Well friends, here we are, the end, for now at least. I spent eight months writing this fic (one of my first ever) and it was quite a learning experience.

I grew as a writer throughout and found myself completely obsessed with both writing and this ship. I have a lot more works posted on ao3 if you'd like more, eventually they'll be here too.

Thanks again for following along.

Staff meetings were a necessary evil, Minerva had always hated attending them as a Teacher and hated them just as much now as Headmistress.

There was however one small upside to sitting at the head of the faculty lounge, it allowed her the small pleasure of watching the interactions between her staff.

It felt like being a nosey neighbour, privy to the drama without acknowledging it.

Cliques had formed many years previously for some of the faculty members and stood strong today, others had faded into a friendly smile and occasionally some would escalate into romance.

One thing had always remained unchanged; Severus Snape sat alone and where possible, hidden in shadow.

When he had first arrived Minerva attempted to open a dialogue with him, had even tried to sit with once or twice but the Potions Master was unreceptive.

In her memory of his time teaching at Hogwarts he had never accepted anyone sitting next to him. In fact, one of her fondest memories in recent years was him standing abruptly and moving seats when Dolores Umbridge had dared to sit next to him. Severus remained standing that day and Minerva still smiled fondly at the memory.

Today not only was Hermione Granger sitting next to Severus but the two were chatting amicably.

Both had a cup clutched in their hands as they whispered back and forth.

Certainly Minerva was not the only one to notice, however nobody would dare draw attention to them in the fear of Severus's wrath.

She'd suspected for quite a while that there was something more than friendship brewing between the two and had secretly hoped that he might be susceptible to letting the witch into his life.

When Granger had first arrived Minerva had done everything in her power to pair the two together. She knew they were a match.

Now, as she sipped her tea and let the staff settle in she hid her smile behind her cup.

For most, sitting and chatting to a colleague was a normal every day activity, for Severus, it might as well be a proposal.

Neither Remus or Neville seemed surprised by Hermione's new seating arrangement which led her to believe they were already aware.

Hagrid's beard was twitching happily every time he glanced at the pair, his eyes betraying his happiness.

Minerva had never been so happy to witness a blossoming romance between two staff members. Usually she abhorred the very thought of it, but nobody in her opinion deserved the happiness of young love more than Severus Snape.

That boy had experienced enough heartache and pain for two lifetimes.

Placing her cup down she stood and called order to the staff and commenced the meeting, throwing one last glance to the pair who were clearly more interested in one another than her.

Hermione was smitten, there was no point in denying it. Severus Snape dominated her thoughts and her nights. She couldn't recall the last night she had slept alone, they hopped from her room to his depending on which was closer.

It had only been a few weeks and she was quite honestly doing her best to ignore her growing feelings for him.

They hadn't even officially told their friends or colleagues but Hermione was falling and falling fast.

Severus was capable of such intensity, she supposed that shouldn't surprise her. His ability to strike fear was astonishing, but she had never anticipated that could be translated into intimacy so well.

For a man not used to sharing a space, or his bed he seemed to take to it quickly. There was never a question of them sleeping separately. He'd even tolerated waking with a slumbering Crookshanks on his chest.

The one thing Hermione would change, if she could, would be the secrecy surrounding their— whatever it was. So that morning when Harry's usual 'Christmas Party' invitation landed on the head table she formed a plan.

"Severus?" she asked tentatively as she lay across him on her couch. He had a book in hand and his shoeless feet were tangled around her own.

"Mmm?" he hummed in response, not looking away from his current read.

"I'd like to tell my friends," she said, fidgeting with his shirt button, "about us I mean."

He lowered the book, without closing it and looked at her. Hermione wondered would she ever tire of feeling his gaze track over her. Her skin heated delightfully every time still.

"Don't they know?" he asked.

"Well, Remus and Neville know and I suspect that Minerva has an idea," she said, trying to get a hold on her growing arousal. "But I mean the others." She didn't want to get too specific on the details.

"You mean Potter?" He said her friend's name with a slight hint of contempt.

"Yes," she whispered. "Ginny, Ron, Luna and yes, Harry too."

He sat up, dislodging her from her place on his chest and put the book he had been reading onto the coffee table. Hermione sat up straight, her stomach dropped.

