A/N: This is kind of a weird chapter covering basically a list of things I wanted to get in, so just deal with me. I'm never good with endings, so tell me how I do as well. Epilogue on the way!

Hermione awoke snuggled very closely to a pleasantly warm body. She did not like the idea of separating from him, but she really had to go to the bathroom. Sighing in resignation, she removed herself as gingerly as possible so as not to wake her slumbering husband. She was not entirely successful as she could make out a disappointed, but still sleeping mumble from next to her. Content that he was still mostly asleep, she trod to the bathroom to do her business. Returning several minutes later, she found Severus rolled onto his other side, hugging his pillow tightly, presumably in her absence. She lay down next to him, wrapping her top arm over his body, and whispering in his ear.

"Severus, I have a surprise for you if you wake up." He shifted slightly and mumbled something unintelligible. A bit more loudly, she said, "Sevviekins, I just blew up your best cauldron and ruined your best robes." This time he moved, forcing her onto her back.

Turning to face her, still slightly groggy, he asked, "Did you just call me 'Sevviekins?'"

Hermione giggled. "Sorry."

"And you didn't actually blow up my best cauldron or ruin my best robes did you?"

"Nope," she responded easily.

He smiled mischievously as he turned to completely face her. Tickling her, he said, "I ought to punish you for your cheek! I don't suppose you could think of a proper punishment, hmm?" She whispered in his ear again, making his smile grow. "Now that suggestion, my dear, is not befitting a lady. However, it's certainly worth trying," he added before rolling onto his back and pulling her on top of him. He kissed her passionately responding to her fervor. After several minutes, he pulled apart, looking her in the eye. "Are you sure you want this?"

Sensibly, she replied, "Severus, you're my husband. I'm your wife. It's perfectly normal for married couples to do this sort of thing. That is, unless you're having doubts?" A slight hint of worry crept into her voice toward the end of the question.

He responded seriously, "Never, Hermione, never."

Giving him her one of a kind smile, she said, "I love you, Severus. I just wanted you to know. I don't really tell you, and I should, especially since you tell me all the time. So, I love you, Severus Snape."

He smiled contently. "And I love you, Hermione Snape." She initiated another passionate kiss between the two of them, this time neither questioning their desire as they gave in to the throes of passion.

: P

It was obvious to everyone that evening at dinner that Severus Snape was happy, honestly and truly happy. He was smiling. Ron and Harry looked at Hermione accusingly, but she just shrugged them off saying, "You don't need to know, nor do you want to know. Trust me." Of course, it was obvious that Hermione was the happiest she had been since losing her child. Many speculated that it had something to do with Pansy Parkinson since word got around quickly that the pair had visited Hermione's assailant.

At the head table, Severus leaned over toward Dumbledore. "I wish to have a word with you after dinner."

McGonagall was eyeing them curiously, but learned nothing because Dumbledore merely nodded his acquiescence. Severus noticed this, but said nothing about it knowing it would only get to her more. Part of him still enjoyed annoying McGonagall to no end.

Dinner passed without any further incident. One by one the Great Hall began to clear out. As the last of the students were leaving, Dumbledore took it as a sign to leave, Severus in tow. "Lemon Drops," he announced to the Gargoyle, which then opened the staircase to his office. He settled behind his desk, Severus seated across from him. "I trust you've come to a decision then?" the headmaster inquired.

"I have. I briefly discussed it with Hermione, and we both agreed that it would be best if I took you up on your offer."

Happily, Dumbledore responded, "Excellent, Severus my boy. This is certainly more good news on top of everything else. Minerva will be thrilled when she hears."

"And when are you going to tell her, Albus? Isn't it a bit inappropriate not having told her already?"

Dumbledore sighed. "I've been putting it off, I admit. Though I doubt she will be surprised, I am unsure how she will feel about it. But that's a worry for later this evening. There is something else I would like to discuss with you this evening, and that is what is to happen with Miss Parkinson."

"What does the Ministry wish to do with her? Surely not Azkaban?" he asked, not believing for a minute they would consider putting the poor child into Hell for the rest of her life.

"No, certainly not. She is just as much a victim of Lucius Malfoy's intrigues as the rest of us. Remus tells me they are unsure what to do with her, but I believe we have come up with a solution, temporary though it may be," Dumbledore informed Severus, letting the younger man come to the same conclusion he had.

Thinking for a moment, Severus replied, "She could enroll at Hogwarts next year, finish her schooling, I suppose."

"Quite, Severus. Remus believes it would be possible to allow her to do so, assuming she was under a watchful eye of course."

