AN: Hello my darlings, Sooo very sorry it has taken me so long to write this chappie. It was a lot harder for me then I thought it would be. It's true the past really does tend to come back to haunt us. I hope you will not be disappointed with the results. I have upped the rating on this chapter and likely for the remainder. Things are now progressing between our duo and if that squiks you then don't read any farther. There is mention of torture here also ( nothing to horribly graphic) but still if that kind of thing upsets you then you may want rethink carrying on, or just skip that page altogether.
I want to thank my betas; LJ, Sothernwitch, and CharmedNay. (Big hugs and kisses to you ladies) You're truly the best :D
Chapter 10 Monday Part 4
Severus walked to the bath and started taking off his pants. His brain buzzing, he closed his eyes and began breathing deeply to clear it. What had he been thinking? He hadn't. That was part of the problem. He should just send her back to the headmaster and be done with her. No more of her helpful ways. No more apprenticing. He would play the role of snarky bastard to the full potential of his being.
Even as these thoughts flew through his mind, he knew he would never carry them out against her. Severus' shoulders slumped. Damn, he thought to himself. You're not as noble as you thought, are you? Severus opened his eyes and looked toward the door that the witch from his thoughts had just walked through. He knew he should get her as far away from him as possible. But the thought that bothered him most was; did he want her gone because it was for her safety? Or because he didn't want to deal with the new feelings she was prying, kicking and screaming, out of him? He didn't know, and Severus Snape hated not knowing things.
Hermione, holding her shirt in her hand, looked over to the tray on the dresser. Well, she thought, he'll need healing salts for that back of his. The slender brunette smiled darkly. She wasn't giving up on the snarky man still in the bathroom. Not yet anyway. Hermione stood in the bedroom, quietly listening to the water fill the tub. Then she heard Severus get into it. Walking over to the tray, she retrieved the healing salts and oil, and she tossed her shirt onto the floor at the side of the dresser. She stood waiting a few more moments to ensure he was in the tub, then walked to the door. Hesitating only for a moment, Hermione reached out her hand to grasp the door handle. Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open, her eyes trained on the floor in front of her as she entered the room. Slowly raising her eyes, she also felt the heat rise in her cheeks. This was the boldest thing she had ever done, but she refused to back out now just because she was slightly embarrassed. Especially when said embarrassment stemmed from her fear of him rejecting her.
Even though Severus' eyes were closed, he heard her enter the room. He stated in a dark tone. "I didn't call for you, Hermione."
Well, he's still using my first name, she thought. That's good.
Severus passed his hand over the water making it cloudy.
She made her way over to the man in the tub; his eyes never opened. "I brought the healing salts and oil for various cuts, scrapes, and aching muscles. If I keep neglecting them the way I have been, they're going to seize on you again," Hermione reasoned. As she reached the tub, she noticed that he had passed his hand over the water. Now she could no longer see down into its depths. A smug smile tugged the corners of her mouth; one she was sure Severus would have been most proud of had his eyes opened at that moment. Upon reaching the tub, Hermione knelt down next to it and started pouring in the healing salts. After the last granules left the vial, she took it over to the sink and placed it there. Then she went back to the tub and picked up the other vial off of the floor where she had carefully laid it on top of his discarded clothing. Hermione uncorked the oil and poured a small amount into her palm before carefully laying the vial back on his clothing. Rubbing her palms together to distribute the oil, she moved closer to the Potions master. Using only the tips of her fingers so as not to startle him too much, she began to touch his shoulders. Still, even with the moderate pressure, he managed to jump a little.
As Hermione's hands started kneading the tightness in his muscles, Severus reached up and without looking grabbed one of the girl's wrists and stilled it on his shoulder. "Don't do this," he said quietly.
Hermione leaned closer to his ear and whispered back to him. "Don't be afraid. I trust you, and if you may or may not have noticed, I happen to have very good judgement." That being said, she smiled and kissed his ear. "Now just relax and enjoy the massage." Hearing this statement made him snort. The witch standing behind him gave a gasp. "You doubt the veracity of my statement?" Hermione tapped his shoulder lightly and tsked at him.
