Disclaimer: The characters, settings, etc. of the Harry Potter series are not mine. I just play with them.

Of Love and Livelihood

Part Six

"Well," said Draco as he brought a spoonful of soup to his mouth, slurped it carefully, and swallowed before continuing. "What about your mother's rings? Certainly you have something lovely that could be refit for Hermione's use."

Severus scowled at his godson. "Don't be ridiculous. My mother was buried in all of her finest jewelry. She said she'd rather the worms have her diamonds than a son who'd peddle them for Potions ingredients."

"Ah," said Draco as he slurped more soup into his mouth. "So you don't have any family heirlooms that could be made into a ring? No jewels? Pearls? Nothing?"

Severus sighed. "Draco, I am fully aware of the pureblood tradition, and yes, it pains me to have to break tradition, but given the circumstances, I'm sure my future mudblood wife would not mind that I have to buy her a new ring."

Ginny flinched at his words. "Severus is right, Draco," she interjected. "Hermione won't mind if he doesn't follow pureblood traditions precisely. In fact, she'll probably be happy to see him deviate."

"Fine, fine," Draco sighed. "But don't blame me if you suddenly become ostracized by all of society."

Severus snorted. "That, my good boy, occurred years and years ago, through no fault of your own."

"Hmph," Draco replied, focusing his attention on his soup.

"Would you like me to accompany you when you shop for a ring, Severus?" Ginny asked as she idly pushed her spoon around in her bowl.

"That would be nice, Miss Weasley," Severus replied. "Thank you."

Ginny gave him a small smile. "Minerva wants to come along, too. I hope that's all right."

Severus raised an eyebrow. "I'm sure it will be lovely, Miss Weasley. Just lovely."

-----

It was official: Minerva McGonagall was the most horrible, wretched, and terrible woman Severus had ever met. For not only had Minerva insisted that she go along with he and Ginny as they searched for Hermione's ring, she had also insisted upon bringing Professor Tom Lucilius along with them. She'd gone on and on about Christmas and goodwill towards fellow man and all sort of rot to justify this action, but Severus knew was just total, absolute shit.

And as he stood between Lucilius and Minerva as Ginny critically observed the diamond on a ring the shop's proprietor has pulled forth from the case, Severus wondered whether or not he could level the place with just one spell.

"This could do," Ginny said as she set the ring back on what Severus had come to view as its little velvet bed, "but we'd do much better with something a bit larger, don't you think Minerva?"

"Oh yes, of course," Minerva said, nodding sagely. "Hermione will want to show off her engagement ring."

"Too true!" Lucilius interjected. "Too true."

"Well, who wouldn't?" the shop owner asked.

Severus sighed, running a hand over his face. It was high time he made a decision about the rings. The sooner it was purchased, the sooner they could leave, and the sooner the trauma would be completely over. He took a step forward so that he could have a better look at the contents of the case. He scanned the case quickly before lifting his hand and pointing to one of the rings. "That one," he said. "It's pretty enough, isn't it?"

"Oh yes!" the shopkeeper exclaimed.

"That is nice," Ginny Malfoy said as she bent over the glass case to look at the ring and nodded her head with a look of approval on her face.

"Hermione will love it, Severus," Minerva added after she too had looked at the ring.

"She will indeed," Tom Lucilius interjected as he stepped forward to better observe the ring, though he did not seem to notice the hateful glower Snape cast his way.

Turning his attention back to the shop owner, Severus nodded once, reaching into his robes' pocket for his money. "I'll take it, then."

-----

Christmas at Hogwarts was business as usual. Severus was awoken at an obscene hour by a first year Slytherin whose parents had gone on holiday in America and who was looking for a replacement adult to share the joy of Christmas with. Resigned to his fate, Severus had not murdered the child for disturbing his slumber, but had risen from bed and returned with the child to the Slytherin common room where he spent a few hours watching the children who had stayed at the school open their gifts and drinking as much coffee as he could get his hands on.

At a little past eleven, Severus returned to his own rooms and readied himself for the day. He showered, washing his hair as instructed by André, shaved, and brushed his teeth. He dressed himself in his new Muggle suit, sprayed on a dash of the expensive cologne Javier had leant him, and styled his hair in a manner Ginny had suggested and shown him.

And when Severus was done getting ready, he stopped to look into his full length mirror and inspect himself. What he saw, he decided, was not half bad. He was still not a dashingly handsome man, but he probably looked better than he ever had before. He looked nice, at the very least, and probably looked marriageable. And in his honest opinion, he was certain that was all he probably had to look.

Giving his reflection one last reassuring nod, he left his rooms and went to his offices. Once there, he took the engagement ring in its little navy blue velvet box from his desk drawer and dropped it in his pocket. Severus took a seat behind his desk and ran over the plan once again.

