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Matters of the Heart	By : strawberryf1re Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 34556 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 6
Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe (characters, settings, etc.) ŠJ.K. Rowling. No profits are made from this work.

Chapter List
- 21
- 22
- 23
Rating: M – inappropriate for readers under the age of 16; contains scenes of explicit sexuality and violence.

Disclaimer: Characters and settings ©J.K. Rowling

Author's Note: I apologize for the delay in updating. This semester has involve more work than I anticipated, and I have barely had time to breathe, let alone write for pleasure!

Matters of the Heart

K. Marie

Chapter 22

Hermione stifled a quiet giggle as she softly closed the door to Severus' rooms. It was Valentine's Day morning – very early morning – and though they had not discussed the holiday, she had left him quite the surprise! Happily, she recalled waking beside him that morning, his arm draped protectively across her waist, and, trying her best not to wake him, she eased out his embrace and the covers of the bed.

She knew she would not see him personally until her potions lesson later that morning, but she eagerly awaited catching his eye during breakfast. As she hurried to her private rooms to shower and dress for the day, the grin that had shamelessly plastered her face since the moment she set her little trick in motion had not left her.

As she bounced down the stairs to the common room after her shower, she spotted Ginny Weasley sitting by the fireplace, playing with the pendant of a necklace about her neck. Hermione took a seat next to her.

"Is that necklace new?" she asked, leaning down to study the pendant. It was certainly from Harry – the pendant was gold and in the shape of a lightning bolt. In the center of the charm, Ginny's birthstone was set. "It's beautiful."

"Yes, Harry gave it to me this morning!" Ginny beamed, tucking her chin to her chest to look at the charm. "I don't know how he did it, but he tucked it away in one of my drawers! He must have done it last night before he left." Her cheeks turned a most intense shade of red, and she laughed. "It's so pretty, isn't it?"

Hermione nodded, happily in agreement. "Yes, it is!"

Ginny's tone of voice hushed just slightly, and she looked at Hermione seriously. "I know you have a boyfriend too, Hermione – how come you haven't told us?"

Hermione's voice caught in her throat suddenly, and Ginny must have recognized her shock at the forwardness of her question. The youngest Weasley quickly added: "I know you're busy with your projects and preparing for your upcoming N.E.W.T. exams, but there is no way all of the time you're away is simply because of that!" As Hermione's cheeks turned red to match her friend's flaming hair, Ginny smiled. "You haven't said anything because you didn't want to hurt Ron, right?"

Accepting this reason as legitimate, Hermione nodded quickly. "Oh, yes, of course that's why. I didn't want him to feel hurt because I've found someone."

"Is it serious?" Immensely intrigued, Ginny had leaned forward towards Hermione, as if their gossip was about someone else within the common room. Hermione tipped her head forward as well.

"Yes, it is. Quite serious. I think I'm in love!" Hermione's whispers were very excited. But suddenly, she hushed her voice once more, and added: "But please, don't say anything to Ron. Not yet, I'm not ready for either of them to know – I'm not ready for anyone to know."

"Of course, Hermione," Ginny responded honestly. "Who is it? He can't be in Gryffindor – we would have seen you!"

Hermione shook her head, nervously. This conversation was quickly treading into territory she was not prepared to enter, and thought it best to keep the clues to a very bare minimum; enough to satisfy her friend's curiosity, but no further.

"No, he's not in Gryffindor."

"I bet he's in Ravenclaw, isn't he? There are some very cute boys in Ravenclaw, and a lot of them are plenty smart enough for you!" Ginny laughed, touching Hermione's arm gently. "He certainly can't be in Hufflepuff, or Slytherin…"

Hermione smiled slightly. No, he isn't in Hufflepuff. She thought to herself. Hermione breathed a relieved sigh as the common room began filling with students, interrupting their conversation.

"Well, once you're ready, I'll be happy to know who it is!" Ginny whispered as she saw Harry and Ron come barreling down the staircase.

