AN: Ok this was a REALLY long chapter. Forgive me, but my plot bunnies went wild and I couldn't control them. So forgive my ramblings, and fluffy story line… I couldn't help it.

Also thank you for all of your kind reviews! And don't forget to let me know what you thought of this chapter…I'm living off of your praise at the moment, because I am forgoing sleep to write this ;)

Chapter 6

Hermione and Severus apparated to the edge of Severus' family stronghold, and she stared in awe at the impressive building and grounds of Snape manor. It was massive. The mansion was the crown jewel on the beautiful lush country side. Even in the dead of winter the lawn was immaculately manicured and she could just see the snow capped gardens in the rear of the estate. The manor was in the Welsh countryside and she couldn't help but think that it was a setting of fairy tales. Severus' family home put Malfoy manor easily to shame. She turned to look at Severus, "it's beautiful."

He smiled as he pushed the gate open. A carriage, similar to those employed by Hogwarts, waited for them just inside the gate to take them up the long drive to the house. He opened the door of the carriage and held out his hand to help her inside, "After you."

"Thank you. Wow, Severus…When I was a child I dreamed of one day staying in a place like this." Hermione looked out of the window as the carriage ambled along the drive carrying them closer to the dwelling, and she became increasingly nervous about meeting the Snape matriarch.

Severus glanced at Hermione and saw the telltale signs of her anxiety. She was chewing on her lip, and twisting her hands. He chuckled, "Hermione…calm down. Mum will love you. She can't wait to meet you, but how am I supposed to present you if you are too nervous to anything more than blink at her?"

Hermione smiled as he reached over to take her hand. "Are you sure?"

Severus smiled, "It's rather late for cold feet don't you think?"

Severus helped her out of the carriage and turned at the sound of the massive door opening at his back. He smiled as his mother came onto the stoop to greet them, "Severus!"

Hermione's first impression of the witch in front of them couldn't have been further from what she had been expecting. Mrs. Snape was a very petite witch, smaller than Hermione, and she seemed to be a bundle of energy. Her fly away black hair was sticking out of her loose bun at odd angles. She had a kind smile that reached her eyes which were a brilliant blue; reminiscent of Albus Dumbledore. Hermione smiled shyly as the other witch came toward them.

"Mother," Severus bent to kiss her cheek. "I'd like for you to meet Professor Hermione Granger." He turned toward Hermione as he spoke her name.

"Oh, child, you are beautiful!" Mrs. Snape walked toward Hermione and wrapped her in a warm embrace. "It's wonderful to meet you. I'm so glad that you've come, I've heard a great deal about you."

Hermione blushed slightly at hearing that she'd been discussed between Severus and his mother. Even still, she couldn't help but smiling back at the older witch whose giddiness was contagious. "It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Snape. Thank you for having me."

"Please, call me, Eileen…or mum. Whichever you feel more comfortable with." Eileen winked at her. "Oh, where are my manners, please come inside."

Hermione giggled at the look on Severus' face as his mother linked her arm through her own, escorting her inside to the cavernous foyer. "Thank you… Eileen."

Hermione looked around the domicile as her eyes adjusted to the light. The décor was an Anglo-French baroque motif, but even through the formality of the style the mansion seemed more than the museum-like atmosphere which most mansions seem to portray. The manor felt lived in. Not just a symbol, but a home. She delicately touched a Louis XVI table that held fresh white roses. She was drawn back to the present by Eileen's voice.

"So, Severus, Hermione…should I assume that you will be sharing a room?" Eileen grinned as Hermione colored to a brilliant shade of pink from her forehead to her neck. "Hermione, I may be old, but I'm not senile or backward thinking."

Severus laughed, "Yes, mum. We will be sharing a room." He put his hands on Hermione's shoulders to comfort her a bit. He knew his mother could be a bit… overwhelming.

Eileen smiled at the two, "what a handsome couple you two make, if you don't mind me saying so."

Hermione smiled at Severus starting to feel a little more at ease the more his mother chattered.

