The Punishment of Secrecy

Just like anything else you\'ll see on this site, I don\'t own the characters, the places blah blah blah. You know the drill. This story is littered with BDSM issues; spanking, whipping, domination, paddling,sadistic behaviours etc. If you don\'t like this sort of thing...TURN BACK NOW and DON\'T READ! If this is your cup of tea...continue and enjoy. THIS IS IT! The final chapter in my little tale. Sappy happy ending...something unusual for me;)
Currently, I have 4 other stories FINISHED and waiting...

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The following week passed slowly and Hermione felt herself on edge almost constantly. Draco had tried to question her about his father’s impending visit to the school, but she ignored him and carried on about her business. As a substitute for Potions class, a short balding man, who looked like he may have seen the construction of the castle he was so old, gave them essay after essay to write but never offered to teach them anything new. The week wore on slowly but finally, Saturday arrived and she was up before sunset, practicing what she was going to say. She paced the common room until half past eight, made her excuses and left.
Hermione stood outside of the steps leading up to McGonagall’s office with a knot in her stomach. She had her folder of parchment under her arm and was rehearsing what she was going to say in her head. She’d never been so nervous in all her life. She heard footsteps behind her and turned to see Professor McGonagall leading Lucius and Draco Malfoy up to her.
“Miss Granger, glad to see you arrived on time. This is…” McGonagall started but was quickly shut down.
“Lucius Malfoy,” he said coolly, extending his hand. “We’ve met before I believe, several years ago. Pleasure.”
She shook his hand, gripping it firmly, almost painfully. She tried not to wince, but just when she thought his grip couldn’t be any tighter, he released her.
“I believe you have some matters to discuss with me,” he said, acting as though this were just an inconvenience to him. She nodded and Professor McGonagall muttered something. They stepped into the large office and Hermione rushed to the seat closest to the large desk. Lucius Malfoy was an intimidating man and she felt stronger sitting next to her transfiguration teacher. Just as Lucius was about to speak, the door opened and Dumbledore walked in.
“Sorry I’m late,” he said. “I had something that required my immediate attention. Please, continue.”
“We were just getting seated,” McGonagall said calmly.
“Very well. Miss Granger, I believe you have something you would like to discuss with Mr. Malfoy?” Dumbledore said.
“Yes sir, but I wonder ifwoulwould be best if Draco left the room,” she said, barely over a whisper.
“What?” Draco screamed, jumping out of his seat. “What a load of rubbish! If this involves me, then I should be allowed to stay.”
“Trust me on this Draco,” Hermione said smoothly. “You don’t want to be here.” She gave Lucius a look and his face blanched. He knows, she thought. He knows exactly what I am going to say and he’s afraid.
“Draco, please leave.” Lucius snapped. Draco started to question him but as soon as his father looked at him with his icy gaze, he thought it best to listen. “Wait for me outside Draco.” Draco nodded and left them. When the door was closed behind him, Dumbledore waved his hand at it and returned his attention to Hermione.
“Go ahead Miss Granger,” he said. She nodded and pulled out her stack of parchment.
“I really don’t know why you had Severus arrested. He’s done nothing wrong and doesn’t deserve to be where he is,” she started but Lucius interrupted her.
“The man has sexually abused my son. I can’t just let him continue teaching other children he could take advantage of. Surely you’re smart enough to figure that out,” he hissed.
“But you know for a fact that Draco is lying. Anyway, I’m going to tell you a little story about a boy in his final years at Hogwarts and how he became animagi but never became registered. Are you familiar with this story Lucius?”
He started squirming in his seat, obviously uncomfortable.
“It seems one Lucius Malfoy became an unregistered animagi at the age of sixteen. The form he takes in transformation is a weasel, and not just a weasel, a snow white one with piercing blue eyes. Do you deny this?” she asked, her confidence growing with every second.
“No I do not,”saidsaid quietly.
“Are you aware that there are laws against unregistered animagi?”
“Yes. Is that why I’m here? Is this the important information you’ve dug up on me?”
“That’s only part of it,” Hermione said, grinning at him. He rolled his eyes anosseossed his arms across his chest.
