Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Hermione sat on her sofa, deep in thought about her relationship with Severus Snape. They had been dating now for four months, and she was quite happy. But something was niggling at her consciousness. Something that just wasn't quite right.

Their first official date had been completely wonderful. Severus had whisked her to Vienna for a night at the opera. She had cried for Mimi in La Boheme and had been sure Severus would mock her, but he had only commiserated at the sad circumstances when they had discussed the performance after the show. The entire night had been romantic and wonderful, and she still thought back on it fondly.

Severus and Hermione had moved slowly in their relationship after that. They had engaged in deep conversations at dinner, which oftentimes had led to them ending up in one or the other's rooms, dragging on late into the night.

Severus had whisked Hermione away to Hogsmeade every weekend, where they would shop, dine, and spend time with one another.

To be truthful, they had spent almost all of their spare time together. They seemed to get along famously, except for one aspect. They had not yet kissed.

Hermione mulled this over in her head. I'm certainly not going to kiss him! I may be a modern-thinking woman, but there are just some things on which I won't compromise. She stared out her window as she sat in her favorite chair with a book perched in her lap. She'd given up correcting essays for the day as the obvious lack of effort on the student's part was making her head hurt.

Maybe he's not interested. Maybe now that he knows me, he doesn't want to have a serious relationship with me. Maybe he doubts what that fairy godmother said altogether.

Hermione huffed and rose from her seat, placing her book on the table next to her. There had been a few times when she'd sworn he was going to kiss her. Unfortunately, those episodes had always ended in disappointment for her.

Severus and Hermione walked hand in hand down the street. They had Floo'd to London and were now having a romantic evening walk after dining at the latest high-class Wizarding restaurant. Hermione stopped suddenly and drew Severus' attention to the river that flowed beside the street they were walking on.

He withdrew and took her hand, but he was somewhat distant the rest of the night. Hermione wondered what she'd done to spoil the mood.

Hermione came back to herself and furrowed her brow. It seemed that any time she thought Severus was about to kiss her, something else would happen. He'd hug her awkwardly, he'd avert his eyes, he'd draw her attention elsewhere. She shook her head. Maybe she was just reading him incorrectly. He must not have been intending to kiss her at all.

Despite the lack of affection in their relationship, Hermione had found herself growing incredibly enamored with Severus Snape. Despite his prickly persona, she had found that when they were alone, he let his curtness fall away. Of course, when he was angry, he was formidable.

Severus stormed into the Great Hall and threw himself into his seat next to Hermione. He began slamming mashed potatoes onto his plate and grumbling to himself.

"I will! Thank you!" He got up and stormed out of the Hall.

Hermione shook her head at the memory. She smiled too. After his little display he'd presented her with a bouquet of white tulips. He'd said something about them representing forgiveness, and that he'd hoped that she could forgive him for his rudeness.

She'd forgiven him in an instant. Just the fact that he'd actually apologized had astounded her. It had proven to her that he was trying.

Unfortunately, being able to apologize didn't make a relationship. Neither did spending all their time together. It had been almost four months now, and he'd yet to show much affection for her. He'd embraced her only a couple of times, he occasionally held her hand, and he hadn't even seemed interested in kissing her. Her heart sank.

It's not working. He doesn't want me, I'm sure of it. Maybe it's time to give up on this. He must not know how to break it off. After the fairy's assurances, he probably doesn't want to let me down. We do have our choice, though. The fairies said that the wish would be fulfilled, but no one would be pushed into something they didn't want.

She shook her head. She couldn't see how the wish could be fulfilled if he had no interest in her. A sudden sadness enveloped her. In those short months, she'd grown fond of Severus. She found him attractive, and her stomach fluttered whenever she first saw him.

Her mind went back to the fairies. They had assured her that things would work out. She hoped they would, because as time went on, she found herself wanting to spend more and more time with Severus. As it was now, she couldn't imagine her life without him. She examined the feelings within her. Her heart longed to be with him forever. She'd finally found the one person who could match her in every way. Her shoulders sagged.

