AN : Oh my goodness my darlings, such a long time since I've been able to post. I thank you all for the wonderfully encouraging emails. Alas I must tell you all I now have a new job and that is what has been delaying this chapter for so long. I also have no intention to drop my story and yes it is wooooefully off in left field, and yet, I'm still not changing it. Hehe, Considering I'd have to kill off a certain aged wizard. And well I love the old man to much to do that to him now. :D So for this story he stay's healthy and alive ;)
And for those of you that asked; Severus spoke french; I'll put the translation at the end of this chapter.
Ok as always much thanks to my beta LJ, you rock my dear!
Disclaimer do dickie; ain't mine wouldn't want the responsibility for it either.
Chapter 12: Tuesday
Upon entering the shower stall, Severus held himself back, admiring the view in front of him. Standing under the falling water, Hermione let the warmth seep into her body. As the water cascaded down from the spout in the wall, it ran through her hair soaking it. The trail continued down her body and she could feel a pair of obsidian eyes following the water from top to bottom.
With a smirk that was appreciative, and not at all snide Hermione ventured to comment; "Enjoying the view?" With out opening her eyes she continued to ensure her hair was completely saturated.
"Very much so," came the purred reply.
That comment coming from that silken voice was nearly enough to buckle her knees. Opening an eye she regarded the man standing near the shower door. His arms were crossed and he was leaning against the wall, just staring at her. Hermione closed her eye again. She wasn't sure she liked the way he was looking at her. She felt as though he was sizing her up and she was uncertain she would be able to stand up to his; no doubt; high standards.
Hermione knew she was not thin by any stretch of the imagination, nor was she overly overweight. But she had heard the girls talking when they thought she couldn't hear them, or thought she wasn't there. Comments like, "If only she lost a stone or two or three, maybe then one of the boys would take a fancy to her." Padma had said, one night to a couple of others in their rooms, when they thought she was asleep.
"And don't forget that hair," whispered another, "I mean honestly, how can she think with all that bushy hair?" I would have loped it off years ago, either that or kept it braided."
"Do you seriously think any of that would help her get anyone to notice her?" Came another voice, that was higher then the other two.
"No," sighed Padma, "I think she's already killed her chances with any boy with that brain of hers. No one want's to date a girl who is that much smarter then he is." The other girls murmured their agreement.
"Sssshhh, girls, lest she hears you." There was some giggling, then thankfully the speakers chose a different topic. But the damage had already been done. That night Hermione lay in her bed vowing to continue to do what she loved. Learn, but no longer was she going to open her mouth in class.
Some of the teachers had taken her aside off and on for two months after that asking her if she was all right. To which she always assured them that she was fine, that nothing was going on. The boys had noticed that she was not her usual self and tried to wheedle out of her what was wrong. Between the girls in her dorm and Severus' comments. . . well she didn't need a bluger to wack her in the head. She couldn't tell them what had been going on. They would only insist on either hexing everyone into the middle of next week, or worse pity her. And that was something she certainly didn't want. So she grew quiet, still turning in the same amount of homework, but she never rase her hand in class anymore unless a teacher actually called on her by name.
Severus watched her face as thoughts flew through her mind, and a blush appeared on her cheeks. His chest was aching and he didn't know what to do. It wasn't like he was the one who offered comfort on a regular basis. He could read by her body language that she was uncomfortable. But he had no idea how to fix it. Sighing he wished, not for the first time, that he were someone else. Someone who knew what to say or do at just the right moment. To have it all turn out right. To not have everything he touched turn into a pile of crap at his feet.
Hearing Severus sigh Hermione opened her eyes taking a step away from the water as she did so. He looked so dejected, something ached in her heart. It pulled her toward him, as though the pain inside him pulled her forward to offer him comfort. Forgetting what her own thoughts had been only seconds before.
"Are you alright?" She inquired touching him lightly on his still crossed arms.
"I was about to ask you the same thing." Came the smooth drawl.
Smiling and blushing a little harder then before Hermione shrugged then replied, "I'm not used to sharing my morning shower, I guess I'm a little. . . self-conscious." She heard herself confessing. Hermione rolled her eyes. Now why, in Merlin's name am I telling him that? Her brain berated. Covering her face with her hands Hermione's face blazed so fiercely she thought her hands would carry scorch marks. Oh Gods I'm about to prove the theory that you actually CAN die of embarrassment.
