The day passed by slowly. Everyone was talking about what had happened at breakfast. No one could believe Snape did that to a student, let alone someone in Slytherin. The one thing they were completely dumbfounded over is the fact that it was for Hermione Granger. Why would he do something nice for her? Were the rumors true?

Hermione sat in the library in a secluded corner reading a book. The whispers were greater now since this morning, but she didn't really care what they were saying. She had confessed her love for Severus, and he in turn loves her. She couldn't concentrate on anything else. Her friends knew something was strange and were pestering her all day. The library was the only place she could be by herself until after dinner. Then she could be with Severus Snape, the most hated teacher at Hogwarts, but her one true love.

The candle near by flickered a bit as someone entered her corner. The two comfy chairs were seated facing each other with a fireplace in between. Hermione looked up to see Harry sit across from her.

"Hey Harry." Hermione smiled at him before looking back at her book. She could feel his curious eyes on her. He wanted to talk about something.

"Hermione, can we talk about something?" Hermione smiled to herself at how well she knew her friend and closed her book on her lap.

"Sure Harry, what is it?" She looked up at him waiting for a response.

"Well, I was just wondering about this morning. What was Malfoy talking about?" Harry looked at her just itching for another reason to hate Malfoy. Hermione smiled at her lap and then looked up at Harry.

"It's nothing. We had a little encounter, if you could call it that, and his male instincts got carried away. That's the best way to put it." Harries eyes got bigger as his jaw dropped.

"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" He was sitting on the edge of his seat.

"Harry, don't get carried away. Se- Professor Snape jumped in just in time to rescue me. He knew Malfoy liked me and wasn't going to trust him in a dormitory alone with me." Hermione smiled reassuringly at Harry.

"So nothing big happened? Snape did get there in time?" Hermione chuckled at his caring.

"Yes Harry, he got there in time." Hermione went back to open her book, thinking the conversation was over.

"Hermione, is there something between you and Professor Snape?" He had relaxed back into the chair, obviously only curious about what was going on, not wanting to kill someone.

"Harry, I'm going to be honest with you. There wasn't anything until today. Well, what I mean is that we didn't know about each others feelings until today after he defended me against Malfoy. Hidden feelings don't always stay hidden." Hermione smiled as she looked down at the open book in her lap. She could tell this was news to Harry. It took him a moment to process the new information, but he nodded his head in understanding.

"So nothing happened between you two?" He looked at her in a concerned manner.

"No Harry, nothing has happened." She watched as he nodded his head and got up and left her alone. 'Well, at least not yet.' She thought to herself.

Hermione skipped dinner knowing full well how many eyes would be focused on her and how much of the gossip would be about her. As she headed down to the dungeons, she couldn't help thinking about where this would go. Would they be able to have a relationship? Is this just infatuation? She thought about these things up to the moment she knocked on the classroom door and heard a silky 'Enter' from inside. Her doubts vanished when she entered the room to find him leaning against a table with his arms folded. His sleeves were rolled up and his shirt partially unbuttoned. She could tell he had been busy. He looked gorgeous relaxing there. He certainly had changed. He was her dream man with the raven hair to his ears, the mysterious dark eyes, and the black outfit.

She walked over to him and instead of doing what she knew they both wanted, she took off her robe and pulled her hair back.

"So, what shall we be brewing this evening?" She unbuttoned her top a bit and walked over to the boiling potion on the table. She turned around after sniffing the air coming from it to face the man at the other table. He was just staring at her. She could see a hint of a smile creep onto his face as she gave him a small wink.

"Well, I believe that most of the potions have been brewed in the past two days. But I think we could still use some simple pain relieving potion." He watched her as she jumped up to sit on the table.

"Well, that can be taken care of later. I want to ask you something." She smiled at him from her position on the table.

"What is it?" He titled his head waiting for her response.

"First, I wanted to thank you again for your kindness and protection against Malfoy. Now the question I want to ask you. Why did you change and are you happier now?" She watched him as a full smile crawled onto his face.

"Hermione, I didn't really change. Just the stress has vanished and I can live my life how I want to now. No more worrying about death or injury. I can love now." He stood up and came to stand right in front of Hermione, his arms still folded. "And to your second question, am I happier now?" He stroked her cheek with his hand. "You bet I am."

Their lips met again in a tender kiss. Love poured out of each other. They adored the others presence and touch, and they couldn't let go. Snape snaked his arms around Hermione's waist and picked her up off the table. She stood in front of him on tip toes relishing in his touch. He broke off the kiss and guided her to a door behind his desk. Hermione knew those were his quarters and she couldn't think of any better place to be. He paused before opening the door and looked into her eyes. They loved each other.

"I guess what they say isn't always true. Change can happen, and I love it." Hermione reached up and pulled him down into a passionate kiss as he opened the door to the one place Hermione dreamed of being.

A/N: OK, I'm all done. I know this is not how some people would have wanted me to end it, if you don't like it just review and tell me. I do have another idea for the ending. I think this is kind of dull I guess, but please, review and let me know. I can definitely change it.