I think I love him. What else could that feeling be? I love him, but he just wants to be friends. Now what do I do?

Severus fidgeted on his couch. He stared into the fire. He always found it easier to think when he stared into the crackling flames. He had much to think about.

It's been four months. Hermione and I have spent a lot of time together. I feel comfortable with her, and she seems comfortable with me. Why haven't I kissed her yet?

He hadn't a decisive answer. He'd tried, oh, how he'd tried. It seemed that every time he was about to plant one on her alluring lips, something derailed the kiss. Mostly, he'd chickened out.

A spy to the Order, right hand man to Voldemort, and I can't even summon up enough courage to kiss a woman. What a disgrace I am! Psyching myself up, then just getting the jitters and avoiding her mouth all together. She must think me impassionate.

The one thing that kept coming to his mind whenever he thought of his relationship with Hermione was that he wanted to take things slowly. He wanted to do it right. The promises he'd gotten from Arista were too wonderful to muck up, and he had a way of mucking things up with women. Take the way Lily and he had ended up, for instance. She was the first of several failed relationships.

Narcissa Malfoy...she'd been a rebound from Lily. A foolish endeavor, especially since she was involved with Lucius at the time. Of course, she'd chosen Lucius over him. He'd been so bent on power that he hadn't seen what was right in front of him.

Rita Skeeter...she had been all for good press. The affair had occurred after the first fall of the Dark Lord when he had been fighting to escape Azkaban. He'd needed an ally other than Dumbledore. The blonde witch had been eager to serve. Again, the relationship had gone nowhere fast. They hadn't lasted two weeks. She'd stormed out one evening, declaring she would not subject herself to his ugly mug for a minute more. He'd been at a loss as to her outburst. Perhaps it was the fact that he'd told her she was a gold-digging harpy, only out for a good story, willing to shag whomever she could for that story. If he remembered correctly, she countered that it would be a cold day in hell before she ever thought about shagging him.

Yes, his relationship experience prior to Hermione had been an exercise in failure. No wonder he didn't know what to do with the witch in his life. Oh, he knew what he'd like to do, but he was at a loss as to what actions were too much.

The one time I did get my nerve up, that Weasley brat barged in!

Severus got lost in the memory of the last time he'd tried to be affectionate with Hermione.

Hermione and Severus entered her room and she spun around with a wide grin on her face.

"No, Weasley," Severus sighed. "Nothing that we can't continue later." His eyes searched out Hermione's. She was frowning, but she gave him a quick nod. Within a matter of seconds she'd rushed through the door and away with the Weasley brat.

He sighed at the memory. After that, he'd lost his nerve again. The kiss never came. He wished he could be seductive... like Lucius Malfoy. Now there was a man who had every woman he encountered wrapped around his finger.

Uh oh!

There was a ball of light forming in front of him. Sure enough, Arista appeared, this time in a bright yellow gown. Severus stared incomprehensibly at her as she giggled, even before taking her full shape.

"You aren't serious, are you?" Severus asked. "That wasn't a real wish! I really don't want to be like Malfoy!"

Arista smiled brightly, her teeth sparkling. "My dear, Severus, you have it in you."

"Have... what... in me?"

"The ability to be seductive, of course! You must hurry and use it. Hermione is getting worried."

"Worried about what?" Severus scowled.

"Why, about whether you really want her or not. She's a bit tired of the buddy thing you two have going. She's ready for a man in her life."

"I am a man in her life," Severus retorted.

"Then show her that you are. At least kiss her! How does she know you love her if you don't kiss her?"

"Who said I love her?" Severus snapped. He looked very uncomfortable.

Arista pointed her wand at his heart. "You need to look in there, Severus. You will see."

A small light left her wand and entered his body over his heart. Severus grasped his chest.

"Are you trying to kill me, woman?"

Arista giggled again. "Just listen, Severus." She began fading from view. "You will know what to do."

