Disclaimer: Potterverse is not mine and never will be. The plot and OC's, however, are mine.

Want
Chapter Two

Hermione shielded her face from the sun. Her trek up through the hills had been enjoyable, though she was eager to return to her mount. Max had become tired whilst on their way up, and she was concerned he was becoming too old for her to go on long rides with him. Giving him a rest, she had continued on the climb herself. Sitting on a rock jutting over a drop, she readied herself for the sunset she had eagerly come to see.

The locals had told her the sunsets were beautiful at this time of year, and she had been eager to witness them for herself, since she had first arrived three months ago.

Pulling out a small package, she enlarged it and pulled out her ham sandwiches.

As the sun dipped behind a hill in the distance and the fields were washed out with deep shadow, Hermione slowly rose to her feet. The locals had been right. The bright colours that had washed and blended in the sky and the way the shadows had danced and played before taking over… it was simply amazing.

Turning to make her way down the hill and back towards Max, she walked into something solid and with a shriek fell back. Two strong hands reached out and grabbed her arms, pulling her back towards him. "I have found you. And I am not losing you again."

"Severus," she sighed and, for a moment, let herself relax in his hold.

"I have been looking for you. You did well to hide yourself." He chuckled as she let him draw her closer to him.

Suddenly she pushed back against his chest. "I am still mad at you. You lied to me. You said you loved me. You said…"

"And you never let me explain anything. Hermione, you are too hot-headed for anyone to say anything without you taking some double meaning from it."

Pulling herself free, she pushed past him. "Leave me alone, Severus. If you have been watching me that closely, you'd know that I've found someone who really cares for me." She continued on down the hill, her pace quickening until she reached Max, where she let out a resigned sigh. If he'd found her, she'd have to move on again.

Untying Max, she gripped the reins in her left hand and, placing her left foot in the stirrup, she bounced on her right, ready to swing herself up and into the saddle, only to find her body ripped away from her horse. "Professor Snape, release me this instant!"

"My dear, if you had truly found someone who cared for you as you say, would he not have escorted you up here to watch the sunset? I would have assumed it would be quite a romantic thing to do. Would you not?"

"Urgh! Let me go!" She swung her legs, trying to kick him, but found his hold around her torso and the grip on her arms kept her too still to do any real damage.

"Hermione, I love you."

"You have said that before." Hanging her head, she took a deep breath and made to scream. Only to find herself dropped to her feet with one arm tightly wrapped around her torso, his other around her arms, with his hand at her mouth.

"Stop this behaviour at once. I do not like to repeat myself." Waiting for her to relax, he slowly lowered his hand from her mouth. "I love you and have since that day you sat in Headmaster Dumbledore's office and demanded to be allowed to participate in the war. I love the way your eyes light up with each new challenge and the way your nose crinkles when you're concentrating. I love you." Lowering his head to her neck, he inhaled her scent. "I love you so much, and I want what is mine. I married you, Hermione. Yes, to protect you, but also because I want you near me. Please. Let me love you."

"Severus…" Her voice was breathy as he continued to speak to her neck, his hands now caressing her sides.

"Let me hold you at night; let me hold you all day. Let me be your husband." His tongue shot out to taste her neck and he groaned. "Let me taste you. Let me be your first." Suddenly his grip tightened again. "You haven't… I will still be your first, will I not?"

His voice was tight with pleading and Hermione could have cried had it not made her angry again.

"Severus, let me go. You have to let me go."

"No." His grip tightened again, and Hermione coughed as she struggled to draw breath into her lungs. "I will lock you away, Hermione, if you won't listen to me."

"Stop it. If this is how you show your love, then I really hope you are not in love with me!" His grip was now really starting to hurt, and she couldn't help the tears now coursing their way down her cheeks. "Severus. Let me go."

"Answer me. Answer my question first." He nipped at her throat before licking it. "Answer me, Hermione. My love."

"No. You will not be my first."

He sank down to the ground, releasing his hold on her.

"But not because of my actions with another. Rather because I refuse to be with someone who doesn't listen. And who lies."

Max, who had moved away with the commotion, whinnied at her and stepped forward. "Good boy." Gently stroking his muzzle, Hermione turned to look at Snape. "Please don't follow me, Severus." Not waiting for an answer, she quickly swung herself up into the saddle and made her way down the hill and away, leaving Snape holding his head in his hands and rocking back and forth.

AN: I hope you enjoyed the chapter!