He would meet Hermione in the Great Hall just before dinner. He and she would dine with Minerva, Albus, and the rest of the staff and students who had stayed at Hogwarts for the holiday. After they ate, he would ask Hermione to take a stroll out to the lake with him to assist in their digestion of the meal, to get some fresh air, and whatever other reasons he could come up with to get her out there.

Once there, he would do his best to take advantage of the stars and the beauty of the lake at night. He would compliment her, maybe mentioning how the moonlight highlighted her features or something. Then, he would propose.

And Hermione would say yes. At least, she'd say yes if she knew what was good for her. He hadn't gone to all these lengths --changing his hair, his manner of dress, and planning an elaborate proposal-- for nothing. She had better appreciate the efforts he had gone to, even if the damned girl hadn't even commented on his hair yet.

Severus took a deep breath and shook his head in an effort to clear his mind. It would not do to get worked up over the lack of attention his future wife was paying him at the moment, nor would it be helpful to worry that she might not accept his offer of marriage.

He sat back in his chair and tried to relax. All he had to do now was to wait for Christmas dinner. Which meant he just had to sit in his office and preoccupy himself for, oh, approximately five hours.

The anticipation would probably kill him.

-----

Severus found Hermione standing alone near the entrance way to the Great Hall. She wore the same little black dress that she had the last time they had dined with her parents, her hair was tied back elegantly, and she looked lovely. Severus found his resolve to have her hand renewed when he first saw her, and knew with absolute certainty that marrying Hermione Granger was something he definitely wanted to do.

"Happy Christmas, Miss Granger," he said when he reached her side. He placed a hand on her shoulder and leaned down to brush his lips against her cheek gently.

"Happy Christmas, Professor," she replied, grasping his free hand with her own and squeezing it gently. "You look fantastic in that suit."

Severus took his hand from her shoulder and ran it over his lapel self-consciously. "Do you really think so? It was Javier's idea."

"Then Javier is a genius," she said as she stepped closer to him. "And I've been meaning to ask, who had the inspired brilliance to cut your hair in that fashion?"

"A mad man," Severus replied, "called André."

"It's lovely," Hermione said, taking even another step closer. "You're lovely, actually."

Severus raised an eyebrow as Hermione stood on tip toe to plant a kiss firmly against his lips. "My, Miss Granger," Severus said when she'd pulled away. "You certainly know how to compliment a man."

She laughed. "That's what they all say. Now come on," she said, tugging on his hand and leading him closer towards the doorway, "the sooner we get this started, the sooner it will be over."

He smiled at her quickly, and followed her into the hall.

-----

"I've said it once," Minerva hissed from her seat beside him, "and I will say it again, Severus Snape. There will be no hexing of the headmaster!"

Snape turned his glare on her. "Didn't you hear what the bastard said? Didn't you see those looks? Those twinkling, self satisfied, gloating looks!"

Minerva sighed. "Severus, he's just so excited that he's figured out when you planned on proposing. And you know how he is when he gets excited! You know he can't keep a secret for the life of him."

He frowned. "Do you think Hermione suspects anything?"

"Of course she does!" Minerva scoffed. "Have you actually met the woman to whom you plan on proposing? I hear that she's a fairly clever girl."

"Listen!" Snape exclaimed, the volume of his voice gathering the attention of some of his fellow diners. He glowered at those who'd looked, and they quickly turned their gaze back to their plates or dinner partners. "Listen," he continued more quietly, "I do not need that sarcasm at the moment-"

Minerva snorted.

"I am serious, McGonagall!" Severus hissed. "This is very distressing! What if my plan has been ruined? What if Hermione knows what's going to happen!?"

"Severus," she sighed, "it's quite likely that Hermione knows exactly what you have planned. First of all, you've dressed up for the occasion. She knows quite well that you never get dressed up for anything unless someone forces you to do so. Accordingly, you look quite suspicious. Anyway, when have you known Javier or Ginny Malfoy to keep a secret for more than two weeks?"

"Well," Snape grumbled, "Ginny kept that Tom-Riddle-in-her-head situation quiet for quite some time."

"Severus," Minerva said, her tone warning. "Hermione is not an idiot. Yes, she's probably figured your plan out, but that doesn't mean she won't be any less appreciative of your effort."

Severus sighed and looked down the table to where Hermione sat, listening to Tom Lucilius and looking terribly bored. "I sincerely hope you're right."

-----

The rest of the dinner passed rather uneventfully. Severus nearly hexed Dumbledore when the old man insisted that he help Severus with the hat he'd pulled out of his cracker. The hateful glare he'd thrown at the headmaster had luckily been enough to dissuade him.

But beyond that, nothing much happened until halfway through dessert when a large Malfoy owl swooped down from the ceiling, dropping a letter into Severus's pudding.

