Destiny Begins

Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe belongs to JKR.

A/N: Many thanks to my awesome beta, Southern_Witch_69.

This is my response to LOTM's YLC challenge. For rules see the end of chapter one.

Chapter Nine

Destiny Begins

The scrimmage game against the Falmouth Falcons Monday morning was hard for Ginny. Flint had sent her purple hyacinths and a long note of apology. Ginny had just wanted to forget the incident ever happened. Luckily, he kept his distance from her. She knew Draco had a lot to do with that.

Draco was another matter altogether. He was avoiding her completely. He'd never even once looked her way, and Ginny had felt the loss of those stormy eyes immensely. She had made up her mind to set things right with him once and for all. They had both acted childishly, and she desperately wanted to fix the rift. She'd rather missed their playful sparring. It was all the hurtful jabs she could do without.

Sighing, she looked up just in time to see his watchful eyes glaring at her. His eyes were so consuming; they made her shudder. Smirking at her discomfort, he turned away and lazily caught the Snitch, ending the game and showing everyone how the Falmouth's earned their name.

Watching Draco strut onto the field to do the customary handshakes, she quivered. It's a damn good thing Draco wasn't in Gryffindor. One look at him in the Quidditch uniform, and I would've been a goner. Red looks fantastic on him!

Ginny stood by the locker rooms waiting for him to come out. She was determined to clear the air. After every last player came out without any sign of Draco, Ginny decided to go in.

Draco stood under a hot spray of water. He had waited until everyone left the locker room, wanting to be alone. He had a lot on his mind...his mother for one thing. The full moon was coming soon, and Draco had wanted to ask for a few days off to be there with her. Narcissa had flat out refused, telling him it was time to live his life without a burden of a werewolf mother.

Then, she had gone on a tangent of him marrying and settling down and how Pansy Parkinson was such a nice, pretty witch. Draco knew it wasn't necessarily Pansy his mother wanted him with; it was just that every time Draco needed a date she was who he called upon. His old standby. He did not love her, and that was that. He hated to do anything to disappoint his mother, but he refused to marry just to please her.

Marcus Flint was another thing. He'd gone to have a heart to heart and laid down the law there. Flint would probably never even look at another Weasley as long as he lived. Draco did feel a little guilty about what happened; after all, he was the one who planted the idea in Flint's mind. The moron. But still, he'd had his hands on Ginevra unwanted, and the man needed to learn that was not acceptable. Draco reckoned he'd taught him that fairly well.

The most pressing thing on his mind, however, was one Ginevra Molly Weasley. He was all set to charm his way back into her good graces. After giving it a lot of thought, however, he'd decided he wouldn't bother. They were toxic to each other. It seemed they both knew which buttons to push and pushed them with a vengeance. But, damnit! He wanted that witch something fierce.

He had just turned the water off, wrapped a towel around his waist, and stepped out of the shower when he heard someone enter. Unconcerned, it was probably just someone coming back to get something they'd forgotten. He started moving to his locker for his clothes, but Draco stopped dead when he saw his fiery temptress standing there.

"Something I can do for you, Weasley?"

Ginny was dumbstruck. There he was, in nothing but a towel, with water dripping in all the right places. He looked like a tall glass of water, and she was damn thirsty. She stood mesmerized as she watched a drop of water flow from his chest down his stomach and into the towel.

Knowing lust in someone's eyes when he saw it, Draco cleared his throat to get her attention from just below his navel to his face.

When she looked into his eyes, he felt a jolt. Clearing his throat again, he asked, "What are you doing in here?"

"Oh," she stammered. "I wanted to talk to you."

Sighing because he really didn't want to do this today, he said, "I think we said all we needed to at the ball, Ginevra. There is nothing else left."

Panicking a little, she said, "Yes, there is!"

Annoyed, he asked, "What? What the hell is left? I'm tired."

Walking towards him, she started rambling nervously, "Well, I wanted to thank you for the perfume and for the Flint thing. And I really want to apologize for that jersey."

"Be quiet." He held his hand up as if to stop her. "No more. That gift was childish, woman! This whole thing between us is ridiculous, and I don't want your thanks or your apologies!"

Exasperated, she yelled, "Well, what do you want?"

Lightning fast, he pinned her against the locker and crashed his mouth to hers, hot and hungry. She groaned and fisted her hands into his wet hair and pulled him as close to her as she could get him, as she opened her mouth to allow him entrance.