She rose to meet Harry, kissing him sweetly and thanking him for his gift. She whispered something in his ear, which made the Boy Who Lived react with a blush and a laugh, tousling his messy black hair with his hand nervously. Hermione smiled, envious for just a moment that she could not be so open about her feelings towards Severus.

"Breakfast?" Ron suggested, and the four friends headed down happily to the Great Hall.

When Severus woke that morning, he was surprised to find that he was alone in his bed. Where Hermione had lain beside him was cool to his touch, but as he nuzzled his face into her pillow, he could still catch the scent of her hair. Pacified, he laid there for a moment, drinking in her smell, before realizing, with a shock, that the normally black pillowcase had turned bright, bright pink beneath his hands.

He sat suddenly in his bed, staring at the pillowcase, which faded almost immediately to its former color. His brow furrowed for a moment, considering the phenomenon, but quickly shrugged it off. His eyes just hadn't adjusted to wakefulness yet, he wagered, and he rose from his bed.

As he showered, he considered the evening ahead that he had planned. They hadn't discussed the holiday, but Severus wanted to rejoice in the beauty of his relationship with Hermione, and what better way than to honor the holiday?

He decided he would lead Hermione to the edge of the Forbidden Forest. There was a place beneath a tree upon a small hill that he often visited on his own, where the scenery was just absolutely beautiful. It was there he would give to her the gift he prepared for her. His stomach was tight with anticipation for the evening, and yet his day had barely begun!

As Severus turned off the water, he reached for a towel, and – much to his surprise – the fabric turned a most obnoxious shade of pastel purple. He frowned at this, staring at the towel in his hands, and it took but a second to realize that his darling lover was to blame for this nonsense. He wanted to feel irritated at her childish prank, but he couldn't help but smile slightly. He must love her quite a lot to deal with this!

A wider smile crossed his lips. I do. He thought to himself. More than I ever thought possible.

As he opened the door to his closet, he realized with sudden horror that she had charmed all of his robes to varying shades of red, from bubblegum pink to crimson. Bewildered, he stared at the abomination that was his closet.

When they entered the Great Hall, there were many beautiful glittering ornaments hanging in the air. The students were all aflutter with excited discussion, sitting down at their tables and beginning their meals.

As Hermione took her seat at Gryffindor table, she was all smiles. She had tried her best to suppress any giggle that may escape her, but despite her best efforts, her friends noticed her cheerful mood. Ron was the first to comment.

"You're unusually happy for a Valentine's Day, Hermione!" he said to her, smirking.

Hermione shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, Ron!" she laughed. "I just woke up in a very good mood, I suppose."

She glanced up at the High Table, where Severus was just taking his seat. He did not look terribly pleased, but she swore she noted just the slightest glint in his eye. She giggled to herself as she imagined his reaction when he opened his closet to find the rainbow of reds that were his robes, and how he must have struggled to figure out what it was she used to charm them. Little did he know, that the spell she cast upon his hands (carefully planned as to where off before classes) to change whatever he touched, at random, a different color, had the same effect upon his robes. He must have wracked his brain for a good while that morning, only to find as soon as he clutched his decided color that it faded to black.

She watched him furtively for a moment longer, a grin spreading across her face as he caught her eye. His eyes rolled in a long-suffering gesture of "I can't believe you're this childish, Miss Granger!" and as he reached across the table to grasp a jug of milk, the item turned bright pink under his touch. His eyes fell on her once more, and though his face bore clear irritation, she knew he found some humor in her playful little trick. It was a subtle charm, only working at complete random, so that Severus was surprised every time it triggered. It appeared to be working!

When she glanced to Dumbledore, the old wizard was also wearing a sheepish smile. While she knew he did not approve of their relationship, he did indeed find some amusement in her prank. Severus shot him a malicious glare, and continued on with his morning meal. McGonagall had also taken note of what was happening, and she smiled playfully as well, exchanging an approving glance with Dumbledore.

The Headmaster looked down at Hermione, and his face wore an expression nearly condoning her surprise for her lover. McGonagall clearly was unaware of the perpetrator, but found Severus' frustration quite amusing.

