Disclaimer: After all these years, it still belongs to JK. My humble thanks always goes to her first. AN: Many thanks to Ariadne, who always pays close attention to the candles.
Red Sea
The light had long departed, and her candle's flame was left struggling in a pool of wax, yet she scarcely noticed until the sound of someone clearing their throat broke the silence.
Hermione closed her eyes slowly and set a sharp quill down with a weary sigh.
"A veritable sea of red."
She smiled tiredly as she reached for another candle. "Yes."
Dry wood creaked as she leaned back in her chair.
"After all these years…" she said, trailing off before looking up at him, "you still prefer to be here?"
Severus sniffed and shifted in his frame.
"Albus snores."