Notes: For Connect the Characters Challenge. Quite AU.
Pairing: Severus/Hermione
"It will be different after the war," he always says, but she doesn't believe it. Life's too short, after all, and she reminds him of that, cajoles him, all flashing amber eyes and frizzy brown hair.
"I'm still your teacher," he claims, but they both know that's not the truth. Hermione tested out of Potions and is now in private study with a Ministry tutor. She is seventeen years of age, more than old enough to make her own decisions in the wizarding world about who she wants to start a relationship with. There is nothing in Hogwarts' charter that prevents it-Hermione would know, she's read the blasted thing four times through now.
"If you don't want to be with me, just say so!" she finally lashes out at him, after an overly strenuous day planning for another raid, another Death Eater sortie that will take place in Hogsmeade, according to Severus's information-gathering.
His silence damns him, and her tears blind her as she whirls, ready to stomp out the door, stomp away from his life.
"No," he finally manages to croak out, as her hand is on the doorknob, turning it. She stills, turning around. Eyes full of blurry confusion, awash in silent tears.
"It's not that," Severus stumbles over his words, his pale cheeks reddening. "I-what if something happens, Hermione-with spying, with the Dark Lord, with-everything..."
She has never seen him like this, tongue clumsy, speech trapped in his throat.
"It doesn't matter," she says gently, crossing the room and taking his hands in hers. "No matter what happens. I don't want to live the rest of my life filled with regrets. I want to be with you."
"Me, too," Severus admits quietly, his voice rough. "I want to be with you, I mean," he clarifies. Hermione laughs.
"Then kiss me," she suggests, twining her arms around his neck. "We have a lot of catching up to do."