A/N:- Just a warning there is a scene of domestic violence in this chapter, it is mild and only discussed nothing graphic, but I wished to warn anyway.

Chapter Fifteen – The Grand Finale

Hermione put her quill down for the final time. Her exams were over; she was finally free of school. The invigilator allowed her to exit, and as the doors shut behind her she focused on the small group of people across the almost deserted atrium waiting for her. Each of them in some way had become a member of her family.

Severus stood waiting for her, flanked by Augusta and Cygnus, with Draco, Cedric, Narcissa and Lucius next to them. Her eyes moved instinctively to her wizard and he actually smiled broadly, in public, when he saw her. The last week had been gruelling in the extreme.

While Severus had been right, she had been completely prepared for her NEWT exams. Right from that disastrous lunch with her parents at Longbottom Hall on Friday, things had raced off at a break-neck pace.

She shifted her gaze to each one in turn; her eyes resting briefly on her uncle before seeking the dark gaze of the one she loved most once more. She watched Severus relax slightly as they shared another smile, and she kept her eyes on him as she started towards them, even if her thoughts were still with her uncle, and Friday's disaster. Dear Uncle Cy, he had even organised a Ministerial car to transport my parents to lunch on Friday. They didn't have to lift a finger, but it was still a disaster!

I can't understand mum she never censures father, or even attempts stand up for herself, what he does to her… well it's almost mental abuse really. Now that's a worrying thought… no surely not. Hermione sighed, thinking about it. Mum changed back to my mum after lunch. It was when the men went into the library for port, and I thought it might turn out all right, I was very wrong.

I don't know what happened, but I'll never forget the look on my father's face as he stormed back into the parlour with Severus on his tail. I'm still not certain what his expression indicated, but when his reaction was to take it out on me and mum did nothing but stand there, Severus had obviously had enough, something must have happened to provoke him, I have never seen Severus look so angry. He simply grabbed an arm of each of them and bundled them out the door and into the waiting car.

Hermione saw Narcissa shift in her peripheral vision and her thoughts gratefully left the hurt her parents had inflicted by their actions. Cissy's a fair bit younger than mum, but I've come to think of her in very motherly terms, even if she can't replace the real thing, she helps me and gives advice like a mother should. Her thoughts meandered to the other members of the family. Then there's Dray-dear Dray-he definitely feels like the brother I've never had.

As for Lucius, well he's Lucius while I don't feel as close to him as the other members of his family, he still treats me like a daughter. He even offered to foot the bride's portion of the bill for our wedding; that almost caused a stand up brawl. Aunt Gussie vetoed the offer very quickly, saying that she and Cygnus would make certain I was taken care of for my wedding.

Her vision still locked with Severus, Hermione finally reached them across the atrium and greeted her substitute family one by one. Finally, she was being hugged by Severus, who had bought her a finishing your exams bracelet with a diamond studded quill hanging from it.

"Oh thank you, Sev, it's beautiful," she cooed and lovingly bestowed a kiss on him in thanks.

She was watching Severus affix the bracelet, when she heard Lucius say to Narcissa after checking his pocket watch. "Well, my dear, if you will take our guest of honour to the powder room to change, we should get going."

Hermione looked to Severus. He nodded and said, "Lucius has a grand plan for celebrating your exams ending," he leaned further forward and whispered. "I think it's his revenge for us putting off the ball until the wedding in the summer holidays."

Hermione giggled and smiled at him. "Well far be it for me to ruin his plans," and her eyes moved to Narcissa's. She had wondered why they were all dressed formally.

The evening was spent in grand style. Lucius had bought tickets for the Royal Albert Hall. He had hired a grand tier box for a Cirque Du Soleil performance with all the VIP trimmings. They had dinner and drinks in the gallery before the show and dessert and drinks in their box at interval, they even had their own private waiter. It was wonderful, but by the end of the evening Hermione was more than a little tipsy and her eyes were look saucers watching the antics of the acrobats and various performers.

As they said their goodbyes in the privacy of the box, Severus supported her as she totters to everyone and hugged them, thanking them for giving her such a lovely evening. Even Lucius got a hug and a huge smacky kiss on the cheek, Severus had never seen his friend blush, but his normally pale complexion definitely coloured. "Thank you, thank you," she enthused, "I have enjoyed my evening so much."

"You are most welcome, little one," her host said, as he handed her back to Severus.

