The Outlook

The new year was a time of change for Hermione. She moved out of her flat, her parents went back to Australia but had already made plans to return soon again, and she started working on another research project in cooperation with Desmond at St Mungo's where they were looking for a better way to treat Dragon Pox. It was nice to work with others toward the same goal instead of being mostly alone with her thoughts and problems. The team was led by one of the senior Healers, a woman called Merigold Rosier whom Hermione had instantly come to like. She was sharp but fair, encouraging questions and discussions in the team.

Hermione shut the door to her new office a few doors away from Desmond's and made her way down the corridors to the nearest spot she could Apparate from. It was late, a Thursday in February, but a few others were still there. She waved at Dilys Derwent's portrait but didn't stop to chat, wanting to get back to Severus as soon as possible.

When she arrived at the cottage the smell of cooking greeted her, causing her stomach to growl in response. Crookshanks was purring from the armchair by the fire, and Iris had settled next to Muninn who had his own little owlery just off the kitchen. Or if it should be Phoenix-ery, Hermione mused. She padded into the kitchen and hugged her fiance from behind as he stood by the stove stirring a stew of some kind. He had tied his hair back again and pulled his shirtsleeves up.

"That smells lovely," she commented.

He turned to kiss her. "Welcome home. How was your day?"

"Fine, thanks. No major accidents. What about you? Do you need a hand here?"

"I finished the latest test batch, it almost worked this time. Go change, I've got this."

She nodded and went upstairs to change out of her business robes, preferring to dress more comfortably at home. Home… It had surprised her how quickly Severus' cottage had started to feel like home. He was there, after all, and that was all that mattered. She'd brought her books, of course, which had required an extension of his library, and her couch which also got put in the library. Other than that she hadn't had much to bring. Her clothes, of course, which now had their own wardrobe in the bedroom, and a few other souvenirs and small knickknacks in the sitting room or wherever they made sense. The TV was put in the annex which was slightly insulated from magic, and they'd managed to catch a few Time Team episodes.

When she changed clothes she thought back to the Malfoys' ball. They had continued to talk the next day, about their childhoods, their fears and wishes, anything that came up. Hermione had never felt as close to anyone as she did after that, which Severus had agreed with. He'd sent Muninn to the Malfoy Manor and they had gone there for lunch a few days later. Lucius had profoundly apologised for his actions during the War, saying that he now had a different understanding and outlook on life, and he had also assured her that Claudette would no longer be around. Narcissa had showed her the drawing room which had now been transformed into a winter garden, with flowers and plants where once there was blood and pain. Apparently they'd removed a few of the rooms completely, including the dungeons, saying no amount of redecoration could get rid of the stench of evil that clung to those walls. The pair had also insisted on sending Hermione and Severus to a very posh Wizarding restaurant where they'd gone for a nice and very public dinner, ending up in the Daily Prophet the day after with a picture that perfectly captured his heated gaze and slow smile, her blush and smile and the ring on her finger.

Of course not every day was perfect. Some days she was moody or hormonal, or just plain grumpy, and some other days he was sullen and brooding, or stuck in the lab until well after midnight. But they still managed to maintain an underlying respect for each other, and either managed to snap the other out of it or leave them alone. Some days they didn't talk much, with Hermione busy at St Mungo's all day and then spending the evening together reading a book each in the library or the sitting room.

Severus had invited Minerva McGonagall over for dinner one evening in January before term started. The Headmistress had apparently heard the rumours already since she merely twinkled as badly as Albus when she saw both of them together, and said they made an excellent couple. After a while, talk had drifted to Hogwarts, the war and the Ministry.

"I'm not going to that stupid Ministry Ball this year," Hermione had declared.

Minerva nodded slowly. "I like Kingsley but those balls are a bit much for me."

"What about holding a memorial feast at Hogwarts? We should acknowledge those we lost and the price of victory, on both sides." Severus had suggested. Minerva had immediately run with the idea and the three of them discussed options long into the night.

