Snape walked down the corridor towards Hogwarts' Guest Quarters. It consisted of a common room, four separate bedrooms and two bathrooms. This was where special visitors or guest speakers stayed, while visiting Hogwarts. As Hogwarts was closed for the summer, the guest quarters was being used to house the grooms.
When he heard he would be bunking with Potter and Weasley, Snape had practically begged McGonagall to let him stay in his old teaching quarters. However, McGonagall was quick to inform him that his quarters, as well as Nurse Ginny's quarters, were being redecorated to accommodate the married couples and wouldn't be ready until tomorrow night.
The girls were staying at an "undisclosed" location. Snape had a feeling they were all safely tucked away at the Burrow. Hell, he'd even stay at the Burrow, if it meant he could be close to Hermione.
He breathed out a depressed sigh as he repeated the password, which McGonagall had provided and stepped into the common room. He was immediately accosted by Potter and Weasley.
"Damn it, Professor, where have you been?" Harry practically shouted, "We've been worried sick about you. I didn't have my map or I'd have known…"
"Relax Potter," Snape grumbled, dropping into the nearest chair, "I'm in no mood for…"
"Well, you better get in the mood, real quick, mate," Ron said angrily. "We've got thirty minutes to get down to the Great Hall before McGonagall has our asses, not to mention what Hermione would have done to us, if we'd shown up without you."
"Hermione? What are you talking about, Weasley?" Snape said as he ran his hand through his jet-black hair, in frustration.
"Uhmm..." Harry said sheepishly, "I was kidding about not seeing the girls until tomorrow. We're actually going to see them tonight at the rehearsal."
"Rehearsal?" Snape asked in shock as if he'd never heard the word before.
"Yes, rehearsal…" Ron said heatedly, "Do you actually think the Ministry would throw a big wedding, invite hundreds of people, and not have a practice run, beforehand?"
Snape looked from one face to another, "Oh shit!" He exclaimed, before bolting up the stairs.
"You're room is the last one on the right," Ron yelled up the stairs, "You got 20 minutes to get ready, mate, or we're leaving you behind, no matter if Hermione does jinx us."
Severus was ready in 15 minutes and had started pacing back and forth; nagging the other two to hurry up or they'd be left behind.
"No doing, mate" Ron replied smugly, buttoning his robe and smoothing his hair down. "You can't show up without us. We have to arrive together, McGonagall's rules."
Snape sneered at him and thought, just watch how fast I leave your ass, Weasley.
Harry and Ron had to run to keep up with Snape as he glided towards the Great Hall, his cape billowing out behind him. When he was younger, Harry use to think that Snape charmed his cape so it would billow the way it did. However, now he realized the man was just always in a hurry to get somewhere.
They reached the great hall and Snape stood in the center of the closed doors. When Harry and Ron just stood there on either side of him, trying to catch their breath, he indignantly indicated that they should push on the doors to allow entrance.
The three brides were huddled together going over the seating chart, each making a suggested change to keep some wizard from killing another, when the great doors swung open. They looked up and saw Harry and Ron pushing the doors open while Snape strode in like he had that first day of class. He was heading straight towards Hermione, never taking his eyes off her face. His presence seemingly filled the entire Great Hall. Hermione pushed Ginny to the side and ran down the center towards Snape, leaping into his arms when she reached him. He caught Hermione in midair and hugged her to himself, planting kisses all over her face. She was doing to same until their lips met and their kiss became more passionate.
Walking down the center past them, towards their future brides, Ron grumbled, "Oi! Why did he get to make a grand entrance?"
Their fiancés were just as happy to see them and gave them a sweet welcome as well.
McGonagall patted her hair nervously when she saw that Severus was still holding Hermione, her feet not even touching the floor, kissing her like he was trying to devour her.
"Oh my, oh my, Uhm, attention everyone, pay attention!" McGonagall called out while clapping her hands to get their attention. "Severus! Unhand Miss Granger this instant…we must get started immediately, no time to waste."
Snape loosened his grip and Hermione reluctantly stood on her own two feet. She held his hand and together they walked over to where the other two couples were gathering. Snape put his arm around Hermione and pulling her close, kissed the top of her head.
Neville and Draco entered the Great Hall, with their respective wives on their arms. The men would be acting as ushers and their wives had come along to provide support to their girlfriends. Kingsley Shackelbolt, the Minister of Magic, was the last to arrive, muttering something about exploding cauldrons.
The small wedding party was huddled in a group as the girls were telling the men about their day of pampering. Each man had his arm around his respective bride-to-be.