"My!" Albus exclaimed from his end of the table. "Why ever would someone send you a letter at this time of day? And on Christmas?!"

Snape scowled at the old man in response and quickly tore open the envelope that had been dropped in his plate. He took the parchment out, unfolded it, and scanned it quickly. When he'd gotten the gist of what the letter said, Severus Snape did something he rarely did before his co-workers: he smiled.

"What's it say, Severus?" Minerva asked, poking his arm impatiently.

Severus smirked at her. "Though it is hardly any of your business, Minerva, it says that the Board of Governors has decided that I will retain my position here at Hogwarts and will again be the school's sole Potions professor at the start of next term."

"Oh!" Dumbledore exclaimed. "How nice."

Severus looked down the table to where Hermione sat. He was pleased to see her grinning at him, her expression proud, but disconcertingly enough, he realized that he felt bad for Lucilius when he saw the look of utter disappointment cross his features.

Severus watched as Lucilius pushed his chair away from the table and stood up abruptly. "If you'll excuse me, Headmaster," he said quietly and turned away from the table, hurrying out of the hall.

When he had gone, Severus suddenly noticed that the entire table had gone silent and that everyone was looking expectantly at either him or the headmaster. Severus glanced quickly at Hermione and saw that she had assumed her worried expression, and a pang of uneasiness gripped his stomach. What on earth was he supposed to do in this sort of situation? Pat Lucilius on the shoulder and wish him luck?

He cleared his throat and directed his attention to Dumbledore. "I, erm, can speak to him."

Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, it would be kind of you to seek Tom out in the morning, Severus."

Severus nodded in response. He and the rest of his dinner companions redirected their attentions to their dessert and the conversations they'd been holding prior to the owl's arrival. When dessert had been finished and his dining companions had been bid a good evening, Severus left the Great Hall with Hermione at his side and prepared to enact his plan.

"Hermione," he said softly, taking her hand as they strolled through the hallways. "Would you care to accompany me for a stroll by the lake?"

She looked up at him, lifting one eyebrow and barely concealing the smile he saw forming on her face. "All right," she said, tugging on his hand to direct him to walk closer beside her, "but we have to go back to your rooms first. I'll need to get my cloak; I had Dobby put it down there. Oh and I really need to use the toilet. That champagne went straight through me."

"Fine," Severus replied. "To the dungeons, then."

-----

"Hermione," Severus called from his couch, "You have been in the loo for precisely half of an hour. I have no idea what you're doing in there, but I'd appreciate it if you could make an effort to speed up the process."

"Patience, my darling," she replied as finally strolled back into his sitting room, "is a virtue. Try to remember that."

He rolled his eyes as he stood from his seat. "I will if you try to remember that I am merely mortal, Miss Granger, and I have only so much patience."

"So little, you mean," she amended, pulling her cloak on over her dress. "Well, let's go then," she said, grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the door.

They had taken nearly three full steps when a voice called out, "Wait!" from behind them.

Severus frowned as he recognized the voice and turned around to face his fireplace. "What is it, Minerva?"

McGonagall gave him a very tight smile. "So pleasant, Severus. The headmaster would like to see the both of you in his offices now."

"What?" he exclaimed. "Why?"

"Patience, Severus," Minerva scolded. "Come through now."

Severus released an exasperated sigh as he let go of Hermione's hand and walked over to the fireplace. He heard her follow him over to the hearth and through it into Dumbledore's office.

Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk when Severus and Hermione entered the room. Severus quickly saw the office was full of all of the members of the staff who had remained for the holiday with one noticeable exception.

"Where is Lucilius?" Severus asked immediately.

Dumbledore smiled at him in response. "Well done, Severus! You've figured out why I've called you all here."

Flitwick sighed loudly. "If we're throwing a party, Albus, I'm bringing the utensils. After the rude criticisms my quiche received last time, I refuse to ever cook for you people again."

The headmaster raised his hand. "No need to worry, Professor. There will not be a party of that sort for Tom."

Severus raised an eyebrow and opened his mouth to speak, but Hermione beat him to it. "What sort of party will there be, Headmaster?" she asked and Severus could easily hear the suspicious weariness in her tone.

"A search party!" Dumbledore exclaimed, looking at his employees with the same expression of joy he might have used had he just informed them he'd be doubling their Christmas bonuses.

"It seems," he continued, "that poor Tom was terribly distressed by the news that he would not be employed here at the start of term. He went for a walk around the grounds to collect his thoughts, but the poor fellow has wandered into the Forbidden Forest. I thought it would be good of us to find him since he is unfamiliar with the place and could end up dead rather quickly," he finished, punctuating his sentence with a small chuckle.

"Well!" he said, clapping his hands together once. "Get to it! All of you! Off to the Forest!"

-----

"Lumos," Severus said, holding his wand out before he and Hermione as they passed into the forest. "This is not how I'd planned on spending this evening."

