Disclaimer: J. K. Rowling owns everything in this world, I choose to twist her characters a little to suit my own means.

Author's Notes:

Please heed my warnings to you all that all books were considered when writing this tale and it is just that a tale because it is not completely accurate to the final events of the Rowling Series. So Sorry! Please forgive this author for not liking certain characters to have found each other when others could have been better together.

Warning: There is some Deathly Hollows material used in the making of this story particularly referring to information Snape reveals. But keep in mind that most of the story has been tossed aside. If you have not read the deathly hollows, I am not giving anything away but why Snape may or may not have been Dumbledore's man and why his patronus is what it is. If you feel that this information is not crucial to the events of the whole to the story and they may or may not be then feel free to read this story. There are no more than four characters deaths that have been disregarded for this story but I will not reveal who they are for those of you have not read it.

Chapter One

Severus Snape watched all of the emotions that ran through her eyes when she let him go. He could see the embarrassment and the infatuation she had for him but he could also see something like longing. He felt like he had lost something when she let him go.

Harry and Ron looked at them suspiciously but left it alone. She had told them long ago that she had become betrothed and they knew the terms of the contract. They had been watching Hermione and knew that she felt something for her betrothed from every time his letters came. But they could see that she was hiding something as well.

They all apparated the Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix where there were drinks around. Hermione and Severus were both looking around at all of the happy couples and each was thoroughly unhappy. Severus decided that it was time Hermione was completely in his life. But, for that, he needed the approval of the Headmaster.

Snape summoned Dumbledore and McGonagall into the library and heavily warded the door. "Albus, Minerva, it is time for me to begin the second phase of my betrothal contract. I have survived this war and she has come of age. She is however still a student and I am not supposed to cross that ethical barrier."

"Severus my boy, I will not stand in the way of your happiness, or hers. I must ask you however to be discreet and to make all of her homework as usual available to be rechecked as before." Albus said.

"Thank you Albus." Severus said.

"Tell me Severus, who is the lucky girl? Which young Slytherin has your heart?"

"Minerva, there is not a female Slytherin alive that has the courage to stand up to me." Severus said hinting at her own house.

"Congratulations." She said floored to the fact that one of her own cubs would be marrying Severus. She was happy for him but clearly needed some time to get used to the idea. She was mentally contemplating which of her girls had contracts and had come of age. But there were no purebloods of age with contracts.

Severus was watching the emotions play across her face and she knew she was trying to discern who his betrothed was so he decided to let her try and figure it out. The school records told if the student was betrothed or not but did not say to whom. Minerva's eyes settled on Severus and her face held a shocked expression.

"I will advise you to treat Miss Granger with the utmost respect." She said threateningly.

"Now Minerva, surely you remember all of those times when you and a certain teacher were in their shoes. You survived just fine. They shall survive too."

"Really Albus! It was different then. Headmaster Dippet approved our union and the rules were different then." Minerva returned.

"How long have you known about this and not told me?" Minerva asked.

"Miss Granger came to me about a week after Severus did and I told her that while I might not know to whom she was betrothed but from personal experience betrothal contracts can lead into lasting relationships." Albus said.

"Albus, Minerva, I really do not wish to discuss your personal life and I do not wish to expand on mine. I only wish to move past my letters. Now, if you will excuse me, I will be going." Severus said as he swished his robes and strolled away. His robes were billowing behind him.

Albus laughed as he watched Severus strut away and laughed at the face Minerva was making. He knew that the two of them had chemistry and that they had the chance at a wonderful relationship with each other. Minerva looked rather perplexed by the situation and he slid over one the couch and kissed Minerva rather soundly.

Severus found Hermione cowering in the corner with disappointment plastered on her face. He charmed a quill then scribbled a note to her to meet him at her parent's house. It was time for them to be together. He quickly removed the charms on his hair and teeth then changed from his potions robes to a tailored muggle black suit along with his best cloak and boots. He looked really good. He charmed the note to deliver itself then apparated from Headquarters to his home in Spinner's End to grab a bottle of Elf made wine and champagne to celebrate.

The Grangers would appreciate the gesture of the wine. While Severus knew Hermione would be stunned to see him, he hoped that she could understand al of the reasons he had for the way he had treated her in class.

He apparated to the front door of the Granger residence and knocked on it. Jane answered.

"Severus, what a surprise. Please come in. What is going on out there? There are mass celebrations everywhere?"

"The war is over. Harry Ron Hermione and I defeated the Dark Lord about an hour ago. I sent Hermione a note telling her to meet me here. She will be there soon." Severus said as he handed her the two bottles.

