The relationship between Severus and Hermione blossomed. They become rather friendly. Whenever they shared a meal, they talked for hours and hours afterward. Hermione became fond of Severus' intelligent, unique humor. Snape was initially surprised by how his home's atmosphere changed. It had a calm aura now, which if he wanted to be honest never really felt. When Hermione laughed for the first time at something, what he said - some nasty comment or mumbling, who remembers? - Severus Snape felt alive. He liked the girl's wide smile and her easy-going character. He always lived alone in his adult life. The last couple of months taught him an important lesson: he cannot take his second chance at life for granted.

In the middle of December not just the snow arrived at the Snape residence – an invitation to the Hogwarts's Yule Ball on Christmas Eve. The dress code requires muggle attire. That's the only reason why Severus Snape was with Minerva McGonagall at a tailor's parlor in muggle London.

'Severus, dear. I am very pleased that you asked for my help. Pomona had a last-minute thing so she couldn't come. The mandrakes are teenagers now and she still cannot trust Longbottom with them. According to Pomona, he is a softie.

'If she continues to smother that boy with love and butterflies he will never learn. If I were her, I would not even allow him to step foot in my sanctuary without proper testing and knowledge.' they were bickering on the Neville Longbottom issue while busy hands took measurements of Severus.

They were having tea while the store helpers were collecting clothes for Snape.

'My my, Severus, you don't tell me that you did the same with Miss Granger? She is more than capable, you know.'

'Hermione couldn't set her foot in my lab until she proved otherwise.' Minerva was like a dog with a bone, her eyes sparkled. She noticed that he used her first name. Minerve truly wanted to see Severus happy. She knew she had to take the Slytherin way with the questions.

'Mr. Snape, we are ready. If you would please follow me with your mother, it would be greatly appreciated.' the young boy fled the scene immediately.

'I will teach this daft young man a lesson, mark my words, Severus!' Minerva felt offended to be called someone's mother. He could have been, of course. She knew that. It was just a pride thing. When they reached the back room, Severus hurried behind the screen.

'Just for your information, young man,' Minerva started her explanation. 'That man there is my lover, not my son. So, if in the future you would be so kind and not discriminate our relationship based on the age difference, it would have been greatly appreciated.' Snape snorted while trying to mask his laughter. They became deep red and left without any response.

'Gods, Minerva. You have to stop torturing the young generation. Thank God that Pomona is babysitting Longbottom today. I'll bet that you just made ourselves the center of the gossiping. Do you realize, that now they think that you are my sugar mama?' Once he finished his speech he stepped in front of the mirror.

Minerva McGonagall clapped her hands in happiness.

'Dear Severus, you look fascinating.' Snape looked at his old friend in the mirror. 'But I would like to see you in something else besides black. You cannot wear it all the time!' Without any fuss, Severus went to change. Minerva knew it was time. 'So, how long are you on a first-name basis with Hermione?'

The room fell silent. Snape had to think quickly on his feet. Minerva wasn't a fool; she already knew that there was some sort of shift in their relationship with Hermione. He taught that if he stated facts, as honestly as he could give, Minerva would stop the meddling.

'Since I asked her. We are going to live together in the foreseeable future. It made sense, really.' he stepped out again, wearing something slightly lighter in color.

He had black pants, a crisp white dress shirt, a black vest, and the deepest green suit jacket on. He was about to put on a tie when Minerva stopped his hands.

'Ditch the tie, son. It just makes you look older than it's necessary. Open the top two buttons. Hermione will love it, I'm sure of it.'

'We are not an item, you crazy old cow!' The best defense is offense, they say. 'She is my apprentice for God's sake. It's completely unethical to start a romance with her anyway. It's true, we became friends, but that's it. Don't put your knickers in a twist because of a first-name basis.'

'Oh my God, Severus, you are only just 45 years of age! True, you are no Prince Charming, but still. Any women should count their blessings if you want to spend time with them.'

'Hermione is half of my age, Minerva. I am horrible and I do not wish upon the agony to anybody to live with me.'

'Still, she's living with you, isn't she? You never mentioned that it is uncomfortable for you.' Minerva McGonagall smiled and then left Severus alone with his thoughts.

xxx

The weekend before the Yule Ball Hermione was knocking gently on his master's door.

'I am sorry, Severus. I didn't wish to disturb you; I just have a small favor to ask.'

'You can have the day, Hermione. I know you need a dress for the festivities and do not have any free days until then.'

'Thank you. I thought we could go together, by the way.' Severus arched his brows, while his traitorous heart started to beat a little faster.

'Together?' asked Snape mildly.

'Not together, but together. We live together, it just makes sense.'

'Hermione, I am quite sure that there are millions of eligible bachelors who can take you the Ball. It's not very... appropriate to go together anyway.' Hermione didn't understand what was Snape's problem. It wasn't a bloody marriage proposal, just to not go alone to the Ball.

'No one will question my sanity or think that you charmed me to go with you. No one will care about it. Yes, I am your apprentice, but it's not a traditional student-teacher relationship. It wouldn't be anybody's business but ours if we were fucking like rabbits. There are no rules against it.' Severus Snape blushed. Deeply. Hermione couldn't believe her own eyes. She thought it was cute. 'Please, Severus. I think that we are good enough friends to handle a night out with me. Publicly.'

'Gods, you put me in an early grave, witch. I'll go with you.' Hermione shrieked. She briefly hugged Severus and bid her goodbye.

xxx

The morning of the Yule Ball Hermione arrived home after a very long night shift. Home. It felt good to think that this is her home. She liked the quiet life with Severus. Not the lab time, no – they fought like cats and dogs. But when dinner came, they forgot about work and just enjoyed a nice evening. Involuntarily, she sometimes sought the proximity of the older wizard. She found something comfortable in it.

