A/N – Sorry it took me so long to update! My life has been so hectic at the moment. I advise you all, never be a florist, especially at Christmas!!

''Turn to page four hundred and forty three... now!'' Professor Snape snarled as he swept into the lesson, robes billowing behind him with more drama than Dumbledore at Christmas. Advanced potions for the seventh year. At least these students were here because they wanted to be, not because they were made to be. It was only a small class but still annoying. Having to watch Weasley sit next to Hermione hurt him a little bit. Of course he knew that they had only had their first day out yesterday, and she probably still found him terrifying, yet Severus didn't mind her. She was hugely intelligent and he was able to hold many interesting conversations with her about certain novels and reference texts they had read. She wasn't a bit the little-know-it-all he thought she was. All he could do was count his blessings that he wasn't lumbered with someone like Miss Brown, she seemed to have a one-track mind for all things closely related to sex and beauty.

''Oh wow Hermione, it's beautiful, were did you get that from?'' Severus turned round to see a blushing, smiling Hermione with Miss Brown, the Patil twins and Weasley all staring at her parchment.

''What's going on?'' Severus asked abruptly, causing the offending students to jump back into their seats.

''Sorry Professor,'' Lavender piped up, ''it's Hermione's ink, it's beautiful.''

Severus looked over to Hermione's parchment and saw what Miss Brown meant. Hermione's page was covered in her neatly written script, with the colour spectrum swirling throughout the words. It positively made her work glow. It certainly put the other girls pink ink to shame, even Miss Browns glittery script looked plain against Hermione's. Hermione looked up a Severus, blushing.

''I'm sorry professor, I didn't know it would write like that.''

''Very well Miss Granger. But,'' Severus said, turning to the other girls, ''it does not need to be discussed during my lesson. Five points from each of you. And Miss Granger, see me after the lesson.''

Hermione blushed harder and looked slightly upset as the other girls glowered at Professor Snape from their seats.

The rest of the lesson went quite smoothly, and after Professor Snape had dismissed the class, he heard a little cough coming from Hermione's seat. She was stood behind it, looking slightly nervous.

''You wanted to see me Sir?''

''Yes Hermione.''

''I'm sorry about the interruption, but I really didn't know it would write like that and it is so beautiful and lovely to write with and it just flows out of my quill and thank you so much Severus.'' Hermione stopped to draw breath, ''It truly is a beautiful gift.''

''Well, I didn't think you would like it that much. But you are very welcome. I want you to feel comfortable in my presence Hermione, after all, we must spend the rest of our lives together. And for that, I apologise. You should be free to live as you want to, not being tied down by an old man.''

''But Severus, in wizarding years, you are not really that much older than me. What is it? Fifteen years?''

''Twenty. But let's not worry too much about that. You know you have to prepare for the wedding soon?'' Hermione nodded, ''You need to have a dress, I will let you choose your own if you want. No doubt my tastes and yours are very different, choose something you will feel comfortable wearing above all Hermione. It does not have to be in the traditional wedding style if that would make you happier, but I really don't mind. I am sure you will look wonderful.''

''Thank you.'' Hermione's cheeks began to turn pink and she smiled.

''You will also need to choose my ring. Choose whatever you want. Go with your gut instinct though Hermione, don't choose what you think will make me happy. I like anything, as long as it doesn't have a heart shaped rose quartz in the middle of a diamond encrusted band. Make sure the seller knows it is for a wedding, then it can be charmed to fit perfectly. Likewise I will choose your ring.''

''Can the wedding be held here?'' Hermione asked

''If you want it to be, where were you thinking?''

''Well, I thought the room of requirement for the service, and then the great hall for the reception. There will be a reception won't there?''

''Yes of course. I can have a feast organised if you would like that. And the room of requirement would be perfect. You could send Miss Weasley in with plans on how you would like it to look. She could change it for you until you are happy.''

''Thank you Severus.'' Hermione smiled

''Not at all. Oh, and by the way...'' Severus said as Hermione made to leave the room

''Yes?'' She turned around.

''Charge all purchases to my account. Money no object.''

''But...'' Hermione began

''No buts. I'm serious. If you see a dress you would like and it costs three thousand galleons, then buy it.''

''You can't be serious!''

''Oh but I am.'' Severus smirked. ''Whether you like it or not, this is your day and I want you to enjoy it. Even if you are being forced to marry against your will.''

''Thank you so much. You are so generous.''

''Sweet Merlin Hermione! He really said that?'' Ginny asked wide eyed as Hermione settled on the sofa next to her. The girls were back in Hermione's chambers talking about the incident in potions.

''Yep! That's like, equivalent to nearly fifteen thousand muggle pounds Gins!''

''And you're telling the truth when you say he's not an old bat?''

''I am. He's actually really nice.''

''Can I see this 'amazing ink' then?'' Ginny asked, wondering about the gift Severus had given her the day before.

''Wow, charmed ink. Clever stuff. It's gorgeous, I mean, I personally wouldn't be over the moon to get it, but it suits you down to the ground. Now you can colour code things to your hearts content.'' Hermione smiled as Ginny gave her a hug, ''I really hope you are as fine about this as you seem.''

''I am Gin. It's like he's a different person around me. And I don't mind him.''

'''Mione, you're gonna have to shag him in two weeks! You need more than just, 'not minding' him to get through that.''

''Well he's quite attractive really, I mean... when he smiles.'' Hermione turned scarlet with this admission

''Quite attractive? Are you out of your mind girl?''

''No, I mean it's just...''