Severus frowned. "Insufferable bint! Could you be any more vague?"

Then it happened. His heart nearly exploded in his chest.

Oh, hell, she's given me a heart attack!

He felt his heart constrict within him as thoughts of Hermione flooded his mind. He saw her looking up shyly at him and smiling, and he felt as if his heart would tear in two. His hand grasped his chest even harder as he doubled over. He saw her waving at him and walking away. He yearned to follow her. She looked back sadly and blew him a kiss. Instinctively, he knew she was saying goodbye. His heart constricted painfully. How could he live without her? He'd become too accustomed to her being there. She had become a part of him. Amazement filled him.

I love her. I can't imagine being without her. She truly is my soul mate.

He marveled at his discovery. The one thing he thought he'd never find...true love...was within his grasp. It was so close he could feel it, but if he didn't act, he'd lose it all. Standing abruptly, he rushed for the door.

I need to tell her, before it's too late!

Pounding on the door, Severus called Hermione's name. He continued to pound until she was facing him with a frown on her face.

"Merlin, Severus, what's going on?"

He flew past her and turned back to face her, his hair swinging into his face. "I'm glad I found you at home."

Hermione gave him a puzzled look as she closed the door behind her. "Whatever is the matter?"

"Nothing... nothing is the matter. I just... I just needed to see you."

Hermione frowned. Here was the proof. He was agitated. Something pressing was on his mind. Perhaps he'd come to the same realization that she had. He knew. He knew she wasn't right for him. He was going to end their relationship. Her heart broke as she gazed up at him.

"I... we... Hermione... things have not been what they should have been these last few months."

She turned away. She couldn't look at him. Not when he was about to shatter her dreams and wishes.

"I have been keeping something from you," he continued. "Something I just realized a few minutes ago."

Hermione hung her head. Yes, it was too good to be true. He wants nothing beyond being friends. It's just dawned on him.

"It's all right, Severus. There's no need to explain." She made her way back to the door and opened it. She didn't even look back at him. She didn't want to see his face right now. "We tried. It just didn't work; I understand. I hope we can still be friends."

Severus looked at her in confusion. "What the devil are you blabbering on about, woman?"

She chuckled wryly. "It's obvious, Severus. You see me as only a friend. I get it. I'm not upset. Things just didn't work out."

She felt hands clasping her arms, trying to turn her toward him. She refused to budge.

"Hermione, look at me."

"No, Severus. Just go."

There was silence. Hermione's heart sank. He didn't even have anything to say to her anymore. She was startled out of her melancholy by his next tentative words.

"If I go now, I will leave my heart here with you."

She swung around to look into his eyes. She searched them. They stared back at her intensely.

"I have been denying everything, Hermione. Denying my feelings for you and what needs to happen between the two of us."

"What needs to happen, Severus?" Hermione whispered, barely able to believe he was speaking this way.

"I need to tell you that I love you."

Hermione gave a quick gasp.

"Then I need to tell you that my life is incomplete without you."

Hermione could say nothing. She just stared at Severus as he bore his heart to her.

"After that, it would probably be proper if I... kissed you."

She smiled then. "So, what are you waiting for?" she asked tentatively.

Severus took in a deep breath. "Hermione Granger, I love you and my life is incomplete without you."

Her smile grew wider. "You already said that part. I meant the kiss."

She needn't have worried. He looked into her eyes, and her breath caught in her throat. He was always so reserved... so cautious about letting his feelings be known. Now, however, his eyes blazed with passion. His face shone with love for her. He slowly bowed his head and nuzzled her nose with his.

"I want this kiss to be as special as you are," he whispered.

Her heart rejoiced as his lips finally met hers. They softly caressed her in adoration. She'd waited for what seemed like forever for this moment. Oh, it had been so worth the wait! He was tender, yet passionate all in one. Her lips parted and his tongue ventured into her mouth. Her knees went weak. Severus held her steady as a smirk crossed his lips. She felt his smile and smiled herself, but soon both their grins had disappeared and they became consumed with one another.

