Disclaimer – I do not own anything in Potterverse (my letter is almost complete), nor do I make any money off it (big whoop).

A huge thank you to everyone who has reviewed! Words cannot express how much I enjoy reading every review. It is my inspiration. In addition, a thank you has to go to everyone who has added W.A.R.B. to their favorites, communities, or alerts… I am deeply flattered. Keep it up! I hope this chapter lives up to your expectations.

Correction – I do not claim to be perfect, therefore I must deeply apologize for my idiotic mistake in the previous chapter. As Lady Seren so kindly pointed out, Severus' birthday is not December 1st, it is January 9th, and if my happy-self had actually taken the time to think about it, the mistake would not have been made. I simply used it as a filler question and didn't think twice. But alas, I am only human and subject to silly mistakes. Once again, I'm sorry.

As always, a big thank you to my wonderful boyfriend/BETA reader for putting up with me while writing this story (along with about 100 other ones I have been fiddling with). I love you, Sugarloaf. Heehee.

Warning – This chapter is for mature readers: 18 and over only, please. Sexual content. For those who are 18 and over: once again, this is not work-safe.

Only seconds later, they both fell into the most restful sleep either had gotten as long as they could remember, wrapped in each others loving arms, a slight smile playing on Severus' face as a plan revolved around in his sleepy brain.

Hermione awoke the next morning with a smile on her face. She stretched out, moaning in appreciation as her well-rested body slowly came back to life. She suddenly remembered where she was and turned quickly to snuggle up to Severus.

The bed was empty.

She frowned.

"Sev?" she called into the empty room. She glanced at the clock beside her and it read 7:13 AM. "Shit," she muttered, thinking that perhaps he was at breakfast in the Great Hall.

Just as she was sitting up, trying to gain more solid thoughts, the fireplace across the room lit with green flames, and out walked delicious-looking Severus Snape.

Hermione 'mmm-ed' appreciatively at his starchy, long-sleeved, white button up shirt and black dress pants. His hair was pulled back, making him look much younger than he already did.

"Well you're dressed up," she pointed out, raking her eyes over him.

He chuckled. "I went to see the Headmistress," he said simply, sitting on the corner of the bed.

Hermione's eyes widened. "And?"

Severus smiled. "I told her of our relationship and asked if it would be allowed to have you live here, and apprentice under me."

Hermione waited, her eyes searching his handsome face for some kind of clue. "Okay," she said after a minute, "don't just sit there and be quiet! Tell me!"

"After she got over the initial shock of all this happening so quickly, she was, to say the least, ecstatic." He smiled.

Hermione sighed, relieved. "Oh, good… you had me worried there for a minute."

"She had me worried for a moment, also," he admitted with a chuckle. "She just sat there staring at me, no expression to her, and rose from her seat. I thought for a minute she was going to hex me, but she strode around the desk, hugged me, and congratulated me."

Hermione laughed. "I can't picture that, but I'm sure it was quite the scene to behold."

"Quite," he chuckled. "She wants you for tea as soon as you're available. She wanted me to make sure to tell you that no matter what she's doing, she'll drop it for you."

Hermione looked mildly shocked. "Well… well that's very nice of her."

"Indeed. Your hair looks very good in the mornings, love," he said, leaning over a bit to run his hand over her wild yet soft curls.

Hermione blushed. "It can't look very nice."

"It looks beautiful," he said honestly. "It's not as untamable looking as it was when you first started here, that's for sure." He chuckled at her narrowed eyes. "It's still very curly and soft, but more… how should I put this... you."

Hermione still looked a little wary, but whimpered slightly when Severus withdrew his hand from her hair.

"Hermione," he said, fidgeting with the bedcovers, "I still have a question left, correct?"

She thought for a moment. "Yes," she said simply, amused that he was fidgeting – something she had never seen before in the ten years she had known him.

Severus had an odd look on his face as he met her eyes. "Well… it's sort of a two part question, really…."

Hermione smiled encouragingly. "I'll just count it as one."

