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And They Didn\'t Live Happily Ever After	By : ElizabethStump Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 90306 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 109
- 110
- 111
"And They Didn't Live Happily Ever After"

Chapter One Hundred Nine
"Dreams Can Come True"

Disclaimer: Rowling owns Harry Potter, the universe, and most of the concepts in this fic. She just lets me play with her things, and neither a brass Knut nor Muggle brass farthing are being made by me.

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Hermione was applying her lipstick last. She was using one of the other bathrooms in their home, since she and Severus had agreed to separately dress and prepare for the ball. It was partly to surprise one another, and partly so they would be able to be ready on time by keeping their hands off each other.

She had heard Severus pacing about the foyer, no doubt waiting for her.

Turning her cheek to one side, she was glad that she was able to completely heal up that scratch from the bougainvillea she got when she decided to give it a thorough trim job. Severus' healing paste was an improvement of the one he'd helped Lavender develop to heal up fresh acne scars.

Hermione and Severus had spent the day engaged in domestic bliss of the mundane kind, doing laundry, cleaning, gardening and such, besides the odd roll or three in the hay. It was nice for Hermione to get a peek of how daily life would play out on the weekend when neither of them had to be at work and they could be together in a regular every-day kind of way.

And now they would be going out mingling with other couples in public at a social function. Hermione's mind briefly flitted back to the Ministry Ball, and she wondered what would have been the reaction had she shown up at the Halloween masked ball on Severus' arm instead of Ron's. No doubt she would have had to divorce Ron by that point, and Severus' alternate Delgado persona was far older and obnoxious, but at least she could have danced with him in public instead of watching him from across a crowded room, feeling lonelier than ever.

Closing her tube of lipstick, she tucked it into the discreet charmed pocket on her snugly fitting blue halter dress. She checked one last time for her wand before going to meet Severus in the foyer for an evening of dinner, dancing, and frivolity.

Glancing at the clock on the mantle, he knew they were not running that late, but the clock had already struck seven and the ball had officially begun. Dinner was not going to be served until eight, but he hoped she would not dally much longer.

Hearing the thump of her heels on the wooden floor signaling her approach, he took his place in the foyer, ready to greet the love of his life and escort her to the ball.

As she emerged from the stairwell, Severus felt his breath catch in his throat. Each time he saw Hermione dressed up, he did not think he could imagine her any lovelier, yet she was. Her hair was done by a local beauty parlor, and these locals knew how to deal with wavy and curly hair that few back in England knew how to tame and style flatteringly, with the except of Ginny. It was piled up and off her neck with large soft curls, and a small cluster of white plumeria was set in her artfully arranged curls, on the left side. Her royal blue halter dress showed off her figure, and the accent of the sapphire necklace and earrings just completed the ensemble that made her a vision in blue.

She slowly walked toward Severus with a shy smile upon her lips, her hand nervously adjusting the jeweled necklace one last time before she stopped before him.

Finally finding his voice, he bowed deeply, purring in his deepest and most seductive voice, "Madam, never have I seen a more enchanting vision as you. I am your servant."

Hermione felt the blush suddenly flood her cheeks. She had seen the way Severus stared at her and knew he was not exaggerating in his praise. She briefly curtsied.

"Thank you, sir. And may I say you are looking quite dapper and elegant yourself," she complimented him.

Severus was dressed in his habitual formal long black frock coat with high-necked collar, and black trousers and boots, but given he'd recently had them tailored and altered, they fit his trimmer and slightly more muscular frame to a tee, showing off his form in a most flattering fashion.

Severus turned and extended his arm. "Shall we?"

They strolled into the community center that had been transformed for the event. Severus handed the two tickets over to the maître d', who bowed briefly before showing them to their table. Severus let go of Hermione's arm only when the tables prevented them from walking two abreast, and allowed her to go before him.

Hermione glanced about noting they had completely cleaned up and reset the community center. There was an earlier New Year's Eve Ball that day held for the teenaged set on Malu Palekaiko, with a balloon drop and a live Wireless Wizarding Network feed from Times Square in New York City. The event finished up at 6:15 pm., since it was a six-hour difference between Hawaii and New York. While Hermione was getting her hair done at the salon earlier, she could hear the loud thump of a whole lot of bass as wizard and Muggle rock and dance music blared.

Once at their table that sat eight, Severus pulled out Hermione's chair.

Draco and Ginny had made all the arrangements regarding seating. Severus and Hermione were both surprised to find Pat Vallier, Severus' office manager, already seated at the table, along with a young wizard.

"Severus, I'd like to introduce you to my son, Orin. He came out to spend a few days and visit from Dallas, Texas." Turning to her son, she said, "This is Severus Snape, my boss."

Orin rose and reached over, offering his hand, "A pleasure, Mr. Snape. My mother has said nothing but good things about you, a vast improvement from some of her previous employers. I'm glad she's happy working for you, and she's not quite as stressed anymore."

"Orin! Shh!" Pat gave her son a stern stare. "We're not here to disparage others who cannot speak in their defense, and those incidents are not to be repeated publicly. Besides, it's in the past, and that is drama I no longer have to deal with. Let's keep to pleasant conversation and avoid topics not fit for the occasion."

"Your mother is a wise woman, which is why I am glad to have her and her common sense in my employ," Severus said to the young wizard. Turning, he said, "And this is Hermione Weasley."

Hermione and Severus never did iron out how they would introduce each other in public, as the term companion had a coldness about it, lover seemed salacious, and girlfriend/boyfriend was certainly sophomoric. They weren't formally engaged, so the term fiancée/fiancé would send tongues wagging once more, and Hermione would be deluged by every witch at the ball wanting to harangue her for details about how Severus proposed to her, why didn't she have a ring yet, when the wedding date would be, and other such nettlesome nuisance neither wanted to deal with.

Hermione rose partially out of her seat and briefly shook Orin's hand. "It's a pleasure, Mr. Vallier."

"Weasley? I notice by your accent that you're from England," Orin noted.

'Well, that's a first. Someone guessed the country correctly,' Severus noted.

"Yes, I'm visiting for the week as well before I return to London on Sunday," she volunteered.

Leaning forward, Orin asked, "You wouldn't happen to be related to Ron Weasley, the Quidditch player?"

Hermione mused to herself that no one besides the most loyal and die-hard Chudley Cannon fans would have known the name Ron Weasley over a year ago. Now that he was first-string Keeper and had his face and body plastered all over that calendar, it seemed that nearly everyone had heard of him.

Placing a soothing hand on Severus' knee under the table, for she could almost hear the grinding of his teeth even with the band on the stage playing, she replied, "That would be my ex-husband."

Orin had the grace to look abashed. "I'm sorry if I caused any embarrassment by my question."

Hermione nodded her head in acceptance of his apology and added, "It was an amicable split and is long behind me."

Before an awkward silence could descend upon the table, Draco and Ginny showed up.

"Sorry for being late, but Ginny was attacked by a rather vicious nap and would not yield until she rested enough," Draco said in jest as a way to excuse their tardiness.

"Yes, quite sorry," Ginny added, stifling a yawn as Draco pulled her chair out and helped her into her seat. He gave her a strong arm to hold on to while she lowered herself carefully into her chair.

Pat introduced her son to the Malfoys, finishing up just when Jerry and his date showed up.

