A/N: Alright, well... Things have been a bit crazy here. Monday was my last day of classes, I graduate next week, and then I'm completely done with high school. It's nerve-wracking and bittersweet, but I'm also really excited for college because, to be perfectly honest, I'm kind of tired of my small town.

Anyway, enough about me! Thanks to everyone who's given this story a chance and/or stayed with these past five months; we're almost to the end! I'll shut up now:)

The rest of that school year seemed to pass by quickly, not that Severus and Hermione minded. They had come to love Hogwarts even more when it was quiet, especially since they could roam the castle and the grounds as they pleased without having to worry about the students. Sure, some of the professors were rather nosy, but the two were easily able to set everything straight.

They were continuing to immerse themselves in their wedding planning, and things were going well. Hermione had been surprised by how involved Severus was, but she enjoyed being able to work with him. She had expected him not to care one way or the other, and she was pleasantly surprised that this was not the case.

After she had bought her dress and veil, she had snuck out of their rooms while Severus was still asleep and gone to see Minerva. Hermione needed a place to keep them where her wizard wouldn't happen upon them, and she knew she could trust the older witch to keep them safe for her. Minerva had been more than happy to help, but only if Hermione enlarged her gown and tried it on for her to see. She had been ecstatic; Hermione looked absolutely beautiful. Minerva thought of Hermione like a daughter, and she was happy for her former cub.

Things had now been calm for Hermione and Severus for more than a year, and they were pleased that they were being left in peace. Her panic attacks had subsided for the time being, but Hermione's latest night terror had been bad enough to keep her up for the rest of the night.

She was in her cell at Malfoy Manor, and she was hunched into a ball on the floor. Dolohov was standing over her, an evil grin on his face as he raised his wand. Just as he began to utter the Killing Curse, Lucius Malfoy appeared next to him. There was nothing but contempt for her in his eyes, and his wand rose to join Dolohov's. She closed her eyes and was ready to die when she heard his voice, loud enough to drown theirs out.

"'Mione! Don't let them touch you; you're mine! All mine. Come on, girl. It's been such a long day; Daddy needs your help."

Opening her eyes, she saw all three men standing before her. The wizards had stopped when her father spoke, and he was gesturing to the all-too-familiar bulge in his pants. She knew what he wanted, but she couldn't do it, especially not in front of her captors.

Dolohov and Malfoy were now sitting in chairs that surely hadn't been there a moment ago, watching Hermione's father unfasten his pants as he approached her.

"It's the perfect punishment for the Mudblood, don't you think?"

"I couldn't agree more, Master."

Hermione could only scoot back until she was against the wall as her father came closer still. He took himself in his hand, and she was suddenly naked before him. She heard Malfoy chuckle darkly as she tried to push back farther away from her father, but it was no use. It was happening again.

Just as her father forced his way into her, she saw Severus. He was standing behind her father, wand raised. There was a look of disgust on his face as he killed her father before lowering his wand to her. She was clothed again and he was moving towards her when he gasped and fell to the ground. Lucius' wand was pointed where her wizard had been standing.

Severus was dead and it was her fault. He'd been trying to save her and now he was gone forever. Through her tears, she saw Dolohov squatting over her.

"What shall I do with her, Master?"

"Do as your heart desires, Antonin. Our job is done, and she is no longer needed alive."

This seemed to be just what Dolohov wanted to hear, as his smile only widened. Hermione continued to cry silently as she readied herself to join Severus, wherever he was. Before she'd found out she was a witch, she had prayed regularly, and believed in heaven. She knew that any afterlife would be hell without her wizard.

Then his voice was resounding through her cell.

"Hermione? Hermione, love, it's alright."

That was when she'd woken up in his arms, and she'd only been able to curl against his chest and cry herself out. Severus had just held her to him and wiped her tears away with gentle hands, murmuring that she was safe and everything was okay. Eventually, she'd calmed enough to describe it to him; he had only pulled her onto his lap and ran his long fingers through her hair. There was no safer place for Hermione than in Severus' warm embrace, and he kept his arms around her for the rest of the night. He managed to drift back off, but Hermione couldn't even force her eyes closed for more than a few minutes.

