Disclaimer:- I neither earn nor own anything – I think we all know the rest. lol

sSs

A/N:- Here is the next instalment of our story. Things get a bit sticky for the Potions master in this chapter when he decides to come clean about things. I hope you enjoy…

hHh

Chapter Twelve – The New Headmaster Proposes

Sunday actually came around very quickly. Everyone rose early for the grand—no magic allowed—Easter egg hunt, but of course most of the party were Slytherins, so there was more than a little 'accidental' use of magic.

Each couple were given a basket and a map, which had the habit of only telling you where the eggs on the other side of the garden were located. The trick, it appeared, was to remember their position until you got there, or if you were smart like Severus and Hermione, you simply undid the enchantments on the parchment, and the eggs were hidden in all sorts of amazing and unexpected places.

This activity however, was actually secondary to what was on Severus Snape's mind this morning. He had it in mind to propose to Hermione, she had quickly become the one thing he realised he could not do without. Their encounters had been reaching the same level of intimacy for about a week now, and he wanted things to go further. He also wanted to pay her a courtesy that he hadn't thought about before. He wanted her to know that she was his before he took her to his bedroom and he was certain Hermione felt the same.

However, there came the awkward part, his sense of honour was demanding that he come clean about his initial intentions toward her, and that disastrous encounter with Bella. All this was playing heavily on his mind. His brain had spent the wee hours working through all the possible scenarios as he lay in his bed last night. He had decided there were several ways Hermione might react to the complete truth. The one he was dreading involved her rejecting him and storming out, probably after a sound hexing.

Severus' thoughts diverged for a moment, he was so proud of his little kitten. She seemed to have her confidence now. Pavarti Patil had said something to her Friday night about Ron Weasley and the Indian witch had regretted it. She would now go back to her Gryffindor friends knowing there was no bluffing Hermione Granger anymore. Mind you, if Hermione accepted him as her betrothed nobody would dare approach her under any circumstances. He cackled softly, laying with his hands linked behind his head, well not unless they were very stupid, anyway.

Now, as they wandered through the beautiful gardens of Malfoy Manor in all their string glory, he knew he had to choose his moment carefully, and once he was content that the others wouldn't stumble across them, Severus guided her to the hidden alcove he discovered on a previous visit to this part of the garden. "Hermione, I have something I want to tell you. I'm hoping you will keep an open mind while I explain to you what I must."

Asking her to sit on the ornate cement bench, he seated himself next to her and picked up both of her hands. "Over the years, I have guarded my heart jealously. I was hurt badly when a callow youth, and I swore I would never allow another witch into my heart again." Severus raised his eyes from their joined hands to her face; she was sitting there a picture of expectant innocence, with her tender pink lip firmly wedged between her teeth.

He took a deep breath, resisting the urge to kiss it until it popped free, and collected his thoughts once more. "When I offered you the position as my assistant, I had fully intended to help you overcome your problems with your house mates and then set you free. However, it hasn't worked out that way.

In the aftermath of the night I rescued you in that hallway, you affected me. I could no longer reason that I was only helping you because you were in a similar position to me when I had attended Hogwarts. This was the same reason I started helping Emily, and I had no trouble letting her go when the time was right, even if there were mitigating circumstances."

He lifted a hand to her cheek. "But you, you lovely witch, I find I can't let you go. You've found the key to the lock on my heart. I tried to deny it, kid myself that I couldn't feel those things for you; that you had to be like Emily, I couldn't feel more than concern for you." Severus watched as her expression became a little concerned, and he hoped this wasn't a bad thing. After a pause he continued again. "I even did something incredibly stupid the first night you stayed in my quarters." Severus took a deep breath and maintained eye contact with her. "After you were in bed that night, I went to another witch to try and excise you from my heart." He heard her gasp, and felt her hand start to leave his, he grasped them firmer. "No, please, Hermione… it was a huge mistake," he said, slightly panicked by her reaction, and his heart twisted when he saw her eyes fill with tears. "I'm sorry, kitten. I'm trying to be honest with you, please hear me out. I can't ask you what I must until you know the whole truth."

