''Memor vivo'' Severus could have laughed at the meaning if the password. The huge oak doors to the head girls chambers swung open to reveal a beautifully furnished sitting room. ''Not red and gold Miss Granger?'' Severus asked as he stepped into the room

''It was, but I transfigured it when I got here to something bearable. Red and gold can become increasingly tiresome after five years of nothing but.''

''I like it, pale green and white. Clean, calm colours... they suit you Miss Granger.''

''Thank you Sir. You seem in a better mood than this morning''

''I find that time to think often clears the brain'' Severus said, sounding remarkably friendly to Hermione's ears.

''So then... where do we go from here professor?''

''We marry.''

Hermione's mouth gaped open as she thought about what a marriage to Professor Snape could be like. Would he always be cold and callous? Or would he show a side of himself that Hermione had never seen? Hermione took a deep breath... there was only one way to find out.

It was a week since Hermione had found out about the new marriage law, and word had spread like wildfire throughout the school. Harry had sent a letter from Spain where he was training to become an auror stating how he was going to send some of the most ruthless, trained killers he could find to 'sort out' the ministry officials in charge of the Marital Relations department, and Ron had begun to think of not-so-intelligent ways to kill Professor Snape, and, Hermione suggested, ''The two hundred or so witnesses that will see you slip Deadly Nightshade into his pumpkin juice at the breakfast table.'' Ron had shrugged that fact off as a 'detail'.

Hermione was sat in the library reading about the traditional wizarding wedding service and wished she could have one. Unfortunately, the service she and Snape would be taking part in was an amended service, involving the placement of a strong fidelity charm, and a tracing charm placed on Hermione to ensure she and her husband were copulating at least once every forty-eight hours. It seemed strange at first to Hermione, the fact that she would be married to someone twenty years her senior, but there was no doubt she had always thought of her brooding professor most affectionately, she saw past his resemblance to a bat, and focused more upon the fact that he was a hugely intelligent, and remarkably good looking man.

''Are you ready to leave, Miss Granger.''

''Yes Sir.'' Hermione and Severus would be spending the day in Hogsmeade together as it was not a students weekend. The weather was glorious and the hallways very quiet being that it was nine o'clock on a Saturday morning. They were not interrupted on their way out of the castle.

The pair were walking along the road to Hogsmeade in a slightly uncomfortable silence, Hermione broke it by saying,

''I have a few things I need to collect today.''

''As do I Miss Granger.''

''Please Sir,'' Hermione was still slightly nervous of the man beside her, ''You can call me Hermione.''

''Very well.'' Professor Snape replied, as they turned into the high street. ''I need to pick up some new quills.''

''Of course Professor, do you go to Scrivenshafts?''
''Yes, after we have been in we can go and get some breakfast if you like''

''That would be lovely Sir.'' Hermione said as she walked through the door Professor Snape was holding open for her.

Hermione loved the smell of the quill shop. It was almost as good as a book shop. The parchment smelt wonderful stacked up in sheets or rolled into scrolls. Hermione walked to the back of the shop where they kept the students quills and collected some for herself. She then went to pick up a stack of parchment and some sealing wax.

Severus, on the other hand had other ideas. He went immediately to the left hand side of the small shop, and collected some beautiful peacock feather quills, a bottle each of silver, gold and rainbow ink before moving to collect his usual eagle feather quills and a new bottle of red ink.

''Hermione? Have you finished?''

''Yes Sir, I think I have everything.'' Hermione followed Severus to the counter and pulled her purse out from her bag.

''That won't be necessary, Hermione. Today, anything you buy I will pay for.''

''But Sir.. you don't have to''

''I feel I should. Now, pass me your purchases.''

''Thank you Sir.'' Hermione thought she saw Severus' lips quirk up slightly in the corners, but they came down again almost too quickly to notice. He had the items wrapped and carried them out of the shop. Hermione followed him in a daze, not noticing where he was going until he stopped outside a small door.

''Sir? Where are we?''

''We are at a favourite coffee shop of mine Hermione, go on...'' He gently nudged Hermione through the door, ''it's not going to hurt you.''

Hermione entered the small shop to see a few round tables with neat little navy table cloths on top. A few people were sat alone, with a table to themselves but there were a few couples.

''Follow me'' Snape said as he walked in front of Hermione and led her up a small spiral staircase that had previously gone unnoticed to Hermione's eyes. They emerged in a small room with a few comfortable couches and armchairs. Severus walked towards the window and sat down in the closest overstuffed chair. Hermione took the seat opposite as Severus handed her a menu. ''I don't want you to be afraid of me Hermione.''

''I'm not Sir.'

''So why do you flinch every time I step near you?''

''I'm sorry Sir, it's just that... you know... it's not every day I get told I have to marry the most feared professor in all of Hogwarts.''

