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Who Are They Now? COMPLETE	By : Snapes_Slave Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 9101 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I own no part of the Harry Potter universe, That honor lies solely with Madame Rowling herself, nor do I own any part of Funny Girl or its music. I make no money from this story.

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
- 16
DISCLAIMER: I don't own this at all (Harry and Fanny that is..the ideas, however, are all mine! Muahahahaha!!) and I'm not making any money off this fic either. Last real chapter guys... Do I write an epilogue or no? Either way, the end is nigh...

Hermione had slept soundly through the night. Dreamless sleep will do that to you... She thought to herself sarcastically. She stretched all her sleep tight muscles as her jaw cracked with a wide yawn. She suddenly sat bolt upright in bed and grabbed her wand from under her pillow at a noise coming from her kitchen. Her heart started to race and sweat collected on her back and upper lip. She threw on her dressing gown and made her way to the top of the staircase on silent feet. Casting a cushioning charm and stepping in all the 'creak free' spots on the wooden steps, she made her way to the kitchen, her wand leading the way. She heard things being pushed on granite countertops, dining chairs being dragged here and there, mumbles between a few different voices, both male and female. She took a deep breath, bringing all her Gryffindor courage to the surface, and let loose a blood curdling battle cry... Before busting in on her friends making breakfast. What a prat. She thought to herself.
She screamed at the sight of her 'intruders', placing a hand against her racing heart and falling back against the door jam, her legs buckling, forcing her to slide to the floor in hysterical laughter. She looked up to find 4 wands trained at her heart momentarily, before recognition struck and they each lowered them.
"Sweet Circe's sweating vagina! You all thought it would be smart to break into a PTSD diagnosed war veteran's home while she was sleeping and not let her know you were friendly fire? You lot just about gave me a heart attack and nearly got yourselves killed!"
"Oh Gods, 'Mione! We're so sorry!" Ginny cried, dropping to her knees and hugging her friend close in a gesture of comfort. "We all just thought you deserved breakfast in bed and some company after your opening night. And to help read you all the reviews..." Ginny hedged, waggling her eyebrows. Hermione jerked to a straight up and down seated position on her floor and grabbed her friends arm.
"Is it good? How many reviews are there? And someone please tell me what the bloody hell that bitch Skeeter wrote?!" Her voice escalated to a near shrill scream, just as her front door busted opened.
All five heads: Hermione, Ginny, Harry, Ron, and Luna, whipped towards a disheveled looking Severus Snape in a fighting stance with his wand out in front of him, wearing last night's grey cotton sleep shirt (which had seen better days and smelled as if it hadn't been washed very recently), green plaid boxers (which also smelled questionable) and a tatty old green cotton dressing gown. His hair was cow licked and stuck out in several different directions, there were bags under his eyes (which displayed a range of emotions from fear, to confusion, to recognition, to exhaustion) and he had a visible trail of dried spittle going from the corner of his mouth down to his neck. Surprisingly, Ron was the first to break the tension.
"Hey, Sev. So, fancy a stroll this morning?" He said, barely containing his laughter. Harry snorted and slapped a hand over his mouth to keep in the guffaws trying to escape and hiding his grin. Severus gave a scowl that reminded them of old times before crouching in front of Hermione and taking her hands in his.
"I heard the screams. Are you alright love?" He asked huskily. Ginny awkwardly grabbed onto Luna's arm as she nearly swooned on the spot.
"Yes-" she said breathlessly as she lost herself in his eyes. "I'm fine." She cleared her throat and regained her voice. "This lot just scared the hell out of me, that's all."
"You're certain?" He traced over her cheeks with his thumbs and she nuzzled his hands. Luna swiped at an errant tear.
"I'm alright, Sev. Thank you for checking on me though." She whispered. They quickly got lost in each other's eyes, both unsure of where the other stood. Severus abruptly stood and headed for the door, clearing his throat roughly.
"Well, as you can all see, I'm not exactly prepared for company and I would hate to intrude on your time together. Good day." He said, nodding a curt goodbye and turning to head back to his house. The moment the door was closed, Hermione huffed and fell back against the wall, the boys let out huge bellowing laughs, and the girls sighed, leaning against each other.
"Gods, 'Mione. That man is in love with you." Luna breathed out.
"I know." Hermione said, barely audible. Her two best girlfriends looked at each other and took a seat on either side of her on the floor.
"And you? How do you feel Hermione?" Ginny asked, leaning her head onto her friend's left shoulder.
"I've never loved anyone the way I love him." She said shakily.
"And what do you plan to do about it?" Luna asked, leaning her head on Hermione's right shoulder.
"No Idea. None whatsoever." She murmured.
"And how do you feel about all this?" Ginny whispered, taking Hermione's hand in both of hers.
"Absolutely bloody terrified." She said, chuckling lightly. Someone cleared their throat and the girls all looked up, faces slightly forlorn.
"Well, I have something to say about all this." Ron said, putting his hands on his hips in a classic 'power stance', his face serious, before softening as he said, "It's about bloody time." He cracked a smile.
"What? I thought you didn't really care for Severus." Hermione questioned.
"He's a bit serious, and yeah, the bloke still scares me a bit from school, but once he lightened up and started joking around, he was pretty funny. I suppose he's just about the perfect guy for you." At Hermione's incredulous expression Harry continued.
"Yeah, 'Mione. He's smart enough to keep up with you and not be bored to tears by all your research and work, he loves music and helped you out a lot in your show, he's supportive and caring, the man treats you like his damn queen or something. 'Mione, you need each other. He keeps you steady, and you help lighten him up more socially."
"I agree. He was rather nice when you brought him round for dinner last month. Much more relaxed." Luna said dreamily.
"So, you all like Severus? When the fiery hell did that happen? And why exactly haven't any of you told me this? And why have none of you helped me figure out how to fix all this yet?!" Hermione yelled.
"First thing's first, love. You're eating breakfast. Then, we're reading all the reviews from last night. Then, after you've showered and dressed, we'll figure it all out. Now, tea and eggs." Ginny said decisively, pulling Hermione from her place on the floor and settling her at the dining table.

HGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSS

"Seriously?! It says all that?" Hermione thrilled.
"And I quote: 'Miss Skeeter's employment has been terminated and she has been apprehended on grounds of libel, invasion of privacy, voyeurism and failure to disclose her form as an animagus to Ministry officials. Her sentencing will take place later this week for functioning in a devious capacity as an unregistered animagus.' It's finally happened, she pissed off the wrong person and she's finally out." Ron raved, his face split into a shit-eating grin.
"Wonder what Draco had to do with this." Harry mumbled off handedly.
"Actually, Draco was instrumental in making this happen, seeing as I now own the Prophet, I thought it was about time we got some new blood in there." Draco said, as he swept into the room, hugging Hermione close.
"So how does it feel to be the star of the biggest success in London?" He bragged.
"I honestly don't know. I suppose I'll tell you when the shock wears off." She dazedly replied, shaking her head in wonderment.
"So, now onto the real issue at hand. What are we doing to hook you back up with my godfather?" Draco said conspiratorially.
"Uggh. You too, huh? The truth is, I've no idea. He said he loves me, well not in those words exactly, but he said he does. And I know I love him, but I haven't told him yet. And then he found out that the curse was for sure responsible for our actions, because it was the Altius Pulchritudinum Curse, so as soon as he saw the scars, we started to sabotage everything. But then, once he had it figured out, he made the potion to cure it and told me to take it before bed, so I'd be able to rest afterwards. And then he said that once I take it he will find me, and make me fall, just as he has, all over again. And guys, I'm so terrified and overwhelmed, and there's been this voice in my head from this bloody buggering curse that keeps screaming at me not to use the potion and that he doesn't really love me and I'll just end up alone and sad forever and-"
"Jesus, Hermione! Take a bloody breath! Did you use the potion he gave you?" He finished on a whisper.

Hermione warred with herself for hours after she had left that dirty, dingy diner. Fighting back and forth with the voice as it seemed to gain power throughout the night, she thrashed and cried out.
'You'll only end up hurt and alone. Potion or no potion, He won't stay. He doesn't really love you. You are unlovable and worthless to a man like that.'
But I'm not! He loves me and he thinks I'm strong and brave and brilliant and beautiful.
'No he doesn't. He wanted pussy and you gave it to him. All he had to do was say the right things, and you were putty in his hands.'
But I love him and I know he loves me!
'Then why didn't he say it? Are you even sure the potion will work? If he could have broken it simply by telling you he loves you, then why not do it the easier way? Why brew a potion to begin with? Perhaps it'll do nothing, perhaps it will make it even worse.'

