Chapter 26
The sun was shining into the room, warming her face. She was so comfortable, and felt well rested. She took a deep breath and there was a new smell. It smelled of cinnamon and fresh bread and parchment. She opened her eyes, and found she was lying in the exact same position she had fallen asleep in, snuggled against Severus. Hermione looked up into his face. His eyes were still closed, and his breathing slow and rhythmic. It was obvious that he was still deeply asleep. She lay still, just watching him. Something about him had changed, but she couldn't tell what it was exactly. She took in his features, his hooked nose, soft cheeks, and long black hair. She noticed a small scar just above his right eye that was barely noticeable. The gash on his face had healed well, but there was still a raised scar. She reached up and slowly, gently, traced the raised scar on his cheek. It stretched diagonally across his face from his left temple, across the bridge of his nose, across his right cheek to his jaw. He stirred at her touch. Hermione had not intended to wake him; she was just mesmerized by his features.
"Morning," said Severus thickly. He looked down at her with bleary eyes and smiled.
"Morning Sev." She liked the nickname. "Did you sleep well?" she asked. He closed his eyes again and rested his head back on the pillow.
"I have never slept better," he said, not opening his eyes. It was obvious he was still tired. She could understand his exhaustion, because not only had he had a nightmare, but the night before he had not slept. He had said he had, but she knew that he had lied about that. She removed his arm from around her and sat up. He opened an eye and looked at her. "Where are you off to?" he asked.
"I thought I would get us some breakfast. You sleep some more until I get back. I am going down to the kitchens." She wanted to stretch her legs, but didn't want to say it to him. He closed his eye again and nodded. She leant down and kissed him gently. She left, closing the door quietly behind her and slipped into her own room. She wanted to change into normal day clothes before roaming the castle corridors. She pulled on a pair of three-quarter jeans and white tank top, and slowly drew her brush through her hair. It was no longer bushy like it used to be. Thankfully she had grown out of that, she thought.
Padding quietly along the corridor, Hermione reflected on her years in the institution. It had been like a second home to her. This was where she felt she truly belonged. It was here that she learnt who she really was. She had made both friends and enemies here. It was within these walls that she had learnt that she can fulfil her true potential. The professors here had always encouraged her, and she had a good reputation with all of them, except perhaps Severus. She smiled as she thought about her former Professor. Severus had always been sour and nasty and mean, insulting her whenever the chance arose. He had called her an 'insufferable know-it-all' for years. It made her smile to see just how much he had changed his attitude towards her. He was definitely a changed man.
Reaching the portrait that was the entrance to the kitchens, she reached up and tickled the pear, which then turned into a door handle. She pushed open the door and went inside. This time the scene had changed yet again. The elves were no longer morose but happy and cheerful. Hermione assumed it was because the start of term was near, and the elves would finally have something to do. When the elves saw her they rushed over, eager to please her. The house-elves had seemingly forgotten her previous attempts at setting them free. All was forgiven, it seemed.
"Uh, good morning," she said to the elves, suddenly unsure about all the attention.
"Good morning, Miss," said the elves, each one bowing low at her. "What can we get Miss? Breakfast?" they asked.
"That would be lovely. Could I perhaps have two plates?" she asked. It was still quite early for breakfast, but the kitchen smelled of frying eggs and sizzling bacon. Two plates were carried towards her over the tops of the house-elves heads. They were laden with bacon, eggs, fried banana, tomato and toast. She took the plates from the elves, and thanked them, and they bowed low again. She left the kitchen and carried the two plates up to Severus' room. Hermione pushed the door to his room open slowly, and quietly entered. As she had guessed, he had fallen back asleep. She put the two plates down on the table, and he opened his eyes.
"Breakfast is served," she said smiling brightly at him. He blinked several times, and then looked over to the table.
"How nice. Breakfast in bed, and service with a smile." He hadn't lost his humour, it seemed. She helped him eat, taking bites of her own food in between.
After breakfast was done, she lay back on the bed beside him. Being able to do it freely made Hermione happy. She lifted his hand and gazed at it. He flexed his fingers, and she linked her fingers with his.
"Hermione," he said after a while.
"Yes Sev?" she said. He paused for a moment.
"I have been thinking. Do you think it would be a good idea to start letting other people know I am here?" he said slowly. "Especially since it is a few days from the new term..." She released his hand and sat up, looking at him, shocked. He had been the one who had asked for his presence to be hushed up. She had never thought he would want to reveal himself.