As though he were reading her thoughts, Severus pulled down her hands and gently kissed the tips of her fingers. "No you can not die of embarrassment, Hermione. Though it may feel like you are at the time. But I of all people can understand not wanting others to see what lies beneath the robes. This is just as. . ." He didn't want to say uncomfortable only to have her believe he didn't want her there because the truth was, he actually did. "awkward for me. No one here has ever seen me in less then full robes. Well other then 'Albus and Poppy of course."
Turning and stepping backward toward the water he pulled Hermione along with him. Dragging her back into the warmth and comfort of the water, and his arms.
"Mmmm," Hermione moaned. "Showers will never be the same for me after this."
Severus nodded in agreement, but remained silent.
"Sponge." Hermione called out. A little shelf appeared from the wall, producing the requested sponge and some soap underneath it. Working the sponge into a lather Hermione took Severus by the shoulder and turned him way from her so that she could soap his back. I think that would be the safest place to start. The girl mused to herself. She rubbed and cleansed gently so as not to cause the newly healing skin anymore trauma. This proved to be a welcome surprise to Severus. She heard him sigh then watched as the muscles that were tight in his back started to relax one by one while she continued her rhythmic patterns on his back.
Severus couldn't believe she was washing him. Actually touching him. Because she wanted to. Not because he was paying her to nor because 'he - who - could - destroy - your - life' demanded it. But just because she wanted to. Drawing in a deep breath he slowly let it out, and along with it the tension that tended to ride his back.
As Hermione finished washing him, her hands lingered along some of the scars crisscrossing his back. Some were newer, but even more of them were white and old looking. She tried not to think about how he got them. How abused he was in his life. Hermione shook her head. It would do no good to bring it up, and possibly cause him more pain. That was the last thing she wanted. Just as she was about to announce that her stomach was protesting against the emptiness Severus removed the sponge from her hand and proceeded to lather it until the thick white suds were plopping onto the tiled floor. Only then did he place the heavy sponge against her skin and begin to soap her all over. When he was satisfied that her body was clean, he looked down to find those warm brown eyes looking up at him smiling. Looking around the shower Severus noticed another shelf with Hermione's shampoo sitting on it. Grabbing the bottle he poured a generous amount into his palm.
Seeing Severus grab her shampoo, Hermione turned around so that he could get at her hair. Hermione hadn't had someone wash her hair in ages. She had forgotten how good it felt. Closing her eyes she allowed his tender, hesitant caresses flow through her. "Mmm," the girl hummed in her throat, and sighed when he had finished with her hair. Hermione then turned the much taller man around so that she could do the same for him. She massaged his scalp gently at first then a little firmer when he didn't protest. Severus made the same growl of appreciation in his throat that she had done earlier. The sound tightened things lower and deeper in her body, making her slightly breathless. She wondered if she had the same effect on him as he seemed to have on her.
Severus had turned around to place the shampoo back on the shelf. Hermione could not stop touching him. She allowed her hands to map his back, acquainting herself with the scars . The faint ones and the more pronounced, rigid ones. She felt Severus' back muscles stiffen as she continued to touch and rub his scars.
Looking back over his shoulder just enough to see the top of Hermione's head, Severus waited to see her reaction to his disfigurement. He hadn't realized he was holding his breath until the smaller woman placed her arms around his waist from behind and rubbed her cheek along his now healing back. Closing his eyes, the darker man let out his breath in a sigh and placed his hands on hers and gave them a gentle squeeze.
Hermione remembered how self-conscious Harry used to be about the scar on his forehead. Taking in Severus' reaction she assumed that he was feeling the same way about his own. Though Harry only had the one that she knew of Severus' back was nearly covered in them. Her throat tightened thinking of all that he endured for everyone. "Do they hurt?" She asked quietly, the sound of her voice nearly lost in the pounding spray of water.
Severus hardly ever thought about the scars on his back unless he was having to undress for some reason in front of others. Of course she'd be wondering about them. She'd never seen anything of the like, of that he was certain. So he decided to be honest with her. "At first when some of the deeper ones were given to me, they were very painful. But the pain does fade over time. On occasion however, the ones closer to the spine tend to give me trouble when the weather is vile outside."
