Afraid Of Love

Twenty-Two: The Proposal

Hermione's Pov...

The aftermath from the disastrous dinner party at the Weasleys was a grievous one, indeed. Only Harry seemed to side with her, because he understood what it was like to be an outcast, but it caused a serious rift in his marriage with Ginny, since she chose to side with her family. Harry had said that he wasn't picking sides, and Ginny had yelled back that he totally was, and he began to spend a lot of time with Draco, and they strangely enough became close friends as a result.

Hermione didn't like that Harry was carousing with other witches, since he had a child at home who was innocent in all of this, but it wasn't her marriage or life.

But the weird ironic thing was that just as her friend's lives were going down the toilet, her life was going very well for her. Tonight was the secret date, and he told her to wear the snake dress, because he had plans for it.

She had no idea where they were going, so when Severus arrived dressed in his teacher's frock coat and cloak, he took out one of her old school uniforms from her closet, and said, "Take this with you," He winked. "You will be needing it tonight."

"But what about earlier?"

"Oh, that," He transfigured his outfit to be a perfectly tailored black tuxedo. "I'm still going to wear the other outfit for later."

Hermione's heart beat fast at the smoldering look in his black eyes. She blushed. "And what will I be doing in detention, Professor?"

Severus grinned knowingly. "Whatever I see fit, Miss Granger. But that's for later. Are you ready to go?"

She nodded her head. They apparated to the Eiffel tower in Paris, France. The fireworks were blazing in the night sky above them, and before she knew what was happening, Severus knelt on one knee, and took her hands in hers.

"Severus!" She said breathlessly, putting a hand to her chest.

"I meant to do this over dinner and wine, but I couldn't wait," He confessed. "Over this past year, I have been overwhelmed with how much you and I have gone through together. I never thought..." He teared up, and then choked them back. "I never thought after Lily, that I would love again, that there would be that one witch out there who loves me for me, unconditionally. Hermione Granger, will you do me the greatest honor of becoming my wife?"

Hermione couldn't breathe for a moment. She knew he would propose sooner or later, just not in this grand fashion.

Tears of happiness filled her eyes. "Yes..." She cleared her throat. "Yes, Severus, I will, of course, marry you."

Severus stood up, and crushed her to him. He was crying tears of happiness as well as he cupped her face with his hands and kissed her softly. "I love you, witch," He said softly.

Hermione wiped at her tears. "I love you, too. My handsome wizard."

Severus grinned, but shook his head. "I certainly doubt that, but they say love is blind."

She socked him playfully in the chest. "Oh, no! I'm going to marry a troll, do save me," She teased. "Honestly, Sev. You really think you are ugly?"

"I know I'm no prize."
"You are to me."
"You are kind, for thinking so."

The fireworks were almost over as they looked over the night lights of Paris below them.

Severus kissed her temple, and wrapped his arms around her from behind. "Do you still want dinner?" He asked.

"Yes, of course," She said. "Do kindly escort me on our date."

"As you wish."

They apparated to a nice upscale restaurant, and had a lovely, romantic dinner. Then they walked around the city looking at sites and being two intellectuals, chatted endlessly about the rich history of the place in general.

When they apparated back to her flat, she asked about their little role play. Severus simply said, "I want to do that when we're both not so tired. Besides, I need my old classroom for that."

"We're not really going to Hogwarts for that, are we?" Hermione asked, curiously.

Severus winked. "Oh, yes we are. And you will serve your detention as promised."

Hermione blushed. "Is this about my lack of handing in my last essay, Professor?"

"Among other things," Severus said, making his stern teacher face. "You have been most naughty lately, and punishment is required, obviously."

They shared a laugh over that, and she said, "You're going to enjoy this too much, I think."

He shrugged his shoulders. "Call it fulfilling your fantasies, but I think it's something we will both thoroughly enjoy."

Hermione lifted on her toes to kiss him, and he kissed her briefly. "Until Firday evening then," He said, bowing and kissing her hand. He parted from her, and turned on the spot. With a loud pop, he disapparated.

Hermione went inside her home, and couldn't keep herself from the giggles as she took out her old school uniform from her beaded bag. Whatever Severus had planned for their Friday night date, she would be game for it. She trusted him.

She looked down at her ring, and kissed it. She was engaged! She couldn't quite believe it, and yet she was. It would be a shame her parents wouldn't be there for her, but then again, so many people wouldn't be, of course. She supposed at this point that the Weasleys wouldn't be at the wedding as well, but the Malfoys knew lots of people, she would just have to talk to Narcissa about it.

She got ready for bed, and took her body pillow and pretended to snuggle with Severus. After that, she fell into a peaceful sleep, little knowing how stressful the wedding planning stages would be...