“Now, in 1977, you married Narcissa Black, correct?” He nodded. “In 1978, you met a young muggle girl named Althea Thresher correct?” Again he nodded. “Is it true that you had an illicit affair with Althea until the birth of your son in 1980?”
“What are you getting at Granger?” he spat, his hand clenching and unclenching. “I don’t have time for my life to be spelled out for me when I already know what’s happened.”
“Okay Mr. Malfoy, I’ll get right to the point,” Hermione said bravely. “The point I’m trying to make is that Draco is no more the product of you and your wife than I am, is he?”
Lucius’ mouth dropped open. He looked from Dumbledore to Hermione and back again. Dumbledore’s face was blank, emitting no more emotion than a rock.
“How dare you!” he finally managed. “How dare you insinuate that my son is not my own!”
“Oh but I have proof Mr. Malfoy. Seems that Althea, while quite insane, still has a crystal clear memory of the day her child was taken from her. Not to mention, the fact that the midwife who delivered the child is still alive and well and willing to testify to the fact that Narcissa Malfoy did not give birth to any child…ever. You found out Althea was pregnant, paid her to give you the child then performed a very powerful memory charm on her. However, it didn’t work as well as you had hoped and she seemed to have remembered enough to name you, your wife and several other people who may have been improperly influenced by you in the sordid act of covering up your adulterous ways. You made your wife fake a pregnancy so that you could convince the world that you had a powerful pureblooded son.”
“Yittlittle bitch,” Lucius shouted as he rose from his chair and grabbed his wand. “Do you think that I’m going to sit here and take this from you…a child?”
“LUCIUS! You will release you wand, sit down and listen to every word she has to say,” Dumbledore said, his voice slightly raised, but still no hint of emotion. Lucius sat down slowly and put his hands in his lap. Dumbledore nodded for Hermione to continue. She took a deep breath and started again.
“Is it true that Draco may not even be your child, seeing as Miss Ther her was also having affairs with several other men at the time?” she asked inquisitively.
“Yes.”
“So, just to make sure I have the story straight, I’m going to go over the facts again. You had an affair with a muggle woman. She got pregnant and you paid her to keep quiet and to give you the child, whom you didn’t even know for sure was yours. Your wife faked a pregnancy but has never given birth to a child. You then proceeded to perform memory charms on all those involved and are now raising a child that believes he is a pureblooded wizard that may in fact bet ast as muggle born as I am. Is all of this true?”
Defeated, Lucius hung his head and nodded.
“Okay, well, I’ve come up with a contract that states you will go to the Ministry and tell them there has been a mistake. Tell them that Draco had received a bad mark on a test or something and that he was angry when he made the accusations but they are no truer than the man in the moon. I don’t care what it is you tell them or how much gold you have to slip into someone’s hands; you will get Severus out of Azkaban…today. I have already prepared a contract which you will sign.”
Lucius sat shaking his head for a moment then looked up, his defeat gone and now replaced with anger.
“What is it, pray tell, exactly that you are going to have to do? I seem to be being punished for my past sins, but you’re getting away with nothing.”
“I believe Severus and I have suffered enough at the hands of your son. I just want everything to go back to normal. If you and I sign this contract, it says that you have exonerated Severus from any wrong doing and that I will take your secret with me to the grave.” Hermione sat down hard in her chair. She suddenly felt too exhausted to move, let alone continue with this if he kept arguing with her.
“Let me see the bloody contract,” he said impatiently. She opened her folder and handed him a lengthy piece of parchment onto which she had written their contract. He read it over several times and handed it back to her.
“Everything seems in order. I’ll sign it, but heaven help you if you go back on this. I’ll make you suffer until the end of your days if you ever utter a single word of this to anyone,” he snapped. She nodded and he grabbed a quill, quickly signing the contract. Hermione did the same and put the contract back on the table for Dumbledore and McGonagall to sign as witnesses.
“Am I needed for anything else here today?” Lucius hissed.
“No, Lucius, I believe you’re done for now. However, I expect to see my potions master back in the castle before dinner time,” Dumbledore said, still stone faced.
Hermione conjured up several copies of the contract and handed one to Lucius.
