Chapter 17

A/N: Thank you to all who have stayed with this fic. Shellsnapeluver has been a real inspiration for me, and she has challenged me to think in ways I never thought I could learn. Thanks to all the admins who put up with my OCD queuing!:)This is the second to the last chapter, and I hope you enjoy it.

***

The day of the Celebration Ball arrived, and Hermione packed away her Hogwarts uniform in her steamer trunk for the last time. She was no longer a student, no longer a child. Tonight's ball would signify her entrance as an adult into the wizarding world. She had nearly every Gryffindor girl in fits over her dress, but Hermione refused to show them what it was until she arrived at the ball.

She took her time in the shower, shaving and pampering her body...she was grateful her cutting had not left scars on her chest. She used a special shampoo to make her hair silky and manageable without having to slather Sleekeazy in it. She had told Ginny of Severus' request of having her hair free and loose. However, Hermione was just too nervous to try it.

Hermione's stomach fluttered as she thought of being around so many dignitaries and the ceremony of being presented the Order of Merlin. She took her time to massage and lotion her skin from head to toe and patted a delicate smelling powder on her just in case she started perspiring. She slipped the sheer stockings on her legs and relished in the soft feminine feel of them. She then slipped the stockings into the buttons of the garter belt and looked at her image in the mirror as she slipped on her shoes.

Her hair was soft and full-bodied. She had yet to place on her make-up, but her cheeks were already pink from the anticipation of the evening. She slid her hands down the contours of her figure, starting with the sides of her breasts and the smooth shaping material of the pink corset down to her flaring garter-belt covered hips. She had great legs, and she liked how she looked. The secret of not wearing a bra or underwear made her feel sexy. It would add towards her attempt to appear mysterious to Severus. She walked out into the bedroom as the other girls were putting the final touches on their make-up and hair. Hermione emerged in her lingerie and sat at her vanity to start putting on her make-up. She noticed the others were staring, mouths gaping as they took in the sight of her corset, garters, and fairy dust shoes.

"Hermione?" asked Lavender. "Where is your bra?"

"I don't need one. My dress has a built in wire support and padding, so it won't be necessary," Hermione replied smoothly as she prepared to put on her make-up.

The girls remained speechless while Hermione concentrated on her task. Soon, her face was as flawless as her hair. She was quite pleased. Her hair was still cascading in manageable curls, and Hermione began to debate on how she wanted to do her hair as she put on her jewelry.

"You realize that it's fifteen minutes until the start of the ball, don't you?" asked Pavarti in a snappish tone.

Hermione turned slightly in her chair to look at her. "I'm aware. Ginny has to help me with my hair, and then I will put on my dress. You'll see me soon enough. Go ahead, don't keep Seamus and Ron waiting."

After Hermione had done everything Ginny told her to do in preparation, she waited for the redhead to arrive, growing anxiously by the minute. She was starting to feel her nipples harden painfully as her nervousness grew. She wasn't so sure she could pull it off...going commando. Finally, Ginny came in the door making her apologies.

"Sorry, Hermione. My own hair was just NOT cooperating!" she said breathlessly.

"Oh, Ginny!" Hermione said as she looked at her friend in her ice blue gown that gathered elegantly in the back. She was wearing her mother's good silver jewelry, and her hair was up in an elegant arrangement of twists and curls. She was breathtaking.

"Now, let's look at your hair," Ginny said importantly. "I see the shampoo was a success. You really could leave it down, Hermione...it is gorgeous."

Hermione shook her head. "I couldn't. I'm nervous enough already."

"All right," Ginny said. "This is an easy figure-eight design that will just rest on the base of your head." She took her wand, and in no time, Hermione's hair was finished. Ginny flicked her wand and few curly tendrils hung loosely around her face. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief.

"Now that sticking charm was my mother's who learnt it from her mother. Only you shall be able undo it. All you have to do is point your wand to your head and say 'Finite Incantatum,' and it will all come undone. Now, let's get that dress on!"

Hermione was getting really nervous, and her skin was covered in goose bumps. Her nipples were hard as rocks, and she hoped the material would be thick enough to hide it. She put it on and watched as Ginny buttoned her up the back. Hermione was gleaming as the dress sparkled and shimmered in the light.