"I think her week's caught up with her," Augusta commented sagely.

"I believe you may be correct," Severus agreed, before turning to Hermione. "Come on, kitten. Let's get you tucked up in bed." He rolled his eyes to her outrageous fit of giggles at his suggestion, and escorted her happily out the door. Draco had been given permission to go home for the weekend with his parents and Cedric.

There was an apparition point just around the corner in Kensington, and being the headmaster, Severus could Apparate straight into his office.

Hermione's head span cruelly as they landed and Severus caught her as her knees buckled. "You certainly are a cheap drunk, my love," he said cheerfully, as he hoisted her up into his arms. "Come on, to bed."

"I had a wonderful time tonight, Sev. But you know what… I wish the room would stop spinning."

"That's the champagne, kitten." He kissed her forehead. "Let's get you undressed and settled down."

"I don't like that idea, very much. I don't want to settle down, I want you, Sev."

"Is that so, kitten? As you certain you can manage to follow through with that?"

They reached the bedroom and Severus vanished the clothing from both of them. He lay her in the bed and she pulled him down on top of her, kissing him ravenously. "Ooohhh, Sev," she moaned, writhing against him and feeling his flesh on hers, before promptly passing out.

Severus chuckled, got in his side and pulled her into his arms. "Rest, my love. You've had a big week," he whispered and kissed her head, knowing she'd need a Hangover Potion tomorrow.

xox

It was April when Hermione's results arrived and she had received Outstanding for everything except Defence, which was an Exceeds Expectation. It was her weakest subject after all, so she was happy with the results.

During the next month there were several shopping trips in both London and Paris, as wedding plans for both Hermione and Daphne went ahead. Hermione had of course chosen Daphne as her bridesmaid, and Narcissa as her matron of honour, but she suddenly missed her mother intensely. She started to wonder exactly how much of what had happened back in March had been just her father being his usual pigheaded self.

They had chosen June 23rd as the date for the wedding, and the closer it got the more unsettled Hermione became over the issue. Severus knew something was bothering her, so he called her out on it. "Something is not right, kitten. What is it?"

"That day with my parents, what exactly happened to make my father react like he did?"

They were curled up by the fire in their favourite attitude, Severus in his chair and Hermione on his lap.

Severus was idling stroking her hair while she spoke. His eyes took on a faraway look. "He was unpardonably rude," he said finally.

Hermione sighed. "I wondered if that was it," she said quietly. "But where mum is concerned, I'm wondering how much of her behaviour is simply just to get along with father?"

"Do you want her at our wedding?"

Hermione nodded. "I'd like to give her the chance to be there. I know he won't come, I don't want him there, but I'd like to offer her the chance. It might change something for the better." Severus listened attentively as Hermione kept speaking. "You know, mum got on with Aunt Gussie that day… well when father wasn't around anyway. I'm starting to wonder if perhaps it's not as cut and dried as I think it is. Mum was positively charmed as she watched the family tree sprout a brand new painted branch when Ophelia Prewitt's baby was born while we were examining the book. Then the look, I now realise was horror that passed over her face when father came out accusing me and shouting insults."

"Well, I think you need to talk to Cygnus and Augusta about it, kitten" Severus suggested.

So she did. The next day Hermione wrote a letter to her mother and had Cygnus deliver it. Her uncle assured her afterwards that he had given it to her when she was away from her husband, and she'd said she would read it.

However, Hermione hadn't heard anything back, and was starting to think she wouldn't. Oh well, I gave it one last shot, she thought to herself sadly.

xox

June brought graduation for Draco, Theo and Daphne, and there was a whole weekend of celebrations. It seemed that Lucius took any excuse for a ball, and he held a graduation ball at the Manor, in honour of all four of them.

On top of which, it was only a week until Daphne and Regulus' wedding. Hermione and Daphne's sister Astoria were to be bridesmaid at that event. However, much to everyone's concern, Regulus had been told by his mother that his brother Sirius was to be best man, with Severus as groomsman. The main problem with this plan was that neither Regulus nor Severus got on with Sirius at all, in fact if you wished to be childish about it, as Sirius often was, Sirius Black along with James Potter were Severus' arch enemies.

So, under those circumstances, the whole wedding was going to be very tense and unenjoyable. Well that was until a little sleeping potion discreetly made its way into the first goblet of wine Regulus offered his brother, and Sirius Black slept through the whole reception.

