AN: So here you go! I hope you like it?!
I don't own Harry Potter and don't make any profit.
"Good thinking wearing those jeans," Hermione chuckled looking at the dark blue pair of jeans she liked so much.
"Everything I can do my girl, to get this private party started earlier," Severus growled into her ear, his breath tickling her skin.
"Come on now, otherwise we'll be late. I hate being late," she pulled him towards the building that was her second home.
"Why am I not surprised?" he chuckled.
"Hermione! How are you doing?" Harry hurried towards her and gave her a hug.
"I'm fine thank you," she smiled.
"Good evening Professor Snape!"
"Mister Potter," Severus slightly bowed his head.
"Hermione, you look so happy, I haven't seen you so happy in a long, long time. Mind you I haven't seen you in a long time anyway."
"I am happy. I'm in love," she simply said.
"That's good to hear, I'm happy for you. It wouldn't happen to be the slightly scary wizard you're in love with, that's standing next to you, who is likely to hex me into oblivion if I say another word," Harry grinned.
"The very same it is," Hermione said leaning onto Severus who snaked an arm around her waist.
"I'm happy for you. Please take good care of her Sir."
"I will. Please call me Severus, otherwise that's just ridiculous, you are after all Hermione's best friend," he said.
"Very well then, S… Severus!"
"Hermione! I'm so happy you could make it. My brother has been talking non-stop about you," Katie who just came out of the house said.
Severus rolled his eyes and held her even closer in a very possessive way.
"But he also told me, that you are in a relationship with Professor Snape," she laughed, when she saw her former professors jealous behaviour.
"And I still can't believe it. The greasy git," Ron grumbled appearing at his fiancés side.
"But I told you she is really happy about it," said John Bell approaching.
"Stop analysing my life. Come on Severus, there is music, I want to dance," she pulled him towards the building, leaving all of them behind.
"Dunderheads," she grumbled. "Please dance with me, Severus!"
"As you wish," he said and pulled her closer.
One by one the others came back inside and didn't pay much attention to them anymore, except for Ron who was leaning to a book-shelf and stared at them angrily.
He couldn't believe that of all people she was with him. Ron didn't mind that she was in a relationship, he was so happy with Katie, he wanted her to be just as happy. But not with him! He looked at them. Saw them dancing closely, Snape had his hand on her waist, and his other hand held hers. They were looking into each other's eyes. He whispered something Ron couldn't hear, but he saw how Hermione's face lit up and broke into a lovely smile, a smile that obviously was only meant for her love, Severus Snape. Ron's features softened.
What if he made her happy, would that be the most terrible thing? The man was a bloody hero, even he had to admit that. The music stopped and Severus kissed her tenderly and then with his hand on the small of her back ushered her to a table, where his mother had prepared refreshments for everybody to help themselves. He poured both of them a glass of red wine and they were standing together talking, when she fetched a book from a nearby book-shelf and started browsing through it. Ron smiled, having a flashback of his bushy-haired friend, walking the halls of Hogwarts hidden behind a pile of books. Snape was now looking over her shoulder, resting his chin on it, pointing something out in the book, which made her nod in agreement. Actually they made a good match, they both were the intellectual type, ambitious and booklovers. And it seemed like he honestly was in love with her and she didn't seem that happy for a very long time.
He sighed and walked up to them.
"Professor Snape, Hermione, I'm sorry I behaved rather rudely. I hope you can forgive me," Ron said quietly.
"And I wanted to ask you Hermione, if I may have this dance, please?"
Severus raised his eyebrow, surprised by this unexpected apology.
"I would love to dance with you Ron," Hermione beamed at him. Ron led her to the middle of the room, where a few other couples where dancing.
"I'm really sorry I was such a git. Please don't be mad at me."
"I'm not Ron. What can I say he makes me happy. He is so carrying, we have a lot in common. I love him," she replied.
He chuckled, "I noticed. I'm glad you are back to normal, well as normal as anyone can be after going through that bloody war. I love you, Hermione. You are my second sister."
"I love you too, Ron," she smiled, leaning her cheek to his chest.
After an hour of talking to different people, reassuring Molly that Elena was perfectly fine with having Minerva looking after her and Hermione dancing with different men, Severus took Hermione's hand and pulled her after him away from the party, to the first floor. He pushed her against a wall and kissed her passionately.
"What about that private party?" He huskily whispered in her ear.
"Whenever you're ready Sir," she grinned mischievously.
He opened the door closest to them, peeked inside and said, "Perfect."
When she stepped inside the room Hermione said, "How on earth is that perfect? It's Molly's and Arthur's bedroom, for Merlin's sake!"
"I know, but see, in all the others we would be disturbed sooner or later. It's an engagement party, the party breathes love and well … sex. But Molly and Arthur aren't going to want to have sex tonight, not until the party comes to an end at least. That gives us some time."
"Severus you are a wicked, wicked man," she said pulling him close.
"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Elena, happy birthday to you!"
Severus and some of his friends were singing to Elena who was sitting on his lap, looking a bit suspicious, about what was going on. Severus had, with Hermione's advice, invited some of his friends for Elena's first birthday. He was amazed that there were some people he actually considered to be his friends. Together with Hermione he had decided on a small party down at the lake, since the weather was nice and warm.