She blinked her eyes several times, trying to disperse the tears threatening to spill over the banks, when she heard Severus rumbling.
He was laughing. With a puzzled expression on her face, she peeked around his arm, and Severus turned his head to look down at her his eyes sparking with mirth. Smiling back at his smirk she voiced her question, "And what do you find amusing sir?"
"Your eyelashes were tickling my skin," he replied his voice deep and soft. As though he were shy to voice aloud something he enjoyed.
Naturally Hermione couldn't let that one go. "So your ticklish are you?"
Severus narrowed his eyes at the woman who was still slightly behind him. "Don't be getting any ideas Miss Granger," he growled in his best teaching voice, "I happen to know where you live."
Hermione laughed. She couldn't believe he was feeling so much more comfortable with her, that he was able to tease her. True they had been working together for quite some time now but never before had the banter between them come so easily. The reward for her laughter was a warm genuine smile from the man before her.
"Do they bother you?" He asked in a voice as soft and quiet as her own had been. The mirth from only a moment ago, gone. There was a tone to his voice that he couldn't quite hide, though Hermione was certain his face gave nothing away since she had moved back behind him once more.
Hermione was smart enough to know that much was riding on her answer. If she was upset then he would cover up and never let her see his surprisingly well toned body. On the other hand she didn't want him to think she liked to see him in danger or pain. She didn't know what to say, and if she took to long he would take that the wrong way too.
Thinking he had his answer he was about to turn and leave the stall when Hermione spoke.
"It's not the scaring that upsets me, but how they were acquired. The way they treat you is wrong. I wish this whole war was over, I mean I know we haven't been fighting as long as you all have been , but . . . I hate it."
Severus had averted his eyes by turning his face away from her, in case his face should betray his emotions. Hermione looked and saw him looking away. So she reached up and placed both hands on either side of his jaw turning him back to her. Her eyes searching out his own. "I can honestly say that I love the way you look. You take my breath away," she said speaking softly.
Was there no end to the many ways this girl could shock him? He wondered, with a smirk playing about his mouth Severus wrapped his arms about her waist, molding himself to her smaller frame. Hermione smiled and snuggled against him, sliding her own arms beneath his and hugging his waist. Severus lay his chin on top of her head.
"I'm not a handsome man Hermione ma–"
"Shhh," she interrupted him, "you are to me. And that's all that matters." With that she lay a kiss against his heart.
"Come," he said suddenly, "let's eat. If I am subjected to your stomach rumbles much longer I shan't be responsible for what I do next." Turning Severus grasped her hand and lead the way from the water grabbing a towel on his way out. He didn't want to show her how much she affected him. It was starting to unnerve him the way she was working her way into his thoughts so much. What would happen if someone should suspect his growing affection for her and use it against him? Schooling his expression so that she couldn't guess his thoughts. She was far too observant for her some one of her age.
After drying off and dressing, Hermione watched Severus pull out a brush from one of the smaller drawers of his dresser. She then watched him pull the brush through his damp hair without aid of a mirror. He then ran his fingers from the temple to the back of his head, in a sort of fluffing gesture. He turned and caught Hermione watching him. So she quickly cast the necessary charms in her own unruly hair, then pulled it back into an elastic. Both strode form the bed room and approached the table. She regarded the frightening amount of food prepared by the elf. The table nearly groaned under the weight. "There's enough food to feed a small country here." Hermione gaped astonishingly at the mere volume. "Are you expecting others to join us?" She inquired turning to note the arched brow of her Professor.
Sighing and shaking his head, Severus walked to one of the chairs and pulled it out for her. "No of course not," he stated with slight annoyance in his voice. "You know how they do tend to be a mite over the top. Well Nala is the worst of them all. Her situation was. . ." Severus paused thinking on how best to touch such a delicate subject without revealing to much. "Rougher then some of the others. The family she served thought 'over indulgence' a way of life for them. Her self-punishment was never enough for them either." Hermione covered her mouth with her hand. She had seen some of the other elves punishing themselves and thought it horrible, and more than enough. Severus continued, " She was nearly half dead when she came here. And that alone says much, as I'm sure you're aware that they can take a lot of damage. Dumbledore was livid. I've never before seen him like that, and have no wish to ever see it again. He personally nursed her back to health. She has been with us ever since."