Jerry had brought Svetlana as his date to the ball. She was the same witch who, along with Justina, Antonia, Tina, and Miyuki, were in hot pursuit of Severus when he first arrived on the island until many of them had long given up or had heard the nasty rumors from Maria about his sexual performance.

It seemed Svetlana had glommed onto the current most eligible bachelor on the island, since Severus was definitely not on the market.

Hermione thought the blonde witch on Jerry's arm was quite pretty, but did not understand why she was glaring down her nose imperiously at Hermione and looking her over with great scrutiny. It then struck Hermione – remembering Ginny's tale that Severus had been the hottest thing on the island, and several of the witches were trying to snag Severus for themselves – and she correctly surmised Svetlana was probably one of those witches. Ginny had told her about how Severus has spurned their advances, much to their consternation, so Svetlana was probably trying to figure out what Hermione had that she didn't in order to land Severus herself.

With great grace, Hermione introduced herself to Svetlana, who seemed to melt her icy attitude towards Hermione a bit.

Now that everyone was at the table, Severus suggested that the gentlemen should fetch drinks for their female companions and themselves.

When they returned with refreshments, it seemed all the witches were chatting amicably. Sitting down, Hermione leaned sideways and asked very quietly, doing her best to remember and parroting what she heard in Russian, "Severus, what does 'Maria said he is small and soft like a little worm. Is that true?' mean?"

Fortunately, Severus had not sipped his drink, for surely he would have choked on it. Sitting up with his back ramrod straight, he glared at Svetlana with a look that could freeze even the hottest fires in hell.

Hermione didn't know what she repeated, but it must not have been good for Severus to give the blonde witch that look he only reserved for those that had truly raised his ire.

"Mr. Smokski," Severus said addressing Jerry, but his eyes still glaring at Svetlana, "please instruct your companion that such comments are not appropriate nor welcomed."

Jerry turned on his date and asked with a mixture of confusion and accusation, "What did you say?"

Svetlana shrugged, looking flustered as she feebly explained, "It was a little joke. I thought Her-mime-nonny spoke Russian since I heard she can sing in Russian."

Ginny cleared her throat and said, "Well, Pat and I don't speak Russian, and neither does Hermione, so if it was a joke, we certainly missed the punchline."

Svetlana glared daggers at Ginny. "I don't have to take that talk from a fat korova, like you."

Even Draco knew enough Russian to order from menus to know that she just called his wife a fat cow. Rising from his seat, his jaw clenched, his hand twitching to go to his wand and hex this offensive cunt across the Pacific and back, Draco hissed, "Jerry, I suggest you remove Miss Pushkin from our table and sight otherwise Rainbow will be spending the rest of the night reversing some rather unpleasant curses."

"That's okay," the Russian witch spat, "I wouldn't want to spend the rest of my night with a bunch of..." Before she could find the right word in English, she stormed off, muttering "Oslayob," under her breath.

Severus thought about saying to her retreating back in Russian that she would know better than him about such matters, but decided that probably would be a breach of the Potions master's code of ethics, since that might let others know about her possible proclivities. He had his suspicions. One thing was for certain, the next time Svetlana came to him for a commission to take care of a small and delicate matter regarding some peculiar tenderness she had obtained through unnamed means in one particular area of her body, he would refuse. Instead, he would send her off to Arnold, in which case she would balk and suffer, or pay him the commission and risk him telling the island just what she got up to in the privacy of her own bedroom, or maybe it was the barn.

"I am so sorry. She seemed like a nice person, but there is a bug up her ass evidently. My apologies." Jerry ran a hand through his hair, puffing out a breath of air, glad that at least it did not come to wands being drawn.

Draco sat back down, now assured Svetlana was not going to be a problem for at least a little while, as he watched her retreat back over to the maître d', no doubt to ask for a different table to be assigned to.

When planning the ball with the town council members, Draco had prepared for such an instance. There were indeed a few spare tables off in the far corner, which she was escorted to. Hopefully, she would stay out from underfoot the rest of the night.

For part of the cocktail hour, Hermione and Severus circulated around the room, where he was able to formally introduce her to other members of the community she had not yet met.

"And this is Mr. Loddy," Severus said, introducing the free elf.

"Congratulations on your recent election to town council member, Mr. Loddy," Hermione greeted him, bending over a little to shake his hand.

"And you must be the indomitable Miss Granger, or is it Mrs. Weasley, forgive me. Some of the elves that live here now in Malu Palekaiko made it here after you freed so many of them from service during the war with You-Know-Who. They still refer to you so fondly by your maiden name," the elf explained.

"Call me Hermione, please," she insisted.

Severus, Hermione, and Mr. Loddy conversed for a bit before Mr. Loddy made to excuse himself to speak to a fellow town council member regarding something that was not quite fully resolved at the last meeting.

When a vampire and his half-human/half-goblin wife spotted the lovely witch on Severus' arm, they walked up to the couple.

"Why, Severus, who is this enchanting vision that you are escorting?" Dariusz asked. He took Hermione's hand and bowed low before her, keeping his lips, and fangs, politely away from her instead of kissing her hand.

Hermione knew a vampire when she saw one, but was surprised there were any in Malu Palekaiko.

"May I introduce Hermione Weasley. And this is Pan Dariusz Król and his charming wife, Glomp," Severus said, using the Polish honorific for the vampire, indicating his place of origin.

"Very pleased to meet you both," Hermione said. She curtsied briefly to Dariusz and Glomp, noting that they were probably far older than her and from Europe, so formality should be employed.

"Quite charming," said Glomp in response upon observing Hermione's manners and grace.

"Dariusz and Glomp have a farm on the north side of the island, and raise some of the finest pork in the Hawaiian islands," Severus informed her.

This surprised Hermione even more than discovering a vampire in Malu Palekaiko – that a vampire and a half-goblin would be involved in raising livestock – but she figured that it was probably a venture that suited them both. They discussed some matters regarding the building of the new school, since Severus was on the Board of Governors, before Dariusz and his wife excused themselves.

As they were leaving, Dariusz paused and leaned over and said in parting, "Oh, Severus, that last batch? Just perfect. No need to make any more adjustments."

Severus nodded and the couples went their separate ways.

Hermione was curious as to what potion Severus could have supplied the vampire or his wife. However, she knew from her thorough study of her code of ethics tome that it was a private matter that was none of her business, and she did not question Severus about the parting comment.

On their way back to their table, Hermione finally had a chance to meet Ranjit.

Severus cleared his throat before introducing the pair. "Hermione, I would like to introduce you to Ranjit Singh, a fellow Potions master. Ranjit, I would like to introduce you to Hermione Weasley, Potions apprentice."

"Madam Weasley, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. I'm sorry I have not stopped by to introduce myself sooner, but I usually spend the week between Christmas and New Years in quiet meditation in order to clear my mind and spiritually recharge my battery, so to speak," Ranjit said with a formal bow to her.

"I'm here visiting Severus for a similar reason, to take a break from my apprenticeship – mostly – in order do the same, so I completely understand, Mr. Singh," she assured him.

"Have you had a chance to meet the other Potions master here in Malu Palekaiko, Arnold Ogawa?" the Indian Potions master asked.

"No," Severus answered on her behalf a bit curtly.

"Still not speaking to Arnold?" Ranjit asked, an amused lilt in his voice.

"His issue is with me, not I with him," Severus sneered, lifting his chin up a bit as when he would get that certain air about him when vexed. "He thinks I poached his assistant and companion. I refute his assertions. For the fact he refuses to speak to me and continues to sulk like a petulant, pouting, pubescent prat is his problem, not mine. I am open to resuming lines of communication between us when he realizes the folly of his accusations and ceases making such charges."

