Thanks Bri892 for prereading!

Chapter 31: Are you gonna be my girl?

Severus returned to their quarters after dinner in the Great Hall. He found Hermione and Sabrina dancing to a loud rock song. Hermione spun their daughter around in her arms, singing "Are you gonna be my girl?"

His smile broke through, his long day forgotten.

"Daddy! Daddy! Dance with me? Can I be your girl?"

Hermione released Sabrina, who flew across the room, jumping into his arms.

"Are you gonna be my girl, Sabrina?" He asked as he swayed her in his arms.

"Yes! Now ask Mommy!" the four year ordered her father.

Feeling emboldened, Severus stepped close to Hermione. She flushed; her cheeks turning pink.

With Sabrina between them, he leaned even closer and asked in a low rough voice, "What do you say, Hermione? Do you want to be my girl?"

Her eyes widened, her breath caught in her chest, and her stomach twisted. This is what she wanted. Was he really asking? His eyes were sharp, taking her in, assessing the probability that she would laugh this off. His face was intense, his lips almost disappearing into a thin line.

The song came to an end and Sabrina wiggled down from his arms.

Her body felt feverish and she wanted to sink down into the floor. Or flee into the other room and hide under her blanket and yet she wanted to embrace him, kiss him, hold him.

Gathering her courage, breathing deeply, her hand shaking as she raised it to grasp his upper arm. Her voice cracked as she tried to speak. Locking eyes with him, she tried again, "I would love to be your girl."

There was a sharp intake of breath and his face changed. His eyes bright, his mouth opened and then snapped shut. He blinked.

He brushed the end of his nose against her face before pulling back and kissing her cheek lightly. His eyes searched her face before responding to Sabrina's shout for attention.

Severus turned to Sabrina as she chattered on and demanding he dance with her. His eyes following Hermione around the room; checking and gauging. She was embarrassed and nervous, not regretful. It seemed her feelings matched his: unsure, unsteady but hopeful.

~~~~O-O~~~~

Sabrina chose to continue the dance party and skip reading before bed. She had figured out the media player, skipping through the songs she didn't care for.

"Mummy, that song used the S word!"

Hermione was sitting on the couch with taking notes and watching the little girl make up dances and attempt outrageous leaps and cartwheels. Severus was seated next to her, grading assignments, stealing glances and smiling indulgently at Sabrina. While their bodies didn't touch, she swore she could feel his body heat.

"I didn't hear the S word. What song, Little One?"

Sabrina stood in front of her, giving her a look of disdain. "I can't tell you, Mummy. It's a BAD word."

"Severus, why is your daughter rolling her eyes at me? Wait, why are you rolling your eyes at me? I got that playlist from Diana and she said it was child appropriate."

Sabrina glanced at her father and then turned to Hermione, speaking slowly as if she was talking to one of Daddy's dunderheads, "Mummy, the song title and the song lyrics have a bad word. I CANNOT say it."

Hermione got up and walked over to the media player, scrolling through the songs. Sabrina helpfully pointed out the song, "Shut Up and Dance"

"Mummy, see, it's the S word!"

Stifling a giggle, Hermione removed the song from the playlist. "You are right, Sabrina, the S word is bad and we shouldn't say it or even listen to it."

~~~~O-O~~~~

After Sabrina's bedtime, Hermione confronted Severus. "How was I to know that the S word isn't Shit?"

"Where would she learn the word Shit? Anyway, shut up is rude and disrespectful so it's a bad word. I didn't realize she was calling it the S word. I thought that was Stupid."

"Wait! Now, Stupid is a bad word?"

"You can thank your mother for that one. Did you visit your family today? Is that where the musical selection came from?" He inquired as she returned to the couch.

He hoped she would sit a little closer to him but instead she turned on the couch and sat cross legged, looking at him.

"Yeah, we had dinner with my parents, Diana, Helena, and Ron was there too. My dad sent an odd selection of music for you; Clash, Counting Crows and Bad Religion. He said you needed musical diversity. And Ron and Diana put together some playlists for us."

Smirking, he said, "I'm sure they put in quite a bit of time on the playlists."

Hermione got up and changed the playlist for Severus, The music was heavy with guitars and drums but she kept the volume low as Sabrina was asleep.

"Wait, why are you smirking? Am I missing something?"

"Have you noticed that Weasley seems to hang around quite a bit?"

"Yes, he is my best friend."

"And he's interested in more muggle things than his father?"

Hermione knew Severus was going somewhere with this conversation, but she wasn't following. "Yes, he loves muggle nightclubs, clothes, and cars. We are concerned he might start smoking cigars. So?"

"Perhaps, you should consider his source for all things Muggle. Especially since you spent four years in a coma."

Hermione's hand flew up and she covered her mouth, "That's why he's done dating witches. That's why he's always offering to help with Helena. Oh my, he's sweet on Diana."

"Sweet," snorted Severus.

"I think it's sweet. And I am sweet on you."

He froze for a moment before reaching out to hold her hands. "I am fond of you and I would like to be more. Are you interested in pursuing a relationship with me? I am considerably older than you."

Smiling, Hermione leaned forward and touched her lips lightly to his. "Yes, Severus. I want more."

Letting her hands go, he reached up and brushed his fingers along her cheekbones. Caressing her face, then pushing his long fingers into her hair, he pulled her forward into a deep kiss.

~~~~O-O~~~~

A/N: Songs from this chapter

Jet - Are you gonna be my girl

Walk the Moon - Shut Up and Dance