Better still, his mother was livid when she thought he had gotten so drunk that he'd passed out—even when he swore on his wand that he'd only had one goblet of wine and couldn't understand how it had happened—that she'd hexed him into next year. However, the watching Slytherin's trying to contain their mirth, weren't saying anything, and a good time was consequentially had by all.

It was now only a week before Severus and Hermione's wedding, and all was in readiness, Filius Flitwick had agreed to stay on at the castle as caretaker headmaster for the month of the summer holidays where Severus had a grand tour planned for Hermione as honeymoon.

Daphne and Regulus had gone away for the weekend after their wedding and postponed their honeymoon proper, for the week so they could be in Severus and Hermione's wedding party.

xox

The night before her wedding, Hermione was staying, with her attendants at Longbottom Hall, the only blight on her joy was that she hadn't heard from her mother. Cygnus had assured her once more that he had given her mother, Jean, a Portkey and made certain she knew how to use it. All she had to do was hold it and say Portius if she decided to come, and it would bring her to Longbottom Hall.

It was starting to get late and Hermione, Narcissa and Daphne were all happily ensconced in Hermione's rooms when there was a quiet knock on the door. A laughing Hermione was pulled up short when she opened the door to see a very stern faced Cygnus standing there. He offered his niece a very tight smile and a pat on the arm, but looked past her to Narcissa. "I understand you did some training as a mediwitch before you married, Madam Malfoy."

"Yes," Narcissa started, "But why?"

He didn't offer any explanation, he just continued. "Then could you go down to the entrance, please," he saw Hermione moving to go too and he stopped her. "No, you best stay here, poppet." He came in and closed the door once Narcissa had hurried passed them.

Hermione was suddenly frightened; she knew something bad had happened. Please, please, her panicked brain chanted, please don't let it be Severus. She couldn't think why it would be, but that was her deepest fear, that something awful would happen to her love, and she would never end up married tomorrow.

By the time he'd finished the sentence Cygnus realised by the tears welling in Hermione's eyes that she probably suspected the worst. "Come and sit," he watched Daphne pick up on the mood and place an arm around her friend.

Cygnus sat beside her and took her hands. "Hermione, your mother's here," he saw confusion on her face. He heard her immediate sigh of relief, but misinterpreted it.

"So, Severus is all right?" She knew that had sounded insensitive, but she needed to know.

"What? Oh, yes, don't worry… no it's not Severus that's injured."

Hermione then put two and two together. "Mum?" Her uncle nodded, "How?"

"She appears to have been brutally beaten," he answered quietly.

"Mum!" Cygnus and Daphne held her back. "No, poppet let Madam Malfoy treat her first. We have also sent for Severus, and Gussie will crucify me if I let you see him tonight. Just wait here with Daphne and we'll bring her up as soon as we can." He gave a pointed look to Daphne, and rose from the lounge.

xox

Narcissa Malfoy had never seen anyone so badly beaten. Certainly, she knew it happened, but she'd never witnessed the results. Severus, Regulus and Lucius arrived soon after she'd knelt on the entrance floor and started to whisper healing charms.

The three men had been spending Severus' last night as a single man together, just as the witches had been with Hermione, and it made sense that they all came with Severus, who had instantly dropped to his knees to assist Narcissa.

As they worked the glowing diagnostic runes that Narcissa had cast above the unconscious form on arrival, had started to rearrange themselves telling the pair that the internal bleeding had stopped and their patient was stable enough to move so her other injuries could be mended. They had both risen and looked to Augusta, who was staring in disbelief at what was happening in her front entrance hall.

Narcissa levitated the still unconscious body and Cygnus directed her up the stairs to Hermione's room, leaving Augusta with the three wizards in the entranceway.

Finally, the dowager found her voice. "I want to know who did this." She looked at Severus, "You're an accomplished Legilimens aren't you, my boy?" Severus' eyes narrowed, but he didn't speak. "Find out who did this unspeakable thing."

"I don't think it takes a genius to work out who the likely perpetrator is, does it?" Severus suggested, raising a raven brow. His attention was on the stairs and where Hermione was, now that the emergency appeared over, he knew she would need him at the moment.

"I want to know for sure, for both Hermione and Jean's sake, so this can be dealt with immediately."

