A/N: I don't own Harry Potter or any related characters

Word count: 387

"Look at it this way, at least now we don't have to keep up this stupid charade," Severus muttered, looking over at Hermione. She just shook her head, looking at the floor. He reached out towards her, about to put a hand on her shoulder. She yanked herself from him.

"Maybe it was stupid to you, but maybe, just maybe I wanted this to work out, for us to work out," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Severus could hear the tears in her voice, could hear her sniffling. They both started walking towards home.

"Hermione? I thought, when we were matched, we both said-"

"I know what we said, Severus. I know I said the only reason I didn't leave was because I didn't want my mind erased. I know that! But, even you would have to admit, after these months, we're not the same people we were then. We were angry, forced into something neither of us wanted at the time. I found I liked spending time with you. I found I like our little morning routine. Merlin, I even like the way you hold me when we're asleep."

"I like those things too," Severus admitted, sinking onto a metal bench. Hermione sat down next to him, brushing her hair back from her face. Severus could see the red rimming her eyes.

"Then you don't want this to be over, just because we can't-"

"No. I do not wish for it to be over. I merely assumed you-"

"I don't. I care about you, Severus. I don't know if it's love, maybe it is starting to grow that direction, but I don't know. I don't want this to be over though."

"Me either. Then we're decided?"

"We are," Hermione nodded, giving Severus a slow smile. The fact the law required them to bear children, the fact it seemed neither of them were capable of producing a child, well, the ministry would just have to accept that.

"Then shall we go back home, put the kettle on, and see if the newest edition of Potion's Monthly has arrived?" Severus offered, rising to his feet and offering Hermione a hand. She took it, pulling herself to her feet.

"Let's," she replied, giving him a quick kiss on the lips before the pair started walking again.