Then You Came In Sight, And My Heart Grew Light

A/N: I hope you enjoy this bit! See if you can spot two quotes from films starring the very yummy Alan Rickman.

Disclaimer: Jo owns the players, but I own this particular game!

~~Hermione~~

Severus had been gone most of the day, and I was getting a bit impatient. He'd casually mentioned that we would 'do something' that evening, but never gave any more details.

It was nearly half past five, and there was no sign of his return. The immature part of me wanted to pout and send him a Howler. The sullen, P.M.S. ridden bit wanted to get into a nice tub and leave him a note telling him I was in no state to go out. In the end, I merely sat marking essays, glaring at the clock.

Just past seven, the door banged open, and Severus quite literally fell into the room. He picked himself up quickly and rather ungracefully. I noticed that his hair was completely dishevelled and his clothes looked as though they'd been put through a giant egg beater, probably while he was wearing them.

"I'm sorry. I am inexcusably late. I was... unexpectedly and rather unavoidably detained." He looked as though he were trying to catch his breath and tidy his appearance while being nonchalant and subtle.

He was failing miserably.

I was trying not to laugh or be angry. He was acting oddly, though. If he ever did have to be late, he would always give me the reason. I tried to appear as though I was not seriously annoyed.

He finally stopped fussing over his own appearance and stepped up to me. "Am I forgiven?"

I smiled. "Yes, I suppose. But you do owe me..."

"I always honour my debts, Miss Granger." His smile was pure evil. His arms tightened around me, and his mouth captured my own.

I was focused on the kiss for a moment. All at once, I realised that there was more than a kiss going on. "Severus, I think you're beginning to be happy to see me." I laughed and ran my hand down the front of his robes.

He pushed me away and took a step back. "Don't touch me!" He looked highly affronted.

That was new. Usually, he welcomed any advances I might wish to make. I felt ashamed, rather like a child that had been chastised. I turned away from him and walked to the table.

I Summoned a tea service, complete with finger sandwiches and cinnamon biscuits. I began to pour out. It was too late for a proper supper, and I wanted something to eat. I had tucked in before I realised that Severus was still frozen to the floor, staring wide-eyed at me.

I would have felt rude, but I was far to annoyed with him for that now. "If you've finished with your bit as a living statue, there's tea."

Moving his mouth like a cod fish out of water, Severus was staring at me as though I was in danger of being eaten by a rampaging manticore.

"Severus?"

No reaction.

"Severus!?!" He finally noticed that I was speaking and quickly composed himself. He started across the room, presumably to take the seat opposite me.

Suddenly, he tripped over and went arse over tea kettle, managing to vault the sofa. Impressive.

"My God! What on earth has gotten into you, Severus? Are you high?"

For the second time in as many minutes, he untangled his limbs. He righted the sofa and flopped onto the cushions. He put his head down and pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger.

"That's it. I can't manage to do anything according to plan today. Right." He carefully crossed the room whilst retrieving something from the folds of his robes. He stood over me, frowning severely. I had a rather odd flashback of my days in his Potions class.

"Here. Have this. I love you. I hope you love me. I'm utter rubbish at grand gestures, it would seem." He set a small velvet box on the table next to my tea cup.

I looked between him and the box several times. I couldn't speak at all. My throat felt as though someone had kindled a small fire in it, and I'd bet my last Galleon that my eyes were bugging out of my head.

Severus huffed impatiently and shouted, "Well pick it up, woman! We haven't got all night. In case you've ever wondered, this is a rather uncomfortable position to be in, so get on with it. It's not a hard question, either 'yes,' 'no,' or 'bugger off.' At present, I'll take any of them, as they'll get me out of this gut-wrenching, hellish purgatory I'm in, waiting for you to return from your mental sojourn!" His eyes were flashing, and his chest heaved from the exertion of shouting so much.

Where was the feminist that should have had his bollocks on a silver platter? Nowhere to be found, thank you very much. I was suddenly overtaken by the giddy teenager I'd never been.

He is proposing!

I reached a shaking hand toward the little black box. It was surprisingly light in weight for something that held my entire future. The lid snapped open, and there was a lovely, though modest, diamond in an antique setting.

Tears filled my eyes and my brain supplied--for the first time ever, I might add--only a single thought.

"Yes." I looked up at him, just as the silly tears of joy spilled down my ridiculously flushed cheeks.

His anger seemed to vanish as he immediately fell to his knee. He smiled and cleared his throat a few times. When he spoke, it sounded as though he were getting a head cold.

"You will marry me?" His words were filled with disbelief.

I nodded, unable to make any sounds recognisable as English.

Severus pressed his lips to mine briefly. He pulled back a fraction of an inch so that as he spoke his lips just brushed mine. "I can't tell you how happy that makes me. I know I owe you an apology for making an absolute nightmare of your proposal...."

