Hermione was in no particular hurry to go to breakfast the next morning. As it was Saturday, she slept in as late as possible. While she was excited to see her parents, she dreaded the visit. How does one explain that she is marrying her Professor to her parents? The whole ordeal flummoxed her terribly. So much had happened to her in one day, it was a lot to take in.

Hermione arrived at breakfast shortly before the owl post. She received two letters, both from school owls. Looking to the head table, she noticed Snape had a received one as well. Opening the first letter, she read:

Dear Miss Granger,

Given the current state of affairs, it is up to you to announce the special event to those you wish to be invited. The date is set for next Saturday at three PM. I will contact you with further details as they become available. I wish you the best of luck.

Sincerely,

Headmaster A. Dumbledore

Hermione sighed in relief. Glancing toward her fiancé, she briefly caught his eye. He nodded his acknowledgement whilst continuing his conversation with Professor McGonagall. No doubt she was still chastising him by the look on his face. Hermione was about to return to her meal when she remembered the other letter. Upon opening it, she immediately recognized Snape's handwriting.

Meet me near the main entrance at quarter to six. Be timely!

Hermione frowned slightly. Snape seemed stern even in a simple note. A mildly unsettling thought occurred to her just then. What if he was like that when they were married? Would he just push her to the side? Would he abuse her somehow? A flurry of thoughts ran through Hermione's head, and none of them were exactly pleasant. However, before those thoughts became too depressing, the logical part of her brain kicked in. Dumbledore trusted Snape. There was no reason she should not trust him. Snape may be a private man who had a temper, but he had shown no violence toward her. She sighed and pushed her food listlessly around her plate.

Ron seemed to notice how downtrodden his friend was because he moved closer to her. Hitting her lightly on the shoulder, he asked, "Oy, 'Mione, what's wrong?"

Pulled from her reverie, she responded, "Huh? Oh, Ron, it's nothing."

"Thinking about Harry again?" They were both still worried about their comatose friend.

"A little bit, yeah. But it's everything, I guess." In truth, it was. She realized the thought of not having Harry present for her wedding was wrong. She did not like it one bit. Well, she did not really like much of anything that was happening to her of late. True, Snape had been supportive of the whole idea of marriage, but it was not how she imagined it would happen. Not that Hermione had planned the whole event in her head. She had not. She just thought it would be different. Realizing she had distracted herself again, Hermione added, "Nothing's the same anymore, Ron."

"Yeah, I know. It's really not all bad, is it? I mean, Voldemort's gone and all. I miss Harry though. I feel weird without him, you know?"

"I know, Ron. I know." She glanced at Snape again. From an observer's perspective, there was more than a subtle change in him. He looked tired, worn out, sort of vulnerable. The once frightening professor looked more human, Hermione realized. It was as if he was allowing himself to show weakness. Ron seemed to notice too.

"You know, Snape's not such a bastard anymore. Well, he is, but not so much as he used to be. It's kind of creepy. He doesn't even yell at Neville like he used to. It's like," Ron paused to think about how to phrase it, "Well, it's like he's someone else sort of."

Hermione looked at her friend. "I think you're right, Ron. Perhaps, in his own way, Snape is trying to make a more normal life for himself, a life where he isn't under constant threat of death or worse. Maybe we're getting a glimpse of who he really is . . ."

"Weird," Ron said as he thought about it. He and Hermione finished their breakfast in silence. Each was lost in their respective thoughts. Once finished, they made their way back to the Gryffindor common room. Hermione agreed to play a few games of chess, which she lost. She was glad to have the company and the distraction. It kept her from thinking about telling her parents about the wedding.

(insert break here)

That evening, Hermione was so prompt for her meeting with Snape that she was the first to arrive. Since it was February, she was wearing her heaviest cloak. The nights were cold. Underneath her cloak, she wore one of her nicer muggle outfits. She did not expect the same from Snape, but he had surprised her of late. She really was not sure what to expect from him anymore.

"Miss Granger, at least you have the decency to be on time."

"Good evening to you too, Professor." His eyes half-smiled, half-glared in response. It was slightly unsettling to Hermione.

"Shall we get this over with then?"

"Certainly, sir." He proceeded to offer her his arm. Hermione sighed inwardly. He was making an attempt, and a good one at that. In a way, it made things a bit easier for Hermione. She figured his original vindictiveness was in case there were a few stragglers around to witness the scene, unlikely as that was. Dinner would be in full swing by that time. The absence of the two would likely be noted, but they were on a mission of greater importance, as it would affect their future together.

They walked silently until they were outside the Hogwarts' anti-apparating wards. Snape stopped and turned to Hermione.

"Would you like to apparate us to your parents or shall I?

"You know where my parents live?"

"A good spy knows many things. Besides, someone had to keep an eye on them, through all the madness," he responded.

"I see."

"Good. Now, me or you?"

"Well, it would be the gentlemanly thing to do . . ." She had not finished the thought when, just like that, they were standing in front of the Granger's home. Hermione smiled at Snape. "Guess you do know where you're going." She knocked on the door. "Ready?"

"Never," he replied as the door opened.