Severus smiled back at Hermione, but addressed his mother. "Mum, I'm going to show Hermione to our rooms."

"Oh, yes. You two might want to freshen up after the long journey." Eileen giggled at her own joke. "Just hurry up, lunch is in a half hour, and I want to get to know Hermione a bit better."

Severus laughed at the near scandalized look on Hermione's face before she started giggling along with his mother.

He took her to their 'rooms' which happened to be a sizable space in the west wing of the mansion. They took their shrunken bags from their pockets and enlarged them, setting them by the dresser. Severus walked over to the massive bed and flopped down on the dark bed linens groaning in pleasure. "I miss this bed."

Hermione chuckled walking over to the bed; she trailed a hand on the plush material. She sat on the edge of the bed and was cut off from speaking as Severus pulled her into the center of the bed where he wrapped his arms around her as he lay half on top of her, half on the soft mattress. She laughed as he nuzzled her neck. "Severus! Your mum told us to be quick."

"Mmhmm." He pressed several kisses along her neck and collarbone, but jerked his head up quickly as the door opened. He stiffened and felt her do the same as they both registered Albus standing in the doorway.

"Sorry, didn't mean to disturb you Severus…Hermione." His eyes twinkled as the two shocked professors stared at him. He walked casually into the room followed by a sheepish looking Mrs. Snape.

"Surprise! You have a visitor." Eileen smirked at the look on her son's face.

"Obviously." Even caught in the precarious situation he was currently in, Severus managed to sound dignified. He sat up on the bed to preserve what was left of his and Hermione's dignity. "And to what do I owe this pleasure, Albus?"

"Oh, I was just in the area…" Albus twinkled annoyingly at the look on Severus' face that plainly portrayed his skepticism. "And I wanted to ask you a question."

Severus moved to the edge of the bed as Hermione sat up and smoothed her robes. "Well as you are here…what do you want?"

Albus laughed "As eloquent as ever… It turns out that we can not have the New Years Eve ball at Hogwarts this year, due to a slight scheduling error on my behalf and I came with a behest that we may have it here."

Severus ran a hand through his hair and looked at his mother.

"It is your house Severus. But I do hope you agree. A ball would be lovely! Snape manor has not opened its doors for such an event in nearly five decades."

"Why not…Albus, I would be—honored—to host the ball." Severus glanced at Hermione who nodded encouragingly.

"Well, we do have a lot of work ahead of us now. Albus you are welcome to stay for lunch, but afterwards I am stealing Hermione from the two of you to plan the ball." Eileen clapped her hands in a very chipper, businesslike manner.

Hermione and Eileen called up the dozen or so House Elves that served the Snapes, although grudgingly for Hermione, to help plan the ball. Eileen explained to Hermione that in pure-blood circles, it was the woman's duty as the hostess of an event like a ball to plan such an occasion. Hermione glanced at the gust list for the ball and noticed that it was a mixed crowd. All of the students and their parents were on the list, as well as several Hogwarts Alumni members, several members of the ministry, and the professors. Hermione muttered a charm on the list, and was shocked to see that the list held about five hundred names. When she had asked Eileen whether or not the manor could accommodate that many Eileen chuckled and took her by the hand to show her the ballroom. If Hermione had been awed by her first glimpse at Snape manor, it was nothing to the wonder she felt when she stepped into the ballroom. The great hall could have fit into the room twice if she had to guess. "It looks like we have our work cut out for us, don't we?" was all she managed to say.

The two women worked easily beside one another for most of the day. Hermione was happy to know that she could see the man she cared so deeply for in his mother, and she got along with Eileen better than she could ever hope for. Hermione felt as if in the span of a few hours, that she had gained another mum. After a few grueling hours, they sat together in the ballroom and took tea together chatting amiably.

"Hermione, I AM really glad that you are here."

"I m happy to be here." Hermione smiled at the other woman.

"Do you think…you could be happy here?" Eileen slowly stirred her tea as she became serious.