Ranjit rolled his eyes while sighing. "Well, knowing Arnold's pride and his temper it looks like that won't happen any time soon." Turning to Hermione, Ranjit apologized, "I'm sorry that it looks like you won't have a chance to meet Arnold during your trip, but when these two are no longer bickering perhaps you'll have a chance to meet him on your next trip."

Hermione said she looked forward to spending more time to chat on her next visit to the island, before she and Severus continued walking back to their table.

They returned to their seats just as dinner was being served.

It was a limited menu with a choice of two salads to choose from, two soups, and a choice of either the seafood, chicken, beef, pork, or vegetarian dish for the entrée.

Of course, with the price of admission to the event, all food and beverage was included.

When Severus said, "Pork presented three ways," the dish appeared right in front of him. It reminded Hermione of when she'd ordered food at the Grand Royal Supper Club and it suddenly appeared.

Severus could tell Mario was behind the creation of that night's menu, based on his particular flare, but noted that Mario was one of the guests enjoying the evening's festivities. They has spoken to Mario earlier that night; he'd informed them that he'd let his regular kitchen staff, along with some elves he hired, cook and serve so he could enjoy the night off.

On Severus' plate was slow-braised pork cheek served with a Mexican mole sauce, pork shoulder wrapped and steamed Hawaiian style with cabbage leaves, and pork belly prepared Chinese style.

Hermione ordered the Rock Cornish Game Hen stuffed with a wild rice pilaf.

During dinner, Orin told tales about adjusting to life in Dallas and how there were some things he missed about Chicago, and some things – like the miserable winters – he certainly did not miss. There was some talk regarding Hermione's apprenticeship, how Severus' business might be affected with the opening of the school with less tutoring and more commissions making up his business, and Ginny having one of her more advanced students take over belly dance classes while she recovered after the children were born, as well as a variety of other topics.

Once dinner finished, the plates disappeared off to the kitchen in the back of the community center.

Mounga was up on stage. He had been sitting at another table with his wife, Rainbow, his eldest daughter, Akela, and her beau, Tristan, who had given Akela tickets to the New Year's Eve Ball as her Christmas present. There were also other town council members and their spouses at their table. The town judge and town council member was now standing on stage with his wand to his throat performing the Sonorous Charm.

"Good evening everyone, aloha!"

The crowd responded in typical fashion, with Hermione picking up the cue that she was to say "aloha" back with the rest of the crowd.

"I would like to welcome you all to the first formal New Year's Eve Ball for Malu Palekaiko," Mounga continued. "At this time I would like to thank Mr. Draco Malfoy for his wonderful suggestion to the town council for such an event, and his invaluable knowledge and help in organizing this affair," Mounga announced, gesturing with his hand toward the aforementioned wizard.

Draco stood and waved, bowing slightly before sitting back down once more as people applauded – some politely, some with more enthusiasm.

"You suggested the ball?" Hermione asked quietly, leaning closer towards Draco.

Speaking just low enough for her and Severus to hear, he replied, "Well, Severus was complaining how he did not have the chance to dance with you at the Ministry Halloween ball at all, and how it was wholly unfair Weasley did. So, when Albert and I planned to bring you here, I figured this was a chance to rectify what Severus called an injustice."

Severus knew of Draco's involvement with the planning of the ball and his plan for them to attend it together. It certainly explained why the younger wizard had asked Severus about the favorite songs he and Hermione had danced to since his return from India.

"Thank you," Hermione said gratefully. She patted his hand before going back to listening to Mounga, and rubbed Severus' upper arm briefly.

Others stood up and bowed, upon being recognized for their efforts to bring together all the planning needed to make the ball happen. There was the flash of a camera bulb here and there as the photographer from The Daily Times & Tides was there.

Mounga kept his remarks brief and wrapped it up shortly by introducing the main act, who would lead the band already on the stage. "And now I would like to present to you, straight from San Francisco, Tommy and his Two-Bit Strung-Out Pluckers!"

Hermione turned to see Severus' face fall. He nearly reared back like a skittish horse.

Draco tapped Jerry's arms rather firmly, nearly grabbing him by the arm and said loud enough for even Hermione to hear, "You said you were going to book an old friend from Juilliard – piano school – whatever, who got his wizarding school letter a year before you!"

"Yeah, Tommy and I are old friends. We go way back. Why, is there a problem?" Jerry asked. He was confused as to why Draco looked a bit stunned and Severus like he had been slapped across the face with a ten-pound mackerel.

Draco shook his head, indicating it was not a problem. Looking back over his shoulder at his mentor, he rolled his eyes and gave him a meek look of apology and a shrug that what was done was done.

"Severus? Is there a problem?" Hermione asked diplomatically.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, he leaned over and quietly whispered into Hermione's ear, "When I was fleeing Polyjuiced as you, we stopped in San Francisco. Tommy was rather blatant as he tried to come on to me and played various songs, no doubt in an attempt to woo what he thought was a female back to his bed that night."

Hermione pulled back from Severus to gauge if he was serious or not, but given his reaction, there was no doubt to the veracity of his story. Unable to help herself, she suddenly burst out laughing, imagining Severus there, in her image, scowling at Tommy who was trying to pick him up.

"I'm so sorry, Severus, but that is kind of funny," she said, then amended quickly when Severus didn't smile, "well, at least from my perspective."

They were going to start out the dancing part of the ball with a waltz, as the large card by the edge of the stage indicated what the next song would be.

Severus, figuring that Tommy would most probably not recognize Hermione, and there were plenty of other witches he could flirt with that night, deemed it safe to take her out on the dance floor. Standing, he held out his hand and said rather formally, "Madam, may I have the first dance of the night with you?"

Before Hermione could reply, Pat piped up with the comment, "See, Orin? That's how it's done. Maybe you'd have a nice girlfriend by now if you employed better manners like that."

Ignoring the familial bickering, Hermione placed her hand in Severus' and said, as he helped her rise, "I would be delighted, Mr. Snape."

Draco turned to his wife. With a fleeting look between them, he gauged her willingness to dance in order to avoid embarrassing her, before he rose. "Mrs. Malfoy, would you do me the honor?" He extended his hand, and she placed her hand in his before she proceeded to leverage herself up out of her seat as gracefully as she could, with her husband helping. The Malfoys followed behind Severus and Hermione to the dance floor.

"Maybe I ought to have sent you off to England for those etiquette lessons instead of letting your Aunt Harriett teach you," Pat nagged her son gently before dropping the subject.

Severus bowed to Hermione, and she curtsied in kind. Hermione had not curtsied so much since the Yule Ball in her fourth year.

Tommy and the whole rest of the band began with a very brief intro before the sweep strains of a quick-paced waltz began. It was a wizarding Viennese waltz, which was only slightly different from a Muggle Viennese waltz in that there was a short extra beat added after four, eight, or sometimes sixteen counts of three. The extra beat signaled a change in direction of dancing and spinning from one direction into a reversed direction.

Spinning around in Severus' arms, Hermione felt on top of the world. Severus was looking quite dashing, his hair even pulled back into a queue, looking as if he could fit right into a formal Viennese wizards' ball or something straight out of the Regency era. She was deliriously happy, as she had longed to dance with Severus in public, and here they were in the midst of a crowd twirling about as if they were in some grand romance novel where he would sweep her off her feet. Hermione had already been swept off her feet by Severus and she was floating, dancing as if on a cloud.