Professor McGonagall was watching this take place from across the room. She heard them all laugh and saw Professor Snape lean over and kiss Miss Granger on top of her head, which caused the young woman to look up at him in adoration. He proceeded to lean down and kiss her briefly on the lips. McGonagall sensed that Molly had joined her and said, "I had no idea Professor Snape and Miss Granger were so enamored with each other." She was wringing her hands and Molly reached out and squeezed one of her hands to still them.
"Yes, she is hopelessly in love with him and Ginny assures me he is completely smitten with Hermione. I'm glad they're getting married tomorrow..."
"Yes and none too soon," McGonagall exclaimed.
Molly looked at her aghast.
"What? I'm not a relic. I remember how hormones can drive one to lose reason and throw caution to the wind. There has never been an unwed mother to deliver a baby at Hogwarts and it's not happening on my watch...Don't look at me like that Molly. There's a reason we always have chaperones at functions where young people—oh never mind, let's get on with this and get those two married, good and proper."
Molly smiled after her as the older lady rushed off to discuss something with Kingsley. She looked over at the young people and her smile was replaced with a thoughtful frown. Professor Snape was kissing Hermione again and the other couples didn't care or had become so accustomed to it that they didn't notice. Yes, it was a good thing they were getting married tomorrow.
Professor Snape had turned back to the group and was laughing at something Gabrielle had said. The look on Hermione's face as she looked at her husband-to-be said that there was nothing she would withhold from him. Molly's frown depended when she caught sight of Ginny's face and realized she was looking at Harry with the same look of adoration. Her breath caught in her throat, and she suddenly wished McGonagall had kept her thoughts to herself.
The Minister of Magic, smiling broadly, addressed the wedding party and told them how the ceremony would proceed. The room had been divided in two, with chairs set up on each side and a center aisle running from the front of the Great Hall to the back, where the staff dining table usually sat. The Minister and the Grooms would be standing at the back of the Great Hall and when the music started playing, the first bride would come up the center aisle and take her place next to her groom. Once their portion of the ceremony was completed, the couple would step to the side and the next groom would take his place and wait for his bride to join him, and so on. Satisfied that everything had been explained clearly, Kingsley called for everyone to take their places.
Snape reluctantly let Hermione go and proceeded to the back of the Great Hall with the other grooms. Kingsley was already standing there, waiting to perform the ceremonies.
The girls proceeded out the open doors, of the Great hall, stopping just outside. Everyone else took a seat and watched the practice unfold.
Facing Kingsley, Snape took his place on the far right with Harry in the middle and Ron on the far left, closest to the Minister. Ron and Gabrielle would marry first, then Harry and Ginny, with Snape and Hermione following up the rear. Suddenly, Snape wished he had offered to go first. Being last would just prolong his union with Hermione. He gave a small sigh and remembered that Hermione wanted it this way. She wanted both girls up here with her when she said her vows.
Harry leaned over and whispered, "It's not too late to run off and elope. I could summon some brooms while you grab the girls," Snape laughed out loud, and then controlling his mirth, gave Harry a smack on the back of his head for old time's sake.
"Molly would hex us to oblivion before we got off the ground. I don't fancy making Hermione a widow before I even marry the girl."
Ron was laughing now making McGonagall, who had been watching their antics, wonder if the world had gone mad. Never in her lifetime had she thought she'd see the likes of these three whispering and laughing like old chums. She'd have a lot to tell Dumbledore this evening. She promised to bring him a full report. She almost wished he had a duplicate portrait in the Great Hall, so he could witness it all in person. No matter, she reasoned, she would tell him everything tonight. Of course, she was sure she would have even more to tell him after the wedding and reception took place tomorrow night. Well, one thing at a time, she reasoned as she patted her hair.
The rehearsal began with each bride taking a turn walking down the aisle. Gabrielle's father practiced walking her down the aisle obviously touched that he was getting this chance. Since his daughter had previously eloped, he thought the opportunity had vanished. When Ron and Gabrielle's portion was complete, Kingsley would pronounce them man and wife and then tell Ron to kiss the bride. Unfortunately, McGonagall refused to let them practice the kissing part for fear they'd never get Snape and Hermione apart.
Once they were pronounced husband and wife, Gabrielle and Ron would step to the left and Harry would take center position with Ron and Gabrielle on his left side and Professor Snape waiting impatiently on his right. Kingsley stopped at this point and reminded Snape not to wring his hands or appear antsy, but to stand there calmly and respectfully, while awaiting his turn. Snape rolled his eyes, thinking, that's easy for you to say, you're not the one who is anxious to marry Hermione.
