Chapter 9
Severus woke early the next morning. The sun was only just now beginning to rise. He watched as the pinks and oranges and reds filled the sky. It looked as though the sky was on fire. He watched as the sky lightened more and more as the sun rose. Then suddenly the sun broke over the horizon, and the grounds filled with the early morning light. He squinted as the rays came through his window, falling on his face. He listened to the birds twittering to each other, and felt that this was certainly extremely peaceful. He cleared his mind of all worries and thoughts, and just took in the beauty of the scenery. It was moments like this he was - sort of - glad to be alive.
It was maybe an hour since he had woken up, and was now beginning to get bored. Hermione hadn't come in yet, and he was feeling agitated again.
Just then he heard a noise outside his door, and then voices. Severus strained to hear who it was and what they were saying. The door opened, and Hermione backed into the room, quickly shutting the door behind her, and leaned against it. He gave her an inquisitive look, as if to ask what had just happened.
"Sorry about that, there was someone who is a little... confused... try and get in here. We only just managed to stop him. He put up a bit of a fight. But it's ok now." She was wearing a white dressing gown, and slippers. Her hair was still a bit unruly, and when she caught sight of herself in the small mirror on the wall, she sighed.
"Let me just go fix myself up. I won't be long." He had not said a word yet, slightly bemused by what had just happened. A small smile played on his face. Hermione saw this and started to laugh. He smiled a little more at her, and she started laughing even more.
The sound was like a sweet melody to his ears, and he unintentionally started laughing with her, but when he realised what he just did, he stopped himself. He did not want to show her too much emotion. He thought that she hadn't heard it, laughing herself. She never showed any reaction anyway.
Soon her laughter died to just a smile. She turned and left the room, closing the door securely behind her. He stared after her, long after the door had closed. Where had this reaction come from? he thought to himself.
'She is a woman, Severus, and a beautiful one at that,' said that annoying voice in his head once more. Yes, she was, he wasn't going to deny it, but he scolded himself.
'She was my student. She was scared of me at one point. I cannot have anything with her. Ever. And why would I want to? She is not Lily. I love Lily. I cannot love anybody else,' he told himself.
'Remember what she told you? You need to move on. You need to give someone a chance. And Hermione is a special woman. Give her a chance.'
'Maybe,' he thought.
She came back, and was running her fingers through her hair once more, and tied it up. She came over to his bed, and stood next to him.
"I am so sorry Professor. I didn't mean to laugh like that. I couldn't help it." She looked ordinary in just a pair of jeans and white jumper. But Severus thought she made ordinary look beautiful.
"It is alright, Miss Granger. I could see the funny side to it too." She stared momentarily. He knew that she was most likely shocked at what he had said.
"I am glad then," she said. "And sir, please would you call me Hermione."
"Alright, Hermione it is then," he said, almost sarcastically. Almost. "What is the plan for today?" he asked.
"Well, I think it would be a good idea for you to exercise your muscles and move your limbs, because you don't want them seizing up or wasting away."
"And how exactly am I supposed to do that? Unless you haven't noticed, I cannot move at all except my head." She blushed slightly.
'Well, I can't change overnight now, can I? I have to at least keep my humour,' he thought.
"I am aware of that fact, Professor. I was going to say that I will help you." She did not seem to let the dry sarcasm get to her.
"It is not as if I have much choice in the matter anyway." He said this quietly.
"Of course you do. I would not do something against your wishes." She gave him a long look, and he could almost feel her intent gaze upon him.
"Alright, alright. Enough of this. Let's just get on with it, shall we?" He didn't want to get complicated at this moment.
She nodded. She lifted the sheet off of him, and then moved the pillows so that he was lying flat. He did not know what she had in mind for the exercises, but didn't really have much say in them anyway. He had to admit to himself that he liked the company, and it was something to do besides stare at bare walls and outside. As much as he loved the view outside, it could at times get a bit boring.
As soon as she touched his body, he could feel it. Feeling was returning to his previously numb body. He smiled.
"What's so funny?" she asked, catching the look on his face.
"There is nothing funny, more exciting. I can feel what you are doing. It is not numb anymore." He had to control himself, control his excitement, because he could almost feel it bursting inside of him. He didn't want to get his hopes up just yet. This did not necessarily mean anything.
"Oh, Professor! That is fantastic!" she beamed at him, and he could sense her excitement too.
"But please, don't let that stop you. I think the exercise is a good idea," he said, gently reminding her of what needed to be done.
"Oh yes, sorry." She smiled as she worked, stretching out his limbs, moving them so that they worked a bit. Now that he had feeling back, he could feel just how stiff his limbs were. The stretching felt so good. He didn't feel so trapped anymore.
"Professor, I am going to give you a massage. I read somewhere that it helps. I just don't want to make you feel uncomfortable," she said, after she had stretched out his limbs. This was an offer he couldn't refuse, partly because he didn't want to, and partly because if she wanted to give him a massage, she would probably do it anyway.
"Go ahead, whatever you feel is necessary."
She put her hands on his chest, and slowly but firmly rubbed his chest muscles. They felt so weak, and this massage felt so relaxing. She then took his arm, and massaged the one arm, so thoroughly all the way down to his wrist, then massaged his hand. It had become stiff from lack of movement. Once she had done that side, she did the same to the other arm and hand.
"I am going to massage your legs now," she told him, rather cautiously.
"Hermione, you really don't need to give me a running commentary on your progress," he said almost tiredly. The massage, as well as her presence had a calming effect on him.
She smiled, and moved to the bottom of the bed. She took one of his feet, and rubbed it with strong fingers. She did the other one as well. He had never had a foot massage, because he had never really let anyone touch him like that before.
She moved up to his calves, working out the tension in them. Once they were not as stiff as before, she moved onto his thighs. She only rubbed the lower part of his thighs, not venturing too close to his manhood. He didn't particularly want her to go there anyway. He had not been touched like that in more years than he cared to remember. Once he had been fully massaged and stretched, he felt relaxed and calm. He smiled a tiny bit, at some point he had felt so relaxed that he had closed his eyes. When she had finished, he opened them again.
"Thank you Hermione. That was nice. I think it was needed."
She smiled shyly at him, and didn't say anything. She helped him get comfortable on the pillows again, and turned to leave.
"I will be back later, Professor, for lunch. Call if you need anything," she said. She made to leave, but he stopped her.
"Can I ask just one favour of you?" he said quickly.
"Sure, what is it?" she asked, looking around.
"Would you be so kind as to bring some kind of decor to the place? I am starting to get tired of the bland walls and curtains. There is only so much I can take of them, you realise."
She smiled her beautiful smile, and said she would bring something for him. She left the room, and left Severus thinking.
He wondered how on earth a girl such as Hermione Granger could ever evoke any emotion in him, especially that of... well whatever he had just felt with her being there. He hoped that nothing showed on his face. He must not let her see his feelings.
A/N: Aha! There is something under that cold mask after all! There is hope yet. Hope you enjoyed this one. Please R&R
