A/N: The final chapter is here. Again, thank you to all who have reviewed, favourited and followed, your support is much appreciated.

SS

As I opened the door to the Merry Mooncalf and made my way towards our group, who were huddled around two large tables at the back of the room, I felt uncomfortable, to say the least. The project was now completed, and our partner was particularly pleased with our results and had taken care to point out the innovative nature of our work. Naturally, Garrick had suggested that Miss Granger and I work together on other projects and she had been quick to agree with his assessment. I, on the other hand, was not as enthusiastic, for obvious reasons.

I considered that another overseas trip, under the guise of research or forging contacts for rare and exotic ingredients, would be perfectly timed. I felt the need to put some distance between us and gain some perspective. Sadly, on that evening, the Fates had other ideas as the only chair left at the table was conveniently located between Miss Granger and one of our senior technicians, Cecily Swaledale. I audibly groaned.

"Severus, I took the liberty of getting you a firewhiskey." Garrick called out to me as I approached the group.

I tried not to notice Miss Granger as she turned around to look at me. "Good evening, Mr. Snape." Her greeting, however, made it impossible for me to ignore her and so I nodded an acknowledgement.

In our years as a company we had never meet outside of the office as a collective and I found it somewhat awkward at first as it became obvious that I knew nothing of my employees and so found conversation difficult. It was plain that they weren't overly keen to engage with me, not that I was bothered by this fact, I was simply more aware. Garrick on the other hand was in his element, talking about all manner of things with a group of people he knew well. His casual ease with people was one of the many ways we were different. Where I was cautious and suspicious, he was keen and accepting.

Miss Swaledale made an admirable attempt to engage with me regrding Kingsborough and I was impressed with her depth of knowledge on the subject and some her insightful observations. She was a credit to the team Garrick had assembled. I didn't voice my opinion aloud, however, it simply wasn't my way.

As the evening progressed, I had tried not to notice that Miss Granger had spent much of the time engaged in conversation with one of our other researchers, Hannibal Hornbeam, which incidentally, always seemed to me to be a ridiculous name. Yes, I do appreciate the irony.

Despite not deliberately attempting to listen to their conversation I learnt that Mr. Hornbeam had a sister who worked with Miss. Granger's ex-boyfriend, one Mr. Ronald Weasley. The magical world is rather small and as a result it is not particularly usual to find connections in this way; nevertheless, the fact irked me for reasons I preferred not to analyse at the time.

The pair talked over a great many topics, from their respective work, books, travel and the Muggle World. Occasionally she would laugh in a way which drew my attention despite my efforts to ignore it. In fact, it became such an irritant that I deliberately went to order another round of drinks for the table simply for some respite. I was at a loss as to why she was irritating me so and was eager to see the evening concluded.

On my way back to the table from the men's room I found myself accosted by Miss. Granger.

"Hello." She looked to the floor and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, I knew this to be a nervous gesture. "You've been a bit quiet this evening."

"I wasn't aware I was being monitored." I replied, snidely. I was quite put out that she would say such a thing to me, who was she to have an opinion on such a subject? Whether I chose to speak, or not, was my own business.

Evidently my reply, meant to sting, seemed to amuse and I considered that our having worked closely together now meant that my once sharp tongue was blunt where she was concerned. The alternative, of course, was that she was inebriated.

"You know, you don't have to try and frighten everyone away all the time. I know things haven't always been easy but maybe you should let people in a little."

My eyes may very well have leapt out of their sockets, though I hoped I didn't advertise my shock at her audacity. "Perhaps you should concentrate on your own affairs and leave me to my own," I snapped.

To my horror she reached across the short distance between us and grasped my elbow. "I would like to be your friend, Severus."

I was taken aback, what was I supposed to say to such a declaration? There had been precious few people in my life whom I had considered a friend and only one of those had been a member of the opposite sex. I was acutely aware of how that had ended and with the recent state of my mind I was none too keen to explore a friendship with this woman. After a moment of silence, I realised that she had addressed me by my first name. I immediately concluded that she was inebriated.