Never turning, Severus replied, "You are a terrible judge." He gave a small moan as she hit a particularly sore spot.
"Really?" she intoned. "You are forthright. Feel free to stop me when I'm wrong. You are honorable." At this, he snorted again. "Yes, honorable. You are loyal to Dumbledore, and though not many others know this, trustworthy." Severus shook his head slightly but remained silent. The girl continued in a lower, more seductive voice. "Arrogant. Stubborn."
"Hermione," Severus warned, tone rebuking.
Nonetheless, she continued unrelentingly. "Prone to tremendous outbursts of anger," she laughed softly. Lowering her voice even more, she continued, "Handsome. Sophisticated. Sexy." The last was said as though it were a sigh. Hermione reached for the sponge and soaped it up. "Sit up," she whispered the command, running the soft sponge across his shoulders. Severus still didn't want to open his eyes, fearing it would break the moment, but he did sit forward for her.
With careful slow strokes, the bushy brunette washed his back while noting the lovely muscles there. She let the sponge dip into the water to reach the rest of his back but no farther. Letting the sponge go, she watched as it floated away, taking a moment to compose herself. She placed her arm around his shoulders, still speaking softly and said, "If you lean back, I'll wash your hair for you."
She placed her other hand on his forehead and guided him back into the water. Then with the same hand, she cupped it and ran water over his hair. She noticed that Severus' hands slipped beneath the still clouded water. She assumed that he was using his elbows to prop his body so that she didn't have to take the full weight of him. After wetting his hair sufficiently, Hermione reached out her hand and called, "Accio shampoo." Her shampoo that she had used before in the shower came flying out and landed neatly in her hand. Flipping open the top of it, she squeezed the bottle. A dollop of the creamy, fragrant smelling shampoo landed on the top of his head. Scooting around to the back of the tub once more, she started rubbing the shampoo gently in case there were more injuries. Working the soap into a lather and massaging his temples was making her heart rate speed up.
Severus was enjoying the feel of someone wanting to touch him. Why the change in her? Were all women this annoyingly confusing? He groaned when she touched a sore spot on his head. Hermione continued rubbing it, as if by doing so, she could make it go away. Though her touch was gentle, it still hurt somewhat, making Severus groan again.
Listening to Severus groan like that was making things tight low in her abdomen, and she was beginning to feel lightheaded. She loved the feel of his hair in her hands. Loved the trust he was putting in her. It made her breathing irregular. The young girl then leaned closer to the dark man and whispered in his ear, "We can rinse now." Her hand remained on his neck as she helped to lower him into the water so that she could get the two-in-one shampoo from his hair.
Severus sat up, grabbed the sponge as it floated by, and then leaned back against the tub. "Thank you, Hermione," he said, thinking her administrations were complete.
However, the bold Gryffindor quickly removed the remainder of her clothing before she could change her mind. Severus heard the whisper of material and thinking that she was leaving, started to release a sigh.
Moving to the side of the tub Hermione bent down to grasp the vial of oil she had left there. Without giving herself time to think, she quickly slid in to straddle his lap.
Severus' eyes snapped open, and his head shot up. "Hermione, what is the meaning of this?" His heart was pounding so hard he felt sure that it was about to come through the wall of his chest.
Pouring more of the healing oil into her cupped hand, she smiled at the man beneath her. Re-corking the vial and placing it on the slender shelf next to the tub, she rubbed her hands together then placed her opened palms on his chest and started massaging the muscles there. "All the better to reach you, my dear," she said, her voice like a husky siren.
Severus kept his eyes locked with her own not daring to see the bounty that was before him. Knowing that if he took one small glance, there could be no going back. Like there is a snowballs chance in hell of that now!