"Hermione, dear, how good to see you! I must admit, this is quite a surprise, despite your letter." Hermione's mother pulled her daughter into a hug. "Your father and I didn't expect a visit while you were away at school. Do come in, both of you."

Hermione smiled at Snape who ushered her through the door in front of him. He followed as he was led into the foyer. The Granger's home was not large by any means, but it was roomy. Oddly, Snape felt a bit at home, but he could not put his finger on exactly why.

"Let me take your cloaks."

Hermione quickly handed hers over, as did Snape. She noticed he was wearing muggle clothing. She was quite grateful for that. Although he did not appear totally comfortable, he did look nice. Snape was wearing khakis and a sweater. What took Hermione by surprise was the fact he was wearing colors other than black. She mouthed a quick "thank you" to him before making introductions.

"Mum, this is Professor Severus Snape. Severus, this is my mother, Angelina."

"It's wonderful to meet you, Professor," Angelina replied. "Hermione's mentioned you in some her letters. It's nice to put a face to a name."

Snape felt moderately embarrassed by the formality and the fact Hermione had mentioned him. He wondered what she had written about him. Not wishing to dwell on the thought, he politely replied, "Please, call me Severus. I am honored to meet you, Angelina. You've raised a wonderful daughter." Severus could have sworn he saw a slight blush creep into both ladies' cheeks.

"Where's Dad?" Hermione asked attempting to hide her amazement at the Professor's sudden affability.

"I'm afraid I forgot something and needed to send him on a quick errand to the store. Everything was so last minute you realize. He should be back shortly. Please, make yourselves comfortable. Is there anything I can get you before dinner?"

"No, thank you," Severus responded.

"No thanks, Mum."

"Hermione, why don't the two of you wait in the living room? I have to check on dinner." Giving her daughter another hug, she said, "It's so good of you to visit. We missed you at Christmas."

Hermione returned the hug and replied, "I missed you too. Thanks for understanding."

"Certainly, dear. Now go get comfortable. I'll be with you in a minute." Angelina Granger ushered her daughter and guest into the other room.

Hermione and Severus settled themselves on the couch: not too close, but not so far apart as to create suspicion.

"Severus, you look nice."

He allowed himself a small smile. "Thank you. I thought a change of wardrobe would be in order for this occasion."

Hermione chuckled. "Your timing could not have been better. Besides, it's a treat to see you wearing actual colors," she added jokingly.

"Black is a color," he stated matter-of-factly, some of his coldness returning.

"Puh-leaze! That sweater, a very nice Slytherin green I might add, is a color. Your trousers, tan, a color. What you wear at school, black, is lacking in the color department. Nope, first things first, we are getting you a new wardrobe."

Severus snorted in displeasure. "If you so much as think about it, I'll hex you to oblivion," he whole-heartedly threatened.

"I'd like to see you try."

Dropping his voice to a menacing level that reminded Hermione just how good he was at intimidation tactics, Severus retorted, "Is that a challenge?" What followed was a staring match that ended when Hermione's father arrived home.

"You lose!" she said, slapping his arm lightly.

"Ow! That was completely unfair, Miss Granger. Detention . . . for a month!"

"You can't do that!" His response was to happily smirk at her in a way that made her want to pummel him and kiss him senseless at the same time. 'Where did that come from?' she asked herself. Not wishing to push the matter further, Hermione got up to meet her father. "Hi, Dad!" She gave him a big hug that, oddly, made Severus minutely jealous. He quickly shoved the feeling aside.

"'Mione, I'm so glad to see you. Your mother and I were elated to get your letter yesterday. It's so good to have you home, even if it is just for dinner," he responded, returning the hug.

Detaching herself from her father, Hermione made introductions again. "Dad, I'd like you to meet Professor Severus Snape. Severus, this is my father, Dr. David Granger." The two cordially shook hands.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, David. You've raised an amazing daughter." Hermione was amazed by how quickly he could switch between vicious professor and polite fiancé when pressed to it.

"Thank you, Severus. Although, I dare say she's had some professors that have had a hand in that raising, as well."

Severus smiled wryly. "I'm afraid I can't take much credit for that. I'm the one with a reputation of being cruel and heartless."

Not appreciating his self-deprecation, Hermione quickly jumped into the conversation. "That may be true, but you teach to build character. No pain, no gain. Besides, after your class, I dare say we can get through anything."

He quietly responded, "I believe you already have." Hermione smiled knowingly. The next four months would be difficult, but the war she had survived was likely the worst experience she would ever face.

"I hope you don't mind me breaking up the conversation," Angelina interrupted, "but dinner is nearly ready." They moved into the dining room where Severus and Hermione seated themselves opposite each other, David and Angelina doing the same. They made light conversation over dinner and dessert. On occasion, Hermione would glance at Severus and realize she could not tell if his sincerity was real or not. If not, she was sure her parents would not know the difference. In all honesty, she thought he was actually making an effort.

By the end of dinner, Hermione's nerves kicked in. She wondered if he was feeling the same. However, Severus appeared quite calm on the outside. No doubt his work as a spy would help him keep an appearance of placidity in situations such as these. Looking to Severus, she knew it was time to do what she had been dreading. "Mum, Dad, there's something I, uh, we, need to tell you," Hermione started nervously.

End Part 4