Hermione was shocked at how open and forward the question was. "Well I…"

Eileen set her tea down and looked at the young witch, "I know this may seem rather forward of me, but I think my son is in love with you. I know you two have not been together long, but I think there are some things you need to know. Severus has never, not once, brought any woman that he was involved with here. Not even his ex-wife. You see, I think he married her because he was lonely, and because his father's dying wish was to see our only son married. Severus wrote to me when you came to work at the school," Eileen smiled as Hermione paled a bit thinking ahead to where the conversation was heading. "I know about some of the misunderstandings you went through. But still, here you are. Hermione, a woman knows her son, and I can tell you that Severus cares for you more deeply than he has ever cared for anyone. So my next question to you is; do you love him? And could you be happy here with him? My Severus needs a woman like you."

Hermione smiled as she thought very briefly, "yes. To both questions." She looked at Eileen with only a small frown, "I love him, but I don't deserve this." She swept her hand around the ballroom to make her point.

Eileen smiled, "child, who ever said you HAVE to deserve something to receive it? Besides, I've read about you Ms. Granger. You helped defeat the dark lord, and I believe Severus told me you just achieved your masters. Not only that, you make my son happier than I've ever seen him. If that isn't deserving of something special, then I don't know what is." Eileen laid a gentle hand on Hermione's forearm and winked. "Plus, I think, I would be honored to have you as a daughter." Eileen went on to explain that engagements in the way that Severus was raised were at least a year long. "You see, I've told Severus after he was divorced that if he married again, I would like him to find someone he truly loved and bind himself to that person. Like most traditions, it is unbreakable, and therefore purebloods have a longer engagement to prevent… unnecessary deaths."

Hermione was a bit overwhelmed with all of this information, "what makes you think he wants to marry me?"

"Have you not been listening? Do you not see the way he looks at you?" Eileen chuckled at the younger woman, "you'll see."

Over the next couple days, Hermione, Severus, and Eileen were busy with preparations for the ball. Eileen called upon a seamstress witch to come to the manor to fit herself and Hermione with gowns, and after Hermione protested and was ignored, Eileen footed the bill telling Hermione to think of it as a 'thank you' for her help. Christmas came and went, and it was the best one Hermione could remember. Severus had met her parents and younger sister, and her family seemed to accept him as easily as Eileen had accepted her. She smiled as she remembered her sister, who had just turned twenty, asked if Severus had any brothers or cousins that looked like him. The preparations kept her fairly busy, and she and Severus found almost all of the time they spent together was at night when they went to sleep. She didn't mind, however, she was too excited about the ball, the next day.

As Severus dressed for the ball he reflected over the last week or so with Hermione here. It felt so right. He could hardly wait for the ball to start. He had a few surprises for her tonight. He looked at his reflection in his empty room; Hermione was getting ready in his mother's rooms. It was a good thing too, he hadn't told her that he'd invited her family to the ball, and he had escorted them to manor in secret earlier and set them up to stay in the same wing as himself and Hermione. He was nearly ready when he glanced at the small velvet box on his bureau. He had already talked with Albus, but he still needed to speak with one more person before he could make his dream a reality. He pocketed the box and made his way to the Granger's room. His knock was answered by Dr. Granger, "good evening, sir. I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time."

Dr. Harold Granger regarded the man in front of him. He had met the man a few days ago, but he had immediately liked him. He didn't know Severus very well, but he could tell that their host was nervous. Harold smiled, "Of course." He stepped into the hall and walked with Severus as the other man collected his thoughts. He was curious as to what could make this man, who was so obviously a collected person under normal circumstances, seem so distracted. Harold did have to say that he liked the way Severus so obviously adored his daughter. True he would have to get used to the fact that Severus was not that much younger than he was, but apparently in the wizarding world the age difference between Hermione and Severus was not unusual. And Hermione was, if he was not mistaken, in love. Harold wanted his daughter's happiness more than anything in the world; and if was with this man, he had to say he did not mind. 'Funny thing,' Harold thought Severus looked like he himself had when he asked Alice's father permission to marry his daughter.

Severus walked through the halls of the manor with Hermione's father amiably discussing mundane issues until Severus finally stopped and turned to face the other man. "I didn't ask for you to accompany me for idle chatter, sir."

