Summary: The end of our tale, but a bright future ahead.

Chapter 21

"Are you ready?" Severus asked as he moved behind Hermione, placing his hands on her waist.

She looked in the mirror and admired him in his black dress robes which were embroidered with vines on the lapels. Turning, her arms went around his neck, and she kissed his cheek.

"Almost," she said.

Severus looked her over. She wore a floor-length, hunter-green gown and was bedecked with a beautiful emerald necklace and earrings that he'd given her for her birthday.

"You look perfect already, what more do you need to do?"

She smiled at him. "Great answer," she murmured, "but I just need to put those hair clips in."

She turned and within no time had pulled the sides of her hair back with two combs that matched her jewelry perfectly. Turning back around, she smiled at Severus as she grabbed her clutch.

"Now I'm ready," she said.

"I'm proud to have you on my arm tonight, Hermione."

"And I'm thrilled that I will be seen with you."

"You'll be the belle of the ball."

"Everyone will be jealous that you are my date."

Severus snorted. "I doubt that."

She slapped him lightly. "Enough! You know it upsets me when you demean yourself."

"Yes, mummy."

Hermione chuckled, and Severus grinned at her. Reaching out, he let her grasp his arm before spinning them to the Entrance Hall. Hermione shook her head at him.

"Always quick to use those ex-Headmaster perks," she teased.

He shrugged. "Why not? It would be a shame not to take advantage of them."

They entered the Great Hall which was bedecked with fruit trees of all kinds in bloom. There were pinks, whites, yellows, and light blue blossoms surrounding the edge of the room. Circling the room were tables, and the middle of the room was left open for dancing. The ceiling was lit up as if it were twilight.

"Congratulations on your graduation, my love," Severus murmured as they moved into the room.

She smiled up at him. "Thank you! I'm looking forward to a nice evening celebrating. The ceremony from this morning was lovely, and I'm looking forward to continuing the festivities." She looked up at him with large eyes. "Will you dance with me later?"

His heart constricted with her look. He wanted to snog her senseless right then and there, but he refrained, but his love for her just increased with the vulnerable look she was giving him. Of course, he would dance with her. He was truly looking forward to it. Pulling his emotions back, he resolved to not look like a lovesick fool. He arched an eyebrow at her.

"Already making demands."

"I asked, I didn't demand!" she said in a huff.

He grinned at her. "I will dance with you."

"Good," she replied. "Oh, there's Harry."

She pointed across the room. Potter and his wife were standing along with Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood.

"Looks like the gang's all here," Severus replied dryly.

Hermione shook his arm slightly. "You said you would be nice."

"And I will be," he answered. "I don't have to enjoy it, though."

Hermione shook her head at him. He tolerated her friends well enough, but he never missed an opportunity to moan about it.

They approached the other two couples. Severus simply tilted his head in greeting to them.

"Hi everyone!" Hermione gushed.

Hugs were given–to her–as they greeted one another. Longbottom nodded at Severus, but didn't say anything either and quickly looked away, but his date extended her hand.

"Good to see you here, Professor," Luna said airily.

Severus winced internally. He didn't want to be called professor by any of them. "I believe I have asked all of you to call me… Severus."

"Yes, you have," Luna replied while tilting her head slightly. "But you don't like it very well, do you?"

He eyed the group. "I have come to an acceptance of it," he replied.

Luna smiled. "I'm glad, sir… Severus."

"So, what have you been up to, Snape?" Potter asked. He'd never been able to bring himself to call the man by his given name.

"I am working on a new serum that heals scars. It's roughly based on wound paste. I've got a couple of trials finishing up, and hopefully, it will be ready to market within six months."

Before Potter had a chance to reply, Minerva's voice soared throughout the room.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending our graduation ceremony this morning. We are happy to have you all here to celebrate our graduates and their bright futures. Please take your seats. We will begin dinner service in a few minutes followed by dancing. Congratulations everyone!"

There was polite clapping from all before everyone settled into their seats. Ron had arrived as Minerva had been speaking, and he sat next to Hermione.

"Hi Ron," Hermione greeted as she hugged him.

"Good to see you, Hermione," Ron replied. He nodded at Severus in greeting. "Sorry I couldn't make the ceremony earlier. I've been undercover for a while, and we were finally able to make an arrest."

"That's okay. I understand. I was glad that Harry was able to be there, knowing how busy you both are."

"Right," Harry interjected. "It was close. We were almost assigned to work that job together."

"So, did you finally figure out what you're going to do now that you've graduated?" Ron asked, his mouth full of mashed potatoes.

"Ronald!" she chastised.

"Whuh?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I think it's been decided for a while. I'm going to become a Healer. St. Mungo's just sent me an acceptance letter for an apprenticeship yesterday. It was what we were waiting for."

"That's wonderful, Hermione," Luna said dreamily. "You'll be perfect in that role."

"Thanks, Luna."

"So, when do you start?" Ginny asked.

