A Few of Her Favorite Things
Title: A Few of Her Favorite Things
Team: Death Eater Spy
Word Count: 100*7
Rating: PG
Challenge: Little Black Dress
Characters: Hermione/Severus, Ron mentioned
Disclaimer: I am not JKR. I do not own the world of Harry Potter. I make no money from this.
A/N: The muse DEMANDED fluff, so Snape is not his usual difficult self.
She felt ridiculous standing there. Why would Severus have asked to meet him here dressed like this? She sighed once more as she looked longingly at the famous display window. With one hand she adjusted her sunglasses and nervously smoothed down her dress with the other.
She had practically moved heaven and earth to find this dress. The moment she saw it as an adult on Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's, she knew she had to have it. Knowing a transfigured garment wouldn't have the look or feel of the real thing, she scoured the States searching for it.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
The sleek line of the sleeveless black dress gave the illusion of perfection on Ms. Hepburn's body. Hermione wanted a modicum of that, simply so she could feel good about herself once again. The war took its toll on her body and Ron ravaged her spirit. It was a welcome relief when their relationship dramatically ended. He wanted a wife and baby machine. When he discovered she couldn't give him the children he wanted, he dumped her like last year's Nimbus.
This happened at the Ministry's 1st Annual Victory Celebration. Proving, in Severus' eyes, what a weasel Ronald truly was.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Hermione didn't attend the Ministry ball again until she felt truly over Ron. She stopped mourning their relationship through black dress, as if a part of her died when they broke up.
Severus had finally taken a long look at his life and despised the person he'd become. This startling realization forced Severus to make changes in his life, beginning with his employment. He no longer felt beholden to Hogwarts after his many years of unintentional indentured servitude. So, he resigned and opened his own apothecary shop.
Now, he longed for companionship and wished to hopefully find that with Hermione.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
The 4th Ministry Victory Celebration brought dynamic changes to both their lives. Hermione and Severus had casually dated for several months. It wasn't until Hermione had finally located the dress in an obscure shop in Soho New York that she knew she was ready to take things further with Severus.
Hermione was barely ready when Severus arrived. She was clasping her pearl necklace when she wandlessly opened the door to admit him.
He struggled to breathe as he took in what she was wearing. “You are perfection” he managed to say as she moved close to kiss him.
“Thank you.”
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Her dress never made it to the ball that night. They had more important things on their minds. They were both so overwhelmed by the moment, they could hardly breathe properly.
“I want you Severus. I want you so very badly” was all it took for him to acquiesce to her gentle coaxing. He allowed her to lead him to her bedroom because he wanted her just as much.
He never believe the sappy sayings of “making the earth move” or “angels weeping,” although he experienced every single cliché. He realized that he never wanted to ever let Hermione go.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
So, this was how Hermione found herself in New York in the dress, smack in the middle of Fifth Avenue's sidewalk, inexplicably drawn to the bridal display in Tiffany's window. She sighed morosely knowing it was silly, her longing for Severus to give her one of those rings.
She then felt a shift in the space around her, her stomach clenching at the magic she felt ripple through the air.
He was standing behind her, whispering in her ear, “I wanted to do this for you, bring you to a memorable place and do what I've been longing to do.”
- - - - - - - - - - - -
He wanted to give her this one truly spectacular moment, to show her and the world how much she meant to him. He didn't care about making a fool of himself. Severus would do anything to bring her the happiness she so richly deserved. So, he recreated a partial scene from her favorite movie. Her in that dress, taking in the marvelous display of Tiffany jewelry.
“I love you Hermione” he whispered as her hands clenched his arms. “Will you be my wife?”
Tears silently slipped down her cheeks. “Yes! A thousand times over, yes!”
“Shall we choose your ring?”