George came from the study with what looked like a brandy in hand and shook Severus hand. "How is Hermione handling all of this?" George asked.

"She is ecstatic; the was is over and confused about us. She is attracted to me in some fashion but afraid that she is betraying her contract. When the dark lord fell, she hugged me. No one has even hugged me like that before. At Headquarters she was sulking in the corner. She told her best friend that it was hard for her to see all of the happy couples celebrating without hers with her." He said.

Jane made up a bucket of ice and put the champagne down in it and set four glasses out on the coffee table. Jane patted Severus arm then said, "Her last letter said that she was confused and did not want to hurt anyone and could not do anything. Oh, Severus, I forgot the bottle opener, do you mind getting it for me?" She asked.

Severus knew where it was and stood to retrieve it. He entered the kitchen then pulled open from the drawer. Severus heard the warning charm fro the floo activating. He heard someone come through then Hermione say, "Is he here yet?"

"Yes. He is here. But before you are introduced to him, here are some things that you must know. Everything that we have told you has been true. We trust him and we know that he has been watching over you at school protecting you and your friends. But your father and I wish to apologize for not telling you the identity of your betrothed especially now. At first we thought that it was better. But recently he has told us some things that have put us at peace with our decision. We know that you have suffered from it and we want to apologize for it." Her mum said watching her every expression.

"Mum, what do you mean?" She asked stunned. She had her back to the kitchen door when he entered the living room. George looked to him then back at his daughter then at his wife. Severus quietly came up behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder. Shocked she looked down at his hand and knew that hand. She turned to face him. He didn't have his potions master's robes on. As her gaze made it to his face, she knew who he was and was thankful that it was him. She pulled him into a tight hug and held him. Just like before, Severus found his arms snaking around her to hold her too.

Hermione held him there and took in his scent. She didn't have to hide any of her feelings for him. He was hers now and no one could change that. She felt him stroke her hair and rub small circles on her back as if his hands had a mind of their own.

Severus relished the feel of her pressed to him and the scent of her perfume. She felt so right pressed there against him. He never wanted her to leave his arms again. She wouldn't have to again. Severus had gained his magical and intellectual equal as well as a life partner that he was attracted to completely.

They acted as if there was no one else in the room. Hermione's parents smiled at them and knew that they were happy with each other. When Hermione pulled away from him she said, "What will happen next term?"

"You are going to be Head Girl and you are going to have some extended freedoms as part of being head girl. Either Albus or Minerva will discuss with you and as far as what you want to tell anyone, the headmaster requests discretion."

"Ginny will figure something is going on and will ask questions." Hermione said.

"We shall deal with the situation when it comes. But until then, Albus requested that we return to Headquarters for at least part of the festivities. He told anyone who asks that I escorted you home as a safety precaution." Severus said.

"What should I say when we get back?" She asked.

"Anything, except my name." Severus said smiling.

"Can I tell them that I am to marry Neville Longbottom or someone like that?" Hermione said cheekily.

"You, my dear are not going to say anything of the sort if anyone asks you are to marry my cousin Sebastian Snape and I came to protect you." He said.

"Is there really a Sebastian Snape?" Hermione asked.

"No. For now, I am the last Snape." Severus said. Hermione's parents gave him a mock glare as if daring him to complete that sentence about an heir before Hermione finished school. "George Jane, with your permission, I would like to escort Hermione back to Headquarters."

"Very well. Have a good time, both of you." George said as he shook Severus hand and hugged Hermione.

"The next time we meet, I would like to se the two of you together." Jane said hugging them both. Severus nodded at her request then put the bottle opener on the table and retrieved his cloak from the peg. After snapping the clasp closed, he offered Hermione his arm and she took it before he apparated them away. He had apparated them to a remote beach that was only lit by the moon.

"We can talk here in private for a moment." Severus said.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Hermione asked.

"I was trying to protect you and now I don't have to." He said without any emotion.

"You knew I was attracted to you last term and you tormented me the entire term." She said in mock annoyance.

"I tormented you no more than you tormented me Hermione." He said equally mockingly. Hermione smiled at that.

"So what happens now?" She asked.

"When school starts, your floo shall be connected to mine and there are some charms that can be used to help you with your duties so that we can spend time together."

"What about this summer? What are we to do now?" She asked.

"We shall figure something out." Severus said as he turned her to face him.

"What is there to figure out?" she asked as she closed half the distance between them. Severus pulled her close and kissed her soundly. Severus Snape was not a man to give chaste kisses. He had a passionate side that had been repressed far too long. He had wanted to kiss her since she started showing some affection for him. When he released her lips, she could barely stand on her own. Severus took a good look at her. Her kiss bruised lips and tousled hair was exactly the was he had pictured it. The absent expression in her eyes and smile screamed woman in love. Severus had to smirk at that.

