As the days passed and the big ball grew closer and closer, Hermione saw Severus less and less. Sure, he attended the meals and sat beside her, but he left their flat early in the mornings and returned very late - often she was already asleep when he tiptoed into their bedroom trying not to wake her. Hermione was very busy too. She had to take over all of Minerva's classes, too and had to plan her lessons for the next day each evening. To cut that short, the weeks before the ball were really hectic and stressful, both physically and emotionally.

Saturday before the ball Hermione and Ginny went out trying to find nice gowns to wear at that celebratory gathering. They searched for hours upon hours, but it was only in the late afternoon when they finally found their perfect dresses. 

Now, only a few minutes until the ball would commence, Hermione stood in front of her mirror, admiring her reflection in it. Ginny stood next to her, admiring what she referred to as her masterpiece, meaning Hermione's hair and makeup. 

At ten to six they put on their shoes and started the long way up to the Great Hall. Hermione was a little nervous, she hadn't seen Severus all day. 

"What do you think he is wearing?" asked Ginny her best friend. 

"Sorry, what did you say?" Hermione was slightly confused, having been in deep thoughts when Ginny spoke up. 

"I asked what do you think will he be wearing? Severus, I mean. It's the first time for him to really appear in public, and if I'm not mistaken, Minerva wants to present him as the new headmaster today. Will he be wearing his usual black teaching robes?" 

It was then that they arrived at the Great Hall and were greeted by Filius and Pomona before they entered the decorated hall.

The four house tables had vanished and instead, there were many little tables situated along the walls,  which were held in shades of white, silver and grey, accented with the house colours of the four houses. 

Many guests had already arrived and Ginny went to look for her fiancée first thing when they entered. Hermione stood a bit to the side, trying to make out a certain person, presumably clad in black, in the crowded room. She even went over to the dance floor to see whether he was already dancing there, but she couldn't spot him anywhere.

"May I say that you look absolutely stunning and gorgeous today, my love?" said an all to familiar baritone drawl coming from a man she was very familiar with. 

He gently took a hold of her hand, effectively turning her to him and his lips brushed her knuckles. 

Surprised and amazed, Hermione looked at him. Against her expectations he didn't wear his black dress robes. No, he wore cobalt blue robes and a blue tie together with his usual black button down, black slacks and leather shoes. It was as if he knew that she would wear a cobalt blue gown. 

"Thank you very much - I could say the same, Master Snape. Blue does really suit you." She smiled softly at him. 

Before he could answer, Minerva cleared her throat. It seemed as though everyone had finally arrived, and she wanted to say a few words.

"Good Evening students, visitors and staff. I'm very pleased to be welcoming you all today to this special ball here at Hogwarts. 

We have all gathered here to celebrate the fourth anniversary of our victory over Voldemort, but also to remember all those we lost. The physical wounds have mostly healed by now, but the emotional wounds rarely ever heal completely. The loss of a loved one is never easy to overcome, but when so many people lose their lives in a fight for what is right, it is our duty to remember, to make sure that their death was not for nought. We owe them that. 

This is a ball of remembrance, more than one of victory. This is a ball for those who can't physically join us today, but their spirits are always with us. Let us remember them, those who fought valiantly for us, who died for us. Let us remember those who were taken too soon, who left families behind to mourn. Let us remember our children and grandchildren, our sons and daughters, our parents, uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces. Let us remember our friends."

When the headmistress began to speak, Hermione felt the mood in the hall shift from happy and cheerful to sombre, yet solemn. Everyone fell silent, some people tearing up as bottled up memories resurfaced.

Severus sensed the woman next to him beginning to tremble. He turned to her and saw that her eyes were glistening with unshed tears, and so he pulled her into his arms, trying to calm her down.  

After a while, Minerva spoke again: "To remember the victims of the war that found its ultimate conclusion after nearly two decades on May 2nd, 1998,  we will build a building of remembrance in the coming school year. That way, everyone has a place to go to mourn and remember.

Talking about next school year: There are a few things that I want to inform you about. 

Firstly, I want to announce that I will be retiring at the end of this year. I chose Master Severus Snape as my successor. Professor, if you please?" 

She gestured for him to take a stand next to her on the stage. Professor McGonagall was by far not a short woman, but the man dressed in blue still towered over her.  

The attendants started to clap for him - once the initial shock had subsided. It seemed as if the word about his survival had not yet left the castle's walls.

"As I said, Master Snape will be the new headmaster, and he will introduce further changes that will come once the new term starts" 

She smiled up at him, pride shining in her eyes, and he cleared his throat.

"Good evening and thank you very much. To be honest, I was rather surprised when Minerva asked me to become headmaster last Christmas. At first, I was hesitant about taking over as headmaster of this institution again and if it wasn't for the brilliant woman I get to share all of this with, I wouldn't be standing here today in front of you." 

He smiled lovingly at Hermione, whose cheeks were tinted in red as she beamed back at him. 

"Now, the first change coming school year will be that Miss Hermione Granger will take over for Minerva McGonagall as professor for transfiguration, and she will become Head of House for all the Gryffindor students. 

Furthermore, Professor Horace Slughorn also asked to retire, and so I took it upon myself after Minerva's request to test the possible next potions professor, who excelled if I might say so. As it is, Mister Draco Malfoy will take up the post as Hogwarts' potions professor. 

I don't want to talk the whole evening as it would get boring very soon. Let us remember and celebrate what was, what is and what will be. Thank you." 

Again, the audience clapped as Severus walked down the stairs to get back  to Hermione. 

Soft music began to play in the background as he stepped up to her. Smiling softly, he held out his hand, asking: "May I ask for this dance, Madame?" 

She smiled up at him, placing her small hand in his much bigger one. Quickly, he led her to the dance floor, beginning to sway with her to the beat of the music.

As the hours passed, it got quieter, not only due to the underage students leaving at ten o'clock. The music, which had been rather upbeat until then, got slower and softer and much more danceable for the older generation. 

Still, Hermione and Severus had been dancing all the time and because of that, he told her to sit down for a moment to relax. As soon as she sat at the table a glass of wine before her, he went off in a bid to talk to Minerva. After a while, they both nodded and parted ways for now. 

Severus went up to the front again while Minerva had the music die down with a swish of her wand.

"Hermione, would you please come up to me?" asked Severus, looking as though he was quite nervous. She nodded a bit perplex, but stood and walked up to him nonetheless. When she stood in front of him, he cleared his throat again. 

"Hermione, I want you to know how grateful I am and forever will be for you helping me on my path all the way to where I am standing now. Without you, I wouldn't be here, and well, I wouldn't even know who exactly I am or better yet, who I was. You gave me back my life and made it better every single day just by being in it. 

It may seem a bit cruel, but to be honest, I am glad that you slipped on that icy puddle. If it wasn't for that, I would have never met you again, and I would have never remembered. I have everything I need thanks to you. I have met old friends again, and I gained new ones. You even gave me a family. 

I know that I already told you a couple of times these last five months, but I probably didn't tell you often enough. I love you, and I'm afraid that I won't ever be able to say this enough.

 You took me away into a world I was never allowed to see, and I thoroughly enjoy every single second. I know that it is still very early, but I want you to know just how much you really mean to me. 

Hermione Jean Granger, will you make me the happiest man to ever walk this earth? Will you grant me the honour of calling you my wife? 

Hermione, will you marry me?"

The black-haired man took a small black box from his robe pocket and bent down on one knee, before looking up at her nervously, expectantly, and foremost, hopefully.