"Do you remember how we both agreed that it felt as though we had been dating for years, not however long it has been now?" he asked, his eyes not wavering from hers.

"Yes…," she said slowly, giving him a confused expression.

Severus took a few deep breaths. Before Hermione had time to register that he was moving, he hopped off the bed then turned back around to face her. And before she could ask him what he was doing, he grabbed her hips and slid her to the edge of the bed. Next thing she knew, he was in front of her on the floor between her legs, on one knee, both his hands grabbing hers. Her eyes widened.

"Hermione, my love, I know I'm not the best choice for you, but I also know I'm not the worst. I feel like I have in fact been with you for years, and I know you were shocked that I had not married someone after all that time, but that was different… this is different. I love you. I am in love with you, that I am sure of. There is not doubt in my mind about that.

"I know this is probably crazy and you probably think I'm mad, but I know what I want. I know what feels right. You feel right. When I look into your eyes, I know that there is nothing in the world that I want more than to be with you. I know this isn't exactly how it's supposed to be," he said, his eyebrows coming together slightly. "I know that I'm supposed to ask your father, but hell, I haven't even met your father…. If you say no, I will completely understand and I hope we can just forget this ever happened. So, with that said…."

Severus turned her hand so her palm was facing up and placed the red bow in it. "Hermione Jean Granger, will you do me the honor of marrying me?" He closed her fingers around the bow.

Hermione stared at him in pure shock, her mind wheeling in thousands of directions. She saw his eyes flutter almost closed for a moment before she felt his fingers opening hers back up. She automatically looked to her palm. Where did the bow go? she thought stupidly, before noticing that something had replaced the bow.

It was a ring.

Inside her hand, held up by his, was a platinum ring with a solitary diamond in the middle. The diamond was not overly large, but good-sized and… perfect.

She looked back to his face. He was starting to look a little worried that she had not answered him yet. Severus was trying to read her expression, but found nothing other then shock. He tried to wait patiently as she processed all of it, his heart beating so heavily in his chest he was wondering if it would explode from his nervousness.

He was just starting to think that maybe it was too soon, that he was mad, when her mouth started to move slightly, twisting this way and that. Had it not been for the seriousness of the situation, he would have laughed.

Hermione looked from his face to her hand, and then back again. She noted that he was still waiting for her to answer, but her brain was trying to catch up with the here-and-now. Suddenly, a light bulb came on… he had asked her to marry him, and all she was doing was staring, dumbfounded, at him.

She blinked a few times, trying to get her brain to settle down. It was not working very well. She noticed his face falling slightly, probably deciding whether to speak again or not. She tried her best to form a coherent sentence, but her mouth just simply fell open, and then closed again. Then his eyes were alight with amusement, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth, which made Hermione want to smile, too.

Out of nowhere, Hermione's vision blurred slightly. She blinked, and was surprised to feel tears slide down her face. This seemed to bring her back to reality.

"Yes!" she choked out.

"Really?" Severus replied without thought, absolutely stunned that she actually accepted.

"Yes!" she laughed, tears rolling down her beautiful face. "Yes, I'll marry you, Severus! Of course I will!"

She watched with amusement as Severus' face went from shock to the happiest she had ever seen. His dark eyes seemed to lighten and a wide, toothy smile appeared on his ageless face.

"You'll… you… you will marry me?" Severus stuttered.

Hermione giggled. "Yes, Severus, yes! Put the damn ring on me already!"

Severus pulled himself out of his shock and shakily put the ring on her finger. Before he had time to collect himself, Hermione pulled his face up to her roughly and pressed her lips to his.

"I love you," she panted, pulling away, a smile lighting her face.

"I love you, too," he whispered, putting his hands to her face before standing up.

Standing directly in front of her, his hands still cupping her face, he brought his lips to hers slowly. Her hands went to his hips and pulled him gently to her. Severus deepened the kiss, his tongue meeting hers gingerly. Hermione moaned lowly, relishing in his sweet taste.