Draco trembled at the intensity. He grabbed her bum and pulled her close enough to feel the arousal he'd had for her, and only her, since the first day of practice. At that moment, she sighed, "Draco," and he returned to his senses.

Pushing back and away from her, he commanded, "Leave."

"What?" It took a moment for her to gather her bearings. Her clothes and body were damp from their embrace. "Why?"

"Because if you don't, I will take you right here on the locker room floor. Then, I would be no better than Flint." He really needed to calm himself. It was like she was in his blood or like she was a potion that he needed to survive.

"Draco, please don't compare this to what Flint did. It's not the same. I wanted...want...your hands on me."

"No, you don't. Or, you may now, but you'd regret it later. I know how you feel about me."

"Do not tell me how I feel! Would you regret it later? I know you don't think too highly of me either."

"See, that's my point. You think you know how I feel about you; so afterwards, you would hate yourself. Let's just leave things be."

"I don't want to leave things be, but clearly you do, so I have to respect that. I'll go. But know this, Draco Malfoy; I have never wanted anyone as much as I wanted you just now. Anyone."

With that, she turned, achy and needy, and left a very frustrated and empty feeling Draco alone and extremely confused.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

Monday morning found Luna sitting at her desk, morning tea forgotten, as she went though the pictures Colin had sent her from the ball. There was a lovely one of her and Greg she'd decided to frame. She smiled dreamily as she thought of Greg. She discovered she was in the beginning stages of love, and it made her giddy. She hadn't felt loved this way since Neville.

Suddenly, an official looking owl swooped in her window and onto her desk. She noticed the words Yenta Livery Company right off. "Oh, they have found a match for me?" Luna was surprised. Opening quickly, she read:

Miss Lovegood,

The YLC

Well, there is nothing else for it. I will have to contact Greg. I wonder if I could talk him into taking the test?

Picking up her quill and some parchment, Luna started writing.

Greg,

I need to talk to you. I was wondering if you could meet me for lunch today at the Leaky Cauldron? Say around one?

Luna

Without delay, she called one of the messenger owls for The Quibbler and sent the letter to Greg, instructing the owl to wait for a response. She hoped she could talk him into taking the test soon.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

Greg was sitting in the staff room at Azkaban when he recognized one of the owls from The Quibbler. Holding his hand out, he took the parchment and read it. Understanding that the owl had been instructed to wait for his response, he walked over to a desk for a quill and some ink.

Luna,

Love, Greg

He sent the owl off with a treat and the letter. He'd been edgy since receiving the YLC letter that morning before he left for work. What am I going to tell Luna? Well, she just has to take the test; that's all there is for it. I won't have anyone else...she is the only one for me.

Sighing, Greg went to do his prisoner check with thoughts of Luna on his mind. He was glad his father was still in solitary confinement; he just didn't think he could take him today.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

Severus Snape sat at his desk in his office scowling into his coffee. His first class hadn't even started, and today was already turning out to be a bad one. Minerva had informed the staff this morning at the weekly staff meeting that she wanted to have an informal get together this week, staff and their dates only. She wanted everyone to meet Friday in the Room of Requirement.

Then during breakfast, he'd received a reply from the YLC informing him that his request to meet his potential mate would have to wait as she had not replied to the letter as yet. What the bloody hell is the witch waiting for? I want to meet her so I can discourage her immediately! Damn Narcissa anyway. Severus sighed.

He didn't have the time or inclination for casual dates during the week. He would have to invite Hermione. Saturday night's ball signified the end of their agreement. He wasn't sure how he felt about that. He knew one thing. He'd not gone this long without sex in a long time, and his body was aching for the release only a woman could provide. But not just any woman, Severus thought to himself. Hermione Granger.

The insufferable witch had somehow wormed her way into his thoughts, and no matter what he did, he could not stop thinking of her. Growling, he grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill, writing a quick note to invite Hermione to the castle Friday night for Minerva's gathering.

A knock at the door interrupted him, aggravating him all the more. "Enter!"

"Hello, Severus, darling! It's been ages!" Narcissa said as she airily waltzed into the room and kissed both his cheeks.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, he greeted, "Narcissa, you are looking as lovely as ever. To what do I owe the honor of this visit?"

Amused, she said, "Why, Severus, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you weren't happy to see me. I just wanted to stop in and see how things are going."

