Author's note: This is the last real chapter of the story. I have mostly finished a short epilogue that will be posted shortly. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 16:

Hermione and Severus were to act as 'chaperones' on Harry and Pansy's date and the two of them were in turn supposed to 'chaperone' Hermione and Severus. The idea was perfect for the two couples who happily agreed and then were able to spend the entire day in the other's company without someone looking over their shoulder.

"Potter, just promise me you won't get her in the position to make her pregnant and I promise I'll leave the two of you alone all day and swear to anyone who asks that we never left your sight." Severus told his once enemy.

"Deal, the same goes for you. You're welcome anywhere in the house as long as there is no baby making. The grounds are extensive as well so feel free to roam. Dobby and Winky will be around for anything we need." Harry told him and they shook hands to seal the deal.

"I can't believe NEWTs start next week," Hermione told Severus. "It seems like yesterday I was a naïve 1st year and now I'm only 3 weeks from graduation."

"Are you glad to be graduating?" He asked her as they snuggled on a blanket near the pond on the Potter grounds.

"More than you know," she told him with a smile and a searing kiss. "I want to begin the next stage of my life."

"Which stage would that be?" He asked teasingly.

"I'm ready to become a woman Severus and I want you to make me that woman." She purred in his ear. "I know the only way you'll make me a woman is to make me your wife first. The next stage would be being the best wife I could possibly be."

"Don't worry my darling; you will be the only wife I will ever want. And I will make you my wife very soon," he told her as he ran his hands along her body. "I am just as anxious to make you a woman as you are ready to be one."

"Are you sure you want to be with me Harry?" Pansy asked him, she still couldn't comprehend that the most eligible wizard in the world wanted her.

"Completely Pans," He told her and they shared a very tender kiss. "I will never want anyone other than you. I want to make you my wife, start a family with you. Would you be willing?"

"I love you Harry James Potter and nothing would make me happier than being your wife and the mother of your children." She told him and the two stopped talking and got down to some serious snogging knowing it would be one of the only opportunities for them to be alone for a while.

The Ministry of Magic finally gave approval for the Hogwarts University Courses. Minerva was ecstatic but realized that her summer would be completely full of trying to get the new curriculum off the ground. The teaching staff had just finalized the brochures on the new course offerings for the regular Hogwarts students and they had been diligently working on planning out the University material in hopes it would be approved in time. She knew they were all excited about the changes that were going to be coming about and she was happy she would be able to tell them all it was a go. There would be a transition period while they got everything going but she knew that they were about to bring about an educational revolution.

The announcement to the students would be made the day the OWLs and NEWTs were finished. They would have the last week of the term to ask questions and make course selections for the next year. It was shaping up to be a wonderful end of term.

Severus and Hermione no longer had as much alone time since she wasn't in hiding she couldn't spend as much time in the Chamber. She had spent a lot of time revising for her NEWTs and was impatiently waiting for Severus to propose to her. She knew that their courting time was at an end when she graduated and was desperately waiting for him to ask her to marry him. She didn't want to wait any longer than necessary to be his wife. She knew they would see each other over the summer and the next few years as she took the new university curriculum but she wanted to be his wife sooner rather than later.

Severus and Minerva were out shopping under the guise of searching for University materials. Minerva was helping Severus pick out an engagement ring for Hermione. They could both tell that Hermione was getting nervous and was impatiently waiting for an engagement. "So when are you going to propose and where?" Minerva asked him as they browsed around the shop.

"At dinner in the great hall after her final test." Severus told her. "She will not expect me to do it in such a large crowd. I want everyone to see that she really wants me." He told his soon to be mother-in-law.

"When will the wedding be?" Minerva asked knowing the tradition was for a long engagement as well so the bride could plan the perfect wedding.

"I think if it was up to Hermione she'd skip her graduation ceremony in favor of a wedding!" Severus laughed. "I will marry her as soon as she wishes. If that means the week after classes are over or 3 years from now, it doesn't matter to me as long as she becomes my wife."

"I must say that I like these changes in you Severus," Minerva told him. "It makes me glad to see my daughter so happy. I only wish I had the chance for the happiness the two of you share."

"The chance is still there Minerva, you only have to have the courage to face it," he told her gently wondering if she would ever give Tom a second chance.

