Disclaimer: Everything you recognize belongs to the amazingly talented J.K. Rowling. I'm just playing with the characters.
AN: This story takes place after the war and all characters are of age. Please read and review!
Unspoken
It was a romance borne of companionable silence. Neither said anything more often than not. Both were too engrossed in whatever it was they were doing at the time.
It was a romance nonetheless, just one that couldn't be. At least, it could not be at this particular time.
Each knew of the other's feelings, unexpressed though they were. Never once in the years they had worked together would one show a hint of their true emotions. One was a master of deception, the other a quick study.
As unlikely as the circumstances were, they found themselves complete in the other. Age difference aside, they were remarkably similar, sharing obscure interests and a craving for knowledge.
No one would begrudge them their romance if they knew. After the war, everyone felt entitled to a clean slate. Bygones were bygones after all. Or at least that's what they thought in the privacy of their own minds, pushing aside the hint of doubt they both harbored.
The only thing standing in their way was a rule. As renowned sticklers for rules, no matter how insignificant, they waited for them to no longer be Master and Apprentice, but equals.
Until that day comes to pass, they were content in knowing that they had each other for companionship and intelligent discourse. A knowing look, a wayward glance was all they needed to know that the other was still theirs.
Finishing up the work for the day, they both put away what they were working on in silence. Each wishing that this would be the day they finally disregarded the rules and expressed how they truly felt to the other.
Both had not made it this far in their respective careers on account of being spontaneous, so alas, that day was not today. With little over a year left in this apprenticeship, it seems that this companionable romance would remain how it has been.
With one last glance at the other, Hermione and Severus made their farewells for the evening. Returning to their separate rooms, they tried to exhaust themselves with mindless tasks in an effort to stave of thoughts of the other.
They both fell asleep that night, the same as every night, thinking of each other. Hoping that, at least in their dreams, they could actually be together the way they were meant to be.