Severus took in her tear filled eyes, they were so trusting. He became mesmerized by them for a moment. Until he heard a tiny sob escape her, she was obviously fearing the worst from his silence. This was confirmed with the soft words she spoke in a broken voice.

"S-so this has all been a l-lie?" She cleared her throat trying not to cry, dropping her head; she stared at her lap.

"NO! Oh Merlin, no." Severus was horrified to have his worst fear confirmed. "I'm trying to tell you that even though that is what I planned, it wasn't possible." He lifted her face to his, by cupping her cheek in his hand. "Hermione I want to make you mine, only mine, forever. I want to ask you to marry me."

"Oh," it was more like a breathy huff of air.

There were words scrambling to get out of her mouth, her thoughts were so jumbled by what he'd told her. "You went to another witch to…" she blushed. "Did you?"

Severus was slow to answer. "Yes," he finally said, sounding suitably ashamed of himself.

"Would you ever do it again?"

"Never, I shouldn't have done it that night; it was very foolish thing to do. I drank myself into a stupor afterwards. In the morning it was Lucius who turned up to knock some sense into me." Severus used his thumb to wipe away a tear that had tumbled, unbidden over her lashes. "Don't cry, sweetheart." He drew her into his arms, and she let him, which he took as a good sign. "I wanted you to know the whole story before we went any further. When I did what I did, I hadn't realised how utterly in love with you I am. I was determined to fight the attraction, stick to my original plan. Help you become the lovely butterfly you have become, and place you into the care of someone better than me. But I find I can't, these last few weeks have been so wonderful. I don't want to give you up."

Hermione thought about what Severus had said. If she was honest she could even pin-point the moment he'd given in to his feelings, it was that first day in the sunken garden at Longbottom Hall. Hermione looked up at him from the circle of his arms. "Severus, there is no one better for me than you," she asserted.

He wrapped his arms around her tighter, starting to place soft kisses around the wispy curls at her hairline.

Suddenly she nestled her head on his chest. "You have treated me as an equal. I have truly felt content with you. Where ever you are is my home." She glanced up at him, "So, ask your question, Severus."

She was accepting him, against all odds she was accepting him; he had to do this right. Running his hands down her arms to settle her further, he slid from the seat onto one knee, without losing contact with her hands. Looking up at her sweet face, he asked the question. "Hermione Jean Granger, would you make me the happiest wizard in Britain and consent to be my wife?"

Hermione's mind went spinning off into the ether, this was almost unbelievable. The wizard she loved more than anything, wanted her too. Finally, a word managed to separate itself from the jumble of thoughts and pass her lips. "Yes…" then more followed, "yes I will marry you, Severus."

Severus suddenly found himself with both his arms full of happy witch. "I love you, Hermione," he crooned to her, kissing any part of her face that he could reach. All thoughts of the staid, cynical wizard the world knew were gone. His witch had accepted him, and she was going to be his.

Pulling back a little, Hermione cupped his cheek with her hand. "And I love you too… so much."

He slid them back onto the seat and proceeded to kiss her soundly, but after some time he remembered the other part of the surprise he'd planned. "There's something for you on the Magnolia tree, see if you can find it." Standing, he assisted her to her feet.

Hermione looked at him with curious eyes. "How do I know where it is?"

"Find a special flower bud and touch it, kitten," were his simple instruction.

Hermione examined the tree. There was one bud that somehow looked out of place. Her hand scooted forward gingerly, and when her fingertips connected the flower bud, it bloomed, revealing an egg wrapped in the same coloured foil as the flower petals. "Oh," she gushed, pulling her hand away in wonder, almost like she'd damage something delicate if she touched it again.

Severus was enthralled by her surprise. "Take it, it won't bite, you know."

"How do you know?"