As they were leaving the jewelry shop and heading to another they bumped into a man coming out of the men's clothing store. "Pardon me I wasn't watching where I was going," he told them as he bent down to retrieve his purchases that had fallen.

"It's no pro…" Minerva began to say as the stranger looked up and she was staring into a face she hadn't seen since she was a teenager. Her heart leapt into her throat and she was having difficulty breathing. He looked nothing like he had when the last time she had seen him. Hermione had said he had changed but she hadn't imagined he could be this handsome once more.

"Minni?" Tom choked in surprise at running into the love of his life. He had been trying to find a way to see her again without making it seem like he was intentionally seeking her out but hadn't come up with a way. Now that he saw her again he decided there was nothing he wanted more than to spend every moment he had left with her. "You look more beautiful than I remember," he told her with a smile.

Severus watched the meeting of the two lovers warily. He was unsure what his employer's reaction would be to seeing her long lost love once again. He knew she was starting to be able to reconcile that Tom had nothing to do with Voldemort but he wasn't sure she was ready for this type of reunion yet.

Minerva had been dreading this moment as she had not been able to figure out her feelings for Tom. She had spent hours just thinking about the two of them and if she was willing to give it another shot and if he would still even want her. Until she saw him she had tried to pretend he meant nothing to her, but now looking into his striking green eyes she knew finally that she could never live without him and be happy. So throwing propriety to the wind she rushed into his arms, sobbing like a schoolgirl but just glad to be near him.

Tom was stunned for a moment at having an armful of Minerva but quickly recovered and began trying to calm her. "Shhh love, it's alright now, everything will be alright. I'm so sorry for all the hurt you went through but I promise I'll do whatever I can to make up for it. Please don't push me away my darling. I'll spend forever trying to make you happy." Once she had calmed significantly he nodded in thanks to Severus before steering his lady love towards a café so they could catch up.

Severus was stunned at the turn of events but happy for the two. He made his way toward the jewelers at the end of the alley with a bounce in his step. He knew having her parents together would mean everything to Hermione. He just hoped they were still so much in love when they were that age. Soon, he thought to himself, soon she'll be mine forever. It didn't take him long to spot the perfect ring for his future bride and he quickly purchased it and made his way back to the school to plan how to ask her.

Hermione and her friends were once again hanging out in the ROR. "I can't decide which courses I want to take next year," she told them, wondering what their own plans were.

"I am planning on starting a Herbology Masters program," Neville told them with a grin as they all knew plants were his passion.

"I'm having problems deciding between a DA Mastery and Auror training," Harry told them. "If all our changes go through at the Ministry then I wouldn't be opposed to being an Auror anymore. I guess I'll have to wait out the summer and see."

"I'm going to take the medi-witch course and the teaching course," Pansy told them with a big smile. "That way I'll be able to both teach and patch up any kids I might have someday." Everyone noticed that Harry seemed especially pleased with that idea,

"Well I was born and bred for Law and Politics but I don't know if I could stand having my father as an instructor. He has already accepted the position. I will have to see, otherwise I'll Master in Potions." Draco told them.

"I understand what you mean Draco," Hermione told him. "I am considering the Transfiguration Mastery as well as the DA/DADA, Spell Creation, Magical History and Law and Politics. The problem with that is that my mother teaches transfiguration and my father just accepted the DA/DADA job. I also plan on taking language classes with Sinistra and the Warding and Protective Magic class being offered and I may look at the Household Charms class as well."

Ginny laughed at that, "My mum just accepted the offer to teach Household charms and she's going to be Gryffindor's new HOH since McGonagall can't continue since she's the Headmistress now. And I know my brother Bill accepted the position to teach both Rune Magic and Warding and Protective Magic." They all were surprised by this for a moment but thought it was great. "I plan on dropping most of my current electives and am going to take Healing, Ancient Languages, Household Charms and Warding and Protective Magic and maybe Art & Music if there's room. I plan on starting Healer training after I graduate then."

"I'm continuing with Care of Magical Creatures, Art & Music, Ancient Languages, Arithmancy and Household charms," Luna told them dreamily. "I don't think I'm going to take University courses and just go to work for my father as a reporter as I want to write. I plan on being editor of the student newspaper next year."

"So we're all set, all of us have a plan except Hermione who will continue taking all the classes offered until they offer her a teaching position so she can stay at Hogwarts with Snape who we all assume will be her husband by then," Ginny told them with a grin and they all laughed at Hermione's blush.

