o.o.O.o.o

"I have to be out of my mind…," Hermione mused as she finished getting ready. All of the students that were of age had been given special permission to attend the Ministry Gala, and the Headmistress was allowing them to Floo to the Ministry Atrium from her office. Hermione was meeting her escort there, and the mere thought of who it was made a strange little smile curve up her lips.

As one of the 'guests of honour' Hermione was departing a little bit before the main herd of students. She knocked lightly at the door to the Headmistress' office, and she entered at the cheerful greeting.

"Hermione dear…you look lovely." Minerva smiled softly, looking at her favourite cub.

"You don't think it's too much?" she asked, biting her bottom lip.

Minerva took a moment to truly appraise Hermione's gown. It was a deep emerald green that seemed to bring out the subtle gold flecks in her eyes. The corseted top accentuated her figure, but it did not display any more than the barest hint of cleavage. From the dropped waist, the skirt flared out, delicate embroidery with black crystals caught the light. Her hair was swept up into an elegant French twist and overall, she looked quite mature. "While I would never admit this to anyone else, you look most becoming in that colour, Miss Granger. Who is your mystery escort? You've been most tight-lipped about his identity."

Hermione just smiled. "You'll see." Amusement glittered in her eyes, looking forward to stunning more than one person tonight. "I'll see you later Headmistress," she said and used the floo, stepping out in the Atrium of the Ministry. A subtle movement of her wand, banished any trace of ash from her dress. Everyone was gathering by the entrance to the ballroom, but her eyes cast around looking for her date.

"Miss Granger, you look exquisite." Severus' smooth voice came from behind her as he stepped out of the shadows. He looked impressive in his dress robes, they were black of course, but his cravat was a deep, emerald green silk, clearly meant to compliment her gown. Narcissa must have known…

"Please, after everything…call me Hermione." She managed to find her voice after an age of gawking at him like some star-struck fan girl. Retirement seemed to be agreeing with him, a flush of health in his cheeks and some of the lines of stress had melted away from his eyes. He looked…younger.

With a practiced move, Severus took her hand and brushed his lips across her knuckles. "Very well, then you may call me Severus." He tucked her arm into his and together they headed towards the group.

"I still don't know how you got Skeeter to back down, and I'm fairly certain I don't want to know." She laughed as they crossed the marble floor. When he'd sent her an owl a week ago, she'd been humbled to read about his manoeuvering to bring the Prophet to heel.

"Likely not, the important thing is that she will never write such filth about you again. I believe she's chosen Mr. Weasley as her new target, and most deservedly so." The amusement was evident in Severus' tone. That dark sense of humour was only enhance as he noted Potter turning to watch them in horrified disbelief. It really was the little things that made life worth living.

"Hermione?" Harry gasped.

"Hello Harry, you're looking well," she said and smiled at Ginny.

"I love your dress Hermione," Ginny said with a smirk. Her brother was late, as always, and when he got here the shit was going to hit the fan.

"Thanks Gin, you look great too." She said. Her friend was looking rather stunning herself in a gold, strapless ball gown.

"Severus, nice of you to look after our girl," Kingsley said, flashing his winning smile at them.

"Hermione was kind enough to accept my invitation," Severus said smoothly. "It's such a delightful change to have an intelligent companion for the evening."

Hermione smiled, about to reply when a screech echoed across the Atrium.

"Get your greasy bloody hands off her!" Ron fairly bellowed across the open space, and it was suddenly so silent you could hear a pin drop.

Severus grinned, and then very deliberately leaned over and brushed a kiss over her temple. "From what I can tell, the witch doesn't seem to have any problem with my hands on her," he goaded the now purple-faced wizard shamelessly.

Predictably, Ron went for his wand only to have it snatched out of his hand by no less than three well-timed shouts of 'Expelliamus!' Severus, Harry, and Hermione all had their wands out. However it was Hermione who snatched his wand out of the air and rounded on the now disarmed wizard.

"Let's get something straight right now Ronald Weasley." She poked him in the chest with the tip of his own wand, blue sparks light off her hair. "I will go where I please, with whom I please, whenever the bloody hell I please! You lost the right to have anything to say about my personal life about the same time I caught you with your hand up Lavender Brown's skirt back in August. I would have thought my hurling my engagement ring at your head would have been clue enough, but you've always been a little thick. Let me spell it out for you, I am not YOURS, I have never been YOURS, and I will not EVER BE YOURS!" She threw his wand in his face and turned her back on him. There was not a sound from anyone in the Atrium as she made her way back to Severus, slipped her arm through his, and smiled brilliantly up at him. "Shall we all go in now?" she asked sweetly.

As a unit the whole group, minus a suitably chastened Weasley, made their way into the ballroom and up to the balcony that had been reserved for their use that evening. It would allow them a reprieve from the general crush of people if they needed it. Severus grabbed two flutes of champagne and offered one to Hermione.

"To finally coming to your senses." He smirked.

"That did feel immensely satisfying." She found herself mirroring his expression.

"I wonder if you've ever considered a career in teaching, I hear Hogwarts will be in need of a new Potions Master or Mistress soon…" True wickedness lit up Severus' eyes, and they laughed together at the thought of her taking his place as the terrifying bat of the dungeons. Strangely enough, he could think of no greater compliment than inferring, even indirectly, that he considered her a worthy replacement. The future was bright for Miss Granger, and he hoped to enjoy watching her soar high above all her peers.

~Fin~