December Underground

X

'Walked into our world and

made horrible sounds.

I can still hear them today.

strangely they sound beautiful now,

though they outcast my love.'

-Endlessly She Said.

This time she kissed him, bringing her lips to his in a silent question of forgiveness and without a word he knew that he would never mention Charlie Weasley again for as long as he lived.

She was still crying when they broke apart and he pulled her to him, cradling her head against his shoulder.

"Shh…" He shushed, trying to comfort her out of her tears while stroking her hair. Everything she said before about redemption and respect, how had tried to persuade him by telling him that he deserved it were now, strangely, some of the most beautiful words he had ever heard. It meant that she truly cared, not that she sought information or gossip for others.

"You're more than I expected." She said, finally bringing her tears to an end. He wasn't sure what this comment was supposed to mean and furrowed his brows.

"Did you not expect me to fight for my own life by remembering what kept me happiest?" He asked with no trace of sarcasm or scorn in his voice, only mild curiosity.

"No." She said as if to immediately correct herself. "I mean that your more than I expected for myself, I didn't envision that I would end up with a man who would endure three years of torture just to see me again. It's no wonder Charlie upset you so much."

He digested these words with a strange sense of elation and at the same time remorse.

"Hermione." He said, trying to find a way to convey what he really meant. "I'll understand if you don't stay." Her face took on a bewildered expression.

"Why would you say such a thing?"

"Because you need someone who's your own age, someone who's whole and won't bring the hate of the wizarding population onto your shoulders." He couldn't keep her with him, she was too precious for what she would be forced to endure.

"No." She said her voice firm.

"Hermione, just think about it-"

"Don't even start." She interrupted, pressing a chaste kiss onto his lips. "I've thought about it long and hard before I came to you and you are all that I need."

"Hermione, you deserve someone who will bring a happy response from the wizarding public, not scorn like I enjoy."

"Severus, you are more than I deserve, not less, who else would have endured torture for my sake? Just to see me again?" She asked him. He didn't answer her but regarded her expression studiously. How on earth did he manage to end up with someone like her?" After all the evil deeds and double crossings he'd committed in his life he couldn't understand how he could be gifted with her devotion.

There was no way that he could let it be brought upon her, the disgusted looks, waspish whispers and contemptuous accusations. Not when she was willing to endure it all just for the sake of being by his side.

"I'll do it then." He said softly, she frowned slightly, unsure of what he was saying.

"Do what?" She asked, perplexed. He wondered if he hadn't gone insane after all. Was he really about to agree to what he'd explicitly refused to do scarcely a half hour before? What hold did she have on him?

"I'll tell them what really happened. I'll explain why I was missing for three years, I'll let the public know." Even as he promised it he dreaded doing it, but he would, he couldn't go back on the word he'd just given, not now.

"Are you sure?" She asked, her face showing no sign of eager anticipation or excitement. She was leaving it up to him; it was entirely his decision to make.

"Yes." He answered truthfully. She kissed him gently on the cheek and then lovingly on his lips.

"Thank you." She whispered, resting her head beneath his. He tucked her crown into the crook of his neck and inhaled a deep breath of her scent, knowing that they would have to avoid being seen together until after the interviews were over.

He would contact the paper tomorrow; they could send any reporter they liked as long as it wasn't Rita Skeeter. Anyone but her would do. The sooner it was done the better.

"Severus?" Hermione asked her voice drowsy. He broke out of his train of thought and realized that she was nearly falling asleep.

"Yes?" He asked, listening to the rhythm of her breathing.

"Can I stay here with you until morning?" He smiled because no matter how clever she was she never took the liberty to assume her presence was welcome. She should have known as soon as he'd carried her to the bed that she was welcome to stay the night.

"You needn't have asked." He assured her. She sighed contently against him and he realized just how innocent she was.

"Hermione?" He said, breaking the silence between them once more. He hoped that she hadn't fallen asleep yet because he needed to tell her, suddenly he understood that she shouldn't have to assume.

"Yes?" She mumbled, showing that despite the onslaught of slumber she was still listening.

"I love you." He finally admitted, and even though she'd fallen asleep as he'd said it, he knew that she'd heard.

Fin.