Author's Note: I apologize for the delay! I have had other ideas bouncing around in my head! If you're into it, check out my other story "Better Days." Here is a bit of fluff before the final task!!! Missed you guys!

Severus walked into the dueling room and watched as Hermione and Draco danced back and forth on the platform, slinging and deflecting spells. Both of their nonverbal abilities had improved tremendously. He leaned against the door frame and studied the pair of them with narrowed eyes.

"Mister Malfoy..." He cleared his throat.

"Yes, yes. I've a spine," Malfoy rolled his eyes and ran a hand through his blonde hair. Luna giggled as Draco hopped off the stage. Justin climbed up onto the stage as Hermione jumped down.

"Miss Granger..." Severus started. He walked to her with long strides. Putting a hand on either shoulder, he turned her sideways. "You've a habit of squaring your shoulders too much. Not only does it make you an easier target, but it negatively impacts your ability to aim." He pointed to her left shoulder, "Wherever you point this shoulder, your spell will most certainly follow."

She turned her body to show him she understood what she was discussing, and the looked up at him. He nodded sharply and she ran a hand through her hair. "Has Professor McGonagall spoken with you yet?" Hermione asked.

"Not since this morning," Severus said as his eyes moved over her head as he watched Justin and Luna.

"You're allowed to perform with us," Hermione said and his black eyes moved back to her face.

He didn't really know what he had expected to feel, but nervousness bloomed in his stomach. "Is that so?"

Hermione smiled at him. For a moment, it calmed the anxiety he felt. Then, it returned. "I suppose I should speak with Lupin, then." His eyes moved back to Luna. "Miss Lovegood, less flourishing!" He turned and walked from the room. He stopped and turned back around when he heard footsteps behind him. Hermione stopped in her tracks as she stared at him. He raised an eyebrow.

"Are you all right?" She asked.

His eyes flickered. "I am... Nervous," He admitted finally. Her face softened. His admission was one that had taken them many months of establishing trust and transparency to achieve, and she was proud.

She stepped to him and took his hand into both of hers. "It's okay, Severus." She was staring at his hand in his, running her fingers over it lightly, less than an inch from his body. He closed his eyes and took a couple steadying deep breaths. "You're nervous about performing well. You're nervous about the attention. You're nervous about the safety aspects. I understand."

Her voice was quiet and calm, and it washed over him like waves. He kept his eyes closed as he listened to her. "You're a good man, Severus, and I'm lucky to have you. I know that you're nervous, and honestly, so am I. But you and I fought an actual war together. We all did. This team. This school. You. Remus. All of us. This tournament is nothing compared to that. We are miles ahead of the other schools, and we will win this - with you, and with Remus. Do you know why we chose the pair of you?"

Severus opened his eyes and looked at her. He shook his head and then shrugged. "I figured, for you, it was personal preference."

She smirked but shook her head. "The Hogwarts TriWizard Champions Team chose you, Severus Snape, and chose Remus Lupin, because the two of you deserve to win as much as, if not more, than we do. You two have spent most of your lives being damned every which way you turned. No longer," She said.

His eyes widened as he thought about her meaning. "You... All of you?"

She nodded. "You have the support of your fellow staff, and of the students. They're all still quite angry about these," She said as she pushed his cuff back to reveal the bracelets. "You deserve this kind of moment, Severus. No more negative attention. No more questions. Just you as you are - victorious in every way."

He stepped closer to her, one hand on her waist, and he touched his lips to her hair. "Oh, Hermione..." His voice was soft, and wavering with emotion.

A cough from behind Snape startled them both. Snape turned scowling to the noise. It was Lupin, so he relaxed slightly.

"I'm guessing you've heard, Severus?" Remus asked and looked between Hermione and Snape.

Severus nodded. Hermione walked to him and hugged him. Severus watched as the werewolf closed his eyes tightly. She pulled back, and looked up at the graying wizard. Hermione was talking to him softly, repeating the same words to Lupin, the explanation and the assurances.

In the beginning, Snape would have been furiously jealous and insecure, but not anymore. Now, he recognized Hermione's commitment to him, and he also recognized her ability to help people, and he was so proud of her compassion.

"Dora is so proud of you, and someday, once Teddy realizes all of this, he will be too," Hermione said. Snape looked at Lupin as the man's head hung and he nodded. Hermione hugged him again briefly.

"Suppose we ought to practice?" Lupin said as he regained his composure. Snape smirked a bit.

"Give us a moment?" The dark haired man said and then he watched Lupin disappear into the dueling room.

"Yes?" Hermione asked with an eyebrow raise that rivaled his own. My sweet witch.

He pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her body, and burying his nose into her hair. "I wanted one too," He said quietly.

"I knew you'd always be the jealous type," Hermione teased playfully.

"And I knew you were saving the best for last," He chided as her touched his forehead to hers. His lips met hers lightly, innocently, before breaking apart again. "Hermione..."

She looked up at him and smiled. "I love you too. Come now," She said and tugged his hand before dropped it. "Time to shake off the rust."

He narrowed his eyes as he walked after her. "I am not rusted, witch," He grumbled disapprovingly. Her teasing laugh was music to his ears.

"I no longer believed in the idea of soul mates, or love at first sight. But I was beginning to believe that a very few times in your life, if you were lucky, you might meet someone who was exactly right for you. Not because he was perfect, or because you were, but because your combined flaws were arranged in a way that allowed two separate beings to hinge together." ~ Blue-Eyed Devil