Chapter Seven: Slipping Truths

Hermione woke up feeling hot and bothered. She was having the most wonderful of dreams starring her host. She was still slightly sleepy and seeing that it was only just six am, she slipped her right hand into her shorts and brought herself to climax, imagining that it was Severus that was pleasuring her. As she thought about the feelings that she had reveled to herself the previous night, she thought about revealing her feelings to Severus, but she also felt so terrified of his rejection, that would be something she doubted she could live with, especially as fragile as she still was.

In the master bedroom Severus had woken up in a similar position. He had slept in just his black silk boxes that night and they were tented. Not wanting a cold shower, he pulled off his boxers and closed his eyes before sorting out his problem, imagining that it was his guest that was doing it and not himself. Once he had finished himself off, he showered. While he was showering he thought of why he did what he just did. He let his mind wander and only listened as the thoughts flowed, he didn't try to stop them as he usually would, instead he took each one into consideration, keeping the best thoughts to think about later. As he was getting ready his heart pulled as if telling him something. He didn't know what it was trying to say as he had never felt it before. He filed it away to think about at a liate time during the day.

Hermione had exhausted herself throughout the day with research and school work. She didn't want to let herself worry too much about Severus and her feelings, so she kept herself busy, but come six pm she couldn't keep her eyes open any longer. She sat herself on the sofa and closed her eyes. Severus sat next to her and brought her into his arms. He dropped a kiss to her crown.

"Are you okay love?"

Hermione nodded. "I'm tired."

"Lay down then, get some rest."

Hermione nodded and lay her head in Severus' lap, her face against his taunt stomach. She smiled and sighed, happy to be in his arms.

A few hours past before Hermione awoke. She was still being held in Severus' arms and she smiled widely when he looked down at her.

"Hello love."

"Hi." Her eyes twinkled at the endearment, he had only ever called her that twice, including just.

"Are you okay?"

Hermione nodded and sat up, leaning her head against his shoulder. Severus brought her a little closer and using two fingers, he brought her face up to look at him and slowly, he closed the gap between them. Their lips brushed and Severus gave Hermione plenty of time to pull away but when she didn't, he deepened the kiss. Hermine moved onto his lap and put her arms around his neck and Severus wrapped his arms around her waist and held her as close as possible. When the need for oxygen became to great, they pulled apart and rested their foreheads together. They smiled at each other.

"I love you Severus Snape," Hermione whispered.

Severus pecked her lips lightly. "I love you too Hermione Granger," he whispered against her lips.

Hermione smiled widely and a few tears of happiness slipped down her cheeks. Severus kissed them away. They sat like this for a while sharing gently kisses until they retired to the master bedroom where Severus held her close.

To Be Continued ...