, or stay where he was for a moment, but then Hermione's father began laughing. "Hermione, I am very surprised, but I see you're happy. And I can tell by looking at you, Professor, that you're hopelessly in love with our daughter." He suddenly became very serious. "You better not hurt her. She's our baby, and when you're a father you'll understand how important she is to us."

"Thank you so much, Daddy!" Hermione said as she hugged him.

"Welcome to the family, Professor," her mother said, giving her daughter a hug.

The Weasleys congratulated Severus and Hermione as well. They had managed to convince the Dursleys to come and see Harry. How, one could not be sure, but they were there. Harry had been apprehensive about that, but Aunt Petunia seemed fine with it and had welcomed him warmly. It was odd, but she had even taken a bit of a shine to Draco. He was courteous to all of them, and said he would take up the Weasleys on their offer to let him stay for the summer.

Dumbledore eventually found them, and, even though Uncle Vernon desperately wanted to leave, he had convinced them to spend the night before traveling home in the morning. Harry was glad Dudley was absent because he was sure Draco or Snape would have cursed his cousin. Not that Harry would have minded that. It just did not seem to be a good idea with Dumbledore around.

The next morning felt different for everyone. The students had arrived from holiday, the visitors were leaving, and Snape just felt like he had changed. It meant a great deal to him to have the consent of Hermione's parents. It saved a lot of trouble later, that was for sure. Although, upon further thought, he would almost rather have no one know. It did not matter though, not since he was actually happy. Isn't that what he deserved after all?

The End

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A/N: So, what'd you think? Was it any good or was it completely awful. Be honest because I want to know if it was total crap. I would like to know if it wasn't total crap as well. And to those wondering, there will be no epilogue and there will be no sequel as this is already a sequel. Special thanks to all my lovely reviewers. You're truly wonderful.

Wiily