A/N: Sorry this chappie is sooo short but I promise that the next will be much longer. Great thanks to ALL of you brilliant people who have been reading along and adding me to your alert/favourites lists. And also many thanks to those of you that have sent in your lovely reviews. And to notwritten, I'll keep smiling :-) Any every out there, keep smiling too !


Severus awoke with the sun to find Hermione with her head on his chest and an arm draped over his waist. Severus was holding her close to him with one arm and his other hand was entwined with hers at his waist. Severus watched the beautiful young woman in his arms for what felt like hours before she started to stir.

"Good morning, Hermione."

"'Morning Severus." Her voice was thick with sleep.

"How are you feeling?"

"A little better. I'm not as tired, but my body aches." Hermione closed her eyes and sighed. She felt so safe in his arms. And the only reason the nightmares hadn't haunted her that night was because he was holding her. She felt like he completed her. 'Perhaps I've fallen in love with him. It would make sense.' She thought to herself as she listened to his heart beat.

"Do you feel up for breakfast, Hermione?"

"Not really. I couldn't keep it down if I did have something." Hermione looked down, ashamed. Severus ran his fingers soothingly through her hair.

"How about a nice hot bath?"

"Sounds good." Hermione whispered.

"You stay here and I'll go and make it for you. Now, do you prefer Lavender or Rose?"

"Lavender." Hermione reluctantly let go of the man that was holding her so lovingly, but instead of moving back to her side, she stayed on his, just so she could feel a little comfort.

Two hours later, the pair sat in the living room cuddled up on the sofa, letting the warmth of the blazing fire encase them. Neither knew why they were acting the way they were around each other, but neither was prepared to tell the other how they felt. Hermione looked up at Severus and smiled. She was nervous, he could tell.

"Are you okay?"

Hermione nodded. "Have you noticed how our friendship has changed? How we're so much more comfortable around each other?"

"Yes." Severus swallowed. "But what ..."

"I feel safe around you. Ever since my father started doing th – those things to me, I couldn't be around a boy or man without flinching."

"Other than me."

"Yes. I trust you with my life. I always have."

"Even when I threw constant insults at you? Even when I was a spy in Voldemort's inner circle before Potter killed him." Hermione nodded 'yes' to both questions. "But, why?"

"I don't know what it was back then, but I know what it is now." Hermione looked down. Her voice had started to waver and her hands were sat bunched in her lap. "I – I love you."

Severus was so shocked. He didn't know what to say or even do, but when he felt Hermione try to move from the sofa, he held her to him and kissed her. Attentive at first, but then she responded and he filled that kiss with all the love he held in his heart. His soul.

"I love you too." Severus whispered as she need for oxygen became too great and they broke the kiss. Hermione sighed and lent into Severus smiling. She was so happy he hadn't rejected her.

What felt like hours later the fire turned green and the face of Minerva McGonagall appeared. Her face looked sad. Distraught even.

TBC ...