"Because I placed it here," he murmured, against her hair as he pulled her further into his arms. "Open it."

"Oh," she snickered softly. "What is it?"

He rolled his eyes, "Open it and find out."

"Oh, yes… of course," Hermione muttered.

Severus guided her back to the garden seat and watched her carefully peel the foil from the egg, as she did the chocolate melted away and there was a ring laying in the foil on the palm of her hand.

She stared at it like it was an illusion, and when she heard Severus speak once more she was startled to find his voice wasn't coming from above her, but in front of her once more. Her breath caught in her throat when she realised he was on one knee again.

Plucking the ring off her palm, Severus picked up her hand and carefully placed it on the appropriate finger. He kissed the hand, just as a peacock Patronus swept into the alcove, and Lucius' voice announced that breakfast was ready.

Rising up gracefully, Severus offered his witch, his arm. She was still gazing at the beautiful solitaire diamond ring. Turning her face up to his, she smiled a brilliant smile which made them late for breakfast, as they lingered longer in the alcove, their mouths silent, but very occupied exploring what had quickly become comforting and familiar territory for them.

When they made it back for breakfast, both looking very kiss crumbled. Eyes started scanning for the ring. Most of their party knew they were close to becoming engaged. The wizarding world is a little different to the muggle equivalent. If couples are meant to be together, other wizards and witches can sense the couple's magic meshing together.

This is why courtships are often short, as the couple in question—if they've got any intelligence— know whether they're meant to be or not.

So there was much gushing over Hermione's ring and offers of congratulation for the happy couple.

Lucius Malfoy ever the flamboyant host, proclaimed that there would be a grand ball to celebrate one of his closest friends—and even better, new headmaster of Hogwarts—engagement, and that further more that it would be this coming Saturday night.

xox

Hermione and Severus had now moved back to Hogwarts, and the mammoth task of changing leaders began in earnest. With only another week before the next school term, Severus had many things to organise.

Arcturus had sent in the appropriate papers to the board regulating apprenticeships, for Draco to start acting as his apprentice part-time until he had finished school.

Both Malfoys moved into Severus' old quarters, as master and apprentice and started organising things how Arcturus wanted them. Pomona Sprout appeared from seeming nowhere to help, but of course that was another story entirely.

Severus found that the elves had packed all Dumbledore's belong away, and placed them in storage. So, the first thing on his list was to move his belonging into the headmaster's quarters. The next most pressing tasks were to owl Minerva McGonagall asking her to meet him the next day, and find suitable rooms for Hermione, as far away from Gryffindor tower as possible.

Until they were married, they couldn't be seen to be living together. However, what the greater population of the castle didn't know wouldn't hurt them. So, Severus told the castle to connect his rooms to hers by a hidden passage and a set of stairs.

They then used their own private thoroughfare to access Severus' apartment, and go through to his office. As they approached the connecting door, they saw that it had a spell on it to make it transparent on one side. Like the one way mirrors in muggle television crime shows.

Severus decided to leave it once he'd ascertained that it only worked one way. "It will be handy for you, kitten," he suggested, "you can see if I'm busy before you come in."

Hermione nodded, as they entered the office proper once more. They found a mountain of correspondence that had arrived since his appointment had been announced. The elves had placed stasis spells on the howlers from certain disgruntled Gryffindor supporters.

Hermione laughed as Severus cast a glowering scowl at the red envelopes and vanished the lot of them to the fire, after placing a shielding charm around it. The mini display of fire-works was most entertaining. As he watched it, Severus stated, "Anyone who has anything to say to me can turn up in person to say it. I'm not listening to them screech like banshees about their holier than thou grievances via some cowardly method," he asserted.

Hermione kissed him and said, "Well spoken, my love."

He smiled at her looking thoughtful. "Give me your wand, kitten," he asked, holding his hand out.