She has an ulterior motive. I know it! What does she want? "It's always a pleasure to see you, my dear." As if a light bulb went off, he said, "Oh! You must be here to collect your Wolfsbane! My apologies!"

Smiling, she said, "Yes, I do need that, but I also wanted to see you. I've noticed you have attended the last two balls with Hermione Granger." Narcissa wasn't exactly sure she approved of that. She would judge for herself how he felt.

Pausing midway to his lab, he turned back. So this is her reason? Nosey witch! "What of it, Cissy?"

Warming to the use of her nickname that only family or close friends would dare use, she simply told him, "I just think it a bit odd, that's all. She doesn't seem your... type, if you know what I mean."

Cocking his infamous eyebrow, he said, "No, I'm afraid that I don't know what you mean. What would you deem my type?"

Narcissa knew that tone, so she also knew to tread carefully. "Oh, don't get into a snit, Severus. The two of you just don't seem a likely couple. That's all I am saying. Um, have you heard from the YLC?"

"As a matter of fact, yes, I have." Noticing her relieved look, the agitated Potions master said, "Don't let it get your hopes up. The witch in question hasn't replied to her letter to set up our meeting. Perhaps she has come to her senses and will save me the trouble of dissuading her."

"For heaven's sake, Severus. Must you be so morose? She just may be the perfect woman for you, and you would throw her away? For what purpose?"

"For the purpose that I don't want...or need for that matter...a woman nagging in my ear!" Severus exclaimed, looking pointedly at her. It seems Hermione is the only woman I can tolerate for any length of time without sex involved. Oh, but I would love to have the sex involved!

Just then, their conversation was interrupted by his owl. Severus knew this was Hermione's answer to his inviting her to the gathering. Without looking at Narcissa, he took the parchment from the owl and opened it. Her note simply said,

It's a date! I will come to the castle at seven. See you then.

Hermione

A wild thought suddenly came to the dark, brooding, wizard. Dear Merlin! We are dating! I am dating Hermione Granger.

That particular thought led to many more interesting ones, but before he could explore the implications of actually dating the witch and the complications thereof, the most current pain in his arse spoke.

"Bad news, dear? You look like you have just seen the ghost of the Dark Lord." Narcissa didn't think it was possible for Severus Snape to become any paler than he usually was, but he had definitely proven her wrong there.

"No. It's nothing for you to concern yourself with. Let me get your Potion, Cissy," he said absently. "My class begins soon."

Knowing when to back off and pick her battles, Narcissa said nothing as he handed her the Wolfsbane. She would talk to him another day.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

The Leaky Cauldron was not quite as busy at one as it had been at noon. That is why Luna had chosen that time to meet. She smiled brightly when she saw Greg enter.

After a quick search, he found his witch in a corner, obviously awaiting him. He worried about what she wanted to talk about, although she looked happy to see him. Walking up to the table, Greg kissed her hand before he sat. "Hello, love. I have been looking forward to seeing you ever since I got your owl this morning. Is everything all right?"

"Actually, no, it's not." Seeing his anxious look, she immediately wanted to soothe him. "No, it's not you or us. It's this," she said as she pulled out her YLC letter. "You see, a while back, the Weasley twins coerced Hermione, Ginny, and I to fill out the forms. I had honestly forgotten about doing it until I received their owl this morning." Narrowing her eyes, she asked, "May I ask what's so funny?"

Pulling out his letter, he said, "Only this. Narcissa had the same idea for Severus, Draco and I. What are we going to do?"

"We are going straight to that company right now and demand them to run ours together and see what the percentage is. I don't want to meet with anyone else, Greg. It's you I want!"

"Oh, I have no intentions of meeting another. Lets go, love."

Lunch forgotten, they both rose to go to the YLC building to straighten it out.

When they arrived, there was nobody there in the waiting room other than the receptionist. Looking up, the bubbly witch asked, "How may I help you today? Do you wish to fill out forms and see if you are compatible?"

"No," Greg told her. "We have already filled out forms and have received letters saying our match has been found. What we would like is for you to run a match between us," he said as he waved his hand between Luna and himself, "with the forms we have already filled out."

"That is highly irregular, sir." The receptionist frowned at them both. "What are your names?"

"Greg Goyle and Luna Lovegood," he answered. He didn't care if it was irregular or not. He was not meeting another witch.

Looking through her files for the names and the match that had already been found for the pair, she raised her eyebrow at Greg. "Is this some kind of joke, sir?"