“The only people with copies of this contract are those of us in this room,” she said, trying to contain her excitement. “You can wipe it clean with your wand, however, I suggest you put it in a safe place. Have a good day Mr. Malfoy,” Hermione added, trying to get her final jab in before he left. He glared at her, nodded and eased himself out of the room. She heard Draco questioning his father almost as soon as the door opened but all Lucius would do is tell him to shut up and not to meddle in the affairs of adults.
Hermione’s head felt clearer than it had in months. She couldn’t contain her smile any longer while she was gathering up her parchment and putting it neatly back into the folder. McGonagall and Dumbledore stood watching her for a few minutes before either of them spoke.
“I’m glad that was all taken care of promptly,” Dumbledore finally said, clapping his hands together.
“Yes, sir, me too. Severus should be back soon and everything can go back to normal,” Hermione said, practically dancing as she moved around the room. “Thank you both for being witnesses. I don’t think I could have done it alone.”
“Well now that this nasty business is all taken care of, there are other matters we have to attend to. Please excuse us Miss Granger,” he added.
“Oh yes, of course sir. Thanks again,” she said waving at them as she walked out of the office, her head held high.
On her way back to the common room, she ran into Malfoy and his friends. With nobody at her side, she felt slightly intimidated but only for a moment. Draco did exactly the opposite of what she had been expecting when he asked to speak to her for a moment in private.
“I don’t know what went on in that room Granger, but it was enough to get your beloved Snape back in this school. My father also told me that if he hears of me bothering you or Snape again, he’d have my hide. I guess that means you’re off the hook,” he said quietly so his friends wouldn’t hear.
“Your father is a man willing to look at reason and logic. I showed him the facts and he was kind enough to accommodate me in my request, nothing more, and nothing less. I was never really under your control to begin with Draco; merely you took advantage of our ignorance. However, it’s all behind us now.”
“Can I ask you something?” he whispered. She nodded and he looked around. “What exactly did you have to tell my father?”
“That, Draco, is between he and I. I will not tell you what went on in that room because of a promise I made to him.”
“Well, I’m sure I’ll get him to tell me eventually anyway, so it’s not a big deal,” he quipped.
“No, I’m almost positive he’ll never tell you what went on. Trust me.”
“Well regardless, he’s also told me to make sure I tell everyone that everything I’ve been saying the last couple of days has been lies. You’ll have your spotless reputation back in no time.”
“I don’t care about my reputation. I just wanted Severus to have his job back and for things to go back to being as normal as possible. However, I would appreciate it if you would retract a few things you’ve said.” She started to walk away when he grabbed her arm.
“I’ll do that for you if you’ll do me one favor,” he said hesitantly.
“What’s that?”
“Could you tell Pansy what you said down at the lake isn’t true?” he said, blushing.
Hermione had to strain to remember what had been said and when she remembered, she nearly burst out laughing.
“Well Malfoy, I’m sure she’ll find out on her own soon enough. Besides, she’s not likely to take the word of a filthy little mudblood like me anyway, now is she?” She gave Draco one final nod and walked to the Gryffindor tower, an immense feeling of satisfaction lifting the remaining clouds of doubt and worry off of her shoulders.

**
She paced the common room for hours. Every time she tried to sit down to study or do homework, she found her mind wandering aimlessly. Harry and Ron tried to distract her by playing a game of chess, but she ended up losing fantastically several times to both of them. Finally, she sat at the window and watched the stars. At dinnertime, Harry and Ron convinced her to join them, even though she claimed not to be hungry. When she remembered that Severus was supposed to return by dinner, she let them lead her down into the dinning hall. When she stepped inside, the first thing she noticed is that people who were sneering at her for the last week were now smiling apologetically. She just nodded, keeping her eyes on the long staff table at the forward end of the enormous room. She picked at her food, her stomach trying to revolt what little she did consume. They tried waiting until everyone else had left but he still hadn’t arrived. Several minutes after the last students and staff left, Harry convinced her that it could take some time to get all the necessary paperwork done and it could be a while before he returned. She sighed heavily and returned to her place in the common room that looked out over the grounds of Hogwarts.