She started massaging in a circular motion, and her eyes locked with his. Slowly she worked his muscles and rubbed the oil in where his broken ribs had been. Moving back up the wall of his chest to one of his arms, she rubbed her way down each arm ending with the hands. Oh gods, she thought. Those hands. The hands that had many of the seventh year girls speculating on them. She massaged each digit slowly and thoroughly, making Severus groan again and close his eyes. Hearing him groan made her eyes slide closed briefly as well. As she finished the last hand, she slid her still oil-coated palms up his muscular forearms to the well-formed shoulders. Hermione raked her nails down his chest, and he hissed as she barely grazed his slightly darkened points of pleasure. Severus opened his eyes again and was about to grab her wrists when the brunette straddling his hips leaned forward and claimed his mouth in a searing kiss.
Hermione felt Severus' hands leave her wrists. She felt her heart stop beating for a moment and then crack, as she thought he meant to push her away again. He didn't want this, and once again, the Gryffindor in her had pushed him too far. Hermione could feel the tears burning the back of her eyes just waiting for that one moment to spill forth. She was about to end the kiss and pull back when she felt something at the back of her head. Something softly hesitant but firm. Relief flooded through her, and her hunger for him magnified.
Severus was about to push the woman away from him when she did something unexpected. She kissed him. Of her own free will, her mouth claimed his. For a moment he was shocked. No woman had ever willingly been intimate with him. Oh, sure, they slept with him for the power or prestige that they thought could be gained from being with him. He began having his doubts about Hermione as well. Is what she said true? She was intelligent enough certainly. Could she be trying to curry favor from him to secure her marks? He pondered this more than once. Oh gods, she tastes so damn good! I must get a sample of that tea from Dumbledore. Who knew I had such a sweet tooth? There was a trace of the sugar still left at the corner of her mouth, and Severus found it. He licked the corner, slid his tongue along the seam of her lips silently begging to be let in. Hermione opened to him, letting him plunge into the depths of her mouth, her tongue caressing his. Drawing back slowly, Severus encouraged her to follow his example, to have her explore him.
She did and slid her tongue into his mouth. He tasted of the potion- not bad really, only a faint trace. Mostly he tasted of herbs, which is what she thought of whenever she thought of him. She started running her fingers through his hair pushing it back from his face. She felt Severus slide one arm around her waist while the other still fisted in her hair. His lips slid from hers as he nipped and licked a trail to her chin and continued down until he reached her neck. From there it moved to the little hollow in her neck. He sucked a little on that skin, bringing it into his mouth and laving his tongue over it. The sensation sent shivers down her spine.
Severus moved his hand from the back of her head to remove the mass of hair covering her neck. He slid his kisses from her neck to her collarbone. Once there, he ran his tongue along that bone. This elicited a moan from her. He felt the rise and fall of her chest. Her breath matching his ragged one.
Hermione moaned, her breathing coming faster now. She ran both hands over his chest and down to his stomach and back. Each time she brushed her fingertips over his sensitive nipples, earning a groan from her dear professor. Turning her head, she bestowed feather light kisses on the only thing available to her, his forehead and temple, driving him mad. Closing her eyes, Hermione arched her back thrusting her breasts forward in offering, the tips of her unruly hair trailing in the water. Severus didn't need to be asked twice. He licked and kissed his way across her chest, still supporting her with one hand. The other joined his lips to cup her breast and fully bring the tip into his warm, moist mouth. Rolling his gaze upwards he watched her reaction, listening to her breathing, as it sped up or stopped altogether. It was music to his ears. Severus ran his now moistened thumb over and around her pink peak. Watching it come to attention under his ministrations, he gently blew a warm breath over sensitized flesh. Gauging her reaction, he started pulling at the peak with his teeth. This elicited gasping moans and caused head thrashing. This was the response he had been waiting for. Bringing her back into his warm mouth, he danced and slithered his tongue around the increasingly taunt pink bud.
