For days Severus had made it his purpose to be kind to Hermione. Though that wasn't as hard as you would think since he was before. During meals they sat besides each other. Sometimes while reading the Daily Prophet, Severus would occasionally comment on some daft article most likely written my Skeeter. He would only say it loud enough for Hermione to hear. Often times she would comment back in agreement with him only loud enough for Severus to hear.

Their banter was kept between themselves in undertones to the rest of the noise of the castle. At times Severus would find Hermione and nod her way or simply ask if she needed anything. Sometimes there was the faintest of touch from Severus to Hermione or Hermione to Severus. Surprisingly Hermione grew closer to Severus whenever he did so. He wasn't smothering about it. He would allow her space most of the time. And he would allow her presence if she needed someone. Often times it was Hermione reading as he brewed or graded papers.

There was one Hogsmeade weekend that found Severus sitting in his room quietly reading in the Astronomy tower. He heard the sound of footsteps first and was ready to get up and leave but was stopped when Hermione popped into view. She never said a word but simply walked towards Severus and sat planting herself straddling his lap and wrapping her arms in his robes around his ribs and nuzzling her face in his neck. Severus reaction was simply to wrap his robes around her to envelope her completely and wrap his arms around her and hold her. There were no shed tears this time and Severus couldn't help but nuzzle his face in her hair and smell the faint sent of jasmine and her natural scent.

If Hermione had been any other person Severus would simply have thrown the offender off, accosted them verbally, then stalk off to a quieter area. But this was Hermione. A woman he'd grown to admire and prefer the company of. As of late he questioned himself and wondered what was happening between the two of them. What would these moments lead to in the future? He wasn't sure and he was a tad bit fearful of her rejection should he try anything so he let things go as they were and would wait for her to make the first move.

Severus was interrupted by the feel of her arms unwrapping from around his ribs to around his neck and the feel of her lips on his cheek. For a moment Hermione pulled away and looked Severus in the eye. There was something in those eyes he thought he'd never see aimed at him. There wasn't sadness or loneliness in them. But rather a subtle sense of wanting and love. Severus didn't react and Hermione gently kissed him on the lips. He responded to her kiss and licked her lips instantly causing her to open her mouth. The kiss grew deeper and a little more passionate as Severus pulled her flush against him. She tasted of apples and spices and was warmer than he'd expected.

Finally they broke the kiss to breath and sat there with their foreheads touching.

"What brought this on?" he asked gently.

"A need to get my life together and realization that I need to grow a pair." Severus' eyebrow quirked in confusion. Hermione sat up a little more still looking Severus in the eyes.

"I've come to the realization that I need to forget about those I once considered friends and focus on now and the future. That's me getting my life together and not moping about." She answered firmly.

"And the need to grow a pair?" asked Severus.

"The need to grow a pair was me finally admitting to myself that I find a certain someone attractive and that I needed to do something about it. I didn't know how to tell you without sounding like a pubescent teenager." Severus smiled at that but then tried his hardest to scowl.

"Hermione we are in the Astronomy tower. We could have been seen."

"I made sure to put up wards to avoid that." Severus was satisfied with that answer and pulled her a little closer as he cast a quick warming spell. Hermione laid her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his ribs again. "So you're not mad at me?"

"No. It's very rare that a woman show any kind of affection to me without wanting something in return. It's also very rare that anyone would be attracted to me for various reasons." Hermione knew these reasons. There was his past that still got in the way especially when he was out in public. For the war hero he was many still wanted him in Azkaban. There were also his looks, but after the final battle Severus had started to look for the better. He'd gained some weight, his pallor had gained some color, his hair less greasy looking, and his overall health took a pleasant turn for the better. But it seems Hermione was the only one to genuinely find him attractive. "Knowing you Hermione I know that when you say you're attracted to me you mean it."

"I do." She whispered.

"Then I must warn you. There are times when I fall in to self-loathing and may become snappy and hurt you. I'm sorry ahead of time. There are times I'll want to be left alone but I think you understand that more than anyone else I know. And then there are times, and this I have found as of late, I don't want to be to far away from you and will become very selfish in only wanting your presence."

"I'm fine with all of that and as for the last part you needn't worry." Commented Hermione as she kissed him on the lips again.

"In that case, shall we move to warmer surroundings?" Hermione nodded in agreement and they both stood and made way for the dungeons.