"It should be interesting to see who they get to teach all the classes for next year. I know my mother has been busy constantly trying to fill all the spots. They need somewhere between 30 – 35 staff to run both programs." Hermione told them.

"I say bring on the change," Harry said and they all agreed it was well past time for the Wizarding world to change their views and their policies. They couldn't wait to get started. "I have my first Wizengamot meeting the week after school lets out so we can discuss new and old laws alike. I'm excited about where everything is going. And if I have my way the first laws being abolished are the anti-werewolf and other magical creatures' laws. That should allow Remus to teach again if he wishes, maybe he'll be the new DADA professor."

"I just can't believe tomorrow is our last NEWT!" Neville exclaimed. "It feels like this week just drug on forever. We are finally at the end, or at least at the end of this chapter of our lives."

"Don't think of it as the end, think of it as 1,000 new beginnings," Pansy said and they all toasted to new beginnings.

Her last NEWT was over and Hermione slumped in relief at the table next to Harry. All along the hall the 5th and 7th years were finally able to relax as the tests were complete and dinner was about to start. Hermione couldn't believe that there was only a week left until graduation. She looked around at all her friends and her classmates wondering what the future would hold for all of them. They dug into their dinners quickly as they were famished from their tests. As dinner was drawing towards an end Hermione noticed a single owl making its way into the hall. Every eye was on the bird or more like what it was carrying. In the talons of the owl was a dozen roses only this time there were 10 red roses and 2 of another color.

As the owl dropped the roses off to her Hermione realized this meant that her courting was officially ended and she was both happy and sad to see it end. The two non-red roses were to signify the couple, there was another black rose for Severus and then there was her favorite flower the Fire and Ice rose to signify herself. She smiled as she reverently pulled the two colored roses from the bunch and kissed them each signifying her approval of the gift and officially closing the courting.

It took her a moment to notice that everyone was staring in her direction, but not at her, at something behind her. She turned around to find Severus standing behind her holding a matching pair of roses to the ones in her hand. You could hear a pin drop in the hall as the unobservant of the crowd finally realized who had been courting Hermione.

Severus smiled at her and then sunk down to one knee, earning gasps from those around her. "Hermione Granger Riddle, you are the light of my life. I would be nothing without you and my life will forever be incomplete without you in it. I love you more than I thought was possible; I am yours forever. Will you please give my life meaning and purpose and become my wife?" He asked her and opened a box for her to see a beautiful ring inside.

Hermione beamed in joy at Severus as he proposed to her in front of the entire school, laid his heart open for all to see that he did truly love her. She didn't think her heart could swell any larger than at that moment. "Yes, Yes I will marry you Severus Snape." She told him and he slipped the ring on her finger. She flung her arms around him and kissed him with all the passion she had in her. When they were done kissing there was no one in the hall that doubted their love for each other.

"We did well," Tom said quietly from his place beside Minerva. Most the students hadn't noticed him but he wanted to be present for his daughter's engagement. "They are very well matched and seem happy."

"I am truly glad they are together, they both seemed to come alive once they realized their love." Minerva told him. "And her ring is gorgeous. I have to admit for being a definite Slytherin ring; even I could have accepted something like that."

The ring was breathtaking. It was a large 3 carat sapphire (her birthstone) and the setting was a platinum snake. The jaws of the snake's mouth were the prongs for the sapphire and the body of the snake coiled around her finger with the tail overlapping. The body of the snake had smaller gems imbedded into the platinum. The eyes were two larger emeralds and the body had emeralds, rubies, amethyst, diamond, citrine, and blue topaz. It was truly a work of art and was definitely fitting to be worn by the Heir of Slytherin.

The rest of the week flew by in a haze of determining class schedules and what the new rules would be for the University students. It was as if the week between the last test and Graduation had not even happened for all those set to graduate. Harry had to give a speech about the new direction the wizarding world was moving and the professors each said something brief and then Hermione gave a speech as the student with the highest scores. Before any of the friends realized it they were tossing their hats in the air and hugging each other in congratulations.