"Oh, Hermione!" exclaimed Ginny. "You are incredibly beautiful!"

Hermione smiled, and she placed on her dark pink lipstick that complemented the dress and looked at herself in the mirror. She was still Hermione, she just felt a bit more done up and not fake. She had placed only the barest of power on her face to stop any shine and mascara for her eyes. She did not wear anything else other than her lipstick.

"I think I look fine, but am I right, Ginny? Should I have put more on my face? Eye-shadow, perhaps?"

"No," said Ginny firmly. "You look like the natural beauty you are. Let's go meet our dates!"

They were the last to leave Gryffindor tower, and Ginny insisted that she come down alone. "Wait here, and let me go down and meet Harry. Then you come down in a couple of minutes, and let Professor Snape see you."

Ginny squeezed her hand for luck, and she made her entrance. There was the sound of clapping and cheering for the young witch who was by all rights the First Lady of the wizarding world. She and Harry would spend the rest of their lives as celebrities. Hermione was grateful that would not be her life...she preferred privacy.

She took some cleansing breaths and then made her entrance. As she walked, she could feel and see how the magic in the dress glittered and dazzled in the light. Severus was there at the base of the stairs, and he looked so very handsome. His hair was clean and trimmed, and although his dress robes were black, they were made of the finest quality He held out his hand for her to take as she made her final descent on the remaining stairs.

"Hermione," he said deeply, "you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my entire life."

Hermione was speechless. She felt like her heart was going burst out of her chest and soar into the night sky, exploding into a thousand brilliant lights. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He saw her as a woman. That meant an equal, a potential partner. She felt so much hope in that simple sentence. In that moment, Hermione felt she had finally reached the pinnacle of all her dreams. Here she was with her arm in Severus'. He looked at her as they waited in the introduction line with...dare she hope?... pride and appreciation.

They waited silently with the others as each honoree was announced. Finally, their turn came, and they were announced as Professor Severus Snape, Potions master, and Miss Hermione Granger, graduate of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There was a buzz among the hushed room. The whispers were floating around as Severus calmly kept Hermione's arm in the crook of his.

She blushed as his eyes continuously fixed on her. He ignored everyone who tried to steal him away from her side, seemingly intent on keeping his eyes on her appreciatively. She looked back at him a couple of times, but the hunger was there was so blatant, it made her feel jittery. She could tell he was longing for her. He had worked so hard these past two months to undo the damage between them, and she had to admit he had done rather well. He glided her around the room, introducing her to all the dignitaries from across the world. Hermione was nervous, but she held her own. Being the top student in her class and also working with the well-known infamous potion maker, Severus Snape, made her quite the oddity and a person of extreme interest. Many witches tried desperately to lure the professor away from her side, but he was not interested. He was only at Hermione's beck and call, and he made quite the show of it by getting her hor d'oervres, champagne, and remaining firmly at her side.

One very saucy and determined witch tried to insult Hermione right in her face as she attempted to flirt with Severus.

"The music is so lovely, Professor. Perhaps a witch who does not need the magic of enchantments and fairy dust to capture your attention would be a welcome relief," she purred as she placed a hand on his shoulder.

Hermione's stomach plunged. That bitch! she thought viciously. She raised her chin defiantly and stood her ground. She would not allow some shameless and rude bint make her stand aside. She actually felt shocked with herself. The old Hermione would have dissolved into tears and left, admitting defeat. However, that was the past. The new Hermione knew her worth. Even stripped of her dress and wearing a potato sack, she would be lovelier than that witch. She possessed inner and outer beauty. That other woman only had her looks to aid her, and Severus was not a shallow wizard. She stood straight and tall, calmly waiting for Severus to defuse the situation.

Severus looked at Hermione, whose chin was still boldly raised in anger. Severus removed the other woman's hand from his shoulder expertly and replied coolly, "All of what I will ever need or desire in a witch is right here, by my side, and in my arms. Good evening." He then whisked Hermione away onto the dance floor.

"That was very gallant of you, Severus," Hermione said sweetly.

