A/N: Hey, y'all:) Thanks to everyone who's reviewed, followed, and/or favored this story so far! Your support means the world to me!

Enjoy:)

The view was stunning. From the top, Severus and Hermione could see the Atlantic stretching before them. There was a tennis court below, and old houses could be seen lining the streets. They had reached the top just before six, and the sun was setting. From fifty meters above, the colors reflecting on the water were breathtaking. Her ring- now back where it belonged- glinted in the last of the sunlight.

It had been quite a climb- there were roughly two-hundred steps- but it was well worth it. Looking down on the oldest city in the country, Hermione knew that she wanted to explore.

"Severus, can we go into the city tomorrow? I think I want to play tourist."

"That would be acceptable. There are several museums I would like to visit."

Hermione smiled and leaned against him. Now that the sun was setting and the wind was picking up, it was becoming colder. Severus' arm came to rest around her waist, holding her close.

They would have been happy to stay like that forever, but their tour group was descending, and it was time for them to leave.

When they reached the bottom, Severus led Hermione to a small hidden spot behind the keeper's house and Apparated them home. Both were starving by the time they threw themselves down on the couch, but neither wanted to move.

"I could always call for pizza. There's a magnet for a local parlor on the fridge."

Severus only nodded; it had been a long, albeit pleasant, day, and he just wanted to rest.

Rising to get the phone, Hermione groaned. Looking up in alarm, Severus saw her face scrunched in pain.

"What's wrong?"

She grimaced. "Nothing, just a sunburn."

"Let me see."

"Hold on, I want to call first. What would you like?"

"I've always been partial to everything, minus anchovies."

Hermione looked surprised, and he raised an elegant brow. "That's my favorite as well."

They smiled to each other before she moved to place their order. She wasn't gone for very long, and returned with a jar of Burn Salve.

"It feels pretty bad; I may need this."

He beckoned her over, and she sat in front of him, pulling her shirt over her head. Her upper back was bright red, and her shoulders had some mild scabbing.

"Do you feel feverish?"

"No, why?"

"Your shoulders are burnt pretty severely, but it doesn't sound like you have sun poisoning. Give me the salve, would you?"

Handing over the little jar, Hermione hissed as the movement stretched her burnt shoulders. Then the pain was gone as Severus used a cooling charm before gently rubbing the salve into her skin. His hands felt amazing, and she could feel the burns on her back fading away as he massaged it over the burns. When he reached her shoulders, his hands became gentler still.

"Thank you, love. That's much better," she said as she put her shirt back on. It was while she was putting the salve away the doorbell rang. Grabbing a small wad of dollar bills from the table, Severus rose to answer the door.

Returning to the couch with their dinner, Severus found the sight of two plates and glasses of wine sitting on the coffee table, which had been enlarged to make room for the boxes. He set them down and they tore into the first pizza immediately. Neither had realized just how hungry they were after their busy day.

"I don't even remember the last time I ate this much pizza in one sitting," his witch groaned, holding her stomach. "I think that last piece may have been a bit much."

Severus chuckled and took in what was left. They'd gone through the first pizza and started the second; there were about six pieces left. He vanished it to the refrigerator, returned the table to its normal size, and pulled Hermione over so she laid with her head on his lap.

It didn't take long for her to fall asleep, and he carried her carefully up to bed, doing his best to keep her from hitting the walls of the narrow staircase. Hermione, cradled against his chest, nuzzled into him as he walked, and he set her gently in the bed before crawling in behind her. Their day had been lovely, but they were both thoroughly exhausted. Pulling his witch against him, Severus allowed himself to think about their afternoon as he nodded off.

The rest of the week went smoothly. After the lighthouse, Severus and Hermione had gone to Old St. Augustine and wandered through some of the historic museums. There were reenactments of colonial life, and they had visited one of the little 'villages.' It had been rather charming, and Hermione had been intrigued by how people had lived so long ago. Castillo de San Marcos had been interesting, and the structure loomed above the water, canons still aimed at the sea.

After the fort, they had found St. George Street. It was quaint, with cobblestone roads and older looking buildings. Keeping with the Spanish theme- they were the original founders, after all- they had found a Hispanic restaurant for lunch. The spices blended beautifully, but Hermione found that some of the food was a little too hot for her liking. Severus, on the other hand, was able to eat everything they had with ease.