"Well?" he asked.
"If it is what you want, Sev." She didn't know what else to say.
"It is. Will you, er, alert people?" He seemed nervous. "But only certain people. I don't particularly want the entire world to know," he added hastily. She was to be the one to break the news, the news that the person most people still hated was actually still alive? She didn't want to be, but knew there was nobody he trusted as much as her.
"Sure Sev. Who do you want me to tell first?"
"I think I owe it to Potter to let him know. He was the reason the Dark Lord fell, and the reason I am free."
"Can I tell Ron too? It's only fair. He helped. He can keep a secret, don't worry," she said as she saw the uncomfortable look on his face.
"If you insist."
"Alright. I will go down now, if you want." He nodded, and she stood up. She leant over and kissed him. "Be right back," she said.
"Harry, Ron, I need to speak to you," said Hermione ten minutes later. She had gone down to the Great Hall where everyone was having breakfast. Harry and Ron were excited to see her and had jumped up and hugged her. She hadn't been down there in weeks.
"Sure, Hermione. What is it?" asked Harry. She looked around. There were still a lot of people there despite the renovations nearing completion.
"Let's go somewhere private." Her two friends followed her out of the Hall into a quiet classroom. She shut the door behind her, and whispered 'Muffliato' on the door, so that even if someone did pass, they would not hear voices.
"What's with all the secrecy, Hermione?" asked Ron, looking confused.
"Can I trust you two to keep a secret?" asked Hermione, seriously.
"You know we can Hermione," said the ever sensible Harry calmly. They both looked at Ron.
"Of course I can," said Ron rather indignantly. "So, what is it Hermione?" he asked eagerly.
"Well... I haven't been entirely honest with you two of late."
"What do you mean?" asked Ron.
"The thing is, well Se..." she corrected herself quickly, "Snape is alive." Neither of them seemed to have notice the near slip-up. They both looked shocked and horrified.
"He's what?" they said in unison.
"Alive. I wanted to tell you earlier, but I made a promise to him, Minerva and Poppy that I wouldn't tell." She could see the hurt on Ron's face.
Harry, however, seemed to regain his composure. "It's alright Hermione. But I thought he died?"
"No. He was... saved," she said delicately.
"Who would save him?" asked Ron incredulously. Both boys looked at Hermione for the answer.
"Well... me. I saved him," she said reluctantly.
"Why, Hermione? When? How?" Ron was asking so many questions. She didn't particularly want to tell them all the details, but she didn't want to lie to them about it either.
"Why? Because I saw him twitch and knew he was alive still. If I left him there, I would be as much of a killer as those damned Death Eaters. When? When you two stormed off up to the castle after Snape was attacked. How? Well, Ron, I am a witch, am I not?" She was starting to get agitated. Harry was taking it in his stride, but Ron seemed to be freaking out. She couldn't see any reason for him to do so.
Harry put his hand on Ron's arm to stop him asking another quick-fire round of questions. "Is he here, Hermione?"
"Yes, he is up in the Hospital wing," she said, glad Ron had shut up.
"Can we go and see him? I would like to speak to him." Harry did not seem to be angry or upset as she had envisioned.
"Sure. I will take you up there. He is in a private room," she said. Harry nodded, and he and Ron followed her out of the classroom into the corridor. They made their way up to the Hospital Wing, where Hermione paused outside Severus' room.
"What is it Hermione?" asked Harry.
She turned to look at him. "He is not in a good way," she said. "I think I will ask him first if it is ok for you to see him. Stay here." She slipped into Severus' room.
He looked up at her. "Did you do it? Did you tell Potter?" he asked. She nodded. "And? How did it go?"
"He and Ron are outside. Harry wants to see you. He said he wanted to talk. Should I tell them to go away, or can they come in?" She looked at him nervously.
"I suppose they can come in. I will have to face the music at some point, wont I?" he said, reluctantly. She went over to him and gave him a quick kiss.
"I'll go get them then," she said, and hurried out. Harry was leaning against the wall and Ron was pacing. "He says it's alright to come in," she said. Harry straightened, and Ron stopped his pacing. Hermione opened the door for them to go in, and Harry took a nervous breath, and then entered. Hermione followed them in, closing the door behind her.
"Potter. Weasley," said Severus. Harry and Ron just stared at him.
A/N: Thank you for reviewing. Hope you are enjoying the direction the story is going in