Hermione returned to her meal, trying to suppress her amusement at Severus' aggravation. She no doubt would hear from him later, and possibly endure a severepunishment for her actions! Her cheeks pinked as she thought of the evening – though they had not discussed any particular celebration, it was Hermione's first Valentine's with anyone special – and she was looking forward to it.

Suddenly, the room was filled with the noisy flutter of hundreds of beating wings, and the students looked up. A barrage of owls flew into the Great Hall, dropping letters and valentines into the laps of the students.

Hermione received two valentines, Ginny received three, Ron received at least seven (Hermione didn't bother to count, but there were quite a few), and Harry was nearly covered with cards as the owls departed.

Ginny smiled. "It looks like I may have some competition! Should I be jealous?"

Harry offered her an apologetic look and fumbled through the mess of cards to find one particular valentine. He looked at her again, smiled slightly, and opened the card. She picked through hers to find the one from him, and as they read their greetings, they exchanged a small, private glance, that spoke volumes that could not be heard.

Ron combed through his valentines as well. Hermione smiled, knowing that through his various rendezvous with different girls, he had gained several admirers. While she did not approve of his toying with the hearts of so many, he seemed happy, and that was all she could hope for.

She opened the envelope with a familiar, tight scrawl, smiling to herself, the only indication that it was from Severus was an 'S' in the corner of the card. He had included there a discrete invitation to meet him in his office at seven that evening.

She slipped the valentine into her pocket, resisting the urge to glance up at the professor. Slowly opening the second card, she eyed it carefully, reading the message, and with no indication of who sent it, she set it down once more. She fleetingly suspected it was from the same individual who sent her the wine, but with no clues to the identity, she really couldn't know for sure.

"Who were your valentines from, Hermione?" Harry asked her. Ginny had looked at Hermione, an approving smile on her face.

"I don't know," she replied. "They're anonymous." At this, Ginny smiled almost knowingly.

Towards the end of breakfast, the charm had all but completely worn off, and Severus was now enduring long periods of time without any of the objects he touched changing color. When the meal was over, Hermione and her friends were leaving the Great Hall, chattering happily. They were discussing their Valentine's evening plans, but all Hermione could think about was what Severus had in store for her when she arrived. It would be a long day indeed!

The moods of the day were rather contagious, and Severus found himself sharing in the joy that infected the castle that day. Though his elation was carefully hidden, he was not as critical towards his students as usual, and the Houses found their points relatively untouched.

When one of his seventh-year Hufflepuff students jokingly suggested a project of a love potion (though quietly and to a nearby classmate), Severus overheard. Unwilling to miss the opportunity, he turned quickly on the student, a malicious sneer crossing his face.

"What, Malcolm," he began, his voice oily. "Can you not find yourself a date of your own accord that you must resort to bewitchment?"

The student buried his face in his textbook, amidst giggles from surrounding students. Satisfied, Severus turned from the boy and swept to the front of the classroom to begin his lesson. Overall, it was a successful class period, which Severus came to expect from this group of students. After he assigned an essay for homework and informed them of their upcoming exam, he dismissed them.

The students stood, groaning and complaining about the onslaught of work they had just been given. As a young Gryffindor was leaving, Severus overheard her sarcastic, "Happy Valentine's to you too, Professor Snape." A small smirk crossed his face as he turned to face his desk, gathering the more valuable items into his arms to put away in his office before the lunch period. Needless to say, when he grasped a book, he was surprised when the leather binding suddenly changed to a lovely magenta color. Pulling his hand back quickly, allowing the book to return to its normal brown leather, he turned on his heel.

Hermione was standing behind him, poorly concealing the smile that was threatening to break free. Her hands were behind her back, and he noticed the end of her wand peeking out from behind her. He had thought the classroom had emptied already, including his young lover, and was both pleasantly surprised with her presence and slightly aggravated with her incessant prank.

"Did you like my surprise this morning?" she asked as she followed him into his office, carrying in her hands some of the items for which he would have had to make a second trip.