It was past one in the morning when Hermione decided it was timeretiretire for the evening. She gathered up her books and was heading towards the stairs that led to the girls’ dorms when she heard the portrait hole open. Standing in it was McGonagall, still dressed as though she were getting ready for a class.
“Miss Granger,you you have a moment?” she said sleepily. Hermione followed her out of the portrait hole and in front of her stood Severus.
**

McGonagall excused herself quickly, leaving the two of them alone in the dark corridor. Hermione, totally in shock, just stared at him disbelievingly for a moment.
“Are you going to stand there all night or are you going to come greet me properly?” he finally said gruffly. She ran to him, throwing her arms around him and kissing his now scruff cheek. “I couldn’t figure out if you were happy to see me or if you were disappointed.”
“I’ve been waiting for you all day. Dumbledore thought you would be back by dinner but when you didn’t arrive by then, I gave up seeing you tonight. Then when McGonagall came in I was thinking the worst; liku wou wouldn’t be able to get out for a while or something and I started freaking out when she asked me to follow her an
He
He put a finger on her lips and kissed her softly. She held him out in front of her and looked him over.
“My god, Severus, what the hell did they do to you? You look like you’ve been drug through rubbish.”
“Well, that’s what Azkaban does to you. Their priorities are not cleaning cells.”
“Let’s get you cleaned up,” she whispered, looking back at the portrait hole and leading him down the long stone stairs. He didn’t need told twice and wrapped his arm around her waist as they walked. They were trying to be quiet so she saved her questions until they reached his chambers. As soon as they had the door closed and locked behind them, she started talking.
“It’s been miserable here without yoltholthough I’m sure your situation wasn’t any better. Draco’s lies, the gossip, the glares…it’s all been terrible.”
“I can guarantee you that I would have traded places with anyone in this castle for the last week. It’s hell on earth,” he said, a shudder passing through him. She started undoing his clothing as they moved towards the bathroom to the far end of the chamber. She had him stripped down to his skin before he’d even tried to touch her. She stood still so he could remove her clothing quickly. She felt her body growing warm with his touch and the familiar stirring in her stomach building to a pitch that she couldn’t ignore. She stopped her groping long enough to turn the water on, making it extra hot.
“The hotter, the better; I will scald the feeling of filth out of me,” he said just before he ran his tongue across her collarbone. She threw her head back, pulling him into the scalding spray. He stood for the longest time with her held to his chest, just letting the water run down both of their bodies. She grabbed the soap that smelled strongly of patchouli and vanilla and lathered his body in it. When they were both covered in the bubbles from the soap, he pushed her up against the wall, their bodies sliding against each other with no resistance. He rubbed his chest against hers, feeling her breasts press into him. Her mouth went to his automatically, her tongue searching for his. She let her hands explore his body and his did the same to her. Soon, their hands entwined and he pressed them against the cool tile wall behind her. She moaned encouragingly and he continued his exploration of her body with his mouth.
“Severus, I’ve missed you so…” she said quietly. He released her hands and dropped to his knees, kissing her body on the way down. She soon had her hands running through his slick dark hair, pulling him lightly into her body. He felt the tension in his body mounting, knowing that pleasing her would bring his head back into the castle and leave anything easaeasant outside of these doors. He kissed her navel and hesitated before lifting one of her slim legs onto his shoulder. Without so much as a warning, he put his mouth to her clit and sucked until she begged him to stop, however, he didn’t. She was pulling his hair, trying to get him away from her, but he was unrelenting. What seemed like only moments later, she was screaming and pulling at his shoulders. He let her orgasm wash over her as his own excitement became almost uncontainable. When he finally stood to face her again, she kissed him hard, almost making him lose his balance. He caught them and pushed her against the wall again. She was panting heavily and scratching at him with her short nails. He felt wave after wave of excitement pass through his body with each of her touches, no mater how small. She ran her tongue down his neck and to his chest where she bit each nipple lightly. In one swift movement, she turned him around and had his back to the wall. She tried to explore his body as freely as he had done to her, but he wouldn’t allow it. Instead, he pulled her out of the now foggy bathroom. Both of their bodies were still dripping wet and flushed from their arousal. He led her back to his bed and picked her up. She tossed her head back and laughed as he threw her on the bed and jumped on top of her enthusiastically. She pulled his face to hers again and kissed him passionately, her body undulating against his mounting excitement.