Severus ran his hands down her arms, and then slipped under them, grabbing her hips. He slid her back along the bed, climbing on it to follow her back, breaking the kiss. When she was laying the right way on the bed, he crawled between her legs, laying himself gently on top of her before kissing her again.

Hermione whimpered as Severus' tongue met hers tenderly, slowly dipping into her mouth to mingle with hers. Her hands went to his neck, caressing his skin before running them over his hair, finding the elastic band holding it back and pulled it out, allowing his silky hair to fall around his face and brush against her cheeks.

He pulled back, raising himself with his arms and looked into her eyes. He brought a hand to her face and stroked her cheek. "I love you," he whispered.

"I love you, too," she whispered back, gazing into his dark eyes that were alight with happiness, before pulling his face back to hers.

This kiss was rougher, much quicker than the last. Severus groaned as his tongue searched her mouth, taking everything that she was giving. Her legs rose to wrap around his hips, pressing his erection into her. She moaned.

"Severus," Hermione panted as his lips moved hotly to her neck, nipping the sensitive flesh.

"Yes, love?" he asked against her skin.

"Roll on your back," she whispered.

Severus lifted up again and gave her a questioning look as she unwrapped her legs.

"Please," she said.

He obliged, rolling off her and onto his back. She was quick to follow, placing her legs on either side of his hips, straddling him. Severus groaned as Hermione's bottom rested on his swollen member through their clothes.

"You look so sexy," she breathed, running her hands over the white button up that was covering his torso.

Severus watched her, words failing him, as she slowly began undoing the buttons. He gasped as she separated the two sides of the shirt and ran her nails lightly down his chest, goosebumps popping up on his skin. He sat up just enough to pull off the button up, letting it drop out of his hand to the floor beside the bed.

"Very sexy," she murmured, tracing patterns along his firm stomach. Her fingers traced along a few scars, slowing her movements over each one.

He watched her face, waiting for it to turn to disgust, but it never did. He watched her face turn into a tender look instead, and felt her fingers linger over each of the faded scars, almost as if she were trying to fix them, make the hurt that happened over the decades disappear. Severus thought he might cry.

Hermione met his eyes and smiled, no trace of anything but love and desire. She noted the expression on his face and leaned down, placing her lips to his ear. "I love you… all of you. And I think you are the sexiest man I have ever seen… along with the physical markings that show you a brave man, husband."

Severus inhaled sharply as she whispered the word 'husband'. His hands went to her hips as she sucked his earlobe into her mouth, running her tongue over it. Hermione released his ear and trailed a line of kisses along his neck, his jaw line, his collarbone. He hissed as she slid down, her lips hot on his skin as she continued her assault to his chest.

"Hermione," he moaned, his hands falling to his sides, as she slid yet further down him, her tongue caressing each scar on his stomach, her breasts settling on his erection.

She ignored him, her hands finding the button to his pants as her mouth worked his stomach. She unbuttoned and unzipped his pants before sitting back up to look into his dark eyes that were still focused intently on her, wide with surprise and want. She bit her lip as she moved to kneel between his legs, taking his pants and boxers off of him, his member springing up, ready for her.

Hermione licked her lips, causing Severus to growl lowly. She ran her hands up his muscular legs, leaning forward with them.

"Hermione," he growled as her hands ran through the black hair surrounding his member.

Hermione simply hummed lowly and grasped him, causing him to inhale sharply. She glanced to his face, and smiled. His eyes were closed, his mouth hanging open as he panted. He gripped the bed sheets when he felt her move up even further.

His eyes flew open and he let out a load moan as Hermione's plump lips formed around the head of his penis, her tongue flicking out to taste him. Her mouth opened further as she slowly slid down some of his length, her tongue swirling around him.

His hands raked into her messy hair when she wrapped her hand around the rest of him that her mouth could not reach, trying to slow her quick ministrations. "Hermione," he groaned again, his control quickly slipping, watching her bob up and down his swollen arousal.