"Go back and sit with Mr. Hornbeam, Miss Granger." I was not unkind, but I wished to end the conversation.

Surprisingly she nodded and moved past me towards the facilities, but not before flashing me another one of her amused looks. Much too much of a Gryffindor by half, I concluded.

It was at least another ninety minutes of inane conversation before I felt able to take my leave as Miss Swaledale and a couple of the technicians bade us a goodnight, Mr. Hornbeam was soon to follow.

With at least four firewhiskies in my stomach I paid one last visit to the W.C. before returning to find Miss Granger putting on her coat, the others having already departed. I watched as she struggled to slide her hand into the correct sleeve and ended up with her coat a forty-five-degree angle. Ever the gentleman I moved to assist.

"Oh, thank you," she laughed. "Apparently this is more difficult than I remember."

"Are you a witch, or aren't you?" I asked, amused. The whiskey having relaxed my worried mind to some degree. I maneuvered the garment appropriately and saw to it that she was dressed correctly.

"Well obviously I am, but, you know, circumstances being what they are, I'm… um, not quite at my best," again she giggled before reaching back to the table for her bag. As she pulled at the handle it swung forward and hit the back of one of the chairs, causing it to clatter on the flagstone floor. Merlin only knew what she carried in her bag to turn it into a red and gold paisley wreaking ball.

"Oops," she laughed while glancing over at the barman, clearly embarrassed.

I set the chair back in its rightful place at the table. "How many have you had?" I asked, my voice lowered for her ears alone.

"A few. Oh, I don't know, Hannibal bought a couple, one from Garrick and one from you." She commented thoughtfully. "Oh, and Cecily bought a round, and I got one when I arrived."

It shouldn't be enough elf-made wine to pull one off the rails; nevertheless, it was clearly enough to give her a fit of the giggles and strip away any semblance of spatial awareness.

"How are you getting home?" I asked, desperately hoping she would reply that someone was going to come and pick her up and see her safely home. She replied by looking at me blankly and shaking her head. I had no idea who passed as her close friends these days and so, with grim resignation, I offered to escort her home.

"Come along then, you will need to give the direction to your hom and I will Apparate us, side-a-long."

I noted that she followed obediently as I made my way out of the pub and across the road to a cobbled alley, from where we would make our departure.

"Where I am taking you, Miss Granger?"

"Are you sure you don't mind? You don't have to bother, you know."

I sighed. "Tell me where you live." I asked pointedly. I wasn't about to get into a to-and-fro on the matter.

She stepped forward and clasped my elbow, this time, beneath my travelling cloak; I found it an intimate gesture and tried to remember the last time I had cause to Apparate with another person. It simply wasn't something I had cause to do at all.

"Strathmore Gardens, Kensington."

Kensington? We must be paying her too much, I thought.

I concentrated on our destination and transported us both to the garden behind a row of immaculately presented Georgian houses.

"My flat is just over here."

I followed mutely along behind as she led me across the grass and through a green paneled door and into a stairwell embellished with green and white Victorian wall and floor tiles.

"I'm on the first floor."

Again, I followed until we climbed the stairs and reached a black door emblazoned with a brass doorknocker and the figures, '1A' underneath, also made of brass. It wasn't until I had stepped over the threshold and she had divested me of my traveling cloak that I realised where I was and with whom. My curiosity had obviously overridden my caution and I mentally chastised myself for it. That being said, as I found myself in situ, I thought that I may as well let matters take their chosen course.

As I wandered around her compact living room, inspecting the photographs of her family and friends, placed orderly on the fireplace mantle, she waltzed in from what I assumed was the kitchen with a bottle of wine in hand.

"I found this in the cupboard." She waved the bottle at me and brandished two wine glasses. "Take a seat."

I looked around the small room and opted for the soft furnished chair situated next to the sofa. As she poured the wine, I took the opportunity to observe her features; perhaps for the first time, I allowed myself that luxury.

