A/N: THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR KIND REVIEWS AND I AM GLAD THAT YOU ALL LIKED THE PLOT TWIST WITH GINNY AND DEAN. I'D FIGURE THAT YOU WOULD ALL LIKE THE OFFICIALS KEEP THE MONEY AND SCREW HIM OVER BIG TIME. THAT WAS FUNNY MYSELF.

Chapter 4: Down by the lake

Hermione sat on the rock where severus took her, it were her favorite spot, looking over the lake and watching the sun set into the water like a flame going on the water until it dies out. Hermione observed the colors of bright orange, pinks, and purples so much that she did not hear her future husband creep up behind her and sat next to her.

"Hermione." Severus said gently in a velvet voice.

From hearing her name called so close and snapping her back to reality, she jumped.

"Umm-" Hermione paused as to whom called her name, seeing it were Severus, she began to blush slightly.

"Are you ok?"

"No, I'm not." Hermione sniffed and wiped her tears away with her school robe sleeve.

"What's the matter?" Severus asked, trying to sound caring.

"Well, I have to marry you in I don't know how long of a time, as far as I have known you, you were mean to me throughout all my years here, which I never blamed you why; also you never gave me the actual credit for being the know-it-all that I am. I mean honestly, you probably figure me to be annoying and you don't want anything to do with me and-"

"Hermione, I do not think you are annoying, you are brilliant, like me. That is just an act, to tell you the truth. I am nice around my colleagues, and I will be nice around you, like now." Severus took out his pure white hankerchief and handed it to her because she were wiping her eyes raw.

"Here, it's clean." He held it out to her delicately laced through his fingers.

Hermione took the hankerchief from him and dabbed her eyes. "Thank you, Professor."

"No need for formalities, call me Severus. But Professor infront of everyone else."

"Deal. So, why are you down here?"

"To check on you, to see if I can calm you down a bit."

"Wha?" Hermione looked at Severus baffled.

"To have a chat before we are married, like ground rules, stuff like that."

"What are the rules?"

"Well, first rule, don't touch anything. Second rule, I want to see you happy-"

"Happy?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, I would like to know if you are happy, well, I will try all I can to make you happy."

"That is so nice of you."

"The third rule, you can have a will."

"Are you serious?" Hermione asked shock written all over her face. I can't believe him. Is he drunk?

"Yes, Hermione. You can finish school, I will even let you have your apprenticeship you never asked me for."

"How did you-"

"Albus told me. I would have told you to come down to my dungeon one day and not say why and -sort of say, surprise you."

"Er- I would love it, thank you so much."

Severus quirked a small smile.

"Severus, do you know when we are to get married?" Hermione asked.

Severus looked at the sun as it's last color went under the water and the purples and blues mixed in the sky with the colors of the night.

"Right now. Well, are you ready to head back up to the castle?"

"I guess so, thanks for our little chat. I now feel I've gotten to know you a little more."

"Maybe one day, you will get to know me a lot more." Severus grinned.

Hermione just shrugged and was escorted back to the portrait.

"This is where I leave. I shall see you later." Severus told her.

"Bye, Professor, thank you for escorting me." Hermione replied to Severus as he turned on his heel and strided away. She watched him turn into his snarky self.

"Anytime." Severus said as he walked away with his robes billowing behind him.

As Hermione went up to her Head Dorm, she saw Fawkes on the table waiting patiently for her.

"Hello Fawkes. Here you go." Hermione petted him on his head as she took the message while giving him a piece of garlic bread.

Hermione opened the note from Professor Dumbledore which read:

Dear Miss Granger,

It is to my sincerest apoligies that we have to postpone your wedding ceremony to Severus due to the fact that Cornelius couldn't make it due to a family member getting ill. Therefore, you will be informed as to your new wedding date.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

Hermione then sighed in relief that the wedding was post poned. She were so happy that she could dance around in her room. Hermione then smiled as she went into her washroom to get a shower before going to bed.