No thoughts. She couldn't think. Only feel. There were no thoughts in her head. Her body had taken control and was acting with out any help from the brain. She felt she was one giant nerve, all tingly heat. Gods the heat he was causing in her. She dully wondered why the water wasn't boiling around them. Why can't I think? she asked to herself. This is incredible; no one has ever made me feel like this. Not even my own hands. This thought made Hermione growl at the man beneath her.
Severus looked up at her, startled but pleased. He trailed hot kisses down between her breasts, then licked his way back up to her neck. He slid the hand that had been supporting her breast down farther past her abdominal curve to her heated center. Hermione gasped and then groaned when his hand cupped her apex. Severus bit her neck enticingly, as he inserted a finger into her warmth. Hermione pushed herself forward onto his hand, and her head fell back. He inserted another finger and began moving inside her. It made her moan and writhe on his lap. Severus placed his thumb on her small bundle of nerves. He started moving slowly at first, in time to the fingers that were sliding in and out of her opening.
Hermione couldn't stand to be still any longer and started moving with his hand, gasping and moaning as her body started getting hotter and tighter.
Severus' body was responding to her. With every moan, gasp, or lick of her lips, he felt himself getting harder. He had never wanted any woman the way he wanted her. More to the point, no woman had ever let him willingly touch her in this way. So openly. So wantonly. Sadly, these thoughts were fatal. As Hermione started her assent to the peak, her moaning reaching a fevered pitch. She suddenly threw her head back one last time and called out, "Oh, Gods, Severus, yes!"
The dark man withdrew his hand as though he'd been burned. Hermione in a slightly dazed state still felt his quick jarring movements. Lazily opening her eyes with a smile gracing her lips, she noted the look of horror on the man's face.
He started muttering to himself quietly. "What have I done?" He repeated the question continuously. Hermione had no idea what brought on the sudden change in him. She reached out to touch him, but Severus was quicker. He was already trying to push her off of his legs and get away. Fortunately for her, she had his legs trapped beneath her. Clenching her knees tighter against his, she reached out her hands and grasped his forearms.
"Severus!" the girl called out forcefully, trying to get him to focus on her. "What's wrong?" Hermione could feel the panic rising within her. He kept on muttering the same phrase. She didn't think he was with her anymore. He was trapped in his own mind, reliving whatever horror was playing there. Hermione ran her hands up his arms to his face, turning him to look into her eyes. "Severus," she called again, stroking his face. "Severus, talk to me. Tell me what's happening to you. What do you see?"
Severus kept trying to look away, but she held him firmly forcing him to see her. "A girl," he said quietly. Ok this is good; he's hearing me now. Hermione sighed with great relief.
"Ok," Hermione whispered, "you see a girl. What about this girl?" Severus said something so low that Hermione couldn't hear him. Her face clearly showed her confusion. "What? I couldn't hear you. What did you say?"
Severus said it again, louder this time with a trace of anger. "I killed her."
Hermione's eyes widened in surprise, but tried to recover herself quickly to give him a blank face. "What lead to her death?" Hermione wasn't sure this was a good idea, but he'd started it. She needed to get to the bottom of it.
The dark, cold eyes turned toward her brown pair. "Isn't it enough that I killed her? Must you know the gory details as well?" Sarcasm. This was familiar; this is what he knew, what he felt comfortable with. "Shouldn't you be running away to your little friends now? Letting them protect you from the Death Eater in the dungeon?"
His words hit the mark, as they were meant to, and she felt her heart clench, but she refused to give in. Sighing she replied, "Just tell me." Her voice was low and even. His hands were shaking now, and she hoped it wasn't another round of the curse.
Closing his eyes, he dropped his head against the back of the tub, welcoming the pain. Slowly, Severus recounted that night to her. The heat and passion leaving them both quickly.
"There was a revel one night a few months ago." Here he paused, gathering himself, his tone low as he continued. "I was not the first to arrive. We were standing around a long table with enough room only for those of us being the higher-ranking Death Eaters. We had already started the meeting when there was a commotion outside the door." The memory came back easily.
"Malfoy," hissed Voldemort. "Do go and see who would be stupid enough to interrupt our meeting."
