"Severus?"

They stood there in the dark of the hall just looking at each other. For the life of her, she couldn't think of a thing to say.

"Do you know why I came back to Hogwarts?" he asked.

"Because Hensen retired and Sprout asked nicely?"

"Because I didn't think I could stand seeing you every weekend any longer."

"Then why did you offer me to Potions job when you became headmaster?" she asked, trying not to be offended.

"Because not seeing you was so much worse than seeing you and keeping quiet."

"Keeping quiet about what?"

She just needed him to say it. It was this hopeful thing beating away in her ribcage where her heart used to be, hardly new but she'd only just noticed it, and she was afraid that if she said something it would wither away. But if he had that tingling feeling in his gut, too…

He didn't say anything. Instead, he took a step in so that they stood toe to toe. She didn't quite grab him. His hands rested on the backs of her arms, just past her elbows, pulling her in to him. She put her hands on the top of his forearms to keep her balance, leaning in. His face was tipped down, her face was tipped up. Their noses were so very close…

"For two of the smartest people I know, we're quite stupid," he said. She grinned, her eyes fluttering almost shut.

They stood that way for the space of a breath.

He'd been her best friend for ages. He'd seen her through the breaking-off of her engagement, a disastrous rebound, two relatively serious relationships, and more than a few maudlin slogs into drunkenness as she learned to embrace celibacy. He'd parked himself on her couch following his own romantic entanglements.

He grinned. Well, it was more of a smirk. One side of his mouth hitched upwards and his eyes shone.

She smiled back, but then frowned. (And he still hadn't kissed her.)

"Do you mean to tell me we could've been sleeping together this whole time?" she asked. His eyebrows shot up, and then his smirk really did turn into a full grin.

"I suppose so. Yes."

"Decades, Severus."

He laughed. Like always, that rare, deep, happy sound made her whole body hum happily in response. She stepped into him properly and hugged him close, then turned her face back up to his. And he finally kissed her.

And then there was no going back. That hopeful thing settled into place behind her ribcage, and she was pretty sure it wasn't going anywhere ever again.