Author's Note: Prudence & Potions (which I've only just discovered is the proper Sevmione ship name) will be a collection of random moments in the lives of one of my OTPs. I'm going to try and write these first few scenes in order, but it may jump around later on. Enjoy. :)

Written for...

Lover's Day - OTP War. Prompt: (Quotation) "Instead, [the wind] brought the scent of a perfume he knew well, and the touch of a kiss, a kiss that came from far away, slowly, slowly, until it rested on his lips." -The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho

Stay

461 words

He was alone on a cliff's edge, weak and unable to stand. He fell to his knees and peered down at the rocks far below, wondering how much longer he had before he crashed into them. He had no strength left to fight and so he closed his eyes and waited for the gust of wind to take him.

Instead, the wind brought the scent of a perfume he knew well, and the touch of a kiss, a kiss that came from far away, slowly, slowly, until it rested on his lips.

Severus opened his eyes and moaned. It was only a dream, or a delusion. There was no kiss, only the burning of venom coursing through his body, making every breath a chore. The perfume grew stronger.

"You're alright. I've sent for a healer."

He turned toward the voice and his brain struggled to make sense of anything: where he was or how he'd gotten there. Most of all, why she was with him.

"Strawberry," he gasped, taking in more of the soothing scent.

"Strawberry?" she repeated. She inched closer to him, as though he had the strength to lash out at her if he wanted to.

"Perfume."

"Per - oh! My shampoo. I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking. If it bothers you, I can-"

"No." Her rambling had always bothered him before, but just now he didn't mind. The pain didn't seem as bad when he was focused on paying attention to her words.

They were interrupted by the healer's abrupt arrived. He pushed her away from Severus and started running tests with his wand.

"Nice to have you with us, Mr. Snape. I'm Healer Morris, and you're safe at St. Mungo's now. Your friend here has been keeping a close eye on us, making sure we do everything we can to help you." The healer moved to a small potions cabinet across the room and unlocked it. "I'm just going to give you something for the pain. It may make you drowsy."

Severus was only partially listening, watching as the young woman collected a small stack of books from the end table and loaded them into her purse. She met his eyes briefly and turned away.

"I'll be going now. I really need to-"

"Stay." It had come out sounding more forceful than he'd meant it and he grimaced.

"What did you say?"

He tried again, finding the energy to point to the lone chair in the corner of the room. "Stay," he whispered softly.

She seemed conflicted and confused by the request, and for a moment he wasn't sure if she would do it, but the last thing Severus saw before the potion took effect and sent him under again was Hermione Granger sitting dutifully by his bedside.