you know you don't want to read this first, so go ahead ; )

21

Hermione was trying to point her wand at Severus' chest, prepared to try any and every spell she knew to save him, when he took in a shuddering breath and his eyes opened. She shrieked, this time in joy and pulled him tightly to her.

"Severus! Severus you're alive!" Her tears fell unchecked down her face. Severus blinked slowly and sat up, rubbing his chest over his heart. Aside from a dull ache, he felt fine. What the devil had happened? He should be dead. His eyes flew to Hermione's and he wiped her tears away with his thumbs.

"I believe I now owe you my life twice, little one," he murmured.

"What?" Hermione shook her head swiftly. "No, I couldn't think of the right countercurse to use! You woke up on your own."

"I certainly didn't wake up on my own," he countered, slowly standing and bringing Hermione with him. "It seems that the magic that saved me the first time has brought me back again."

"How is that possible?" Hermione sounded awed.

"I didn't think it was. But I'm not surprised, actually. After all, you are an extraordinary witch." He stroked her face and pulled her into a tight hug, carefully moving her hand out of the way.

"So...does this mean that you can't be killed?" Hermione hiccuped and brought her uninjured hand to her mouth with a blush. She hiccuped again and half groaned, half giggled, somewhat hysterical.

"I doubt that I am indestructible," Severus replied. "But impervious to deadly curses perhaps? I hope that I never again have cause to find out exactly what the extent of the protection is." He steadied her against the wall and turned to check if Flich was alive.

"Don't!" Hermione clutched at him, fear wracking her. Severus untangled her hand from his jacket and brought her knuckles to his lips.

"I think he is dead, little one. I just need to make sure before we leave. I'll be fine, I promise. Thanks to you," he murmured and kissed her knuckles again and then went to check Flitch's fleshy neck for a pulse. There was none. Severus didn't know whether he was grateful the bastard was already dead or mad that he wouldn't have the chance to do the deed himself. He turned away from the body, resisting the urge to kick the corpse.

"Is he-" Hermione stopped and waited. Severus nodded and walked back to her.

"Yes. He's dead. He can't hurt you ever again."

"I..." Hermione looked lost. "I killed him." Her brow furrowed. She looked so torn. Severus feathered his thumb over her forehead, smoothing out the lines of worry there.

"No, you didn't. He killed himself the moment he touched you. You did him a mercy in providing a swift end to him. I would not have been so kind." His hands clenched into fists as he thought of what he would have done to the man. Hermione looked up into Severus' eyes and knew that he was telling the truth.

"You really would have killed him," she breathed.

"Yes." It was a flat statement. Severus made no apologies, no excuses. "I meant what I said that day in the potion shop. No one touches you and lives." He wrapped his hand around the back of her neck, stroking his thumb over her pulse. When his forehead touched hers, he closed his eyes and let himself breathe in her presence, his body finally relaxing as he relished her closeness. "You're mine, Hermione. And I protect what I love."

"Apparently I do too," Hermione couldn't help her slight giggle. She wrapped her good hand around Severus' shoulders and clung to him.

"That you do, love. That you do." He kissed her softly, lips moving in a feather light touch until she pressed herself closer to him. He broke away from the kiss and rubbed his hooked nose against hers. "Let's go home, little one." Hermione nodded and tightened her hold on Severus. He apparated them back to the flat.

Come on, people, you know me better than that by now! I'm such a big softie, I wasn't going to keep you waiting long, and I certainly wasn't going to kill him off! You likeys?