Severus spun Hermione about, his posture perfect and straight, his chest puffed with pride as he danced with the most lovely witch at any ball that had ever been held. And while he knew it was romantic nonsense and sentimental drivel to think such a thing, it certainly felt like it was an absolute fact. For once he let himself be carried away with such a thought by this glorious night of Hermione on his arm, looking magnificent, a picture of poise and refinement, and gazing at him with pure adoration and radiating love directed solely toward him and him alone.

As the first song came to an end, Severus spun Hermione about under his arm before they ended with him bowing and her curtsying once more.

Draco and Ginny excused themselves from the dance floor, Mrs. Malfoy only having so much stamina and lung capacity with triplets battling for space in her abdomen. As they walked back, the one hand that wasn't holding on to Draco's arm was moving a silk fan back and forth furiously to cool the overheated witch.

The next song was a moderately-paced foxtrot. Hermione and Severus danced, moving about the floor, with him leading in order to avoid them bumping into other couples. Still, that did not stop some couples, where the man or wizard was not as well practiced in leading, from bumping into the pair and offering their apologies.

When the song finished, Severus indicated he wanted to go back to the table. Once there, he removed his long coat, since it was still a rather balmy night. Hermione decided some cool water would be good, since she was still adjusting to the temperature; she decided to rest until she didn't feel quite so flushed. Also, dinner had not quite completely settled, and she wanted to pace herself and avoid a stitch in her side.

As they rested, Ginny had a chance to finally admire Hermione's new necklace close up and praised Severus for his excellent taste. Draco and Severus exchanged glances briefly with their witches none the wiser to their silent banter. Hermione admired the large, beautiful diamond-encrusted brooch, a Malfoy family heirloom, that was pinned in the middle of Ginny's chest at the top of the bust line. It looked perfect with her forest green dress, which had an empire waistline to minimize her rather prominent baby bump.

Had Severus known he would be going to the ball with Hermione, he would have taken some of the free dance courses Draco, Halulu, and Jerry had organized for the community at large in the weeks leading up to the ball. He had yet to learn how to polka, rhumba, and mambo, and in addition, they were going to feature songs suited for the quickstep and Peabody dance. While Severus did know the quickstep and had taught Hermione the basics, it was a fast- moving dance, and neither of them had practiced it much. The Peabody was an American Muggle dance that was quite popular with the wizarding community in the states, but it had never caught on back in England. Draco and Ginny had taken lessons to learn the Peabody, as it was evidently invented by a rather "large" American Muggle who was too fat to dance with his partner in front of him. Given Ginny's current waistline, they decided to learn the new dance.

When the card by the side of the stage indicated the next dance would be a tango, Severus stood once more and invited Hermione to the dance floor.

As they moved about the floor smoothly as one, Hermione recognized the melody and smiled broadly.

"What an appropriate song," she mused aloud.

"How so?" Severus asked as he pulled her close to his chest.

"This song is called, 'I Could Have Danced All Night,' but this arrangement is set to a tango instead," she clarified.

Severus suddenly remembered the song from the movie he'd watched last summer and recalled Draco's remarks afterward. "Draco made sure this song was on the play list, to be sure. After our first night of dance lessons, oh so long ago, Draco watched you descend the stairs afterwards hearing you sing about how you 'could have danced all night and begged for more.'" He did not volunteer that the next morning Draco accused him of seducing Hermione, surmising that only a thoroughly fucked witch would sing such a song so dreamily with a beaming smile upon her face.

Hermione got a faraway look on her face as she inwardly smiled to herself upon remembering that night. "Yes, I could have danced all night and almost did beg for more, had I not been married to Ron at the time," she said with some somber reflection.

"But you knew me only as Calleo at the time. Neither of us were ready to end the enchantment with my true identity quite yet," he reminded her.

"Too true, too true," she agreed with a sigh. "But here we are now. In a tropical paradise, dancing the night away, with the prospect of a long future together. Despite everything that has happened, it was worth it so that we could eventually be together."

Well, they weren't entirely together, as Hermione had to go back to England to finish her apprenticeship, and they could have done without the mishaps of last summer, but for the sake of argument, it was a done deal and they were solidly a couple. Those misfortunes were in the past and behind them.

The song card indicated that the next one would be a slow foxtrot, so they decided to stay on the floor for another dance.

At the familiar introduction to the song, Hermione and Severus smiled at each other. They were playing her favorite song.

Once the introduction had finished, Tommy began to croon sweetly, "I left my heart in San Francisco..."

They hardly noticed the other dancers on the floor moving about them as they gazed so intently into each other's eyes.

Severus stroked Hermione's cheek and confessed, "That day I fled for sanctuary, I requested they play this in that San Francisco lounge while we were waiting for our last Portkey. I really did feel like I was leaving my heart in San Francisco, as it rained buckets outside."

Figuring this was as good a time as any regarding something that had been bothering Hermione all week long, since the mood seemed right, she admitted, "I want to apologize."

Severus briefly furrowed his brow in confusion.

"When you proposed to me in the hot springs, I should have just said yes instead of screaming at you and getting hysterical."

Severus said nothing in response. He knew her well enough to realize that she was not done talking, and he would not interrupt her in the midst of her apology to him.

"I should have been more gracious, but all I could think of was all the hassle involved, instead of thinking about the good and wonderful aspects of it. Yes, Severus, I would love to marry you and be your wife. And I will endeavor, when that time comes and we can take that step and plan that day, to not put myself into a tizzy nor make you and myself miserable in the process."

She laid her head against Severus' chest as she said with a resigned sigh, "When we do marry, I want it to be a day I look forward to, not dread. I want us to think back and remember it as a joyous day, not one where I was too tired to enjoy it."

Pulling her head up from his chest, she looked him in the eye to gauge his reaction to her apology.

He only continued smiling, saying, "I know." Severus had understood her initial reaction, but was pleased Hermione had tried to make amends for her less than gracious acceptance of his proposal. "You know, Draco suggested that perhaps we should elope to avoid the fuss and bother."

"Yes, but I have to make sure Draco can run the business before we leave, and you have to make sure you don't have any commissions simmering away or tutoring appointments on your calendar, so there would be some planning required," she reminded him.

He laughed lightly, as that was exactly what he had pointed out to Draco. He kissed her temple, for having read his mind.

"You know," she said in that particular tone she used when she made some interesting observation, "if it wasn't for the fact we've had to interrupt our time together this week with language lessons and my work for Lavender and Albert, this week would have been a splendid honeymoon."

Severus gave her a bemused smile, countering, "And that time you abandoned me for your girls' lunch out with Ginny? Would you have done that were we truly on our honeymoon as well?"

Looking up at the ceiling innocently, she replied, "Well, how else was I supposed to get away from you to buy you your birthday present without you knowing what it is?"

Severus stopped dancing for a moment, just as the song finished and before the next one had started. "You bought me a birthday present?"

The next song began, and they started moving in a slow waltz.

"Of course I did. Since your birthday is coming up in less than two weeks, I figured now was as good a time as any. I was planning on leaving it for you to find after I've left, but that surprise is gone; however, you'll still have the surprise of unwrapping it."

"Christmas and birthday presents. I think I may actually start enjoying this time of year," Severus said a bit dryly.

They danced the rest of the waltz in silence with Hermione's head upon his chest.

