Saved By Grace

Chapter Nine

Severus was surprised at how nervous he was. Had he read her wrong? Did she really love him? Could he be a good father, considering that his own father fucked everything up? Would she want him as a husband? He paced up and down the quiet restaurant that he'd booked whole so they could truly be alone. His memories of how he'd treated her every time she'd stuck her hand up, knowing all the right answers, she'd been his prize pupil and yet he'd treated her like dog shit he'd wipe off his shoe…gods above, he wished he'd had the opportunity to apologize at that look she'd give him; shock, hurt and doubt in her abilities. Gods above, he would try to put that doubt to rest every chance he got, if she'd have him.

She'd had far too much pain in her life, having to use the Obliviate Spell on her own parents which, fortunately, didn't last very long; although there were still times that her mom would ask her who she was. Then there were those months out with Harry and the Weasel, finding the horcruxes, and the War itself, the casualties insurmountable on both sides. Severus had seen how she'd wept with Ron and Harry for those who were lost to them.

Voldemort drove his followers mad with the siren song of complete power and total domination. Severus had gotten sick of it early on, all the sneaking around to do his will, even if the promise of power was…oh, so inviting…he'd had dreams of revealing what kind of man James Potter truly was so Lily would choose him instead. Hatred and Jealousy were the ultimate reasons they all had all joined to become the Death Eaters, but paralyzing Fear and abject Terror was motivation enough to continue to follow a charismatic, yet psychotic leader like Tom Marvelo Riddle.

And he'd felt a crushing weight of guilt for the first time in his life. When Voldemort had Nagini bite him, he knew he'd be condemned for all eternity. Then, in a flash of light Harry's face shown and Severus could clearly see Lily behind him, smiling. The next few moments were a blur as he gave his memories to Harry and Hermione closed his wound and neutralized the snake venom, before it reached his heart.

He'd remembered asking her "what are you doing?" To which she replied with that Hermione smile, "I'm going to heal you." And that's when he knew that she would do great things with her life.

The opening of the door had him whipping around…and all rational thought it was how she looked that stole his breath away. Her curls were artfully piled on top of her head and allowed to cascade over one shoulder. Her dress was a pale peach sheath over laid by the finest lace that made her skin glow like a thousand candles. She drew him to her, the tether between them strengthening daily. Silently he crossed the floor and, as though on cue, a mellow saxophone began to play. Reaching her, he grasped her hand and slowly spun her in a circle and relished her laugh, echoing it with his own.

He led her to the center of the restaurant where a table sat before a roaring fire, welcomed by both for, although it was a sunny afternoon, it was a bit chilly. He sat her down with a grand gesture, just to make her smile again for he could never get enough of her happiness. The food was amazing, the atmosphere romantic, and Severus was attentive to a fault; Hermione should've been ecstatic. There was something going on, and she hated not being in control.

After they'd eaten a lovely dessert, Severus stood and walked over and asked, "Hermione, may I have this dance?" What else could she say but yes? Placing her hand in his, she allowed him to lead her to a small clearing in the tables and he held her so close, with such tenderness that she finally allowed herself to melt into him and enjoy his scent, the texture of his shirt and the feel of his arms enfolding her. The music ended and Severus stepped away from her… then…oh gods…he got on one knee and held up a jewelry box. She simply looked from the dainty gold ring with an emerald on either side of a diamond, to Severus in shock.

"Hermione Granger, you've brought life back to me when I thought I'd never live again. You've brought music to my ears when I thought I'd never hear it again. And you've brought mercy to my soul when I didn't deserve mercy. But, what is most important of all, you have brought unconditional love to my heart. Hermione…will you make me the happiest person on earth, and be my wife?"