It had been somewhere near the hour of 4 am, before Hermione had buckled and taken a dreamless sleeping potion, unable to calm her mind enough to make the decision to use Severus' potion.
"No. I- I couldn't take it. My mind just kept screaming at me and- and I just... couldn't." she said in a barely audible whisper.
"Well, I think the answer is quite obvious. Tonight, you go to work, you bring the house down, you come home and take a lovely bubble bath and have a glass of wine, then you use the potion and go to sleep. And in the morning I want you to write him a letter." Draco said. His tone brooked no argument, but Hermione hesitated.
"No, love. Make the choice now, or your mind will take over." Draco told her, holding her hand in his and holding her gaze. "If you love him, take the potion and be with him, or you will both be miserable forever."

HGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSS

Severus was more nervous than he had ever been in his life. In the Shrieking Shack, begging for his life, seeing his memories flash before him, and seeing Hermione's tears as she though he lay dying, he hadn't even been in the realm of this level of nervousness and fear. He sat slightly squashed in his aisle seat near the front of the theatre, this time planning to catch her entire performance and hopefully, make a move afterwards. How receptive she would be to that move, he wasn't certain, but the man had found something he had been sorely missing for most of his life; hope. When he had received her note the week prior, he had been surprised, but pleasantly so.
Dearest Severus,
I find myself missing you. Everything about you. Your sarcasm, your bite, your comfort. Please do me the great honor of being my guest at the show, VIP seating of course, on Friday evening. I look forward to seeing you afterwards.
Yours Always,
Hermione

He had very nearly danced to a tune all his own making upon reading it. She missed him. She said she was his, always. He greatly hoped that she truly meant that, because over their time apart, he had found that without her he was... nothing. He had barely been able to function, merely going through the motions of his day to day. He'd hardly eaten, hardly slept, hardly bathed in the time she had been away from him. He loved her, and if she would have him back, he would tell her every single day for as long as she would keep him. To Hell with not having said it before. Perhaps, he thought, there was a reason I've never said it. Perhaps there was never one deserving of it until she came to me again.
He had carefully prepared for the evening. He had bathed thoroughly, being sure to wear her favorite sandalwood scent. He'd had his hair trimmed just a bit and decided to keep the bit of scruff he had acquired from not shaving and lined it up neatly. He wore one of his best suits, a Georgio Armani in black with a spring green collared shirt beneath, the top three buttons undone. He had gathered up a carefully crafted bouquet of her favorite flowers: an arrangement of gardenias, yellow daffodils and forget-me-nots, as well as a smattering of tiny bunches of white/pink hydrangeas. They lay delicately tied together with brown and green twine. They were simple and beautiful, much like the lovely woman they were meant for. He had made a special trip to one of her favorite dream stores in preparation as well, and it was that purchase that made him, by far, the most nervous.
He had reveled in the reviews raving of her performance on opening night, but he had a feeling that seeing it this evening would truly change him. He didn't know how, but he was certain that she was ready for him and that her message would be clear enough through her performance. She went through the first act with strength and power in every show-stopping number. He sent a message back to her during the intermission. It was simple, but affective.

'I will not be another flower, picked for my beauty and left to die. I will be wild, difficult to find, and impossible to forget.' - Erin Van Vuren
Severus

He had attached another gardenia to the note, and had one of the ushers take it to her in her dressing room. He hoped it would give her a boost going in to the toughest part of the show. He figured he was right, as she found his seat during Who Are You Now. Her voice belayed the sorrow she had surely been feeling all these days and weeks apart, but her eyes showed him how much hope she had that they would make it through this and be happy again for as long as time would last them. He shed a tear or two taking in everything about her as she woefully asked him with her song if he was truly hers again, if he would truly be hers again. But what stopped his heart and broke it, while simultaneously putting it back together, was My Man.
Oh my man, I love him so.
He'll never know.

But he would, and he did, because he was sitting right there, staring deeply into her honey whiskey eyes as she poured her heart out to him.

All my life is just despair.
But I don't care.
When he takes me in his arms,
The world is bright, all right.