"You don't want people to know?" she asked timidly, afraid to hear his answer.

"I enjoy my privacy, yes," he said, rubbing his eyes then turning to look at her. "You know better than anyone the attention that comes with being involved in the war."

"Of course," she replied quietly. "But aren't you tired of secrets? Your time living a double life is over."

"Praise Merlin," he said, sounding exasperated. "You, however, are a secret I like keeping for myself."

Hermione smiled, she had to admit that the excitement of sneaking around did have its appeal. But they couldn't do it forever and she wanted to feel free to fall for him completely, without having to hide.

"I'll still be yours," she said gently, catching her bottom lip between her teeth.

Severus tapped her lip, encouraging her to release it from its vice, before pressing his mouth to hers in a hard, possessive kiss.

His kisses stole the breath from her lungs and caused her mind to quieten like nothing else.

Threading her fingers into his hair Hermione allowed and enthusiastically reciprocated his exploration.

She groaned longingly as he pulled back, tucked a curl behind her ear and studied her face for a moment.

"If it pleases you," he said.

"It does," she replied breathlessly.

The witch reached into her pocket and pulled out the small envelope that had arrived that morning.

"I thought we could tell them together," she said, handing him the invitation from the Potters.

Without opening it Severus placed the envelope on her coffee table and stood, walking to the fireplace with his back to her.

"Absolutely not."

Hermione hadn't expected him to agree with any enthusiasm, but she hoped he would be receptive to the idea. She did not want to choose between spending Christmas with her friends and her— her Severus. Merlin, she didn't even know what to call him, boyfriend seemed far too juvenile. Not to mention that they hadn't even discussed where they were in terms of a relationship.

"Severus," she said, rising herself and skirting the table to stand by his side.

He was standing rigidly, staring into the blazing fire.

"Harry,—"

"Will never accept this," he interrupted.

"You're wrong," Hermione told him. "Harry wants me to be happy and he wants you to be happy too."

He scoffed at that and rolled his eyes.

"Potter is your friend, not mine."

"Harry speaks very fondly of you," she replied. "He's openly supportive of you to the press and as you know, fought hard to see your efforts rewarded."

"I did not want it," he said flatly.

"None of us wanted it, but it happened and you were an integral part in his— our survival. I think he might like the opportunity to thank you."

"So I repay him by crawling into bed with his best friend whom I treated appalling not five years ago."

"I've told you already," she said waspishly. "That's the past."

"In my experience," Snape said solemnly. "The past never stays where it should."

Hermione swallowed her pain, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. She knew that Lily would eventually find her way into their lives, their relationship, she wasn't ready yet.

The subject of Harry's mother was a mountain she could not overcome. How could she compete with the memory of his first and only love. How could anyone compete with the woman he had been willing to forfeit his life for in order to protect her only child.

Tears were falling freely now, dripping onto the rug they both stood on. Severus shifted his posture in her peripheral vision, he might have been watching her.

She slumped her shoulders in defeat and turned away, feet carrying her to her bedroom. It was a mistake and one she couldn't afford to torture herself with.

"Where are you going?" Severus asked.

"To bed," she sniffled. "You can go if that's what you want."

"Is that what you want?" he asked.

"What do you want, Severus?" she replied sharply through her tears.

When no reply came Hermione closed her bedroom door behind her and sat heavily on her bed, burying her face into her hands.

Swinging her feet onto the mattress she curled onto her side and let herself sob fully, away from him.

Reality had no place in their lives these past few weeks, not when mornings in his arms were filled with joy and pleasure.

The dip of the bed signaled his arrival, and his arm snaking around her waist only fuelled her anguish.

"I want you," he whispered softly. "If you'll have me."

"Severus," she cried.

"What is it?" he asked, holding her tighter, anchoring her.

"I can't choose between you and my friends," she croaked sadly, "surely you can understand that?"

"I can't say that I do," he said forlornly.

"Lily?" she replied with a sob.

He didn't stiffen or pull away like she expected, he kept his arm tightly around her middle and pressed a soft kiss to the shell of her ear.

"Is a memory, a perfect distraction from my otherwise dismal existence— one I will never forget," he whispered, "but a true friend? Perhaps, perhaps not I was certainly taken with her, but as time passes I realise that our friendship wasn't strong or evenly balanced. She was just there. You have taught me that friendship— relationships are more."