They all boarded the train together as they were each going off someplace different for the summer holidays. "Don't forget we're all getting together and going to muggle London for a show in 3 weeks," Hermione told them. They had decided that they wanted an excuse to get dressed up and act like grown-ups and decided a theatre performance in London was the best thing. "I'll take care of the tickets so you all just have to meet at Harry's that evening. Be ready to leave at 5 pm so we can make it on time and remember to dress your best." She told them before they all hugged good-bye for now and headed off.

Neville was heading on vacation with his parents to spend some real time with them. Harry was planning on revamping Grimwald Place while he attended the Wizengamot meetings. Pansy was vacationing with Millie in France for most of the summer as usual. Draco was spending time with his family as well as attending the Wizengamot meetings with his father as was the heir's prerogative. Luna was off exploring with her father for mythical creatures. Ginny was heading to the Burrow where the family was gathering as they were still trying to recover from everything Ron and Dumbledore had done to them. Hermione was going to spend some time with her adopted parents before heading permanently back to the wizarding world. She had bought the Grangers and owl of their own and connected them to the floo network so they could keep in touch but she didn't plan on ever returning for more than a visit.

Minerva breathed a sigh of relief as she read the letter in her hand. It was the final acceptance owl and she was now fully staffed for the coming year. She knew they still had a lot of work to do to get the course syllabus ready but at least now she had people to teach the classes. She wondered what the reactions would be to some of the teachers but she felt they were all well qualified and knew their new program would be a great success. They had 40 students signed up already for the university program from the recently graduated class and were just beginning to announce their new offerings to the public. She knew they would be able to pull in at least enough interested students and couldn't wait to get started.

There were 17 new staff members and 2 new former staff members as well as all the current staff were returning except for Trelawney who had spectacularly failed her Seer test. They determined that she did have a small amount of the sight but only for prophesy and that they estimated she would only ever have 5 prophesies and she had already had 2 at least. She failed all the practical tests for Divination and was asked to step down. There would be no need for her 'fake' lessons anymore and they were currently looking for a qualified Seer and would have Firenze teach those gifted until then. She smiled as she looked at the updated staff list.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Staff:

Minerva McGonagall: HeadmistressTransfiguration Mastery, animagus lessons

Rodolphus Lestrange: Univeristy Dean/Asst HeadmasterUniversity Prof. Assistant

Severus Snape: Slytherin HOHPotions Mastery

Filius Flitwick: Ravenclaw HOHCharms Mastery, dueling club

Pamona Sprout: Hufflepuff HOHHerbologry Mastery, gardening club

Molly Weasley: Gryffindor HOHHousehold Charms, newspaper club

Poppy Pomfrey: School NurseHealing, Medi-witch training

Prof. Sinistra:Ancient Languages, Astronomy (temp)

Tom Riddle:Dark Arts, DA/DADA Mastery

Sturgis Podmore:Magical History

Dedalus Diggle:Spell Creation, Spell Creation Mastery

Remus Lupin:DADA, Defense Against Dark Creatures

Fleur Delacour:Charms

Nymphandora Tonks:Transfiguration

Ted Tonks:Herbologry

Horrace Slughorn:Potions

Rolanda Hooch:Flying & Physical Education, Quidditch

Bill Weasley:Rune Magic, Warding & Protective Magic

Alastair Moody:Auror training, Hit Wizard training

Celestina Warbeck:Art & Music, Art clubs, music clubs

Lucius Malfoy:Politics & Wizarding Law, Magical Culture & Theory

Andromeda Tonks:Magical History, Muggle Studies, Teaching course

Rubeus Hagrid: GroundskeeperCare of Magical Creatures

Prof Vector:Arithmacy

Augustus Pye:Healer training

Firenze: Divination (temp)

Rabastan Lestrange: Asst ProfDA/DADA Mastery, Auror/Hit Wizard

Penelope Clearwater: Asst ProfSpell Creation/Charms/Transfig. Mastery

Hestia Jones: Asst ProfMagical History, Law

Irma Pince: Librariannon-teacher, student research overseer

Argus Filtch: Caretakernon-teacher, detention records keeper

Hermione smiled as she put the finishing touches on her outfit for the evening. She hoped no one would be upset with her plan. She had only discussed it with Severus and he told her that whatever she planned was fine with him. She grabbed her cloak and purse before apparating over to Harry's house.

"Hermione, you look amazing," Ginny gushed as she took in the perfect hair and makeup on her friend. She noticed her friend looked both excited and nervous and had a strange glow about her. She scrutinized her friend closer and noticed that the dress she was wearing was white and began to have an idea of what Hermione had been planning.