He had to agree. The memories of how well she fit in his embrace was, in a word, perfection.
What's the difference if I say I'll go away
When I know I'll come back on my knees someday.
For whatever my man is, I am his forever more.

Gods, he could only hope so. Her voice rose and fell, riding the wave of emotion that she allowed to swell, and he felt it crash over him. She poured buckets of tears as her eyes shut tight against the pain of his loss and opened to the promise of his return. His pristine white handkerchief was held tightly to his eyes, as he felt every bit of the sentiment she bestowed on him and on the audience, who were all but nonexistent now to him. As she finished out, he rose to his feet before the orchestra had even finished the accompaniment and whistled loudly, clapping raucously with great shouts of 'Brava!' as the crowd enthusiastically joined him.
Once the final curtain had dropped, he made his move. He had quickly singled out Simon and roped him into being a part of his plan. The man had heartily agreed and made his way back to Hermione's dressing room, flowers in hand.
"Knock, knock, love. I've been given something to deliver to our star performer." He said simply, for once not issuing dramatics, as he handed her the lovely bundle of her favorite, sweet smelling flowers. Her eyes lit brightly at first, but as she realized who they were from, her smile faded just a bit.
"Has he left?" She asked dejectedly.
"I'm not sure. Perhaps there's more information in the card?" Simon offered, gesturing to the small card carefully tucked away into the center of the bouquet.

My Hermione,

I have been trying to come up with the perfect scenario, the one that makes you weak in the knees, sobbing the happiest tears imaginable. I have tried to Find a way to involve our family and friends, to whisk you away someplace tropical and lovely, but in the end, I couldn't find a more perfect, fitting, simple, beautiful way to do this.
'And even when you are broken, I will marry your pieces.'- Christopher Poindexter
Look at your bouquet more closely and then open the door.

Hermione looked at the bouquet clutched in her trembling hands, the river of tears, making it hard to see clearly, but she didn't miss the most gorgeous ring she has ever seen, tied ever so carefully into the twine of the flowers. Her breath choked in her throat, her heart was beating madly, her knees were weak and she was on the verge of falling flat on her arse, when she slowly reached out and opened her dressing room door to find... Severus Snape, on one knee, holding up a simple white gardenia in his open palm. She stared in awed glory of just how simple yet perfect he had made this moment for her. His eyes were downcast as he waited for her to speak, to say something, anything. When she didn't, he glanced up... and she promptly tackled him to the floor, rolling the two of them around laughing nearly hysterical, tears of joy and glee running down her face at this turn of events.
"Yes! Yes. Yes, yes, yes! I love you, Severus. I love you so much, and I want to be your wife." She said, laying on top of him, pinning him to the ground. She looked deeply into his eyes and he leaned up to her ear and whispered in the sexy growly, gravely, dark chocolate silk voice that she loved so much.
"I love you, Hermione Granger. I love you and I want to be your husband." He said, just before claiming her lips in a fierce kiss, searing heat that traversed from her lips, to her hair, to her fingers and toes and many more tantalizing places in between. They embraced passionately as flower petals fell on them from above. Hermione pulled back to see all her closest friends clapping excitedly and tossing petals into the air.
"You all knew about this? And you didn't tell me?!" Hermione yelled, good naturedly.
"Yes. It would have ruined the whole thing." Draco said. "No all we have to do is plan the perfect, carefree wedding for you all." His smile was nearly devious.
"Whatever they want is fine by me. As long as I get you for the rest of my life, I'm set" Hermione said contentedly form her position on Severus' lap.
"Agreed." He whispered into her ear, as he placed the barest of kisses behind the sensitive shell. "Agreed."

A/N
So that's the final chapter. Do we require an epilogue (if so, I have ideas...) or would we like to end it here? It has been a fun ride, putting this muse to paper (or website as it were) and I'm glad that you all seem to have loved reading it as I have loved writing it.

HARRYGINNY4EVA- I always look to you for the real gauge of how the chapter turned out so, are we thoroughly satisfied yet?
SNUGGLEME- I sooo hope you decided to finally read my story, because I need you to know how much I LOVED!!!!! your reviews on Nothing But A Kiss. I hope I have a new member to my fan club...
Thank you all. And remember to read and review!
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Who Are They Now? *COMPLETE*

Who Are They Now? COMPLETE