Hermione had noticed Severus' treatment of her, he was less harsh to the little elf and he never allowed her to punish herself. Toying with her food, she thought back to the night they had been working late in the classroom lab. The little elf had come in bearing snacks. She had accidently knocked over a bottle containing a dangerous potion. It smashed on the stone floor and shattered into thousands' of sharp shards of blue tinted glass. Nala had been so flustered that she tried to throw herself onto the broken glass. Quicker then anything she had ever seen Harry do Severus grabbed the elf around the waist and pulled her away from the mess. "Your punishment shall be doled out by me not you," he snarled. 'Do you understand?" Nala nodded ears flapping sadly her hands wringing her apron, as she stared at the floor an expression of horror clearly written on her face. Hermione was about to offer to clean up the mess for her when them Potions Master spoke again.
"You will clean this mess up using magic. Then cleanse the area, again, using magic. Then take yourself to Poppy in case you need treatment," he said the last a little more softly then she had ever heard him speak with out a threat behind it. Hermione had been stunned at his treatment of the little elf. Not to mention his words to her. As though he were speaking to a small child. Hermione knew that day, that not everything was as it seemed with the frightening Professor. It was also the first time she suspected that he may not be the cold hearted bastard everyone thought him to be.
She shook herself from her thoughts hearing a noise behind her. Hermione's Daily Profit was now being brought in by Nala instead of the news delivery owl. She and Severus poured over the paper while eating their meal.
Rising from the table some time later, Hermione declared that she would need to see the head master concerning her school work. Severus on the other hand knew he could no longer put off facing the Head Master with regards to his last summons. With a look of grim determination on his face, he walked to where Hermione was now gathering her bag. She was bending at the waist, and he was admiring the way her jeans hugged her form. His eyes traced a burning trail from her ankle to her nicely rounded hips. She was neither too thin, like some of the girls her age, nor was she too chunky. A man likes something to hang on to during the throws of passion, he mused.
Hermione felt a burning deep within herself. Looking over her shoulder she noted the taller man staring at her quite openly. Up righting herself Hermione turned and placed her hands on her hips, a smile tugging her lips. "You're staring," she declared.
"So it would seem," he agreed closing the distance.
A sadness had crept into his eyes again, as she gazed into them. A frown creasing her brow as Hermione stood still waiting for him to reach her. "What is it?"
Severus raised a hand to cup her face. He then slid his palm down to her neck where his thumb could trace her collar bone. He watched the witch before him close her eyes and savor his touch. Something was happening to him. He could feel it. He wished . . . a great many things but for now he only wished he were a better man. The kind of man she deserved. He felt her hand covering his own. He hadn't even realized he had closed his own eyes. Wrapping her smaller hand about his she brought it up to kiss his palm.
"I must see the Head Master to inform him of the revel. I have put it off longer then I should have." He sighed.
Hermione watched as his shoulders slumped slightly. Sensing that he didn't want her to join him gave him the out he was obviously looking for. "Well I'll just get started on the marking then shall I? I believe I can do the first years well enough on my own." Smirking she added cheekily, "I mean I've only been doing it all year."
Severus smiled gratefully at the perceptive witch. Without another word he strode to the fire, and was gone.
Walking back to her bag Hermione dug out her own quill and ink. She didn't want to go snooping through his rooms looking for implements, sometimes it would set him off to find her using his quills without asking. As she walked away from her bag going to retrieve the papers she didn't notice that a small object had fallen out behind her bag. Taking her paperwork to the oversized chairs she opened the first scroll and began to read. For the next hour and a half Hermione was lost in the world of poorly constructed essays, until Severus' return.
Dumbledore was sitting in his worn leather chair at his desk, and closed the huge brown leather bound book that was never far from his reach. "Come in, Severus," the older man called. "Will you stay for tea?"
"No thank you, if you don't mind, Head Master, I'd rather just get this over with as it will take some time to relate the happenings from last night."
Waving Severus towards the chair directly across from him, Albus watch his colleague sit, not missing the fact that he was moving a little stiffly of late. Then again weren't they all? War was said to be a young mans game. Albus was, he feared, beginning to feel his age.
Severus finished relating his prior evening to Dumbledore and both men sat thinking. "There is something more going on then that deranged wizard is telling the other Death Eaters, Head Master," Severus murmured. "I am certain the boy had the same familiar scent to him, as did the girl."