"It was unexpected," he growled, raising an eyebrow at her as he was hunched over his desk, organizing the items. As a stack of essays suddenly turned purple beneath his touch, he stopped. "You, apparently, found it quite amusing." He removed his hand from the stack of parchment, and as they slowly returned to their normal color, he rolled his eyes.

"I think Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall did as well," she replied with a small laugh as she recalled their faces during breakfast.

"I must admit I was relieved that it wore off before class," the Potions Master took her in his arms warmly, kissing her gently.

"I could never do that," she said, her brow furrowed. "I would hate to embarrass you in front of your students. Imagine if the great feared Professor Snape lifted a vial, criticizing the contents within, when suddenly the entire thing turned pink! Oh, no. I could never do that!"

A small chuckle escaped the Potions Master as he kissed her head and then took a seat behind his desk. "I may not have forgiven you for that, Miss Granger." He watched, his amusement very obvious, as her expression changed quickly from concern to something much different, something happier. "Though now that you are here," he growled. "It seems you have charmed me yet again."

"Happy Valentine's day, Severus," she whispered into his chest as she pulled him close to her. "I love you."

"Happy Valentine's, Hermione," he replied, leaning down to her to kiss her gently. "I assume you are available this evening?"

"Of course!" she replied excitedly, pulling away from him quickly. "I can't wait to see what you have planned!"

He took hold of her hand, studying the ring that it wore. Gently, he brought it to his lips, kissing the gemstone first, then her hand, and brought the warm palm to his cheek, his eyes flickering closed to the sensation of her soft hand against his rough face. After a tender moment, his dark eyes opened once more to meet her gaze, and she was smiling kindly.

"I never knew it was possible to feel this way for anyone," she said to him, her voice quiet, but certain.

"Love is a many marvelous thing, my dear Hermione," his voice was soft as he leaned down to her, kissing her. "It changes you."

"Yes, it does," she replied softly after breaking from his passionate kiss. "It certainly does."

Traditionally, Severus Snape was not one to pay much notice to the arbitrary sentimentality that infected the fourteenth of February, but this year was much different for the Potions Master. Traditionally, he would have stalked the hallways, deducting house points mercilessly as he tore apart young couples. But this year – this year, his bitterness towards "young love" had abated, and while he knew that their feelings paled in comparison to his own, he could relate to their shameless bliss. In fact, if anything, they made him slightly envious, as he only wished he could hold his lover's hand in public, declaring their romance to the world!

After a gentle, quiet moment of simply staring into each other's eyes, Hermione released a small laugh. "Ginny accused me of having a boyfriend this morning."

At this, Severus sat down in his chair, resting his elbows on his desk, almost pensively. He raised a curious eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Yes, this morning," Hermione took a seat on Severus' desk, her legs dangling between his. His hands, almost instinctively, came to rest on her thighs, his thumbs gently stroking her. "She said she knew why I was gone so often, that it had to be because I had a secret boyfriend. Hardly the word I'd use!" her laughter delighted Severus, and there was a glittering in his black eyes that Hermione came to know as his way of showing his happiness. "But she also reasoned that I hadn't said anything to avoid hurting Ron – and I accepted that reason as true, of course."

For a moment, she paused, and Severus could tell she was aching. Her expression changed from amusement to something much more melancholy, and he suddenly had the urge to draw her into his arms and protect her from all the darkness in the world. What was worse, for the Potions Master, was that it was due to him she was in so much pain. He moved his hands to her waist, tightening his grip there reassuringly, his dark eyes boring into her own.

"I wish I could tell them, Severus. They're going to be so upset with me when they find out after we graduate, and learn that we've been together for almost a year by then," her bottom lip quivered for just a moment, as though she was about to break out in tears, and she stifled it. "I just wish there was a way we could know, for certain, that if they found out, no one else would."

Severus nodded. "I know, Hermione."

She sighed, defeated, her shoulders sagging under the weight of her disappointment. After a moment, she raised her head and kissed Severus. "I think if they knew just how happy we are, they would come to accept us."

