A/N: sorry this chapter took so long but here it finally is…

Chapter 12

Severus walked back into Hermione's room to find her sitting on her bed looking at the floor. She didn't look up at him when he entered. He walked over to her and knelt down in front of her. He looked up into her face and she still had tears streaming down her face. He reached up and wiped off her cheek.

"Ginny told me everything." Hermione looked at him and he was smiling.

"Don't worry Hermione, I understand."

"You do?" Hermione forced a small smile. Severus reached up and kissed her.

"I'm so glad that you're so understanding. I don't know what I would do without you."

"I don't know what I would do without you either." Hermione smiled for real this time and hugged Severus.

"Just think if you didn't have me, you would still be the nerdy little book worm you were when I first met you." Hermione smiled.

"Technically I still am. Everyone still sees me as a know-it-all." Severus smirked.

"Well they have obviously never seen the real you. Underneath you're an animal."

"I am not." Severus raised his eyebrows.

"Want to see my bruises from you?" Hermione laughed.

"There's that laugh that I love." He wiped off her eyes which were still damp from crying.

"How did I get lucky and get you?"

"Well I invaded your privacy that's how." Hermione smiled.

"Oh right. You should have done that sooner and you should do it more often." Severus grinned and Hermione threw her arms around his neck.

"I have to go. Will you be all right?" She nodded. He kissed her on her forehead and left.

The next day Hermione woke up and got out of bed. She saw the clothes she had been wearing the night before. She closed her eyes and remembered what had happened. She immediately took the clothes and threw them out. She wanted to rid her life of that night. She went into her bathroom and looked in the mirror.

"Wow I look like such a mess."

"Well I can't disagree with you dear," said the mirror. Hermione just scowled.

"Well it's true," said the mirror again. Hermione went over to her shower and turned it on. She undressed and stepped in. She immediately noticed the bruises on her wrists. She rubbed them as if trying to scrub off the memory of that night. She didn't even hear when the door opened.

Severus decided to check on Hermione and went to her room. He noticed that she wasn't in her bed and he heard the shower. He went into the bathroom and saw the outline of her figure through the glass. He smiled and sat down on a chair near the sink.

Hello Hermione. He had to stifle a laugh when he saw her almost fall over in the shower, but then he felt almost guilty.

Bloody hell Severus, you do like to sneak up on me don't you? You almost made me fall over.

Really? I'm sorry. He wasn't going to let her know that he could see her every move. What were you doing?

Well if you must know, I'm in the shower.

Really? That's very interesting. Too bad you're all alone.

Yes it is rather sad isn't it?

You could pretend I'm there…touching you. Severus heard Hermione moan and he smiled. Touch yourself.

Now? But I have classes soon.

So, that's never stopped us before. Severus saw Hermione run her hand down her body and between her legs and he had to suppress a moan so as not to give himself away. He saw her tilt her head back and lean against the wall.

Oh, Severus I want you so bad. He smiled and stood up. He whispered something and his clothes fell to the ground. He stepped inside the shower very quietly and wasn't seen since she had her eyes closed.

"Let me help you," he said as he slid his hand between her legs.

"Oh Severus," Hermione moaned.

Severus and Hermione stood outside the Great Hall. They were alone since everyone was in eating breakfast. She was leaned up against the wall and he was leaning against her kissing her. He had his arms around her waist.

"Maybe…we should…get…to breakfast." He said in between kisses. Hermione nodded. "Are you sure you'll be ok?" he asked looking concerned. Hermione looked towards the Great Hall and sighed.

"Yes, I'll be fine. You'll be there and Dumbledore and Ginny. I don't think he will try anything with Dumbledore especially."

"Ok, but if you need anything just poke yourself in the head repeatedly." Severus laughed.

"Ok I only did that once!" Hermione said pouting. She leaned up and kissed him and went into the Great Hall. Severus waited a few minutes and also went into the Great Hall.

"Good morning Severus. Nice of you to join us," Dumbledore said chuckling.

