Hello all. I'm not back but I have some time to knock out a quick one.
Hermione exhaled, she looked up from her essay. Harry was arriving today. Remus had forewarned her, of the castle's newest guest. She looked over at Severus, and pondered how much had changed in their time together. His eyes met hers, "Potter arrives soon."
"Stop reading my mind," she stated, as her came and put his arms around her. "I don't want him to hate me Sev."
Severus sighed, her calling him 'Sev' was a balm to his soul. The last person who used that nickname had cursed him, Hermione was his salvation. But he couldn't help the urge to distance himself from the young woman. He didn't deserve salvation. "He'll never hate you, love. Bonds are common in the magical world. And since you're my apprentice our relationship will be considered normal. To the naked eye we'll be spending a lot of time together and since you're past your majority, no one can call foul."
"Sirius did," she mumbled, burying her face into his chest. "I can only imagine what he said to Harry."
"Nothing. The Mutt took a vow, that you would get to tell Potter and the weasel if you chose. On your terms," he promised. He stroked her hair. "You had no choice. Death or death. And neither did I. Right now Hogwarts is the safest place for the pair of you."
Hermione sighed, "If I had a choice Sev I wouldn't change this." She didn't know how many times she would have to reassure the man that she was comfortable in their bond. That she trusted him, wholeheartedly.
Severus kissed her gently, "I had a plan. Not for this but to fulfill the prophecy and you would have had a choice."
She only sighed, he would never see day after day she made a choice. Each touch, kiss, those were choices. She could have given up, but the thing that made the pair of them so similar was they were both fighters. She didn't just give up. And she wouldn't give up on him.
He just held onto her. "I can come with you."
She shook her head, "I need to do this on my own, Sev, afterwards you can speak with Harry. He has no choice to be kind to you. You're a part of me, and if he can't accept that he can't accept my….new life."
Severus heard the unsaid, 'life I didn't choose'. Hermione has handled their bond in stride and one day he hoped this war would be over and she could move forward with her plans. She would have to drag him along. Albeit willingly with her. He'd let that one shred of doubt cloud his system. Things couldn't be this perfect all the time.
Hermione separated herself from him. She kissed him gently, "I made my choices Sev. Now I have to meet Harry at the gates. I'll be back shortly." She kissed him again, with a little more vigor. She hoped he understood the silent "I choose you. Every day I choose you." She kissed his cheek, "I'll be back soon, love."
Severus watched her leave their chambers, thanking Merlin for that witch, until the doubt over took him again.
…
Hermione wrapped her jumper tighter around her. The wind was cutting right through her, as she watched Harry come up to the gates with Remus. She watched the pair, not wanting to put any more weight on Harry's shoulders. She knew he'd blame himself.
Harry's face lit up when he spotted her. She gave him a nervous wave. The only people who had touched her since the attack was Severus and Remus. She knew Harry would come in for a hug, and she'd flinch or worse. She should have brought Sev up here, she'd at least feel at ease.
The gates swung open for Harry and Remus. Remus kept a steady hand on the younger wizard's shoulder. Remus shook his head, and said something Hermione couldn't hear. The pair got closer to her. Remus dropped a quick peck to her cheek, "Where is he?"
"Mad, brewing and pensive. Personal lab," Hermione said, not even realizing she was keeping tabs on Sev through their bond.
"I'll go talk to him," Remus said, leaving her with Harry.
"Hermione I'm so-"
"Harry I'm okay. Really. Remus has been great. Sever- Snape has been well, how much did Remus tell you?" Hermione asked, taking Harry's hand. She linked her fingers with his.
"The bare minimum he said it was best for you to tell me," Harry said, "Hermione what happened?"
She inhaled, "I was convincing them to run, when we were attacked. Turn around don't look back. Then the death eaters came. The things they did I'm still processing. I killed everyone that was living in the house when my magical core exploded. Sev found me shortly afterwards barely alive. He saved me. He's still saving me. We're bound, I needed a compatible core to bond with. Sev was it. I care for him a lot. He's became a close companion."
Harry squeezed her hand. "Can the bond be severed?"
Hermione shook her head, "I don't want it to be. We suit each other. I don't know how to explain it. We just fit. I'm his apprentice this year, as far as the student body knows . I'll be staying in the dungeons, permanently. I have to stay close to him so I can heal. Harry I need you not to say anything."
Harry nodded, "Hermione if he does-"
"He can't, the bond keeps him from harming me," Hermione replied, "Please get to know him Harry. For me. He's mine."
Harry nodded, "Any thing for you Mione."
…
Hermione made her way back to their quarters once Harry was settled. The pair had, had a late lunch together before she went back to Severus. She knew he was in their rooms, the melancholy that had settled over her, worried her. She entered their rooms and Severus was sitting by the fire.
She run her hands along his shoulders, "Sev?" She kissed his head, "Everything is okay."
He nodded.
"Don't lie to me, I can feel it," she said, sitting on his lap, "I told him, about the bond, and that you mean a great deal to me."
Severus looked up at her, "Hermione?"
"Sev I am glad it's you." She rested her head against his shoulder.
He nodded, "We'll get through this. How did Potter take it?"
"Well when I laid it out that you saved my life and that I'm still here to do my role because of you." Hermione kissed his cheek, "I need a kip care to join me?"
Severus sighed, "I need to prepare my lessons." He wanted to still distance himself from his young wife. He'd had experience with Potter's and women before. Hermione isn't Lily, Severus. He knew that but he didn't want to care too much.
Hermione frowned, "Okay, maybe we can take a walk after dinner. Maybe have dessert by the black lake?"
"Maybe," Severus agreed, knowing he couldn't stay away for long. He tucked a curl behind her ear. "Take your rest Hermione."
Hermione stood, she got to their bedroom door, "I'm not her Sev. Whatever is bothering you, please tell me when you're ready. But know I'm not her, and this is my choice. I would have chosen to live. Your companionship is a bonus." She slipped into the bedroom leaving Severus with his thoughts.
