Disclaimer - I own nothing! I'm just borrowing from J.K. Rowling!

Chapter 39

Hermione wondered who was important and wanted to see her. As she entered the inn, she thought that it was another bride that wanted her input designs in her soon to be wedding. Since Hermione wasn't on the farm so much, she never really got involved in wedding plans and all. But when she was on the farm, she was very much in demand.

"Hermione!" a very familiar man greeted her as he stood up from the lobby couch.

"Neville!" Hermione greeted in return with a hug. All the while, she wondered what he was doing here, or rather, why he wanted to see her. What was so important? They weren't close friends or kept in touch about anything. As far as she knew, he was married to Hannah Abbott. "How's Hannah?"

"Doing well. Our third child is almost due. Another girl," Neville replied with a very happy and glowing smile. He then looked towards the rest of Hermione's companions and greeted them. "Professor Snape. I can't say the students at Hogwarts miss you."

Severus could only scowl at Neville with his usual demeanor. They weren't exactly friends, even after the war. Colleagues were more like it, but at a very low level. Neville did spend a lot of his time in Hogwarts as Professor Sprout's assistant and soon to be replacement, but that time for replacement had yet to come, as the old witch was too stubborn to retire. Still, Neville helped her a lot, and on occasion, taught some classes when she couldn't. Severus still saw him as that dunderhead in class that always managed to screw and blow potions up.

"So, why are you here?" Hermione asked out of curiosity.

"I've come here to talk to you about some really, really, really good news," Neville replied.

"Why don't we go somewhere private?" Alice suggested. The lobby was no place for such news. "You can go alone with Neville, or have all your friends accompany you. But I think that this news is wonderful news to share with everyone."

"I think I'd like all of you to come along," Hermione said as she looked at all of her friends and lastly at Severus before taking his hand. In her mind, she tried to figure out why on earth Neville was here in the first place, and what kind of news he had for her. "Good news is only better when shared."

"I'll ask Sheila for drinks to be served," Philippe said.

Soon enough, everyone was gathered in restaurant that was empty since it wasn't lunch or tea time. A few tables had been combined to form one long table. Neville sat across from Hermione, while Severus sat right next to her.

Neville set aside the fresh fruit punch as he set a very thick folder down in front of him. "Well Hermione, I've been following your research for about three years," he started.

"Potions?" Hermione questioned in confusion.

"No, I think a lot of us know that I have absolutely no talent there." Neville replied.

"He's been following your other research," Alice said with a small nod.

"Oh," Hermione said, letting go of Severus's hand.

It seemed like the time had come to break the news to Severus and Alan, and this wasn't how she imagined she would break it to them. Plus, she had a feeling that Neville would charge her with some sort of malpractice in Herbology since she wasn't a mistress. Working with roses in such a complex way did need for someone who was an expert, which was something she was not. Not only did worry start to course through her, but so did anger. No one was supposed to know, but apparently, Alice told Neville. How was this supposed to be really, really, really good news? In fact, it seemed like the total opposite.

Angry, Hermione stood up from her chair and glared at Alice. "I thought we agreed it to be a secret?"

"It was until he came here, wanting to know about the roses. Your creations—your hybrids—your roses," Alice answered.

"You're roses?" Giselle stammered in confusion.

"Yes," Hermione hissed. "All the pictures that you showed me the other day of unique hybrids are all my creation." As she glanced at everyone at the table, a majority of them were in shock.

"You mean you did that all?" Alan asked in shock.

Sighing in defeat, Hermione walked away towards the glass doors and looked at the numerous rose bushes outside. She felt terrible, not being able to look at Alan. She felt as if she had lied to him for many years, focusing and working somewhere else from time, when she should've focused on potions a hundred percent. It wasn't fair to him when he had given her so much in return. Maybe if her heart was in potions, things would've been different.

"So are you going to tell me I'm banned from practicing anything in the Herbology industry?" Hermione questioned. "Doesn't matter, it's only a hobby. And to think I had made my decision to buy this place," she thought out aloud.

Alan was more than shocked to hear the recent words that had come out of Hermione's mouth, but Severus was the one that was in the most shock. In an instant, all his questions had been answered, and it all made sense to him.

"A hobby that you are clearly good at," Neville stated firmly. He knew why Hermione's behavior had suddenly changed negatively.

Alice informed him long ago that Hermione's research was supposed to be secret. Now, the time had come when the secret had to be shared with many, including the entire world.

"You've succeeded so much in such little time. You could give any Herbology Master on Mistress a run for their money. I've even forwarded your research to the World Board of Herbology since Sprout is a member and they were very much in awe of your work."

"Then why are you here if not to ban me?" Hermione asked with her back still in front of everyone.

"I'm here on behalf of the board and to inform you that you have been givin the title of Herbology Mistress," Neville answered.

Hermione blinked several times as she tried to process what she had just heard. No, it couldn't be right. Her ears must've been fooling her. She turned to find Neville smiling brightly at her along with everyone else. "What?" she asked in disbelief.

"I said, you've been given the title of Herbology Mistress," Neville said again, speaking more clearly. "And not just any title, but the title of Honorary Mistress, which of course is the highest title that anyone can get. And did I also tell you that you will be getting the additional title of Herbology Mistress of the century?"

Hermione couldn't believe her ears. She had to be dreaming or this was one stupid cruel joke! "This is a joke right?" she asked. When she saw the smug grin on Draco's face, she pointed at him. "You're idea no doubt!"

"Hey, I didn't do anything," Draco said in protest, raising his hands up. He was completely innocent. The grin on his face was one of happiness for her and it wasn't at all smug.

"This is no joke Hermione," Dean spoke.

"Oh, and you've been given the title Mistress of the Century, I'm here to ask you if you'd like to give the speech at the upcoming herbology symposium this coming January. It'll be in Venice. Can I get a yes from you?" Neville asked. He was leaning towards a yes. After all, someone who was given such a title or one of many was more or less required to.

Suddenly, the room seemed to get smaller for Hermione and her chest started to tighten. She turned to open the sliding doors leading out to the patio, needing some fresh air. She was in complete disbelief that the world around her started to turn.

"Hermione!" Severus gasped as he saw her start to sway. He bolted out of his chair immediately and ran to her, just catching her before she barely hit the ground.

Everyone too went onto the patio, worried about Hermione.

"Breathe Hermione, just breathe," Severus spoke softly to her as he held her against his chest. He felt her arms go around his neck as she started to sob hiding her face in its crook.

"Did I say something wrong?" Neville questioned with a frown. He then jumped back in surprise when Hermione leapt off Severus's arms, and started to run and shout like a mad woman.

"You said nothing wrong Longbottom," Severus spoke as he watched the love of his life at her happiest moment. "The tears, shouting and her craziness are all signs of her being very happy."

"I did it! I did it!" Hermione shouted at the top of her lungs with a very wide smile on her face. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine to become a Herbology Mistress. "Woohoo!"

"So I'll take it as a yes then that you'll be speaking at the symposium?" Neville asked aloud. He was surprised the second time around when Hermione came at him and jumped at him, wrapping her arms and legs around him for support, giving him a quick and firm kiss on the cheek, before continuing on her running and shouting for joy. "I'll take it as a yes then."

Everyone started to clap and whistle at Hermione for her success. They were happy. She was happy.

AN – Where you expecting that? Short chapter, I know, but we finally have a very happy Hermione. :) Review!

(And if anyone's interested, I've written a new "Sense and Sensibility" oneshot. The story is posted and you can see it via my profile. I am currently swooning over Colonel Brandon yet again after having watched the movie for the nth time.)