Anything recognizable is the property of J.K. Rowling. I do not make any claim to ownership, nor do I make any money from this.

Please do not read if you are not of legal age in your country. There are adult scenes, however short and to the point.

The Truth

Much later they had no more tears to cry, and simply sat together. Hermione had her hands fisted in the rough material of his robe and he held her close, pressing his face against the top of her head. Just as he had 12 years earlier, Severus tilted her face up and kissed her softly. When Hermione slowly opened her eyes and looked up at him he kissed the tears away. Snape wished that he could heal the wounds to her heart that his absence had caused.

Silently, he cursed himself for not insisting on seeking her out. Everyone in the Order said he was being foolish, that if she wanted to come back, she would. They thought he had no reason for tracking her down. They didn't know what had happened that Christmas and they thought he was just being nosy.

Hermione believed she felt forgiveness flow from the older man as he kissed her, and she found that she didn't mind kissing him. Wanted to more, actually. For the first time in 12 years, she felt beautiful and wanted.

Severus stopped and pressed his forehead against hers. "Please don't leave me again."

"I thought you would have wanted me to leave then." She hiccuped and buried her face in his neck.

"No, I never wanted you to leave. I wanted to always be there for you, since you defended me to Potter." He pressed a gentle kiss to her temple. "I haven't wanted anyone since you left. Never looked twice at a woman."

Hermione shook her head in denial. "No, you wouldn't have wanted me to stay. You just me feel so important that night. Then so hated when I woke up alone."

Severus sighed and his shoulders slumped. "Please believe me when I say I never meant to. I didn't know how to act, didn't know what to do. I fled because I had never even kissed a woman since before you were born."

Her tears had stopped completely and she just looked at him as he confessed what happened. "Lupin found me hiding in the basement, said he heard me pacing. Then he asked me what happened. He could smell you all over me. Damn nosy wolf." Snape actually chuckled fondly at the memory of his ex-enemy.

The small smile drifted away again. "By the time I had plucked up the courage to talk to you, you were gone. No one would tell me where you went. I left too, went back to Hogwarts and helped rebuild before the next term started. I didn't even speak to a single person for months. Most honestly didn't care, but Minerva made me tell her everything. She told me you were alright, but never said anything about Tobias."

Hermione squeaked in surprise when he crushed her to him in a powerful hug. "I want to know my son. Could you forgive me enough to allow me to know him, to be a part of his life?" Severus never begged, but here he was, hoping beyond hope that she would say yes, but sure she wouldn't. She had no reason to after all.

"Only if you'll forgive me for running away, for hiding him from you, for never letting you know. I made Minerva swear not to tell you, and Lupin. I met him about 3 months after, it was all by chance, but he took one sniff and knew I was pregnant. He just looked so sadly at me, now I know why. I thought he disapproved. I-I've been so foolish."

"I never hated you for leaving. I wanted to, but I couldn't. I only hated myself, hated driving you away." He put his hands on either side of her face and just looked at her. She was perfect to him, beautiful and kind. And he berated himself for making her cry, making her eyes so red. "Forgive me?"

All she could do was nod. The truth and total feeling in his eyes undid her. They kissed, running hands over every inch of each other that they could, undoing buttons, trying to make up for 12 years apart. Hermione, only in silk pajamas was undressed quickly and Severus picked her up and placed her on the bed.

He dropped his cloak, but the robe with many buttons was only half undone. Snape touched the woman laying naked beneath him and kissed her pale skin, getting to know the mother of her son again. Hermione writhed as he found each of her secret spots that undid her fully.

"Let me make up the time to you." He whispered into her navel. "Let me touch you again, just once."

She decided that just once wasn't enough and she stilled him, wrapping her arms around him and hugging him closer. "Not just this once. For always. Please?"

"Anything for you, Hermione." Severus promised, squeezing her in return.

He suddenly felt too hot in his robes and quickly removed them, stripping until he was just as naked as Hermione. Slowly and gently, they made love, full of promises and healed regrets. He worshiped her as he had wanted to since the night in the library at Grimmauld Place.