It was rare that I ever saw her with her hair down and this evening was no exception. As ever it was held up with a simple tortoiseshell clip; even then, I thought how odd it was that I had noticed such a thing. Her face was slightly flushed; perhaps it was the heat of the room, or even the alcohol. The V-neck of her dusky pink jumper accentuated the length of her neck. Without warning I found myself imaging my placing delicate kisses from the top of her collar bone up to her ear.

"Here you go!'

I was saved from my own traitorous thoughts by her exclamation.

The wine was pleasant, and I enjoyed our easy conversation, which pulled my mind away from its inappropriate path. The months we had spent working together had laid the foundations for a comradery I had not expected. She told me of her time working in France and her tutelage under Regulus Moonshine. In turn, I regaled her with tales of my own training and my experiences as the youngest teacher at a Scottish boarding school in several centuries.

We managed to finish the bottle of wine surprisingly quickly and so I felt it appropriate to take my leave and call it a night. I had enjoyed myself in the quiet company of a woman for the first time in decades and I couldn't tell you how surprised I was to find that Miss Granger, was the woman in question. I probably should have been concerned that she'd drank over a bottle of wine over the course of the evening, but she seemed relaxed.

"Let me grab your cloak," she offered, opening a cupboard in the hallway and retrieving the garment.

I pulled it over my shoulders and fixed the clasp. "This evening has been pleasant; I wish you a good weekend." I reached backwards for the door handle with which to let myself out, with my right hand, at the same time as I felt a tug in the opposite direction on my left. I looked down to see both of her hands encircling my wrist, before dropping it like hot coals.

"Sorry!" I immediately noticed her blush as she looked away.

"Miss Granger?" I asked.

"Look, I know I am going to regret this but, if you like… you can… stay the night." I noticed, even in my shock, that she stumbled over her words. "Oh, God…" she held her face in her hands, obviously mortified and flew away towards the kitchen.

I was petrified to the spot as I processed what had happened and I couldn't quite believe that she had propositioned me. My first thought was to leave and pretend it had never happened and then I thought of Obliviating her to save her the embarrassment of recalling the event in the morning. I got as far as opening the door a few inches before I reminded myself that I owed her more than the humiliation she was probably experiencing. Without knowing what I would say, I followed her path of flight and did, indeed, find myself in the kitchen where she was leaning back against the counter-top, next to the sink, with her head in her hands.

"I am flattered you would ask such a thing of me," I heard myself say, "but I would be the worst of men to take advantage of you."

She lifted her head and I saw the tears in her eyes. "I'll hand in my notice to Garrick on Monday."

"I beg your pardon?" I snapped. I was irritated by the very suggestion.

"I can hardly stay now!" she exclaimed.

"Why ever not?" I asked, "we are both adults. We are not at the office and nothing has happened."

I watched her approach as she moved to stand before me and look me in the eyes. "But I want it to, so much."

"You're drunk." It was the first thought that entered my panicked mind. I had no idea how to handle such a declaration as no one had ever said such a thing to me before then. Besides which, it was true.

"I am attracted to you, Severus," she replied, bluntly. "Yes, I am probably a little drunk, but the wine isn't going to change how to feel. This isn't something that just popped into my head. I've felt this way for months."

My second thought was how unbelievable this conversation had become. I had not, to my knowledge, encouraged her in any way and until now, I hadn't read any interest from her in her any of our previous interactions. That she would, so brashly, tell me this was unexpected to say the least.

"Oh God!" she exclaimed for a second time. "I think I'm going to be sick!"

I watched mutely as she flew past me and into the loo located in the hallway around the corner from the kitchen. No sooner had I heard the door close behind her did I hear a violent retching from the other side. It was my turn to hold my head in my hands; what was I to do now? I could hardly walk out and leave her in such a state. I wasn't even certain of my own feelings anymore and part of me wanted to continue our conversation.

I turned the corner and stood outside the bathroom door. "Miss Granger, are you alright?"

More retching was the most immediate reply, following by a what I thought was a garbled apology of some sort. After a few moments of silence, I pushed the door open to find her sitting on the floor, next to the pedestal sink.