Hermione's sobs slowly turned into soft gasps as the sadness in her melted away, who was this man?

"I will accompany you," he said, his breath tickling her. "If it's what you want. I would do anything to make you happy. I can't take back the hurt I may have caused in the past, but I can work on making myself better. For you."

She turned to face him, still held firmly in his arms. Severus lifted a hand to wipe away her tears.

"I want everyone to know," she said softly. Words of devotion caught in her throat. It was too early, even with what little experience she held in relationships she knew it was too soon.

"Silly girl," he muttered humorously.

Hermione caught his lips and tried to express the feelings she was afraid to verbalise into their kiss. She wouldn't tell him, not yet, but she would do everything to show him her love.

When she thought about it, it had been forming much longer than she cared to admit.

Not yet.

"Merry Christmas Hermione," Potter said, stepping forward and embracing her, a small child caught between them. "Snape."

He didn't seem surprised to see him arriving at Grimmauld Place with his childhood friend. In fact, he looked entirely unaffected.

The tiny Potter was held in his arms; quite clearly a Potter— the hair was a dead giveaway— was looking at Severus curiously.

"Potter," Severus said, trying hard to hold back his instinctive snarl.

When the two friends dislodged from their hug all of them stood awkwardly for a moment.

"Sorry," Potter said, stepping aside. "Come on, come in."

Gesturing for Hermione to lead the way Severus stood back, gathering his thoughts as he stepped over the threshold, following them inside.

The house had changed quite a bit since his last time there, it seemed brighter and more welcoming. Perhaps that was just the sweet smile radiating from Hermione Granger that was just for him.

"So," Potter said, adjusting the squirming child in his arms.

"Harry," Hermione said kindly. "We wanted to talk to you."

She looked at him expectantly but all he could do was swallow and shuffle his shoulders uncomfortably. He'd come with her, surely that was enough.

His witch shook her head silently, rolling her eyes, but her smile gave her away.

"Severus and I—"

"Hermione," Potter said, holding his hand up to stop her. "It's alright, I know."

Severus knitted his brows together, dragging his eyes from Hermione and instead watched Potter with interest. He was smiling, head tilted to the side as his gaze tracked from one to the other.

He chuckled softly and beckoned them into the library. Interest peaked Severus followed the two friends into the room, which seemed larger and brighter than he remembered.

Next to a large bookcase stood an ornate desk made of dark wood. Potter gestured to the surface where a large piece of parchment featuring an intricate web of lines and moving dots lay.

The child in Harry's arms was enthralled by the moving dots, instantly hypnotised by what he saw.

"Um, so little James here," Potter said, patting the child affectionately on his stomach. "Well, I was telling him all about his Aunt Hermione and Hogwarts."

Hermione gasped next to Severus and buried her face into her hands, clearly embarrassed. Potter was nodding his head gently, a soft pink staining his cheeks.

"Uh huh," he said, as if that explained everything.

"What?" Severus snapped, not pleased at being out of the loop.

"It's a map," Hermione said weakly. "A map of Hogwarts that shows where every person in the castle is at any given time."

Severus stepped forward to take a closer look at the parchment. There was a small dot pacing around the hallways with a small scroll above reading 'Argus Filch'.

"Well, I was telling James about his Aunt Hermione and thought it might be fun to introduce him to the map. Needless to say, he became instantly obsessed with watching the moving dots." Potter's face was flushing further. "Well, it became a tool for quieting him at night when he was fussy."

"Oh Harry!" Hermione groaned.

"Yeah," Potter said, switching the child into his other arm.

"So you've been what? Spying on us?" Severus asked, eyes narrowed.

"Spying on the spy," he replied with a laugh. "It wasn't intentional."

So Potter knew, which likely meant the rest of the household knew.

"I said it to Ginny," he said, looking at Hermione.

"I'm sorry," she whispered back. "I should have told you sooner."

"It's alright, I understand."

"It's not that I didn't want to or I was frightened how you might react, you know that?"

Potter shifted his eyes from Hermione to Severus's face and raised a brow with a skeptical smile.

"Of course," he said. "I'm not upset, I love you 'Mione, you're my best friend. I knew you would tell me in your own time."