I placed my fingers over his lips to silence him. "As long as it ended with you and me, engaged to be married. I love you."

He kissed my fingers, holding them against his smile.

~~Severus~~

For two weeks, I tolerated squeals, bouncing, 'ooos' and 'ahhhs.' More people wanted to shake my hand and congratulate me for securing Hermione's hand than had for surviving Voldemort. A life time of espionage won't gain you respect, but managing to have a stable relationship is worthy of worship.

Though I was happy with Hermione. I wondered, rather cynically, how many of the well-wishers secretly wished to inquire on the state of Hermione's mental health. I sometimes wondered about her myself.

The lowest point came when my office was invaded one afternoon by several of my male colleagues and fellow members of the Order. Potter announced that we would be having a Stag night.

I had told Hermione that I wouldn't be going. She'd insisted. The evening turned out to be an unmitigated disaster. The Weasley twins had served as bartenders, and their drinks seemed to be comprised of equal parts petrol and sewage.

Then, in his worst move to date, Potter had left Neville in charge of entertainment. The gormless lout had hired a company of rather voluptuous, lovely (from the photograph) Brazilian 'dancers.' Who turned out to be nothing more than prostitutes. Adding insult to injury, they also turned out to be drag queens.

Drag queens who became rather aggressive when their 'services' were declined. Never insult the ego of a seven-foot tall creature that is wearing obscene amounts of make-up and has some deep seeded issues with his/her sexuality.

The next morning found the lot of the 'stags' nursing not only impressive hangovers but also injuries acquired in the fight that ensued when we had attempted to eject the 'ladies.'

Bill Weasley had agreed to host the event. I certainly did not envy that man when his half-Veela wife returned to find her home in shambles and most of their possessions soaked in vomit. I hadn't wanted the bloody party to begin with.

Hermione's Hen party was a bit more of a problem. Ginevra Potter and Fleur Weasley were rather more adept at party planning. I knew that Hermione was not one for extreme drunkenness, but I couldn't help being a bit nervous.

~~Hermione~~

The 'Hen Party' was really good fun. The girls had planned a route through London, both Wizard and Muggle, touring some of the best clubs the city had to offer.

My memories are fuzzy enough to eliminate the details of the evening. I did, however, have my memory jogged by the article in the Prophet stating that the War Monument in Diagon Alley had been defaced. Apparently, Severus' name had been magically altered so that it now read 'Severus Tobias "Sex-God" Snape.'

By the strangest of circumstances, the best curse breakers were unable to change it back.

Luna had provided a large collection of pornographic films, as well as a television and DVD player charmed to work without electricity. The slightly odd former Ravenclaw had stood through the films, narrating them as though they were instructional videos.

At first, it all seemed comical, but after Fleur had confessed that many of Luna's pointers and suggestions were new to her, the lot of us sobered up to listen.

Once I got over the overly made-up girls shouting rude words and making ridiculous faces, it was all very educational. Picturing some of what Luna was advocating with Severus was stimulating.

It was a brilliant party. I'd had more fun in that day and a half than I'd ever dreamed was possible. I was excited to tell Severus all about it. I rushed through the door, breathless and more than a little ready for his attentions.

He shut me down. He gave me a cold stare and told me to shower and wash the 'stench of other men' off of me.

Yea, that stung. Though I hadn't heard any details, I was aware that the party thrown in his honour had been less than stellar. Perhaps that was what had him in such a state?

That might be his reason, but not an excuse....

"Fine. I'll just take care of my own needs, shall I?" I prayed my voice wouldn't shake and give me away. I stalked into the en suite bath, fuming.

Just because his Stag Night went tits up, that should mean that I can't have any fun? Is this how it's to be, then? I can only have fun when he does?

I managed to work myself into a real state. I finished my shower and dried off, pulling my towel around me. I set about combing my hair rather more viciously than I normally would have done.

In the midst of snarling, and muttering under my breath, I noticed another face staring back at me from the mirror. Severus had a evil smirk on his face.

"Something vexes thee?" He appeared to be enjoying himself.

Did that sodding asshat think he could play hot and cold with me? He was sadly mistaken.

"Not at all. I'm rather tired. Think I'll turn in." I turned, replacing the brush on the counter. My brilliant plan was to brush past him in the doorway. All went well until I crossed the threshold.

As I entered the bedroom, I felt my towel pull away from my body. I turned, my anger once again burning at supernova level. I now regretted leaving my wand in my cloak.

"Stop it, Severus, I'm not in the mood."

"But you were..." He trailed off. He approached me, black eyes flashing.