As the song ended, she gazed up into his face lovingly as he reached up to brush his hand against her cheek, a slight smile tugging at his lips. They were both drunk on love, their foreheads almost touching.

Just then a camera flash went off near them.

The photographer for The Daily Times & Tides had been taking photos of people and couples around the ball that night and captured a tender moment between the two lovers.

"Oh, that was just beautiful. Put you in white dress robes and you two look like a bride and groom in love," the photographer quipped. "If you want copies for yourself, I'll have prints available for purchase towards the end of the night," he added in the last-minute sales pitch for a bit of extra money.

"I'd like a copy," Hermione said, realizing that there were no photos of her and Severus together.

"Make that two copies," Severus amended, wanting one for himself. Looking at Hermione, he said, "Until you can move here permanently, I'll need something to remind myself this isn't a dream."

Since the next dance was a polka, the pair left the floor and took in the cool night air.

A waning gibbous moon was just rising in the east as it started to cast its silvery glow. Its light set off the white plumeria in her hair, making it appear as if a sliver of the moon itself was adorning her crown.

Seeing the moonlight highlighting her cheeks and reflecting in her large brown eyes, Severus could not restrain himself any longer. He swept Hermione up into his arms, circling one arm behind her neck, and kissed her passionately.

Hermione no longer felt the earth beneath her feet, and she let herself be carried away by Severus' sudden and claiming kiss.

When he finally pulled his lips away from hers, she said in a whisper, her voice quaking with emotion, "Just when I think I cannot love you any more than it is possible, I am yet proven wrong once more. How I do love you, Severus. Beyond words or comprehension, I do love you so completely."

"As do I," was all he could say to let her know she had read his own heart as well, before kissing her once more.

Had there not been over a hundred people a mere twenty feet away, Severus would have taken Hermione to the nearest darkest corner and ravished her up against a wall, but he was able to restrain himself. With so many people milling about to seek a bit of fresh air, especially since the community center was an open-sided venue and everyone could spot them if they looked hard enough, it was not prudent to engage in such risky amorous pursuits.

If anything, the denial to satisfy their building ardor only fueled their passion for one another as they danced on the floor as the night progressed.

As they danced a foxtrot, Akela and Tristan came up alongside the couple.

"May I have the next dance with Madam Weasley?" Tristan asked, looking to Severus since it seemed the couple could hardly be pried apart that night.

Severus quickly glanced to Hermione, who nodded. He replied, "If I may be allowed the honor of dancing with Miss Finau in turn?"

The young couple nodded, and Akela almost blushed at Severus' formal manners.

When they swapped partners, as the next song, another foxtrot, began, Tristan and Hermione began dancing.

"I was wondering if I could ask you something, Madam Weasley?"

"Please, call me Hermione."

"Hermione." Tristan's eyes darted back toward where Akela and the Potions master were dancing, before he turned his nervous gaze back to his dance partner. "I may have an apprenticeship starting in the spring, but it's all the way in Salem, Massachusetts."

Hermione nodded, encouraging him to go on.

"Knowing that you and Mr. Snape have had a long-distance relationship, I was wondering if you could give me some advice or at least some pointers on what to expect. You know, with dating or at least staying together when you're so far apart for long periods of time." Tristan quirked a feeble smile.

Hermione's face became very somber. "I will be frank with you, Tristan. It is not easy. And when Severus first came here, we made no promises to each other. He asked me to come with him, but I had my reasons for staying. And while coming with him may have solved some problems regarding our relationship, it would not have solved some other issues, like eventually his exoneration. Also, I had already begun my apprenticeship when Severus asked me to come with him and I could not change masters. But he understood how important this apprenticeship was to me, just as I understood how important his freedom was to him."

Heaving a troubled sigh, she added, "Akela has already asked me for a possible apprenticeship under me once I have become a mistress and have moved here. That would mean two to three years apart until one of you finishes your apprenticeship, unless she can find a Potions mistress in Salem who would take her – and no, I recommend that she not study under a master unless he is very, very old. And unless your relationship is serious enough that you've already considered marriage, I will warn you that the distance may strain the bonds between you greatly and that it may not last. I have no easy answer for you, but I can tell you from personal experience, it can be quite lonely and difficult being apart from the one you love," she finished as she looked over Tristan's shoulder at Severus, who was engaged in conversation with Akela.

"So, Uncle Severus, Tristan is wondering if he should take the apprenticeship in Salem or look for something closer. What do you think?" Akela asked, seeking similar guidance from him.

"I will tell you that if he truly does love you and falls into the arms of another witch, it is not to hurt you, but that it is likely that he misses you so much he is willing to imagine the other witch is you in order to fill the emptiness of you gone," Severus admitted with a hint of ruefulness. It was a very round-about way of admitting his own faltering without outright confessing, as his own eyes glanced over at Hermione dancing with the young wizard.

"But let's say that we stay true to each other and we really do love each other very much. Do you think our relationship could stand us being apart for so long?" she asked, her eyes pleading for him to provide some answer to calm her troubled heart.

"Should you discourage him from seeking an apprenticeship as prestigious as the one he has been offered, in time he may grow to resent you keeping him away from such an opportunity and from reaching his potential," he warned her. "As for if your relationship is strong enough to deal with the strain of being parted, only you and Tristan know how deep your love has bound you together. I cannot judge on that matter, as only you two can."

Severus and Akela danced in silence for a bit longer when Severus added, "And do not rush to marry. Ginny married too young, as well as Hermione, and that led to much misery for them both. Each married for different reasons, but both married before they were ready."

"Yeah, I heard all about Ginny and Draco's courtship and Ginny's marriage to some Harry guy, but you never did say much about Hermione's marriage other than she married a big fat jerk that is married to her boss now." Akela suppressed a smirk, trying not to laugh. "My mom said something about you rescuing Hermione from some giant octopus and a love potion?"

"Giant squid, and that was to get your mother off my back with her incessant pestering about how the romantic aspect of our relationship began," Severus corrected her. "How our relationship in its present form began is not important. What matters is that Hermione and I have gone through our trials and have realized that we are willing to wait until she finishes her apprenticeship for us to be together. I understand how important this apprenticeship is to her and would do nothing to take it away from her, for that would be selfish of me, no matter how much I wish for her to be by my side and move here as soon as possible. And you should take into consideration Tristan's career and needs, just as I've taken Hermione's into consideration. I am willing to wait. Are you?"

"Tristan said he was willing to wait until my seventeenth birthday before taking things further – you know, like contraceptive potions – so he's patient. But I guess if I had an opportunity like what Tristan has, I wouldn't want him holding me back. So I guess we'll just have to see in time if is meant to last or not," Akela admitted with resignation, her brow slightly furrowed with worry.

"Love is patient. It will still be there waiting for you if it is meant to be," Severus said, just as the song ended. It was sentimental, but it was also quite realistic that if their love was not meant to be, then they would eventually part.

As Hermione and Severus sat, sipping on some champagne, the editor of The Daily Times & Tides, Rick Chen, came over and introduced himself to Hermione.

While they talked, Hermione deferring questions about the new Lovely Lavender facility to Draco Malfoy, much to the consternation of the editor, Severus noticed that one of the few centaurs on the island, Magnus, had shown up to the celebration. Since he was not going to eat, as he showed up long after dinner and dessert were served and it was highly unlikely he would dance, Severus mused he might have been let in without a ticket. It was then he spotted Svetlana talking with Magnus. It did not surprise him when Svetlana went up to Magnus and began conversing with him like they were old friends. Nor did it escape his attention when she very tenderly stroked his flank as they talked in a darker corner of the community center near the side. By the way that Magnus' tail twitched, Severus' suspicions were confirmed.