Severus huffed. "I only told her the truth. She had some nerve. I could spot all the glamours and fake parts on her from a mile off. If anyone is genuine, it is you, Hermione. You are absolutely stunning."

Hermione was growing uneasy with his ardor. She changed the subject. "Are you nervous about the ceremony?"

"No," he replied as he searched her face. "Am I trying too hard?"

"I don't know," she said honestly. "Perhaps I am just not used to it, or maybe you are trying too hard. I can't tell."

"I promised to be a fool for you, Hermione. I intend to keep my promise," he replied ominously.

Hermione looked at him nervously. "I think I'm a little afraid."

"I am willing to bear myself in front of all and sundry, emotionally, for you to either glory in it or dash me to pieces. You deserve nothing less than that satisfaction," he replied. "If you were to crush me under your heel publicly, I shall take it like a wizard and know it is only what I deserve."

"Who are you, and what have you done with Professor Snape?" she asked, looking at him oddly.

Severus chuckled and then kissed her slowly on the lips as he twirled her around the floor. Hermione was light-headed and drunk on her love for him. For no matter what he had done, she had never stopped loving him. She had tried so hard to rid her heart of him, but she couldn't stop loving him. True, many times she hadn't liked him, but she had loved him, and Hermione had discovered that is the truest kind of love.

***

The ceremony began with all of the recipients gathering on the podium to take their honored seats. The new Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, made a speech, and Hermione watched as all of those who had fought in the final battle received their commendations. Hermione's name was called last. She had not fought in the battle, but her courage under pressure after being captured and also being a part of the two-person team of Hermione Granger and Severus Snape to create the difficult potions needed to end the war were honored, and she received her medal, which was magically hovered onto her dress.

The crowd cheered as all the honored gathered together for a picture, and another round of applause filled the Great Hall. After, the honorees began to leave the podium; Hermione began to walk away when Severus grabbed her. He stood in front of the stage, raised his wand to his throat, and began to speak.

"Please, if I may have your attention. I am not here to make a formal speech. I am here in front of you tonight purely for a promise I made to a lovely, young woman, fellow potion maker, brilliant witch, and the woman I love," he said stiffly.

"There was once a young woman that had one day turned seventeen. I never gave her a real moment's thought, except to think how irritating I always thought she was. Then one June morning, she came to take her Oath for the Order of the Phoenix. I stood with the others, and watched, as this girl became a fellow Order member before my eyes. I do not share my inner sentiments freely. I am merely doing this for her, so she will know I will always remember the day I knew I loved her."

Severus was now standing ramrod straight with his head bent in embarrassment. Hermione's eyes were brimming with tears. She knew just how hard and painful it was for him to be open to so many. But he had made a promise, and he was keeping it. Hermione would not let him down. Nearly every witch in the room, including Hermione, gasped as Severus Snape swiftly knelt on one knee and whispered, his mouth barely moving, only for Hermione to hear.

"I love you, and that is the honest truth. I have longed for you, and I have hurt so deeply for the pain that I caused...they were my faults, my most grievous faults. I do not deserve you. But please let me be your husband. I promise to love you and serve you for the rest of my life. I am yours. Will you take me?"

Hermione looked at his face and then at the antique emerald ring set in precious silver.

Her mind flashed back to the first day she began to work with Professor Snape, as he had been then. He had glared at her the entire day, ordering her around, insulting her intelligence by making her make Boil Cure Potions and Burn Healing Paste. Every moment she had been criticized, and she was nearly in tears by the end of the day.

However, she had not relented. She had endured, and eventually, he had begun to ease up on her. There had been the small nods of approval, the eventual small words of praise, then that smile which had made her feel so alive, she had wondered if all her life she had only been sleeping.

That smile had changed everything. She had known that moment she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. Before, she had been a child, a simple girl with a crush that had changed into love and an abiding respect for the wizard who never flaunted his pains and risks for so many.

She had thought that evening at Andromeda's had destroyed everything. But he had proved his sorrow over hurting her by becoming increasingly open and vulnerable. She knew she could trust him. He would never hurt her like that again. He would never be perfect. His personality wouldn't change, but he truly loved her and wanted to do right by her. He was laying himself on the line to be humiliated, but she wouldn't let him fall. She knew there would be times he would let her down and disappoint her, but he would never do it purposefully with malicious intent.