Hermione's heart soared at his revelations and this perfect kiss. She frowned as he pulled away, but his tender caress of her jaw line eased the absence of his mouth on hers.

"Severus, what made you come to this realization today?"

Severus looked a bit sheepish as he formulated his answer. "I was frustrated," he admitted. "I had been trying to kiss you for ages now, but every time I gathered up my nerve, something happened to foil my attempts." He smirked as he thought of how to continue. "I was thinking about us, not really knowing how to move forward with our relationship. Arista appeared and pointed her wand at my chest. Everything became clear then."

"Everything?" Hermione asked curiously.

"My feelings for you became evident. Hermione, I'm not a demonstrative man. I've spent a lifetime hiding my emotions." He looked to the floor guiltily. "I've spent a lifetime denying that I even had emotions. I hid my emotions so well that I didn't even realize, until it was almost too late, that I am madly in love with you."

Hermione's heart leapt within her. "I think I just came to the same realization not too long ago."

Severus pulled her to him and buried her head in his robes. "I'm sorry. I have been a dunderhead, not showing how much you mean to me."

"Severus..."

"No, Hermione, you don't understand."

"Understand what?"

"My wish... it just wasn't to find someone to love."

Hermione furrowed her brow as she pulled back and looked to Severus. His intense gaze made her insides still. No one has ever looked at me like that.

"I wished..." Severus grimaced.

"Wished for what?" Hermione asked in a whisper.

"I wished... for a soul mate."

Hermione gaped at him. She shook her head in disbelief. "Severus, I wished for the same thing."

Severus frowned slightly. "Have you found that soul mate?"

"Have you?"

His hands came up and surrounded her face. "Oh, yes," he murmured. "You've been right in front of me all along."

Hermione's heart soared. She marveled at what he'd said. Part of her couldn't believe it. She couldn't believe that someone she felt to be her soul mate could find her equally as well matched. She stared at him in a mental stupor, not quite sure how to express her feelings for him.

Severus tensed and his face became serious. "You do not feel the same way," he stated sadly.

Breaking out of her mental fog, she gave Severus a determined look. "I don't think it's possible to love someone more than I love you, Severus. You are my soul mate in every way. I... I mean... the thought of being without you makes me feel hollow inside."

Hermione watched as Severus' face filled with joy. She had never before seen such contentment on his usually stern visage. If she had to put it into words, she'd say that he was radiating happiness. Happiness because of her. She was the cause of Severus Snape finally looking contented with his life. She hoped she could make him remain as happy as he was now. She would do everything possible to keep him always looking at her in that way.

Her hands wrapped around his neck and she pulled him to her. She kissed him with abandon. His hands snaked around her backside and he pulled her flush against him. The feel of his body against hers was so very blissful. She couldn't get enough of his hands and mouth seemingly worshiping her. Suddenly, the couple was surrounded by a pale blue light. It began as a small ball at their feet and swirled around them until it reached the top of their heads, then disappeared. Severus and Hermione, however, didn't seem to notice the display at all, as they were so they involved with one another.

Above them, near the ceiling, two balls of light formed. In an instant, Arista and Zora floated along, smiling down on their charges. Arista looked to Zora. Zora's shoulders arched up and she smiled happily at her friend. She extended her hand and Arista shook it enthusiastically. The two disappeared in a flash, leaving behind the sound of their giggling.

Hermione pulled away and looked to the ceiling just in time to see the flashes of light wink out and hear the remaining giggle. She looked back to Severus, who had also turned in the direction of the noise. He glanced back at Hermione curiously.

"I think our fairies are pleased," she explained.

Severus arched an eyebrow at her. "Not as pleased as I am." He descended to her lips again and all thoughts of fairies were forgotten as they concentrated solely on each other.

The End

A/N: Thanks, everybody, for reading this fun bit of fluff. Thanks again to luvsev and morethansirius for their help in beta and cheerleading.