~o~o~o~o~o~

It was strange to be back at Hogwarts, she thought, as Severus escorted her from the gates up to the castle a few months later. Hermione looked up at the towers, the multitude of windows and oddly-connected pieces that sometimes seemed to defy the laws of physics. Various plants and flowers were set on either side of the gravel pathway, framing the path. The early May sun was shining, painting everything in bright new spring colours.

A delegation of students stood by the stairs to welcome guests and show them were to go. They appeared stunned by seeing their old Potions Master there, clad in impeccable dress robes and with a witch on his arm. Hermione smiled, she thought he looked quite dashing clad in his slate grey outer robes with swirling silver details along the lapels, with a black frock coat underneath and an emerald green cravat. She wore green dress robes with golden details, and the earrings he had given her.

Severus nodded at them. "Mr Orpington, Miss Vance, Mr Higgs."

The students got over their shock at seeing him and smiled, welcoming both of them to the Memorial Banquet.

The Great Hall was sparsely decorated with fresh flowers, probably selected by Neville. Green garlands hung from the wall sconces, and the room had been magically enlarged to fit not only the Castle's students and teachers but also the various guests that kept coming in, with three new long tables in between the House tables. The Head table had also been removed to give way for a raised dais that could function as a scene. The House banners were removed from the tables and now hung on the walls, two to each long wall.

An enchanted string quartet was playing in a corner of the dais, magic ensuring that the sound carried across the Hall, confirmed by Severus to be Professor Flitwick's work. Most teachers were there already, talking to former students. She spotted Harry and Ginny who were talking to Hagrid, and Luna was standing next to Kingsley who was talking to the Headmistress. Kingsley had been rather easy to convince to attend the event at Hogwarts rather than setting up a Ministry-sponsored ball, and Hermione guessed they were ready to make their relationship more public.

Many other students from her own time were also there, a few of them doing a double take when they saw her on Severus' arm. He in turn nodded at old Slytherins, teachers and other acquaintances. The Malfoys were there, Draco escorting a witch Hermione didn't recognise, and Horace Slughorn had also showed up, his hair completely silver by now. Ron and Lavender were also there. Hermione nodded at Lavender who smiled at her before she distracted Ron with a Butterbeer. The rest of the Weasleys were also present, including Molly and Arthur who stood talking to Poppy Pomfrey by the wall under the Gryffindor banner.

House-elves helped everyone find their seats, in some instances a bit more forcibly than otherwise. Hermione and Severus were seated near the front of the room, and she was relieved to see Ron further down the table, out of conversation distance. Harry and Ginny sat close, and Kingsley and Luna. The hundreds of candles dimmed over the hall as the Headmistress went up to the podium to welcome everyone, illuminated by a few strategically placed Charms.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. Past students, current students, friends, future friends. Today we remember those we have lost, and the reason why we fought. We who survived, and the new generations, must ensure that this never happens again."

The Headmistress spoke some more about the fight at Hogwarts and the war years, but Hermione was lost in memories. So much had happened to them during her years at Hogwarts, right from the time she arrived. She startled when applause filled the room as Minerva had finished speaking. The lights brightened again, and Severus grasped her hand in his, giving it a squeeze. Suddenly the food arrived on the tables. The elves had prepared baked salmon, steak, various vegetable platters, sauces and potatoes, giving everyone the chance to choose what they preferred. Soon the Hall was filled with the clang of silverware and the buzz of conversation.

Severus went up to speak when the main course was finished. The room fell silent as his rich baritone washed over them. He spoke of consequences, of difficult choices, of having the courage to do what is difficult even when one is afraid. He talked about those that made the wrong choice but not out of blazing conviction but rather out of fear or obligation, and what life might be like afterwards. He also spoke of his own eternal guilt for the ones he couldn't protect as Headmaster, and his relief that the current batch of students would never have to experience what their predecessors had during the war years.

