Disclaimer: I don't own it!

Okay here is the next chapter, this story is slowly coming to an end I think I have 6 chapters maybe a few more left.

On a personal note:

Good for you Lance Bass! Lance Bass an ex-member of Nsync has recently come out of the closet to People magazine. It has nothing to do with this story but I just wanted to say that as one of my best friend's is gay and had a very hard time coming out last year.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

It had been a week since it had been discovered that Harry had been cursed. Ron was keeping a close eye on Harry who was staying at number twelve Grimmauld Place, Remus was trying to come up with the counter curse, Severus and Constance were working on a batch of vertiserum, and Hermione true to her word was staying out of it. The school year had just ended.

On this particular day Hermione was visiting The Burrow where Molly was teaching her how to knit.

"So" Molly said setting her knitting needles down. "Ron brought his girlfriend home last Sunday."

"So what did you think of Luna?" Hermione asked.

Molly smiled "She's a sweet girl but she's, forgive me, a little batty."

Hermione chuckled "Luna is definitely batty, but a sweeter person could not be found. During the final battle besides Neville she was the only member of the D.A. to show up to fight."

By the look on Molly's face she definitely approved. "Well I'm just glad I raised Ron right. He's not a superficial lady's man. Now if only I could get the twins to stop running around."

Hermione wondered if she should tell Molly how unlikely it was that Fred and George would ever settle down, when Constance showed up with her 5 month old daughter Leah in her arms.

"Hey" Constance smiled setting Leah's diaper bag down on the table.

"Hey Connie" Hermione said taking Leah from her arms.

"Severus asked me to accompany you home." Constance said.

"Why? What is he doing?" Hermione asked.

"You'll find out once you get home." Constance said with a secretive smile.

"What is he up to?" Hermione asked.

"It's a surprise." Constance smiled.

Molly sighed wistfully. "That's so sweet! The last surprise Arthur gave me was Ginny."

Hermione who had just taken a sip of tea choked.

"Are you alright dear?" Molly asked.

"Yeah fine, Connie are you ready to go?" Hermione asked handing Leah back to her.

"Yeah come on." Constance said picking up the diaper bag.

Hermione stood and gave Molly a hug than followed Constance outside to the apparition point.

"Now grab hold of my arm and make sure you don't let go." Constance instructed.

Hermione grabbed hold of Constance's arm and her, Constance, and Leah disappeared from The Burrow and reappeared at the gates of Hogwarts.

"Well I best be going Hermione, I left Justin with five kids this morning so I better get going or that number may start to dwindle." Constance said than dissapparated.

Hermione made her way into the castle just as the sun was setting. In her condition it took her fifteen minutes to make her way down to the dungeons. When she opened the door to her and Severus's chambers her jaw dropped. The entire sitting room was aglow with hundreds of candles. A pair of arms wrapped around her waist. She turned to find Severus with a smile, not a smirk, a smile on his face.

"What's gotten into you?" Hermione asked amazed.

Severus didn't reply, he just took her hand and led her to the sofa.

Hermione took a seat as Severus got down on one knee.

"Sev what….?" Hermione started but Severus held up his hand

"Hermione I know you're worried about not being able to be a 'proper wife' as you put it. But I think I have made it clear that I do not care about that. Yes it would be nice to be able to make love to you, but I love you and I am willing to wait as long as it takes for you to be ready. Be it months or even years. You once said you wanted to be married before the baby gets here. That's why I want to know, will you marry me?" He pulled out the most extraordinary engagement ring Hermione had ever seen. It had a white gold band, a diamond in the center, and on one side of the diamond was a ruby whilst on the other side was an emerald.

Hermione was in tears. She nodded her head. "Yes."

Severus leaned in and gently kissed her. "I love you." He whispered.

"I love you too." Hermione smiled through her tears leaning in to kiss him again.

As they were pulling apart Ron burst into the room.

"This better be good Weasley!" Severus growled.

"Harry's gone and Malfoy's missing from his cell in Azkaban."

TBC

I'm growing rather fond of cliffhangers aren't you? Hehe