"That… is a strange request. But I promise I won't attend one if that will keep your mind at ease. Besides, they're terribly boring and rarely useful."

Hermione's frantic mind was slowly returning to sanity.

"I love you. So very much." She brought her finger up to trace the features on his face.

"And I love you, Hermione. Please let me help you through this. I'll do whatever it takes."

"Oh, Severus, I've been a fool. I have been having subconscious fears that have manifested themselves in nightmares."

"What kind of fears?" His tone was slightly worried.

"Horribly stupid ones."

"Such as?"

"Well," she looked down at his chest, "I suppose one of my fears is that I have just been dreaming and that I'll wake up and you won't love me anymore."

"Hermione." He lifted her chin so that her eyes met his. "I will never stop loving you."

Her eyes began to fill with tears. "That means so much to me, Severus."

"What have your nightmares been about? Are they recurring?"

"Yes, it's the same one each time. They're about the first time we kissed."

"I can see how that would be terribly frightening," he said sarcastically.

She hit his arm playfully. "Oh, hush. Do you want to hear it or not?"

"Yes, go on." His lips formed a small smirk.

"Well like I said, it starts out with the day we had our first kiss. I see you at the lake, you turn around and see me, and we have that terribly awkward conversation we had, and I kiss you. Just like it really happened. But when I kiss you in the dream, you pull away and tell me that you aren't in love with me- that it's someone else."

"I see. I assure you there is no one else."

"I know that. But in the dream it feels so real. Heartache and misery take over my entire being."

He gently stroked her cheek. "I never want you to feel that way. I feel responsible somehow."

"Oh, love, please don't blame yourself. Dreams are curious things. No one is at fault."

"I'll attempt to keep that in mind. Now can you please explain to me what this has to do with a Potions Convention?"

She laughed quietly and he smiled to himself, happy to see her mood improving.

"Another foolish worry, my dear. You see, in the dream, the woman you love is that Emmaline woman. You met her at a Potions Convention."

"Ah, so she is the mysterious Emmaline. She doesn't happen to have long, blonde hair, does she?"

"Yes, how did you know?" She began to worry slightly once again.

"She sounds like Emmaline Collins. Her brother runs a well known convention and she has been trying to convince me to attend for years. Horrible hag of a woman."

Hermione's smile was wide. She could resist no longer. Pulling her husband close for a long, deep kiss, she was finally able to put some of her fears to rest.

"Goodnight my love," she said, yawning. "You have a long day tomorrow."

"Indeed. I must admit, I am not looking forward to a day devoted to working alongside Minerva for twelve hours. Tell me again, why did I agree to be deputy Headmaster?"

"Because deep down, you really do care about your students. And Minerva. And it was the right thing to do."

"I think you may be mistaken about the essence of my character."

"No, Severus, I think you are."

She kissed him one more time, and it was as perfect as that first time, by the lake. Maybe even better.