Hermione gave him a puzzled look, but placed her wand in the palm of his hand. "I'm giving you the same access to the castle as I have. You can come and go anywhere you please." After keying her into his wards, he handed her wand back, gifted her with a kiss on the tip of her nose, and without another word, sat and set to work at his new desk.

Hermione cackled with glee. She kissed his cheek and proclaimed, "Well, I'm off to the library to study then, let you get your work done."

Hearing her mirth, he glanced up. "I'll see you at dinner time, shall we dine up here?" his mouth twitched, mischievously.

Hermione shivered, and her stomach flipped. She knew what he had in mind, and although she was nervous she was also excited.

xox

As it turned out once Severus started in on the list of things to do, it quickly started expanding, and he discovered that it was going to take much longer than he'd allowed for. No doubt this was why the headmaster floo'd in and out regularly even when he wasn't in residence.

To start with, it had been after lunch by the time they had arrived here anyway. Even though Severus wanted to keep Hermione here with him, they had thought it necessary to stop by Longbottom Hall after leaving Malfoy Manor. This was a courtesy to Augusta, because they didn't want her to hear from anyone else that they were now engaged.

She had actually been more relaxed about their immediate plans than they thought she would be. "I can see you are destined for one another, so as long as you are discrete, I see no reason for Hermione not to reside at the castle, but I'm not so sure about McGonagall apprenticing her," the amiable old witch had said.

"To tell the truth," Severus had told her. "I'm not expecting her to say yes, but it is only fair after what she has been through that she be given a second chance. I have a plan B, which I am much more at ease with." But seeing Augusta's unsettled expression he assured her. "Don't worry, if McGonagall shows the slightest bit of animosity towards Hermione, she will slide out the door on the other end of my wand."

Hermione was pondering this discussion as she wandered back to Severus' office when it came close to the dinner hour. She found on looking through the adjoining door that he was in a meeting, so she turned around and went to her rooms to continue her study until he came for her.

The evening wore on and he still hadn't appeared. Hermione was finally bored with studying and settled down to read with a glass of wine. After the early start that morning and the busy day she'd put in—and probably, the wine—it wasn't long and she dozed off.

An undefined amount of time later she dreamt she was floating on a cloud that smelt just like Severus. She snuggled into it, and it kissed her forehead, she sighed.

Then a soft chuckle roused her and she blinked. "Hello, kitten," Severus' deep voice washed over her.

As she woke, Hermione realised she was being cradled in his arms. They were sitting in his favourite armchair in his sitting room. "Did you carry me all the way up those stairs?"

"Certainly. Did you have some dinner?"

"No, I was waiting for you," she replied.

"I'm sorry, things became very busy. There seems to be a lot of issues that Dumbledore has let slip. I have been in conference with the Minister and most of the board since before lunch. The last of them have only just left," he sighed.

"So I saw when I came up earlier. Then you haven't eaten either?" Hermione asked.

"No, I wouldn't ask you to dinner and then eat without you," said, placing soft kisses on her brow.

"I know you wouldn't, Severus," she giggled at the feel of his five o'clock shadow on her soft skin. She tentatively took the lead and started placing kisses on his face. But suddenly sat bolt upright.

"What's wrong?" he asked, worried. "I was enjoying that."

"Oh Crooks, it never even entered my head," she said out of left field, her hands going to her cheeks.

Severus was smiling as he pointed. "Do you think I would forget your orange monster?" he pointed to the other chair. "See, one orange monster, and his lovely companion, both fed and comfortable." He indicated her dozing kneazle and his own sleek black feline.

Crookshanks looked up at Hermione's commotion, but only yawned and reorganised himself, she laughed. "Yeh, happy to see you too, Crooks," and she snuggled back into Severus. "Thank you, you're amazing," she mumbled into his neck.

He graciously accepted her affection for his thoughtfulness, and after much happy kissing, Severus said, "Would you like to stay with me tonight?" Hermione instantly tensed in his arms. "I'm not suggesting anything but pyjama clad sleep," he quantified, "We're both very tired."