"As you wish," Severus acquiesced; somehow he had no doubt as to the identity of the offender. Granted; he may have never seen it in a muggle towards another muggle over a witch, but he knew it happened. His father was a prime example of a muggle taking his hurt and confusion out of his magical partner. Besides, his Slytherin brain told him, if they've taken the poor woman where I think they have, I'll be able to comfort my beautiful kitten.

Cygnus came back down stairs and ushered, Lucius and Regulus into the games room, while Severus and Augusta mounted the stairs.

xox

When Severus entered the rooms, Hermione was sobbing beside the bed they had placed her mother in, he moved to stand beside her. Narcissa was telling her that Jean would be fine in time, and Daphne was trying to comfort her. The still unconscious woman looked awful, and at the moment that was all Hermione could see.

Severus had brought a selection of potions with him. He kept a little kit fully stocked for emergencies, and he now withdrew several potions and salves from it, but indicated to Narcissa that she should be cautious as to how much she gave, because the patient was a non-magical person.

Hearing his voice alerted Hermione to the fact that he was here. She flew into his arms and he happily accepted her. "Shh, kitten," he soothed. "I know it looks bad, but Cissy's right, she will be fine. We can't just make it go away, but she will heal."

"My father did this, didn't he?" Hermione said in a broken, shaky little voice.

"I believe so, but I'll find out for certain once Narcissa is finished treating her."

Severus did indeed find out that he had already known who was to blame, and it turned his stomach to hear the stupid bigoted man blaming his wife because he thought his daughter was a freak, that had always been his father's cry to his mother, and hearing Charles Granger saying, "It's you who have freak blood in you, and now you're running away. I should have known once you found out, that you'd join them. Well, no wife of mine is deserting me," he spat, punctuating his words with fists and feet.

All Severus could think after he'd withdrawn from the poor woman's mind was, thank goodness she had the portkey. She had planned on leaving him, unable to deal with his snide remarks about Hermione and how it must have been Jean's fault because there certainly wasn't anything wrong with his genes. He also discovered that the violence had been escalating for a while, a rough push here or a slap there.

His foray into Jean Granger's mind had also provided other answers. Where Hermione had always assumed that her parents didn't want her around, it was her mother's way of protecting her, trying to keep her away from her father as much as possible.

Of course Hermione knew it had something to do with the fact she was a witch, because they were normal parents when they didn't know their daughter was magical. It was only since that discovery that Charles Granger had been becoming more and more bitter and twisted. He hadn't been a loving man to start with, but he had never been unkind to Jean or Hermione, not until it was revealed that Hermione was a witch.

Jean had finally seen her way out when Cygnus had approached her without Charles being present, but tonight he had come home before she'd had a chance to get out, and caught her with her cases packed. It was sickening to think that the tightly clutched little toy soldier Cygnus had made the portkey out of, was the only thing that had saved her. Severus also realised that this woman must have some latent magic in her to have activated the device without being able to speak the spell, since her husband had broken her jaw in three places.

Severus stayed with Hermione while they waited with Narcissa and Augusta for Jean to wake up. Narcissa had mended her nose, jaw, right wrist and ribs, but the breaks would still take some time to mend completely.

Augusta was so upset about the whole thing she had even forgotten to scold Severus for seeing his bride the night before their wedding. About an hour after the potions had been administered, Jean's eyelids flickered and parted. "Hermione?" her weak voice rasped.

Hermione scrambled out of Severus' lap and onto her knees beside the bed. "Mum?" She heard Narcissa and Augusta also come forward.

"W-where am I?" Jean asked, obviously disorientated.

"You're at Longbottom Hall, mum," Hermione said, stroking the hair back off her face.

"Oh," she tried for a tiny laugh, but only a sob came out. "I thought he'd killed me."

"You're safe, mum, and you'll be fine now we'll make certain of it."

Seeing Hermione now occupied, Severus was eager to impart what he'd learnt on his friends and Cygnus. He had left Charles Granger with a promise the day he'd kicked them out, and he now extended that to Hermione's mother as well. Leaning forward, he kissed the top of Hermione's head and whispered. "I'll see you at the ceremony in the morning, my love."

Hermione gasped and turned to him. "You bet," she replied, and standing, shared a languid kiss with him. "I love you," she whispered against his lips.

"And I, you," he replied, smirking at Augusta, he left before she could be reminded that she'd failed in her duty for him to be away from Hermione tonight.