"You are certain of this," Dumbledore inquired.
Severus merely gave the older man a look that clearly stated that that question had been foolish.
"Have all of his previous victims smelled this way?"
"No," Severus answered with certainty. "It's only of late that this has been occurring more often. I would say only in the past year it has increased to nearly every person I've come in contact with."
"Have you mentioned it to Tom to gage his reaction?"
Severus shook his head the front strands of his hair falling across his eyes, as he looked down at his hands studying them. "No," came the reply. "I felt it would be better not to allow him to know that I could detect this particular odor from the victims, incase he tried to get me to do what I fear it is that he can do already."
"And that would be?" Albus asked.
Sighing impatiently Severus pushed back the wayward hair. "He would use me as a blood hound to sniff out others." He could tell by the confused look on the Head Master's face that he did not understand exactly what it was Severus could scent on the people. "Magic, Albus, dormant magic. I believe he is killing all the Muggles who have dormant magic. I remember reading once in one of Bins old history of magic texts that about eight hundred years ago there was once a study done on Muggles who had shown no magic abilities what so ever. This woman had mated with a wizard and both of their children turned out to be strong magic users. That line has since nearly died out, but it was noted that even the males who could not do magic themselves had powerful children."
Severus stood and paced the room. "I believe he is trying to ensure that after he has killed all the mudbloods in wizarddom he will kill off the source of the contamination. Over time the we will all die out for sheer lack of new blood."
Dumbledore paled as this information soaked in. "He thinks to keep us pure, but in effect is dooming us all to die." Dumbledore flopped deeper back into his chair, hands steepling in front of him. "This is very serious," Dumbledore sighed wearily. "I fear I'm going to need to contact the Order members about this."
Severus returned to stand at the corner of the dark wooden desk the Head Master sat behind. His arms were crossed in front of himself tucking his robes about his frame as though he were chilled. No doubt he is Dumbledore thought silently to himself. He watched Severus who was currently looking down at the floor. He still did not look well. The older wizard noted however, aloud he said, "You should go down and rest dear boy. No doubt these last evenings have been rather taxing on you. I'll contact you in the event the others require further information. And would you be so kind as to inform Miss Granger that I would like to see her when she has a moment?"
Severus nodded with eyes still lowered, but Dumbledore saw the faint tremor to the black clothed mans hand. Turning toward the fire Severus unwrapped himself only enough to use the flu back to his own rooms.
Looking up upon her Professor's return, Hermione could see the darkness now on his face. It wasn't there when he had left but it certainly was now. Placing her papers on the floor next to her chair Hermione stood up and started to make her way over to him. He had not looked at her upon his arrival, but she kept her eyes trained on his face searching out his elusive gaze. Why would he not look at her? Had something happened? Did Dumbledore suspect something? With these thoughts running around in her head she decided to ask him.
Severus noticed nothing, his mind whirling with remembrance of previous Death Eater gatherings. Images flashed in his mind, a jumbled mess of faces, sounds in his head drowned out all else. As though he were preprogramed he moved stiffly past obstructions that bared his way, from the sitting room to his bedroom door and disappeared through it.
Hermione was becoming more and more concerned by the moment. She was certain that he had not registered that she was in the room. Deciding to follow him she made her way to the doorway he had just used.
A quick glance about the bedroom told her he had moved into the bathroom. And considering the door was shut figuring there was no other way out of these quarters. . . he must be in there she concluded. Moving to the other door Hermione leaned toward it listening intently. Her heart picking up the pace knowing that something was not right with him.
Now, close enough, Hermione placed her ear directly to the door. How she wished for one of those extendable ears now. Hearing nothing with in she decided to risk his wrath and find out if he was alright since she was getting increasingly more worried. She knocked on the door and called out to him, "Severus? Are you going to tell me what happened to put such a look on your face?" She asked softly. She knocked a second time, "Severus?" Hermione's heart was now beating wildly from fear in her chest, making it difficult for her to draw a deep breath. There was still no reply within the bathroom. "Severus I'm warning you now, if you don't want me coming in there you'd better answer me right now," she was practically shouting now. But still all was quiet. Pulling her wand from her back pocket, she pointed it at the locked doorhandle. "Alohomora!"