Bad idea. Hermione hummed again, the sound vibrating down his shaft. He tightened his grip in her hair. "Hermione, I can't…. Bloody hell that feels so good." His eyes rolled into the back of his head. "Love," he panted, trying to gain his composure, "I need you to stop, please."

She moaned around him, and he yanked her hair a bit roughly. Her pouting caramel eyes met his, but she did not release him.

"I want you," he growled lustfully. "I do not want it to end like this. Please."

His pleas were too much for her. She plunged down his shaft once more before raising back up. Severus released his grip on her hair as she kneeled between his legs, and his hands instantly went to the white t-shirt, lifting it over her head. He smirked when her breasts bounced happily as he ran his hands over them. Hermione moaned.

"On your back," he whispered, his eyes finding hers.

She bit her lip and hastily climbed over his leg, scooted up the bed, and laid on her back. She turned her head to look at Severus as he turned to his side, splaying his hand across her stomach. He rose up on his elbow, his head resting on his hand to take Hermione in.

"You're beautiful," he whispered, his hand gently running up and down her stomach.

"So are you," she replied, her eyes closing and her breathing picking up the closer to her breast his hand came.

Severus watched her face as his hand rubbed slowly up her stomach to the underside of her breast and back, teasing her as well as himself. He inhaled sharply as Hermione's hand slinked over and grabbed his large manhood. She smirked and began stroking him slowly, but moaned loudly as his fingers trailed over her already-hard nipple.

"Severus," she hissed when he lightly pinched her taut nipple.

Severus could only reply with a low groan as her hand gripped him tighter. His hand went back down her stomach, but unlike the times before, it did not come back up.

"Severus!" she called out as his hand hastily slid beneath the waistband of her sweats, his fingers tangling into her chestnut curls.

Once again, Severus moaned as her hand pumped him harder when his finger delved into her wetness. He inhaled sharply when he felt just how wet she was. His finger worked her as her hand worked him, when one slowed or moved faster so did the other.

Suddenly Severus pulled back, out of her grasp, his hand stopping all movement inside her. Hermione whimpered and tried to reach for him, but was stopped short when his lips fell to hers heatedly. In what seemed like superhuman speed, Severus was once again on top of her, his erection pressing against her.

His head fell to the side and he nipped her neck, causing her to moan. "Severus," she breathed.

"Yes, love?" he asked against her throat.

"Don't toy with me," she panted as his hand cupped her breast, his mouth still working on her neck. "Just take me."

Severus raised himself to look into her half-lidded eyes. "As you wish, wife," he said lowly, not looking away from her now-wide eyes as he slid down her body.

Hermione's breathing picked up when Severus' hands found the top of her sweatpants and pulled them roughly from her body, throwing them carelessly on the floor. His fingers were itching to glide back into her, but he restrained, remembering Hermione's words. He hastily laid back atop her, bringing his lips softly to hers, tasting her mouth as if tasting a fine wine.

Severus rose up ever so slightly, putting a hand between them and placed himself at her wet center. Hermione whimpered as he teased her with the tip, smiling against her lips. Her heels went into the back of his thighs, encouraging him to take further action. He obliged.

He slid into her soaked channel with ease, her walls clenching around him as he hit bottom. Severus pulled his mouth from hers and they both panted for air as he began moving inside her.

"You're so wet," he breathed into her ear, his tongue tasting her lobe.

"That's what you do to me," she moaned as he hit bottom again.

Severus moaned at her sultry voice and slid his hand under her back, lifting her higher so he could plunge deeper within her. Hermione moaned her approval. He rose up once again to look into her beautiful face, her disheveled hair flaring around her head, making her look wild and sexier than he'd ever seen.

He began taking her harder, and he felt like he was beginning to lose control. Severus ducked his head to her breast, lavishing her hard nipple with his soft tongue in quick succession. He almost smirked when Hermione screamed in pleasure, her inner walls convulsing around his large member.