"This is for you." He said pulling out a small box from his pocket. "I had it made in a Paris jewelry store last term." He opened the box to reveal a very muggle style diamond solitaire. He slipped it on her ring finger and it magically shrunk to fit. This is to keep with the muggle tradition of having a symbol of your betrothal to me." He said as he pulled her hand to his lips and kissed it's back tenderly.

Hermione beamed at him clearly thrilled to have the ring. "If you are keeping with tradition, then the couple is supposed to kiss after the girl accepts the ring." Severus smirked at that. But he obliged her by pulling her close and kissing her passionately but tenderly. The single kiss soon turned into a heated snogg that left them both thoroughly breathless and equally senseless.

"Hermione, before we go back to Grimmauld Place, I must apologize for anything that might be said concerning our betrothal. Me and my name have not had the best reputation. If I act in any way that may seem cold toward you or your friends, remember that our relationship must remain a secret till you are no longer my student." His face was full of concern and his voice was warm and tender.

"You are a hero now and deserve to be happy. We both do. I am happy with the contract and the fact that I am contracted to you. But I will ask a favor. Don't wear the charms anymore."

"How do you know that this is not a charm?" He asked as he pointed to his face.

"I saw you come in to the infirmary last term. You were unconscious and your hair and teeth were the same as they are now."

"You really are my know-it-all." He said smiling at her. She pulled him into a kiss one last time before they apparated back to Grimmauld Place.

The Order was thriving with people with happy faces. When Hermione came through the door she was bombarded by the rest of the trio and half of the Weasley brood. They all looked to her and she smiled at them but didn't say anything. Ginny summoned enough courage to ask, "Who is your betrothed? Do we know him?"

"You know his family. I am to marry Sebastian Snape." She said beaming.

"But a Snape! Hermione really why? They are all gits!" Ron exclaimed.

"How could you wish to be related to that?" Harry asked pointing at Severus who had taken a few steps back but was still listening to the conversation.

"First of all, and this is for everyone, the man I am going to marry is handsome, smart, charming, and everything I could have asked for. Snape or not, he has always treated me well in our correspondences and I approve of him. Tonight I got to spend some time with him and I thoroughly enjoyed our evening together. This may not have been my choice in the beginning but it is my choice now." She said defiantly.

Molly and Remus looked at Severus with a questioning glance then Molly asked what Remus wanted to. "Severus, I thought that you said you had no living relatives."

"I thought the same thing until this afternoon. It seems my father had another child before I was born Sebastian and I never knew one another." Severus said.

Tonks had spied the ring on her finger and went to her. "Aren't you going to show off that ring?" Hermione complied and held it out for the group to see. The ladies eyed it with envy and the men of the room were thinking that Sebastian Snape was a show off.

Severus didn't react at all. That made Remus very suspicious. Severus Snape said that he never knew he had a brother but finds he has one tonight and that he has managed to contract the brightest witch Hogwarts has seen in many years. She is the same one that Severus claims to be the Bain of his existence and he would be soon related to her yet he had no reaction at all. Remus looked at Hermione again and made his way over to her. He stood beside her and cold only smell Severus and her parents whom he had met before. "Hermione, if you are truly happy with this then I am happy for you." He said hugging her. He watched Severus reaction and he still did not react at all. Remus decided not to push the envelop. He had a suspicious feeling that they had lied for a reason and what ever the reason was, Albus and Minerva either knew or orchestrated the whole affair.

Severus had watched the whole exchange between Remus and Hermione and had steeled himself from showing anything but he knew that Remus had probably figured out. He had sniffed her and knew that he would only smell three scents, his being the strongest. But Severus didn't say anything; he just turned his attention to Albus and Minerva's conversation.

Ginny Weasley had other plans. She was going o get to the bottom of it and the map next year would help her out. She wasn't going to let Ron or Harry in on it. If her hunch was correct, that story was for Hermione to tell.

Disclaimer: J. K. Rowling owns everything in this world, I choose to twist her characters a little to suit my own means.

Author's Notes:

Warning: There is some Deathly Hollows material used in the making of this story particularly referring to information Snape reveals. But keep in mind that most of the story has been tossed aside. If you have not read the deathly hollows, I am not giving anything away but why Snape may or may not have been Dumbledore's man and why his patronus is what it is. If you feel that this information is not crucial to the events of the whole to the story and they may or may not be then feel free to read this story. There are no more than four characters deaths that have been disregarded for this story but I will not reveal who they are for those of you have not read it.