When he finished, the room was completely silent. The lights had dimmed again, casting the hall in dusky shadows. Harry was the first to lift his wand, lighting the tip, which Hermione and the others around him quickly copied. Soon more and more people followed until the whole room was lit by wand tips. Severus lit his own wand, raising it high. The Headmistress walked up to him and engulfed him in a hug before turning to the audience again.

"Thank you Severus. Now that we have remembered the past it is time to turn to the future." She clapped her hands twice, and various dessert choices appeared on the tables. Fruit bowls, chocolate pralines, various cakes, trifles and puddings, ice cream and sorbet. Hermione selected a strawberry trifle and some chocolate pralines, while Severus went for the Black Forest cake.

Harry was next up to talk once most people had finished dessert. He spoke of the need to remember but also to live, to make the right choices and make sure there was a future to look forward to. It was a good talk, ending the formal part of the evening on a lighter note. The Headmistress went up to give him a hug. She then turned to the room, clapped her hands twice to let the elves know they could take away the dishes, and then swept her wand in a wide circle overhead. The tables shrank in on themselves, and the benches tipped everyone off before folding themselves neatly into small boxes that could be taken aside. The room looked huge without the furniture in it. Filius must have prepared something, because soon the room was filled with music again, and the Headmistress invited everyone to dance.

Severus swept her off in a waltz. Hermione smiled up at him as he led her around the room, holding her slightly closer than was proper. He looked impassive as ever but his eyes were warm when they met hers. She saw Neville and Millicent dancing nearby, not yet married but they were planning an event after the end of term. Kingsley and Luna were dancing near Harry and Ginny. Bill and Fleur were there too, without their daughter, but Fleur's stomach was rounded again. Hermione was happy for them and hoped it would hold this time. It seemed life would go on, after all.

"We won, Severus," she said. He looked surprised for a second before nodding.

"That we did."

~o~o~o~o~o~

After his rather impulsive proposal already on their first day back together they had started to talk about an eventual bonding. Severus had said he would agree to whatever she wanted but she knew he'd be rather uncomfortable in a big, posh, Muggle-style wedding. Her own tastes also leaned towards something simpler.

"Why don't you do a traditional bonding instead then?" Ginny had asked when they had discussed it during one of Hermione's visits to Grimmauld Place.

The youngest Weasley wouldn't be able to get out of having a big lavish affair, but Hermione thought Ginny didn't mind too much, and Harry would be fine as long as his witch was happy. After some explanations and much research Hermione had agreed that a bonding sounded much more like them. That choice also had the advantage of not needing as much preparation and planning, and so they decided to have the ceremony in August despite it being only a few months away. Minerva had offered to host it at Hogwarts but Hermione's parents being Muggles meant that wouldn't work. Instead they chose to set it up on the meadow behind the cottage, with the help of a few elves from Hogwarts ("Only if they want to help out, and only if we can give them something in return!" Hermione had insisted) to handle the food.

Still, their guest list included quite a few people. Hermione had insisted on inviting her friends and family, including Healer Trout at St Mungo's, various Weasleys and several others. Together with the Malfoys and a few others that Severus invited, mainly from the staff at Hogwarts, they still ended up with about fifty people. Minerva had been elated over being asked to officiate.

~o~o~o~o~o~

Hermione took a deep breath and fussed with the simple bouquet she carried, of flowers she had plucked herself by letting her magic and intuition guide her. A few of them came from their own gardens while others were from the surrounding landscape, and she'd even trekked up to Hogwarts to pluck two roses from behind the greenhouses, with Neville's blessing. She wore a very basic dress, a simple white linen gown that reached down to her bare feet, and nothing else. Her hair was half pinned up with a few roses with some help from Lucy, and now she was standing alone by the old oak tree next to their cottage, waiting for the sign that would tell her when she needed to go down to the meadow. She had assumed the sign in question would be something the officiant would organise, some sound or visible signal, but no one had told her any details, oddly enough. Her parents had arrived earlier, escorted through the Floo by Harry and Ginny.