Hermione got lost in her thoughts while she stared into the night. Here she was, lying in bed with her beloved raven, doing all he could to keep her safe. Now, it seemed, he only needed to protect her from herself.

"Hermione, dear, come in!"

She stepped into the Burrow cautiously. Ginny had said that Ron was gone, but she really didn't want to see him unless it was absolutely necessary.

"Hello, Mrs. Weasley. Thank you for having me," Hermione said as she was pulled in for a hug. Molly was the closest she had to a mother, and she knew she'd been away for too long. It had been over a year since she'd last come for a visit; Harry and Ginny's wedding was the last time she'd been here.

"Of course, dear. It's been so long! How's Severus?"

"He's well, especially since things have calmed down now that term's ended. And you all?"

"We've been well. When's the last time you saw Ginny?"

"About a week ago, I think. Why?"

"She'll be by shortly. I told her you were coming today, and she said she'd stop by. How have you been coming along with the wedding?"

"Ginny is definitely your daughter; she seems to share your gift in event planning. Severus has been much more involved than I thought he would be, but we're having a good time figuring things out. Time's going by so fast; it feels like I'm getting married in weeks rather than months!"

Molly laughed. "I know the feeling. Where is the ceremony going to be held?"

And with that, Hermione launched into the plans they had made so far. The Weasley family matron wanted every possible detail, and she seemed genuinely pleased with how things were turning out. They had been chatting for just over an hour when Ginny stepped through the door.

"Hello Mum, Hermione," she greeted as she entered the kitchen.

"Sit down, love. Let me get you something to eat." Molly left the two girls alone at the table as she bustled around the room to prepare lunch for the three of them. Ginny jumped right into their conversation, and it continued until Molly sat down and placed three plates of food in front of them.

"So… I'm pregnant."

Hermione and Molly looked up to see Ginny beaming at them.

"Oh, Ginny, congratulations!"

"How far along are you? My girl's going to be a mother!"

"I'm about six weeks, so I'm due in March."

"And how did Harry take it?"

"He's so excited! We both are, really, but you should have seen his face when I told him. I thought he would fall right out of his chair!"

They all laughed at this, and Hermione's plans were put on hold as they focused on Ginny's pregnancy.

The rest of the afternoon passed quickly, and it was soon time for Hermione to return to Hogwarts. She bid her friend and adoptive-mother goodbye and apparated to the front gates. The walk to their rooms was a quiet one, and she was alone with her thoughts. She was so absorbed that when she reached their quarters, she walked face-first into the door.

Startled from her aimless wondering, Hermione could already feel a bump forming on her forehead. She opened the door, hoping that Severus was in the bedroom so he wouldn't have heard, but there he was on the couch. He was smirking, but then he saw her head.

"Lost to the world again, were we?"

"My head may not have been where the rest of me was," she admitted with a small smile. "It doesn't hurt too-"

Severus was already pulling her down next to him with a jar of Bruise Paste in his hand. He opened it and rubbed some of the goo on her injury with calloused fingers. Hermione leaned into his touch, wincing at the pressure against her wound. She heard him chuckle as he kissed the crown of her head, wrapping his arms around her and placing her on his lap. With her head over his chest, Hermione sat and listened to his strong and steady heartbeat.

"How was your day?" he asked, and Hermione shivered as his voice rumbled through her.

She recounted the day's events, pleased when Severus laughed at Harry's reaction to the baby. As she told him, his hand moved to her stomach and rubbed small circles.

"I'm sure that, when that time comes, I'll be much more dignified."

"Severus, I wouldn't expect anything less," she laughed, placing her hand over his.

Hermione placed her arms around her wizard's neck and moved her head so she could kiss him softly. It was slow and sweet, and it seemed to last forever. Severus lifted Hermione and carried her to the bedroom for hours of tenderness and passion.

"So, who can name the twelve uses for dragon blood?"