"Don't stop," she cried out. "Oh, Severus, you feel so good!"

Severus groaned loudly and took her faster, his hips slamming into her supple thighs as she moaned. His head was getting fuzzier and fuzzier by the minute, his thoughts clouding over and a pleasurable lurch reached his stomach. He started lapping her nipple faster, not caring if he was slobbering all over her, because she seemed to like it.

He pulled back slightly. "Come, love, let me feel it," he whispered huskily, his own release sure to be any second.

Hermione's eyes rolled into the back of her head and she called his name loudly, arching her back, as her orgasm took over, sending shuddering pleasure through her entire body; and all she felt was Severus: his tongue raking over her nipple, his cock slamming in and out of her, hitting her sweet spot again and again until she exploded, her juices flowing down his large shaft.

Severus was quick to follow, his pace becoming erratic and messy as he spilled himself deep within her, her name rolling off his tongue like a prayer. His body wracked with the aftermath of his release, and he was trying not to fall onto her, but as he tried to roll off her, her arms went around him, pressing him to her, their chests rising and falling into each other's at a heavy pace.

Severus nestled into her messy hair, the scent of it calming him. His heart swelled as her hands brushed over his hair and cheek, caressing him. He was sure she couldn't breathe with his weight on top of her, but he could barely remember how to think at all.

He struggled out of her possessive grasp, rolling to his side, facing her. She turned and gave him a disgruntled look. "I liked you there," she murmured.

"I was crushing you," he said simply.

She smiled, making his heart flutter joyfully. "Trust me, you weren't…. Oh, you will never guess what happened this morning," she said cheerfully.

"What's that, love?" he asked, curious.

Hermione's eyes fluttered as Severus' hand brushed her hair from her face. "I found out I was getting married," she whispered, gazing lovingly into his eyes.

She was rewarded with his beautiful toothy smile. "So I heard," he chuckled. "And who is the lucky bloke?"

"Oh," she said dismissively, "no one you know. However, I would say he is perfect, so I'm sure you two would get along splendidly."

Severus very nearly rolled his eyes and picked up her left hand, which was resting on his arm. "Do you like the ring?"

"I adore the ring," she replied quickly. "Thank you."

"If you don't like it, we can find you something different," he rambled, apparently ignoring her.

"Severus," she said sternly. "I want this ring. The only way you're getting it back is if you remove my finger."

He chuckled nervously. "As long as you like it."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Of course I do."

They laid in silence for awhile, snuggled into each other, taking in the feeling of the other's body held securely against their own. However, nature called.

"Severus," Hermione whispered, "I have to get up for a minute."

He stirred sleepily. "Come back quickly."

She smiled. "Yes, dear."

Hermione untangled herself from her fiancé and padded along to the bathroom, a smile on her lips. It was the smallest of the teacher's rooms, concealed behind a door just before his office. The bathroom was an off-white color with a typical toilet, standing shower, and a sink. However, what drew Hermione's eye was the large bathtub off to the left corner. Her eyes twinkled with all the possibilities. She hurried and went to the bathroom, washed her hands, and hurried back to bed.

Severus was still laying on his side, his eyes closed, the blankets barely covering his thighs. Hermione raked her eyes over him, appreciating the site. He mumbled something and that took her out of her gazing. She padded back to the bed and climbed in. Severus instantly wrapped her back in his warm embrace.

"What was that?" Hermione asked him, kissing his cheek.

"I told you to hurry up, I was cold," he mumbled.

She smiled. "It's almost eight, Sev. Aren't you going to be late?"

Severus opened his eyes to the beautiful woman that was now solely his. "I wanted to talk to you about that."

"Okay," she said after he didn't continue.

"Minerva gave me the day off, to spend it with you. I told her I wasn't sure if you'd be able, or willing, to take a day off because you were going to be leaving your job, so I said I'd let her know by nine, which is my first class of the day."

Hermione's eyebrow quirked at the slight distress to his voice with the last sentence. "What year is your first class?"

