"Time, mystical time
Cutting me open, then healing me fine
Were there clues I didn't see?
And isn't it just so pretty to think
All along there was some
Invisible string
Tying you to me?"
-Taylor Swift "Invisible String"

In the short while Severus had been back amongst the living, he had slowly fallen in love with the know-it-all muggleborn witch who had once incessantly annoyed him while he taught Potions. Severus felt like he was always destined to end up with a Gryffindor ever since Lily. He was thankful that he had another chance at love and to him Hermione was everything and more. He admired her mind and the way she treated others. He knew that he had found his perfect match intellectually and emotionally. She brought out parts of him that he thought were long dead and challenged him in ways he never thought possible. And today he was planning to tell her that he had fallen in love with her and wanted to know if she felt the same.

As luck would have it, Severus' thoughts of Hermione were interrupted by Potter who had just arrived at the Manor as he, himself, was leaving. Of course, Potter had to speak to him and it was about some nonsense regarding bridging the gap between houses and blood statuses. All he wanted to do was leave so he could see Hermione and thankfully he got his wish when Narcissa interrupted their conversation. Though, she made a comment to Potter about his date with Hermione which embarrassed him but that gave him to the opportunity to escape since he would be late otherwise if he didn't leave immediately.

Severus arrived at Hermione's childhood home and was nervously pacing at the front door waiting for her to answer. He had never more anxious in his life and that was saying something considering what he had been through.

Hermione finally came to the door and ushered Severus in. "Hello, Sev. It is so good to see you again." She stepped forward and gave him a soft kiss. "Come in and we can have some tea. Sit." She smiled at him and they both sat at the table.

Severus followed her into the kitchen. She started to prepare the tea. "Hello, love. It was good of you to invite me. I have missed you." Hermione blushed when he called her "love" and smiled at him. "Um, Hermione, there is something of great import that I would like to discuss with you." He looked nervously at her.

Hermione looked curiously at Severus. "Whatever it is you can tell me, Sev." She placed her delicate hand on top of his and gently squeezed.

Severus sighed. "Well, you and I have gotten rather close. I mean we are together like as in a couple." Hermione smirked at him. "And so naturally deep feelings have emerged on both sides."

Hermione chuckled lightly. "Sev, please just spit it out. You look like you are in agony." She smiled encouragingly at him.

Severus blushed a bit and sputtered. "I am having difficulty forming the words, Miss Granger." He gave her an exasperated look. "IaminlovewithyouHermione." The words just came rushing out.

Hermione looked at him in utter confusion. "Sev, what did you just say?"

Severus sighed once again. "Hermione, I am in love with you." He looked at her waiting for a response.

Hermione stared at Severus in shock. She suddenly stood up and walked to where Severus was sitting. She sat on his lap. "You really mean that?" She looked at him.

Severus nodded. "I do. The moment I laid eyes on you upon my return, I felt a strong pull towards you. It was like nothing I ever felt before. It was like we were connected in some way, that we were meant for each other."

Hermione placed her small hands on Severus' face and looked in him the eye. "Sev, I honestly felt the same when I saw you again. And just so you know I am in love with you too." She placed soft kisses on his face.

Severus pulled her closer to him and smiled lovingly at her. "Hermione, that is the best thing I have ever heard in my entire existence. This is the first time I have ever felt like I truly belonged and loved for who I am. After Lily and joining the Voldemort, I never thought I could lead a happy life. And when Voldemort killed me, I never thought I would ever return. Dumbledore saved me yet again and gave me another chance at life. I can not thank him enough or you. You and your friends were the ones who implemented Dumbledore's wishes. So thank you. I am eternally grateful." He kissed her softly.

Hermione pulled back. "Sev, I do not see how anyone would not fall in love with you once they got to know you. You may be one of the most prickly people I know but behind all your armour is a brilliant soul. You deserve all the happiness and love in the world and I am beyond delighted that I am the one who has the chance to love you. I am quite pleased that Dumbledore had enough sense to save you. No one deserves another chance more than you, Sev." She smiled softly at him and continued. "After Ron I did not think I would find love again, not to mention I was not ready either, but that all changed once I saw you materialise at Hogwarts. I just felt it in my bones that we were destined for one another." She smiled shyly at him.

Severus gently kissed her and pulled back slightly. "Hermione, you deserve the world and more. Ron is a wanker for not seeing you for who you truly are. Though, what is his loss is my gain so I can not complain." He chuckled a bit.