Christmas had been spent on the swing by the sea, Severus and Hermione sitting and reading for most of the day. It was calm and quiet, and they both enjoyed listening to the waves as they read. They had exchanged gifts earlier that morning; Severus had received a rare potions book that he had been hunting down for months, and Hermione was gifted with a figurine of their lighthouse. She wasn't sure when it had become their lighthouse, but she knew that it was. As she held it in her hands, the light began to blink, basking the dim room in a soft glow. Then she noticed the underside of the small sculpture; there was an engraving,

To Hermione, my love, my life, my heart, my everything.

Her eyes filled with tears, and she looked into the loving eyes of her wizard. She threw herself into his arms and kissed him hard, and he responded eagerly. It was sweet and hungry all at once, and Severus found himself scooping Hermione into his arms and carrying her upstairs.

Yes, it had been a good holiday, indeed.

Now, though, the two found themselves standing outside the gates of Hogwarts. They had their arms around each other's waists as they crossed the grounds and entered the castle. Albus stood in the Entrance Hall, waiting to welcome them home.

"Dear boy, Hermione, I trust your week went well?"

"Oh, yes, Headmaster, it was wonderful!" Hermione told him with a beaming smile.

Dumbledore laughed lightly. "I'm glad. I do believe the house elves have left something for you in your quarters, by the way. And Severus, there will be a staff meeting in three days to discuss the coming term. Try not to forget."

"Yes, Albus. Heaven forbid I fail to remember to show up for a meeting about the handling of dunderheads for the next six months."

The Headmaster only smiled at Severus' retort and made his way from the Hall, allowing them to be alone once more. It pleased him immensely to see that they were so happy together, and, even being the meddling old man that he was, couldn't bring himself to stand in their way any longer. As he strolled back to his office, he could hear the two bantering lightly on their way back to their rooms, and his smile widened.

The first four months of the new term passed by without a hitch, and it was now the beginning of May. Today, Hermione was going dress shopping.

Severus wanted a Wizarding ceremony, and Hermione had readily agreed, on the condition that she could wear a Muggle wedding gown. It was something she never thought she'd be able to do, and it was important. Thankfully, her wizard had understood and allowed it, saying that she would be beautiful in whatever she chose.

So, waiting at the gates for Ginny- her maid of honor- to arrive, Hermione thought about what it was she wanted. Something fitted and elegant, preferably with plenty of small details. It couldn't be too expensive- she had insisted that she pay for it; he wouldn't even see it for another year, so there was absolutely no reason for him to worry about it.

As she thought, her friend appeared at her side with a crack, startling Hermione from her mind. Ginny had a smile plastered onto her face; she had been waiting for more than a year to help Hermione with her wedding. She had found that she had her mother's gift for planning events, even if she did stress unnecessarily during the process.

"Are you ready?"

Hermione nodded. She was excited, and couldn't wait to begin their shopping. Usually, she loathed it unless it was at a bookstore, but Hermione was unable to shake her happiness.

"Well, let's go, then!"

The two witches Apparated to Muggle London and quickly found a small bridal boutique. It was warm and open, and Hermione was certain that she'd find something here.

"Hello, how may I help you?"

A store assistant was approaching them, smiling as she walked.

"My friend here is getting married, and we're here to find her a dress," Ginny responded.

"Congratulations!" she exclaimed, turned to Hermione. "Did you have anything specific in mind?"

"No, not really. I'm pretty much open to just about anything."

"Well, let's get started! I'm Sarah, by the way. When's the wedding?"

"Hermione," she said, shaking the woman's hand. "And the ceremony is set for April twenty-sixth."

Sarah nodded and led the girls to the back of the shop, sitting them down in front of a fitting area.

"I'll pull some gowns for you to try so we can see what you like, and then we can narrow down the selection from there."

"That sounds perfect, thank you!"

Their assistant left them alone, and Hermione and Ginny chatted idly. Ginny and Harry were trying to get pregnant and, with Ginny being a Weasley, they expected that it wouldn't take long. They had already started making a nursery in one of the upstairs bedrooms of their home in Grimmauld Place. Hermione was pleased to see that their marriage was going so well; it reassured her more than she'd thought it would. Certain as she was that this was what she wanted to do, it was only natural to worry about such a huge moment in her life with Severus.

The rustling of fabric alerted them to Sarah's return with an armful of gowns.

"Shall we begin, then?"

