Disclaimer: None of the characters are mine; I'm just keeping them busy till the next book comes out.

A/N: Hello to everyone who is crazy enough to continue reading this. My advice for the day: go cow tipping! Save a chicken; eat ostrich instead! Also, a little ways into the beginning, Lavender, Parvarti, Ginny, and Hermione are all getting ready for the ball, so there's talk of dresses, make-up, and hair. I tried to keep it brief since I know not everyone likes to read that sort of stuff, but I do like to put it in so I can try and give you guys an idea of what I've pictured. Anyways, thanks for all the reviews (I can't believe I'm over 700, I never dreamed of doing this well!!!!) and now onto the story!

A/N 2: Quick little warning- at the end of the chapter is some slight lemony stuff. Nothing really that bad because I don't think I could do anything like that justice, but more than a heavy make-out session, so here's your warning. Now onto the story once again!

Take Time to Smell the Roses

Chapter Twenty Four

"Snape's da bomb," Hermione told the portrait of the fat lady. She couldn't help but smile at the password for the month, undoubtedly chosen by Ginny, to torment Harry and Ron.

"I'm sure he is," the fat lady murmured distractedly as she swung open, admitting Hermione into the noisy Gryffindor common room.

Hermione was immediately greeted with the younger students shouting 'Hi Mrs. Snape,' and the older students waving 'Hey Hermione' as she made her way into the room. Ginny caught sight of her and quickly rushed over to help Hermione carry her things up to the seventh year girl's dorm where Lavender and Parvarti were already setting out their things on a bed.

"Oh my gosh Hermione, Ginny, your dresses are simply gorgeous!" Lavender squealed as Hermione unzipped the garment bag and carefully pulled out her dress.

"Thank you," Hermione smiled at the other girl. "So is yours!"

Lavender's dress was an iridescent colour that looked light purple or kind of silvery purple, depending on the light. The gown had a fitted bodice with cap sleeves, and a princess skirt. Along the cap sleeves and the top of the bodice there was exquisite purple bead detail. She also had matching shoes and a simple purple ribbon choker with a cameo of her great-great-grandmother on it that added an elegant touch to the dress.

Parvarti's gown was also stunning in a classic green gown that looked beautiful with her skin tone and dark hair. The gown was a straight, strapless gown that flared out slightly at the bottom. To complete the look, she had a silk scarf with beads on the end around her neck, with the ends hanging down her back.

"Okay, let's get the dresses on, then we can start on hair, and then make-up, and then nails," Parvarti quickly directed everyone, and so began the long and tedious process of pampering and preparing themselves for the ball.

Ginny's hair was clipped back with simple gold hair clips, and left hanging down her back in silky waves, curled slightly at the ends. Her make-up was some lipstick matching her gown, and a bit of gold eye-shadow to bring out her eyes. Lavender's hair was done in an elegant French braid with springs of baby's breath tucked in the braid. Her make-up was some lip-gloss and a light white eye-shadow that made her blue eyes seem to jump out at you. Parvarti's hair was done in loose, big curls that added a lot of volume to her shoulder length hair. Her make-up was also some lipstick, but she used kohl around her eyes instead of eye-shadow. Hermione's hair was done up in her favourite style- a simple chignon, but she added some decorative hair combs of silver with ruby accents to the up-do. Her make up was some light silver eye-shadow, and a deep red lipstick. After doing hair and make-up, they all quickly helped each other with their nails, and then went over the finishing touches.

"Excuse me Mrs. Snape, but the professor's here, and so are their dates," a third year girl named Melissa told them after knocking and being admitted. "And Professor Snape said that if you don't hurry up he's going to assign you all detention."

"Oh he is, is he?" Hermione raised an eyebrow, looking eerily like her husband. "Tell him if he does, then he can go sleep with the house elves."

"Um…I don't think…that is…" Melissa blanched at the thought of talking to Snape like that.

"I'm just kidding Melissa," Hermione smiled reassuringly at the girl who sighed in relief. "Just tell the boys we'll be down in a minute."

"Okay! And you all look very pretty too!" Melissa smiled broadly at the four before rushing out of the room to undoubtedly pass on the message.