The two friends embraced again, until the small child between them started to make a fuss.

"Right, better get mummy," Harry said to the baby. "Everyone is in the kitchen, there's a few yet to arrive. Just mingle and enjoy yourselves. Thanks for coming." The pleasantries were clearly aimed at Severus who nodded stiffly and watched as Potter departed the room.

Hermione was smiling serenely at the door frame before shifting her watery gaze back to Severus. The girl was useless at hiding her emotions, thankfully for Severus because otherwise he might begin questioning their coupling once again.

Sometimes when she looked at him or kissed him he felt loved for the first time in his life.

"Well," he said, suddenly uncomfortable with her devoted attention to him. "He knows, shall we leave?"

He was only half joking, but the witch giggled gently and stepped into him, her arms snaking onto his shoulders. Severus loved watching her rise onto her toes wherever she wanted to kiss him.

Her lips were gentle and soft against his, but the power in her kiss was indescribable.

When she pulled away his eyes tracked over her lips, hoping they might return to his.

"Come on," she said, taking his hand in hers. "I'll make it worth your while."

"Let's make this quick then shall we?" he said cheekily.

Severus allowed his witch, his Hermione, to lead him through the house like a dream.

He had hoped to never step foot in this place again, but for her, for her it seemed he would do just about anything.

The party was loud, obnoxiously so at times.

Minerva, his usual partner in crime at social gatherings, seemed quite happy to be caught up in the middle of the gathered crowd. In her element even, her usual perfectly poised hair was slightly disheveled as she clinked a glass in cheers with Hagrid and Arthur Weasley.

His witch was caught in the middle of a wildly uncoordinated dance with Luna Lovegood and Ginny Weasley. Their uproarious laughter might have set his teeth on edge not weeks ago, but now, seeing Hermione joyous and carefree caused a pleasant and slightly unfamiliar warmth to spread through his chest.

"Snape."

The voice of Ronald Weasley dragged Severus from his musings.

The youngest Weasley son looked to be rather intoxicated as he approached with Lupin in tow. With a deep sigh Severus offered both wizards a tight nod.

His glass was full, so he could not even excuse himself for a refill.

"Weasley, Lupin."

"Severus," Lupin said in a tone slightly more friendly than Weasleys had been. "Enjoying the party?"

The other professor turned his head in the direction of Snape's gaze, where Longbottom now had his arms slung across Lovegood's shoulders. Hermione and Ginevra were both tossing their hair around without a single thought to the rhythm of the music offered. Severus suppressed a smile at the sight.

"Enjoying the view at least," Lupin said with an undignified snort.

Jaw clenched tightly, reluctantly he turned to face the two men who were both watching him— Lupin with a playful look and Weasley narrow eyed and skeptical.

"S'true then?" Ronald slurred. "You and 'Mione? You're together? Not just—" His ears turned pink as he suddenly thought better of his next words.

Severus inclined his head slightly.

"Why though?"

"Why what Weasley?" Severus snapped harshly, already tiring of this conversation.

"Why you?" The red haired man asked of Severus, hand gesturing wildly in Hermione's direction and back again.

"That's not for me to say," he replied tightly.

"Makes no sense, you were always a git to her."

With a long suffering sigh Snape tilted his head away from the two men and instead focused solely on Hermione who caught his eye and threw him a vibrant smile.

"I was," Severus finally conceded.

"Was?" Ronald asked suspiciously.

"Yes, was , and no doubt a great deal of patience will be required on her end to tolerate me," he continued, "how did you put it Lupin? 'I am a difficult man' , but Hermione has been quite clear in her choices."

"Nuts," Ron said plainly. "As long as she's happy I guess."

"I am," Hermione said, approaching Severus and slipping her hand into his.

He willed his heart to settle back into his chest. Certainly he was not accustomed to such open displays of affection. His chest pounded painfully even when the two were alone, he knew that— but to be openly admired by a witch was a foreign feeling. Never mind one so lovely and vivacious.

Without a care she lifted onto her toes and placed a small affectionate kiss onto his cheek.

"Let's go home," she whispered softly.

Severus nodded his approval, tucking the witch securely under his arm.

It seemed that home to Severus now meant anywhere Hermione was.