"Yes," she said as a smile spread across her face.

Severus placed the ring on her finger and kissed her sweetly in front of the whole of the wizarding community. The snap of the camera from the Daily Prophet was loud to her ears as the photographers took pictures madly, trying to get the best angle of their kiss.

When he finally released her from the kiss, Hermione noticed that the room was cheering in happiness as people opened more champagne to toast them.

After the excitement calmed down, Hermione's friends swarmed her to gasp at her ring.

"Oh, my God!" Lavender nearly shouted. "Those are diamonds around that emerald! How many carets?" she asked sharply.

Hermione was in shock. Severus was right behind her and said, "This emerald has 2.72 carets," he said smugly.

Ginny was looking at her hand in awe. "Isn't it heavy?" she asked.

"A trifle," Hermione replied. "But I shall get used to it. It must be the silver."

"And look at the pattern, Hermione!" she fairly squealed. "Tiny rosettes around the sides. It is a remarkable ring!"

Hermione glanced upwards at the scowling man at her side whom, she knew, would begin hexing people if they said one word about his proposal. Hermione giggled to herself. "He is quite remarkable," she mused as she continued looking at him.

***

After a while, the newly engaged couple slipped away into the hall, and Severus said, "Have I succeeded in my seduction?" he asked. "Have I proven my foolishness for you? My reputation is now ruined."

"Are you already regretting your grand gesture?" she asked coyly.

"No," he said softly. Then his face became sober, and he said, "I am not like this in public. I told you before, in the privacy of our home, I can do grand gestures and tell you how much I love you, but in public...it took everything within me not to turn and run for cover."

"Yes, Severus, I am aware of how private you are," Hermione replied. "I appreciate your gesture. It makes me think even more highly of you."

"Shall we return for more dancing?" he asked.

"Yes, but I think I need something to drink first."

"Yes," he said grimly. "I also need to speak with Andromeda."

Hermione wondered what he was going to say to her and hoped it was an apology for his past behavior.

Hermione sat while Severus strode over to speak with Andromeda Tonks. Ginny saw her friend by herself and happily sat with Hermione. "I never thought I would see the day!" she exclaimed as she gushed over the ring.

Harry came from behind Hermione and said as he took her left hand to look more closely at her engagement ring, "I'm glad someone finally realized what I had known since we were fourth years," he said.

"What's that?" Hermione asked.

He kissed her cheek and said, "What a lovely woman you are becoming."

"Oh, Harry!" she said as she burst out crying. She turned around and hugged him with Ginny standing by smiling.

***

"How did it go?" asked Hermione after Severus returned.

"Andromeda was pleased, said that you deserved nothing less, and I apologized for my rude and deceitful behavior. I told her I had lied, was far more cruel than was necessary to keep up the deception, and that I held myself wholly responsible for your pain and sorrow," he replied. "I also managed to retain all my important bits."

"So, it ended well?" she replied with a smirk as she took a sip of champagne.

"Quite," he replied stiffly.

Hermione shuddered at the memory from that horrible time in her past and was so happy that how things had changed for the better.

They walked out into the summer air, and Severus, after finding a secluded area, kissed her hand and said, "Remember when you told me your wish was for a man to long for you so deeply that it would physically hurt if he could not have you?"

"Yes, I remember," she whispered.

"I have waited, but I shall wait longer if that's how you wish for it to be. You are my chosen bride. My door will open for you, and my bed will always have a place for you...even if we don't make love. My body aches to be in contact with yours, to touch you, to caress you, to kiss you. So I shall leave you here, Hermione. If you chose to come to me, I will be waiting. If you feel it is too soon, I promise I shall not be angry."

He took her into his arms and kissed her slowly with teasing kisses, and then his kisses grew more hungry and passionate. He broke off, panting, "I must stop before I lose myself." He caressed a tendril of her curly hair and then took his leave.

"I love you, sweet one," he whispered before he walked away.

Up next: Final chapter and major lemon alert!