She looked gratefully at Severus who waited for her with breakfast and chamomile tea.

'Thank you so much, you are a lifesaver. It was an incredibly long night but not in a good way. It was too calm. Don't get me wrong, I am not an ungrateful person but the only excitement during the whole night was counting the security wizard's rounds.'

'How dare we fight for peace, really.' Snape smirked. He gave a gentle squeeze to Hermione's shoulder and then left the kitchen.

Ever since the tailor fiasco with Minerva, Severus couldn't stop thinking about Hermione – not in an apprentice capacity at all. The hints from Minerva made him think nonstop. Can it be more than friendship between them? I've softened up in my old age – he thought. Since he wasn't a double agent anymore – let's face it, it was bloody 20 years – he shouldn't have to hide his true personality. Minerva and some old hens from Hogwarts are the people who know him the longest. What he was like as a boy, as a young adult, and a grumpy Potions Master. Would this young girl be able to love him? He cannot hide it anymore. He liked her. Romantically.

Hermione examined herself in the mirror with a huge smile on her face. The dress that she chose with Ginny was really special. The red top left her shoulders bare and it shortly ended at her waist; the skirt was made of white tulle, and the A-line emphasized her narrow waist. The left side of the skirt had a slit up to her thighs, but it wasn't recognizable until she moved. The cleave was still tasteful. She pinned her hair up and put tiny white flowers in it. She wore peach blush, jet-black mascara, and blood-red lipstick. Hermione gave herself a last spin and then left her room. Severus was already waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs, both of their cloaks in his hands. The Potions Master looked and at the creaking floor and Hermione forgot to breathe. She never saw Snape that devilishly handsome. He was never a traditional pretty boy, but his character just sold itself. Hermione wasn't stupid or blind, she knew that Severus was a man but never really thought about it. Severus simply tied his chin-length hair back, like so many times while they brewed together. However, the deepest green jacket simply smuggled youth into his appearance. He did not wear a tie, the top two buttons were left open, revealing his snow-white skin. Despite the attire, Hermione had never seen Severus so confident. She shook her head, told her brain not to ogle the poor man, and started to descend the stairs.

Severus thought that Hermione Granger was the most beautiful woman who walked on Earth. The dress she wore is from another world. He was fairly certain that he grasped when he saw her. He can't remember a time when he had seen her in anything then jeans or her uniform. As she slowly made her way down the stairs, the bold cut of her dress became visible, exposing almost all of her left leg. His gaze lingered longer than necessary then he carefully examined the whole picture. When he reached the neckline of the dress, he swallowed hard. He quickly looked into Hermione's eyes.

Hermione blushed charmingly as a result of his wandering eyes. At the bottom of the stairs, Severus draped her cloak over her shoulder as he spoke almost in a whisper.

'I'm just lost for words, Hermione. You are breathtakingly beautiful.' Upon hearing the words, Hermione turned to the Potions Master with sparkling eyes.

'Thank you, Severus. You cannot complain either. I believe that my partner will be the most handsome one tonight.' She started towards the door with a mischievous smile. 'Come on, Cinderella. A ball is waiting for us.'

You can say that their entry was successful. They admired the Great Hall, arm-in-arm, and the gossip chain flared. At the door bow-tied house elf greeted the guests and led them to their tables. Severus and Hermione found themselves in the company of couples Potter and Weasley, along with Minerva McGonagall, Pomona Sprout, Poppy Pomfrey, and Rolanda Hooch. They were the last to arrive. Severus, as a gentleman should, helped the chair under Hermione – he was rewarded with a kind smile – and then took a seat himself. The older generation's jaws dropped at the scene, but only Minerva smiled knowingly.

'Just tell me, Severus,' Professor Sprout turned to Snape as they waited for dessert. 'How did you get Miss Granger to come to the ball with you?' the people sitting at the table all fixed their eyes on Snape.

'Imperius curse, what else?' Severus rolled his eyes. He had no intention of telling this round-table gossiping old cows that he had nothing to with it. Hermione giggled loudly.

'It is a terrible thing to assume that always the men have to ask a lady to the dance. 'Said Hermione, as she put her hand on her master's arm. 'I was the one who suggested to Severus that we should come together.' Hermione, not taking her eyes off of the people at the table, emptied her glass.

'You see, Hermione, I told you that they would find something to criticize in your partner today.' Severus looked straight into Granger's eyes. Hermione scowled.

'My dear son, there is no such thing!' snapped Pomona. 'You are not just an ordinary couple, that's is. There is no surprise here when I say that both of you are intelligent people, but private.' Hermione snorted at this point, earning a nasty look from her master. 'But I am sure that this relationship wouldn't have been possible without your apprentice status, Hermione.'

'Ha, as if. Snape and Hermione. I'm sorry, Professor Sprout, but if my Hermione were to fall in love again, she certainly wouldn't choose her master.' Ron tried to protect his best friend from the horrible assumptions. Snape?! It's bad for a joke.

Hermione opened her mouth several times to speak. She wanted to defend the professor, to protest loudly that they were just friends, there was no need to look into the matter – but she had to realize that the idea that they were just friends hit her in the heart.

Hermione wanted to smack Ron, badly. However, if she fiercely defended her master, since the idea of them being a couple wasn't so repulsive... Hermione Granger was sure that as soon as those words left her mouth, Snape would run away. A second later the music started, and couples were heading towards the dance floor. Knowing what she had to do, Hermione turned to Snape.

'Would you like to dance, Hermione?' asked Severus. He stood up from the table and looked at her with his hand outstretched. Hermione looked up to him with mischievous eyes.

'You read my mind.' she accepted the offered hand with a smile, and then, ignoring the stunned group, they were off to dance.

Everyone except Minerva McGonagall thought they were out of their minds.