A/N: Sorry this took me so long to post. I promise the next chapter won't take so long.

Power in All its Glory

Chapter 36: Mending the Broken Pieces

As Snape waited for Hermione to arrive, he practiced his speech in his mind. He really hated being this unsure about himself. It almost never happened. He was secure in the knowledge of his abilities as a Potions master. He was also sure of himself as a professor. Of course, he could do better, but it wasn't because he lacked the ability, rather he lacked the motivation. Most of his students were imbeciles and the complexity of potions was lost on them. So why should he put any effort into teaching them something they could barely understand? There were only a few students worthy …

That brought him back to Hermione and why he was unsure of himself. He was sure in his feelings for her. He was not someone who gave his heart lightly. In fact, it had only happened once before.

Lily.

He was definitely not going to dwell on that. There were, however, many similarities between the two women. They were both intelligent, strong willed, fierce in their convictions, loyal, and beautiful.

But did Hermione really love him? This was at the crux of his insecurity. Even if she did love him, would it be enough to last? He was so much older than she was. What if she decided after a while that she no longer wanted him? He didn't know if he could take the pain of losing her.

But Severus Snape was not a quitter. He had been through many experiences that would have made a lesser man give up. If Hermione loved him … if she would have him … then he would not let anything, not even himself, get in the way.

As if on cue, there was a knock on the door. Snape gathered himself physically and mentally before he spoke.

"Enter."

Hermione walked through the door looking very insecure. He was amazed that she could be so unsure when she obviously held the power to destroy him in her hands. Could she really be in doubt about how he felt? After he announced it to the headmaster?

Then another thought crossed his mind. What if she was unsure because she was going to tell him she didn't love him anymore, and she wasn't sure how to do it?

"Professor?"

"Come in Miss Granger," he said.

"I'm sure my essay is perfect," she said cheekily.

There was that Gryffindor spirit he loved so much (although only with her).

"I wouldn't go that far," he said, "but your essay is not the reason I wanted to talk to you."

"I thought not."

"Miss Granger … Hermione," he said, moving closer to her. "This will come as no surprise to you after the way I have acted … and the fact that I did, indeed, announce it to everyone … but the fact is that I am actually …" He paused for a second.

"Severus …"

He looked at her then. Her eyes were clear and beautiful.

"I love you, Hermione."

She looked like she was going to cry.

"I love you, too, Severus."

He let out the breath he had been holding. "Really?"

She laughed then. "How can you doubt it? I told you under the influence of Veritiserum."

"I know but …" he trailed off.

She smiled in understanding.

"And yet those feelings I had then are nothing compared to the way I feel now. You can really be the most annoying man I have ever known … and I have been around Harry and Ron for many years so that is saying something. But I cannot imagine ever being without you. I do love you, Severus. Don't ever doubt that."

"Hermione," he said, pulling her into his arms. He kissed her then. All of his emotions were in that one kiss. Letting her know that she was the one he wanted … as long as she would have him.

The kiss deepened, and he knew he had to pull away.

"No …" she muttered.

"I told Professor Dumbledore that we would wait until you graduate. That is unfortunately several months away so we do need to stop, Hermione."

"I know," she acknowledged grudgingly. "It is going to be torturous, waiting. I don't know how I'm ever going to manage."

"You still have your studies …" he said, smiling. "And a high mark in Potions is still not a given. You need to work hard Miss Granger to earn your grade."

"Oh I am sure that if I get behind, I could convince my instructor to give me something to do for extra credit," she said with a saucy grin.

"You are going to be the death of me," he said with a growl as he kissed her soundly once more.

And as he kissed her, Snape realized he felt happy.

He'd always wondered what that felt like.