Severus let a deep chuckle escape from his throat ''It's also not every day that a nineteen year old witch is told she is the second most intelligent in Britain. You should be proud Hermione.''

''So should you Sir.''

''Hermione, please... while we are not in school I think it best that you call me Severus. Now then,'' Severus changed the line of conversation,''What would you like to eat?''

''Erm... I'll have an almond croissant and a cup of coffee please.''

''Very good choice young lady,'' Severus gave Hermione a small smile before he called out, ''Richard? Two coffees and two almond croissants please.''

''Of course Severus, right away. Payable to your account?'' Richard asked as he stepped closer.

''As per usual Richard.''

''Very good Severus'' Richard smiled and left the pair alone, just as the plates arrived on the table. Hermione and Severus sat in comfortable silence for a while, eating their breakfast, until Hermione piped up,

''Severus?''

''Yes Hermione?''

''Well, it's just that, you seem a lot more laid back nowadays. You know, since the war has finished.''

''I feel it Hermione. I'm not a complete ogre you know.''

''Of course not.'' Hermione said quickly. ''It must be nice to know that you don't have to sneak around in hiding all the time any more.''

''How many of a dying man's memories did you see exactly?''

''Umm.... all of them actually. Harry pulled me and Ron in with him to the pensieve. I never wanted to say it at school because you were my teacher, but I am very glad that you lived.''

''As am I Hermione, as am I.''

The rest of the day was spent collecting shopping and running errands, as soon as Hermione reached her chambers, she had Ron pounce on her.

''If he hurt you I swear I'll kill him.''

''Ron.. shut up.'' Hermione said calmly while she walked through the door. Ron just stood in the middle of the hall, looking shocked. ''Well? Are you coming in or not?''

''Oh... yeah.'' Ron followed Hermione through her door and sat down on her white sofa. Hermione put her parcels down and went to join him. ''Well?''

''Well what Ron?'' Hermione asked, amused at Ron's anger.

''Well how was it Hermione? He didn't hurt you did he? Was he bossy? Did he shout? Did he...''

''It was lovely Ron.'' Hermione interrupted, 'and no, no, no are the answers to your questions. He was very kind.''

''Yo... Herms... we talking about the same Snape here?''

''Yes Ron, I do believe we are. Only, I'm talking about Severus Snape and you are talking about Professor Snape. They may as well be two different people.''

''Why are you taking this so calmly 'Mione?'' Ron asked, worried for his friend.

''Because Ron,'' Hermione said, ''I have no choice. Anyway, this is nothing compared to some things that have happened to us. I have seen people, tortured, beaten and cursed to death. I have witnessed my best friends die. I have had to hold a group of eight prefects together as part of my head girl duties while I wad grieving. I watched Professor Snape cling to his last breath, and do you know what Ron? I left him. I could have stayed to heal him, but I thought he had died so I left him! You have no idea how guilty I feel about that. I will make it right again. He is a very intelligent man, who seems to have had the weight of the world lifted off of his shoulders in the last few months and it has changed him for the better. I will nurture that Ron. I will heal him this time round, because Ron, not only have the ministry made it impossible for me to do anything else; but I feel I have to. My morals are forcing me to. I will make him whole again.''

''Wow.'' Ron breathed, ''You really feel strongly about that don't you?''

''Yes Ron. Yes I do.''

''Anyway.... what's with all the packages?''

''Oh. Just stuff I needed to pick up for school. Books and supplies.''

''What about this one?'' Ron asked, plucking a silver wrapped box out of the stack.

''I don't know what that is Ron. Pass it here, I want to see it.'' Hermione took the package out of Ron's hands and slowly opened it. Inside were the three most beautiful quills she had ever seen, huge peacock feathers, and three bottles of ink, the most shimmery gold and silver, and a bottle of ink charmed to look like a rainbow. Hermione instantly went to her desk and withdrew a lilac note card. Picking up a new quill and the bottle of silver ink, she wrote,

Thank you Severus for the beautiful gift.

Thank you for a lovely day.

Hermione.

Running through the door that joined her room onto the Gryffindor common room, she went to collect Pig from his cage, ''I need to borrow him.'' was all she said to a very puzzled Ron, before tying the note to Pig's leg and letting him out of the window.

Lying in bed later that night, Hermione was interrupted from her thoughts by a tapping on the window. Moving to get better access the excited birds leg she removed the note attached and let Pig fly out of the window. Hermione went back to her bed and opened the note.

For the second most intelligent witch in Great Britain, a gift fit for your usage. Use them well.

Now go to sleep. I will not be impressed if you spend your time yawning tomorrow morning.

See you in potions, on the dot of nine. I will not tolerate tardiness.

Goodnight and thank you for a lovely day

Severus.

Hermione went to sleep happy, thinking that she had at last found a kindred spirit in none other than her nasty potions professor. She smiled as sleep took her into its oblivion.