A/N: Hiii! Chapter 9 already! I'm debating adding another chapter or two just to smooth everything out instead of cramming it all into the last chapter. Thoughts? R&R!

Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to Rowling. Just playing in her world :)

"The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince

"What?! Hermione, you can't be serious! Have you already forgotten how he treated us in school? He hates us!" Ron exclaimed coming to his feet in anger.

Harry stayed silent but his eyes carefully watched the way Hermione grasped Severus' hand for support.

"Ron, you know that the majority of the way he acted was because he was a spy. He's different now. He's very kind to me. I love him." Hermione finished quietly.

Ron scoffed and turned to Harry "Harry, are you hearing this?"

"I think… Hermione is an adult and completely able to making her own decisions. She wouldn't love him if he were not deserving. And if he hurts her she is fully capable of cursing him into oblivion." Harry finished with a slight smile on his face.

Hermione began to relax in relief when Ron spoke up again irritated that Harry had not taken his side. "And you, Sir?" He asked mockingly.

Severus scowled at his disrespect and was ready to make some scathing comment to put the boy in his place when Hermione squeezed his hand. He took a breath to calm himself and then spoke.

"I love Hermione very much. I am not a good man." Severus paused and looked down at Hermione, he hated displays of emotion, but for her… "I am not a good man. I am no hero. Hermione, she has made me wish to be a good man for her. I am a cruel man, but she has seen past my… flaws and loves me regardless something I am still in awe of. I will love her and stay by her side for as long as she will have me."

Hermione looked up at Severus with tears in her eyes. She had known he cared but it was incredibly special to her to hear it. She looked to Harry who nodded in satisfaction and smiled at Hermione.

"I'm happy for you Mione." Harry said quietly.

Hermione smiled and then her eyes moved to Ron who looked as though he was about to burst.

"But Hermione, you can't really love the greasy git, besides he's too old for you." Ron spluttered.

Hermione's eyes darkened in fury "That is quite enough Ron. I do love him, more than you can know. I've made my decision. You're my best friend Ron, but I won't tolerate you treating him like this. If you need some time to get used to the idea of us being together I understand but in the meantime please try to be civil. I don't want to lose you as a friend Ron, please."

Ron seemed to waver for a moment in indecision then he shook his head and walked out. Severus watched as tears came to Hermione's eyes and he pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her.

"It will be okay little witch, he will come around." Severus murmured in her ear.

Hermione nodded into his chest and sniffed as she pulled away. Harry coughed in discomfort. "It'll be find Mione. He just needs some time but you know him. He'll get over it."

Hermione nodded and smiled at Harry "Thank you Harry, it means a lot to me to have your support." She came around the table and hugged him tightly.

Harry hugged Hermione close to him "I love you, you know that. I have to be going back to work but I'll owl you soon. Give Ginny my love."

Hermione nodded and waved as Harry made his way out. She sighed and reached for Severus' hand. "Come on, we'd best be going. I might not be by tonight, I promised Ginny I would help her study today."

Severus nodded slightly his eyes searching hers. He could see that while she may really be going to meet Ginny to study it was more of an excuse than anything else.

"Of course. Are you sure you're okay?"

Hermione smiled "Of course I am, Severus. Ron is always having a fit about something or other, it's fine."

Severus could see that she was trying to hide her hurt but chose not to push and gave her his arm as they walked back to the castle.

Severus offered to walk Hermione to the library but she insisted she was fine and after giving him a quick kiss left him at the steps to the dungeons. Hermione made her way to the library fuming over Ron's behavior.

She found Ginny sitting at a table deep in the library and sat down in the chair across from her dropping her bag on the table in frustration. Ginny looked up at Hermione, her eyebrows going up as she saw the look on Hermione's face.

"That bad huh?"

"Your brother is completely ridiculous Ginny! He's acting like a child. He can't get over his grudge for Severus and he walked out." Hermione dropped her hands into her face in frustration.

"Hermione, I wouldn't be too worried. You know how Ron is, he gets angry and doesn't think. He loves you and I know he wants you to be happy. It probably came as a big shock and he just needs some time to process. I guarantee that he'll be owling you for forgiveness within a week."

Hermione sighed "You're right Ginny. Anyways I'm sorry, I know you needed help, let's study."

They spent the afternoon studying and had dinner in the heads dorm with Neville instead of going to the great hall. That night Hermione lay in bed staring up at the ceiling. She hated that she had left Severus like that, she should have explained that she was just angry about Ron and was not upset with Severus.

Rolling on her side she glanced at the clock at saw that it was 1:00 A.M. Hermione groaned and making up her mind she threw the covers off and quickly pulled on her robe. She made her way quickly and quietly through the halls and down the stairs into the dungeons until she reached Severus' quarters. She knocked softly and moments later the door opened.

"I'm sorry I left like that earlier Severus." Hermione whispered.

Severus looked down at Hermione his lips curving up slightly in a smile. He nodded and pulled her into his arms, lowering his head to kiss her as he closed the door.