"Joke?" What is she on about?

"Yes, joke. It says right here in your file that your match is Luna Lovegood and right here in her file that her match is Greg Goyle. Now, if you are not happy with these results--"

The receptionist was suddenly interrupted as Greg picked Luna up and swung her around, both laughing. After kissing her soundly, both unable to believe they were the other's match, he asked, "What do we do now, Luna?"

"Plan a wedding?" she asked hopefully.

"My thoughts exactly!"

All thoughts of the receptionist forgotten, the happy couple left the YLC building. They had a wedding to plan! After making plans to meet at Luna's after work, they both left to finish their day so they could hurry back to each other.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

Hermione was nervous about the gathering for some reason she could not place at first, and then it came to her. This is an actual date...not an arranged ball escort for an ingredient.

She knew that he had eaten dinner at her flat the weekend before, but somehow this was different. Because he asked, not you, her mind told her. He actually wanted to bring me out of all of his other... choices. Hermione ignored the part of her mind that told her it could just be because it was more convenient to ask her. She didn't want to be a convenience; she wanted to be wanted. By Severus. She wanted to be wanted by Severus Snape. Lord help her!

Not wanting to overdress, she simply wore her going out robes. A little dressier than work robes, but not fancy enough for a ball. They were the color of walnuts, and she thought they complimented her nicely. She had no doubt Severus would be in black.

Gathering her courage, she Apparated to the front gates of Hogwarts and was surprised to find Severus waiting for her. "Hello, Severus! I didn't expect to see you here!" Laughing to herself she thought, Black it is!

Cocking his head, he asked, "Where else would I be? Of course I would be here; I invited you!" Extending his arm, he said, "Shall we?" She looks very nice...should I compliment her? Severus was becoming exasperated. She was just a witch, like any other! No, unlike any other. That is the problem.

Taking notice of the slight irritation she assumed she caused when she questioned him, she simply took his arm and allowed herself to be led to the Room of Requirement for the party. You could have heard a quill drop when Severus entered the room with Hermione. All eyes were on the couple.

"Hermione!" Minerva greeted. "What a pleasant surprise. I didn't expect to see you here, but I am glad you are."

"It's good to see you, too, Professor."

"As I have told you before, let's have none of that 'Professor' business. Call me Minerva, dear, or Minnie if you prefer. As you know, all my close friends do."

Pleased, Hermione turned to her favorite Hogwarts professor and hugged her. "I'd be honored to call you Minnie. It's just hard to get used to!"

After that, the tension melted, and Hermione and Severus went to mingle. Severus never left her side for a moment.

"What's the deal there, Minnie? What is the Hogwarts Deputy Headmaster doing sniffing around your favorite cub?"

"Oh, really, Alastor! He escorted her to the last two balls as a favor, and now she is returning the favor. Nothing more." Alastor Moody had been an escort at times to the headmistress when she was in need of a date. He had always tried for something more, but she never allowed it to go any further than friendship, though she did think about it at times.

Spinning his magical eye to look directly at her, he asked, "You believe that, do you? I always thought you had plenty of common sense. Never would've tried to bed you otherwise."

Huffing, Minerva turned from her friend to look at the couple in question. What she saw startled her. Why, Severus is very attentive. She noticed the casual touches, soft murmurs in her ear, and the way Hermione blushed when Severus looked at her a certain way. She briefly wondered just how far they'd gone. For Merlin's sake! Do they even know they are in love?

Remus stood with Professor Sinistra, watching the couple questioningly. Oh, he'd heard the odd whispers since they'd walked in, but, up until now, he'd ignored them. He just could not wrap his mind around the fact that Hermione would willingly want to be with Severus, but if seeing was believing, his proof was right there.

It seemed that nobody in the room could take their eyes off the pair. Irma and Rolanda were off gossiping in a corner with a wild gleam in their eyes. Poppy and Pomona were a bit more discreet, but they were obviously discussing the unlikely couple nonetheless.

Admittedly, Severus was showing a side of himself that no one had ever seen before, but it was still disconcerting. The man was most known these past couple of years for his ample selection of witches, and Remus was loathe to see Hermione hurt. Knowing that talking to Severus or Hermione was out of the question, he decided he'd have to owl Jane first thing in the morning.

