"Why go through with it?" Ron asked bluntly.
"Because I love him," she repeated.
"You love Snape?" Ron said. His voice was riddled with more disgust than Harry's had been.
"Yes. I love Severus."
She intentionally used his first name, not his surname.
"How can you love Snape?" Harry said in a bewildered voice.
"I just do," Hermione said softly, but firmly.
"Fine," Harry said. Severus could tell that he wasn't convinced.
Ron, on the other hand, plowed on. "Why? If you don't know why you love him then how can you really love him? That's impossible. There has to be reasons. No, Hermione, I know your reason."