"Snape is such a slimy git. Each of those jars took ten washings to make them clean, and there were a hundred of them," whined Ron.
"I told you he hadn't changed," said Harry darkly.
Hermione looked at her friends. Would they ever understand?
"I can't believe he gave you detention Hermione, just for coming with us. It's not like you made us late," Ron continued.
"Well, he can't know that, Ron," answered Hermione. "But it was something only Snape would do." That was true enough, even if Hermione meant it in a way her friends didn't realize.
When Hermione went to serve her detention, Harry and Ron went with her.
"You don't need to do this, guys. I'll be just fine."
"Hermione, don't argue. We're coming with you, just to prove to Snape that he can't break us apart." Harry was firm.
Snape looked at the trio as they arrived. "Hmmm. I thought you would have learned from Miss Granger's example yesterday. Nonetheless, she is not late. You have 5 seconds to leave my sight or it's double detention on Saturday."
Harry and Ron were gone before Snape could finish his sentence.
Snape sighed as he watched them dash around the corner and out of sight. "You're going to have to tell them soon, love. The longer they have, the more likely they will be to accept us."
Hermione, too, had watched them disappear from view. "I know, but it is difficult. You know that Harry has hated you since he arrived at Hogwarts. He cannot comprehend that you might be anything more than you seemed then. Still, you're right. I will tell them."
Snape turned to face Hermione. "You may have something else to tell them." He pulled a small box out of his pocket, opened it, and turned it to face Hermione. He revealed a diamond ring set in rose gold, surrounded by two deep emeralds against a black velvet background. Instead of the traditional setting, Snape had managed to wind the gold around the stones.
Hermione gasped as he set it on her finger. "It is beautiful." She turned it in the light, admiring it. "Let me guess, rose gold for Gryffindor, emeralds for Slytherin, and one diamond for the future."
The wonder and respect in Snape's eyes multiplied. "You read my mind," he whispered.
"YOU WHAT!" Harry roared in anger.
"I'm sorry, Harry, but it's true. I love him," Hermione said simply.
"No! I refuse to believe it." Ron stated. "He's cast a spell on you, a—a potion! That's it! He used an Unnamed Potion on you, and then replaced you with an Identity that he loved once."
"As clever as that sounds, Ron, you're wrong. You've paid attention more in Potions, but not completely. You can't use an Identity Potion until the person has forgotten his or name. Ask me my name."
"Fine. What is your name."
"Hermione Jane Granger."
"But Hermione, are you sure? How long have you loved him?" Harry's eyes were flaming, but he had managed to get himself under control.
"I suppose I realized it after he took Malevich back to Russia. It was the longest period of my life, not knowing where he was," Hermione reminisced.
"Hermione, you know we would never try to interfere with your life like this, but we just want to make sure you will be happy," said Harry, while Ron looked darkly away. "You're the smartest girl in this class, maybe ever at Hogwarts. If you're sure, you won't be wrong."
"I am, Harry." Turning to Ron, she spoke gently. "Ron, I know you've liked me for a long time, but it wasn't meant to be. You were so focused on what might have been that you haven't even noticed that Parvati has been following you around for months and moping around the common room."
"She has?" Ron brightened considerable at the prospect. He loved Hermione, but he was her friend, first and foremost, and wouldn't do anything to ruin that.
"Yes, she has. If you would just open your eyes, honestly." Hermione was teasing Ron just a little bit.
They sat in silence for a moment. Then Harry, followed by Ron, got up and gave Hermione a hug.
Hermione looked as if she were about to cry, not from sadness, but from happiness. She knew that this was not the end of her trio: both Harry and Snape had come to accept each other, Ron would follow Harry anywhere.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Hermione returned to Snape. No longer did she need an excuse to visit him, but she was eager to know how his meeting had gone.
Snape had accepted the tremendously difficult task of informing Professor Dumbledore of the engagement. He knew that Dumbledore was a firm believer in love, loved Hermione, loved himself (he could recognize that now), but he wasn't sure how Dumbledore would treat the love between them.
At first, Dumbledore had been flabbergasted. He knew that a change had come over Snape, had thought that it was love, but he had had no idea that its object was Hermione. However, Snape did not shield his mind using Occlumency, and Dumbledore could see with the briefest glance of Legilimency that Snape had been telling the truth. He had given his consent, provided that they keep the relationship private until Hermione had left Hogwarts.
Upon hearing this, Hermione ran to Snape. He caught her up in his arms, tilting her face up to meet his. The kiss tasted dark, yet it felt light, almost delicate. There was a sharpness, not of bitterness, but rather of knowledge. Hermione explored the kiss, finding all its secrets, knowing that it was real. It was the future. It was hers. Smiling inwardly she thought, Hermione Jane Granger, no, Hermione Jane Snape. But it should have been Elizabeth. After all, I had Lizzy's story, not Jane's. Hmm, it wasn't a Muggle story then-- Her thoughts flew back to Pride and Prejudice. There's more than one way to become a new person. Maybe I'll just be Hermione Elizabeth Snape.