Carefully opening the door, Hermione peered into the room. What she saw stopped her thumping heart for just a moment. Forcing herself to move, she came swiftly into the room. Kneeling down next to the man writhing on the floor. "Damn it, what brought this on," she muttered to herself. Casting another unbreakable spell on her hand Hermione thrust her now protected hand into his.
Severus' eyes were closed tightly against the pain, his breathing extremely labored. Feeling a hand in his own his eyes snapped open, locking on the vision before him. She was speaking to him, he knew this, but he couldn't concentrate on what she was saying. He was fighting. Fighting against the pain, against his memories, against everything.
Hermione could see him struggling, trying to fight what was happening to him, and he was making it worse. Sweat was running down his face dripping onto the cold floor. Popping her wand back into her pocket, she took her now freed hand and got down closer to his face so that she was more comfortably in his direct line of vision. Pushing back the lanky strands of sweat saturated hair she continued speaking softly to him, hoping at some point he'd listen to her.
"Severus, you have to stop fighting." The glare she got made her smile. Finally, she had gotten through to him. Running her fingers through his hair she continued to speak in soothing tones. "Just try, that's all I ask. Let the pain wash over you. Don't hold on to it." Leaning forward she kissed his forehead. "Let go," she whispered against his skin.
Let go she says! Easy for her to say. He thought, still glaring at her. Then she smiled, she really did have a most charming smile now that he was close enough to notice. Why had he never noticed this before, he wondered. She leaned closer and kissed him. He lips were as soft and warm as velvet. Closing his eyes he inhaled her aroma, separating the different odors in his mind. Shampoo, soap but underneath it all was simply her. It calmed him. Helped him quiet his thrashing body.
Pulling back from the kiss she had placed on his forehead, Hermione realized the tremors were lessening. Pleased, she continued to encourage him. When the tremors had ceased all together, Hermione sat up. "I'm going to get you a towel for your head," she said, as she helped him to straighten out, and before he could protest, she got to her knees as a towel appeared on the edge of the tub. Crawling over to it she retrieved the soft towel and rolled it into some semblance of a pillow for his head.
"There," Hermione said, after making him more comfortable. "I'll let you rest here for a bit but then I'll hep you move to the bed." Severus nodded. "What," she inquired "no argument?" She teased.
Severus smiled at her teasing, not many would do it and he found he could tolerate it quite well from her. "I defer to your expert opinion in this matter," he made sure to stress.
Hermione laughed out loud. "Are you quite sure you didn't hit your head on the way down here? Leaning closer she whispered, "you were actually funny."
Turning his head he tried to wipe his own smile from his face without much success. "Impertinent chit," he replied with a warmth to his voice she'd not ever heard directed at herself before. She liked it and wondered if she could make him do it again and soon.
Hesitating for a moment Hermione decided she just had to know so she asked, "Do you want to talk about what had you all worked up?"
He was silent for several moments contemplating his response. "No, I really don't want to have to relive last night. . . again. It was bad enough having to tell the old man abo–. . ."
Hermione placed a finger on his soft velvet lips tracing the bottom one. "It's fine you don't need to explain. I probably don't want to know do I?" Crouching next to him staring into his deep black orbs, she lost herself for a moment in them.
Rousing himself Severus took Hermione's hand in his own. "He wants to see you," seeing Hermione about to speak, he held up his hand to forestall her. "And before you ask, I don't know why."
She closed her mouth, smiled then sat up. "Do you think you could stand now or do you want me to levitate you?"
"I believe with your assistance I could manage."
Helping the taller man from the floor they slowly made their way back to his bed. He gracelessly flopped back on to the pillows, exhaustion clearly written over his sharp features, while Hermione pulled the blankets over him.
"Will you be alright for a bit?"
"Miss Granger, I'll have you know I manage just fine with out you for nigh on more years then you've been alive." He said, his usual sarcasm making an appearance. Telling her that he'd had more then enough embarrassment then his ego could handle for one day.
Hermione turned from the doorway and looked pointedly at Snape hunched over in his bed, arms resting in his lap, hands clasped together. She put her hands on her hips waiting for him to explain the last bit of sarcasm directed at her.