"As irrational and immature as Potter is" – and at this, Hermione glared, but said nothing – "I don't believe he is the one we have to be concerned about. He is as aware as you my role in this war, and that without my services, the Order – the side of the light – would be at a catastrophic disadvantage." Severus paused, his hands frozen on her legs, as though he was deep in thought. "In fact, I believe the one who would not take well to this is Weasley."

"I believe just the same, Severus," Hermione replied, her hands coming to rest on his own. "I think Harry would accept it, but Ron would struggle to swallow the news."

"For now, Hermione," Severus said softly, and he paused, as if changing his mind suddenly. "The time will come."

Hermione nodded, leaning into him as though the weight of her troubles were too much for her to bear. Severus enveloped her tightly in his strong arms, kissing the top of her head affectionately. She nuzzled her face into his warm chest, the smell of him overwhelming her senses and calming her nerves.

When finally she pulled from him, he tipped her head back with his finger to look into her eyes. The feelings that filled him whenever he met her amber gaze were like nothing he could remember, and it caused his chest to swell with love for her. He leaned down to her, kissing her deeply, and breathed into her ear.

"I love you, Hermione." A small, barely noticeable smile tugged at the corner's of Severus' mouth. "Today, you should be happy. It is a day that celebrates love. It celebrates us."

Hermione pulled from him and nodded, her mood improved. "You're right. I love you, Severus!" She hopped down from his desk. "I should go – lunch is almost over and I am starved!"

"Indeed, get yourself something to eat. I shall see you at seven o'clock?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world!"

The rest of her classes that afternoon proceeded dreadfully slowly. Hermione felt as though if one more moment of her day was spent away from her lover, surely she would break, and so as her final class of the day was dismissed, she rushed quickly to the dungeons. Granted, she was quite early, but she had work to do that afternoon regardless of Severus' plans.

When she arrived in his classroom, she noticed he was absent but the door to his laboratory was open. Hurriedly, she crossed the room and to find him standing over a work station beside her own.

"Ah, Miss Granger," he growled without facing her. "The herbs we gathered last week – they are dried and ready to prepare. Would you assist me?"

Hermione set her bag down beside the door and moved to his side. Before him on the table were various vials and jars of differing sizes, and the containers of the plants they had collected from the green houses were arranged in front of the Potions Master. He handed her several jars of plants.

"These must be triturated," Severus explained quickly as he added a leafy plant to a small cauldron on the table.

"Together?" Hermione asked him as she crossed the room to acquire a mortar and pestle.

"Indeed." As she took her place beside him, he leaned to her and kissed her gently. "You have my thanks. I am a bit behind schedule for this particular tonic, and to have an extra set of hands to assist me will help expedite the process."

"It's my pleasure to help you, Severus," Hermione replied cheerfully, and she began to grind the leaves together. "What are we making?"

"Every spring, Professor Sprout uses a fertilizer – Sempervirens venenum – and she requests that I craft it for her. It is the only reason why she allowed us into her precious greenhouses last week to harvest the ingredients," Severus growled, flicking his wand at the cauldron before him. Suddenly, the liquid inside began to churn of its own accord. "As long as I agree to create her fertilizer, she provides me with infinite access to her greenhouses. Although, if I am using her plants for anything buther potions, she requires that I file a 'request' for the particular plants, and she will gather them for me." His voice had an unusually bitter tone to it, and Hermione suspected he was not particularly fond of the arrangement.

They worked side-by-side for an hour, and as the chimes of the school sang for dinner, Severus turned to her. She had been bottling the fine powder she had created, and as she stoppered the jar, he touched her waist.

"I do not wish to keep you from working on your project if it requires your attention, Hermione," he said softly.

"I'm just finishing here, Severus," Hermione replied, her body instinctually leaning into his touch. "I was going to finish bottling these, and then check on my draughts."

Severus nodded to her, and as she stoppered the final vial, she set the jar down and moved to her own workbench were her cauldrons were located. Quickly, she gathered her scrolls, unrolling the parchment and inking her quill. Leaning over her cauldrons, she studied the liquids inside, scrawling notes in a tidy script. Severus had paused, watching her closely, unable to tear his eyes away from her as she worked.