Draco and Ginny came over, having danced the Peabody, grateful there was at least one dance that worked to Ginny's advantage with her current body shape. She needed to get off her feet yet again and drink some more chilled beverage.

"Severus?" Draco said, noticing Severus looking quite distracted as he picked up his own flute of champagne to drink.

"Oh, nothing. Just noticing Catherine the Great leaving with her new date," the Potions master said offhandedly before turning his attention back to Hermione.

Draco turned around as he swigged a mouthful of champagne, and saw the figures of Svetlana and Magnus leaving the party together. Picking up on Severus' dig and the old nasty rumor started by the Polish about the Russian monarch and how she died when the horse fell, Draco began choking on his drink. His eyes were watering as a little champagne went up into his sinuses, as he began laughing, much to the confusion of his wife, Hermione, and Rick, the editor of The Daily Times & Tides.

"Are you okay, Draco?" his wife asked, seeing him still choking on the sparkling wine that went down the wrong way. She began patting him on the back.

"Yeah, (COUGH!) I just (HACK!), oh my..." He burst into fits of laughter once more, still amused by how casually Severus threw out that remark and all that it implied. Wiping away his tears, he said, "I'll be fine. Never mind me." It took him a few more moments to school his features.

Rick, seeing that Draco was in no condition to answer questions at the moment, turned to Severus regarding a business proposition. "So Severus, I was thinking I would like you to write a column for the paper. Maybe a weekly article in which you give tips on how to brew things at home. You know, common sort of questions a housewitch might have on brewing something. I was thinking you could call it 'Home Brew Tips,' so it sounds sort of homey. You could answer questions from readers about problems they are having or however. Maybe answer a letter or two, and give one tip that you didn't cover in the letter. Something like that? If it does well, I know a witch in New York who might like to syndicate your column, if you are interested in something like that."

Before Severus could think on the matter, Ginny insisted, "Oh Severus, that would be wonderful. My mum loved reading all those columns on how to do a spell or charm better and such, especially cooking spells. I think it would be a big hit, and given how vast your knowledge is. I think it would be great!"

Thinking about how his business might drop off in terms of tutoring with the opening of the new school, hopefully within the year, he viewed this as an opportunity to increase his sources of revenue, even though he still had a very healthy royalty income from Lavender that was filling his vault quite nicely. Still, it was good to diversify.

Looking as if he was still mulling over the offer, Severus said, "After the New Year, I will stop by your offices, and we can discuss the possibility of this column."

"Excellent, I look forward to it," Rick said. He shook Severus' hand before going off to get a quote by Mounga about the ball for the next day's edition.

"That's wonderful, Severus," Hermione said earnestly. She was glad that he was doing so well and was well respected. This was an opportunity that would have never been presented to him back in England, even with his exoneration.

Hermione and Severus danced some more, even dancing with a few other partners before taking a break, then going back out onto the floor to dance some more. When the song "At Last" began to play, they took to the floor again, dancing to a song that truly captured the feeling of them now being joined together again and deeply in love. That song was quickly becoming Hermione's new favorite song.

When it was almost midnight, Tommy launched into a new song, singing, "She got big red lips, she got big brown eyes..." Severus insisted they leave the dance floor to fetch fresh glasses of champagne for midnight.

That song still irked him to no end as he recalled Tommy crooning that song to him – while he was Polyjuiced as Hermione – in order to woo him.

With fresh glasses of champagne in hand, Severus, Hermione, Draco, and Ginny stood together on the dance floor and counted down aloud with all the party revelers.

At the stroke of midnight, Severus kissed Hermione, not caring if anyone saw them snogging away, since most everyone else was kissing as well, as balloons cascaded down from above.

Breathless from his kisses, Hermione beamed at Severus as the confetti drifted down like a multihued shower of snowflakes, alighting in his hair, peppering it with bright colors. One or two bits of confetti caught on his black eyelashes before he blinked them away as he smiled openly, his face alight with joy and happiness.

Some people held their wands aloft, sending shimmering sparks of every color to fill the air above their heads in the community center in celebration of the New Year.

Hermione stood up on her toes and kissed Severus this time, feeling overwhelmed with a warm glow in her.

Finally, they stopped kissing long enough to clink glasses with the Malfoys, and drank before spelling their empty glasses away. Then they joined with the crowd in singing "Auld Lang Syne."

Hermione and Severus toasted to a happy year ahead filled with so many plans they looked forward to.

Away in a dark corner, trying to be discreet, someone was busy scribbling away some quick notes on parchment. They had to take a Portkey home very soon if they were to make deadline.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Rolling over in bed, Hermione reached out and picked up the photograph of her and Severus at the ball to study it closer.

"You look so handsome," she sighed.

"Incomparable to your radiance, still," Severus said as he snuggled up behind her, looking at the photo she was holding while pressing himself into her bottom. They had just finished making love after waking that morning, and she wanted to look at the photograph yet again.

"That photo is perfect. We look so in love." she observed.

"We are so in love, so the photograph actually represents something accurately for once," he noted dryly, reminding Hermione about her own experience of photographs of her being taken out of context.

"Well, at least the photographer will give us that second copy free, since he couldn't find it, and he swore he made two prints," Hermione said.

"You should take this one home then. I can get the second copy next week when I swing by the paper to talk with Rick," Severus offered.

Setting the photo down, they finally got up out of bed to have a light breakfast, since it was already ten o'clock and they had to be over at the Malfoys' by noon for the formal Japanese tea ceremony.

After tea and fruit, Hermione set about writing up more scrolls for Albert while Severus read by himself until it was time to leave.

Arriving at the Malfoys' home, they were greeted at the door by Ginny. She was already wearing a kimono in a spring green color accented with plum blossoms for the New Year.

She bowed deeply, saying, "Youkoso."

Severus and Hermione bowed in kind.

"Thank you for inviting us to your home," Severus said. He could have said it in Japanese, but he knew Ginny only knew a few words.

"Come. I'll help you both with your kimonos," Ginny said, gesturing them to come inside. "Draco is almost ready for you. By the time you finish dressing he should be ready."

Ginny helped Hermione into a pink kimono and tied her contrasting obi for her, and gave her a new pair of tabi socks and zori sandals to wear. Once done, she went to Severus who was in the other spare bedroom and helped him with his black kimono and obi, and presented him with his own new tabi and zori set.

Once they were all dressed, Ginny guided them along a pathway around the outside of the house to a bench where they could sit and rest before the ceremony would begin.

Gary had walked Hermione and Severus though the tea ceremony as part of Thursday's lesson. He reviewed the parts of the ceremony, what they were expected to do as guests, the symbolism behind the various acts and movements, what they were to say and when, how to bow, and other proper etiquette.

Draco was going to perform Chaji, a full tea ceremony that involved a meal, with both thick tea and thin tea being served. Severus and Hermione had been warned by Gary that the full tea ceremony can take up to four hours, so they were prepared mentally for the ceremony.

As they sat on a bench that afforded them a view of the garden off of the living room area, they noticed one of the sliding glass doors had been Transfigured into a small door, that was now shunted aside. Draco emerged and approached his guests. After a silent bow in greeting they proceeded to the tsukubai in which to ritually rinse their hands and mouths with the water from the stone basin.