"It's Harold, and I know. What's on your mind, Severus?"

Severus cleared his throat and glanced out of a nearby window watching the guests arriving. "Hermione."

Harold smiled to himself as he watched the wizard in front of him. "Am I supposed to guess from here, or are you going to tell me?" He had found that he and Severus could talk very easily with out beating around the bush over the last few days.

Severus turned back to look at her father, a man not much older than he, himself, was. "Harold… I have not always been the nicest or most honorable man, and I would completely understand if you did not agree with what I am about to ask you." Severus cleared his throat and his hand brushed the box that was nestled in his dress robes. "I'm in love with your daughter. And even though I did not ask your permission to court her, I humbly ask for your permission to marry her." Severus pulled the box from his pocket and handed it to Harold for his inspection.

"Before I give my blessing, I have two questions;" Harold admired the ring for a moment before looking Severus in the eye. "First; why so soon? Hermione told me that you have not been dating for long."

Severus nodded and explained that he expected a long engagement and that he'd possibly loved her since the very moment she re-appeared in his life.

"Alright, I can accept that. My next and last question to you is why do you want to marry her?"

Severus thought for a moment trying to choose his words carefully to have the most impact. "Because, I don't think I could live with out her."

Harold smiled and handed the ring box back to Severus, "well then, that being said; I can't deny that my daughter is happier now, than I have seen her in years. I believe you, and I would be honored to give you my blessing and I wish you luck. Just know that if you ever hurt my little girl, no amount of magic in the world will protect you from me."

The ballroom was an artist's dream. The honey colored floor shone with a luster that came from deep within the wood that was polished to perfection. The guests were milling about, talking in small groups, and the colors were resplendent. The many colors of ladies formal gowns and dress robes glittered and mixed with the black tie dress of the men. People had pulled out all of the stops for the festive occasion and the ambience was that of bygone centuries when kings ruled the world. Expensive perfumes blended with the smells of food and flowers, each delicate note competing against each other and accosting the senses. The musicians were playing a soft melody, and Severus couldn't help but thinking what an excellent job Hermione and his mother had done planning the event on such short notice. He smiled as he remembered what Hermione had told him earlier in the day. Tonight would hopefully be her fairytale come to life as well as his.

Severus greeted his guests politely as he entered the ballroom on the queue of a rather pompous Percy Weasley, who had been employed to announce the entrances of honored guests by Albus. Severus thought it was a tradition thought up by over-narcissistic old men to make themselves more important than they were, but it was, as Albus pointed out, a tradition.

Severus noticed that after speaking with Harold, he felt a little more relaxed, but at the same time, incredibly nervous. He briefly wondered what he would do if Hermione rejected him, and at exactly what moment he should ask her hand in marriage. Shaking himself mentally, Severus mingled easily while waiting for his mother and Hermione to enter before the ball officially began. He'd no sooner greeted Albus when Percy's voice rang out above the crowd. "Ladies and Gentlemen I present to you Lady Eileen Snape and Professor Hermione Granger." Severus turned toward the stairway of the ballroom entrance and felt as if he had been struck completely dumb. The room itself seemed to hold its breath along with Severus as Hermione and Eileen started to walk down the stairs. Severus almost forgot that anyone else was in the room as he mindlessly glided toward the stairs to meet Hermione. She was positively glowing.

Harold was nearly brought to tears as he saw his little girl entering the ball. She looked more like a princess than a witch as she glided down the stairs. The dressmaker had surely worked some sort of magic on the ice-blue fabric that artfully clung to her body. He wondered briefly if this was what it would feel like on her wedding day; knowing that his baby wasn't his alone anymore.

Severus stood at the base of the stairs as Hermione and his mother descended toward the party. He smiled a bit wider when he noticed that Hermione was wearing the jewelry that he had bought her for Christmas. His mother had let him know what color her dress was to be and he had purchased the blue topaz and diamond earrings and matching three-tier necklace, the jewels winked cold fire from their white gold settings against her milky skin.