Severus sighed. "Damned Ministry. Parkinson is no longer dangerous. Albus, I saw the regret and pain in her eyes when Hermione and I were talking to her. She was relieved when we told her that she or her child would come to harm. She knows working for Lucius was a bad idea, which is why she would never dare do it again. It would only cause her more pain and grief, especially now that their alliance is known."

"That is why I wish to place her in the care of someone under Hogwarts' own roof."

"Who? I assume it's not myself."

"It is someone close to you, though."

Severus thought for a moment, once again considering the headmaster's words. "Draco? Are you sure it's a good idea. He's angry enough with his father without you throwing Parkinson into the mix."

Dumbledore looked knowingly at Severus. "But if you talked to young mister Malfoy, he would likely come to agree with our assessment."

"Very well. I will speak to him immediately, but I make no promises."

"No need, Severus. And thank you."

Severus grunted in response and left quickly, wishing to find Draco before the night got away from him. As he left, Minerva was coming to see Dumbledore. They said an all too brief greeting to each other in passing, before going about their business.

: P

"I don't know about this. I mean, it's asking a lot." Draco was pacing the Snape's private quarters. His godfather had just sprung a strange and difficult proposition on him. "This would, of course, require me to spend time with someone who's carrying my father's child. I mean, this is my half-sibling you're talking about. I don't know if I can do it. Just the reminder of my father's treachery is enough to send me over the edge right now. And you want me to do it full time for a year!"

Severus just watched the young man pace. He felt for him, he really did, but having Parkinson someplace where he could keep an eye on her had its own appeal. "I realize this, Draco, but Dumbledore seems convinced you're the one for the job. I know you have plans of your own, but I'm only asking you to put them aside for one year."

"Are you sure it's you that's asking?" Draco asked slightly miffed, sitting heavily in an armchair.

"If it makes you feel better, then yes."

"What's in it for you, Severus?" he inquired, taking on an air of accusation knowing full well his godfather was probably manipulating him to agree.

Severus sighed. He considered his motivation for a moment. "Draco, I assure you I would not ask if I did not think it was worthwhile. We're getting a golden opportunity here to destroy your father's last line of defense. As odd as it sounds that he would place that with Pansy Parkinson, it's just the type of thing he would do."

"The last place you'd look," he said resignedly.

"Exactly. We can reform her because it's something she wants."

"How do you know? She could have been playing you like she did me." She had burned him once to get to Hermione, and he was damned if he would let her do it again.

Severus smiled viscously at the recollection of the look on Parkinson's face during their meeting. "Hermione put the fear of God and Merlin in her, Draco." Noting the look of confusion, he elaborated. "Pansy has no interest in experiencing what she's caused Hermione to endure. Besides, she knows she'd be safe here in the event of something or someone ever coming to look for her."

"Fine, I'll think about it, but I make no guarantees." Draco excused himself and went to bed. He had a full day between studying and now this talk with his godfather. If the responsibility of NEWTs was not enough already, he had to worry about Pansy Parkinson intruding on his life again.

: P

In its usual flurry of activity, stress, and excitement, the final week of classes passed quickly, especially for the seventh years. Severus endured several near sleepless nights between calming Hermione's worries and dealing with his own. Life was hectic for one week, but it would be worth it come the end. As the students neared the end of the week and the end of exams, they became more and more excited for the leaving feast. It was with a similar line of thinking that Severus found his quiet haven forcefully ruined.

"Severus," Hermione bounded into their bedroom Thursday evening, "I've got good news!"

"You must," he groaned at her bubbly attitude that only made his headache worse. "I wouldn't expect you to be this happy if something wonderful had not happened."

She smiled winningly at him. "Guess who's just been accepted into Edinburgh University's wizarding program for Potions?"

He sat up from his prone position, and asked jokingly, "Longbottom? How much of his application did you have to forge to get him in?" She shook her head and rolled her eyes. Returning the smile she gave him earlier he said, "Congratulations, love. I knew you'd get in." Pulling her closer to him, he kissed her firmly.

She pushed him back and asked, "Severus, would you dance with me at the feast tomorrow?"

He looked at her as if to say she was daft for asking. "And why wouldn't I dance with my beautiful wife?"

"I dunno," she said, worrying her bottom lip. "I guess I just thought you'd go all stuffy professor on me."

"Hermione," he replied seriously, pulling her down to the bed and resting his forward against hers, "I would never do that to you. Besides, it's not every year I get asked by the most beautiful girl in school for a dance." He considered it seriously for a moment before adding jokingly, "In fact, I think it's the only time the most beautiful girl in school has asked to dance with me."

Hermione could not help laughing at the grin on his face that came with the thought. The response was so earnest that she almost felt sorry for him though. Pulling him closer, she stated, "I'm honored to dance with you, Severus." They wrapped themselves together, giving in to their urges, more than content to have each other.

