Chapter 7
Severus was seated on her couch while she was getting wine for them. She came back from the kitchen and handed him a glass.
"Hermione, I really enjoyed our time together tonight. I have always enjoyed our regular meetings before but this was so different. This was something I haven't done in a long while. I haven't felt like I've connected with someone in a romantic way in so long. I would very much like it if you would agree to only see me. You don't have to say we're dating to anyone but I would like to remain exclusive to each other. I've waited years to ask you out and now that I have you I can't imagine sharing you with another bloke," Severus said looking nervous yet again.
Hermione reveled in this confession. He had been waiting years to ask her out? Why hadn't she noticed? She felt so stupid. If she'd known she would have told him she'd felt the same and that was why she'd saved him. She'd always felt a lot of respect for the man but in the last few years of her knowing him, that respect had grown into something else entirely.
"Severus," Hermione said, "I would like to tell people that we're seeing each other. I don't have any intentions of letting you go either. I have felt something for you since that night in the Shrieking Shack. I couldn't just leave you there. I knew that I needed you. It was selfish and you hated me for it for a year, but I will never regret it. I think I've always wanted you. I may not have known it then but I do now."
At this Severus closed the distance between them and kissed her. It was a soft kiss that quickly grew into a passionate kiss that had been brewing in Severus for years.
He broke the kiss and said, "I should go, it's getting rather late. This has been the best night I've had in years Hermione. Thank you for coming out with me."
Hermione stood to walk him to the door and said, "Let me cook dinner for you tomorrow? It'll be the best Saturday night you've had in years too I bet."
He agreed and briefly pressed his lips to hers before departing. Hermione closed the door and danced around the living room barely missing Crookshanks with her feet. She hadn't been this happy since she found out Severus would be okay after his Shrieking Shack incident. She went to bed with a smile on her face.