AN: All right, all right. No more cliffhangers ;-)

FYI for the ending. Underlined text indicates an item on the list that is crossed off/achieved. Excerpts from the original list remain for your enjoyment. Thank to everyone for coming along on the ride!

Animalia

Chapter Five

Hermione's face fell when she returned, freshly showered and a well-stocked tray bobbing along in the air behind her.

"You found it."

Severus held up the piece of paper and waved it in the air. "Yes."

"But you're still here," she said slowly, pressing her lips together nervously as she walked towards him.

The door closed with a quiet click. Severus was sitting upright on the bed, his back leaning against the headboard. He studied her as she came closer, noting the apprehensive way she was eyeing the list that he'd let fall to his lap.

"Yes," he answered simply when she came to a standstill beside him. "Perhaps you would like to explain…?"

The younger witch shifted her weight on her feet anxiously, causing her hips to roll in a way that pleasantly distracted him until he turned his attention back to her face when she sat on the edge of the mattress. The air still smelt of sex; it seemed impossible that he had woken so satisfied, so content, and yet now sat feeling the residue of what was surely an ice bucket that'd been tipped over his head. The emotion intensified further every time he glanced at her face, which was so painted with unease that it was like the rug had been pulled out from under him.

"You're nervous," he muttered. "Why? From the wording of some of these, I had assumed that you… Never mind. Do you wish for me to leave?" He began to look again for something to cover his body with, uncomfortable now with how the blanket left his chest bare.

Hermione was silent for a long while, and Severus finally raised his head to look her in the eyes. The hesitant way with which she was staring at him was familiar; it evoked the tenderness that he had carried within his own heart for her, for what felt like a very long time.

"Hermione," he said quietly, carefully. "If this isn't what you want… If I'm not –" He broke off, running his hand over his mouth.

And then he decided that there was no reason for him to be so bloody hesitant. She'd come to him, after all. Yes, she hadn't said anything for at least five full minutes, but he wasn't a teenager anymore. He was in love with her, for Merlin's sake, and he wasn't about to give up such a thing. Not when it came in such a glorious, wonderful package.

"Say something," he demanded initially, and then scowled. "Hermione – speak! Don't hide from me now, woman. If you think that you can allow what occurred between us," he gestured between them with a jerk of his hand, "to suddenly mean nothing, then you haven't taken something vital into account."

"Oh?" she breathed, leaning closer to him with a trembling lower lip. "If you've read all of that and there's something that I haven't thought of, tell me. Please!"

He dragged the silence on between them until she crawled over and situated herself on his lap, her warm hands cupping his cheeks. She let out a long breath and picked up the list, eyeing it quickly then tossing it onto the bed without another glance. "Tell me, Severus." The light of her almost burned him, and by all the gods he wanted it to.

"This list," he told her, "is a load of bollocks." Her crushed whimper only gave him more determination, and he placed his hands on her shoulders. "It's all of your wishes, yes, and all of your desires, and I'd be lying I said that I wasn't proud of you for crossing off so many things already. You're marvellous, Hermione, but you're a bit thick, love," he purred, grabbing the list and ignoring her little gurgle of laughter.

The paper was full of neat, numbered items in different coloured biro pens. At least three quarters of it had been struck out with little comments attached with dates that she'd completed each one; the swelling of joy in his chest only increased each time he saw each giddy little strike that denoted success.

"I mean, look at this: 'Be brave before I crumble – divorce Ron. I don't need permission! And I did it! 20/03/2011.'" Severus looked up at his witch, who had tilted her head as she waited for the rest of what he had to say. "You were always so very brave," he whispered. "You are."

"Yes," she agreed, smiling like a cat. "Yes, I am."

"And this?" he continued, scanning the page. There was obviously some spell that had been cast on the paper itself – it was already a number of years old, given the heading of November, 2012. "'Use my savings for once! Treat myself – give myself something that I know I deserve.' And you did, love, my lioness. Look: '15/01/2012 – a holiday cottage in Ireland – YES!'"

Severus grinned easily. "You achieved all of these things," he explained, "but these last notes…" Hermione shied away instantly, averting her gaze as if she was waiting for his chastisement. He simply could not allow such thoughts to continue – reaching out, he gently took her chin between his thumb and forefinger and drew her eyes back to him.

"I want it all, Hermione," he murmured, his black eyes searching hers. "Every single thing on here – I want it all with you. I love you, Hermione."