"You make the rest of us look underdressed," Draco drawled from behind his girlfriend as he smoothed out his finely tailored black suit.

"How many more are we expecting?" Harry asked as he realized that all their friends were present except Severus.

"Three," she told them and then her parents and Severus apparated in. "We're all here now." She told them and they all finally noticed her devious twinkle.

"Where exactly are we going?" Pansy asked her as she saw the look. "It's too early to leave for a show."

"We have a slight stop to make before we head to dinner and then the show," she told them and held out a length of white cord to them. "This is a portkey that will take us to our initial destination and I've arranged for muggle transportation from there." She watched as everyone grabbed hold of the cord, sent a beautiful smile to Severus and giggled out the phrase, 'Happily Ever After' to activate the portkey.

They all looked around in surprise as they arrived. "Hermione darling, why are we in a church?" Her father asked her with growing suspicion.

"And why my dear are you wearing a white dress under your cloak?" Minerva asked as well before gasping as she noticed the Grangers at the front of the church with a muggle minister and a man in ceremonial robes.

"Well I decided that I didn't want to start the new school year as Hermione Granger Riddle, so Severus and I are getting married tonight and you are all here to witness it." She told them with a giggle.

They all turned toward Severus to see his reaction. "Unlike all of you I was informed of this ahead of time." He told them and they noticed he was wearing formal black robes over a muggle tux. This relaxed the group and they all chuckled and headed to the front of the church while Tom and Hermione headed towards the back her dad joining them as well.

"Mr. Granger I would like to thank you for the loving care you gave my daughter growing up and molding her into the beautiful woman she is today," Tom told him and shook his hand. "I wish I could have been there for her myself but I rejoice every day that she had such a loving family with you since we could not have her."

"It's time," Hermione whispered to them and took off her cloak to reveal a beautiful but simple white silk wedding gown. It had silver and diamond details around the bust and made her look dazzling.

"You look beautiful," Tom and her father said at the same time and each offered her an arm as they were both going to walk her down the aisle.

Severus stood proudly at the front of the church waiting for his bride-to-be. His heart skipped a beat as he saw her in her wedding gown. He couldn't believe this angel was in love with him, he felt like the luckiest man in the world. The ceremony passed in a blur for the two lovers as they gazed deeply into each others eyes. Hermione could barely remember it starting before she was pulled into Severus' tight embrace and kissed for the first time as his wife.

Their friends all cheered when they were announced as Mr. and Mrs. Severus Snape. Hermione just beamed with happiness. They quickly exited the church to find a stretch limo waiting for them. All 12 slid into the vehicle and were taken to a very upscale restaurant to celebrate the marriage.

"I can't believe you planned all of this so quickly," Ginny told her friend with a grin. "So how does it feel to be married?"

"I'll tell you tomorrow," Hermione said with a wink and all the girls laughed while the guys just gave Severus encouraging looks.

The dinner was delicious and they all settled back into the limo for the trip to the show. "What are we seeing?" Tom asked curiously as he had never seen muggle theatre.

"We are seeing The Phantom of the Opera, it's a musical," Hermione told them happily. "It's also my favorite and I was able to get us all tickets. I wanted us all to have some fun tonight since Severus and I will be gone for the next month on our honeymoon."

"We're all very happy for you two," Pansy told the newly married couple. "Make sure you owl once in a while and we'll see you when you get back."

The school year was about to start again and all the staff had arrived. Minerva was anxious to start the year. They had 87 students in the university courses and a record breaking 519 students in the regular curriculum. There were around 125 transfer students and about 100 new 1st years since word got out about the new classes being offered. She smiled as she looked at the changes in the great hall. A 5th long table had been added for the university students above which the Hogwarts banners flew as the other tables had their house banners above. The staff table was now on two levels so that all 31 staff members could look out over the students.

She smiled as she heard the excited chatter of the University students who had been arriving most of the day from Hogsmead since they could apparate and were not required to take the train. They had all filed into the hall before the first carriage arrived with the returning students. She smiled as she then saw Rodolphus approaching leading a very long line of 1st year and transfer students who needed to be sorted. She could just feel the excitement from the students, the staff and even the castle as they began their newest adventure!