Later they would have a barbecue but now they had, coffee, tea and Elena's birthday cake, which Flipsy and Trinky brought to the table.
The cake was in the shape of Hogwarts castle, with one candle on top, prompting Hermione to say, "Wow that's a great cake! Well done!"
The two house-elves beamed at Hermione and bowed their heads.
"Should we blow out the candle together Elena sweetheart? You are already one today, I can't believe how fast this last year went by." Severus got up and blew out the candle for Elena, who looked at him with wide eyes and said, "Daddy."
"Yes I'm your daddy sweetheart," Severus replied and softly kissed her cheek.
Hermione handed Elena a present saying, "Happy birthday Elena sweetie."
Severus sat down with Elena once again and she started playing with the ribbon on the present.
"I know that's very interesting to play with, but I'm getting the feeling, that what's inside might be even more interesting to play with. Shall we open it? Come on!"
He carefully opened the present and revealed a cute rag doll, that Elena immediately gathered in her arms, cuddled and kissed.
"Oh that's a cute doll Elena, isn't it! Let's just say thank you to Hermione."
Severus got up, went over to Hermione, kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear, "Thank you so much, it's a really cute present."
"Why don't you give Hermione a kiss, Elena?" Severus suggested.
Elena sitting on Severus hip, threw her arms around Hermione's neck, still holding onto her new doll and placed a wet kiss on her cheek.
Hermione lifted her out of Severus' arms and hugged her tightly, kissing her cheek.
"Happy birthday, sweetie! I'm glad you like the doll. I'm so happy you're in my life," she whispered that last sentence in the little girl's ear, so only Severus heard her, since he was standing close enough. He stepped even closer and kissed Hermione's temple.
Every once in a while the giant squid would come to the surface of the lake and wave at Elena, who squealed with excitement every time he did.
Severus, shaking his head in wonderment on the funny behaviour of the animal, opened some more presents with Elena including a patchwork quilt for her bed from Molly and Arthur, a children's cauldron to play with and a book from himself and two books from Minerva.
Severus was just about to cut the cake for Elena, when Neville arrived running and panting, waving a present around his head, "Sorry, major crisis at the green-house."
Seeing Minerva's worried face he added, "But it's all under control. Pomona might be a little late though. Anyway, happy birthday Elena!"
Neville kissed the top of her head and handed her a big present.
"It's from Pomona and me, since your dad used to be such a brilliant flyer."
"I didn't know that," Hermione mumbled. Severus opened the present holding a toddler's broom in hands, grinning, "Wow Neville thanks!"
"That's not really safe, is it," Hermione said quietly.
"She'll be fine," Severus grinned and sat Elena on the tiny broom, who's hands found the handle immediately and held on to it. Before he let her go he cast a cushioning charm on the floor, so she wouldn't hurt herself falling off. But instead of falling off, she soared through the air a couple of inches above the ground, her black hair was flying around her face and she was smiling widely.
"I can't watch. She will fall off. Please stop it," Hermione said looking slightly pale.
"You are not her mother, Hermione. If Severus is fine with it, you should be too," Minerva scolded. Hermione's eyes grew wide and started to fill with tears, before she turned around and hurried away.
"Was that really necessary?" Severus demanded harshly.
"Neville please keep an eye on Elena," he said and hurried after Hermione.
Once Severus was gone, Molly glared at Minerva hand on her hip saying, "Why did you say something like that? Hermione has been that little girl's foster mum over the last year. She naturally is worried about her falling off that broom. I was scared every time one of my kids went on that bloody toddler's broom. Sorry Neville, it is a great gift."
There was a slight blush creeping over Minerva's face and she mumbled, "I just didn't want others to think he is doing a bad job as a father."
"But you know he is not and I'm sure Severus knows his doing fine and we all here can see he is doing a brilliant job. Who would have guessed," Molly mumbled that last part, to herself, but loud enough so everybody could hear.
Meanwhile Severus found Hermione sitting on a rock at the shore, hidden from view from the others, throwing pebbles into the lake. Turning around, when she heard him approach she said, "I'm sorry, I'm behaving really childish. I just didn't want the others to see me cry. I'm not even sure why I'm crying."
Severus offered her his hand, pulled her up and gathered her in his arms.
"My girl, don't worry. I like that you care so much for Elena and that you worry about her well-being. If anybody has the right to raise their concerns it should be you. And you did and that's fine. Minerva had no right telling you off. Please come back and have a nice afternoon with us. Come on!"
He broke away from her, kissed her nose and taking her hand they walked back to the others.
"Hermione, I'm sorry, when it comes to Severus I'm a tad overprotective. He is like my son," Minerva said when they arrived back at the party.
"That's how I feel about Elena," Hermione said quietly.
"I know, I'm sorry," Minerva said giving her a hug.
"I can't believe she is still holding onto that broom. You must have been a hell of a flyer, if she has inherited your talent," Hermione smiled.
