A/N: Such awesome responses to the kiss. Thanks for your reviews. And a big thanks to Bri892 for editing!

Chapter 32: The Aftermath

Hermione woke up smiling. On a typical day, Hermione was reviewing her schedule and constructing her to do lists before she opened her eyes. But not today, she woke up with a goofy smile on her face. She wasn't thinking about to do lists, her meetings, her apprenticeship, Sabrina's lunch, what she should wear, what Sabrina should wear. Nope, she wasn't thinking about any of those normal everyday things.

She thought about those dark eyes and demanding mouth. Their kisses had started out chaste by the time they retired to their own rooms, those kisses were heated. Memory of his long calloused fingers in her hair, caressing her face, trailing down her arms to hold her hands.

Her heart fluttered as she thought about walking out of her rooms and into the main areas. Would he kiss her good morning?

Jolted by that thought, she scurried into the bathroom to get ready.

Dressed and nervous, she headed out of her rooms. It was quiet in their quarters, it appeared Severus had left. With a sinking feeling in her stomach, Hermione headed into the kitchen to make tea. Being British, tea was the cure-all.

A rolled parchment was tied with simple twine ribbon was propped up against the tea kettle. Hermione opened it to find his spiky handwriting.

" Hermione,

I had rounds this morning otherwise I would have enjoyed breakfast with you.

Would you like to join me for dinner this evening? I can arrange for Poppy or Pomona to stay with Sabrina tonight.

Severus"

Feeling a girlish giggle bubbling up, Hermione covered her mouth. He signed it 'Severus'. He signed everything "Professor S. Snape". For Sabrina, he signed "Your father."

The note was simple, to the point. But oh my, it was intimate. Severus.

Hermione was still looking at note when Sabrina padded into the kitchen in her slippers. The soft shuffling of her feet on the stone floors didn't alert Hermione to her presence.

Sabrina's question, "Mummy, what's for breakfast?" led to a yelp out of Hermione.

"Sorry Little One, I didn't hear you come in. Waffles or porridge?"

"Can I put blueberries in the porridge?"

Hermione prepared breakfast and made tea. She kept looking at the parchment, sitting on the counter, rolled up.

She slipped the note into the pocket of her dress robes as she led Sabrina back to her room. There was a fight over outfit choice (despite Sabrina's assurances, Hermione somehow managed to conclude that fuzzy slippers and a swimsuit are not school appropriate). There were tears over snarls in her hair. Basically, this morning, Sabrina was not happy little girl.

Hermione crouched down to her level and softly asked, "Do you want to have a good day or a bad day?"

"Good day," she sniffled.

"Let's make that happen. What color ribbon do you want for your hair?"

They headed back to the kitchen and packed the "yummiest" lunch before flooing to school.

Hermione barely kissed Sabrina goodbye before the four year old ran off to her classroom.

Patting her pocket, she said, "It's going to be a good day,"

~~~~O-O~~~~

Severus finished his morning rounds and joined his colleagues for breakfast in the Great Hall. Over tea and toast, he chatted with Pomona and Septima. He needed to ask Pomona if she could sit with Sabrina and put her to bed but Hermione hadn't responded yet. He should have asked for a later date but he knew they needed time alone together in a neutral setting to talk about their relationship.

Relationship. He was entering into a relationship with his former student, the mother of his child, his baby mama (as her father crudely referred to it). He snorted into his tea.

"All right there, Severus?" Pomona asked.

"Errant thought, excuse me."

"Nice try! You are looking slightly less grim and you just did a Snape version of a giggle. Out with it!"

Severus pushed his plate away and turned towards her, "How is your schedule for this evening? Would you be able to watch Sabrina for a few hours?"

The older woman smiled indulgently, "I don't have rounds so I can come by anytime after classes. May I ask why both you and Hermione are not available this evening?"

Imagine her surprise when Potions Master and Slytherin Head of House, Severus Snape, looked bashful. Deciding not to torture her friend, she stood up, "I'll be by around six this evening, dear boy."

~~~~O-O~~~~

Severus finished up with his second class of the day and entered his office. His owl, Khalid, was waiting for him on the desk.

Using his pointer finger, he pet the owl's feathered head. "Hello Khalid, do you have something for me?"

With his heart beating a little faster, Severus untied the parchment from the owl's foot.

"Hello Severus,

I would love to join you for dinner tonight.

Hermione"

He got the girl, now he just needed to keep her. A new set of concerns evaporated the fleeting moment of happiness.

Mentally berating himself, he thought, "She accepted the dinner invitation, she said she would loooove to join you. Why are you such a fecking git? Pull yourself together man!"

As he moved about his day, Severus considered restaurants, flowers, what to wear. This led to internal argument on where the date should be held; muggle or wizarding world.

The students enjoyed his internal musings as their work wasn't being scrutinized as heavily.

As lunch was dismissed, Filius caught up to him. "Severus, a word. You have an open slot now, don't you?"

"Yes, of course. Your office?"

"No, no, this isn't formal. Let's head to the grounds for a bit. I wanted to observe Hagrid's class. You can walk me down."

The two distinctly different men (both in size to personality) strolled slowly out of the castle.

"Is there something on your mind, Severus? You seem distracted today."

Severus scowled, "Did Pomona put you up to this?"

"No, I simply noticed the house points did not fluctuate at all today. Didn't you have Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors this morning?"

A booming laugh escaped, "You are right; I was distracted."

"Well?" Asked the Charms Master.

Throwing caution to the wind, Severus decided to confide in the man. "I have asked Hermione out on a date this evening. Now that she has accepted, I am not sure where to take her."

Filius stopped walking and looked up at him. Severus waited for Filius' judgement, his disapproval. Hermione was his prize student, his apprentice.

"Is this a first date?"

He nodded hesitantly, "This is new."

"This is complicated as you already live together so you cannot formally court her. Plus, she is Muggleborn and would probably find courting rituals antiquated. Hmmm."

They stood on the path next to the lake. Lost in thought, neither noticed the giant squid splashing around.

Severus was pleased there was no judgement coming from Filius. Now, his concern was a first date and courting rituals. He had never courted before; his Prince ancestry would require formal courting. He had never intended to marry, but now, hmmm, now, marriage wasn't out of the question. He might like being married to Hermione, giving Sabrina a little brother or sister.

"Perhaps we are overthinking this. Take her to dinner at a new place, probably in Muggle London so you can have some privacy. You are both still in the spotlight."

Severus found himself nodding along like a puppet, "I hadn't considered the reporters and crazed fans. We have been pretty isolated here or at her parent's home; away from the public."

The men resumed walking, "And flowers, you always have to get flowers."

Feeling a little lighter, he clapped Filus on the shoulder, "Yes, flowers, nothing ostentatious. And I'll take her to a nice restaurant in London. Thank you, Filius. I really appreciate your advice."

They went their separate ways; Filius towards the Care of Magical Creatures outdoor class and Severus towards the greenhouses.