"Good morning Albus. I had an urgent matter to attend to this morning; otherwise I would have been here." Severus grinned.

"Ah yes, I understand." Dumbledore's eye was twinkling and Severus thought he saw a smile. Severus turned from Dumbledore to look at Hermione. She had taken a seat next to Ginny and was now talking to her.

"Hey Hermione, how are you?"

"I'm fine Ginny."

"No I mean how are you?"

"Ginny, I'm fine."

"Ok I just wanted to make sure. I can kick Draco's ass if you want." Hermione forced a smile.

"No Ginny that's ok."

"All right. So where were you this morning?"

"I was um taking a long shower." Hermione said trying to hide her grin.

"Yeah right."

"I was!"

"You were shagging Snape again I bet," Ginny whispered smiling.

"Sh, the whole world doesn't need to know."

"I knew it. But it's a good thing though. I mean it means that you two obviously love each other or you're just both really randy. Or both." Ginny laughed.

"I'd say both," came a smooth deep voice from behind them. Ginny and Hermione turned around.

"Professor Snape. Eavesdropping?" Hermione said sarcastically, looking in his eyes.

"Sorry but I couldn't help it." He looked back into hers. Ginny looked from Severus to Hermione both whom weren't blinking or looking away.

"Well from what I've seen I'd agree with you Professor," Ginny said jokingly.

"And how much have you seen Miss Weasley?" Severus asked curiously.

"Enough. And what I don't see I have to hear about from Bunny over here," Ginny said motioning to Hermione.

"Bunny?" Severus said raising his eyebrows.

"It's a long story. One that I can tell you, or show you rather, later." Hermione winked at him.

"Eww ok la la la I'm not listening. I don't need to hear this." Hermione laughed.

"Oh Ginny would you rather talk about you and Harry?"

"Ok I do not need to hear this. I don't want to know about Potter's sex-capades." Hermione laughed and Ginny was blushing.

"Ok I'll see you later then." Severus rubbed her back and turned around and walked out. Hermione turned back to Ginny and smiled.

"Speaking of you and Harry, how have you guys been?"

"Great. Ever since Christmas everything has been perfect, all thanks to you." Hermione smiled again. After breakfast she headed to her classes but she couldn't focus. Finally it was time for Potions. She just smiled as she watched him instruct the class. Finally he took a seat and let the class work. Hermione however didn't work. She just continued to stare at him. It was then that she realized she wanted to spend the rest of her life with this man. She couldn't imagine being without him. At dinner she was talking with Ginny when she heard him.

Hermione.

"Ginny look there's Harry, why don't you go say hi." She watched Ginny leave. Yes Severus?

I have something to ask you. I've been thinking about us a lot lately, and I've come to a conclusion.

And…?

And I can't see myself with anyone but you. Hermione looked up into his eyes and smiled.

I feel the same way.

I know. I heard you thinking that in class today. Hermione blushed. And that's why I want to ask you…will you marry me Hermione? Hermione didn't know what to say. It seemed too good to be true.

Hermione?

Yes! My answer is yes! Severus smiled as Hermione had never seen him smile before. She just wanted to run up to him and kiss him. She saw him walk out of the Great Hall, and Hermione also excused herself. She walked quickly but the closer she got to the door, the more she started to run. She came to a halt out side the door. She looked to the left and no one was there. She looked to the right and saw him. She broke into a sprint and ran into his arms. She threw her hands around his neck and kissed him, uncaring who saw them. He pulled out of the kiss only to kneel down on one knee. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black velvet box. He took her left hand and opened the box. Hermione gasped as she saw the ring. It sparkled in the candlelight. He slipped it onto her ring finger and a tear fell from her eye. She smiled as he stood up and she wrapped her arms around his neck in a hug.

"I love you Hermione."

"I love you too Severus."

Then she knew her life was, and would be for the rest of her life, perfect.

THE END

A/N: Well there it is. The end! I hope you like how it ended. I hadn't planned on ending it this soon but I wanted to be able to focus on my other two stories so I decided to end it now. Hope you liked it.