Title: Holding On
Rating: T
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Hermione/Severus
Warnings: AU (Hermione was born into the Marauder's Era)
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em - not making any money off 'em. Dern it.
Word Count: 483
Summary: Hermione holds onto Severus.
Notes:
Cupid's Romance Show Challenge: This is for HallowRain8587 who was my teammate on the Kestrals. It's also a thank you for her lovely story to me.
Hermione watches as Lily turns away from Severus, her interest in James beginning to show. She watches as the heartbreak becomes visible on Severus's face, unable to believe that Lily is throwing away years of friendship over an accidental slip of the tongue.
Hermione's heart hurts as Severus isn't even a passing thought to Lily any longer. He isn't able to understand how they can go from best friends to absolutely nothing in a span of seconds.
Severus stays by himself, wallowing in self-pity, and the other snakes swoop down on him, taking advantage of his momentary weakness and the gaping Lily left in his heart.
Hermione knows that if she doesn't do something, Severus may forever be lost to the darkness. Lily had been his link to the light and without her there for him, he's no longer protected from his predatory housemates.
Hermione would love to be Severus's anchor. She just isn't sure how appreciated the notion would be. Still, she needs to try. For Severus's sake.
Hermione begins being wherever Severus is, always with a smile and kind eyes. Severus seems unnerved at first, but he slowly relaxes to her presence. Probably because she was always nice to him, even when her other housemates taunted him.
She gets brave and starts talking to Severus, hoping he won't shut down when she does. She keeps it simple, sticking to the neutral topic of schoolwork "Hey Severus. What did you think of the potion we did in class?" Hermione definitely understands Severus's weakness.
He seems a bit hesitant, but soon he's talking about the wonderful affects of the Draught of Peace. Hermione nods and slips in a comment or two, but she mostly listens to him, loving the sound of his voice.
From there, they move on to other topics. The only things they don't talk about are their families. Hermione just knows that Severus's home life isn't that happy, and she knows enough to not bring it into the conversation.
It isn't until the end of sixth year that they kiss. Severus is nervous afterwards, as if he's afraid Hermione will tell him that it was a mistake.
Of course, Hermione doesn't. "I've wanted to do that for awhile," she shyly admits.
Severus's smile is small, but at least is there.
Hermione knows their lives probably won't be perfect. They still have to contend with all of the snakes that are trying to drag Severus into the darkness, but Hermione is going to hold on with both of her hands. She refuses to let Severus slip, not if she can stop it.
They ignore everything around them as they walk hand-in-hand. They ignore the taunts from the Marauders about Hermione's poor choice or how Severus must have drugged her with a love potion. They ignore Lily's jealous stares. All they see is each other, and Hermione hopes that will never change.