A moment longer he spent gazing at her, and then he returned to his task. They worked quietly together, the room filled with the sounds of gurgling cauldron, the quiettap-tap-tap of Severus' blade, and the scratching of quill against parchment. When Hermione had finished her recording, she turned to Severus, her eyes flickering to her wristwatch.

"Severus, do you know what time it is?" she asked, the excitement in her voice hardly contained.

His head was tipped to the worktable beneath him, but he raised his eyes to peer at her. A small smile played about his lips. "Indeed, I do. Are you hungry?"

"Starved!" Hermione exclaimed.

With a flick of his wrist, the herbs he was preparing gathered into a small jar, which he stoppered and placed beside the rest. Then, Severus set the knife down and turned on his heel. Hermione took that as an invitation to follow him, and together, they made their way to Severus' private rooms.

As they entered his living quarters, his sitting room was instantly illuminated with the soft glow of candles. Before the fireplace, Severus had prepared a table for two, and as he strode past the table to the kitchen, a fire grew to life in the grate. Hermione's eyes, wide with wonder, stared around his rooms in awe.

"Severus! All of this – for Valentine's?" she gasped, covering her mouth with her hands.

He appeared from the kitchen, in his hands a platter with various dishes. "It is the first time I have had anyone to celebrate Valentine's day with, Hermione. I thought it was custom to celebrate 'firsts' extravagantly?"

Hermione hurried to his side once he set the platter down and threw her arms around his shoulders. He wrapped his arms about her, pulling her close, kissing her ear.

"Severus, this is wonderful," she whispered to him. "This is the most wonderful thing anyone has ever done for me."

If only words could truly convey just what she had done – was doing – for him. She had changed him, and he knew it; he suspected even the students may have noticed a slight change in character, though he tried to maintain his cold demeanor in the classroom. Because of her, he actually believed there was a life for him once the war was over. Because of her, he may actually live a fulfilling, joyous life, without dying alone. His embrace tightened around her.

When he released her, he gestured for her to sit, and followed suit himself. As they ate their meals, they conversed quietly about everything; they touched on their days and discussed philosophy, the relevance of the study of ancient runes to religion.

By the end of their quiet meal, they had discovered a great deal more about each other than they knew when their night began. It seemed as though every evening, another door was opened into their souls – and for once, Severus was not concerned about feeling so vulnerable to another human being.

"Severus," Hermione started, and he could tell from her voice she was uncertain if she should continue. She began wringing her hands beneath the table.

"What is it, Hermione?" the Potions Master asked, a flick of his wand clearing the table.

"Are you ever going to tell me about your life as a Death Eater?"

Her question was followed by silence. Severus was caught off-guard by the forwardness of her question, but suddenly it made sense why she seemed so cautious in asking it. He had requested in the past that she not press to know about his past, but he knew she had a right. Slowly he rose from the table, coming round to pull her chair out for her. She stood as well.

"The time will come, Hermione," Severus finally answered her, pulling her chin up to gaze into her eyes. "It has not arrived, just yet. But one day, you will come to know everything about my past. And it is very likely, you will wish you had not."

Hermione shook her head, slowly. "Whatever's happened, Severus…" she paused, considering her words carefully. "I want to know about your past because it's a part of you. It may be horrible – I imagine it is – but I want to know, because it's a part of you. I love you. Nothing you've done can change that."

He leaned down to her, kissing her softly. "You are a remarkable woman, Hermione Jean Granger. Your friends are very lucky to know you. I am very lucky to hold your heart."

She touched the side of his face, her thumb stroking the contour of his cheekbone. His black eyes – usually cold and commanding – were warm to her, and she couldn't help but feel like she could get lost in those pools of light. Her lips curled into a loving smile, and she kissed his nose.

"Our evening is not quite over yet, Miss Granger," his voice was a low rumble as he nuzzled his face into her neck. "I have a bit of magic to show you. Come this way."