I huffed loudly and pulled on my cami and sleep shorts, ignoring him as best I could. I wanted to be angry with him. The arrogant prick thought he could coerce me into anything.

"Dearest, you're not angry with me? Let me make it up to you." He was using his most persuasive, sexiest voice. He followed me to the bed and ran his fingers lightly along my collar bone.

I roughly pushed his hand away and turned to face him. I knew he could read the fury in my eyes. "You don't get it, do you? When you throw your little tantrums, when you use your appeal to influence me, you're invalidating my feelings. You're letting me know that what matters to me doesn't mean shit to you. That's not what marriage means, not to me anyway. Goodnight." With that, I lay down, turning my back on him. I snuggled under the covers and pulled my pillow closer.

~~Severus~~

She was right. I was behaving like a spoiled child. I was angry that she'd enjoyed her time with her friends. Hell, I was angry that she had real friends. I didn't like anyone to take her time from me, and her bonds with others only served as a reminder that, if not for her, I'd be alone.

I did enjoy my privacy, but living with her had shown me the benefits of interactions with others. Only Hermione could bring out this sort of soul searching in me.

Even more disturbing was the notion that I was manipulating her. I hadn't even been doing it consciously. Making situations work to my advantage was one of the core tenants of my Slytherin psyche. I'd never stopped to consider that she would be hurt by it.

I'd never had to consider the feelings of another person. I thought I was doing a great job, but it would have to go deeper. I realised I needed to let go of my self-centred behaviour.

I loved her. Hermione brought light and happiness to my shitty excuse for a life. She made me want to be better. She was the strongest force in the universe. I wanted to let go and allow her to move me.

For the next several days, I focused only on what she wanted. I listened, better than I ever had before. I had to be careful; she wouldn't want a doormat. I had to find a way to be a true, equal partner. That one was going to be a struggle. I'd spent a lifetime either being entirely dominated, or dominating others. I'd never had what she was offering, what she deserved.

Though she never came out and said she'd noticed any difference, we also got on better than we had in months. Even with the ridiculous stress of wedding plans.

The one major difference, however, came in our sex life. I wanted her to come to me. I can't rightly explain why it seemed so necessary, but in my mind, her initiating the intimacy had become linked with our resolving our previous disagreement. And I won't lie and say it wasn't an enormous ego-boost to have her begging for me.

Fridays had become 'wedding days.' I examined colour swatches, gave my opinion on flower arrangements, and endlessly debated the merits of infused versus torted--which turned out to be a pretentious word for 'fruit-filled'--cake.

This particular Friday, I was prepared for another round of pre-nuptial tedium. Hermione came in, Levitating boxes filled with some sort of brightly coloured frippery and God knows what else.

"Severus, we really must decide on the favours for the wedding, as well as the seating plan for dinner and finalising the menu." She sounded flustered and excited.

"Alright, darling." I wanted to convey my total and absolute dedication to our wedding.

She looked at me as though she were expecting some sort of ugly outburst, but didn't comment. "Now, I've got three colours of Jordan Almonds, and we also need to chose between the flat-edged and fluted tulle."

My fiancé stood before me hold out two bits of fluff each wrapped around a few vivid blue sugared almonds. I threw myself into the discussion as wholeheartedly as possible.

From there, we continued through a rather heated debate on pork chops and sirloin. We made good progress, and other than a bit of bother over exactly how many seats Hagrid would take up at a table, we were nearly finished.

I stood, to be the gentleman and help her clear away and somehow managed to tangle my feet in the table legs and my robes. I managed to stay upright, but I stubbed my toe rather badly.

"Fuckwankbuggershittingassheadhole!" I leaned down and brought my foot up to my hands. I squeezed my foot and hopped on the spot for a moment. When I opened my eyes, I saw Hermione, hands over her mouth, red-faced and teary-eyed.

My first instinct was to fly into a rage that she would have the gall to laugh at my indignity. But then suddenly, it occurred to me that this was one moment I would have to, as they say, 'suck it up.'

I opened my mouth to speak when she cut me off.

"God, I want you, Severus."

~~Hermione~~

Something about the extremely rude string of words that came pouring out of his mouth reminded me completely of why I had fallen in love with him. And why I've wanted him, needed him for so long.

He was a bit shocked when I Vanished everything he was wearing and jumped into his arms.

My clothes Vanished as well, which I could only assume to be his doing. We somehow made it to the bedroom without loss of life or limb. He fell onto the bed, pulling me with him, bumping our chests together.

"Now, Severus, I want you now." Having said that, I attacked his mouth and ran my hand down his chest until I found his erection and slid my hand along it several times.

Economy of words can be quite valuable, especially under such conditions.

"Yes!" His hands wandered over me. He might have said more, but the fingers of his right hand were distracting me.

Perhaps wedding planning was alright after all.