The whole ride to Severus' home at Spinners End you held on to his waist and kept your head on his back, taking in his familiar scent.

You finally landed and entered his house, there were books lined on shelves everywhere that were all leather bound and dark colored. There wasn't a single picture on the wall.

Taking off your masks, you sighed a breath of relief as you sat on the dark couch.

"I'll go lay out something for you to sleep in." Severus said as he walked upstairs and entered a room that you assumed was his bedroom.

You waited silently, once again observing your mask until Snape returned shortly after leaving.

"I'll let you get ready, tell me when you're done." He moved out of the way of the staircase and before you went up the first step he took your hand and kissed the top of it.

When you entered the room, it was almost exactly as you imagined it, in the far corner was a bed with a black silken bed set and a window was perched by the foot of it. On the wall next to it was a desk that held papers and a book or two, on the wall to your immediate right, there was a simple oak wardrobe. On the wall directly in front of you, there was another door that led to what you thought was a bathroom.

Severus had set a big t-shirt on the bed for you and you almost couldn't see it since it was black.

You quickly changed out of your dress and boots and pulled the big shirt over your head, it nearly went down to your knees, but it was comfortable.

Opening up the door, you stepped out by the staircase railing.

"All done, Severus."

Snape had changed while you were in his room into a set of black pajamas that had a button up shirt and a simple pair of long pants.

He stood and walked up the stairs to join you, leading the way into his room.

Severus pulled back the covers and let you get into bed first, him afterwards.

"(F/n)."

"Yeah, Severus?"

"I well, I had a good time with you tonight at the ball."

You could tell that wasn't what he had meant to say, but you got the picture.

"Me too." You wrapped your arms around Severus' waist, partially catching him by surprise.

He eventually wrapped his arms around your small form and kissed your forehead, making you raise your head to look at him.

"I don't want to lose you like I did Lily."

"I know, Severus. And you won't, not ever."

Snape hugged you a bit tighter, not to the point where it hurt, but so it was like a nice, snuggly feeling.

"I want to tell you something, but I'm not sure how."

"Go for it, Severus."

"I think...... I think I'm in love with you, (f/n). I haven't felt this way since I met Lily, I'm not sure how, but I am."

You sat up in the bed and looked down at him, Severus seemed confused at the action.

"I love you too." Pulling his chin up a bit with your hand, you planted your lips on his and kissed him passionately. Severus' lips had the faint taste of cream pie on them from the dessert table at the ball.

You both sat there, kissing each other for several minutes, breaking every so often for a breath, at that point, he had sat up to be level with you and he had tangled one of his hands in your (h/c) hair, with the other around your waist. You had cupped one of your hands on his cheek and the other was on his shoulder.

Once you finally stopped, you both laid back down, facing each other. You gave him a faint smile and he returned it, both of your eyelids closing from exhaustion.

"Always." This was the last word you heard Severus day before he wrapped his arms around you protectively and the both of you fell asleep in each other's arms.

~the next morning~

You woke up to the smell of toast, bacon and pancakes (or waffles, whatever you like) cooking from the kitchen.

Sitting up, the light of day swarmed into your eyes, causing you to squint and attempt to block it out with your hand. You eventually stood and yawned, opening the door and walking downstairs to see Severus cooking breakfast.

"Morning Severus."

"Good Morning, (f/n). How did you sleep?"

"Best I've slept in a while. I'm glad it's summer. I don't have to worry about having to break up fights and be on edge all of the time."

"Good. Breakfast is nearly ready, so you can sit at the table."

Sitting, you watched as Severus prepared the meal, it almost seemed like he was trying to show off.

Once he finished, he plated the food and brought it to the table along with drinks and you started eating, noting how good it was.

"You're a pretty good chef, Severus. Does teaching potions improve ones cooking skills?"

"I suppose it does. And please, you can shorten my name if you don't want to repeat 'Severus' all the time."

"I like your name. Severus Snape. It rolls off the tounge well."

"Whatever you say, (f/n)."

The rest of breakfast was side chat that mainly revolved around new products and things being sold in Diagon Ally.

"That reminds me that I need to get more potions ingredients for my personal stock today. Care to join me, (f/n)?"

"Alrighty, but only for a little bit, Remus is probably worried since I didn't come home last night." You answered. "Good thing I wore an extra set of regular clothes under my dress."

After the two of you finished breakfast, Severus cast a spell to make the dishes wash themselves and you went upstairs to change.

You put on the pair of light shorts and tank top that were (f/c) and (2ndf/c), folding the big shirt you slept in and setting it neatly on the now made bed.

"Alright, Severus. I'm ready." You said as you walked down the stairs with your dress and mask from the night before in your hands along with a note telling Remus that you were ok.

Severus spotted the note and nodded. "No worries, well be passing over your house on our way to Diagon Ally so you can drop your things off."

"Well then, what are we waiting for? Allons-y!"