Chapter 94: Just Rewards From A Grateful Heart

{A/N: Here's Another Update...It has been quite difficult to get back into writing for a number of reasons and as a result the updates are at whim and some wording is off. Suffice if to say, Between long work hours and constant interruptions due to attention seekers within my household not respecting my time to write it's been rather trying indeed. I may veer or have wording in multiple places due to trying to recall where they last interrupted me. So I apologize for any annoyances this caused I don't have time to correct it at the moment, but I will attempt to in the future.}

My Thanks To My Readers and Reviewers...Enjoy-S.S.

Garden Café, Unknown Location, Unknown World...

The lunch hour was well welcomed as Hermione found herself unable to ignore the return of the rumbling of her stomach. Snape took note of this as they continued their walk, her arm in his and her attention on what appeared to be a restaurant with a outdoor dining. Snape couldn't have picked out a better place himself for what he had in mind, there were few guests on the outside despite the beautiful sunny day and it seemed intimate enough that he could at least attempt to be at ease. Hermione was quite pleased with the set up and the prospect of lunch in general. She continued to lead her ever brooding husband by the hand and toward the front counter. It didn't take long for the host to seat them, Snape being less of a grouch when the seemingly timid Muggle ushered them outside and into the garden dining area. The bright green vegetation and small water fall seemed to add to the appeal of the place, the wood chairs and table the only reminder that they'd been at a café to begin with. Snape didn't seem all that impressed, but watched his young wife enjoy her surroundings. It wasn't long before he found himself content simply because she had been. When the host left them to their own devices after handing them their respective menus, Snape turned his attention to his next "nefarious" plot. He wished to show his wife just how grateful he had been to have her at his side, even if it meant involving the assistance of relative strangers.

"Isn't this place lovely?" asked Hermione taking in the scene once more. "And to think we get to have our lunch here."

Snape simply looked at his menu, his dark eyes going over the latest choices and his mind attempting to put his ever expanding plan of sorts into motion.

When they originally got married, he'd been less than thrilled and down right antagonistic when it came to Hermione's inquiries and curiosities about adult life and marriage. He did whatever he could to make her reconsider her stance on the matter as well as her the perceived to be "romanticized" view of him. She thought him a hero of sorts, an odd thing considering his background and overall demeanor.

"Severus?" said Hermione looking him over.

Snape sat down his menu and met the amber gaze of the witch before him.

"Yes, witch?" he replied unsure of what she wanted at the moment.

"I asked if you've figured out what you wanted to eat yet?" she replied with a curious expression.

"At the moment I was considering the grilled cheese." he replied leaning back in his chair and looking out over the garden that surrounded them. It wasn't a bad place for lunch, in fact it was quite perfect for what he had in mind for today.

"Any plans for later tonight?" asked Hermione hoping to hazard a guess as to what he might have been up to.

"Perhaps." replied Snape with a flicker of mischief behind his dark gaze. "Of course, that all depends..."

"Depends on what?" asked Hermione still curious as his comment seemed to trail off.

Severus Snape had not been a particularly romantic man, nor had he much experience in the way of such things, but he had been quite determined to make something of his new found appreciation for the witch whom sat across from him. Arthur Weasley had been of the mind to instruct him in the ways of sappy charm. While Lucius Malfoy attempted to revisit his former lessons in grandiose romantic gestures. Neither of these ways had been what Snape himself would choose when the moment came of course. He believed in practicality and given his distain for sentiment, the garden setting and his gesture with the ring would have to be enough.

"On whether or not you answer my question." replied Snape before turning his attention to the black box he'd been shifting in his pocket.

Hermione was at a loss as to what kind of question he'd ask her distracted in a sense by the newly arrived meals. She'd taken the liberty of ordering soup for herself and a few slices of bread. Snape got the grilled cheese sandwich with all the trimmings and both ordered a glass of wine each.

Lunch was as pleasant as breakfast had been that morning it seemed, as Hermione and Snape ate while chatting and exchanging stories from their respective misadventures. The sun was warm and welcome as it beamed upon the two of them and the garden that surrounded them.

"I wonder what you were like as a boy." said Hermione looking over her husband as she finished off the last of her soup. "You speak so little of your life before becoming a Professor at Hogwarts."

"That's because it's always been irrelevant." replied Snape finishing his sandwich. "Nothing but bad memories and night terrors to remember it by."

'Well I'm sorry to hear that." replied Hermione with a concerned expression on her face. "I was just thinking that you might have looked quite adorable as a boy is all."

Snape shook his head.

Of course she'd romanticize his misspent youth as well.

The Potions Master got to his feet folding his arms across his chest and looking about the garden. He had no idea how he was going to go about what he had planned, but he knew it was better to press on. Hermione watched him unsure of what he'd been up to. Though they were already married, He made up his mind to make sure his wife had as authentic an experience as any other young woman whom had been married. The nauseating tales of when Arthur and Lucius both proposed to their respective spouses did little to motivate Snape into accepting his then impending marriage but now they served to spur him on in a different approach.

"Would you look at that you're shoe's untied." said Snape dropping down to one knee before the stunned Hermione. "Not to worry, I'll see to it for you."

The confusion took a moment to clear before Hermione realized that she wasn't wearing shoes that required laces.

"Severus...I'm not wearing any..." she gotten out before the shocked gasp put an end to her words.

Severus Snape was down on one knee with a small black box in his hands opened to reveal the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. Unable to fathom what was happening, Hermione could only look at the man whom had dared to step out of his comfort zone in a bid to please her.

"I realize this is something of a shocking experience for you given my usual demeanor, but I will proceed any way." said Snape doing his best to keep his own nerves from getting the better of him. "While I am well aware that we are already wed, Mrs. Snape...I realize that the way things proceeded didn't allow for you to properly indulge in the experience and if I may...I wish to rectify that."

Hermione looked upon her husband with difficulty finding a word to say. She never in a million years expected to be on the receiving end of a marriage proposal, least of all one from her dour husband. When they were wed it was due to the decree from the Ministry of Magic and left them little to no choice in the matter as her life had been at stake. Here and now...Severus Snape was proposing to her of his own free will and she couldn't hold back the happy tears that began to stream down her cheeks.

"I'll admit this is the first time I've ever noticed you speechless." said Snape in response to her tears. "So as not to waste this golden opportunity, Hermione Jean Granger...this time I am asking if you would be my wife indefinitely."

The tears continued to stream down Hermione's cheeks as she nodded before the words fell from her lips.

"Yes." she said getting up from her seat as Snape slipped the bright sliver rose ring onto her finger. "Yes, Severus...I wish to be your wife indefinitely."

Snape stood up, his impressive height towering over her as he pulled her into his waiting embrace. A series of passion filled kisses passed between them and they nearly forgot where they were. The Potions Master found himself particularly annoyed when the members of the staff found themselves standing around them clapping as they took in the moment. Hermione laughed enjoying the moment for all it was worth as Snape attempted to sulk at having to attempt such a thing with an audience present.

"I love you." said the young witch clinging to him. "And I love my new ring."

Snape smirked no doubt pleased with himself for going about this as he saw fit despite Arthur and Lucius' input. It didn't take much to make Hermione happy, she'd been over the moon that he'd even attempted such a semi-romantic gesture to begin with.

"So." she said wrapping her arm in his once more. "Any further surprises?"

"Just one." replied Snape with a mischievous gleam behind his eyes. "But then we'd have to venture back to our hotel room for you to unwrap it."

Hermione seemed pleased with that notion as she and Snape gathered their things and left the garden café behind in favor of less green pastures.