Severus let out a huffing sigh. "The bloody fifth years."

She bit back a smile. "Well, typically I am very opposed to not going to work." Hermione did smile when Severus' face turned into an almost sad expression. "However… I didn't get any of my paperwork done yesterday, and my fiancé is asking me to stay with him. How can I turn that down?"

Severus chuckled. "Well, don't worry, once you start working for me, there will be no days off."

"I look forward to it," she said with a laugh.

"You may use Jester if you like, love."

Hermione had a sudden idea. "Why don't you go owl Timmerson Binton and tell him I won't be into work today, and I'll go tell Minerva you won't be in class."

Severus quirked an eyebrow. "If that's what you would like."

Hermione kissed him quickly and jumped from the bed. Severus watched in amusement as she transfigured her student uniform back into the black t-shirt and jeans she was wearing the previous day.

"Will Minerva be in the Great Hall?" Hermione asked, now fully dressed as Severus hopped out of bed, finding clothes for himself.

"No," he said, pulling a grey t-shirt over his head. "She'll be in her office by now."

Hermione sighed in relief. "Oh, good, I don't want to deal with that yet. Do you mind if I use your floo?"

"Not at all."

She smiled as Severus came up behind her, slinking his arms around her, letting them cross over her stomach. He nestled into her now-untangled curly hair (straightening charms only go so far with her hair), breathing in the scent that was uniquely hers. Hermione hummed in approval, letting her head fall back to his shoulder, her arms holding his to her.

"Will you be long?" he asked, kissing her neck lightly.

"No," she replied, "but I'm sure she'll keep me for a few minutes to say the least."

After a moment, Severus gave her a squeeze and another kiss. "Have I told you I love you today?" he asked, turning her around to face him.

He was rewarded with her brightest smile. "Yes," she whispered, stroking his face with her hand.

He leaned his cheek into her warm hand. "Well, not to sound redundant, but I love you."

"And I love you, Severus." She stood on her toes and placed a firm kiss on his lips.

Severus tightened his arms around her, holding her to him and returned the kiss in earnest, deepening it. He groaned as his tongue met hers slowly, passionately, and ended it almost just as slowly. He planted a kiss on her forehead.

"I'll see you in a bit?" he asked.

"If that's what I get when I come back, you'll see me very soon," she promised.

"That's not all you'll get," he said huskily, his hand finding her round bottom, and pressing her into his growing erection.

Hermione moaned lowly. "Maybe I just won't leave then," she whispered hoarsely, her desire rising.

Severus chuckled. "No, love, go see Minerva."

Her named seem to lessen the need to stay. "I think I'm just going to walk up there, seeing as it's only up the stairs and around the corner. I need a minute to cool off, anyway."

"Sounds good. The password is Constant Vigilance."

She chuckled. "Thank you. I'll be back soon." She kissed him quickly and hurried through the bedroom into his office and into the dungeon hall. She shivered slightly and practically ran the whole way through the hall and up the stairs. She shoved the dungeon door open and her breath caught in her throat.

It had only been a few years since she had seen the beauty of the Great Hall in the morning light, but it still astounded her. She reminded herself she would have many more days being able to appreciate it… she had much more important things awaiting her return.

She made it quickly to the gargoyle and nervousness flooded into her stomach. She hadn't seen Minerva since the last day of her seventh year that she had come back for. She took a deep breath, spoke the password, and climbed the stairs.

She knocked lightly, unsure.

"Come in!" called a voice from inside.

Hermione took a deep breath and opened the door. Her eyes swept over the office quickly. It looked almost identical to how she remembered it, full of trinkets and portraits, but still beautiful and neat. Her eyes finally fell on the stern-looking Headmistress, who had looked up from her desk.

A/N: So I think I may continue a bit more with this story… just throwing in an epilogue seems as though it would leave the story unfinished to me…. I have quite a few more ideas for it, and I hope that you stick with me for a few more chapters. Let me know what you think about this chapter, though! As always, thank you for reading.