Drawing a deep breath Severus let out an irritated sigh, running his hands through his hair. Finally he looked up and pined her eyes with his own. "I don't want to loose my job Hermione," he practically shouted out.
Taken a back but realization dawning on her Hermione replied, "And I have no wish to be expelled, Professor. I do not plan on mentioning my wonderfully, gloriously exhausting encounter last night. You have nothing to fear, I told you before I won't mention anything. Believe it or not I do have a little practice in keeping secrets you know."
Rising gracefully from the bed Hermione watched him approach on rather shaky legs. She understood his need to prove something to her, but it still made her want to rush over to aide him in reaching her. As long as she lived she would never tire of watching him move with liquid grace, even as weak as he was. "Forgive me," he said reaching for and clasping her hand in his own larger ones. He brought them up to his mouth and using his lips, he nibbled on her knuckles. "I'm not used to putting myself in such a. . . weakened position. Dumbledore keeps me a secret because he needs information. Same for Voldemort. It was not my intention to offend you."
Hermione's focus was entirely on her hand. What his mouth was doing to her hand was making things low down in her abdomen tighten. "Keep this up and I'll never get to the Head Master's office," Hermione laughed throatily, her voice warm as liquid honey.
Turning her hand over, Severus placed a kiss in the center of her palm, maintaining eye contact the entire time. It made her breathless. Then, slowly, he withdrew from her and nodded his head, a knowing smile on his face. Pleased that his gesture meant so much to her.
Hermione watched him withdraw from her and head back to his bed. She was slightly light headed, and dazed. As she was about to entered the other room, her gut clenched suddenly. She felt guilty. Professor Dumbledore was expecting her to help his colleague over come his condition and she as yet was unable to think of a good solution. He needed to talk about it with someone. Maybe this was her chance. Maybe now he'd open up to her. She called out to him before he could enter his bedroom. "Severus? I need to ask you a question?"
"I have a feeling, whether I wish it or not, you will be asking it anyway."
Taking a firm hold on her Gryffindor courage, she met his eyes. "Why does the curse affect you so?"
It was such a personal question by his thinking that he was taken back buy it. He stared at her in shock.
"I ask, Severus ," she said quickly, "because the effects should not last so long. I've been studying it for a while now and I can't figure out why you are plagued so. Please, Severus. I'm worried," her voice softened, as she started walking toward him. She saw it before he spoke. His chest was heaving, his breath coming to quickly to maintain calm.
"Miss Granger."
Uh–oh, she thought, here it comes.
"That is an extremely personal question," his eyes had grown cold. Snape was back in full force now. There would be no talking to him.
Hermione sighed, "I'm only trying to help you ," she pleaded, a little desperately. "If you'd just. . ."
"You need to go now Miss Granger, we don't want to keep the Head Master waiting now do we?"
"But I'm n–"
"Miss Granger, go see the Head Master. Tell him I'm quite well now. That his precious Gryffindor did her job satisfactorily and is no longer required." His voice was hard, as were his eyes.
"But."
"Good bye, Miss Granger."
Hermione's eyes were burning with unshed tears. He was so damn stubborn. She wrapped her arms about herself to try and stave off the cold that was creeping in on her. She was running out of time she needed him to talk to her. She left his room and went into the livingroom, standing before the fire. She did have one idea to get him talking but she needed help to carry it out. She was not as good a strategist as Ron. She would go to Dumbledore and enlist his help.
She felt hot tears burning her eyes. Why did he always have to be so damn stubborn, she thought. Granted this was mild to what was common for him. But still, she thought they were becoming to mean something to each other. She certainly felt something in her heart for him. Though she was uncertain as to what it was.
Knowing what she had to do now she strode to the fire grabbed the powder and stated her destination.
H Thanks to one and all for your support and reviews. I love you all. ((huggies))
Now on to Sevies French; Mon amour, My love, je peux seulement espéérer, I can only hope, Que le coeur que vous tenez dans des vos petites mains, That the heart that you hold in your small hands, est sûûr, is safe. :D Is that better ya'll ? hahahaha
decadentserenity; I understand that you are not a fan of first time's being all that they can be I have would like to say with the right man all things are possible. ;) I speak from experience on this one. Though I have heard the horror stories from friends, I can only talk about what I know. :D
Mu xxx; ahhh, another converted soul. ;) here's yer button please make yer self at home. Hehe