"Yes, Lord," the platinum haired man replied. Rising Lucius made his way quickly to the door. Upon reentering the room, he had a feral smile on his face. Lucius quickly made his way back to the grizzled old man at the head of the long table, knelt, and began whispering in his ear.
"Excellent! Bring it in." Turning to the remaining Death Eaters he addressed them. "Your fellow brethren have brought you some...entertainment."
The men started talking excitedly, wondering what it was to be. Suddenly there was a blood-curling scream. Feminine. Sighing, Severus closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. This action did not go unnoticed by the wizard sitting at the head of the table. The air was punctuated by another scream. Followed by angry shouts, "Leave off! Get your hands off me!" There was the sound of flesh on flesh, then silence.
The double doors burst open and hanging limply between two Death Eaters was a woman with long, roan colored hair. Severus looked up at the girl and immediately plastered a sneer to his face. Several of the Death Eaters started snickering, and a couple of the newer members rubbed their hands together. The dark man at the head called out, "Well, this will never do." Voldemort produced his wand and cast an Invigorating Spell on the unconscious girl. She came to while being tossed onto the table.
Scrambling to her knees, Severus watched as she tried to pull her tattered clothes about her, looking wildly around. He noticed the girl watching all the male faces leering at her. The only female was standing near the elder man at the head of the table. There was such hatred on her face that the girl sensed she'd be of no help to her.
The Death Eaters moved in unison, securing the girl one at either side of her head holding down her arms. The two at her feet held her legs, while one of the men stood between her now parted legs, unfastening his robes. Instinctively he looked up to the Dark Lord for permission to do the deed. Severus watched as the elder wizard nodded his head once, and the man quickly attacked the girl.
After several of the men had their way with her, Severus, through his curtain of hair, noticed that Lucius was watching him with keen interest. The blonde spoke. "My Lord, my dear brother, Snape, did not take part in the...festivities the last time, and now he stands on the sidelines once more. I charge that maybe his sensibilities may be too delicate for these gifts we have been offered."
Severus was livid. He had participated more than once in these festivities. He sneered to himself. Lucius was only trying to make him look bad. However, he thought maybe he could turn things to an advantage, if not for himself maybe for the girl. In liquid grace, Severus stood and turned his midnight eyes on the tall, pale wizard. "No,brother, my sensibilities are not offended, but I do thank you for your concern. I was merely awaiting for our Lord's pleasure before taking any of my own." Severus had a look of bored indifference on his face, which he knew angered Lucius to no end.
Looking over to the head wizard, Lucius noticed the gaze he was bestowing on Severus. It made Lucius' blood boil.
Severus knew it was childish, but he very much at that moment wanted to stick out his tongue to his 'brother'. He was no longer Lucius' dog to be kicked around. The days of following him blindly were over. Severus was now standing on his own two feet, and Lucius hated knowing that he couldn't make Severus do what he wanted. The Dark Lord, noting the staring contest between the two men, stood and spoke above the girls mewling. "Mackanern, let Snape find release with the girl. It will please me greatly Snape."
Severus bowed his head. "You are indeed generous, my Lord. You always place us before yourself."
"As any great ruler would do, my son," Voldemort interjected, "and you will be next in line Malfoy." His voice hissed while his eyes were glittering like two red coals burning.
Moving over to the girl, Severus looked at the four men holding her down. He had no idea why they continued in this fruitlessness, as it was clearly written on her face that the fight was gone out of her. Severus waved them away with a gesture. They backed off. The remaining men gathering to one side talking amongst themselves. They knew what this cost him. He was not a performer, and their lord did not keep him around for entertainment. He was deadly with potions and in a duel. That was why he was tolerated, why he was a favorite. He also had a wickedly bad temper. Most of the newer recruits stayed clear of him. They remembered him from their school days, and he was scary enough then.