Mr. Weasley escorted Ginny down the aisle to Harry and they went through their portion. As soon as Kingsley announced them husband and wife, Snape snatched Harry by the arm and swung him into place to the right of him, hissing at Ginny to hurry up and take her place beside Harry. Kingsley admonished Snape and once again reminded him that he was supposed to be patient. Snape snorted and rolled his eyes again.
Suddenly, they heard a sob from the back. Hermione was whispering to Hagrid and he was sobbing while wiping his eyes on his large handkerchief. Noticing all eyes on him, Hagrid said, "I'm alright, I'm alright just something in me eye." Snape turned and gave him a withering look until he caught Hermione's eye and saw her shaking her head at him in reprimand. His face softened and he smiled at Hermione. Of course she'd want him to be considerate of Hagrid's feelings.
McGonagall saw the exchange between the couple and was amazed. With just a look Hermione had reined the Professor in. She patted her hair; she'd never seen anything like it where Snape was concerned. Yes, she would have a lot to tell Dumbledore, tonight.
The rest of rehearsal went on without a hitch. After the Minister of Magic pronounced the Snape's as husband and wife, he would then introduce each couple, starting with the Weasley's, followed by the Snape's and then the Potter's as they walked down the aisle and exited out towards the large tent that had been set up to hold the reception.
Tonight, even from the castle, they could see the lights burning inside the tent and knew preparations were still underway. Hermione smiled up at Snape when she remembered hearing the Minister pronounce them as man and wife and introduce them as "The Snape's." She loved hearing the sound of that.
They all came back into the Great Hall and ran through it again with Snape acting a little more patient and without Hagrid sobbing this time. Afterwards, McGonagall called everyone up front and asked them to take a seat in the chairs, and began to brief them on the next day's events, having to stop almost immediately, to separate Snape and Hermione. She had a scared-to-death Neville, which was probably due to the glare Snape had bestowed upon him, sit between the couple.
"Okay remember you three grooms...Severus, please pay attention, this important." McGonagall huffed when she realized Snape was still glaring at Neville.
Snape listened to her drone on for awhile about trivial stuff while he placed his arm on the back of Neville's chair and began gently twirling his fingers in Hermione's hair. She let out a small sigh that made him want to shove Neville to the floor and slide closer her. After receiving a stern look from Professor McGonagall, Snape removed his hand and placed it back in his lap, accidentally smacking Neville on the back of his head, in the process. Hermione narrowed her eyes at him and he mouthed, "What? It was an accident."
Professor McGonagall had finished her speech and was telling them to please rise and follow her for a light dinner, prepared in their honor. Snape reached around Neville and grabbed Hermione's arm pulling her out into the aisle with him. She apologized to Neville as she practically climbed over him, to get to Snape.
"Be nice to Neville," She hissed at Snape as they followed Professor McGonagall outside.
"I'm always nice." Snape declared, earning a chuckle from Hermione. "Besides, he's the one who made that Boggart look like me—dressed in his grandmother's clothes, no less. Do you know how long it took me to live that down?" She couldn't help but smile at the memory and then fixed her face into a stoic frown when she saw him narrow his eyes at her. He groaned when he realized she had just pictured that scene in her head.
Kingsley led the way to a small tent outside. Like the car they rode in, on the way home from St. Mungo's, this tent was expanded inside, as well. Hermione was surprised to see several tables laden with food; however, she was too excited to eat. She felt Severus' eyes on her and smiled when he said, "I wish we could get out of here."
"Just one more night, baby," She whispered and then added, "No more rules and no more boundaries." He leaned down to kiss her and a flash went off.
"How touching, the Princess and her…sharing a sweet kiss in the evening air."
Hermione looked at the reporter with undisguised anger.
"What are you doing here?" Snape asked her through gritted teeth.
"Don't be so grumpy, lover," Rita purred, "You should feel honored someone decided to have pity on you and take you off my hands…"
"You lying bitch!" Hermione screamed and leapt at Rita.
Snape grabbed Hermione around the waist, in mid-air, and spun her around carrying her to the edge of the tent. He held her tightly in one arm as she struggled against him, kicking and screaming for him to put her down, so she could rip Rita to shreds. With his free hand, he motioned for Kingsley to do something about Rita. Kingsley, who had been standing there with his hands on his face, in shock at the sudden outburst, quickly dropped his hands and marched over to Rita. He practically dragged her to the other side of the tent whispering threats all the way. Rita's face blanched, she nodded in agreement with whatever Kingsley was saying and she took up residence, with her photographer, on the far side of the tent.