"All right, are we ready to knock their socks off?" Ginny asked as the girls all checked themselves over in the large transfigured mirror once more.

"I believe so, make sure to grab the boutonnières," Parvarti reminded them all, and after doing so, they headed downstairs.

Waiting impatiently in the common room were four very handsome men, each in their own respect. Severus was wearing a three button black tuxedo, with a red cumberbund and bow-tie transfigured by Hermione so that they would match. Blaise was looking very much like Severus in a two button black tuxedo, with a gold cumberbund and bow-tie. Ron and Harry were dressed like the majority of the boys in nice suits. Only the Slytherins were really wearing tuxedos, and a couple of Ravenclaws. Ron was wearing a nice pair of black pants, white shirt, purple patterned tie to match his date, and a black dinner jacket. Harry had decided on black slacks, white shirt, green striped tie, and a black dinner jacket.

When the girls descended the steps, they stood waiting for several moments waiting for the men to finally take notice of them. Ron was the first to turn around, and that was only because the younger students had grown quiet and were staring at the four very lovely ladies.

"Wow," he managed to stammer out as he stared at Lavender, appropriately awed. His statement caused to others to also turn around and stare in amazement. "You look beautiful Lav."

"Thank you Ron," she smiled at his red ears as he helped her with her wrist corsage.

"Parvarti, you…look…amazing," Harry complimented, somewhat shyly as he went over to the slightly blushing girl and helped her with her corsage.

"So do you, and look, my dress matches your eyes," she teased him, kissing him on the cheek as they went to go stand by Ron and Lavender.

"My angel," Blaise said simply, taking Ginny's hands in his, as she smiled back at him without saying anything. She just leaned in and kissed him on the cheek before turning to watch Severus and Hermione, like the rest of the students in the common room were doing.

"You look…beautiful beyond description," Severus said silkily as he smiled softly at her, taking her hands in his and kissing each of them. "I don't deserve you."

"Of course you deserve me…you were made for me," Hermione smiled and stole a kiss as the students cheered and whistled, although a few groans could be heard.

However they shut up very quickly when Severus glared at them. Hermione simple shook her head in amusement and gave them a smile as they joined the other three couples and headed for the great hall. Upon arrival, the girls exclaimed over the decorations while the men sort of just looked at each other as if thinking 'what's the big deal'. The great hall had been transformed into a winter wonderland, as cliché as they might sound. The ceiling showed millions of sparkling stars outside in the clear night sky. Light came from hundreds of sparkling white lights that were floating above their heads, intermingled with enchanted snowflakes that wouldn't melt. Around the perimeter of the room were small tables with icy blue tablecloths and blue and white flower arrangements. On the table at each place was a setting of gleaming silver with the buffet menu listed on a card so they could order food or drinks much like at the Yule ball in their fourth year.

Hermione and Severus went to greet the other professors at the high table before Hermione dragged Severus back to where her friends and year-mates were sitting. Harry was with Parvarti, Ron with Lavender, Ginny with Blaise, and Dean and Seamus who were there with each other. They had "come out" at the end of sixth year, and had been together since then, and most of the school had gotten used to seeing them together.

"Welcome students, staff, ghosts, and guests!" Albus Dumbledore greeted with a smiled. "To start off the festivities, may I have two volunteers to begin the dancing festivities?"

No one moved or said anything until…

"Damn it," Severus cursed under his breath, jumping up out of his seat as someone's foot made contact with his shin.

"Ah, thank you Severus, Mrs. Snape," Albus motioned to the band to begin playing with a twinkle in his eye.

"I'm going to assign Zabini so many detentions his grandchildren will be finishing them," Severus grumbled as he pulled Hermione into his arms, wrapping one hand possessively around her waist, the other taking one of her hands and holding it to his heart as she rested her other hand on his shoulder.

"Oh don't be such a grouch," she kissed him on the cheek. "It's Christmastide after all."

"But still," he said, his voice almost whiny, and Hermione had to fight a giggle. "He didn't have to kick me."

"Of course not," Hermione said with a smile as he spun her out and pulled her back in closer, resting his cheek against her temple as they swayed back and forth.

Other students and staff began to move onto the floor, so when the ballad finished Severus led Hermione back to their table.