Severus cast a Cleansing Charm on the girl while preparing himself to enter her. He bent over her body placing his face near her neck. He heard her muttering to herself. Her mind was gone, hiding somewhere inside herself. He needed her to focus on him, so he did the only thing that wouldn't raise suspicion. He bit her neck. She started screaming anew. Keeping his voice low, he told her he would help her the only way he could. When she started to quiet, he sniffed her skin lewdly, and bit her again. She screamed loudly, and he whispered in her ear. "Fight me, hard." And, fight she did. She hit and kicked at him as much as she was able with him between her knees. She took a swipe at him with her fingers curled. He leaned into the attack and allowed the girl to bloody his face. "You bitch!" he yelled, raising a hand to his face, his long slender fingers came away with blood on them. Pinning both of her hands in one of his, Severus leaned over her once more whispering, "I'm sorry." With that he pointed his wand at her neck and cast the curse to end her life. "Avada Kedavra." Her eyes widened for an instant before going dull with lifelessness. Pulling back, he heard several of the Death Eaters chuckling.
"You really need to control your anger, Snape," one of the men called out to him, still laughing. Severus cast a cleansing charm on himself and regarded the man who spoke. He shrugged gracefully with a sly smirk. He then turned to Lucius Malfoy.
"I do apologize to you, brother, I seem to have ruined your fun. However, if you'd still like to continue, I'm sure that I could clean her up for you," Severus said in his darkest tone.
"Enough for tonight," boomed the irritated voice of their leader. He pointed to two men "You two will dispose of the body, but this time I want her found. As entertaining as this has been, I tire. He turned to Bella. "You will accompany me." Bella shuddered under her robes, nodded, but said nothing. "The meeting is over. You are dismissed." With the tall dark witch nearly dwarfing the small, shriveled man, she followed behind at a respectable distance as the two left the room.
"I killed her Hermione. I took her life in a kinder way than would have been done otherwise. Since then, there has been…no one with me. In any way." He hoped she'd get his meaning. Since that night, he had not been intimate with anyone. If she didn't, he sure as hell wasn't going to elaborate. He opened his eyes and looked into her brown ones. He knew what he would find there before he even reached them, and it angered him. "No!" He shouted. "Do not pity me." Severus grabbed hold of Hermione's upper arms and gave her a bit of a shake.
Taking a deep breath, trying to stave off the tears making a glittering track down her cheeks, she looked into his eyes, seeing them shine with his own unshed ones. "I don't feel pity, Severus. I admire you for choosing to save her from any more suffering. It's not like they'd let her go. You put her first despite what could have happened to you." Hermione leaned over and rested her cheek on his, wrapping her arms around his neck. Hermione kissed his cheek and his eyes as a silent tear escaped. Another followed soon after, making its way down his face. Trailing her kisses down his cheek following the path of the tears, she claimed his mouth softly. She whispered against his lips. "Thank you."
A look of surprise crossed his features. "Whatever for?" he inquired.
"For telling me. I know it's not exactly in your nature to share." At this, he snorted.
Severus wrapped his arms about his witch and pulled her toward him. Hermione leaned over, and let herself be embraced by him. "How can you stand to touch me after all you have heard?" Severus' voice was low and gruff, like rough silk against her neck. She realized he had buried his face in her neck, as though he couldn't bear to look at her when asking his question.
"Because I know you are a good man. I know that you only do the necessary evils for the greater good. That if you really had a choice, you would rather walk away from it all. That you'd protect us all with your dying breath, even Harry although you don't care for him."
Severus' arms tightened slightly about her waist, as she stroked his head, his shoulders, and trailed her hand down his back in a comforting gesture. Severus lay his forehead against her shoulder, and whispered in a very low tone. "I'm so tired of war Hermione."
