"How are things between you and Severus going by the way?" asked Minerva while sipping on her cup of tea.

"I love him, and he clearly has feelings for me, but I'm not sure what to make of it. You know, me being 21 thanks to the time turner and him being 38. That's quite a difference, isn't it?" answered Hermione unsure, looking around the big office.

"Dear, that's really no problem at all. You must let go of your muggle standards. Wizards and witches usually have a much longer life span than muggles, so age differences don't really bother us. Many of the marriages in our society are between people where one is much older than the other and 17 years is not that much. Elphinstone was 19 years older than me for example. That should not be a reason to stop you from your own happiness."

"Yes, but what would others think of it. I mean, first the trial because of Skeeter's accusations and then a few weeks later we're together? How would that make us look, Minerva?"

The headmistress didn't answer this for some time.

"Well, maybe don't make it official until the next school year starts, but otherwise there's nothing against it."

"Thank you, Minerva. I think I'll have to go and see whether Severus needs help grading or preparing another lesson."

She stood up, setting her finished cup of tea on the desk in front of her before walking to the fireplace.

"Hermione, before it slips my mind again - I decided that we will have a little get together on December 31st this year, welcoming the new year and all. So far, I only know of very few students staying here and so it would be no problem calling it a staff party and granting the students entry if they want. I thought that you might want to tell Severus before I do and ruin his day so to say," said Minerva, her eyes gleaming with mirth.

"Will do, Minerva. See you later," and with that, Hermione was gone from the office.

++++++

"Severus, is there something I can help you with?" asked Hermione when he entered his office after the second lesson of the day was over.

"No, not really I fear. How was the tea with Minerva?"

He stood in front of his biggest bookshelf, looking for an old book to use in the next lesson.

"Quite alright, we talked about some girl stuff, her husband and such," answered Hermione knowing full well that he wouldn't be interested in that kind of information. "However, she told me that she plans a staff get-together on the 31st. Otherwise, there's nothing new."

Finally, having found the book, he turned to face her.

"A get-together? Dumbledore really is rubbing off on her," grumbled the potions master in reply, not at all happy at having to endure a whole evening filled with socializing with his fellow professors. He may have changed, but he still despised social gatherings like the one the headmistress planned.

Hermione just chuckled before nudging him into the direction of the door, indicating, that the next lesson was about to start.

Before leaving the office, he bent down a bit and stole a short kiss from Hermione and only then he went to his class, the old leather-bound book in hand.

Hermione stood there, watching after the man she had come to love. It was then that she decided she'd enjoy being in his classroom again without having to prove herself to him all the time.

Severus barely acknowledged her when she entered his classroom and took a seat in the last row. If Hermione hadn't looked closely she wouldn't have noticed the small smile playing at his lips.

"Parks, what did I tell you? You are supposed to squeeze the juice out of them and not cut them into pieces like it's written in those horrible books you persist in using. The books are old and if you were to add those pieces to your disastrous potion, my whole lab would be blown up. I'm not interested in any more potions accidents this year, one was enough," hissed Snape, sounding a bit bitter which made Hermione chuckle.

She knew that he was remembering his time as a toddler in her care.

"And what, pray to tell, is so funny about that, Miss Granger?"

"Nothing, Professor. It's nothing."

She could clearly see the mirth in his eyes and apparently, the students saw it, too, judging by their facial expressions.

The students filed out of the dungeon classroom right after the bell rang and indicated that it was time for lunch.

"Thank Merlin it's nearly Christmas break. I am so ready to relax for a while now," sighed Severus as he made his way over to his office, closely followed by Hermione.

"Why don't you do just that? I can cover the lessons?"

The black-haired man thought for a few seconds as he closed and warded the classroom door and only answered when they were both making their way up to the great hall.

"OK."

Hermione looked over at the man walking next to her feeling quite confused.

"Pardon?"

"I said OK. You can take over the potions lessons if you want. They would be the first ones you would do as a potions mistress, which is quite a feat to achieve," smiled Severus.

They entered the great hall, both in good spirits and sat down to eat their respective lunches.

After lunch, they didn't have any lessons, and so they took their time eating while indulging in some light talking in between.

"Uhm, Hermione, Professor. I'm sorry to interrupt, but we were wondering whether the two of you would like to come to our common room this evening. We will have something like a small party, a get-together so to say. It would be great if you two could come, after all, that you have done for us?"

Harry stood there in front of the head table and Hermione had to acknowledge the fact that she really would have to grow accustomed to the adult Harry. It was kind of foreign for her to see that he was all grown up and her best friend Harry again and neither a toddler nor a child nor a teen she had to watch.

"Let Severus decide, Harry," said Hermione, leaving the decision for him to make. After all, he still wasn't fond of parties and such.

"I guess we'll attend, although I can't tell you how long we will be staying."

Harry smiled widely before turning and walking away.

"Thank you, Sev. You don't know how much that decision coming from you means to me."

"I know how much you love your dunderheads and seeing as Harry actually asked politely - who am I to decline?"