“I love you Severus,” she said softly. “I can’t believe I haven’t told you that yet.”
“And I you,” he said as he kissed her softly and stroked her cheek.
He started to work his way on top of her but she stopped him by pushing him down roughly onto his back. Grinning wickedly, she climbed on top of him, guiding him into her slowly.
“I can’t believe it’s only been a week,” he moaned. “It feels like an eternity since I’ve been able to hold you, to make love to you.” His hands roamed her back, arms and breasts as she moved rhythmically on top of him. “I had some time onhandhands and thought about all of the things I wanted to do to you.”
“Are you doing them?” she said, grinning down at him. He could only nod, his excitement building to a mind numbing state. She ran her hands up his chest to his face, grabbed it and pulled him up to her body. They sat as one for a long moment, enjoying each other’s bodies. He rested his head on her chest, the week old stubble brushing her lightly.
“You know Severus,” she said softly, lifting his chin, “You’re dead sexy with that scruff on your face.”
“You think so?” he asked. “Perhaps…”
“I know so. It makes you look…younger, more virile…just dead sexy,” her voice now raspy and breathless. He ran his arms up her back to her shoulders and pulled her down on him softly. She moaned loudly, her own arousal consuming them both.
“Tell me to stop now,” he begged, both of them now sweating. “Tell me to hold off as long as I can.”
“I don’t want you to Severus,” she whispered. “I want to feel you release yourself in me. I want to know you still find me as desirable as I find you. My god Severus, don’t hold back now.” She was panting, clawing at his back and biting him lightly on the neck and shoulders. He pulled her down on him harder and she let out a small cry but encouraged him to continue. They were soon screaming and moaning, begging the other not to stop when their orgasms came quickly. She bit his shoulder, drawing blood slightly, as she felt their bodies convulse in the rapture of their love.
“I don’t think I can move,” Severus said, clinging to her. She pushed him back downthe the bed, lifted herself off of him and curled up in the crook of his arm. He pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head. “I love you.”
“I love you Severus. My god, you are spoiling me,” she giggled. “Twice in one night? Keep that up and we’ll never get any work done. We’ll be too busy trying to satisfy our insatiable desires.”
“That, my dear, is not an every day occurrence. I don’t think I could keep up a pace like this for very long without walking around like a zombie. Hell, I’m exhausted now and I this is the first time I’ve exerted myself in a week. It’s hard to get any exercise in a ten by ten cell.”
She leaned up on her elbow and rested her head on her hand so she could see his face. His eyes had a haunted quality to them, as though he’d seen things that he’d rather not remember. She stroked his face and kissed the corner of his mouth softly.
“Tell me about it Severus,” she asked, unsure if he would or not.
“All I can tell you is that it is probably the worst place I’ve ever been and the worst thing I’ve experienced. When you have no wand to defend yourself and nothing to distract you, your mind tends to wander into the most precious memories of your life. Having dealt with dementors before, you know how they affect peoplew thw they suck the happiness out of you and you’re left with the worst memories. It made me remember things that I’ve tried very hard to forget; things that I am ashamed of. I know now that I wouldn’t last very long in there. I would rather take my own life as sit in there.” He shuddered again and she covered them with the thick, luxurious down comforter that had been tossed aside.
“My poor Severus,” she said, curling back into his arms. “I will spend the rest of my life tying to make you forget the last week.”
“I’ve almost forgotten it already,” he said, grinning at her.
They talked until both of them were nodding off. Finally, they gave in to their fatigue and fell into a deep sleep entwined in each other’s bodies.

**

The final day of school approached rapidly. Hermione, Ron and Harry were all preparing for the ceremony that would end their seven terms of schooling at Hogwarts. They were all waiting patiently in the common room for professor McGonagall when the portrait hole swung open and she stepped in wearing her best robes and hat. None of them had ever gotten to witness the graduation ceremony and were a bit tense; almost as tense as the day they first arrived at Hogwarts and had to try on the sorting hat. Everyone seemed to hold his or her breath at once and stare at her.
