Disclaimer: I don't own anything, though I wish I did. The Characters, Location, and everything belong to JK Rowling.

Author's Note: This is not compliant with HBP. I love the book, but it makes Hermione/Snape romances too hard to write, and I don't like challenges that great.

A Lesson on Life and Love

Chapter Five

Half an hour later, Hermione had finished her essay, but still Severus was not back with food. Hermione decided to investigate what was going on. The sight in the kitchen brought a smile to Hermione's face.

William had evidently found the flour because he was covered with it. And Severus had a red sauce all over his robes.

Severus turned around and tried to glare at Hermione. "Not a word from you, Missy."

"Spaghetti, my favorite. What happened to leftovers, though?"

"Well, you had such a hard day that I wanted to do something for you. Besides, we had leftovers yesterday."

Hermione walked towards Severus with a look on her face that confused Severus. She put her hands on his shoulders and stood on her toes to reach up to hiss him.

At that, Severus pulled away from her. "Hermione, what are you doing?"

"Come on, Severus. Every other couple is shagging, the least you could do is kiss me."

Severus frowned at Hermione, before taking a step closer. "Are you sure about this?"

"I have never been surer about anything in my whole life." Hermione said closing the distance between them.

Severus lowered his head and lightly kissed her on the lips before deepening the kiss.

Two minutes later, the happy couple was interrupted by William, who had burst out crying. Severus bent down and picked up Will while Hermione tasted the sauce. She frowned and started adding salt.

"Hermione, what are you doing?" Severus said upon seeing Hermione tinkering with the sauce.

"Severus, if you would just put Will in his highchair and set the table, I will have this sauce fixed."

"Did you finish you essay?"

"Yes."

"Then fine, I will set the table, but you need to remove your things."

"Severus, you know where my bag is, just put my things away."

"You are lucky I'm in a good mood today."

"I know, dear."

That night after diner, Hermione picked up William and walked over to where Severus was seated. "Severus, I know how you have a lot of essays to finish correcting, so I am just going to take Will for a walk."

"Don't be gone for long, dear."

"I will be back in about an hour."

Severus got up and kissed Hermione on the cheek. "That's fine, dear. Have a good time."

Hermione had decided that she would try and mend her friendship with Ron and Harry. She hurried to Harry and Ginny's quarters first. Ginny answered the knock and gave Hermione a big hug.

"Harry," Ginny called, "Hermione and William are here."

"Hermione? William? I don't believe I know anyone by those names." Harry replied.

When Hermione heard that, her face dropped a mile. She tried to smile. "It's okay, Ginny. I…I understand. I suppose Ron feels the same way?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry Hermione, but I really have to be going. James is crying and Harry is absolutely useless when it comes to babies."

"It's fine. I have to be going, too."

Hermione spent the next hour wandering the castle, lost in thought. If anyone had spotted her, they would have seen a woman desperately clutching her baby while tears poured down her face. Luckily, no one saw her.

When Hermione stumbled back into her living quarters, her eyes where red and she had white blotches all over her face.

Severus had just finished grading and packing up the essays when Hermione came in. He turned and was started ad the sight that greeted him. "Hermione, what happened? Obviously it involves Weasley and Potter, but what did they do?" Severus pulled her into his arms and led her to the couch. He put William on the floor where some of his toys were.

"Oh, Severus, I feel so stupid. I wanted to clear things up with Harry and Ron so I went over to Harry and Ginny's quarters. When Ginny told Harry I was there he said he didn't know me. I feel so stupid. Why did I think things would get any better?"

"Hermione, it is in everyone's nature to want to feel better. Friends are people who make us feel better. I think you seriously need to evaluate you friendship with Weasley and Potter. If they were really your friends they wouldn't be carrying on in this immature way, but they would support you."

"I know. It's just every time I try to, I remember all the fun things we did together and I want it back again."

Severus sighed in a sad sort of way. "I think a hot bath will make you feel better. You stay here while I go run your water. While you're taking your bath, I will put Will to bed. Okay, darling? Just stay here."

"Okay, Sev." Hermione sat back against the couch and waited for Severus to come back, tears no longer flowing down her cheeks.

Ten minutes later, Severus came back. "Hermione, your bath is ready. I put a nightgown out for you in the bathroom, so just go right in."

"Thanks, Sev. Thanks for everything that you have done for me today."

"Anytime, darling."

Hermione gasped when she went into the bathroom. He had enchanted relaxing music to play and had candles burning to the right light. He had put lavender scents in the bathtub and placed her favorite book to hover just above her head, turning pages at the nod of her head.

Hermione read her book for an hour before deciding to get out. She got out of the bath feeling much more relaxed then when she had gotten in.

When she entered the bedroom, she discovered William was asleep in his crib and Severus was reading a book. He looked up as she came in and smiled. "Feeling better, dear?"

"Much, thanks. Oh, Severus, you are too good to me. I don't deserve it."

"Of course you do. You put up with me, don't you? Come now, dear, let's go to sleep."

Hermione crawled into bed and snuggled up to Severus, sighing contentedly when he wrapped his arms around her. She fell asleep almost immediately, being carried away to a land where everything was better.

Severus looked down at Hermione and smiled. He thought to himself, 'If we keep going at this speed, I am going to have to ask her to marry me be Christmas time. Not that it would be bad. As a matter of fact, life with Hermione might be just what I have waited for. And I do believe that I am beginning to love her…' And Severus continued to think thoughts like this until sleep finally took over.