Hermione smiled sweetly at him. "Oh Sev, we all know that Ron would have held me back from my fullest potential. No matter what somewhere down the line, Ron and I would have imploded. It is just a simple fact. You, on the other hand, would always challenge me in every way possible. I just know it. Speaking of challenging me, I have a brilliant idea." Severus looked at suspiciously and Hermione smirked. "I think you should take me to bed, Sev." She blushed ferociously and stood up. Tea time forgotten, she pulled Severus up and pulled him toward the stairs. Once they were on the second floor, Hermione gestured Severus to follow her and he did.

Hermione stopped at her bedroom doorway. "Well, this is my sanctuary. It is not very big since most of it is filled with books." Severus stepped forward and looked inside her bedroom. In the middle of the room sat a queen sized bed. Bookshelves filled to the brim lined the walls from floor to ceiling. There were books stacked up on the floor as well. The whole room screamed Hermione Granger.

Severus stepped into the bedroom and looked around as Hermione closed the door behind them. "Miss Granger, this is certainly what I imagined what your bedroom would look like. Mostly books with a bed." Hermione blushed a little. She gently grabbed Severus' hand and pulled him towards her bed.

Hermione sat on her bed and gestured Severus to do the same. She bit her lip nervously. "Sev, I have never felt this strongly for anyone in my life like I do you." She looked away embarrassed.

Severus lifted his hand and placed it under her chin. He gently moved her head until he was looking her straight in the eye. "Hermione, neither have I. This feeling is new to me as well." He smiled softly at her.

Hermione stared into his eyes. "I know we have not been together very long but I want to be as close to you as possible." She turned bright red. "We do not have to do anything but I need you, Sev."

Severus was at a loss for words and grimaced. "You can not be serious. I am a Death Eater. You can not possibly trust me that much. Um, this was a mistake. I should not have come." He looked away from Hermione and started to stand.

Hermione quickly grabbed his hand ensuring that he wouldn't leave and had tears in her eyes. "Stop, Sev. You are not a Death Eater. Maybe long ago but not now. I trust you with my life and my heart. You are none of those negative things that I know are swirling in your head right now. What I said was true, you have a brilliant soul despite your prickliness. And when you initially joined Voldemort, you did it because you wanted a sense of belonging and you were hurt because of Lily. There is no shame in that. We all do foolish things when we get hurt or do not feel like you have anyone to turn to. You made a mistake, granted a ginormous one yes but you made up for it tenfold because of your love for Lily. You saved our world by keeping Lily's son safe nearly every year at Hogwarts despite the possibility of being caught. An evil man does not do that. An evil man does not risk his own life by being a double agent with his loyalties on the side of good. An evil man does not feel love in his heart. An evil man does not do the right thing. An evil man does not worry about the safety of those around him. A good man would watch over the child of the one who got away long ago. A good man would sacrifice his own safety for the greater good. A good man would fall in love. A good man would always do the right thing in the end. A good man would be vigilant of how important the safety of those around him are." She stressed every word she said. "Those are all the reasons why I believe you are the truest kind of hero and one of the bravest men, Severus." She caressed his cheek and smiled at him softly.

Severus had tears in his eyes. "Hermione, you truly believe that I am a good man?"

Hermione kissed his cheek softly. "Yes I do Severus. And I am certainly not the only one who believes that either. Harry defended you despite your history with him, Dumbledore gave you another chance at life, Draco loves you like a father, Minerva respects the bloody hell out of you, Narcissa trusts you with her son's life and I fell head over heels in love with you. You need to start believing in what others see in you. It saddens me that you do not. I think about how you grew up, what you endured in school and who you associated with and I look at what you have become and I can not think of a better person to come home to every night for the rest of my life. It makes me love you even more." She kissed him gently.

Severus deepened the kiss and held Hermione close. After a few minutes, he pulled away. "Hermione, you are one incredible witch. I do not know what I have done to ever deserve such a treasure. The way you describe me and how you explain why I am a good man and how others see me in a positive light makes me want to believe that I am good. For so long, I was convinced otherwise. It is quite difficult to change the perception of one's self as you know but I do trust what you are saying is true." He grimaced. "Wait, you really wish to spend the rest of your life with me?" He looked at her curiously.

Hermione looked at him. "I really do wish that with all my heart. I want to make a life with you if you will have me." She blushed.