“It’s time,” she said flatly and everyone filed out behind her. She led them to the dinning hall where the long house tables had been replaced with chairs and each of them sat in no particular order. The seventh years from the other three houses were making their way in as well. McGonagall stopped beside Hermione and smiled.
“Miss Granger, could you come with me?” she asked. Hermione nodded. She shrugged at Harry and Ron when they gave her questioning looks and followed McGonagall to a small door behind the staff table. Inside were her professors, all beaming at her. Severus was standing close to the door, smiling.
“Miss Granger, you’ve been selected as the valedictorian for your class. You’ve received outstanding marks throughout the seven years you’ve been with us here at Hogwarts. You’ve also exceeded our expectations and received the highest grades we’ve seen in twenty years. Congratulations,” McGonagall said proudly. She handed Hermione a small box emblazoned with the Hogwarts crest in highly polished pewter and wrapped in red and gold foil.
“Thank you all. I just don’t know what to say,” she said.
“Well,” Dumbledore said from the dark corner, “I believe it’s time to get things started. Take a good look at that when you get a chance.” He winked at her as McGonagall shooed her out of the room. She made her way back to her seat. Harry and Ron tried to question her but as soon as ledoledore made his way in front of them all, the room fell silent.
“Welcome to you all. Today is a day of bittersweet. I am sending you all out into the world full of the knowledge you’ve acquired over the last seven years although if it were up to me, I’d kyou you here for seven more. I’m proud of each of you and hope that you find yourselves pursuing your dreams. I’m not a man of long-winded speeches; so let’s just say that I shall miss each and every one of you. Good luck.” He bowed deeply to the whole class and sat down. There were a few people dabbing their eyes with hankies and some that looked ready to walk out. McGonagall then stepped up and the room grew silent again.
“Thank you professor Dumbledore. I just have a few short announcements and you will all be free to meet your families outside. First, I’d like to say, from the entire staff, that it has been a pleasure teaching each and every one of you. We have seen you grow from frightened little children into the men and women before us today. We’ve seen good times and bad and are now stronger because of them.” She paused long enough to dab her own eyes with a delicate lace hanky and clear her throat. “Next, I’d like to say congratulations to Hermione Granger for her outstanding work over the last seven years. She has received the highest grades we’ve seen in over twenty years. Miss Granger, could you please step up here?”
Hermione gasped. She didn’t think that she’d be required to get up in front of the whole school. She looked at Harry and Ron who were applauding heartily. Finally, she unfroze herself from her seat and walked quickly up to the front of the room. McGonagall put a ribbon around her neck bearing a large silver medallion. She nodded and Hermione went back to her seat amongst the well wishes from her fellow students. When she got back, she took a better look at the medallion which had the Hogwarts crest on one side and an inscription on the other that read, “Valedictorian, class of 1997, Gryffindor Head Girl 1997, Gryffindor Prefect 1995-1996, Overall Best Scores in Twenty Years”
She felt her own tears damming in her eyes. McGonagall made a few other announcements and they were then excused. She, Harry and Ron sat in the great hall for a few moments, letting the other students file out before making their exit. When they finally did make it outside, there was a large group of people waiting for them. Ron’s nts nts and older brothers Fred, George, Bill and Charlie were applauding as well as Hermione’s parents. Remus Lupin, Tonks and Alistair Moody were there also. They all took turns hugging all three of them and everyone wanted to see Hermione’s medal. After half an hour of hugs and congratulations, Hermione made her way out of the small crowd and off to herself. She was scanning the lawn when she found who she was looking for. Severus was talking to the parents of one of the Slytherin students when she got his attention. He made his excuses and worked his way over to her. She smiled at him excitedly and, although he was trying to keep his cool exterior for everyone else, he gave her a warm smile in return.
“Well, this is it Severus,” she said, a note of finality in her voice.
“Yes it is,” he said sadly. “I don’t know how I’m going to face another potions class without your beautiful face staring up at me.”
