AN – I own nothing!

--

Chapter 11

Severus and Hermione walked along the crowded streets of London. Hermione was surprised when she had opened her door, for the first time, she saw that Severus was wearing muggle clothes. A dark blue long sleeved shirt, black jeans and a pair of loafers to match. He looked strikingly handsome. She on the other hand wore an orange colored shirt, blue jeans and a pair of trainers. It was summer after all, and they needed to feel comfortable.

They each knew their way around muggle London since they both had experiences living there. Severus explained that he had an apartment in the city and seldom stayed there when he needed a break. He also explained that he had other homes, such as a few manors and a small villa in Italy where he went on vacations. Yes, Severus was a rich man, and had noble blood running through his veins such as the Malfoys. He however didn't see the reason for flaunting it around. He was a simple man.

They sat quietly in the coffee shop. A table between them, with their ice blended drinks, and little snacks on top of it like a Belgian waffle and a brownie. Beneath the table, there were a few shopping bags of their purchases. All of them were paid by Severus, including her items. Some of them were clothes and others were books. They each had a book in front of them and started to read them.

Hermione looked around. Again for the nth time, she saw couples, lovers, more couples, and yet more lovers. The entire day, since they stepped into muggle London, everywhere she turned, she saw a pair. She wasn't sick of seeing it, but rather jealous of them. She wished and dreamt that she had a love life like they did, but no. Yes, she and Severus were a 'couple' so to speak, but only up to a certain degree.

Severus never held her hand like he did yesterday. She couldn't deny it, but she loved it. It was always he to make the first move. Yes there were times in which he would touch her on her back, or offer her his arm to guide her. He was a gentleman at least. Perhaps it was because he wasn't the type to show public displays of affection she thought to herself. She hated it when she saw people show that they were in love with each other. When would she have that in her life? She had to keep on reminding herself that she and Severus weren't in love, and they would never be. He told her yesterday that he had never loved. It hurt to know that he would never love her.

The laughter of two people caught her attention. She turned her head and saw a couple lounged on the couch. They were reading a book together, and laughing together. she remembered the other night when Severus had read to her. She hoped that he would do it to her again. Laugh with her? Maybe never as well.

Severus had been watching Hermione since they had left the castle. He knew that she wasn't under the influence of a calming potion of sorts, and thanked Merlin for that. She had spoken a few sentences throughout the day. Clearly she was disturbed and saddened. He couldn't just read her emotions. Sometimes he thought that he felt them. He asked her a few times if she was alright, and she just answer with one word being "Fine." He knew she wasn't, but he didn't want to push it out of her.

He then wondered about what type of relationship he and Hermione would have. Being soulmates in the wizarding world would allow them to have a special bond between them. It varied among the couples. There were a few cases in which there was no bond at all. Would they ever have one? And if so, what?

"Could we get out of here?" Hermione asked, showing her irritation as she placed her book down.

"What's wrong?" Severus asked. He thought that she having a good time, reading her book. He was wrong. For some odd reason, Hermione couldn't seem to stay in one place for a long time. It couldn't be the crowds.

"Nothing," Hermione replied flatly. "Just have some more shopping to do. And we stil have to get our wedding bands."

Severus nodded and accepted her answer.

--

The both of them walked side by side, and looked through the numerous options for wedding bands. There were so many to pick from since they were inside Tiffany and Co. All the rings looked beautiful, and shinned perfectly under the glass lights.

"Which ones do you like?" Severus asked Hermione.

"Preferably ones that match the engagement ring," she answered.

"Where are your platinum bands?" Severus asked the store clerk.

The woman smiled at the couple and gestured them to follow her to the other glass counter. "We have plain bands and bands that have diamonds with them, both for men and women," she informed them as she took out the boxes out of the glass cases one by one, laying them on top of the glass gently. "The thickness of the bands also vary with the plain bands."

"I like this one," Hermione commented as she took one ring in her hand and examined it closely. It was thin and had a number of small diamonds that went around it. not too much, not too little. It seemed perfect.

"I like that one too," Severus said as he stood right next to her, looking at the ring as well. It was elegant and yet simple all at the same time. And it did seem to go well with the engagement ring that he had given her. The diamonds were the same size as the emeralds.

"What about you sir?" the woman asked. "A plain one or one with diamonds as well?"

"Diamonds?" Severus asked with a raised eyebrow. He never thought that he would wear a piece of jewelry, and never wore one his entire life. The only thing that he wore on himself was a platinum Rolex watch. Like most men, they considered their watch their one and only piece of jewelry.