Snape had set Hermione down; however, she was still furious. She was facing away from him and he was running his hands up and down her arms, in a soothing manner, as he leaned over and began whispering calming words in her ear. Hermione was trembling as Snape gently pulled her back against his chest and began planting kisses on her exposed neck. McGonagall was watching all this and thinking that perhaps she should intervene…then decided against it; realizing that Professor Snape was just trying to calm Hermione down. Snape loosened his grip and Hermione turned toward him, sliding her arms around his waist and hugging him fiercely. He wrapped his arms around her gently and was still whispering into her ear. Hermione nodded and he released her. She turned around and faced her worried girlfriends. Snape put his hand on her back and gently pushed her in their direction. They immediately surrounded her like mother hens and proceeded to guide her over to one of the tables. Snape looked towards the direction where Rita was cowering, with narrowed eyes. He barely knew the witch and here she was calling him, her lover…he shivered at the disgusting thought. Harry and Ron approached him each patting him on the back. "Wow, mate!" Ron whispered in awe, "I didn't know you could move that fast."
Harry just looked at him with a huge smile and said, 'How did you know she was going to go for the jugular?"
McGonagall who was watching the whole exchange was surprised to see Snape shrug and hear him say, "I know Hermione."
She fanned her face when she, once again, thought about how much she had to share with Professor Dumbledore, knowing that man loved juicy gossip just as much as the next wizard. Although, she was sure the former Headmaster would be disappointed that Granger hadn't succeeded in getting her hands around the reporter's throat.
The rest of the dinner was mostly uneventful. Hermione squeezed Snape's leg under the table and thanked him for stopping her. She closed her eyes when she said she could just see a picture on the front of tomorrow's paper showing her leaping through the air at Rita's surprised face. Ron happened to be taking a drink of his Champaign and sprayed liquid all over himself as he choked with laugher. Gabrielle was also laughing as she asked her husband if he was okay while gently beating him on the back to keep him for choking.
Harry watched Snape as he poured his affection out on Hermione. Harry pondered over the change in Snape. Was it possible this had been the real Snape all along and he had just become good at hiding it? Harry suddenly remembered viewing Snape's memory. Snape's childhood was not a happy one. He was an unloved, neglected little boy who clung to the only person who had shown him an ounce of kindness—Harry's mother. As Harry sat and watched Snape and Hermione interact, he was suddenly glad that they had each other. If anyone deserved a chance to be loved and cared for, it was Snape. The man had known more sadness than any one man should have to bear.
Ginny squeezed Harry's hand, pulling him out of his reverie, and he smiled at her. How did he ever get so lucky as to be marrying this wonderful girl? His childhood had also been full of neglect and a longing to be loved. He thought of the Phoenix tears and was once again glad that she had kissed him, so long ago.
After the dinner was cleared away, Snape sought out McGonagall and received permission to walk down to the Lake with Hermione. He hated being treated like a school boy, but he swallowed his pride and asked anyway. McGonagall gave them permission reluctantly, but laid down some ground rules.
Snape and Hermione walked past the tent down towards the benches by the lake. They held hands; however, they stayed at least one arms length apart as McGonagall had stipulated. They both knew that McGonagall was probably watching their every move. Hermione reveled in the feel of the slight breeze stirring her hair about her shoulders and thought back to when the breeze on the hillside used to call to her, almost making her feel like she were going mad. If she closed her eyes, she could still hear his voice on the wind, calling her name...
"Hermione," Snape whispered, making her jump.
Seeing his concern she blurted, "Sorry I was thinking about the wind on the hillside where I would..."
"Hear my voice calling on the wind." He paused for a moment, "I'm so sorry that you had to go through that."
"I'm not." She said quickly. She could tell what she just said had surprised him.
"Once I returned to Hogwarts," she began to explain, "I started thinking that maybe it was your voice I heard, on the hilltop. Perhaps, you were calling out to me, somehow, not to drive me mad, but to let me know that you were still alive…to give me...hope."
"Love always hopes." He whispered.
Hermione gasped, "Professor Dumbledore said that to me once."
"I know, in the Astronomy Tower."
Hermione froze, causing Snape to stop with her. She looked at him in alarm.
Snape realized it was now or never. "Why did you shield that memory from me, Hermione? What was so significant about it that you would rather show me a dream of us making love in the boathouse the night of the..."