"A week from Monday. I'm already getting nervous."

"You will perform well," Severus advised.

Ron nodded. "Snape's right, Hermione. You already have an edge knowing Empathic Magic and healing. Besides, you're brilliant."

Hermione blushed. "Thanks, Ron. I appreciate that."

"Professor Sprout offered me an apprenticeship," Neville added.

"That's fantastic, Neville," Harry exclaimed.

They continued chatting as they finished their dinner. Soon, music began to play and several people began to dance. Severus looked over at Hermione.

"Shall we?"

She smiled brightly and nodded at him.

He rose and extended his hand to her. Placing hers within his, she rose. They moved to the dance floor, and she was soon in his arms dancing. He looked down at her and was surprised to see her look of devotion.

"This has been a lovely night," she remarked.

"Mmm hmm," he agreed.

"Thank you for dancing with me."

He arched a brow at her. "I always intended to," he admitted.

She smiled then and kissed his cheek.

"Mmm, you missed," he purred.

"Forgive me," she said as she rectified her aim.

Her kiss was soft and loving. He returned it equally but didn't hold it as long as he would have liked to. He knew they were being watched by the entire room. Everyone knew they were a couple, but they didn't spend a lot of time in the public eye, and something as intimate as dancing was bound to attract every eye in the hall.

He pulled her close, and she rested her head on his chest as they swayed together. When the song ended, Hermione moved to separate, but he held her tightly. She looked up at him, and he arched a brow. She smiled and replaced her head on his chest. They danced together like that for a while, even during the faster songs, and Severus enjoyed her closeness. A slow song was playing again, and they were swaying together happily. He wished they could just exist in this moment forever, but sadly, he knew they'd need to return to reality soon… but not just yet.

His eyes closed as they swayed together. He felt Hermione's fingers rubbing his chest. His hand covered hers and squeezed as he was filled with the love he had for her. She was everything he'd ever wanted, and she was his. He wanted this to last, and he was prepared to make it so later that night.

oooOOOooo

They appeared in their sitting room, much, much later. Hermione turned to Severus.

"Thank you for a lovely night. I couldn't think of a better evening than to have you with me to celebrate my graduation.

He smiled and bowed his head slightly.

"It was my pleasure."

"Now," she continued as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "We can celebrate more intimately."

"Whatever do you mean, witch?"

She smirked and kissed him just on the side of his lips. "You know exactly what I mean."

He smirked back. "So, you want to make wild, passionate love to me?" he countered.

"Over and over again."

"Well, who am I to stop a determined woman?"

She extracted herself from him, gave him a sultry smile, and turned, making her way to their bedroom.

"Wait… one second, Hermione," he called to her.

She stopped and turned. Once again, he took in her beauty. She never ceased to look etherial, even when she wasn't dressed so strikingly.

"Yes?" she asked.

Closing the gap between them, his hands grasped hers.

"I need to ask you something."

"Of course."

"Hermione, I…"

Fear gripped him suddenly, but then he got a determined look on his face. She loved him. There was no reason this wouldn't work the way he wanted it to. He cleared his throat.

"We have been together for a year now. I never thought I could ever be so happy and fulfilled."

Hermione smiled at him.

"I thought I knew love before, but I honestly had no idea what real love was until I met you. I've never had anyone be so caring to me. You are my advocate, my confidant, and my true partner."

His hand moved up and cupped her face as he gazed lovingly into her eyes.

"I never want to lose you," he continued and dropped to one knee. A ring box appeared in his hand, open to reveal a diamond solitaire engagement ring.

"Marry me? I don't ever want to be parted from you."

Hermione gasped as her hand went to her chest.

"Severus! Oh, it's so beautiful! I… I wasn't expecting this at all! I didn't think you wanted that kind of commitment… I…"

"Hermione?" Severus asked again nervously.

She clasped her hands over her mouth before exclaiming, "Of course, I'll marry you! I love you more than anything."

She stooped down and her arms went around him. His surrounded her, and she knelt down so she could access him better as he pulled her into a passionate kiss. The ring magically appeared on her finger. Breaking away, she pulled back to admire it. She looked at him with tears in her eyes.

"It's beautiful… and you're beautiful… and I can't wait to be your wife."

He grinned happily at her and kissed her senseless. Once they finally parted, Hermione looked at Severus lovingly.

"You take my breath away…"

"And I can't get enough of you, my love," Severus replied.

Standing up, he put his hand out to help her up. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he kissed her again before leading her to the bedroom where he magically closed the door and showed her exactly how much she meant to him.

The End

A/N: Thanks so much everyone for your interest in this story. It's always fun playing with these two and getting them to a Happily Ever After. I'll probably have a new story up soon. I've got a couple percolating. Some are somewhat short, but I've got a long one being developed, and I'm writing something for the Harlequin Romance Challenge on Potions and Parchment on FB which will be posted probably at the end of March on Ao3 and probably FFN.