The next morning, leaving Harry in Minerva's care, Hermione and Severus walked hand in hand to the Headmaster's office. After going up the winding staircase Severus knocked on the solid office door. Hearing an invitation to come inside, they entered and saw that Sirius was sitting in a chair across from the large desk that Headmaster himself was sitting at. Both men had turned to face the door, curious to see who had entered.

"Ah, Severus, Hermione, welcome," Albus greeted with a slight smile. "Sirius was just asking if he could stay at Hogwarts for a while."

Severus rolled his eyes unhappily at this news, but kept his thoughts to himself.

Noticing Severus' slight irritation at the prospect of maybe having to see Sirius on a nearly daily basis, Hermione decided to change the subject, "Albus, Severus and I are here to arrange a protection plan for Harry."

"Might I stay to hear it?" Sirius asked.

Not giving Severus a chance to reply, Hermione quickly said, "Of course, we would appreciate your input."

Conjuring two more chairs in front of his desk beside Sirius, Albus gestured for Severus and Hermione to sit. "Do you have something in mind already?" Albus asked over his spectacles.

"Well, obviously we want Harry with us as much as possible, but with Severus' teaching and my work with the Order, we can no longer protect him and look after him during the day," Hermione said.

"And neither of us trusts babysitters or nannies; Harry needs the upmost protection given his status in the wizarding world" Severus added.

"May I just say, I have nothing to do around here, no job, and I would very much like to see more of my Godson," Sirius announced. "Why don't I watch him during the day while you two are working?"

"I don't think we are quite that desperate yet Black," Severus said scathingly.

Hermione and Albus both glared at Severus, and Hermione looked like she was about to scold him, when Sirius said, "If I remember rightly, Snape, you are in my debt. This is what I request as my repayment. You know I would never hurt my godson, so what's the issue?"

Severus grunted in annoyance. Hermione took Severus' hand and squeezed it gently, "Love, better Sirius than someone with no interest in Harry or his welfare. He is someone we can trust."

"It is a good idea, Severus," Albus added.

"Fine," Severus reluctantly consented.

A system was arranged. On the weekdays, Sirius would collect Harry from Severus and Hermione's quarters after breakfast and then spend the day with him. When classes were over and it was nearing dinner time, Sirius would return Harry back to his parent's rooms. The weekends were Sirius' days off.

After a few weeks of this plan in action, the three decided it worked quite nicely for all of them. Severus and Sirius were almost cordial to one another. Almost.

A few weeks later.

Severus was lying in bed one night listening to the gentle breaths of the witch beside him. They had been talking about nothing in particular and Hermione had just drifted off to sleep moments before with her hand still entwined with his. He lifted their hands and quietly examined as the thought 'I bet my wand that grandmother's engagement ring would fit Hermione's hand perfectly' passed through his head.

He froze. He had thought about marrying Hermione several times since he met her, but the prospect had never seemed so real before. He lowered their hands when he felt Hermione shift slightly in her sleep, curling her body closer around him. Severus looked at Hermione cuddled up to him and kissed her head softly. He decided right there and then. He was proposing.

The next morning, Hermione noticed that Severus was acting very strange. She didn't know what was going on. He had rushed off early in the morning, barely giving her a morning greeting and a quick ruffle to Harry's already untidy dark hair. She heard him mutter something about 'needing to go and get something' before he was gone and out the door.

It wasn't until later that evening, after Sirius had brought Harry back to their chambers for dinner that she saw him again. She had just finished getting

herself and Harry ready for dinner when she heard the door open. She listened to little footsteps run down the hall before she heard her son yell out in excitement, "Daddy! We missed you!"

Walking out of the bedroom and into the living room, she saw Severus bend down and lift the young boy into his arms as he said, "You don't usually see me in the daytime, Harry." His tone was soft and gentle, one that Hermione had only heard when he was addressing either herself or their son.

"You rushed out before breakfast, Severus. I was worried," Hermione said as she walked over to them. She stroked Severus' arm and kissed him gently.

"Sorry," he muttered, smirking at her.

She was about to ask what had been so urgent this morning, but a knock on the door interrupted her question.

"Who could that be? Dinner starts soon. Maybe Sirius forgot something?" Hermione wondered as she walked to the door. She opened it and saw the Headmaster standing there with a large smile on his face.

"Albus!" Hermione said, surprised.

"Good evening, Hermione," the aging wizard replied while his eyes twinkled mischievously.

"Can we help you with something?" asked Hermione confusedly, letting him inside. She shut the door behind him and walked back into the living room.

"I'm here to take Harry to dinner, of course," he said as if the answer was obvious.

"Yay! Dinner with Dumbledore!" Harry squealed at the news. The boy started squirming to get to the Headmaster, so Severus passed Harry to him. Unbeknownst to Hermione, he gave Albus a private nod.

"But… we're going to dinner too?" said Hermione with a slight frown, now even more confused.

"Actually Hermione, the house elves have organized a private dinner for yourself and Severus. They ask that you go to the Room of Requirement," stated Albus, his smile growing wider.

Albus walked out of the door with a delighted Harry in his arms, leaving Severus and Hermione alone in their chambers.

Glancing over to Severus in confusion she asked, "What's going on?"

"I have no idea," Severus said nonchalantly, before placing his hand to the small of her back and gently leading her out of the door.

What do you guys think? Please review, even if it's just with a smiley face, they make my day! Massive thanks to my beta, Akito-Kitsune, she's completely amazing.