"Oh, I think I'd like that," she admitted.

"Very good, well let's get ready, then we'll organise something to eat and take it to bed with us."

"Great idea," Hermione agreed.

When Hermione arrived in the kitchen clad in her pyjamas. Severus had the kettle on boiling and had started revolving some bread over the flame of the fireplace. When she arrived and plonked herself on the bench top, he took full advantage, kissing and nipping her neck while they waited.

She arched it and sighed at the hot kisses he was delivering to throat. Licking his way back up to her mouth, she shivered at the sensation of his tongue entwining recklessly with hers and his hands roaming her body in sweeping movements.

It only seemed to take a moment for the kettle to boil and he released her. "You butter the toast and I'll make the tea," Hermione looked at him. "Butter's in that cupboard and knives are there," he said pointing.

"Gee, you worked that out quickly," she said.

"Indeed," he replied a little smugly, but she gave him a disbelieving look. Finally, he laughed. "Oh alright, I admit that I had a look before I came down to find you," he returned happily, and it wasn't long and they were snuggled back up in bed with their supper.

Hermione charmed the sheets to repel any stray crumbs and they happily ate their toast and drank tea. Eventually they lay down, and she nestled into his chest and settled herself, drawing little lines, tracing the pocket on his pyjama top with her finger she inquired, "What do you have to do tomorrow?"

"I'm still waiting to hear from McGonagall," he sighed, and kissed her head. "Her response will determine most of the course of our day."

"What will we do if she doesn't accept your proposal?"

His soft rumbling laugh sent a shiver of need through her, even if his words were curt. "She's not irreplaceable, as I told Augusta this morning, I have another plan as well."

Hermione looked up at him and he leant down kissing her softly. "Now enough talk of other things." When he spoke again he'd changed the subject. "Do you know how beautiful you are?" he said, stroking her face.

"No," she murmured shyly.

His eyes roamed her face for a moment, and he drew a deep breath through his nose. "You mesmerise me utterly, you're exquisite," he lowered his head, capturing her mouth and they lay together oblivious for a time.

Once their kiss finished, Hermione found herself lost in his arms. He held her tightly and his soft stroking of her back and arms eventually lulled her to sleep, held safely—for the first time—in her wizard's arms.

xox

Having always been a light sleeper, Severus was wokenjust after midnightby a soft incessant tapping from his sitting room. He was only expecting one owl. Rising silently he left the sleeping Hermione and quietly went to see what McGonagall's answer would be. It was a large barn owl that sought admittance.

Severus spelled the window open and the owl swooped through, perching on the back of the chair occupied by the cats. Both Crookshanks and Persephone eyed him distrustfully and the bird snapped menacingly in return. "Behave you lot," commanded a slightly irritated Severus as he retrieved the note.

The message simply read - I have given your proposal due consideration, but I find myself unable to accept it.

Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall.

Severus couldn't help the little smile that flitted across his lips, he had been expecting this and now he could act on his alternative, and preferred, plan. The Potion master absently conjured some treats for the insistent owl, before he sent him on his way.

The raven-haired wizard was just finishing his own missive when he heard her soft voice. "Severus?"

"Office, kitten," he called, his voice still sleep roughened. The door opened further cautiously and Hermione's head appeared around it. "I hoped not to wake you," Severus said, looking up from his desk.

"Is anything wrong?" she asked, looking at the parchment on the desk as she walked towards him. "Who sent the message?"

"No, nothing's wrong," he assured her.

Hermione had already recognised the neat script, so Severus didn't need to answer her second question.

He looked back over his shoulder to where Hermione stood behind him with her arms dropped loosely around his neck. "So it's on to plan B," he stated, knowing she had just read what he had written.

"Mmm," was her only comment, next to his ear.

He nodded, summoning his own bird, and after attaching the note to its leg, he waved his wand at the window. The bird flew a low circle around the room, and swooped out the open window. Severus shut the window again and led Hermione back to bed.