"We do have a matching band sir, except that since it is a male's ring, the width of the metal is thicker."

Severus looked at Hermione and then asked, "What do you think?"

"Me? You're the one wearing the ring," she scoffed at him.

Severus sighed and thought about which ring he wanted. He pulled out his wallet from his back pocket, and took out his credit card. "The matching one," he answered, and handed her his credit card. The clerk nodded and took their finger sizes. Severus also requested that their initials to be engraved inside the rings.

As he waited for the clerk to come back with the bill and the wedding bands, he watched Hermione with hawk eyes as she continued to walk around the store. She looked at the other numerous pieces of jewelry from bracelets, to lockets.

The doors of the store opened. Hermione watched as a couple walked into the store. They seemed obviously very happy. The woman was glowing as well for she was pregnant. She watched as the happy couple walked towards the gifts section of the store.

They immediately purchased the sterling silver baby rattler. The husband had his arms around his wife as they looked around the store. They were both very much in love with each other. Again, Hermione felt very sad. She walked out of the store right away, and just waited outside.

"Hermione?" Severus called as he stood next to her, right in front of the display window. He noticed that she wasn't looking at the display at the window, but rather, the couple that just walked in recently. He didn't miss the sudden sadness that took over her. "You alright?" he asked with worry.

For the first time, her answer had changed. "I don't know," she softly said.

"Let's go for a walk," he said, as he placed a hand on the small of her back.

--

Hermione leaned on the ledge of the bridge. Severus was inches away from her on her left side. She didn't like the idea of stepping into the park as soon as she saw couples left and right. They were either having picnics, playing sports together with their children, or simply just holding each other. Now a couple moved beneath them, just coming from under the bridge. They were closely snuggling against each other as they lay down in the rowboat, the soft waves of the pond just allowing them to float gently on the water.

"Hermione, talk to me," Severus said in gentle tones.

"Will we ever be like that Severus?" Hermione said as a tear escaped her eye.

Severus didn't say anything, but allowed her to continue talking.

"I always dreamt and wished that I would live a fairytale life. Marry a prince in a big fantasy wedding, and then he'd take me up on his hoarse, and we'd ride away into the sunset. Of course, we'd live happily ever after. Obviously, things like that can't happen. Love," she said in a softer tone, "love is all I want and need Severus. Is that too much to ask for?" More tears escaped from her eyes.

Severus walked to her side, and pulled her against him with an arm. He allowed her head to rest against his chest as she continued to watch the couple on the rowboat. He kissed her temple ever so softly and inhaled the scent of her hair.

Hermione felt better in his arms immediately. She felt some of her sadness ebb away, but her heart still hurt. It ached for love.

"Hermione," Severus whispered in her ear. "I promised you that I would care and protect you with all that I am. Yes, I may have said that our marriage is not out of love, but allow me to make you another promise." He paused for a moment. "I promise you that I will not deny the possibility of falling in love with you. You are a beautiful witch, with wonderful brains to match. Any man would be stupid to not fall for you. If I don't fall for you…" he rolled his eyes a bit, "I'm a dunderhead."

Hermione looked up at him with more tears in her eyes. His words touched her. She gave him a small smile. The first smile that broke through her lips in the longest time.

"Silly girl," Severus growled at her. He cupped her face in his hands and wiped the tears away from her cheeks with his thumbs. "I can't stand your damn tears."

Hermione's smile brightened and beamed up at him.

"I see now that I made you smile," he said with a small smile in return. He was happy that he made her smile. He couldn't help it. The words then slipped from his tongue. "My Little One," he called her.

She nodded as she sniffled a little. He called her his Little One. She couldn't help but agree all the more.

Severus eyed her lips. They were red and luscious. He was very tempted to kiss them. He however, had to resist the temptation. Instead, he kissed her brow, and turned her in his arms. He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind her, and rested his chin on her head.

"Feels good when you hold me," Hermione confessed. She then felt embarrassed as soon as the words came out of her mouth.

Severus arms tightened around her. He didn't say anything, but briefly kissed the top of her head. He couldn't admit to her that it felt good holding her. He couldn't understand it felt that way, but just did it anyhow without question.

Hermione again watched the couple on the rowboat. A small smile was still plastered through her face. She then imagined that she and Severus were the ones on the boat. Love was possible.

--

AN – A few tears and a few giggles… Review! Review! Review!