"Sorry Uncle, was that you I hit? I had a muscle spasm," Blaise smirked, attempting to look innocent, but failing.

"Uncle?!" Dean questioned, speaking for the group.

"No, I'm his third cousin, twice removed or something like that," Severus explained. "He just insists on calling me that."

"It's simpler," Blaise said simply.

"Oh and Mr. Zabini-" Severus began to assign him detention presumably, but Hermione cut him off.

"Five points to Slytherin for trying to instil holiday cheer."

"Why thank you Auntie, anything for holiday cheer," he gave her a cheeky smile and a kiss on the cheek as he grabbed Ginny's hand and led her onto the dance floor.

"You're evil," Severus glared at his wife as they took their seats and ordered some light snacks.

"I know," Hermione smiled at him, and everyone was fighting back laughs at the exchange between the two. "I learned from the best. Or maybe I should say worse?"

"Oh be quiet."

"Make me," Hermione smirked and leaned in challenging him.

"With pleasure," he smirked back and kissed her briefly, but passionately.

"Oh you two are just so cute! Where's a barf bag when you need one?" Blaise teased as he and Ginny came back over.

"Of for the love of god, why won't you just die?" Severus glared at the boy, but there was a hint of smile in his expression.

"Because I love him," Ginny looked up adoringly at Blaise. "But I promise that if I ever get tired of him then you can get rid of him."

"Deal," Severus smirked. "Would you care to dance Miss Weasley?"

"I'd be delighted Professor," she took his outstretched hand and he led her onto the floor just in time for an upbeat salsa song.

"Well, we can't let them show us up, so may I have the honour of dancing with you Hermione?" Blaise turned to Hermione.

"Of course, just let me transfigure the bottom of my dress so I'll be able to move," she replied, and moments later, she had on a short red skirt that went to a few inches above her knees. It was much too difficult to wear long heavy skirts while trying to salsa. She saw that Ginny had done the same thing, and transfigured the bottom of her dress into a similar looking, short gold skirt.

Hermione took Blaise's hand and he led onto the floor. They assumed the proper salsa position and with the beat began to move their feet and hips at a rapid pace in time to the music. Hermione's dance lessons from when she was younger kicked in, and Blaise began to lead her through more complicated steps. Lookin over, she saw Severus and Ginny doing much the same as them, and she wondered where Ginny had learned.

"I've been teaching her some moves," Blaise answered, and Hermione realised that she had spoken out loud.

"Not bad, now let's show them how it's done," Hermione smirked and they picked up the pace as a faster song came on.

The rest of the students by now had begun to move back, leaving the two dance partners to show off their stuff. Severus caught Blaise's eye and nodded, and moments later they both began to spin the girls around multiple times before letting them go. Hermione spun straight into Severus' arms while Ginny was spun into Blaise's. Ginny laughed as Blaise hugged her and led her off to the side so she could transfigure her dress back and so they could watch Hermione and Severus while they caught their breath. Hermione and Severus continued to tear up the floor with their fast paced, difficult dancing. As the song came to the end, Severus spun her out and around him, bringing her back in just in time to dip her. They held the pose a moment as cheers and applause broke out before standing up. Hermione did a little curtsy before transfiguring her dress back and sitting back down at the table, quickly downing her glass of water.

"That was awesome Mione," Harry complimented, and Ron nodded his head in agreement since he had just taken a bite of cake.

"You too Gin," Seamus complimented.

"Thanks, but it was really thanks to Blaise teaching me a little, and to Professor Snape for being such an excellent partner," Ginny blushed.

"Same, Blaise and Severus are both excellent partners," Hermione agreed.

"Stop it, you're embarrassing me," Blaise said in a high pitched voice while pretending to be all shy and flattered.

"You're crazy dear," Ginny shook her head at his antics.

"About you," he kissed her, bringing a loud 'awwwww' from the girls at the table.

The rest of the night passed in a flurry of dancing, jokes, and laughing amongst the group. Severus continued to surprise the students at the table by acting like a somewhat normal human being. It was only when he would glare or threaten detention that they were reminded he was their 'evil potions professor' instead. Before they knew it, the ball was ending, and everyone was slowly drifting out of the great hall and back to their rooms.

