Hey! Thanks for the reviews. In reply to all the nice things you guys said about me, here is an update! There's only one more chapter left in this part, but I'm going to end it a little more dramatically than the last one (If possible ;P) . I promise after chapter 10, I will get right to editing the second part. Thanks for reading!

Chapter Nine

We both sat meekly as Professor Dumbledore surveyed us like we were nothing more than juvenile delinquents. I kept my head bowed so I didn't have to meet his eyes. I wasn't often embarrassed, but I also wasn't often caught in a lie. The situation was miserable. Then I heard Hermione's plea. My head shot up and I softly slid my hand atop hers. Expecting her to hang her head in shame, I waited, but I suppose she figured, 'I'm on a mean streak in a hopeless situation, why stop now?'

"Who are you, who is anyone to take love away from anyone else?" She asked, nervously. "Please, Professor..."

Dumbledore gave nothing but a heavy, breathy sigh. There was a slight twinkle in his eye as he spoke. "And to think, I only popped over to see how the apprenticeship was going..."He chuckled.

"Albus..." I began. "Hermione and I both went into this relationship fully aware of the repercussions..."

"Yes, I've realized that..." He paused for a moment and I could hear a soft musical hum emanating from his nose. "I've never really been one to intervene in relationships.."

Hermione and I stole glances at each other. Maybe it wasn't over.

"But, Severus, take into consideration you are a Hogwarts Professor.." Began Dumbledore. "If this is found out, I will not cover for you, nor Hermione."

"We would never be so careless.." Hermione replied quietly. "Never."

Dumbledore nodded. "As for this meeting...it never occurred."

"What never occurred?" I asked, aware of what he was inferring. He then gave us one last all knowing glance and disapparated there on the spot. I sunk into the back of the sofa, overwhelmed with relief. I looked at Hermione and made about an inch of space between my middle and index fingers. "We were this close to losing it all."

She moved my fingers to make the space smaller. "And you were that close to getting my shirt off."

I paused for a moment, then we both shot up from the sofa and I chased her up the stairs, leaving Jake to fend for himself.

"Maybe..." I began, taking a bite of a carrot stick later on in the evening in a dimly lit kitchen, leaning on the island beside Hermione, who was doing the same. We were both dressed in pajamas, tiredness creeping up slowly on the two of us. It had been a long day. "In a day or two, you could tell your parents we have to go away to an undisclosed area for training for a week on your apprenticeship...Strictly Hogwarts business...or something of the sort.."

"Where would this undisclosed area be?" She asked, curiously.

"Ah." I said, smiling lightly, pointing a carrot in her direction, then taking a bite. "That's extremely confidential information, Miss Granger. " I told her teasingly.

"You know that I'm very impatient.." She whimpered. "You have to tell me."

"You'll just have to wait and see." I replied, kissing her cheek. "It's a secret."

She pouted and made a noise, one of defeat, and snatched another carrot stick. "I hate it when you're secretive."

"I hate it when you whine."

"I hate it that you hate it when I whine."

"Well, its actually rather adorable.." I grinned, and nudged her with my shoulder. "Just don't wear out the privilege of being irresistible."

"I'll try, Professor.." She teased. "Its so hard though. It comes so naturally."

I smiled, looking over to her. "I love you."

She took a rather loud bite of her carrot and gave a breathy, dramatic sigh. "I suppose I love you too..."

I snatched the bowl of carrot sticks away and shoved them into the fridge. "Well if loving me is such a chore, then don't eat my food."

"You know I love you, shut up." She replied, huffily. Then let a smile come that she'd been restraining for a few minutes. I smiled as well, for the way she smiled was very infectious.

"I better drive you home." I offered, grabbing my keys from off the top of the kitchen table. "Its 11:30."

"Is it really already that late?" She asked, suddenly sounding unhappy. "I don't want to leave."

"I don't want you to leave, but if you came home late, you most likely would not be able to come over and work on your apprenticeship any time soon." I explained, mildly joking. "Our time together is precious. We need to dot our 'i's and cross our 't's. Being home on time is a must, my love."

"Ah, I guess you're right.." She sighed. "I hate that you're always right." We shared a slightly distressed glance and then adjourned to my car.

The part where I had to drive her wasn't so bad, the problem began when we had to leave one another. I parked a few houses down from hers and sighed, looking at her with a brave smile even though it was a very sad business, saying goodbye to the one you love more than any other.

"You're sure you want me to go?" She asked, running her fingers through my hair.

I paused, then nodded. "You have to."

"Yeah..yeah..You're right.." She chewed on her bottom lip, taking back her hand to place it on her lap. "Do I get a goodnight kiss?"

"Don't you always?" I replied.

She laughed quietly as we leaned into each other and exchanged a delicate good night kiss. "Goodnight.." She murmured afterward.

"Sweet dreams." I responded, caressing her cheek lightly. "Away with you." I said drawing my hand back and motioning her away. "Before I begin to miss you too terribly." I had already begun to. There was no stopping my need for her to be close to me.

She smiled, and pushed the door open. "I'l come by tomorrow." She said, swinging one leg out.

"Why don't you just give me a ring and I could come by and pick you up?" I offered. "We could have lunch."

"Sounds lovely...Except..Well, I don't have your number."

I laughed at my mistake and took a pen and scribbled it onto the palm of her hand. "..32...4976...There." I said, capping the pen. "Just call whenever you feel the need to."

"I surely will.." She smiled. "And I'll talk to my parents about being able to go to the undisclosed area apprenticeship..."

I winked at her. "Goodnight, Hermione."

"Goodnight, Severus." And with that, she looked at me once more, and gave a sad smile, and began the down the walk to her parents flat.

I watched her until she was safely in her house, and then letting a sigh go, I began back towards home. I parked in the drive and turned off the car, hands still tight on the steering wheel. I tapped my head against the wheel softly a few times, chuckling to myself.

She just had something about her...

I walked up my porch and into the house to be greeted by Jake, practically in shambles from the goodnight kiss mixed with the days events. I set my keys back on the kitchen table as I always did upon walking in. I walked into my living room and slumped onto the sofa, running my hands down my face. It had certainly been a day. And there I fell asleep only to anticipate the next day when I'd go out early and buy the tickets.

Yes, the tickets for Hermione and my's vacation in France.