Later that evening four wizards paid Dr. Charles Granger DDS a visit to explain to him exactly why he would never cross them again, and to show him exactly how powerful magic was. He realised this, especially when the next morning, the good doctor woke up in a cardboard box behind the mission he said he loved so much. They had altered his appearance so people thought him a homeless man, but he knew who he was and why he was there, but was unable to change it.

Severus had also learnt the night before that Jean had been carefully preparing her disappearance, and her bags, which they retrieved for her, had new bank account details, she'd even sold her half of the dental practice discreetly. He now knew where Hermione had gotten her brains and tenacity from; it was an astounding feat in such a short time.

xox

By the next morning, Jeans bruises had faded and the happy bride was glad to see her mother would at least be able to attend the ceremony. Narcissa assisted Jean into the bath and washed her hair for her, then adjusted some robes of her own to fit her. She charmed them not to crease and allowed her patient to lay on Hermione's bed, where she could watch as they were getting Hermione ready and feel part of it all.

Finally, Hermione stood before her mother, the magnificent blushing bride. Jean had seen how much love there was between her and Severus the night before, as awful as she was feeling, she still saw that. It shone like a beacon, regardless of the age difference, or the rapidity of it all. She could see that her daughter was radiantly happy, and she grieved silently for her own now failed union. She couldn't help wondering if she ever felt this hopeful, this happy.

"You look beautiful my 'Mione," Jean paused and smiled, determined not to allow her position to impact on Hermione and Severus' day anymore than it had. "I had something for you, where is the jacket I was wearing?"

Hermione retrieved the still blood splattered garment and handed it to her mother.

Jean searched the pocket. "This was your great-grandmother's, I thought you might like it as the old thing on your wedding day."

Hermione looked in her hand and saw a chain with a diamond studded horseshoe, she reached up and fiddled with the old fashioned clip to place it around her neck. "It's perfect."

There was a knock on the door, Narcissa opened it. Cygnus had come for Jean, he looked at Hermione. "You look radiant, poppet. Gussie is waiting in the garden for Jean. I'll come back when I've got her settled." With that he charmed a chair to hover, and they helped Jean into it.

When Hermione came down on Cygnus' arm to the terrace which was the entrance to the out-door chapel they'd constructed, she gasped in wonder. The whole carpeted walkway had rose-petals of every imaginable pastel shade cascading down like a summer shower. The fragrance was glorious, not to mention the feel of them sliding off her skin as they fell. The stream seemed never-ending, there was sumptuous music wafting from somewhere unseen, and Daphne and Narcissa gracefully leading the procession. It all felt like in a dream to Hermione.

Cygnus waited for the two witches to clear the walkway between the assembled guests. It was only then that it all took on a startling clarity, and her breath caught as she saw Severus waiting at the other end for her, their eyes met, and from that moment she saw nothing else.

He looked amazing, black dress robes, white shirt and ivory cravat and sage brocade waist coat with silver piping in the seams. The green on their waistcoats matched the satin of the bridesmaid's dresses, but she only knew that because Augusta and Narcissa had told her so.

His lovely raven hair was secured by a piece of black velvet, she never even noticed Lucius and Regulus standing by his side, or that they were similarly attired, nor for that matter Cygnus, on whose arm she now walked. She only had eyes for her wizard.

Severus watched Hermione approach and his heart melted, she looked like an angel. Her ivory satin and organza dress with its sheer, lacy veil, it was all perfect. He could vaguely see wispy kiss curls floating around her face under the veil, and he couldn't wait to raise it to see her face properly.

Throughout the traditional hand-fasting Severus patiently waited to see her amber flecked eyes without the veil interfering. Finally, the celebrant said, "You may kiss your witch," and he lifted the beautiful antique lace, gently placing it over the curls.

"I love you," he whispered as their lips brushed.

"And I you," she answered when they brushed back. "Forever..."

"And always," he finished smiling at her.

xox

The ball was everything Hermione could have dreamt of, and everything Severus would have wished for on their special day. Of course the Weasley clan were invited, they were relatives after all. However, after Augusta had censured Molly for approaching Hermione after what two of her children had done to the girl, Augusta and Cygnus kept close watch on Molly, Ronald and Ginevra to make certain none of them got anywhere near Hermione,

Augusta was horrified when Molly and Arthur had turned up with three of the four tormentors for Hermione, and especially when Lavender Brown hexed Ronald in front of everyone, after yelling like a banshee that if he, Ron had found Granger that desirable he shouldn't have let her slip through his fingers. It was a saving grace that the Potters were not related, and therefore not invited.