Hermione nodded and followed her into the fitting room. She gave a small gasp when she saw how many dresses there were. Sarah noticed and smiled encouragingly.

"Oh, this is just a start. We have to find what you want, and it should help to see what styles look best on you. I grabbed some of everything."

Doing her best to remember what she was shopping for, Hermione undressed and pulled on the first gown. It fit her body snugly, flaring out at her calves. There was delicate beadwork covering the bodice, and Hermione thought it was beautiful.

Sarah led her out so she could show Ginny. Her eyes narrowed in scrutiny, looking Hermione over carefully.

"I think it's very pretty, but I don't think it's the one. Maybe something less fitted?"

Looking at herself in the full-length mirror, Hermione had to agree. While she liked the details, it wasn't the right silhouette.

Following Sarah back into the fitting room, Hermione proceeded to try on five more dresses, each getting closer to what she now knew she was looking for, but never quite reaching it. A ball gown had been settled upon, but they had yet to find one that was just right. Staying positive, Sarah offered to let her look for a bit to see if she found anything.

Hermione agreed eagerly, sure that she would know it when she saw it. She looked through dozens of dresses and was nearly at the end when she found one that looked promising.

"Sarah? I think I'd like to try this one," Hermione called.

Her assistant was at her side almost immediately.

"Alright," she said, pulling it off the rack. "Let's go see how it looks."

When they came out of the fitting room for the seventh time that day, Ginny's eyes lit up.

"Brilliant, Hermione. That's it!"

She had a look at the dress she was wearing, and knew that Ginny was right. This was the dress she would be married in.

"I completely agree. Sarah, this is the one."

And with that, Hermione bought the dress and a veil, and she and Ginny left the shop with her purchases. They Apparated back to Hogsmeade where she shrunk her things and put them carefully in her bag before they stopped for lunch at The Three Broomsticks.

While sipping butterbeers and waiting for their food, the heart at Hermione's throat warmed. Touching her hand to her neck, she thought of her fiancée.

Severus? Is everything alright?

Yes, I just wanted to make sure everything was going well with Ginevra.

Oh, Severus, everything's lovely!

You found what you were looking for, then?

It's absolutely perfect! We're in Hogsmeade at the moment, but I should be home soon.

Alright. I love you.

I love you, too, Severus.

"Was that tall, dark, and sexy?"

Hermione blushed and nodded at her friend, who was no doubt thinking of numerous dirty things that Severus could have been thinking to her. "He just wanted to check in."

Ginny laughed and shook her head, clearly not believing that the conversation had been innocent. Hermione smirked at Ginny, whose mind almost always seemed to be in the gutter.

Their lunch came then, and they continued to plan for Hermione's wedding in the same way they had for Ginny and Harry's. By the time they were finished for the day, they had been at the pub for nearly three hours.

"It was great to spend the day together, Gin. Thanks for all your help today."

"No worries. I had fun today. Let me know when you're ready for more planning, will you?"

"Of course! Thanks again, Ginny!"

She hugged her friend goodbye before going back to the castle. Hermione found that she couldn't wipe the smile off her face no matter how much she may want to- not that she did- but she just didn't care. She walked through Hogwarts, passing many curious students on her way to their quarters.

"Severus? I'm home," she yelled.

"In here," she heard him call from their bedroom.

"Sorry I took so long getting back; Ginny and I were beginning to plan for the wedding. I have some ideas to run past you, if you're interested."

She found him in bed with a book and a cup of tea, and he smiled when she walked into the room.

"It's alright. I had a quiet afternoon, so I was able to catch up on my marking. I would imagine that, since you are now teaching all seven levels, you are behind as well."

"I got some done last night, but, yes, I still have some to finish up."

"No matter; it can wait until tomorrow. Now, let's look at these plans, shall we?"

Hermione bit her lip and crawled into bed next to her wizard, unfolding her notes and handing them over to him. He read through them quickly before looking up and appearing to think.

"I think this color scheme will suffice, what do you think?"

She glanced at the palette he was pointing to and smiled up at him. "That was my favorite, as well!"

They fell into a long conversation about their wedding. Not even bothering to go to the Great Hall for dinner, they had Tinky bring them something so they could continue their talk. Before midnight, most of the details were planned out, and the two fell asleep more excited about their wedding than they had been since the night he proposed all those months ago.

A/N II: Hope you guys liked it! We've got three more chapters and an epilogue left, so we're almost there:)