She started to back away, almost in a panic.
Seeing her fear, he quickly clarified, "I went to see Dumbledore this morning, and he told me everything." He proceeded to tell her of his conversation with Harry and how he had raced to the Headmaster's office to confront Dumbledore about the legend of the tears. He also revealed how devastated he had been when he thought she had been bound to him against her will.
Hermione's heart ached when she heard him talking about how he'd laid on the floor and wept at the thought of losing her. He said the only thing that kept him from packing up and leaving Hogwarts that morning was Professor Dumbledore revealing to him that Hermione had loved him before the tears, long before the life-saving kiss of an innocent.
Taking his left hand in both of hers she held it against her face, kissing his knuckles. "I'm glad he told you, then, even though I couldn't."
"Why?" he pleaded, "why couldn't you tell me that you had loved me for so long?"
They had reached the lakeside benches and Hermione sat down, pulling him with her so that they were facing each other.
"I thought you'd see those feelings I had for you as nothing more than a silly little girl's crush or worse yet, just like Ron, you'd think it was only the threat of the war and your heroic part in it that made me feel that way." She shuddered slightly from the memory of standing there that night with Dumbledore, confessing that she had fallen in love with her Professor. "It would have broken my heart to finally tell you how I felt, only to have you laugh in my face, and crush my heart under the heel of your boot. I mean I was only 17 for heaven's sake. Tell me…" she said looking at him earnestly, "What would you have done if I had sought you out one night, while you were doing your security rounds and revealed my love for you and told you that I wanted nothing more than to just be with you, to hold you and be held by you? Well...?" She demanded, "What would you have done?"
"Seriously?" he asked looking her straight in the eye.
"Seriously," she huffed.
Without hesitation he said, "I would have taken you back to my chambers and fucked the hell out of you." Ignoring her shocked stare, he continued talking, almost as if he were talking to himself. "No I wouldn't have been able to hold onto reason that long...I would have pulled you into the nearest closet or if the hallway was devoid of pictures with prying eyes, I would have pinned you against the wall, lifted your nightgown, and removed your knickers before you could blink," he continued on and she felt her insides tingle as she pictured in her mind the delicious things he was describing. "I would have dropped my pants, wrapped your legs around my waist and fucked you into oblivion, hoping I didn't get you pregnant...no I take that back...I would have shot my cum inside you praying that I got you pregnant so I would have that tie to you. Even if I died you'd raise our child and never forget me. "Yes," he said as if agreeing with himself, that's what I would have done."
Frustrated and confused, Hermione stood up, took a couple of steps toward the water's edge and turned around to face him. "Why? Why would you do that? Just to get laid? I mean you couldn't even stand to look at me sometimes. Why would your first thought be to, to..." She was completely at a loss for words.
Snape sighed, remembering that he had vowed to be honest, "Dumbledore asked me when I first suspected that I loved you." He heard Hermione's slight gasp but continued talking while he sat there looking out towards the lake. "I didn't have to guess…I knew when it happened. It happened while I was training Harry in Occlumency."
"I remember." Hermione whispered.
"Potter and I spent hours together, and he wasn't very good at shielding his mind. I saw every thought, every feeling…" Hermione stood watching him quietly, as he continued by saying, "No matter what…you were always there for him. No matter how angry he made you, you always forgave him. I saw how wonderful it must be to have a loyal friend like that and I wanted that…I wanted you. I wanted you the way Potter had you…to be able to talk to you and trust you with my secrets the way Potter did. I wanted to lay my head on your shoulder and know that you would make everything all right. I knew it could never be, so I pushed that thought out of my head. I buried it so deep that I almost forgot I'd felt that way about you."
Snape paused, knowing he must tell her…no more secrets. "The night I went to deliver the sword to Potter, I knew you were in the Forest of Dean, but I wasn't exactly sure where. So I reached out with my mind and connected with him. He was thinking of you and how sad you were. He was blaming himself for bringing you with him and causing you so much pain. He knew it was the effect of the locket but he couldn't help himself, he wanted to make you happy again. I saw you dancing with him in his memory. He had taken you in his arms and danced with you, trying to cheer you up, and Merlin help me, I wished it could have been me dancing with you, trying to cheer you up and give you hope, holding you in my arms while shutting out the world…." She took a step towards him but he held out his hand to stop her.