Suddenly she simply knew. It was time. An urge to go down there started to build in her chest even though nothing obvious had happened to prompt it. With a shrug she followed the pull of magic which was leading her down to the meadow. From the other side of the clearing she saw him walking towards her, obviously driven by the same urge. He was clad in a simple tunic made from white linen, and black linen trousers. His black eyes sought hers even from a distance and they automatically fell into step with each other, magic ensuring that they ended up right in front of Minerva at exactly the same time.

Hermione didn't notice anything else, not the audience, not Minerva who took the bouquet from Hermione and spread the flowers around them in a rough circle, only the man her heart had chosen who seemed equally focused on her. Magic wove between them, humming and crackling. He put his hands out for her, palms up and together almost like a bowl. When she put her hands in his the hum of magic became even stronger. It coursed through and around them both, a resonance between his magic, her own and the wild magic of the ancient ritual.

Minerva raised her hands over her head. Sparks flew from her wand as she began the traditional incantation. As she spoke, the magic around Hermione and Severus started to solidify and shrink into two visible ribbons that were still hovering in the air, shining with a golden light so bright it was almost painful to look at. Minerva slashed her wand down, causing the ribbons to wrap around their joined hands. Hermione gasped when his magic settled in her skin, flowing over her like a warm embrace. He pulled her closer, their hands still bound, but he tilted his head down towards her just as she raised her face to him. Their lips met. For half a heartbeat neither of them moved but then one of them deepened the kiss. Magic released their hands when the bond had saturated and formed two rings around their fingers. Her hands rose almost on their own accord to tangle in his hair while his arms pulled her flush against him. She could feel his hard erection against her stomach and an answering heat was pooling deep inside her.

"Hermione Jean Granger, do you accept this Severus Snape to be your bonded husband, for the rest of your days?"

"Yes!" she answered when the question registered. Minerva might have needed to call her names a few times for her to notice. His eyes, she could lose herself in that dark gaze, nothing else mattered.

"Severus Snape, do you accept this Hermione Jean Granger to be your bonded wife, for the rest of your days?"

"Yes," he almost growled. Then he kissed her again.

Somewhere else, distant, she heard the Headmistress proclaim them husband and wife but she didn't much care, didn't notice. All that mattered was him.

"Come, wife," he muttered for her ears only.

"Oh yes," she all but moaned.

He shifted his grasp on her slightly. Suddenly they were airborne. She gasped and clung closer to his neck while he flew them over the assembled guests and away. Over his shoulder she saw the cottage shrink until it was a dot among the green fields.

"Severus, where are we going?"

"I don't know."

"Wait — what —"

"Magic will tell."

Shortly thereafter he set them down on a small hill in a forest clearing, in a large flower ring of clearly magical origin. Small grassy mounds dotted the hilltop, probably remains of an earlier settlement. The air hummed with magic. Hermione didn't much notice, however. She only had eyes for him, her body humming with need and residual magic from the ceremony. She reached for a kiss. He seemed equally hungry for her and complied, kissing her deeply. They sank down on the grass with Hermione ending up in his lap. Impatiently she pulled at his trousers and after a bit of effort his erection sprang free, causing him to groan. She shifted a bit to get her gown out of the way and impaled herself on him, letting him fill her. He leaned back until he lay down on his back in the grass.

"Witch, you are marvellous," he murmured. "Wife."

She started moving. It took her a few tries to find a good rhythm but the heat built quickly, intensified by the magic coursing through them from the ritual. When he started helping out by planting his feet on the ground for leverage she quickly lost it, howling as she came. He grunted and a few thrusts later he too lost it, spilling himself inside her. Their bond hummed inside her, the wild magic settling with the completion of the ritual, replaced by a feeling of contentment. This was right. They were right, together.

"I love you," she whispered as she collapsed on top of him.