Severus looked a bit surprised by her what she said. "I want nothing more than to have you with me always." He kissed her forehead. "Not to sound presumptuous but when we live together you will have more than enough room to house all your books in bookcases rather than using the floor as a shelf." He chuckled lightly.

Hermione blushed. "Sev, are you asking me to live with you?" She teased. "I mean I am sure my books would appreciate the change of venue." She smirked. "And I would not mind it either."

Severus sputtered to answer at first. "You really are a cheeky one, Miss Granger." He chuckled lightly and nervously bit his lip. "Well, um, I do not want you to think we are moving too swiftly but I suppose I am asking you to live with me at Spinner's End."

Hermione suddenly pulled Severus into a passionate kiss. They kissed for what felt like hours but it was only minutes. Hermione slowly pulled away. "I would love to live with you and no I do not think it is too fast. I mean, at least, not for us." She smiled at him. "Plus, my books will be happy to be on shelves rather than on the floor. One can not disregard their feelings." She laughed.

Severus rolled his eyes. "Yes, one should always respect the books and their feelings." He gave her an amused look. "I am not trying to rush you or anything but I was wondering when you would like to move your stuff. I mean you do not have to move at all if you do not want to. I just mean I would like to know." He rambled.

Hermione smirked. "Sev, breathe. I would not have agreed to living with you if I did not want that. It was a brilliant idea. Me and my books will be very content at Spinner's End with you. Stop worrying so much. I love you and you love me. That is all that truly matters."

Severus did not know how to respond so he responded the only way he could. He kissed her with everything he got and she responded just as fervently. After a long while, they pulled away breathless.

Severus caressed her cheek. "Hermione, you never cease to amaze me in every way possible. How do you do that?"

Hermione smirked. "It is simple. Magic." She said cheekily. "And as for when I would like to move in with you, anytime would be good. I would have to discuss it with my parents but I know they will support my decision."

Severus nodded. "Very well. I am quite pleased to know that you will be living with me soon. Let me know when you have discussed everything with your parents and I will come by to assist you." He smiled softly at her.

Hermione smiled back. "That would be lovely if you helped. Oh! I am so thrilled that we will be living together!" She blushed. "And before you know it, we will get married. Can you imagine me as Hermione Snape?" She gasped at what she just said.

Severus' eyes went comically wide. "Uh, Hermione, uh, you would like to be my wife someday and take my last name?" He blushed a bit. "I mean, I would be honoured if you took me as your husband. I just want to make sure you are not making a rash decision."

Hermione took his hand and squeezed reassuringly. "Of course I want to marry you someday. When I was still with Ron, I never thought of taking his last name but with you it feels right. I would be honoured to be Hermione Snape. This is most certainly not a rash decision. I am the clearest I have ever been in my life. There is no doubt in my mind that I want to be tied to you forever." She said with such conviction.

Severus studied her carefully. "I am pleased to hear that. Honestly, I would love for you to be my wife one day. Nothing would make me happier. And I quite like the sound of Hermione Jean Snape."

Hermione smiled brightly. "I like the sound of it too." She thought for a moment. "The day I marry you will be one of my happiest and most memorable days ever in my life. Right up there with when I was accepted into Hogwarts and my first day at Hogwarts."

Severus kissed Hermione gently and pulled back. "The day I marry you will be happiest I have ever been in my entire life. I have no doubt."

Hermione looked at him with watery eyes. "Oh, Sev!" She kissed him deeply and after a few minutes she pulled away. "You have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that. I love you with all my heart." She rested her forehead on his.

Severus stroked Hermione's hair. "I love you with my whole being." He blushed. "Bloody hell Granger! You have turned me into a soppy git." He chuckled lightly.

Hermione laughed lightly. "Way to ruin the lovely, romantic moment, you soppy git!" She teased. "I quite like the softer side of prickly Professor Severus Snape." She smirked.

Severus rolled his eyes. "I am not at all surprised, Miss Granger. Though, you are the only one to reap all the benefits of my so-called softer side." He quirked his eyebrow up and smirked.

Hermione blushed ferociously. "Oh, um, I suppose that is true." She stumbled on her words.

Severus caressed her cheek and kissed her gently. "Hermione, I do love when I leave you speechless or stumbling over your words."

Hermione swatted at him playfully. "And I love that I am the only one to reap all of the benefits of your softer side. I would not want to share you. You are all mine, Severus Snape." She smirked.

Severus had a hard time forming words. "Only yours, always." That was all he could say.

Both Severus and Hermione sat on her bed thinking of their happy future together, holding each other close.