A/N: Hi! Chapter 7 is here! Sorry my computer was freaking out and I couldn't post it before.. Happy Easter to everyone!

Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to Rowling.

Severus woke facing the ceiling, his arm numb from where Hermione was laying on it. He looked down at her head laying on his chest and smiled slightly at the remembrance of Hermione saying she loved him. He couldn't believe she actually loved him. The old bat of the dungeons, snarky and jaded bastard that he was and she still loved him. It seemed too good to be true. Maybe it was? Maybe she would regret last night when she woke up.

Hermione groaned as she opened her eyes and peered up at him. "It's far too early to be thinking so hard Severus." She said and then grinned up at him.

Severus did not smile and looked down at her "Do you regret it?" He asked hesitantly, afraid that his happiness would be taken away.

Hermione looked shocked then smiled "No, Severus I do not. Everything about last night was wonderful. Do you regret it?" She asked seriously.

"No. How could I?" Severus responded.

Hermione smiled again at his serious expression and pulled his head down to kiss him on his long nose. She laughed at his bewilderment and throwing the sheets off, climbed out of bed. Severus watched in amusement as she wandered naked over to where his robe was thrown on a chair. Hermione pulled on the robe and then turned around to see the grin fading from Severus' face as he saw the front of her naked body, his eyes darkening in lust. She just smirked and wrapping the robe around herself, tied it tightly and walked out of the room, hips swaying.

Severus stared after her, and then jumped out of bed. He quickly pulled on some pants and a t-shirt and walked out after Hermione.

After breakfast, Severus sat on the couch with his tea, reading as Hermione worked on her replies to Harry and Ron. She stared at the paper completely blanking on what to write. She wanted to tell them about her and Severus but was concerned about their reaction.

Severus watched Hermione for a few minutes as she tapped her quill repeatedly on the edge on the desk murmuring to herself.

"What are you thinking about so hard?" Severus finally asked.

Hermione looked up and then groaned "I'm writing to Harry and Ron. I should have replied to them days ago but I've been distracted this week." She stopped and looked at Severus for a moment "I want to tell them about us but—" Hermione hesitated.

"You are afraid they will not respond favorably to the news." Severus stated, his face impassive.

"I love you Severus, please don't doubt that." Hermione pleaded.

Severus sighed and nodded lifting his arm in invitation. Hermione quickly stood up and walked over to sit on the couch with Severus. They sat in silence for a moment before Severus began to speak slowly.

"I understand, Hermione, you do not wish to lose your friends. Write them and ask to meet them in Hogsmeade next weekend and we can tell them then. I believe, it would be better to tell them in person than in a letter." Severus concluded.

Hermione looked up at him and smiled "You'll go with me?" She asked in surprise.

"Of course. Someone needs to stop you three from killing each other. I will provide a better target." Severus smirked.

"You are wonderful Severus!" Hermione laughed in pleasure. Then more seriously, "But Severus, I just want you to know, regardless of what Harry and Ron think, I love you and want to stay with you. Besides at least we have Ginny on our side." Hermione finished with a smile.

Severus raised an eyebrow at this "I was not aware Miss Weasley knew of our relationship."

Hermione blushed and looked down "She realized when she got back last week that something had happened. I told her about us and she was very supportive Severus. She said you had "that sexy mysterious vibe" going for you." Hermione finished with a grin.

Severus choked on his tea and coughed as he swallowed it down. "Miss Weasley is far too bold." Severus scowled, attempting to regain his composure.

Hermione just laughed and giving him a kiss went back to the desk to write her letter to Harry and Ron inviting them to come to Hogsmeade.

That night they lay in bed together after making love, just talking quietly when Severus went silent. Hermione looked at him "Severus? What's wrong?"

"The potion, I know what I was doing wrong!" Severus spoke quickly as he jumped out of bed, throwing on his robe and walking quickly out of the room. Hermione stared after him in bewilderment, and just laid in bed for a few minutes. Finally smiling slightly she got out of bed and pulled on her own robe.

Hermione found Severus in his potions lab stirring a cauldron and listing ingredients to himself. "Severus?" Hermione said softly as she came up to him.

Severus glanced up at her briefly "I have realized what I did wrong. I think I'll get it right this time Hermione." Severus spoke quickly excited. He returned his attention to the cauldron in front of him.

Hermione smiled and guessing that he would be in there for a while, she left and went back to bed.

It was hours later that Severus finally returned to bed. It was still completely dark as he slipped into bed next to Hermione. She rolled over next to him and he pulled her into his arms.

"Severus?" Hermione asked sleepily

"Yes, love. I think I've fixed the potion, it's setting now. We'll know for sure in 24 hours." Severus said pleased.

Hermione smiled against his chest "I hope it works Severus. I know you've worked hard on getting this to work for people who suffered from the Cruciatus."

