The moment Hermione stepped back into the Weasley Household, she knew something was horribly wrong. For a start, the house was silent and that never happened during the day. She crossed the threshold and wondered into the sitting room, which was as deserted and silent as the rest of the house. There was absolutely no sign of life there, the room was even chilly, which told her it hadn't been used recently at all. The fire was unlit in the grate too. Very odd. She hoped that nothing had happened to them.

Leaving the sitting room, she headed to the kitchen. She knew this was Molly's favourite room in the house and there was bound to be someone in there. Opening the door, she found it as empty as the other rooms in the house. Hermione wrung her hands together, wondering where they could have gone. A search of the rest of the lower floor found that there were no signs of life anywhere. She shivered. This was getting very odd. Yes, she had stormed out in a temper but this was unrelated surely, she didn't think so highly of herself that a quick flash of anger would have the entire house up and leave! This was highly odd.

She decided to head to her room and see if there was anything in there that might help her work out where the household might have gone. She doubted it. The upper floor was as silent as the lower. Instead of heading to her room straight away, she poked her head around Lavender's door to see if she was in. Her room was as deserted as the rest. After discovering that she truly was alone, she headed to her room to think about it. The reason for their absence was evident the minute she opened the door.

Her stomach dropped a few inches and she felt as though she had been punched. The little panel where she had hidden her notes and drafted letters to Severus had been removed and the papers vanished. Her head turned over and she sank onto the bed. Who on earth could have searched the room and discovered them? The hot flush that reached her cheeks spread through her and she ran a hand over her face. Surely this wasn't the reason why they'd all left? A few letters that told of her feelings and the plans her and Severus had been making. When she thought about what had happened between Percy and Fleur, it made her look hateful.

Maybe they had gone to confront Severus about the whole thing? She sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to clear her thoughts on what had happened. The speculation was utterly pointless, she would have to wait until they got back to know what was going on. Rising, she picked up one of her favourite books and headed back downstairs. She didn't feel a whole lot calmer, she felt as though her insides were trembling like a leaf but she could hardly stop that now.

She made a cup of tea and headed for the sitting room once again. Settling into the usual chair beside the fire, she lit it and opened the pages of her book. Reading was not what she wanted to do but it would help take her mind from what was going on. The words on the page flowed into her mind however, taking her away from the troubles of the day and into another world. Her heart began beating at a regular pattern again and her head cleared.

It was completely dark when the door opened.

Hermione jumped and her head jerked up. She wasn't too sure when the sun had fallen and night had happened, only that it was very late. Folding her book shut, she listened, wondering who it was. A deep sigh sounded and the footsteps of many people entering the house followed, "She should be here, this I where I had her returned to earlier this evening." When she heard the drawl of her favourite person, she relaxed completely.

"Hermione!" shouted Molly.

"In here," she replied.

The ginger woman appeared at the door and huffed, "Why are you sitting in the dark?" she asked before waving her wand to light the candles.

"The fire was enough to read by," she replied with a small shrug. "Where have you been?" she asked, wanting to get the next part over with as quickly as she could. Molly and Severus entered the room properly, followed by Bill and Percy. She looked at them all in turn and frowned.

"We found your letters," Molly said.

"I know." Severus moved to sit beside her, the others in their places around the room, "You didn't bother to put the piece of wood back and I discovered it when the house was deserted upon my return." She pressed her lips together then, knowing what Molly's reaction would have been.

"I was upset by what I read Hermione," Molly admitted. Hermione nodded, understanding why she would be so. "I had no idea what to do, so I ordered everyone out. We then took the carriage to Mr Snape's, to see if he knew about the letters."

"I imagine you were rather surprised," Hermione said. Molly nodded.

"I was," she said. "Why didn't you talk to us Hermione?" she asked. Hermione gave the other woman a stubborn look and shook her head.

"I know you always have the best intensions in mind, but if I had come to you with something like this you'd have either laughed it off as foolish or gotten angry," Hermione explained, "Think about what you said earlier in the hallway," she added. Molly pressed her lips together and appeared as though she was about to protest but Percy put his hand up.

"She's right mother," he said.

"So what happens now?" Hermione asked.

"The engagement between myself and Miss De La Cour has been broken off," Severus said. Hermione nodded, not entirely surprised to hear that. She smiled.

"We'll give you two a minute," Molly said. Hermione was pleased about that, glad that she would have to opportunity to speak with Severus alone, even if only for a few minutes. When they'd left the room, she looked at the black eyed man, knowing her adoration was showing in her face.

"I'm not going to court you straight away, I want to ensure that a proper time has passed until I do so," he said. Hermione could understand that well enough and so she nodded. Placing her hand in his, she gave his fingers a little squeeze.

"You can't remarry yet anyway," she said. He blinked and nodded slowly, "How is she?" Hermione asked. She wanted nothing more than to kiss this man in front of her; his gently arching lips had never been more fascinating than they were in that moment however she knew that if they wanted to do this properly, they would have to wait. She longed to push her hands through that silky black hair of his and tousle it, wondering what it would look like fanned out on her pillow had her almost distracted.

"She is fading," he said softly. She squeezed his hand again and tried her best to smile.

"Do you need help with her?" she asked. He blinked then and a thoughtful look crossed his face.

"It would be good if she had someone I can trust around her for her final days," he said. "Would you be willing to do that?" he asked. He seemed somewhat taken aback by the idea.

"Of course I would, I'm not completely heartless," she said with a shake of her head. He seemed to be thinking something over for a moment and she leaned back in her chair. Finally, he leaned over and did something she did not expect. His scent swamped her as his lips brushed her cheek. Colour flooded through her face and her eyes widened. "Severus?" she questioned.

His hand brushed her cheek gently and he finally smiled. "I'll sort it in a moment," he said. He leaned in then to give her a proper kiss. His lips were soft and warm on hers and her eyes slowly closed as she savoured the longed for contact. Light breath touched her cheek and she smiled as the kiss lasted far longer than was strictly chaste. It spoke of a promise to come. She was still smiling when he broke away. She was a little surprised to see that his smile matched hers and she flushed.

"Give me a moment," he said before standing and heading off to speak with Molly. It left her with her thoughts, which were centred around him. She realised than that he truly did match her feelings and knowing this was a wonderful thing. When they both returned, she was smiling brigher than she had done in a long time.

"You're going to stay with Severus," Molly said, "He's told me everything and although I cannot say that I approve, I will not stand in the way of such a kind act," she said. Hermione was a little surprised to hear that, however she nodded. Rising, she moved to embrace the woman who had looked after her since she had arrived a short month ago.

"Thank you," she said. Molly returned the embrace and patted her back.

"Go and get your things," she whispered, "We'll have the rest sent over very soon."

Hermione did not need to be told twice. She was up the stairs and fetching her little bag as quickly as she could. When she returned, Severus was waiting for her with his arm outstretched for her to take. This was the first step towards her new life with the man she had adored since she was a fourteen year old girl in his potions room. It might be in a different when, but that didn't make it any different.

Thank you for sticking with this story. It's a bit different (less lemony) than some of my others but I hope you have enjoyed it none the less. I might write a short epilogue for this, depending on how I feel and if there is a demand for it.

Thanks again

Lu