"Good," he muttered and closed his eyes. "I love you too, you know. Wife."

She lifted her left hand. A solid gold ring now sat next to the ring Severus had given her, created by the ritual as a manifestation of their bond. While Severus seemed sleepy, Hermione instead felt invigorated. She rolled off him and sat up to look around. The grass was soft and warm, and the magical flowers around the perimeter of the ring added a sweet scent to the air.

"Where do you think we are?"

He groused but rose on his elbow to look around. "I think we went roughly south, this might be the Cotswolds. There are plenty of old powerful sites around there."

After righting their clothes they Apparated back to the cottage and snuck upstairs to change. Hermione's gown and the back of Severus' shirt were grassy and wrinkled, for some odd reason. They managed a quick shower which turned heated rather soon. He nibbled her neck, the water drizzling over them. She felt the bond hum with some sort of resonance. Urgency and an absolute need took over, again. He lifted her by her arse and pushed her against the wall for leverage, the water coursing over his back. Both of them groaned when he filled her, again. He set a hard rhythm, slamming into her while she held on to his shoulders, driving her ever higher. She shattered around him, howling his name as she came which caused him to follow with a grunt, resting his head against the wall next to her throat. With a gentle kiss he let her down again so that they could continue with the shower.

When they rejoined the others, now dressed in proper clothes, the party was in full swing. The elves had set up a buffet table with refreshments of various kinds, and Filius had lent them his enchanted string quartet which was playing a merry jig off to the side. Winky popped up with two glasses of champagne for them. Their hopes of rejoining the others unobtrusively were dashed when the Weasley twins noticed them.

"Oi! They're back!" Fred shouted.

Everyone turned to look at them, cheering wildly. Minerva quickly walked up to them, hugged both of them and turned to the others. "A toast for the happy couple!"

"Had a good time, eh?" George asked her with a wink.

Hermione blushed, a bit uncomfortable with the fact that everyone actually knew without a doubt what the two of them had been up to when they were gone. "A lady doesn't kiss and tell, George."

Severus came to her rescue, snaking a hand around her waist and raising an eyebrow at George who grinned in reply and sketched an elaborate bow.

"That was the strongest Bonding I've seen," Minerva said with a wistful smile.

"That wasn't normal?" Hermione asked, biting her lip. Had they done it wrong?

"Oh no, it's just a sign of your compatibility, dear. Usually the couple can actually hear questions and wait for prompts before kissing or leaving. You seem exceptionally well matched."

"We followed the magic," Severus said.

Everyone came up to greet them at once. Her mother hugged both of them and kissed Hermione on the cheek while her father shook hands with Severus. Harry and Ginny were next, Harry congratulating Severus a bit stiffly while Ginny grinned at her and waggled her eyebrows. The Hogwarts delegation stood nearby, with Professors Flitwick, Sprout, Vector and Sinistra along with Madam Pomfrey and Hagrid who was currently sniffling into a pink flowery handkerchief.

The enchanted band struck up a waltz and everyone cleared the way for them. Severus handed their glasses to Neville who was closest and swept Hermione off in a dance. She smiled up at him as he led them across the lawn, feelings of love and pride mixed with an undertone of possessiveness. He was her wizard, and now the whole world would know.

After the waltz the rest of the crowd joined in to dance, mingle, eat and drink. Gradually the August sky darkened and the first few stars appeared. The evening was still warm. Fred and George set off fireworks of their own design, filling the sky with long-tailed rockets, pink Catherine wheels, a fire-breathing dragon that seemed to hunt the other fireworks and sparklers that wrote "Hermione and Severus" across the sky. Everyone cheered when the dragon ate a wheel, huffed and belched out a pink Dementor-like creature which squealed as the dragon took up the hunt.

Severus and Hermione stood a little off to the side, left alone for once, watching the fireworks.

"Are you happy, wife?" he asked, leaning in towards her.

"More than happy. This has been absolutely perfect. What about you?"