At around ten, Severus was ready to leave. He desperately wanted to get Hermione alone. Enough was enough; he was going to have her tonight. His body and sanity couldn't take any more. Leaning into her and whispering in her ear, he asked, "Would you care to come to my chambers for a nightcap before you have to return to your flat?"

Blushing only slightly, she replied, "Yes, I'd love to."

After saying quick goodbyes, the couple left, heading for his chambers.

After they entered and he had her comfortably seated on the couch, Severus offered the object of his obsession a glass of wine. She nodded her acceptance, and he poured them both a glass of chardonnay. Sitting himself beside her, he handed her the wine.

"Umm, very nice. Thank you, Severus."

"You're welcome," he purred seductively in a voice known to stir the blood in many witches.

Hermione felt the shiver go up her spine right before the ball of tension gathered in her stomach. At a loss for what to say, she turned to him and started babbling, "The gathering was nice. I had a wonderful time tonight. Thank you for inviting me."

"The evening is not over yet, my dear," he barely whispered. Taking her glass from her, he set it on the table next to his. As he turned back to face her, he was pleased to see her nervously biting her lip. Good. She knows what's coming.

Gently cupping the back of her neck, he pulled her to him for a kiss. A kiss he felt all through his body to the bottom of his feet. When she moaned and opened her sweet mouth to him, he plunged.

Hermione felt as if she were flying through the air on the back of a hippogriff...terrified and excited at the same time. She couldn't think of anything except this man and the things he was causing her body to feel with only a kiss. Grabbing his hair, she pulled his face closer to hers.

Needing to feel more contact, Severus pulled Hermione on his lap so that she was straddling him. They both moaned as their centers connected. He deftly unzipped her robe and attached his mouth to her bra-covered nipple. He only briefly thought, Excellent! Creamy-colored lace! I wonder if her knickers match? before he grasped her hips to bring her closer.

Panting heavily, Hermione pushed back. This was all going way to fast. She was appalled she'd just let a kiss go so far. "No, Severus, stop."

He was so caught up in her taste and the scent of her perfume he didn't hear her. Suddenly, he felt her small hands pushing his chest, causing him to break apart from her body and her heat. With the blood pounding in his ears, he irritably asked, "What is it?"

"We have to stop. I don't want to do this."

Filled with arousal mixed with anger, never a good combination, he bit out, "You were doing a damn fine job of acting like you did!"

Hermione shakily got to her feet and started pacing as she zipped her robes. "I'm sorry. I'm just not good at casual sex. I let this go farther than I should have."

"Casual sex?" There was nothing casual about that!

"Yes, casual sex! You know, a different partner every month or as often as you can have one? That's not me, Severus. I am not that kind of person. I'm sorry; I don't know what else to say."

Insulted of her low opinion of him and still highly aroused by her, Severus wanted to lash out. "I see. So, its promises you need?"

"Well, I--"

"Commitment... You have to have it before you will give in to your... baser natural instincts?"

Sticking her chin out proudly, she coolly answered, "Yes, I need a commitment. I refuse to be the flavor of the month. There is nothing wrong with that. I am past the time in my life where sex is something casual. I have been there a couple of times before, and now I find it leaves me feeling unsatisfied. I just need more in this stage of my life." How do I tell him that he specifically means more to me than just some casual fling? That I think he already has the potential to hurt me more that Ronald Weasley ever did?

"Hmm, yes, and tell me, how did commitment and promises work out for you last time, dear? I could say the words you wish to hear, have you, and then marry the next witch that catches my fancy. That seems to be the status quo."

Hermione jerked back as if he'd slapped her. Surely a slap would have hurt less. With tears in her eyes and a quiver in her voice, Hermione walked back to where Severus was sitting and climbed into his lap once again. "You're right. Absolutely." Putting her arms around his neck, she started to nibble his jaw. "No false words. No lies. No promises or commitments."

Starting to nod in agreement with her, Severus put his arms around her waist pulling her close to him once again, reaching for her zipper. That's more like it!

"You can date whomever you want, and I can do the same," she said and then kissed him hard, as if sealing the deal.

Just as he started to get into the kiss, her words penetrated into his lust-filled brain. Hold on...who is she planning on dating? "What do you mean?"

Confused, Hermione looked into his unreadable, narrowed black eyes. "Just what I said. Isn't that what you want? For us to be able to date others?" Why is he stopping?

I will kill any wizard who lays a hand on her! "Well..."

