"We should head to the Great Hall. That's where they are meeting," She whispered into my chest. Oh, of course, I knew just who they were. Kingsley Shacklebolt, newly appointed Minister of Magic, the Ministry hounds, those that were left of the Order of the Phoenix, Potter, the Weasley's, the victors of the War. They would all be there. They would all judge me within seconds of my entrance into the Great Hall.
"Separately," I said with more gusto than I actually had in me.
"What? If you think I'm ashamed of you, Severus, you're wrong. If you think I care what people think…" She shook her head at me.
I took a deep breath and untangled her arms from around my waist and held her at arms length. I had never felt so empty in my entire life. It was as if all the warmth in my body had left with her, "Hermione, this…This," I gestured between her and I, "This is not acceptable. I am old enough to be your father. Not to mention that I am still a felon. I still have crimes I must answer for."
"You think they'll actually punish you for any of that?" She looked at me stupidly. She was mocking me.
I grunted at her, "They would be foolish if they did not. One cannot allow someone such as me, who has such a high price on his head, to walk away from all that I have done."
"Harry showed Kingsley your memories while you were still unconscious," She tried to assure me. Bile rose into my throat. Blasted Potter would expose me in such a manner.
"I think that if you were going to be arrested, you would have woken up with binds on your wrists in the Hospital Wing," She pointed out. I could not deny that assumption. I had felt the same way and I had been completely amazed that he had been allowed to walk freely about the castle.
"I will not have them bring you down with me," I said with finality.
"Bring me down?" She looked up at me curiously.
"You no doubt saw my memories as well?" I looked down at her, an eyebrow raised.
"No. I didn't see them. It wasn't my place," She stumbled over her words.
"But, did he tell you? Did he tell you what memories I had given him?" I insisted.
"Yes, well, sort of," She hesitated.
"So, you did not feel it was your place to view the memories but being told about their contents is acceptable?" I raised an eyebrow and then held up my hand as she started to defend herself, "No. It is fine, Hermione. You were curious, of course. You are now aware of my…Relationship with Potter's mother?" I cringed.
"Yes," She answered slowly, casting her gaze to the floor.
My heart sunk, "She is my past."
She looked up at me curiously and I continued, "I never expected to survive this war. I never expected a present or a future. Did Potter tell you anything of the other memories?"
"No, he did not mention anything more," She still did not look at me.
That was strange. I had been sure he would tell her, "The more recent ones…They were of you. I had lived once without telling the one whom I loved that I had such feelings for her and I couldn't repeat those actions. You deserved to know that you were and are loved, even if it is by someone like me," I said, pulling her chin up with my hand.
"Thank you," Her eyes were glassy.
"That is part of the reason why we should go to the Great Hall separately. If what you have said is true, then those people in the Great Hall know of my feelings for you. I will not have them judge you as they will judge me," I said.
"Severus, I don't care what other people think!" she shook her head furiously at me.
"No," I answered firmly, "I will protect you from whatever it is that they will most assuredly throw at me. You head up now. I will follow in about a minute," I gestured my head to the door.
"Can I kiss you?" She looked up at me. Can you kiss me? Of course you can. I love you.
I bent my head slightly and pressed my lips softly to hers, relishing in the contact I had been so long deprived of, "Go," I whispered to her and she left without another word.
This was it. My moment of judgment. I had just found love and now I was probably going to lose it. Blast it all straight to Hell. I walked out of one war and straight into another. I strode out of my room, leveling my chin as to not show my injured body and injured pride. Do with me what you will, Ministry, Aurors, Heroes, but you will not bring her down with me. Not my savior, my angel, my heart.