"You must think I'm a right idiot." As I considered my reply she continued, "I don't think I should have mixed the elf-made wine with that Merlot."

I couldn't help but laugh quietly. "I don't suppose you have any Sober-Up in any of these cupboards?"

She shook her head. "I don't keep it because I drink so rarely, as you can see."

I held out my hand and helped her up from the floor. "Are you feeling better?"

"Yes, thank you," she replied, sheepishly. "You must think I'm a right idiot," she seemed to have developed a habit of repeating herself.

"You're not an idiot," I replied. "Go and freshen up and I will get you a glass of water."

She nodded and walked past me before I headed to the kitchen to prepare a glass of water. It took me a few moments to find where she stored her glasses, by the time I made my way back to the lounge, she had changed into a plain grey t-shirt and some loose-fitting black trousers.

"Thank you for the water." She took the proffered glass and sipped as she took a seat in the middle of her sofa.

I thought back on her earlier declaration and asked myself how I felt about this woman. I finally admitted that I did find her attractive and I also found her interesting, unlike so many people of my acquaintance. The question sucking all the air from the room was: did I want to disrupt everything I had built over the last several years to explore the possibility of a relationship with her? Did she even want a relationship?

"I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable, Severus."

The use of my given name pulled me from my thoughts. "I am not uncomfortable," I lied. "It's simply a lot of information to process." Which was true.

"You've been on my mind a lot recently, not only because I like you, but because we have known each other for a long time," she began. "I suppose that should make things easier, but it doesn't because of you having been my teacher, there's the war, you're my boss, not to mention the age difference."

I clasped my hands behind my back and nodded, allowing her the opportunity to speak.

"Plus, I know a great deal about some of the things you have done in the past, which doesn't bother me," she was quick to add. "But I know you have been hurt a great deal and I don't know if that is something you are able to look past or even, you're over it… over her."

Lily. I still thought of Lily frequently, though perhaps not as much as I had in the past. Of course, she would come up in conversation as Miss Granger… Hermione, knew much of my love for Lily Evans.

"I just really like you," she added, her posture advertising her feeling of defeat. "I can't help how I feel."

I tried to imagine how I would feel at this moment if my life hadn't been a mess of lost love and longing. When I had been at my lowest, memories of Lily and my determination to right the wrongs I had inflicted upon the world helped me to keep going. Even when I thought I was dying on the floor of the Shrieking Shack it was the thought that I might see her and apologise that had allowed me to face death unafraid.

But I knew, and had known for some time, that I didn't want to feel that way again. I didn't want to feel hopelessness; which was difficult, as it was this very emotion which I associated with every person I had cared ever about, throughout my life. In an alternate reality I would probably have already been honest with Hermione Granger. It was with this thought in my mind that I finally spoke.

"I don't want to live in the past anymore." I removed my cloak, placed on the coffee table and moved to sit beside her on the sofa for the first time. Her look of hope spurred me on. "Your declaration, while more than a little surprising, is not… unwanted."

'It isn't?" She turned to me in surprise and for the first time since she had invited me to stay the night, I saw a smile upon her face that I had placed there. It was a heady feeling, indeed.

"No." I took the opportunity to grasp her hands in mine. "This is very new to me, Hermione, and I must be honest with you. Given the difference in our ages, one would usually expect me to be the one with the maturity and experience to know how to proceed, but I have never had what one would consider to be an adult relationship."

She took me by surprise and leant forward in order to place a kiss upon my cheek.

"We can take things slowly," she said reassuringly. "It isn't like I have the most stellar record when it comes to this sort of thing. I probably shouldn't have told you that, should I?"

I expect it was meant as a rhetorical question, but I felt the need to answer. "Please be honest with me, in all things. I have had enough of lies to last a lifetime."

She smiled. "I think I will make us a cup of tea, if that's okay with you."

As I watched her walk to the kitchen, I couldn't believe my luck. It hardly seemed possible that such a desirable, intelligent and considerate woman would be interested in me. I still couldn't fathom why, but that wasn't for me to question her motives. I had to learn to trust.