Lucius and Cygnus took it upon themselves to rid the reception of Ron and Lavender, placing them outside the wards to go about their own business. Ginevra was ignoring everyone, she seemed to have cut Harry Potter lose, and spent the entire reception trying to 'hook-up' with another eligible wizard.

Severus was fairly certain that Hermione had missed the Ron and Lavender episode, and most of the rest of any unpleasantness. His new wife was in a happy daze, and as they danced the bridal waltz her happiness with simply shining out of her.

Jean managed to stay until the speeches were over and even managed to dance one dance with her new son-in-law and then retired. She managed to walk out of the reception, but Cygnus levitated her back to her room on the chair once she was past the boundaries of the reception area.

Narcissa assisted her into her night gown and then into bed, giving her a sleeping potion, and promising to check on her again later.

The reception had gone on until the wee hours and they had been so tired none of them could remain longer, finally, the remaining reveller saw Severus and Hermione off on their honeymoon, and retired themselves.

Daphne and Regulus took up where they left off on their honeymoon, and Lucius and Narcissa spent the night at Longbottom Hall as Narcissa wanted to make certain Jean was all right.

xox

Severus now lay with his witch in his arms, several hours later. She had been exhausted after the reception, and the trauma of the night before. They had stripped off and just fallen into bed in their Paris hotel room to simply sleep.

Looking out at the Paris skyline he could see the first chinks of light breaking the velvet of the night, at the same time as he felt his wife stir beside him. "Good morning, my kitten," he murmured turning back to her and kissing her forehead.

Hermione groaned deeply, and rolled onto him. "Hello, Sev," she smiled sleepily, even as she sat astride his stomach. Severus could feel her already hot and wet silken folds against his stomach and he instantly became harder than he had been. "I've been dreaming about you," she asserted.

"It must have been a nice dream," and he hissed a breath as she started rocking her hips over his rigid shaft.

"Oh it was, very nice," she affirmed and sat down on him, taking him into her. They both groaned at the feeling of her warm moist walls on his hardness. "Is that nice?" she asked, with an impish grin.

Severus thrust up into her as she came back down. "Very," he groaned.

"Just think," she said lifting her hands to her breasts to tweak her nipples, "we can wake up like this every day for the rest of our lives."

He thrust up again, stronger this time. "I can't wait," he managed before pleasure started demanding her take control and he rolled them over, and all else was forgotten for a time.

xox

When they returned from their honeymoon, Hermione and Severus found that Augusta had installed Jean in Longbottom Hall and that she was now brimming with health. She spent a great portion of her time in the library, and had become great friends with Narcissa.

It turned out also that Severus had been right; Jean Granger did have some latent magic in her, because she could see Hogwarts. It had been an awkward moment when they had apparated her to Hogsmeade when she requested to visit the school Severus was concerned that she would panic because the anti-muggle spells would tell her she needed to leave.

However, they didn't and she drew a long breath on finally being able to connect where her daughter had spent so many years with the reality of it. In fact after her divorce came through and they had assigned her an elf to assist with her lack of useable magic, Jean became a frequent visitor to Hogwarts in the year that Hermione and Severus remained there.

Hermione also wondered if her frequent visits may have also had something to do with the new Astronomy professor, who she seemed to have taken quite a shine to. The Gryffindor witch sighed, that would make her happiness complete, she rubbed her slightly rounded belly as she watched her mother and St. John McBride taking a twilight walk around the lake.

"Ah-ha," said the deep voice she loved so much, as he came up behind her and slid his arms around her slightly thickening waist-line. "I wondered where my delicious wife had gone."

Hermione sighed, and lent into his support. "Do you think she'll ever be as happy as we are?"

Severus' eyes followed the same path as Hermione's. He chuckled playfully. "Not a chance, no one could ever be as happy as you make me."

"Or as you make me," she replied, allowing her husband to turn her. "No," she murmured as his head lowered and their lips met, "we are special, aren't we?"

"Indeed, my kitten," Severus replied before his lips told her how much she meant to him in a different way.

~Finis~