"Severus was really good, but unfortunately there were less talented students with rich parents, who bought their way into Slytherin's quidditch team. That was the end of Severus' career as a professional quidditch player," Minerva explained.
Later that afternoon, everybody was waiting for the meat on the barbecue to be ready. Severus and Hermione were standing a little bit further away from the others looking over the lake, when Arthur came up to them.
"By the way the next time you have sex in our room, at least have the decency to open the window afterwards," Arthur said quietly.
Severus had to hide his grin in Hermione's hair, who was fortunately standing right in front of him, while Hermione blushed fiercely stammering, "What … How? … Why would you think we had sex in your room?"
Arthur snorted, "Please, I've been living in a house with horny teenagers for a very long time, I know what sex smells like and I know the smell of your perfume."
He leaned towards Hermione and sniffed, saying "Yeah right, that's the one."
"Does Molly know?" Hermione asked horrified.
Arthur shook his head.
Severus who had his face back under control, stepped beside Hermione holding out his hand to Arthur saying, "I'm sorry Arthur, it was my idea. I hope you can forgive us?"
Arthur grumbled something sounding remotely like, "Young love," and shook Severus' hand in return.
The evening was enjoyable for all of them. Especially Severus had a good time, being with some friends, not having to worry about how to survive the next day. The grown-ups were sitting at the lake for a long time, while Elena was sleeping in her push-chair.
A couple of days later Hermione and Severus were walking down to the lake with Elena in between them. It was a warm July afternoon and they would leave for Crete soon. Every so often Hermione and Severus would pull Elena up in the air, prompting her to giggle every time they did it. But as soon as the lake came into view, she broke away and toddled towards the lake as fast as her chubby legs would carry her.
"Is she still obsessed with the giant squid?" Hermione asked amused.
Severus rolled his eyes," Yes. I wonder if she will be doing the same thing she did yesterday."
Elena came to a halt right at the shore and started yelling, "I-AN ID! I-AN IIIID!"
"Is she yelling 'giant squid'?" Hermione started giggling.
"Yes apparently so. But wait it gets better," Severus grumbled, when suddenly the giant squid broke through the surface of the lake, came towards the shore and started playing with Elena.
Elena suddenly turned around and said, "Daddy i-an id," and pointed to the large animal.
"I know sweetie your friend the giant squid is here. That's cool, isn't it?" Severus smiled at his daughter.
"Aww that's so cute, the mini dungeon bat and the giant squid, best friends," Hermione laughed.
After a couple of minutes they giant squid left Elena, who was waving frantically and then started throwing pebbles into the water.
Severus turned to Hermione and smiled at her, his eyes full of love, he took her hands in his and got down on one knee. Hermione gasped.
"Hermione my girl, the last months with you were amazing. I didn't think I would find love again, but I found you. I know I am far from perfect and way too old, I can't offer you anything special, I'm not rich and not handsome, but I do love you, I would give my life for you …"
Elena who sensed that there was something special going on, toddled towards them, looked back and forth between Severus and Hermione and all of a sudden copied what her father did, getting down on one knee, which cost her all the balance she could muster and then she looked up at Hermione just as expectantly as her dad. Hermione brought her hand to her mouth and covered it and a tear started to run down her cheek as she looked at father and daughter looking so much alike proposing to her.
"Hermione it might be way too early in our relationship, but it feels so right for me…" he had produced a little black velvety box, from inside his pocket and opened it, presenting a beautiful ring, with a small diamond.
"… and so I wanted to ask you, if you want to marry me, Hermione?"
Hermione fell to her knees in front of him and pulled father and daughter in a hug.
"I would love to become your wife, my love" she whispered in his ear.
"There is something else I wanted to ask you," Severus said his voice thick with emotion.
"Do you want to adopt Elena?"
"Wow… Severus … really? You want me to be her mum?" she asked with a shaky voice.
Severus nodded, "I know she never really got to know Sophia, which is sad, and Sophia will hopefully always hold a special place in her heart. But over the last year you became sort of her foster mum, but I want more. I want you to be her real mum. Can you imagine it for yourself?"
Tears were streaming down her face and she nodded, unable to speak.
"Is that a 'yes'?" he asked.
"Y…Yes, I would love to be part of your family and be Elena's mum," she managed to say her voice trembling.
They stayed at the lake until the sun started to set and it got chilly, they weren't talking much, but enjoying each other's company.
"Come on let's go back to the castle Elena. Your mum is shivering," he said to Elena and helped Hermione up.
"You know, when you came to my place a year ago, I hoped for a tiny bit of adventure and now you are taking me on the biggest adventure I can imagine," she gave him a small smile.
Severus bent down whispering, "My girl," and tenderly kissed her.
AN: So that was the chapter I had originally planned to be the end of the story, but there are so many loose ends now, that I will continue writing it. But you have to give me some time, because I normally try to finish writing a story, before I post it.
If you have any ideas of things you would want to have in the story, just let me know! I can't promise anything, but maybe you'll find your idea in the story. Thanks for everybody, who has already given me ideas how to continue this story.
Next update probably in September. I'm sorry there will be a lot of things going on for me this summer. I hope you'll stay with me and don't abandon me and my story ;-)
Have a nice summer!