She tightened her hold on the Potions master. "I know," she responded just as quietly, still stroking him. Gently pulling away from him, Hermione summoned a couple of towels from the cupboard that was flush with the wall on the opposite side of the tub. "Come," she commanded and held her hand out for him to take. He stood up, following the girl out of the tub. Hermione grabbed the large fluffy towel and gently dried the man in front of her. Standing on tiptoe, she used the towel to absorb some of the water collecting at the tips of his hair. She knew she could have just used a drying spell, but she liked doing things for him. It made her feel useful, needed. Besides, he didn't seem to mind in the least. Severus took the towel from her and wrapped it about his waist as Hermione quickly dried herself before wrapping her own around her. Taking his hand, she led him to the bedroom, and subsequently, the bed. Hermione scanned his face, noting the new lines that had seemed to formed while they were speaking. She thought he had never looked more tired.
Severus stood staring at the bed, his mind blank. He was numb. His brain had shut down and finally shorted out he figured. He knew he should be worried about what she thought of him at this moment, but he didn't. I'll likely hate my self in the morning for my weakness. At that moment, he didn't really care about anything. A Hippogriff could have come in at that moment, and he wouldn't have given it a second glance.
Touching his arm, Hermione spoke. "Do you want me to stay with you?" Her heart was pounding in her chest. She was at odds with herself. On one hand, she was afraid he'd reject her, yet on the other hand, she was afraid he'd agree.
Finally, he turned his head and seemed to notice her. He reached for her hand and gave it a kiss. "I think I'll be all right," he said, taking up his nightclothes. After dressing, he slid into bed.
Hermione finished dressing herself and decided to go into the bathroom and tidy it for Nala.
Returning to the room, Hermione placed her folded clothing on the end of the dresser and the empty vials on the silver tray. Turning, Hermione noticed the even breathing of the man lying on the bed. Some of his hair had slid down, covering his eye. Leaning a hip against the dresser, she stood for several moments just listening to him breathe and watching him sleep. Then, rousing herself, she walked to the nightstand and placed his wand there to be sure that he would find it in the morning. Just as she was about to turn away, she heard his breathing hitch before evening out once more. Reaching out her hand, she lightly touched the wayward hair and brushed it back from his face.
It was late, and Hermione was running high with emotion, as the night had taken its toll on her. Making her way to her own cot, she lay upon it and sank into immense softness. She didn't remember it being this comfortable before. With a new smirk lighting up her features, the young witch looked over at her dark man. I wonder if he did this or if Nala did. Her smirk turned into a full-blown grin as she once again settled herself into her bed. As soon as her eyes closed, she felt herself drifting of to sleep in the dimly lit room.
Some time later, Hermione lay awake in her bed, her heart beating rapidly in her chest. She lay there listening, trying to figure out what woke her when she heard it again. A voice calling out. "No, stop it! She's had enough!"
Bolting upright, she was instantly awake. Throwing back her covers, she leapt out of the bed and ran to Severus'. In the night, his tossing and turning had maneuvered him to the middle of his large bed so that Hermione had to climb onto it to reach him. "Severus," she called, "wake up! It's only a dream." She put her hands on his face and turned him towards her, calling out again. "Severus! Shh, it's all right. You're dreaming."
His eyes snapped opened, his body was shaking. He was wet with sweat. "Hermione?" His voice openly held his confusion.
Stroking his face, Hermione spoke soothingly to him. "You're all right. I'm here. You were having a nightmare." She then pulled back the covers enough so that she could climb into the bed next to him. Wrapping her arms around him was second nature to her. Many times in the past while at Grimmauld Place, Hermione had crawled into bed with one of the boys, comforting them until the first rays of dawn's light would brighten the room before sneaking back into her room. She hadn't wanted Mother Weasley to catch her.
Hermione felt an arm stealing across her waist pulling her tightly against him. Stroking Severus' head and what she could reach of his back, she whispered to him. "Sleep, I'll protect you." And sleep, he did.