He saw Hermione shrug from the corner of his eye. "Well, I'm sorry your plans were ruined, Severus. I'm sure Lucilius is sorry as well. I'm sure the world is sorry."

Severus narrowed his eyes as he turned his head to look at her. "What are you on about now?"

"Severus!" Hermione exclaimed. "Tom has gone missing! He is so upset that he strolled into a dangerous situation in an emotional state that has made him very vulnerable. He might die, Severus, and all you're concerned with is your ruined evening."

"Well," he replied, frowning, "if you had known what my plans were, you too might be upset."

Hermione sighed, lifting her hands in an expression of defeat. "Severus Snape, you are impossible."

He smirked. "Thank you, darling."

"Let's turn off the path here," Hermione said, pulling on his arm and leading him into the dense growth of the forest.

She said nothing more as they walked along, and Severus was far to busy concentrating on not tripping to be bothered with something as trivial as speaking. After stumbling for a fifth time in what he was fairly certain had been approximately ten minutes, Severus silently cursed Tom Lucilius for ruining his plan.

It had been so perfect. Hermione was going to have been so pleased. If only Draco had waited to send that damned owl; if only it had been he who had been fired and not Lucilius. Oh, Hermione would have been quick to agree to marry him then. Her pity and eagerness to make him feel better would have had the 'yes' tumbling out of her mouth as quickly as possible.

"Damn!" Severus said as he stumbled for a sixth time.

"What's the matter?" Hermione asked at his side.

"The problem, Miss Granger," he hissed, turning his head so that he could look at her. "Is that you have led us onto the one route that contains enough underbrush to kill even the most graceful and keen eyed person on earth! And in the dead of night, as well! Brilliant job, Miss Granger. Really bloody magni-"

And Severus found himself suddenly interrupted by something very large and very hard hitting him forcefully in the chest, and sending him flying backwards to fall on his back onto the cold, damp, prickly, underbrush covered ground.

"Oh," Severus groaned, closing his eyes and trying not to move a muscle. "Magnificent."

"Severus!" Hermione shrieked from somewhere above his head. "Open your eyes, damn you! Open your eyes!"

Severus looked up at her and easily saw how distressed she was.

"Oh God, Severus," Hermione squeaked shrilly as she kneeled down beside him. "Are you paralyzed? Have you broken your back? That branch was huge! I should have seen it! Oh, God, if you're hurt terribly, I'll never forgive myself!"

There he was, lying flat on his back on the ground. His lower back and head were killing him, he was cold, he was wet, and he wanted nothing more than to take Hermione in his arms and hold her forever.

It was time. Severus was ready.

"Hermione," he said, reaching inside his robes and into his trouser pocket. He pulled the ring box out from his pockets and from within his robes, and held it up to her. "Will you marry me?"

She gawked at him for a moment before hitting his shoulder lightly. "Your back could be broken and all you can think about is this? This?"

Severus shrugged and grimaced at the pain that followed. "I have priorities, Miss Granger."

"Of course I'll marry you, you silly sod!" She took the box from him, opening it and taking out the ring. Severus watched as she took off her glove, and slid the ring onto her finger. "Oh it's beautiful. I love it, Severus," she said, leaning over to brush her lips against his.

Severus smiled, lifting his head slightly to press his lips to hers and kiss her properly. "I love you, Hermione," he said softly once he'd pulled away. "Now do me a favor and help me stand up."

"Of course!" Hermione said, scrambling to her feet.

With her assistance and a limited number of grunts and groans, Severus was able to stand. Hermione cast a few charms to quickly check for any grave injuries and to relieve any pain he was in. Within seconds, Severus felt as good as new. "Well," he said, looking down at Hermione whose arms were wrapped around his waist to steady him. He wrapped his arms about her shoulders and pulled her close. "It will be an interesting engagement story."

Hermione grinned up at him. "To say the least."

Severus opened his mouth to speak when a noise and a flare of green light above the trees on his left caught his attention. "They've found Lucilius," he said, turning his gaze back to his fiancée. "Shall we head back to the castle, Miss Granger?"

"Not just yet, Professor," she said, pushing herself closer against him. "Flitwick told me about a new warming charm he'd just read about. Wizards use it in Antarctica to conduct research outdoors. It keeps warm for hours without having to be recast."

"Does it?" Snape murmured. "Well, we may have to experiment a bit with that warming spell, my dear. And, you know, I do believe this appears the perfect environment to conduct our experiments in."

Hermione grinned up at him. "I was hoping you'd say that," she said as she stood on tip toe to cover his mouth with hers.

And as Severus kissed his future wife, he decided that this was, by far, the happiest Christmas he'd ever had.

The End

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Note: Thanks so very much for reading! I apologize for taking so damn long to finish this. I hope you've enjoyed it!