The happiness in her face was unmistakeable, and she covered her face, only to rip her own hands away and stare at him cheeks covered in tears of joy. The last thing he heard before he had an armful of laughing, sobbing witch was enough to make him welcome her with a passion he had never before shown to a woman: "Oh, Severus – at last! That you should love me at last! I love you, I love you, I love you – God, I've loved you secretly, desperately, openly… and now, to hear you say it in return…"

Severus tightened his grip on her, their noses touching as he spoke the words again, his lips moving against hers in a kiss even before he could complete the heartfelt declaration, "I do, Hermione – I love you."

He had never been happier.

.

.

The to-do list of Hermione Weasley. Hermione Granger. Hermione Granger-Snape!

1.Be brave before I crumble – divorce Ron! I don't need permission! And I did it! 20/03/2011.

2.Get all of my things out of the house. Enough is enough. See above!

3.Have a holiday, get sunburnt, eat all of the ice cream I want to celebrate. This is of course providing I can get enough balls to sort out number 1. Balls acquired! Guess who went to Spain? 20/07/2011! And finally – a Christmas without a screaming hoard of Weasleys!

.

.

9. Sudden influx of balls from Professor Snape – god, that man could inspire anyone. Number 9 shall therefore be to make sure I send him a present for Christmas and his birthday, no matter how much he glowers. Gave him a scarf for Chrissie this year – looked at me as if I'd birthed a third year and Polyjuiced it to look like myself, but I've seen him wearing it! 28/12/2011.

10. Treat myself – give myself something that I know I deserve. 15/01/2012 – a holiday cottage in Ireland – YES!

.

.

17. Is it too soon to be interested in someone?

18. See a Muggle therapist re above. Want to be independent and in command of my own destiny. Also want to sound less like a self-help book. 08/03/2012 – Dr. Sylvia says it's normal. Apparently I'm healing. We-elllll, let me at him! Jesus, he'll probably hex me…

19. Make up a new charm for this list – can't imagine the havoc it would wreak if the students were to see these. I can just see it now – "Professor Granger, look, number 16 is to discover the mystery man who gave you such a titillating dream last night!" Christ. No, thank you.

.

.

30. Stop making lists.

31. Bugger it, this is my only list and it is my new year's resolution that I shall continue to work on this for as long as I see fit.

32. Exercise more.

33. Ask Severus for a coffee if my heart doesn't stop beforehand.

34. Learn how to become an Animagus. Must conquer the impossible. Bloody haughty Headmistress – it's not my fault I don't have whiskers and hence cannot 'get in touch with my animal side'! 12/05/2015! I DID it! Take that, Headmistress! And I bagged the man at the same time! Ha!

.

.

42. Confess my love to Severus. Oh god – 12/05/2015, I did it! And he loves me! Severus Snape loves ME. I pity all women everywhere – or I would, if only a certain someone would let me out of bed! Ha!

43. Figure out why my Patronus is now a lynx. Achieved on 12/05/2015… see above!

44. Tell Molly to get over it – we're never getting back together! Apparently seeing Severus and I together was enough for that shite to stop. Must investigate more benefits of seeing a certain yummy DADA Professor… 23/06/2015

45. Take piano lessons.

46. Learn to tango. Preferably with Severus Snape. Yum.

47. Renovate the holiday house – add a bedroom or two?

48. Write a book. Don't ask me on what, haven't a bloody clue.

49. Marry a man that I love with all of my heart, not just because it seems like the 'logical' decision. He asked me! He asked me! He asked ME! 17/10/2015

50. I want children… If only entry 42 could come to fruition… in my dreams.

51. Eat more fruit and vegetables (how is this all the way down here?)

52. Re above ^ get my priorities in order for a new, healthy Hermione!

.

.

103. Take Severus to meet my parents. 20/11/2015 – slightly awkward, Mum thinks he's dishy!

104. Get him in some leather pants re number 46. Still trying. Last unsuccessful attempt 08/09/2015.

.

.

116. Fob off mum and Ginny's overbearing attempts at trying to plan my own bloody wedding! Eloped to Gretna Green with Mum, Dad and Minerva! 20/11/2015!

.

.

123. Find a nice middle name that goes with Sophia… Grace? Serina? Perhaps no middle name? As of 31/12/2015, Severus is thinking no middle name, just like him. Initials will be S.G.S. Sophia Granger-Snape. Must show him how to 'google' so he can see if SGS means anything these days. Pays to check these things. But what if it's a boy?

.

.

129. And above all: pinch myself. This must be a dream.

.

.

The End