"After I left the sword in the lake for Harry to find, I returned to the camp and reached out to your mind. I had to know you were okay." He saw her eyes grow wide and heard her breathing quicken. "I'm sorry Hermione, I didn't know…You were lying in the tent alone bringing yourself to orgasm, touching yourself and fantasizing about a dark-haired man, who I now realize was me. It took every ounce of my being not to come back to that tent later in the night and slide under the covers with you. I thought I could confound you into thinking it was a dream and fuck…don't look at me like that Hermione…those were the thoughts of a desperate man who didn't know what else to do. I felt so guilty still loving Lily but wanting to make love to you. I give you my word that I did not come back that night and I never laid a hand on you until, well… you know…that day in the hospital. After I saw you in the tent and how badly you needed sexual release, I thought perhaps you would have asked Potter, I mean he loved you. If he wasn't so enamored with Ginny, I've not doubt you would have awakened to find him in your bed."
Hermione gasped, "Harry's a gentleman."
"Harry's a man with basic instinctual needs just like any other man."
Seeing her discomfort, Snape changed the subject. "The night I died, I saw Lily. She was the 20 year old Lily that I still loved. I wanted to stay with her forever, but she told me I couldn't stay," he looked at Hermione to make sure she understood what he was saying, "She told me a woman had saved me and that I had to come back and save her…save her from a fate worse than death." Hermione gasped in shock. "I know I made it sound like you had robbed me of spending eternity with her and I honestly believed you had…until that first night I held you in the hospital after I…" he shook his head. "I later realized that if I had stayed with Lily, you would have been left here on earth, going mad with the loss of me...wretched, deplorable me, would have caused you to live a life worse than the peace death can bring. He went to say more but stopped.
Sensing there was more, she whispered, "Please, please tell me."
He looked up at her thoughtfully and said, "I want to try something. You were skilled enough to hide something in your mind from me. Let me try and show you the dream I had that first night I held you in my arms. Do you know the theory behind Legilimency?"
She nodded and he took her hands in his, keeping at least an arm's length in distance and looked into her eyes. Hermione cleared her mind like she had learned in yoga classes and whispering, "Legilimens," she slipped into his mind.
She saw her younger self standing next to Severus, but instead of James Potter levitating Severus upside down, like she'd seen in the pensive, she had stepped around Severus and punched James Potter right in the face, not unlike the way she had once punched Draco. She smiled to herself when she watched the Hermione in his dream hug the teenage Severus and felt her heart ache when she saw how desperately he hugged her back. Here was a man who had always longed to love and be loved in return. Hermione watched the young Lily transform into the older Lily and walk away, seemingly giving them her blessing.
She pulled out his mind and he whispered, "The night Dumbledore died, why did you think I knocked professor Flitwick unconscious and told you to run in and attend to him?"
Hermione shook her head, showing she didn't know the answer.
"I didn't want you anywhere near the tower that night; I wanted you safe."
He gave a small laugh and told her about the scenario he had thought about when he saw her picture in the book, he had purchased about the war. "That night when you came in with the Order, the night you looked so beautiful," She scoffed but he continued, "I wish I had done things differently. I would have pulled the memories from my mind, put them in a vial and handed them to Potter without a fight. I would then sheath my wand and walk towards the Order with my hands up" Hermione listened and wondered where he was going with this. "Once I got within arm's length of you, I would have snatched you into my arms and Apparated with you, taking you far away to keep you safe until I knew Harry had won and we could return."
"Why didn't you? Why didn't you just do that? Harry didn't need us after he had your memories; we could have been together…you wouldn't have died and..."
He looked at her longingly and said, "I believed you hated me, thought of me as the enemy. I had pushed my feelings for you so deep inside my mind, that even as you saved me in the boathouse, I was angry that you were taking such liberties. Tell me, if I had realized how much I really cared for you and spirited you away, would you still have exclaimed your love for me?"
She was nodding her head, "Yes, I would have given you everything I am. My love for you had nothing to do with good or bad or even that stupid war..."
She fell silent for a moment and then added with a small smile on her lips, "of course I'm sure when we returned I'd have been far enough along in my pregnancy..."
Just the thought of what it would take to get her pregnant made him weak in the knees. He pulled her into his arms roughly and kissed her with a hunger that made her tremble.
"Distance, Distance!" They heard McGonagall cry out. They quickly separated and fought to catch their collective breaths.
Smiling sweetly at Snape, as he stood there staring at her with his hungry gaze, Hermione said, "Tomorrow night, after we're married and there are no more boundaries, Sir…I hope you keep the promise you made to fuck the hell out of me on our wedding night."
With a low growl he said, "I always keep my promises, Miss Granger."