He led her by the hand to the door they had departed through the first evening they made love. She felt her heart flutter as she followed him through the tunnel, pulling her winter hood over her hair to keep the dirt from matting there. As they exited, Severus squeezed her hand tightly.

"There is a place I want to show you," he said to her softly. "Close your eyes and relax."

Hermione did as she was told, breathing in deeply. Suddenly, she felt her entire body warm, as though she had just submerged herself into a hot bath. Starting from her scalp, her skin began to tingle, following a path all the way to the tips of her fingers and the pads of her feet.

"Open your eyes," he said to her. "We are now unseen and we are free to walk the grounds without concern. This way!"

Slowly, they walked across the grounds. The Potions Master cast a warming charm about them so they did not suffer in the biting wind of the February night, and while behind them they left footprints in the snow, they knew they needed not worry, as there was no one else on the grounds this late in the evening.

As they walked, they simply listened to the silence around them. As they approached their destination, Severus spoke softly. "I think you are going to love this, Hermione. I come here often when I need quiet. It is a beautiful view." He turned, and Hermione followed suit.

She was not prepared for the sight before her. Lain out for her eyes stretched the snowy grounds of Hogwarts. The blanket of snow glowed with the moonlight, giving the entire scenery an almost heavenly feel. Off in the distance, the trees of the Forbidden Forest were covered in white, and off the frozen lake, the moon reflected like a mirror. Most of the castle was dark, but where there was life, there was light, creating a halo of gold around the school.

"Severus, this is… breathtaking. I can't believe I've never been here!" she cried, the view before her overwhelmingly beautiful.

"Not many students venture this far from the castle," Severus said quietly, his eyes scanning his surroundings. "It is often very quiet and peaceful here. I discovered this place while I was a student, and have returned here ever since whenever I need peace."

They stood in silence for a little while, simply drinking in the view. Hermione was awestruck by the landscape before her; she already knew that the grounds of Hogwarts were quite beautiful, but she had never seen them in such a way before. She hadn't the words to describe to Severus just how wonderful he was making her feel in that moment.

He took her hand, leading her to the ground with him and they sat at the trunk of the tree, the charm around them protecting them from the cold winter night. She rested against him, her breaths rising and falling in time with his own. She felt him reach into his pocket, and he presented her with a small box.

"Happy Valentine's day, Hermione," he whispered in her ear.

Delicately, she unwrapped the gift, and as it was revealed the box opened of its own accord. Within, a white gold pendant – a tiny vial, not unlike those that she had become so familiar with during her time in the dungeons - lay against emerald silk. Severus gently removed the necklace from the box and secured the clasp behind Hermione's neck.

"It's beautiful, Severus," she said softly. "It has the same gemstone as my ring," she said softly, lifting her hand to compare the sapphires. "And… Severus, they're glowing!"

"Foolish wand-waving has its merits," he said icily.

She turned to look at him, her eyes shiny. "Severus, you… I don't know what to say."

He leaned into her to kiss her. "Our language indeed has its limitations, especially when we speak of love."

"If someone told me a year ago that Professor Severus Snape, Potions Master, was a romantic, I would have thought them completely mad," Hermione said, smiling. "I can't believe this side of you."

If she only had any idea just how intensely Severus Snape was capable of loving.

"Oh!" Hermione gasped. "I almost forgot." From her robes, she removed a long, thin box. "For you!"

Severus looked at her, rather surprised, though he knew he shouldn't be. This is what couples do on Valentine's Day, Severus. He told himself as he peeled away the paper, revealing a small, leather-bound book. Embossed on the cover in gold were the words Shakespeare's Sonnets. He looked up at Hermione.

"I've personalized it a bit," she said sheepishly, smiling at him. "You'll see! With as much perusing of your library as I've done, I couldn't help but notice your Shakespeare collection was shamefully lacking. And as you said, love is a many marvelous thing!"

He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close to him, and there they spent the rest of their evening, bathed in the warmth of magic and love.
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Matters of the Heart