****I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters…I merely play around with them for my own enjoyment****

Thank you all for the wonderful reviews! I really appreciate it! I just got back from the choir trip to South Padre Island. I had a wonderful time, but I'm so glad to be back. If only I didn't have to go back to classes.

Anyway, here's the next chapter. I hope you enjoy it! Oh and reviews are like applause…and I'm like Tinkerbelle…I need applause to live!

Today was the day the students would be coming back to Hogwarts. I was nervous and excited. I felt ready to teach and really hoped that the students would enjoy the music classes. I was also looking forward to spending my day with Severus before greeting the students at the Welcoming Feast.

I got dressed and went down to the Great Hall for breakfast. I saw that Hermione and Draco were seated near Severus and took the open seat between them.

"Good morning," I told them all.

"Good morning, Elle," Hermione pleasantly replied while Draco and Severus nodded.

I fixed my plate and coffee and placed my free hand on Severus' knee. I felt him stiffen. As I was about to remove my hand, I felt his hand join mine on his knee and hold it. I gave him a smile before turning to Hermione as she started to ask me a question.

I wanted to ask if you would be one of my bridesmaids," she asked. "I was going to ask Harry to stand with me, but I'm not sure he will even attend. I don't know how many more glares I can take from him," she added with a growing frown.

I felt truly bad for her. She didn't deserve this treatment from her best friend for something that wasn't even her fault in the first place. "That's his loss, Hermione. I know you're just really getting to know Draco as he is now, but I can already see that he is good for you. You will make each other happy. If Harry can't see that, then he's blind and clearly needs new glasses."

"Thank you, Elle. That means a lot to me to hear that. I really appreciate you being such a good friend to me," she told me.

I smiled at her, "Anytime."

I finished my breakfast and asked Severus to come by my rooms later if he would like. He nodded and gave me a small smile.

It was nearly lunchtime when I heard a knock on my portrait. I opened the portrait to see Severus holding a blanket and a basket.

"Hello, Elle. Would you consent to joining me for a picnic outside for lunch?" he asked somewhat nervously.

I grinned widely at him. "I would love to," I said as I climbed out of the portrait to join him.

Severus held my hand as we walked outside to the grounds for our picnic. I was pleasantly surprised by his show of affection.

We reached a nice spot beneath a tree beside the lake after a few more minutes of walking. Severus laid out the blanket and set out the food as I looked at the lake. I couldn't help but lose myself to my thought of all that has happened since I moved to Hogwarts as I looked over the peaceful water.

"Care to join me?" Severus silkily whispered in my ear, breaking me from my thoughts.

I turned to him and smiled before sitting on the blanket.

We had a lovely meal, wonderfully prepared by the House Elves. When we finished our dessert, I started cleaning our mess. I was interrupted by Severus' cough. I turned to him and my eyes widened at the sight before me. Severus was down on one knee holding a small ring box.

"Elle, I know the situation in which we have been thrown is less than ideal. However, I find that I am most pleased to have been paired with you. You bring out a side of me that I thought was forever gone. After playing the part of the cold, unfeeling spy for so long, I never thought that I could be truly happy. Being with you has made me unbelievably so.

"I am not the type of man to wear my emotions on my sleeve, but I promise that I will try to tell you every day how much you make me happy and how much you mean to me. I know that we don't really have a choice but to get married, but I would like to believe that we would have gotten there on our own eventually.

"I am asking you now if you will consent to be my wife, the mother of my children, my partner in life, and hopefully my love. Not because you have to, but because you want to." With that, he opened the ring box that held a beautiful white gold diamond ring.

I felt tears in my eyes as I tried to speak, but couldn't get the words out. I settled for nodding as much as I could.

I noticed Severus sigh with relief as he smiled and placed the ring on my finger. It resized itself to fit my finger perfectly.

Severus stood and pulled me with him, hugging me tightly. "Thank you, Elle," he told me as he kissed my lips sweetly.

I smiled at him with tears in my eyes, "No, Severus. Thank you."

We stood there for a few moments just enjoying on another's company before going back to the castle, hand in hand, to spend time together before the students came for dinner.