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Outside
England, Granger House near Barnsley in South Yorkshire
The carriage crawled at an agonizingly, slow pace. I was beginning to panic, gasping. I could not find her and I must, I must. The coach stopped and I knew I was near. Throwing open the door, I thrust myself into the outside world. All I could see were the snowflakes falling thick and fast. I stumbled, gathering my teaching robes around me as I floundered in the knee-deep snow. I pushed forward blindly, straining to see more than a few feet in front of me. After what seemed like an eternity, I could make out a form, blurred but dark against the endless white. Its edges developed and strengthened and I could make out Hermione struggling towards me in nothing but an evening gown. I gathered her in my arms, rubbing her bare shoulders and wrapping her in my cloak.
"I'm so glad you are here Severus; I've been so afraid." She was shivering and her teeth chattered.
I stumbled back toward the waiting carriage, my precious cargo clutched to my chest. No matter how many steps I took, I never seemed to gain on the carriage until suddenly it loomed in front of me. I began to loose my grip on Hermione. She seemed to slip through my arms, and I realized in horror that my body was becoming immaterial. I saw her fall into the deep snow as I startled…
Gasping and floundering, I fought my way out of the bedclothes. I found myself lying sideways on my borrowed bed in the Granger's home. I threw off the coverlet and parted the curtains to step into my dragon hide boots.
I slipped into the hall, still shedding sleep.
I found my way into the library, surprised that there was already a fire lit. I drew near only to find Hermione sprawled across the low couch. She was dressed in her gown from dinner but missing her slippers. She was shivering.
I transfigured a pair of thick woolen socks from a pair of ridiculous doilies that cluttered up the table and averted my eyes as I slipped them on over her delicate ankles.
She stirred slightly and I snatched my hands back as though burned.
"Severus?" Her voice was husky from sleep. "I'm so glad you are back. I was afraid when you left." She smiled a little and reached out for me, like a child for a favored adult, and I found myself gathering her into my arms, echoing my dream. I wrapped my robe around her and settled her against my chest.
I cast a disillusionment charm over us and carried her out of the room and back up the stairs toward her chamber door. She nestled against my shoulder as I nudged the door open and carried her toward the bed. As I covered her with her thick blankets, I glanced at the end table. Stacked neatly, in order of publication, sat all of the Potions Quarterly pamphlets that had my articles in them.
Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before. [Edgar Allan Poe]
Edited for grammar, capitalization & spelling on March 15th, 2013 [courtesy of renaid, who is encompassing].
Edited for formatting March 3rd, 2015.