After removing their footwear, they crawled through the small opening and took their places in the middle of the living room. Draco had transformed it into a tea room for the occasion, having installed fresh tatami mats on the floor and a beautiful scroll hanging in the tokonoma alcove off to one side that had always been there.

Since Hermione was visiting, she was given the guest of honor spot, followed by Severus, then Ginny last. Draco finally entered the room and greeted each guest formally.

Hermione asked Draco about the scroll hanging, knowing this was expected of her.

Draco explained the scroll featured the first sunrise of the New Year, auspicious for that day.

Severus then asked Draco about a few of the tea items he had on display.

Once that part of the ceremony was complete, Draco began laying the charcoal fire. Their host then called for the elf to bring the food and sake. The elf was originally from Japan, and Draco had hired him to help with all the preparations,.

The food was specifically chosen to reflect the season and time of day for the tea ceremony. It was all beautifully laid out as if presenting a highly choreographed scene to admire. Hermione noted that it was so beautiful it was almost a pity to eat the three-course lunch presented to her, including a small sweet at the end. They used their special kaishi paper to hold the dessert as they ate it; Ginny had given them the paper to keep tucked into their kimonos until it was time.

Draco poured sake to go with the meal in little cups featuring a muted green glaze. Each cup had some lightly contracting color brushed on in a manner that seemed spontaneous, yet purposeful in its pattern.

After the meal, the guests went outside to wait once more on the garden bench while Draco prepared the tea room once again. With the sound of the bell, Hermione, Severus, and Ginny ritually purified themselves once more by the tsukubai. They re-entered the tea room where the flower arrangement had now been placed in the tokonoma, replacing the scroll that hung there before.

Draco entered and performed the thick tea ceremony, ritually cleaning each utensil with very slow and careful movement. Hermione noted how Draco focused on each utensil as he handled it, the way he snapped the cloth before folding it a certain way, then wiping. By the position of his hands and body, she saw he was solely focused on each moment and the moment alone. She silently wondered if through studying the tea ceremony he had learned to be more patient and calm, as there seemed to be a serenity exuded while in the act of performing these simple movements.

Severus could admire the beauty of each careful movement of Draco's hands as they followed a specific order, noting the similarities between brewing and the ceremony.

Draco's hand moved with precision as he whisked the tea until it was ready. Turning, he and Hermione bowed to each other as he presented her the bowl of thick tea that everyone would share, exchanging polite phrases of gratitude in Japanese.

Being coached by Gary, Hermione knew to bow to Severus, the second guest, before drinking the tea. It was very strong and bitter, but she did not wince and made sure to turn the bowl as to not sip from the front of it.

Down the line, the etiquette of bowing to the next guest was observed as Severus drank from the bowl and passed it to Ginny.

Once the sharing of the thick tea was done, Draco cleaned his utensils, followed by more ritualized movements until the utensils were clean, and he laid them out for his guests to admire. Hermione asked for permission to view the bowl from which they drank, bowing to Draco as it was presented to her. Severus also took this opportunity to inspect the bowl, admiring the weathered and rustic state of the bowl, since Gary had discussed that week the aspect of imperfection, asymmetry, simplicity, and naturalness embodied in the concept of Wabi-sabi. Afterwards, Draco removed the utensils used for the thick tea ceremony and brought in a completely different set for the thin tea ceremony in which everyone would have their own bowl of tea to sip from.

It was during the thin tea ceremony that casual conversation could commence. As they drank tea, they talked. Ginny, who could not bear sitting on her knees for hours in her condition, was sitting on a low stool. Hermione and Severus wound up sitting sideways eventually, unaccustomed to kneeling for long periods as well.

Eventually, everyone had their fill of tea and Draco performed the same utensil cleaning ritual once again, allowing his guests to handle and view the tea-making objects closer until he packed them away. Before he left the room, Hermione thanked him in Japanese for his wonderful hospitality and how honored she was to have been his guest. Draco merely smiled and bowed before exiting the room, signaling the end of the tea ceremony.

The ceremony now complete, Ginny guided Hermione and Severus back out the small sliding door, through the garden, and to their respective rooms to change back into their clothes. She offered for them to keep their kimonos, obis, and footwear as a gift.

Standing on the front porch, Hermione said, not sure that Draco understood what she said earlier, "Draco, I am truly honored by all the effort you put into your tea ceremony. That was quite beautiful and your hospitality magnificent. Truly, thank you."

Draco bowed to Hermione, and she and Severus bowed back before they left to walk home.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ginny and Hermione were both blubbering messes as they said goodbye at the Portkey office. The Malfoys had come to see Hermione off.

"I wish you could be here when the babies are born," Ginny sobbed. She gave a great sniff as she smiled weakly through her tears.

Draco and Severus both discreetly pressed handkerchiefs into their respective witches' hands.

"I know. But I might be coming out during the last week in March for a quick visit to check up on construction, if it has begun yet," she added with an exasperated growl, annoyed by the local building commission and their Byzantine building codes. She finished blotting her face.

"Luckily, you have a Slytherin on staff for such matters," Draco added, without saying too much more, since Halulu was standing nearby and she was on the town council. He did not want to damn the building project by disparaging various government officials in front of her.

Draco gave Hermione a hug before the Malfoys left so that Hermione and Severus could say their farewells in private. Halulu was hovering about the Portkey office trying to pretend she wasn't there, though she had seen many tearful goodbyes before.

As Hermione stood with her arms wrapped around Severus' neck, and her trunk by her side and waiting, she could hardly find the courage to look up at him. Swallowing thickly, she choked on her words. "It's been like some wonderful dream that has finally come true, being here with you."

Severus, who had his arms wrapped around her waist, reached up and pushed aside one tendril of hair that had fallen into her face, tucking it tenderly behind her ear. He then straightened the necklace Harry had given her for protection should she be in trouble again. Severus was thankful Potter was still looking out for her, and she remembered to finally put it back on that morning before she left.

"It has been a dream for me as well," Severus said. "I fear it is time for the dreamer to awaken. However, this has not been some dream, but a reality far sweeter than I could have imagined. I have never been happier," he said, his voice becoming a whisper, finding it hard himself to continue speaking.

The last, and only time, he had cried in Hermione's presence was when they parted, while he was Polyjuiced as Hermione.

"I don't want to go," she said. Her voice warbled as she tried to stop herself from outright crying it aloud, seeing Severus' eyes begin to look glassy as they were beginning to fill with tears.

Severus pulled her tighter to him, one arm wrapping around her shoulder as his hand cupped the back of her head and cradled it, clutching her to his chest. He squinted his eyes shut tight and damned himself as he felt tears quickly slide down his cheeks, his heart rent by the plaintive sound of her voice begging not to go.

Hermione held on with equal fervor, wrapping her arms around his chest and squeezing with all her might, in some vain hope that they could not be pried apart. She felt his chest heave and one of his tears land on her forehead. Just knowing Severus was crying too broke her, for she had hoped he would be her rock of stoic sensibility telling her that it was not forever and that they had the mirrors to converse with one another so they could talk daily. But it also moved her that Severus was equally undone by the fact they were to be divided once more from each other's presence.

"We'll have the mirrors," she said, as she tried to keep the sound of her voice light.

"Yes, we will." Severus kissed the top of her head. Tipping her chin to look up at him, he gazed down at her. "I will miss you."

