Poppy had decided it would be alright for Severus to take Hermione back to his rooms, only after he had promised to bring her back down the next day for a proper check-up. After they had both given their consent to that, they started the long trek back to the dungeons. Severus had a sneaking suspicion that if it wasn't for Poppy's awkward feelings toward them she would have never allowed him to take Hermione away. Nevertheless he was happy she did. They took their time, and Severus remembered a situation that they had been in not to long ago, similar to this one. He had at that time admired Hermione's boldness, now he admired everything about her. He saw her as so many things, but all in all she could be summed up in a short sentence. She was a slender, frail creature with wondering eyes and a soft fluttery voice. Finally they made it to his rooms, and he chanced a quick glance at her before saying the password. Unfortunately that quick glance turned into a longing stare from both of them. Finally Hermione could no longer support herself and had to urge Severus to open the door.

They danced that night…

"Mr. Malfoy, what a surprise." Madame Pomfrey said as she saw Draco walk through the doors.

"Good day Madame Pomfrey. I was just wondering if I could speak with Miss Granger for a moment." He said putting on the charm.

"Oh I'm sorry to say she and Professor Snape have already left." She said, "Just about twenty minutes ago."

"Oh." He said his hopes deflating, "I keep on missing them. I guess I'll be off then."

"Goodbye Mr. Malfoy." Draco began to walk away until something caught his mind.

"Um, Madame Pomfrey, do you mind telling me exactly why they were here." He asked. Poppy who was not usually all that perceptive couldn't help but feel he was tryin to trick her.

"No I'm sorry Draco, that information is highly confidential." She answered turning around to walk away. "Although," she said stopping, "They were quite…comfortable with each other. Good day Mr. Malfoy." With that she entered her office and shut the door. It wasn't in Poppy's nature to keep such a secret to herself. So no one could really blame her for letting it slip. Besides, in that school he would have known before the day was out.

Her last words had left a few questions floating around in Draco's head. What could she possibly mean by that? He shrugged and left the hospital wing. He was too tired to think about it, and he had to teach the next day. He would have plenty of time to think about it later.

When they had first entered the sitting room Hermione placed herself on the couch while Severus made up some tea. As they sipped in peaceful silence they listened to an old record player that Severus had magicked to work inside the castle walls.

"Severus." Hermione said after finishing her tea.

"Hm." He answered.

"Dance with me."

"Hermione, you know you can't dance. You can barely stand."

"I can do it if you hold me." She whispered. It took him only a second to acquiesce to her request. He stood up and placed himself in front of her. He extended his hand, and she gracefully placed hers upon it. With ease he pulled her up into his arms. He almost wept, when he felt just how frail she was beneath her clothing, but he would not. For tonight was her night. Tomorrow would be the time for questions, but now she wanted to dance.

He held her close, and with his arms wrapped around her waist he supported her. She had placed her arms tentatively around his neck, and rested her head on his shoulder as they swayed slowly with the old jazz and blues beat. It was hard for her to keep her head in that place, because she found it rather difficult to stop looking at him. In her eyes he was tall, slender, and dark with his long black hair that curled at the nape of his neck, and his deep brown eyes. His nose, although a prominent feature, no longer seemed so imposing. Now it came off rather aristocratic, so to speak. His shoulders were broad and square, and even though he did not yet belong to her, Hermione was proud of him. Proud of his intelligence. She was surprised that she had not seen before, just how similar they were to one another. It really wasn't too much of a shock that they should be with each other. For there were no better two, fit to be together then they were. She felt his chest expand as he breathed in deeply.

He placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head, and then he closed his eyes. He allowed that moment to seep into his every pore. Never would he forget it, even if he wished to. That memory would last him forever, and he took joy in that. It was still just so hard for him to believe that this…beautiful, young woman was in his arms and she wasn't pushing him away. She was willing to let him hold her, she was willing to let him kiss her. if anyone had told him a few years ago, that he would be there holding Hermione Granger in his arms, and loving every minute of it, he would have thought them to be insane. Yet there he was doing just that. They danced for a few more hours after that before Hermione's weariness got the best of her.

"Will you stay with me tonight?" Severus asked her. He didn't mean to imply anything by the question, he just simply wanted her there, next to him. Before he could open his mouth to explain this she nodded her head. He knew that she understood what he meant.

"Let me just get changed and I will join you in a moment." With that he helped Hermione walk slowly into the bathroom, with a bundle of clothing, and shut the door behind her.

Severus immediately went into his room and removed his layers of robes until he was down to his black fitted pants and his white blouse shirt. A few minutes later Hermione came out of the bathroom in her pajamas. A white tank top and loose black pants that were made of fleece. They were her favorite, most comfortable pajama pants, and she was almost sure Severus would love them for the color. He had been sitting on the edge of his bed facing the window. He rubbed his neck, and winced a bit from the pain. Quickly and quietly Hermione crawled up onto the bed and situated herself behind him. Starting from his waist and moving upward, she began massaging for him. Surprised by her hands on his back he jumped and it made Hermione smile.

"Don't be startled," She whispered into his ear, "it's only me dear heart."

He turned his head to the side a bit when she said that. She had called him dear heart. She moved her small hands on up his back and he eased into her touch. She loved the feel of his skin on her hands. Just to touch him was like a dream come true. It wasn't until that moment that she realized just how much she had longed to touch him in that way. With love. When she had gotten up to his neck and had deemed herself finished, she slid her hands down Severus' front and hugged him from behind. She rested her tired head on his shoulder, and smiled to herself. He turned, slowly, as not to startle her, and took her hands into his. He leaned close to her face, which looked the picture of innocence. Her eyes were wide with wonderment, and her lips full and pouty as they always were.

"I love you Hermione Jane Granger." He whispered to her.

Her eyes fluttered closed as he said this, and she knew it was for real, because she felt her heart flutter as well. Words were lost to her in that moment, and she found herself to be in fear. She had never been at a loss for words before. There was something she was supposed to say, but she couldn't remember. His last statement had driven every sane thought from her head. Only one word came to mind, and she said it before she had time to think about it.

"Ditto." He smiled at her response, then he grabbed her chin and kissed her nose. "Where are you going?" Hermione asked as Severus began to rise from the bed.

"I'm going to take a shower." He answered, "Just make yourself comfortable. I'll be out soon."

Hermione nodded and he kissed her again, this time on the lips, before he went into the bathroom. After he had shut the door behind him she pulled back the comforter, and sheets on the bed. She felt cold and the warmth of the blankets was inviting. She curled up under them and before her head had hit the pillow she fell asleep.

That was how he found her. Curled up in a little ball under the covers. His covers, on his bed. How odd was fate that he should find himself here with her. He watched her for awhile before he himself climbed under the covers.

"Knox." He said turning out the lights. He inched as close to her as possible and wrapped his arm around her. She, in her sleepy way, did the same. She slid her arm up and around his, and just as they had before, they held each other.

"Ditto," He whispered laughing to himself. What a word. He closed his eyes and fell asleep with a smile on his face. He had never slept better.