''He's damn hot!'' Ginny interrupted, then quickly slapped her hand over her mouth. ''I didn't say that, '' she whispered quickly through her fingers, ''I didn't say that, I didn't say that, I...''

Hermione was laughing, ''I'm afraid you did Ginny dearest! Stop blushing, I know now what you think. You think that the 'old greasy bat' as you call him, or 'my fiancée' as I call him, is... in your own words, not mine, 'damn hot.' '' Hermione laughed again.

''I need to go back to the common room for erm... unfinished homework and erm... sleep or something.'' Ginny said in a daze as she got up off of the sofa and headed for the door. Hermione didn't try to stop her. She had much needed sleep to catch up on.

''Good night Ginny!'' She said brightly as she opened the door for her friend.

''Umm yeah.'' Ginny said, and with that, she was gone.

Hermione smiled as she went to get changed, 'time for bed' she thought.

The owl dropped the letter on Hermione's plate during breakfast the next morning. Hermione put down her toast and opened it quickly.

Hermione,

Would you join me for dinner tonight in my quarters?

It would be my pleasure if you would

Six o'clock at my office

Severus

Hermione locked eyes with her potions teacher, sat up at the head table. She nodded and smiled, Severus gave a curt nod back to her, but did not smile.

''What's that Hermione?'' Lavender asked

''Oh nothing.'' Hermione replied, hastily folding the letter away, and leaving the Great Hall quickly. It was hard for her to show her friends things that she got from Professor Snape, they were private things. Things other students should not see. Hermione understood that Severus wanted to keep up his cold appearance in front of the students, but Hermione wished he had given her at least a smirk.

Severus opened his door to Hermione at exactly six. He had no doubt that the young witch would be on time, and was pleased that his prediction was correct, he smiled as she entered the room and apologised, ''I am sorry I did not acknowledge you earlier. I have to be careful though Hermione. You seemed quite upset.''

''No, no, it's not that Severus.'' Hermione said as she stepped into his office, ''it's just annoying that all of my friends are so nosy about it all. I don't want to be a freak show.''

''I understand Hermione and I will do everything in my power to ensure that you are treated with the significant respect you deserve, now follow me. I would like to show you the sequence to bring down the wards to my private rooms.''

''Are you sure?'' Hermione asked, ''I mean... it's just, they're you're rooms, you're private area.''

''And I would like you to have a little bit of time to get used to them. I'll show you what I have done for you. I want you to feel happy when we have to live together.''

Severus walked through his office until he was behind his desk, he then turned to Hermione. ''Now, the password for my office is ''Antipodean''. When you try to enter, if the wards do not immediately fall, do not enter. I may be having a meeting and increased the wards. Just knock instead. Do you understand thus far?''

''Mmm-hmm''

''Once you are here, tap the spine of this book,'' Severus said, pointing to 'Hogwarts, a History', ''four times, the book will turn into a handle.'' Sure enough, the cracked leather of the book turned into a gleaming silver handle. ''You may then let yourself in. Once again, if this door is locked, knock and I will come to let you in.'' Hermione nodded and smiled at Severus, ''Now you try.''

Hermione instantly made the wards fall on the entrances with next to no effort. This is why Severus liked her, after all. Her attention to detail, the way she watched Severus' exact wand movements and copied them precisely. Once inside his private quarters, he directed Hermione to follow him as he made his way into his living area.

''Now this,'' Severus said, gesturing to the room around him, ''is the main living area. You are welcome to come to relax here any time. I am sure it must be stressful being near your friends when you really want time alone. This is my sanctuary and you are welcome to share it with me. You can borrow any book of mine that you want, as long as you look after it, which... judging by the state of your potions books, you will.'' Hermione looked at the far end of the room to see two huge overstuffed armchairs flanking a large fireplace. The whole wall was covered with filled bookshelves. But there was an empty area,

''Severus?'' Hermione asked, ''Why are those shelves empty when the others are so full?''

''Ah...'' Severus said, ''Well, they are for your books, when you move in. You don't have to use them, but I thought I had better begin with preparations for your arrival.'' Hermione's eyes lit up and she smiled as Severus continued, ''you have unlimited use to all of my facilities. Just make sure you lock the door if you use the bathroom. Ah...'' he said, walking over to a large back door, ''this, is your room. Although we will have to share a bed most of the time, you are welcome to sleep in here if you need time alone. Also, it gets you away from your friends. As lovely as I am sure they are, they don't know how to get to you here. You can get some peace and quiet.'' Severus stepped out of the way of the open door letting Hermione pass him on her way in. She was greeted by the sight of the most beautiful room she had ever seen. It was small, yet comfortable. She had a double bed, with deep violet covers. It had four, large oak posters leading right up to the ceiling, and wound around them were tiny little lights, so small they twinkled like stars in the night sky. The floor was covered in the thickest carpet Hermione had ever stood on in her life, and on a small sofa in the corner of the room were what seemed like hundreds of silver and mauve cushions scattered over it, hiding the sofa from sight. There was a small, empty shelf by the sofa, and a large mirror attached to the wall. There was another door next to the entrance that led to a huge walk in wardrobe.

''If you don't like it, you can redecorate. And I'm sorry it's only small, but I tried to make it quite comfortable.''

''Its...'' Hermione began breathlessly, ''It's beautiful.'' She walked back to Severus, and slowly, hesitantly, stood up on tip toe to give his cheek a tiny kiss. ''Thank you so much''

Severus smiled down at Hermione, examining the frizzy mass of hair, and her impeccably clean clothes, ''Come,'' he said quietly, ''let's eat.''

A/N Thanks for reading! Maybe a review?