A Gift

I know that in this chapter Severus goes a bit OC but it\'s still all good. LOL Anyway, GEE GUYS!!! Quit pestering over when they are gonna kiss! Gosh! Are ya all hungry for smut or what? LOL Just kidding! The story is gonna unfold as I have it set up in my head so PLEASE BE PATIENT! I promise they will kiss once very soon but I\'m not giving away how or why.


She watches him for a few moments as she eats, noticing the way he has relaxed around her over the past few weeks. \"Professor, may I ask a question?\"
He lays his fork to the side, lifting a brow in amusement. \"I have never seen anything or anyone stop you from asking one before. What is on your mind, Miss Granger?\"
\"Hermione, please.\" She blushes slightly. \"I\'m not sure I like it when you are so formal with me here.\"
He sighs softly. \"Miss Granger, I am being formal because it will be expected of you. You must rememeber to act as a Lady.\"
\"But that is what is bothering me.\" She lays her fork down as well and stares at him, a worried expression written on her face. \"What do I talk about? Won\'t they recognize my voice? My Accent? I don\'t sound American!\"
\"Miss Granger,\" He closes his eyes for a moment. \"Hermione, please calm yourself.\" He opens them again and she can see how tired he is. \"I said there was one last memory for you to see. When you have seen it, you will understand that words will not be a problem for you.\"
\"Oh.\" She blinks for a moment in confusion.\"I thought I would be expected to make small talk.\"
\"You will only have to look the part, My Dear.\" Sarah floats into the room, Illiya in tow. \"And to keep her out of trouble, I am sending Illiya to act as maid.\"
\"That will not be..\" Hermione starts.
\"It will work perfectly.\" Severus cuts her off, holding up a hand for her to listen for a moment. \"You will be expected to change clothing several times. Having Illiya there will insure that no other house elf sees you.\"
\"Illiya will place wards around the room, Mistress.\" The elf bobs her head at her. \"No one will see you while Illiya is near.\"
She smiles at her. \"Thank you, Illiya.\"
Sarah tilts her head, watching her grandson closely. \"Will you be coming back afterwards?\"
\"I believe it would not be wise.\" Severus steeples his fingers, staring at nothing as he thinks. \"I believe Lucius is planning something and it would be best to get Miss Granger back to Grimwald Place as quickly as possible.\"
\"But they could follow us.\" Hermione\'s eyes widen in fear.
\"Not if we are not together.\" His lips twist up cruelly. \"With Illiya at your side, she will be able to apparate you straight there. I will take my leave of you early, as I am sure there is a meeting Lucius will know I do not wish you to be a part of as well going on while we are there. It will give you the oppurtunity to leave gracefully and without question.\"
\"Sarah, how often will I be expected to be on my own?\" Hermione sips her drink, all appetite lost.
\"Social events as this usually last only 5 hrs and they will expect Severus to dote on you every moment. That will be you will hardly be more than a few feet away from him.\" She laughs softly. \"It is a pity I cannot see it for myself. I would like to see him dote on someone as if he is half smitten for a change.\"
\"Grandmother!\" There is warning in his voic he he stands and walks around the table to pull out Hermione\'s chair. \"Now let us work on your dancing again.\"
She takes his offered hand and let him lead her to the living area again. \"Will I only be dancing with you?\"
\"No.\" He turns towards her and pulls her into position. \"You will most likely be expected to dance with at least Lucius and Draco.\"
She shivers slightly. \"Must I?\"
A soft slow song begins and they start to dance. \"Yes, you must.\" He sees her revulsion and smirks. \"You must also mildly flirt with him. The few times Sabine saw him, she was quite taken with him.\"
\"That is gross!\" She moans, letting him lead her into another song. \"But if I must..\" She suddenly smiles. \"I know this song!
\"Do you?\" He eyes her intently. \"And what song is it?\"
\"Come what may!\" She grins. \"You know this song, don\'t you?\" She sees his eyes flicker to the side. \"You do! I wanna hear you sing it!\"
\"I do not sing!\" He growls out, nearly letting her go.
\"Come on!\" She grasps his arms, staring into his eyes. \"Please? I don\'t care if you sing badly or not. I just want one moment of fun.\"
He closes his eyes, sighing softly. \"If you tell Potter...\"
She grins. \"I won\'t! Promise!\"
\"Very well.\" He flicks his wand at the CD player and the song starts over. His eyes stay closed, his voice very soft at first as he fears her rejection.
Never knew I could feel like this
Like I\'ve never seen the sky before
Want to vanish inside your kiss
and every day I love you more and more
Listen to my heart
Can you hear it sing?
Telling me to give you everything
Seasons may change
Winter to spring
But I love you
until the end of time
Come what may
Come what may
I will love you
until my dying day
Her smile broadens as he opens his eyes, her voice ringing out to meet his.
Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place
Suddenly it moves at such a perfect pace
Suddenly my life doesn\'t seem such a waste
When I wrap my arms around you
And there\'s no mountain too high
No river too wide
Sing out this song and I\'ll be there by your side
Storm clouds may cover
and storms break away
but I love you (I love you)
Until the end of time
Come what may
Come what may
I will love you until my dying day
Oh come what may
Come what may
I will love you (I will love you)
Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place
Come what may
Come what may
Come what may
I will love you
until my dying day
She giggles at his boyish grin. \"Moulin Rouge?\"
\"Moulin Rouge.\" He takes a step back, quickly hiding the amusement dancing in his eyes. \"One of the Headmasters great ideas on aquainting the Professors with Muggle cinema.\"
\"Yeah but it was a great movie about love.\" She stepas away and leans against the wall. \"To love someone some much that you would do anything for them...\" She sees him suddenly look away. \"I\'m sure you\'ve felt that way many times and you think I\'m being young and foolish.\"
\"Love knows no age, Miss Granger.\" His voice goes soft as he steps towards the CD player. \"And as I have not had the oppurtunity to experience it, I would advise you to hold on to the one who makes you feels such for as long as you can. You will never know when it may come again.\"
She bites her lower lip, suddenly very aware of how lonely he truly is. To have gone through life for as long as he has and never known love floors her. When the music begins again, she holds out her arms to him and smiles warmly. \"Then let us pass what little time we have left here as happily as we can.\"