"Of that was so much fun!" Hermione exclaimed as kicked off her shoes and flopped onto the couch, her skirt fluffing up around her.

"It was…tolerable," Severus acquiesced as he hung up his tuxedo jacket, along with his tie and cummerbund.

"Oh come on, admit it, you had fun," Hermione turned so she was sitting on the couch facing him as he stood in front of her.

"No."

"A little fun?" Hermione stood up.

"No."

"A little bit of fun?" Hermione walked towards him, a devious smile on her face.

"Not a little bit."

"Not even a tiny…teensie…weensie…itty…bitty…bit…of fun?" She purred as she walked around him, trailing her hand suggestively over his shoulders and back, coming to a rest on his chest.

"Maybe..." Severus leaned forward and kissed her. "But I doubt it."

"Well you want to have some now?" Hermione leaned in and kissed him back, longer this time. Severus smirked and nodded, and kissed her more passionately this time, leaving her slightly breathless when he pulled back and looked her in the eyes.

"There's just one problem," Severus said as he wrapped his hands around her waist pulling her against him, his hands massaging her back through the fabric of the dress.

"Oh really?" Hermione smiled up at his as she began to slowly unbutton his shirt. "And what's that?"

Severus leaned in and lowered his lips to her shoulder, brushing several light kisses over her skin, raising goosebumps. While his hands began to pull out her hair combs and let down her hair, he nudged the side of her chin with his nose, placing kisses along the side of her neck. At the contact, Hermione's fingers dug into his hair and her arms tightened around his neck. Severus smiled against her skin as he nibbled and sucked at the place where her shoulder and neck met, then meticulously moved upward to find the space right underneath her ear, giving it due attention.

Pulling back a moment, he stopped to look at the beautiful creature in front of him. Smiling again, he teasingly leaned in to kiss her, but at the last minute dipped down and settled his lips on her collarbone, nibbling at the sensitive flesh. She let out a soft gasp, and Severus couldn't fight back a chuckle.

"So what's that problem you were talking about?" Hermione questioned as Severus easily picked her up and carried her into their bedroom, lowering her gently onto the bed with a tender kiss.

"You're not screaming my name yet," he murmured silkily, his hands reaching around her back to begin gently pulling on the zipper.

Hermione leaned up to meet his kiss eagerly, and her hands slid around the waistband of his pants, un-tucking his shirt. Slipping her hands inside the shirt, she clutched at the hard muscles his smooth soft skin covered. At the contact of her hands against his skin, he groaned into her mouth and deepened the kiss with his tongue. If everything had been surreal before, the feel and expertise of his tongue sent her over the edge. Blindly he lifted himself up a little, pulling her dress down her slim frame until she was able to kick it off. She made quick work of unbuttoning his shirt and pants and helping him tug them both off. With that done and their lips never breaking contact, he put his arms in and wrapped them around her mostly-naked torso, the contact adding to the already sensual kiss. His hands removed her undergarments before his fingers traced gently over every curve, every beauty mark, and every bit of soft silky skin.

Hermione moaned slightly at the feel of his warm muscled flesh against hers, and slid her hands down his chest. Reaching the waistband of his boxers, she slid her fingers teasingly around the inside of the band and back around his waist to his back. She continued the movement until the boxers were riding low on his waist, and she could feel the curve of his hips against her hands. Severus made quick work of also tugging them off, leaving them pressed against each other in a tender embrace. Pulling back a moment to catch her breath, she met his eyes, and was shocked by the passion and love she saw there.

"I love you Severus," Hermione said smiling shyly as his eyes roamed over her.

"I love you too, Hermione," he smiled at her, and leaned in for a kiss, surrendering to the passion, emotions, and love.

A/N: Okay, I'm gong to beg for reviews here- please let me know how I did with the love scene. I know it wasn't horribly lemony, but I don't think I could do something so precious and special, the justice it deserves. But that was my first love scene, so feedback would be appreciated! Next chapter up soon hopefully. It'll be Christmas with the Weasley's, and then it will be the wedding preparations, and then the wedding, and then an epilogue of sorts at the end of the last chapter to sort of tie things up. So…three more chapters to go I think and then my baby's done. Let's see if I can get up to 1000 reviews, okay?! Thanks!