: P

Friday came and went as quickly as every other day in the week. However, it was a day of mixed emotions. For the seventh years that would be graduating the next day, it was difficult to even consider they would not be returning to Hogwarts in the fall. For the rest of the students, the excitement of another year passed came to a head as their last big event of the year loomed closer with each passing minute.

Once all the students were assembled in the Great Hall, Dumbledore, as usual, started by awarding the final house points and declaring the winner of the house cup. However, his speech soon turned to a different topic once the usual business was finished.

"It is an exciting but poignant time for me," he began. "Today I announce the end of my term as headmaster of Hogwarts as I pass that duty on to Professor McGonagall." There was applause for the headmaster at the announcement. "And I am also pleased to announce that Professor Snape will be stepping into the role of deputy headmaster." This brought on clapping and whooping from the Slytherins but also a few Gryffindors and a select few from the other houses. "Finally, I would just like to say that it has been an honor to have taught all of you, and been so involved with this wonderful school. Thank you to everyone." Those closest to him knew he kept it short because he was on the verge of tears. As soon as Dumbledore sat down the feast began.

General chatter filled the Great Hall as everyone ate. It was marked by the occasional lull as people ate, but the excitement level meant that there was a steady hum filling the air. When students began to finish, the tables were cleared and music filled the hall. Severus and Hermione did not take long in finding each other. Ginny and Harry were one of the first couples to begin dancing, and Ron even managed to talk Neville into showing Luna his skills, which really amounted in Neville having two left feet out of embarrassment. However, he took it good-naturedly. From the sidelines, Hermione looked at her husband. She noticed how truly happy he looked, even surrounded by a gaggle of students. Taking his hand, she walked him over to where Dumbledore and McGonagall were reminiscing about their many years at the school.

"Professor Dumbledore, thank you for all you've done," Hermione said, shaking his hand.

He stood up and gave her a hug. "And I must thank you for all you've done, Hermione. I must say that anyone who could make Severus as happy as he appears must be a saint."

She turned a bit red. "Well, I don't know about that."

McGonagall added, "You can't say that the change in his disposition came from him."

"Minerva!" Severus replied incredulously. "I'd expect much better for your deputy head."

"You're still just the Potions Master, Severus. We'll talk more about this supposed deputy headship after graduation," she said with a wink.

Severus glared briefly before smiling a bit. He looked around him and noticed that Draco was sulking a bit in one of the corners. "Excuse me a minute," he said. Leaving Hermione to chat with Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall, he walked to his godson. "You're doing a wonderful impression of me, Draco," he said smoothly.

Draco did not laugh at the joke, but sighed heavily. "I hope you realize what you've bound me to."

Sincerely, Severus answered, "I would not have asked you if I thought you would fail."

"Perhaps you think too much of me then. I'm not you, Severus!" Draco exclaimed.

"Nor would I expect you to be. But you are not your father either, and that means you have the ability to forgive as well as the ability for compassion."

Draco scoffed loudly in indignation.

"If you don't believe me, then look at how far you have come since your first year here. No one then would have thought you and Potter would be friends. It seems to me that you two are nearly as close as he and Weasley these days. And I must say, your ability to overcome the overwhelming odds is a strength that will help you in the next year." He was quiet for several moments.

"Your speeches suck, you realize?" Draco asked, a hint of a joke in the statement.

Severus chuckled. "I quite agree, but I'm not one for motivational speeches when it comes to it. I tend to leave those to my wife."

"Good thing too, or we'd all be scared so shitless we'd be useless."

"Quite." He looked at the young man and put a hand out too him.

Draco took it. "Thanks." In that one word, Severus knew Draco was referring to more than convincing him to watch over Parkinson in the next year. It was for helping keep him safe from the Death Eaters and his father, for supplying him with the means to survive and providing a home when he desperately needed it.

Nodding toward the group that was surrounding Professor Dumbledore, Severus said, "If you'll excuse me, I must request a dance with the most beautiful girl in the school." He began to walk away.

Draco followed him and said playfully, "You better be careful. Hermione get jealous of Professor McGonagall."

"For that I ought to hug you again. But as it would ruin my bad boy image, I think I'll skip it." Draco merely laughed. As they sidled up to the group, Severus snuck around back of Hermione and embraced her. "May I have this dance?" he whispered in her ear. Turning her to face him, he took her hand and led her to the dance floor.

A space cleared as everyone watched the unlikely pair dance gracefully around the floor. No one questioned them or laughed as they took over the floor, just looked on with a growing respect for what they shared because what they had was truly something special: unending love and undying respect.

The End