Severus moved so he could look at Hermione's face, seeing love and pride in her eyes he smiled and leaned down, kissing her deeply.

Pulling back he looked down at her and memorized the way she looked in that moment. Her breathlessness at his kiss, the pleasure and love in her eyes. He was afraid that he would lose it, would lose her, once she realized that people would not accept them, so he vowed to remember this always.

Hermione's look turned to one of confusion the longer Severus stared "Severus? Are you okay?"

"I just... I don't ever want to forget this. I love you Hermione, I do not wish to lose you." Severus pressed his lips to Hermione's again in a desperate kiss.

Hermione leaned into the kiss for a moment but then pulled away.

"Severus. Severus. Why would you lose me?" Hermione asked taking a deep breath.

Severus looked down and would not respond. Hermione watched him for a moment and realized what he was thinking.

"You think I'm going to leave you, don't you? Severus, I've told you I love you and that other peoples opinions mean nothing to me why wont you believe me? I can't make you believe that. Why do you care so much about what other people think? Are you ashamed of me? Ashamed of what people will think?" Hermione finished frustrated tears coming to her eyes.

Severus quickly took her face in his hands "No, Hermione no, how could I ever be ashamed of you? I just don't want you to be hurt by other people, I don't want your reputation to be ruined by loving an old bitter man like me."

"But that's my choice Severus. I want to be happy Severus, and you make me so happy. Can you just accept that and be happy with me? Can we just live and love each other without a care for other people?" Hermione asked tears falling down her face.

Severus brushed Hermione's tears away with his thumbs "You're right. I'm sorry Hermione so sorry. I love you." He sighed and held her close "We'll stay together. I wont let you go."

Hermione put her arms around Severus and hugged him tightly to her. She knew Severus struggled with trusting, with believing that he could be happy, and she wanted to change that. She wanted him to know she would be here for him and would love him no matter what.

The next day Hermione went back to her dorm after lunch with Severus, knowing Ginny and Neville would be wondering where she had been all weekend.

Hermione got back to the dorm and into her room without running into either of them thankfully and collapsed on her bed smiling. Last night had been a bit upsetting with Severus but he had spent the morning making it up to her with breakfast and long lingering kisses. She knew he felt bad about last night and she hoped he had gotten rid of any doubts he still had.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on her door.

"Come in!" Hermione called, looking up to see Ginny poking her head in. As soon as Ginny saw her she came in shut the door and jumped on the bed.

"So, where have you been Hermione? I haven't seen you since after classes on Friday." Ginny gave her a look full of suspicion.

Hermione gave Ginny her best innocent look "I wouldn't know what you're talking about Ginny. I was in the library yesterday, and then just wandered about. You must have just been missing me."

"Oh my god! You were with Snape weren't you?!" Ginny exclaimed incredulous.

Hermione debated denying it but knew Ginny would get it out of her eventually "Okay yes, I was with Severus. I saw him on Friday night and things just sort of... Progressed."

"You shagged didn't you? You have the look of someone that's been shagged! How was it, you have to tell me everything!" Ginny squealed

"Honestly Ginny, I cannot believe you! I'm not going to tell you everything. Just that he may have pulled me into an alcove to give me the hottest kiss I've ever had..." Hermione started smiling dreamily at the remembrance of Friday night.

"He didn't?! That's so hot! And then? Come on Hermione you have to give me more than that!" Ginny begged

"Fine, fine!" Hermione laughed

"We went back to his rooms and... shagged. I've been there all weekend." Hermione said blushing.

"Wow Hermione look at you, getting so bold... I love it!" Ginny grinned pleased with this new side of Hermione.

"Ginny, be serious for a moment. I was talking to Severus and well, I wanted to tell Harry and Ron so I invited them to come to Hogsmeade next weekend and meet me in the Three Broomsticks. I just didn't tell them I would be bringing Severus... I don't know how they will react Ginny! I know Severus was pardoned everything he did but that doesn't mean they wont still hold everything he did against him." Hermione finished biting her lip in worry.

Ginny's eyebrows drew together "I think Harry might be upset at first but you're his best friend and I think he'll care most that you're happy. Ron... Well you know Ron, he probably wont be pleased..." Hermione nodded at this.

"What if I come with you? I wouldn't mind seeing Harry again anyways and it might help to have someone there on your side." Ginny decided.

"Really Ginny? Would you? You have no idea how much better that would make me feel! Thank you Ginny, has anyone ever told you how brilliant you are?"

"They never really stop." Ginny smiled cheekily.

Ginny slept over with Hermione and they spent the night discussing Harry and Severus and Ginny's hopes that Harry would propose soon. Hermione fell asleep that night feeling considerably better about everything and immensely grateful to have such a supportive friend in Ginny.