Severus looked to his mother who inclined her head regally toward her son, giving him unspoken permission to open the ball with his love. Severus nodded in thanks before turning back to Hermione and offering her his hand. He led her to the dance floor through the parting ranks of guests to formally open the ball.

Hermione felt like Cinderella in the luxuriant dress and expensive jewels. When she entered the room of guests and friends, her eyes automatically sought out Severus. She smiled as their eyes locked, she could almost forget that anyone else in the room was there when he looked at her like that. As he moved to meet her at the bottom of the stairs she couldn't help but think he cleaned up nice. His hair was pulled back at the base of his neck and tied with a black ribbon. His robes were black, of course, but he had obviously had them tailored because the formal dress robes fit him like a second skin. When he led to the dance floor, Hermione finally looked away from his eyes to glance at the guests that she had worked so hard to accommodate. She saw many of the students currently enrolled in Hogwarts, along with many of her former class mates. Harry gave her a wink as she met his eyes, and Serena was looking at her with a rather Molly Weasley-like teary smile. Hermione was about to say something to Severus when she spotted her own family at the edge of the dance floor. As she and Severus took up their dancing positions she saw Severus watching her still.

"Surprised?" He had watched her face light up when she spotted her family through the crowd.

"Yes—did you arrange that?"

Severus gave her a nod as he swept her around the dance floor. "I thought they should be included in these festivities."

"Severus, really, this is almost too much…But, thank you." Hermione bit her tongue, she was about two seconds away from confessing her true feelings for him, but she knew that right at this moment, every single pair of eyes were on them, and she felt herself blush a bit. "How do you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Manage to stay so calm when all of these people are watching us, wondering about what is going on between us. Wondering why I entered with your mother and why I was chosen to open the ball with you."

"Well, I don't notice them when you are in my arms…"

Hermione smiled, flattered, and relaxed in his arms.

Hermione had danced for the first hour or so straight with Severus and many of the guests before she managed to extract herself from the dance floor to talk with her family. She introduced her family to many of her former class-mates and fellow professors, and spent her time alternating between her obligations as un-official hostess and having fun. Just before midnight struck Severus led her to the dance floor as the band began a slower song. Severus maneuvered them toward the center of the room before the New Year was announced. Many people kissed to ring in the beginning of another year, and Severus and Hermione were no exception, but instead of the fleeting kisses the others were giving or receiving, Severus tried to show her without words what he felt. By the time they parted, she could hear many of her students giggling and whooping. Hermione smiled at him as she tried to catch her breath, and noted that he suddenly looked nervous.

"Hermione, there is another reason I wanted your parents here tonight." He still held her close even though there was no music, and many of the guests had begun watching them. "I Love you."

Hermione was overjoyed and felt as though her heart would burst with happiness; she was about to say something when she felt him twitching slightly and remained silent instead to let him finish.

"I never thought it was possible to love anyone as much as I love you. And after thinking through what my life should be…I don't think I could bear to live without you by my side." At this point the room had gone silent and Severus pulled back from Hermione enough to pull the ring box from his robes before he got down on one knee. "Hermione Jane Granger, will you marry me?"

"I--" Hermione felt like she might faint for a moment, or that she was hallucinating. She blinked and when she still saw Severus down on one knee in front of her and much of wizarding Britain, her smile became radiant. "Yes…yes!" She started laughing and tears of pure happiness rolled down the apples of her cheeks. Severus smiled and put a very elegant looking ring on her left hand before he stood holding both of her hands and drawing her in for another kiss.

Severus felt like his heart stopped beating before Hermione had answered him. When he placed his mother's engagement ring on her finger he looked up and saw tears snaking down her beautiful face. When he stood and kissed her again, he felt that he never saw another moment, his life was complete. He dimly became aware as the crowd around them set up a cheer. All that mattered was Hermione; and that she had said yes.

Fin

AN: Let me know what you thought of this story. Thank you for all who have reviewed, and let me know if you wish me to continue this with a sequel! Thanks a bunch all, Read well!