He nodded. "It has been surprisingly tolerable for a party, and I would do anything as long as it led to me having you in my arms."

She kissed him. He tasted of champagne and something solid, unwavering. Protection. Home. Love. When they broke off, he smiled at her and kissed her forehead.

Severus tapped his glass with his wand, calling for attention. "Thank you, everyone. We are honoured to have you all here to share this day with us. Please stay as long as you wish, Winky will show those of you that are in no shape to Apparate where there are beds available. We will, undoubtedly, see you later."

With a flourish he produced an item from his pocket, a silver statuette in the form of a horse. It looked a bit out of place, and Hermione wondered what it was for. Before she could ask he had secured his hold on her and tapped the horse with his wand, activating the Portkey.

After a longer time than she'd experienced before the dizzying journey was over and Hermione stumbled out of his grasp onto a sandy beach, falling down on her knees. The sky was dark and the night even warmer. Severus came up behind her and gave her a hand up.

"Where are we?"

He smirked. "I thought we could use some time away, and your mother gave me the idea to come here. This is south Crete and we have the house over there to ourselves for two weeks. There's a small Wizarding community nearby but we're just outside the village."

She gasped and looked around. The moonlight illuminated a small white house with blue window trimmings on the edge of the beach. She took his hand and together they walked closer after Hermione had taken off her high heels. The sand was still a little warm to walk in.

They had a look inside. Winky had apparently packed their clothes and other items during the feast, and everything was set out for them. A bedroom, a small kitchen and sitting area, a simple bathroom and a large patio overlooking the sea. She turned to kiss him again, love and want and need rising quickly again, and soon they found themselves on the bed again.

"Love you, husband," she said with a yawn, her head on his shoulder.

"Wife."

They fell asleep in a tangle on top of the sheets, both of them spent after the eventful day.

The two weeks passed quickly. Hermione insisted on sunbathing and swimming in the ocean, and Severus took her on treks up the mountains to look for rare potions ingredients. They found a few local restaurants, and otherwise bought food and refreshments at the local market in the small magical village or in the nearby Muggle one. It was a perfect holiday, which Hermione made sure to tell him. They even made some longer trips, hopping on a Muggle bus to go to interesting sites a bit further away and then Apparating back to the small house.

A few days after they finally made it home again Hermione was struck by a thought. Her breasts were aching, her sense of smell was a bit too sensitive and she really didn't want to even look at eggs or sausages. Was she…? Not able to let it go once the thought had taken root she walked out to the lab where Severus was busy brewing.

"Severus?"

"Hm?" He looked up quickly before resuming the stirring count.

"I'm… am I… I don't know?" She wrapped her arms around herself.

"What, wife?" He put the potion in stasis and came up to her.

"I'm not sure but do you know the pregnancy test charm?" she blurted out.

His arms wrapped around her much as his astonishment and joy wrapped around her fear. "Love, it will be alright," he murmured against her hair.

"But I was taking the potion this time, promise!" She looked up at him.

Severus chuckled. "I doubt any potion would stand a chance against a bonding as strong as ours." He led her over to a wooden bench along the wall of the lab. "Can you lie down here? That gives the best results for the charm."

She nodded and lay back on the slightly too narrow bench. Severus concentrated and cast a complicated charm over her stomach. Gradually a bright green light became visible over her lower belly.

"Is that —"

"Yes." He cleared his throat. "We're… You're pregnant."

Hermione flung herself into his arms. "I'm scared, Severus. What if we lose this one too?"

He held her just as tight as she did him. "We're in it together, love. Whatever happens, I won't leave you."

"Yes. Together."

They stood like that for a long time until Hermione gradually relaxed in his embrace.

It would be alright. They would be alright. Together.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

A/N: This is where we leave them, apart from a short epilogue. Thank you everyone who has followed and commented on this sometimes rather angsty tale. I hope the end made up for the horrors I put them through at least a little…