Hermione was enjoying the new school year. It was the end of September, and things were going well. Her apprenticeship would officially be over in two months, but she had already gone through just about all of the material. She was confident that she'd be done by November, but a whole three years were required for her Mastery. Looking around at her first years, Hermione couldn't help the proud smile that graced her features. They were coming along nicely, and most of them seemed to be fairly strong in Potions.

When she taught, Hermione was encouraging. If her students struggled, she asked questions that steered them in the right direction without giving away the answer. She was in control of the class, and was able to execute authority when necessary. Last week, Samuel McBride managed to melt his cauldron while brewing- or rather, attempting to brew- Calming Draught. Hermione had managed to clean the mess, help him understand what he did wrong, and take five points from Hufflepuff in one go.

She had finally found a way to make her marking more manageable, and she could still spend time with Severus. He didn't seem to have a schedule so much as a routine, and Hermione was quick to observe it and line hers up accordingly. When she had free periods, she marked rather than going to see him, and then they would work on some after dinner. Overachiever that she was, it was sometimes difficult to only do what was necessary for the next day and not get too far ahead, but she knew it needed to be done that way. It was all about balance.

The past couple of months had been full of potions, Potters, and wedding plans. Severus was still teaching her complicated potions she'd never even heard of. It was fascinating just how many there were, and it was her goal to learn as many as she could. Harry came less often, but it was still good to see him. He was nervous about becoming a father, but felt that he was ready. If Severus was trying to avoid Ginny, he was definitely avoiding Harry. Whenever Hermione mentioned that he was coming, Severus was sure to stay late in his office. If Harry dropped by unexpectedly, he went into the bedroom and didn't come out until he was sure Harry was gone. She'd asked him about it one night, and he'd told her that, while the young man had grown considerably since his school days, he did not feel inclined to spend time with him. Hermione pointed out that Harry was like a brother to her; he was her family, just like Severus- only, not just like Severus; she most certainly didn't want to jump into bed with the Boy-Who-Lived. This had pulled a small- albeit reluctant- smile from Severus, and he'd agreed to make an effort to avoid him less.

Hermione had thanked him with passionate kisses that led to touches, giving way to undressing and making love until she'd almost passed out. That had been quite the ego-boost for her wizard, and he'd said something about doing it again. Hermione wasn't sure exactly what it was, though, because exhaustion had been taking her over by that point. Knowing that she wasn't coherent, Severus had pulled her to his chest and, with a muttered 'Nox,' fell asleep next to his witch.

Ginny was stopping by frequently to talk to Hermione about the wedding and the baby. She and Harry had been for a check-up recently and found out that it was a boy, and they were elated. Severus tried to make himself scarce whenever she visited, but Hermione had convinced him to stay a few times. Hermione had been worried that there would be tension between the two, but Ginny was accepting and said that she preferred to plan when both of them were present.

They knew what colors they wanted, what flavor the cake would be, and where the ceremony would take place. Hermione had learned some calligraphy for save-the-dates, which would be mailed later in the week. She, Ginny, and Luna had gone out for bridesmaids' dresses, floral arrangements had been decided on, and Ginny had taken Hermione to buy lingerie, after much protestation on Hermione's part. It really wouldn't matter to Severus, and Hermione had a hard time understanding why she should spend money on something that would end up on the floor in a matter of minutes, but Ginny was persistent.

Overall, Hermione was content. Her life had never been pleasant for extended periods of time, and she found herself enjoying what life should be like- no drunk, abusing-rapist fathers; no getting raped and left for dead in an alley; no being abducted and kept under the Cruciatus for hours by Death Eaters who were intent on killing the man she loved. It was nice to know that she could feel a sense of normalcy, even after everything she'd experienced in her twenty-three years.

Time seemed to be flying by, and it kept getting faster. Hermione was so busy that all of her days seemed to be running together, but she wouldn't have it any other way. She liked the fast pace, and she seemed to be getting everything she'd ever asked for. Yes, Hermione Granger- soon-to-be Snape- was a lucky woman.

A/N II: See y'all next week!