"I give up! I cannot stand this anymore!"
"So you suppose that we are done with our discussion? Come back here Severus!" screamed Hermione upstairs.
"No!"
"Stop being a bat!"
"You are insufferable, dear gods!"
"You are really nice to mee too!"
"Leave me alone Hermione, just go read a book for gods sake!"
"You better listen to me right now Severus Snape ! " screamed Hermione loud enough for the whole house to hear. Thanks gods the kids weren't home, yet.
Hermione went to the living room, where Severus was. She sitted in the sofa , and he in a chair. Both were red from the previous argument. Hermione took a few deep breaths, and Severus was also trying to gain his self control again. Moments later, Hermione said calmly:
"Listen, I don't know what is happening with our marriage lately, but something just isn't right."
"You noticed?" said Snape with sarcasm and irony
"Stop being a sarcastic git and talk to me."
"You want me to talk to you? Maybe you should have noticed that we haven't made love once in the last three months. Or that there were days that I was sad or preoccupied, and you gave no importance to me. Or should I recall you that you travel too much for work?"
"Stop treating me like a child! I´m your wife. I have been for the last 20 years. I know I work too much, thanks for reminding me. Don´t you think that I get sad when I prepare dinner for all five of us and you just grab an apple, go upstairs and start grading?"
"I´m sorry if I value what sustains this house." Shit, double shit. This would piss her off.
"Don´t you dare say that! I sustain 50% of this house. Don´t start acting like a bat of the dungeons again."
"Insufferable know it all."
"Evil git!"
" Oh stop it women, will you? I´m tired of all that. I´m tired of you."
" Of me?"
" Yes, of you. Maybe, just a suggestion Hermione, I should stay some time somewhere else. A hotel perhaps. Just until we cool down."
He tried to say that as gentle as possible, but the topic was rather sensitive, and soon tears started sprinkling from the corner of Hermione´s eyes.
" Are you cheating on me?"
" No, I assure you I´m not. I would never do that. I just think we need a time apart from each other, so we think better about our relationship."
Hermione looked completely destroyed. There was one thing she needed to know :
" Do you still love me?"
Severus just looked at her. Never, in his 20 year old marriage he was asked that question. Never had she questioned his love for her, although he did not said it quite often. Severus supposed she knew. But now, he was just as confused as her. Did he still love her? The sex was until some time ago a routine, now there was no such routine.
"I seriously don´t know."
With this, he went quickly upstairs with his wand, got some clothes and hygiene items. Hermione just stood in the door, waiting for him. The shock was visible in her face. Snape went downstairs with a small over night bag, and cupped her face in his hands.
" We will talk soon Hermione. I´m not leaving you."
"Ok" was all she managed to say.
She closed the door, and only after hearing the apparition crack, started sobbing.