I glanced back to the mantle at her photographs and pondered what those people would think of her being with me. Her parents would be less than impressed I was certain, but her friends, that would be another matter entirely. The pictures of the Potters and the Weasleys, with their own children, demonstrated to me that they were still reasonably close. Any relationship would come to their attention, sooner rather than later.

"Here you go, just the way you like it," she said as she handed me a mug of tea. "I brought you some biscuits, in case you fancied something sweet."

We sat together on her sofa talking of all manner of things such as our respective childhoods, our parents and our first experiences with magic. In many ways we were similar, both only children, bookish and influenced by the Muggle World we grew up in. Thankfully her parents were considerably more supportive of her academic pursuits than mine had been.

In other ways we were opposites; I knew for certain that I would have ended up in prison if I had been a Muggle, whereas she would probably have been a promising academic. Not too dissimilar from her magical life, as it happened.

"I don't know, you're a smart man, I think you would have figured it out before it went that far, Severus."

I was touched by her faith in me; dare I say that I felt my heart swell at her words.

Our teas were long finished when I noticed it was almost three o'clock in the morning. "I had better be getting home, its unbelievably late." I stood and reached over to the table for my cloak.

"I meant what I said earlier, you can stay, that is, if you want to."

I looked back at her as she stood from the sofa and walked the short distance over to me. "Do you think that's wise?" I asked. "In the interests of taking things slowly."

"Just because I think that's the right thing to do, doesn't mean it is what I want," she smiled, somewhat nervously. "I have waited a long time for this and now that I have you, I don't want to let you go."

"Just how long have you been looking at me as a potential romantic conquest, Miss Granger?" I raised an enquiring eyebrow.

"Probably since you dangled that spleen over my cauldron," she admitted.

"That was the moment you decided we were interested in me?" I asked, incredulously. "You are a strange woman, indeed."

"What can I say? I like a challenge," she admitted. "And what's more of a challenge than a boss that doesn't even want to be in the same room as me."

I felt guilty, remembering her first few months at the company.

"I wasn't having a go, Severus. You don't really speak to anyone apart from Garrick, but I can see that it's just your way, even if you did want Garrick to sack me on my first day."

"Must you remind me of all of my mistakes?" I asked, rhetorically.

Thankfully she laughed at my clumsy attempt at humour and so I reached across to hold her face in my hands and bestow upon her lips, our first kiss. It had been a long time since I had kissed a woman, but her enthusiasm did not appear to be affected by my lack of practice. Her lips were soft just as I had expected. Her hands gripped at the lapels of my jacket before she moved them to my waist in order to pull us closer together.

I was the one to bring things to an end as I reminded myself that 'taking things slowly' wasn't going to come to fruition if we carried on. Her quiet whimper as we moved apart almost broke me entirely.

"I will see you at the laboratory on Monday and perhaps you will allow me to take you out for dinner one night during the week?" I asked. "If you are not otherwise engaged, of course."

"I would like that very much."

"Good." I nodded, approvingly. "I do feel it might be wise to keep this to ourselves for a while, to see how things go."

"Yes, that makes sense," she agreed.

I picked my cloak up from the floor where I had carelessly dropped it and pulled it over my shoulders. As I walked out the door I looked back and kissed her, once more, before taking my leave.

SS

That was ten months ago and as I write this, I admit to being happier than I had ever expected to be in my life. Hermione moved into my house four months after that night and we were engaged just a few weeks later. I understood what she had meant then when she had told me that she didn't want to let go of something she had waited so long to experience. I had waited my whole life to find someone who loved me as much as I loved them and who understood me and accepted me, for who I was, and not what I could do for them.

Today is the day I marry - a day I never thought I would ever experience.

I must go now; Garrick has just informed me that my bride has arrived, and I wouldn't want to be late and disappoint her now.

FIN

A/N: My next project is in the works but is longer than this story and is not yet finished. I will continue to work on it; as soon as it is complete, at least in draft form, I will post the first chapter.