Seeing the tears on his cheeks nearly sent Hermione into fits of wailing.

"Here," he said as he reached into his pocket. "You're not the only one who did a little shopping while away."

In his palm sat a very large misshapen pearl, that was about the size of his thumbnail, with a greenish iridescent hue, until Hermione looked at it closer and realized the pearl was in the shape of a frog resting. The tiny frog readjusted the positions of its legs, then continued resting once more.

Placing it carefully in her palm so that she could look at it, he said, "In Japanese, the word frog is kaeru, which sounds very close to the verb 'to return'. It is a custom in Japan to give a small frog to loved ones for safe travels and to return home soon, also for the return of wealth and fortune. You are everything to me, Hermione. Return home to me."

Severus captured Hermione in a kiss. She returned his kiss with all her heart, tasting the salt of their tears as they kissed, the small pearl frog clutched desperately in her hand.

Knowing that if she did not go, her resolve would falter and she'd never leave this island, Hermione let go of Severus and bent to pick up her trunk.

As she walked to the Portkey area on the other side of the desk where Halulu was waiting, she stopped to speak to Severus one last time and said somberly, "I will return, I promise."

Standing in the Portkey area that had a small protective railing demarcating the area for travel, she watched Severus as her hand blindly reached out and touched the Muggle telephone turned into a Portkey.

Severus would not let his eyes leave her until she was gone with a blue flash and the Portkey area was empty.

Halulu blew her nose very loudly into her own handkerchief. "You know, I've seen a lot of goodbyes, but few broke my heart like that."

Severus wanted to tell her to stuff it, but knew she was just being nice and her pregnancy hormones were making her especially sentimental.

Now he had to walk back home and sit in front of the mirror waiting for Hermione to arrive at the London Portkey office and Floo home. She would then unpack her own matching charmed mirror and they would see if the mirrors really did work over such vast distances. Then they could see and talk to each other every day until she came back to his arms once more.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

As Hermione approached her destination in London, she prepared herself for landing, making sure she would not sprawl herself all over the floor like she had done once or twice when she was distracted or unprepared.

Upon landing, she was then suddenly blinded by a flash of camera bulbs all popping off at once. There was a clamor of people yelling and some screaming.

Hermione threw her hand up to shield herself from the flashes of light that made it hard to tell which Portkey arrival area she'd landed in, much less focus.

Before she could get her bearings, she heard Lavender say in haste, "Quick, get under here!"

Suddenly, Hermione was able to focus, and she realized she was under Harry's Invisibility Cloak.

Lavender had a firm grip of her arm through the cloak and was guiding her. Hermione dragged her trunk with her, pulling it under the cloak as she moved along.

Looking about, she saw the backs of familiar friends; Harry, the twins, Ron, Bill, Tonks, Kingsley, Fastrada, Trevor, Viktor and his wife, Anne, Niles, Braxton, Royston, John Leyster, Neville, Luna, even Arthur Weasley. All of them were creating a corridor and protective barrier in which Hermione was being guided through to prevent the throngs of people who had crowded the Portkey office from seeing Hermione and casting hexes at her.

"Harlot!" one witch with a purple velvet hat with a stuffed hedgehog attached to the brim screamed in the general direction of Hermione.

"Death Eater Fucker!" shouted a wizard about Hermione's age.

"How could you! And after everything that happened during the war!" bellowed another witch.

"What's going on?" asked Hermione, bewildered as to what had happened to cause this raucous melee.

"We'll talk once we get back to your flat," Lavender said under her breath as she guided Hermione to a Floo.

As they reached the Floo, Lavender called out for Hermione's flat and also said a spell to unlock it, something Hermione had not done when she had left.

Emerging from the fireplace back in her flat, Hermione set her trunk down and pulled off Harry's cloak.

"What in Merlin's name is going on!" Hermione asked, confused as to why the wizarding world in England had suddenly turned upside down and she was the sole target of its ire.

"This is what's happened," Lavender said as she produced the Sunday edition of the Daily Prophet.

There on the front cover was the photograph of Hermione and Severus looking into each others' eyes adoringly at the ball. Above it, the headline in large block letters screamed about their relationship in a manner that was not very complimentary.

Hermione felt her legs go out from underneath her. Fortunately, Marf had been appraised of the situation and was able to charm one of the wingback chairs to move quickly enough so that she fell into it instead of onto the floor.

She felt the bile in her throat rise, especially with the Daily Prophet's use of that very inappropriate term regarding her magical lineage, on the front page no less.

Looking at the by-lines, she noticed who wrote it. "Rita Skeeter, Marietta Edgecombe, and on special assignment in the middle of the Pacific, Colin Creevey." Hermione closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose in a manner very similar to Severus and sighed, "Oh, fuck."

The three people who had a grudge against her had conspired together to create a story meant to shock and stir up the public's anger, directing said anger towards Hermione with language meant to incite hatred and disgust.

There was only one person she wanted to talk to now. She opened her trunk and began digging through it.

Severus sat in a kitchen chair with a cup of tea, waiting patiently by the free-standing mirror for Hermione. As he sat there, he saw the black drape of fabric on her side begin to move and flashes of candlelight luminescence as the protective cloth – charmed to prevent breakage – was moved aside.

A smile began to break across his face that the charm had indeed worked and the mirrors could allow them to see one another. But then his face fell as he saw the look of distress etched on her face, a fresh wave of tears now streaming down her face.

"Hermione? What's the matter?" Severus asked. He now stood in front of the mirror.

"This," was all she said, and she held up the front page of the Daily Prophet for him to clearly read: "SCANDALOUS AFFAIR: The Death Eater and the Mudblood!"

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A/N: ~o0o~ END of SEASON IV ~o0o~

Looks like lemon season is over. But how much longer will it be before our two lovers are reunited again? How will it take Hermione to finish her apprenticeship? And just how did those hacks at the Daily Prophet get tipped off about Hermione and Severus? Stay tuned and keep reading.

Thank you to my alway helpful and talented betas, JuneW and Hope.

Smok is Polish for dragon, so I gave Jerry, who is of Polish background, a name, Smokski, that intones that somewhere there is something to do with dragons in his lineage, which explains why his Animagus form is a dragon.

Oslayob is a Russian swear word meaning "donkey fucker."

If you've seen the movie, "My Fair Lady," they do play an instrumental tango version of "I Could Have Danced All Night." It is played at the Embassy Ball scene where gossip is being spread by the character Zoltan Karpathy, Professor Higgin's former pupil.

Yes, I named the centaur Magnus, since the other centaur we're familiar with beside Firenze is Bane. Magnus Bane, yes, is the warlock from the Cassandra Clair Mortal Instrument series, but that's just how the name came to me.

Frogs are ascribed magical powers by the Japanese. They are popular lucky amulets, because the word for frog in Japanese – "kaeru" – sounds like the word for "return." Therefore, it implies many happy returns (of money and fortune), a safe return journey, etc. The website "Symbology" explains it thus:

"Twenty-seven species of frog are found in Japan. Due to an agricultural economy based on the flooded rice paddy, the presence of frogs is considered to bring good fortune. Additionally, the frog has become a creature much beloved in poetry and art. Ceramic frogs are often sold at shrines as the Japanese word for ‘frog’ is the same as ‘to return’."

https://japanesemythology.wordpress.com/frog-solar-symbolism-and-other-meanings/
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And They Didn\'t Live Happily Ever After