“You’ll manage,” she said playfully, taking his hand.
“What are you doing?” he said as he looked around. “I’d think…”
“I think you need to meet someone.” He gave her a look of pure terror when she guided him towards her parents. She dropped his hand and whispered something to them then brought them back to where Severas sas standing.
“Mum, Dad, this is Severus. Severus, this is my mum and dad,” she said proudly.
“Nice to meet you Severus,” Hermione’s father said, extending his hand. Snape shook it nervously and smiled.
“You as well. You have an extraordinary daughter here, but I’m sure you know that,” he said.
“Yes. She’s made us so proud,” Hermione’s mother said softly, pulling her into a quick hug. “Valedictorian and best grades they’d seen in twenty years. I couldn’t be any more proud of her than I am today.”
“Mum, dad, I have something to tell you,” Hermione said, backing away from her mother slowly. “I don’t want you to get the wrong idea or anything so please don’t make a scene.”
They looked at her, confused and apprehensive. She took a deep breath and grabbed Severus’ hand.
“I’ve been seeing Severus for the entire school year,” she said quickly, hoping it would be less of a shock. Her parents looked at each other, back to her and laughed.
“Dear, we already knew this,” her mother said. “I thought you were going to tell us something dreadful.”
“You’re not disappointed? You’re not angry?” she said, shocked.
Her parents looked at Severus and he smiled.
“Have you all been conspiring something without me knowing?” she asked, her brow arched.
“Well, Hermione, I took it upon myself to write to your parents some time ago. I asked them if I could have their permission to court their daughter. They were reluctant at first, but I wore them down eventually and they agreed to give us their blessing.”
“Well, I am of age. I don’t really need their blessing,” she said, “but it was sweet of you to ask them.”
“Well, as far as dating, no, I didn’t think we’d need a blessing, but…” he said, his grin growing broader, “I was thinking about the future.” She felt as though she’d been kicked in the chest and couldn’t breathe.
“What about our future?” she asked, her eyes narrowing. He reached into his pocket and produced a small, square box wrapped in a delicate gold fabric with a red bow.
“Here’s part of your graduation present,” he said, a slight blush giving his usually pale face some color. Her parents beamed at them both and started to walk away when Severus stopped them.
“If you’d like, you can stay for this,” he said, embarrassment creeping into his voice.
“No,” her father said, “I think this is something for just the two of you.” He nodded at them and guided Hermione’s mother over to where the Weasley family was still celebrating. She returned her attention to Severus who was still turning the small package nervously in his hands. He gave it to her and smiled again. She fumbled with the bow and wrappings. Her hands were shaking so bad that she almost dropped it several times, but he held his hand below hers so as to catch it if she did. When she got down to the small wooden box, she hesitated before opening it, her emotions making her motionless.
“Severus,” she choked.
“Yes my love?”
“Why am I scared?” She looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears.
“I don’t know,” he said, running his hand down her cheek. “There’s nothing to be afraid of, not anymore, not now.” She nodded and opened the box. t wat was a stunning two-carat round diamond set in a thick, shining gold band. He lifted it carefully from the box and slipped it on the ring finger of her trembling hand.
“Now I can do this properly. Hermione, will you marry me?” he whispered, pulling her to him. She let the tears that had been building flow ever her lids. She couldn’t seem to find her voice and nodded her answer.
“Is that a yes?” he said teasingly. She laughed and nudged him with her elbow.
“Yes, Severus. That was a yes. I’d love to be your wife,” she said.
He lifted and swung her around, both of them unaware of all the eyes on them. When he sat her down again, she looked to see Harry, Ron and almost every member of their graduating class staring at them. She just grinned at them, blushing furiously and turned her attention back to Severus.
“We’re going to be fine, aren’t we?” she asked, her hands working their way around his narrow waist.
“My love, we’re going to be better than fine. I don’t care what I have to do but I plan on making you the happiest you’ve ever been in your life.”
“Severus, I don’t think that it’s possible for me to be any happier than I am at this moment.”
They stood watching the other families and students, celebrating their final day at Hogwarts feeling happier than either of them had in their lives and knowing that the best was yet to come.

The End