"Oh, my God! Do you want promises now? Double standards do not suit you, dear." At his furious stare, Hermione calmly got off his lap.

After taking a drink of her wine and pulling herself together, she quietly told him, "Okay. Here is what I think we should do. We have one more ball to get through tomorrow night. After that, you are not... obligated to see me again. If you decide after tomorrow that you would like to continue seeing me, let me know. We will go from there. Take tonight and whatever time you need to decide what you want. I will do the same. If we decide to take this any further, we'll talk then." Oh, I hope he wants to continue seeing me!

You will not get away from me that easily! I will have you! "Fine, we will do things your way." For now, that is. "Let me walk you to the gate."

Breathing a sigh of relief, Hermione fixed her robes that she'd just realized were still partly unzipped and walked to the gate. After setting a time for him to pick her up for the ball, she quickly Disapparated home.

Severus turned to walk back to his quarters, more dissatisfied and aroused than he remembered being in quite some time.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

The ball was very tiresome for Hermione. Severus was more formal at this one than he had been at the first one. He'd only danced once with her so far and only touched her during that dance. Did I make a mistake last night? No! We have to both agree on where this is going. Sex always complicates things. Sighing, she turned to see Severus dancing with some random witch. It depressed her more than it angered her. He looked so at ease with that woman...unlike the stiff politeness he had shown her.

Hermione startled when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned and looked into the very happy faces of Luna and Greg. Unable to help herself, Hermione smiled back. "Hello, you two. Having a good time?"

"Yes," Luna said. "I wanted to tell you and Ginny both at the same time, but apparently, Ginny is not here. I am too excited to wait! Look!" Luna exclaimed as she held her finger out for inspection.

Hermione was startled to see the round diamond on Luna's left ring finger. "Is that what I think it is?"

"Well," Greg started, "if you think that it's an engagement ring, then it is!"

Hermione was too stunned to speak. Luna saved her the trouble. "Remember those forms the twins had us fill out? Well, Greg is my match! He had filled one out, too, along with--"

"Greg, Luna," Severus suddenly greeted. "What is going on?"

"We're getting married," Greg proudly said while silently daring the man to make a snide comment.

"I see," Severus said while looking at Hermione. She seemed as surprised as he did. "Then congratulations are in order. I will go to the bar and get us all a glass of champagne."

As he walked off, Luna asked, "What's the deal with you two, Hermione?" She noted that Hermione had not taken her eyes of her ex-Potions professor once since he started walking to the bar.

"Honestly? I don't know." Turning to the happy couple and smiling, Hermione said, "Have you set the date yet? Will it be a big wedding?"

As the pair started telling Hermione of all the plans they had made so far, her mind drifted to Severus. Well, after tonight, I will know if he wants to see more of me, but if tonight is any indication, I don't think he will.

Suddenly, she was overcome with sadness, realizing she would miss him terribly. She never knew that at that same moment, Severus was planning their next date in his mind and how determined he was not to let her go so easily.

Walking back to the trio, Severus handed them each their drink and made an appropriate toast. When the next song began, Severus led Hermione to the dance floor. "Oh, making time to dance with me?" she asked, sounding a bit more snide than she'd intended.

"Problem, Hermione?"

"Only that you are my escort this evening, and it would be nice for you to actually escort me!"

So, she is jealous? Interesting. "I see." Suddenly wanting to be alone to speak with her, Severus started, "Hermione, why don't we--"

Whatever he was going to say was suddenly cut off by the countdown to midnight. While everyone was counting and drinking, Severus had stopped on the dance floor, still holding Hermione tightly in his arms.

She couldn't take her eyes off his. She heard no music, no countdown, or anything else. All she knew or saw at that moment was Severus Snape.

When Severus heard the last three numbers counted down and a loud, "HAPPY NEW YEAR," he slowly bent his head down. Right before he kissed her, he whispered, "Happy New Year, Hermione," and then very gently placed his lips on hers. This kiss was not hot or demanding like the night before, but it seemed loving and caressing. Hermione thought that fact made it no less potent.

It was at that precise moment that she realized she was in trouble. Oh, no! I've gone and fallen in love! As his lips were tenderly nipping hers, she decided she would worry what to do about it the next day.

Christy's Notes: Well, we have at least one couple planning a wedding! Lemons next chapter...but what couple?? Care to guess? Let me know what you think!

Southern's Notes: I was worried about Snape and Hermione here, but thankfully, things have turned around nicely.