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSHSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Many thanks for the wonderful reviews go out to; snapesoulmate; mugglemomof3; aries-chica56; aicila; MyxChemicalxRomance; gizmama; SamuraiCat1019; lee; Diana; Natsuyori; wytchkat; xxXGoddessXofXdeadXloveXxx; ozarkmoon; Tasha; Guss-Guss; moviebuff101; MysticSong1978; SmeagulTheWeasul; SoBe Peach Tea; Hermione the Slayer; babykat89;
slave4severus; Sorry you were waiting for so long last time and again this time. I hope you enjoyed it. ;)
Drusilla3; Glad you liked all my little hints. Now what were you able to learn from this chapter Dru :D ? lol
Tearsofsnape; Well he is starting to open up to her slowly, but since he is older then her he has much more crap to waide through then she does.
Water to Ice; Well let us hope this old dog can learn a new trick.
June W; Lol June you have a direct link to Sibyll do you? haha. I have tried to put a leash on Sevie but he broke it. I have now resorted to leaving him a trail of potion ingredients for him to follow to see if I can lure him in. hehe
Athena's wolf; Oh yes my dear there is much more for this pair to do. ;)
Magicalwonder; Sorry that my story is driving you to distraction lol. I don't think I'll send in my muse for an over haul just yet though.lol She may be of some use yet. :D
Mistress Vamp; Awww you are so sweet Mistress, I'm so glad to see you again. (missed seeing your review too.) ;)
Innogen; That is very sweet of you to say. :D Thanks.
aleid; Awww that is sooooo sweet of you to say. I'm truly honored that I could show a different side of my favorite man, as I see him. I enjoy other pairings but this for some reason is my favorite. (ahh another mind corrupted) haha Just kidding. ;p As for how many chapters are left I have no idea. lol this was only a 5 or 6 chapter story. I start with pen and paper then move to the computer. As I flesh out each chapter and make them flow better the chapters continue to grow. Not to mention the fact that I had no idea that Voldie was going to show up in here. lol As for your other question, I'm not sure I understood you. Are you wondering how long it takes to write a chapter? If so that depends on whether or not I can just go from what I wrote or if Sev is going to take me on another detour like he has done to me for the last 3 chapters. When he goes off on a different road it takes me longer. However this time was different for reasons mentioned above. Hope you stay with me. Thanks for the Great review, and questions. I hope I answered them for you. (hugs to you)
Miss Serena B; Don't feel bad these things happen at different times for everyone. It isn't a bad thing, just the way your life is supposed to go. Things will happen for you when you are truly ready. Don't worry I'm sure it will happen one day soon. I'm glad that you like the pace of the story. ( I do too) ;)
urlildevil105; Prepare to be suitably distracted lol.
WickedlyWanton; Hello my dear! How perfectly wonderful to see you here.Thanks so much for the offer of your beta services. I did have one with the first few chapters and now I have two for the remainder. I have read some of your work and loved it. Pretty sure I left a review there also. I review under the pen name Mouse. Thanks for your encouraging words. ((hugs)) to you.
Dragon-Malfoy; Wow thank you so much for your touching review. What a compliment. I'm nearly speachless. (and for me that's saying something.) lol. I'm so glad you liked it anyway.
Flounder2; Oh dearest, thank you so much for that lovely review! It is so nice to hear that what I am hoping to come across actually does. Big Big ((((hug)))) to you. You made me feel so good. Sorry it took me much longer then I had hoped for to get this last one out but . . . it was hard for me to write. Can't wait to hear from you again. ;)
knightMaria; Aww you are so good to me ;) thanks. I was thinking the same way. That and when I try to force the story to go in a different direction my beta sends it back and tells me the flow is all wrong. So I end up putting it back the way it was and that is just to time consuming.
Garouf; Bonjour, merci tellement de votre belle revue. Mon mari est français aussi. :) Des rapports ont besoin d'une bonne base pour être basée sur cela est vrai. Je suis heureux il vient à travers dans mon écriture. J'ai choisi l'humeur et roman parce qu'il y a d'humeur dans elle. Peut-être il ne traduit pas bien. Qui sait. Vous avez raison bien qu'il ait changé. Plus les chapitres sont rincés plus de difficultés sortent. Je devrai également changer l'estimation. J'espère que vous avez aimé ce chapitre aussi. Merci pour passer en revue.