A/N: Well, we're moving on in the story….please review. And thanks to all those who have encouraged me. I only hope that I can continue to live up to your standards.

Day 78:

Peonies. Not wilting red roses, but pale pink peonies were the first thing she saw when she awoke the next morning. They were in a plastic looking vase and were in pristine condition. "Oh good, you're awake," it was a welcomed voice. But it wasn't the voice she wanted to hear. The voice she needed.

"Hello Harry," she whispered and it wasn't until she felt the tug on her hand that she realized she wasn't in her cell anymore. She struggled to sit up and it was then that she noticed the bandages on her forearms. "What happened?"

Harry frowned. "I was hoping that you would tell me. I know that you had a fight with Ron…"

She grimaced. "Don't remind me. But why am I in the hospital?"

Her brow furrowed at Harry's uncomfortable mien. He sighed. "A guard found you bleeding in your cell. The healers found shards of glass in your arms. Some of them were very deep. You lost a of blood. The guard also said that you were rejecting treatment. Now Hermione….," he pat her hand gently. "I just need to know something, did you...did you put the shards there on purpose?"

She snatched her hand away. "Of course not, Harry how could you ask me something like that?"

He winced. "Sorry, but I had to. Refusing treatment while you're bleeding profusely is a serious issue. The healers assumed your imprisonment was starting to get to you. Besides I'm worried about you. Especially once Severus told me that he hasn't been by in a while," he tried to make eye contact but she refused. He reached for her hand again, "He's here, Hermione."

That made her look up. "Severus is here?"

Harry nodded. "Just outside the door. He wanted to make sure he had permission to come in. Does he?"

A part of her wanted to be petty and say no, but the prospect of actually seeing him was too great. In a short time the atmosphere changed as the dark wizard entered the room. Hermione scrambled from her spot on the bed choosing to stand. She hoped that she didn't look as weak as she felt. His obsidian eyes scrutinized her from his stance by the door. With slow deliberate steps he made his way to her. He stretched out his hand, palm up in askance. She slid a shaky hand into his, feeling her eyes close as he ran his thumb over her knuckles. "My dear girl." His words were a low murmur just loud enough for her to hear. "I've been a complete fool, wallowing in self-pity and denying the only real love I've ever known." And then he was kneeling, pressing the back of her hand to his cheek, "Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?"

This wasn't what she expected. She opened her eyes to see Severus looking the very picture of contrition. It broke her heart. "Stand Severus," she murmured. He got up slowly, still holding her hand as they gazed into each other's eyes. "I just want to know why. What kept you from me?"

Severus sighed. "Myself." He raked his hand through his hair, letting out another ragged sigh as he did so. "I didn't know how to deal with the changes I was experiencing. You reach me in places that I am unaccustomed to. Your advances and your trust are like a weight on my very soul." He took a step back needing to distance himself from this precious vessel. A woman of unearthly kindness. "I had to leave because it was becoming too much. Because I was feeling too much," he bit back the words of amorous inclinations that were clinging to his throat, burning him up on the inside. Instead he regarded her with his cool gaze.

"I see," she breathed, her voice sounding more wistful than she aimed to let on. She looked away feeling small under his passive assessment. How he managed to make her feel like the guilty party when he was the one apologizing she had no idea. "Thank you for the flowers," she said finally. His reaction was immediate as he gathered her in his arms and kissed her forehead tenderly.

It was a bittersweet embrace, so reminiscent of others they'd shared. Hermione allowed the tears she valiantly held back to fall. He'd felt too much? What did that mean exactly? Was it possible that he felt even an inkling of what she feels for him? And did hoping this was true make her as pathetic as she believed? She wished she knew exactly what he was thinking. However if she had to hazard a guess she'd bet that the wizard was likely still guarding his heart. Was he so damaged by the past that he couldn't accept love that was freely given? The thought made her cry harder. Noticing her distress, Severus's strong hands rubbed her back in calm, comforting circles. "It's alright my dear girl," he cooed almost as though one would to a small child. "I will never leave you again. I will be here as long as you desire for it to be so."

The promise registered on a spiritual level. She searched for his gaze, and meeting it, she sensed how adamant he was about his vow. Yes, it was right to forgive this man. He deserved it far more than anyone else in her entire acquaintance. She brought up her hand so he could rest his cheek in her palm. Maybe it was her imagination but Hermione thought she saw his eyes close for the briefest of seconds. And maybe it was the lighting in St. Mungos that gave Severus such a soft and compassionate appearance. Nevertheless, Hermione trudged on with what she was going to say. "What I'm about to say might be too much for you to hear right now, but I think that it needs to be repeated just the same: I love you, Severus." Her declaration was accompanied by a kiss to his jaw. She didn't dare touch his lips no matter how much her body ached for just that. But she'd probably never get to experience what it was like to feel his lips caress hers. She felt him tense, but when her hand wandered up to stroke his brow and curl around the silken tresses of his raven hair he relaxed. "Please try to accept that." He gave no response; not that Hermione was expecting any. What Severus needed now was time, luckily she had plenty to give.