Eight

Chapter 8

Severus wrapped his arms around Hermione and pulled her close. “Are you sure about this?”

She pulled back from him slightly to look into his eyes. “We can’t stay hidden from the world forever. I don’t think this will be an enjoyable time, but hopefully once the press sees us enough, they’ll find somewhere else to focus their cameras.”

“If you insist. We can wait, you know.”

“No, let’s do it now.”

It had been two months since the rollercoaster weekend when they had admitted their love for one another. Severus’ potions business with Viktor Krum was building nicely, and both Hermione and Severus thought that he might actually be able to open a small storefront on Diagon Alley within a year. More customers outside of his dark clientele had been ordering his products via owl post, and more people were actually coming in to purchase as well.

Things had been going along swimmingly, and Hermione was tired of hiding. She wanted to announce to the world that she had found love and thumb her nose at anyone who dared write anything negative about it. The plan to alert the world included dinner at a cafe in Diagon Alley.

Severus took her hand and pulled her close. His arm went around her. “You’re sure?” he asked a final time.

“Yes, let’s go.”

In a swirl, they Apparated away.

No one noticed them at first. Their anonymity didn’t last long, however. Several couples along the street started pointing. Then a woman shouted. Before long, a small gathering was following the couple as they made their way down the street. From nowhere, cameras began to flash and questions were shouted out. Hermione and Severus kept their heads down as they made their way to the small cafe. When they got to the entrance of the cafe, they stopped and faced the crowd.

“Not that it’s any of your business,” Severus began, “but Hermione Granger and I are engaged to be married. Despite all that you have read in the papers, Hermione is a beautiful, loving woman, and I will have no more bad press published about her. If you know me at all, you know my past. I am not a man to be trifled with. Both Dumbledore and Voldemort learned that the hard way.”

Hermione’s mouth dropped open before she was abruptly turned in Severus’ arms and whisked into the cafe. Camera flashbulbs went off furiously as the couple disappeared from view. She was still gaping at Severus in surprise as they were led to their seats in the back of the restaurant. As they settled in, sitting next to one another in the cozy booth, Severus looked at her sharply.

“What?”

“I... I’m shocked. I can’t believe you brought up Dumbledore.”

Severus reached out and grasped Hermione’s hand. “I know that many people feel I am a murderer, despite the evidence that has come out in my favor. As you are always so quick to point out, the Slytherin in me has a tendency to use things to my advantage. I saw an advantage, and I took it. I would imagine that even Molly Weasley’s ranting will not receive any more credibility after a direct threat from a former Death Eater.”

Hermione’s eyes filled with tears. Severus frowned. “I did not mean to upset you.”

“It’s not that,” she said with a sniff. “I know how all of that bothers you deep down. You saying that back there just shows me once again how much you love me. I know you wouldn’t throw your reputation at the mercy of the press unless you loved me.”

“Of course, asking you to marry me had no bearing on how much I loved or didn’t love you?” he asked with an arched brow.

Hermione giggled. “I knew you loved me; it’s just nice to have that reinforced, especially in such a meaningful way.”

Severus grasped her hand and moved in closer to her. “Hermione, I thank Merlin every day that you walked in on Weasley. I fully believe that things happen for a reason. That day, when you came to me so distraught about your husband’s philandering, I knew, deep down, that I cared for you more than I should admit.”

Hermione squeezed Severus’ hand. He held up his free one to stop her from saying anything. “Your quitting the Ministry was our chance, Hermione, although neither one of us realized it at the time. I am not a man to let a chance slip by. Neither am I a man to see the woman I love be tormented by lies and gossip. They may call me what they may, but I will not let them besmirch your name ever again.”

“What if they do?”

“A few poisoned rats, sent by untraceable owl should scare them well enough.”

Hermione shook her head. “You are extremely diabolical when you want to be, aren’t you?”

He smirked then. “I learned from the best.”

“Voldemort?”

“No, Dumbledore.”

Hermione threw her head back and laughed. Shaking her head she looked into his eyes. “I love you, Severus.”

“And I, you, my lady.”

He leaned forward and captured her mouth. Severus pulled her close, making Hermione’s heart soar as his lips worshipped her. Their kiss deepened as Hermione felt lightheaded with his affections.

“Severus!” she managed to gasp between his onslaughts. “We’re in a public place!”

Severus leaned in and whispered in her ear. “I want everyone to know how much I love you, Hermione.”

“Yes, but... We... You...” She looked down, her cheeks bright red.

With a wave of his wand, Severus cast a Notice-me-not spell and pulled his fiancé back into his arms. “You are most delightful when you are embarrassed,” he replied before continuing where they had left off.

Hermione knew anymore complaints would be useless. She didn’t really want to complain anyway. Severus had been right. Things did happen for a reason. Had she not walked in on her ex-husband, she’d have never known just how fantastic Severus Snape was, and that would have been a tragedy. But Hermione didn’t believe in tragedies. She was an optimist, and felt everyone deserved a happy ending. Butterflies raced through her as she understood she’d finally found hers.

The End

A/N: Thanks again to slytherinlaurel for the beta. That's it, folks. Sorry it's taken way too long for updates. I'm handing out wet noodles for anyone who would like to beat me. I hope you enjoyed this at any rate.