Seven

Epilogue

It had been three months since the fall of Voldemort. Severus hadn't seen or heard from Hermione since. Part of him wanted to swallow his pride and go to her, but he couldn't. She deserved more than him. Lily had seen what a miserable failure he was in a relationship, and she would see too. And as soon as someone more attractive or adventurous came along, he'd lose her. Last week Dumbledore told him that he'd finally landed the job as Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. He'd been trying for it for years. He wanted so badly to celebrate with her, but again, he couldn't do it.

Why was he destined to be so lonely? Ah, well, his new position left the Potions position open. He'd spend some time going over his old lessons with the new professor. That would fill up his time. Hopefully, it would be someone worthy of the tedious position. Maybe he would finally have someone on the same level as him with whom he could converse.

He kept in touch with Harry and would be going to his wedding next month. After that, he would go and watch him play Quidditch for England when time allowed. Harry had quit his job as head Auror for the Ministry since he defeated the Dark Lord. He felt it was time to finally live for himself. That was a good thing. He wished him well. Unfortunately, his friend, Weasley, never recovered from the loss of so many loved ones. He was receiving treatments from St. Mungo's and still living at home with his parents. He'd recently found out that Hermione had quit her job as well. Apparently, the job wasn't the same without her mates. He'd no word on where she'd gone though.

Dumbledore knocked on his door. "Severus, the new Potions mistress has arrived. After she is settled into her new chambers, I'll have her come here to start going over your old lessons."

"Mistress?" he asked dumbly. He'd been under the impression that a male had taken over the position. Just great! So much for having a companion to talk to.

"Yes, she is just delightful!" Dumbledore said, eyes twinkling madly. The man always seemed so damn mysterious.

He nodded and his guest left.

Severus was getting the last of his personal effects out of his old office as he heard the door open. "Hello there," he said curtly, back still turned. "Just getting a few of my things."

"That's not a problem, Severus."

He straightened. Hermione. Slowly, he turned to face her.

"What are you doing here?" he asked in shock.

She smiled sweetly. "This, sir, is now my new office. I've accepted your old position. I hope that doesn't make you uneasy."

"But, why, Hermione? You could have chosen any field to work in. Why this one?" This was impossible!

"This," she said pointing around, "is where my heart is. I've always been about studying, research, books. This is my place. I'll never feel like I do when I'm here."

"But your friends, they'll not get to see you as much."

She giggled. "Harry is going to play Quidditch for England. Madam Hooch will be retiring in about five years. Then he'll come here to take over her position. I'll not be long without him and Ginny. We'll get to grow old and raise children together at Hogwarts."

Severus sighed. "Hermione, if this is some attempt to get me to change my mind, I won't. It's not too late. The headmaster can find someone else to take this job. You have so much potential."

"That's right. I do. This is what I want. I want to teach. I want to give back to our world all the knowledge that I can so that other students can go on and improve society. It's my calling. Always has been." She jutted her chin up defiantly. "You'll not intimidate me or force me to leave. My feelings for you are still the same, but I've made a choice. This is where I'll be should you change your mind."

"I don't know what to say. I'm speechless. I just thought that you would want to... to live a little." He could not believe his good fortune. She had chosen to leave her life as it was to live near him. It seemed that she had things thought out. Maybe there could be something for them after all. If she would be here anyway, why be lonely?

"Do you still love me?" she asked softly.

"Of course I do. I just wanted what's best for you."

"You are what's best for me. School is what's best for me. I've no intention on leaving either of you. Just say you'll have me," she was pleading with him again as she had before.

Someone had chosen him. He was not dull to her. He was not good for nothing except making love in her eyes. She could see past all his horrible deeds of the past. "I'll... I'll marry you," he said suddenly. Where the hell did that come from? No matter. He knew he meant it.

"If you do, then we can sleep together every night for the next century, you know, and Dumbledore can't say anything about it." She grinned.

"Is... is that a yes, Hermione? You will be my wife then?" He couldn't believe it. All his secret desires were here in front of him. He could have a future.

"Yes," she said simply and held out her arms to him.

He went to her and held her.

"I'll try to give you all that I can and make you happy. I think I'll just need some help along the way. Think you can keep an old man in line?" He raised an eyebrow.

"I KNOW that I can, but I have a confession to make to you." She looked away.

Dread filled him. Had she slept with another? Young Malfoy perhaps.

"Tell me. I want complete honesty between us." He would take whatever she said and work through it. He couldn't lose her now. His heart couldn't take it.

"I want you to know that I accepted this job last week. Two days ago, I fell ill. I went to see Madam Pomfrey when I arrived."

She met his eyes.

She was obviously afraid to tell him something. Good God, was she going to die?

"Go on." He held his breath.

"I've found out that I'm pregnant."

He jumped back. "Say what?"

"I'm pregnant."

"For whom?"

She looked at him oddly. He couldn't read her expression. Who had she been with?

"How could you ask such a thing?"

He'd hurt her. Well, she couldn't expect him to not ask or to just accept her and her child without knowing, though a child would certainly change things and give him another reason to feel good... to feel worth something in life.

"I won't hold it against you. And I'll still marry you. I love you, and I will love your child," he stated easily. "But I would like to know who has fathered it."

"Severus, Madam Pomfrey says that I am about three months along. I had no idea until today." She smiled. "I didn't want you to think that is why I've come here. I came here of my own volition. When Dumbledore approached me, I accepted without knowing this. I'm not here to trick you into marriage."

"Three months. Then that would mean... Hermione..." Was the child his? Impossible. He always used a seed immobilizing spell. Always. Except the last time he was with her. He'd had no time. She'd just pounced on him and him on her.

"That's right, insufferable git. We, as in you and I, are going to be parents!" she said playfully. "Does this change anything?"

"Heavens no!" He picked her up and twirled her around happily.

"I've never thought I'd have children. The closest I ever thought I'd be is Harry. He's like a son to me now!"

She looked away sadly. "Do you still love her even now?"

"Who?" His mind was blank.

"Harry's mum."

"Hermione, no. I belong only to you. She is in the past for me. I'm going to keep her there. Today, you've made me the happiest man alive!" He kissed her softly. "We need to see the headmaster straight away to be married. Then, I will bring you back down here and have my way with you."

"Nothing would make me happier. I promise to love you all of my days."

He had her. Someone to love. Someone who would love him back. A little one on the way. Harry and his family would join them in a few years. Life couldn't be better.

AN: Thanks for joining me on this silly adventure (now to get my mind back on my real story, Breaching the Otherworld, which has the final chapter in the writing stage).

As far as this story goes, I'm thinking they'll have twins (a couple of sets of twins at least before they're done), and they'll be the perfect mix of Snape and Hermione: a girl with straight, black, silky hair and chocolate eyes and a pert nose... and a boy with bushy brown hair and black eyes with a hooked nose. Oh, and let's not forget that they each have to have ghastly names. :)

Hahaha :)

I wonder what happened to Hermione's big plan for revenge? Hmmm. I hate when stories build up a plot and then have it fizzle without mentioning again. :) dun dun dun dun

Let's pretend Hermione matured and realized that biding her time was better than doing something silly that might possibly push her man away even more. ~grin~