Chapter 34

Severus strode through the door leading into his private garden in search of his illusive roommate. He had done a quick reconnaissance of his chambers, starting at the lounge room, and after working his way through the kitchen, the bedroom and knocking on the bathroom door, he had determined that Hermione was nowhere inside. The absence of Lyublyu bounding unabashedly about his feet only confirmed his suspicions; they had escaped the mundanity of his quarters to enjoy the rarely seen sun the Scottish Highlands had gifted them with today. He blinked as he crossed the threshold, stepping from inside the castle and out into the magical gardens he had created. He breathed in deeply, standing subconsciously taller as the sunlight hit his face, warming him as he delved deeper into the open space, his sanctuary from the harsh reality the world presented to him every day. It was a space he had previously indulged in, enjoyed in solitude, knowing he was beyond approach, beyond reach while he basked in the gloriousness of the all-year flowering shrubbery and blooms. It had been his secret garden, known only to him, hidden in the folds of the wards guarding the castle, visible from not one of the hundreds of windows in the walls that towered above, truly an escape from the bonds that held him; his guilt, his regrets, his promises, his devotion. But now, while still hidden, it was something he was pleased to share.

He strolled casually through the expansive space, listening for any sound that would give an indication to where his roommate was. He felt the smile tug at his lips as he heard her voice, drifting through the space, melding into the ambience, blending with the chirp of birds, the fall of the waterfall into the pool. He watched as his dog bounced past, tail wagging as it chased a small globe of light. He felt his smile widen as Lyublyu paused in her pursuit to glance his way, her tail wagging even more at the sight of him, if that were indeed possible. He pat his leg, encouraging the dog to abandon the magic ball and come to him. He saw her hesitate before her tongue lolled, her decision made as she ran over to him, jumping to tap her forefeet on his thigh as she reached her wayward tongue for the hand that pat her head.

'Where is she Lyublyu?' he spoke quietly, not wanting to disturb the peace and tranquility of the afternoon, knowing his dog would lead him to whom he sought. He watched as the animal tilted her head for a moment as though considering his question, and then with one final lick bounced off back in the direction of the waterfall and surrounding pool. He followed along, slightly behind, rounding the shrubbery that opened to give him an unrestricted view of the space. What caught his eye caused him to falter in his step, to freeze then, unsure of how to approach, of what to do.

Hermione floated to the edge of the water, her eyes scanning the open space for a sign of where Lyublyu had ran off to. The dog had been gone longer on this retrieval attempt than anytime previous. She felt her brow furrow as she stood upright from the warmed water to allow her to see a little further into the bush surrounding the area. She whistled softly, listening for moment in the shrubbery, watching as the small unicorn glanced her way before returning to its feed, its mother standing by the edge of the pool totally content now to be sharing the garden space with yet another human creature. 'Lyublyu?' she called, waiting a moment, her eyes scanning the undergrowth. Her smile lit up as the dog bounded into view. 'What kept you puppy?' She took a few more steps towards the edge of the pool, towards the excited dog. 'Where's the ball?'

He watched, from his position in the shrubbery, feeling every bit the lecherous man prying on the very picture of innocence and temptation she presented; her barely covered body glistening from the water, rivulets running tracks down her chest, across her limbs, the sun shining from her hair, the flecks of gold highlighted. He followed her movement from the water to the grass, her eyes scanning the space in search of the ball. He grinned, listening as she continued to question his dog on its whereabouts before almost pleading with the canine to spare her the journey of locating it herself. He held back the chuckle as he considered for a moment that she seemed to have forgotten that she was a witch and had the ability to summon what she required, no energy expenditure required. A quick silent Accio had the glowing ball captured in his palm. He stepped forward, revealing himself through his action and his words. 'I believe I have something of yours.' He flinched then, the smile slipping from his lips as she started, her eyes widening in fright as they found his, her hands moving aimlessly in the futile attempt to cover herself.

'Severus?' She breathed his name on the quick inhalation his surprise arrival had caused.

'I'm sorry Little One, I did not mean to startle you.' He froze where he stood, the ball still held in his outstretched palm, his expression, his voice loaded with his regret and apology. He dropped his eyes, attempting to ease her apparent discomfort, lowing his gaze away from her form and to the green grass at her feet.

She watched his deference to her dignity, her modesty noticing the slight flush now coloring his cheeks. She took a step forwards, her hand reaching to cup his gently, her touch causing his eyes to fly up to meet her waiting gaze. 'I was just surprised Severus. I didn't mean to make you feel it was unwanted.' She smiled, her eyes sparkling as she held his questioning gaze, as she assured him the only way she could that she indeed spoke the truth.

'But you…' His voice trailed off as she shook her head, a slight blush to match his now covering her cheeks.

'For a moment I remembered I didn't have swim wear and that while alone my underwear is sufficient, you know…' she twirled her free hand in nonchalance as her voice too trailed off.

'You think I am uncomfortable?' He quirked an eyebrow as he let his gaze run over her.

'I did not wish to offend you.' She caught her lower lip between her teeth as her eyes darted to the side, avoiding his gaze now.

'Do I look offended Hermione?' He spoke softly, reaching a hand to place under her chin and gently direct her eyes back to his.

'I have scars.' She whispered.

'Everyone has scars.' He smiled gently, his eyes creasing as he looked down on her, his expression caring and kind.

'I didn't wish to…' she paused for a second, think of what she wanted to say. 'Iwantedyoutolikeseeingme.' She blurted out, her words all crushed together. 'And I'm not sure you seeing me in my wet, boring old plain black underwear was what I had in mind.' She finished, finally composing herself and articulating exactly what she meant.

'I very much like what I see Hermione.' He took a step closer to her, closing the distance between them, holding her against his chest. 'In fact,' he bent his head forward to brush his lips against the shell of her ear as he spoke, 'I think your attire is perfect for flouncing about in my lagoon.' He grinned then as he felt her stiffen for a second before relaxing back in his arms.

'I rarely flounce.' She reprimanded, the smile lighting her features telling him her lack of offence despite her spoken words. 'But on that, Mister,' she smacked a rounded fist onto his shoulder before stepping backwards. 'I think you need to show me the correct lagoon etiquette.' She watched his eyes widen for a second, his face filling with an expression oddly resembling fear. She placed a hand on his bicep. 'Severus?' her question, his name spoken so very quietly once more.

He blinked. 'Hermione, I don't…' his throat closed, restricting his words, silencing his explanation as he tried to make it.

'Are you trying to tell me that you're not wearing underpants under all those buttons Sir?' She teased trying to remove the tension that now surrounded him.

He frowned for a moment as her words penetrated the memory that threatened to surface. His lips spread into a smile of their own accord as he shook his head slightly. 'Oh yes Miss Granger, I make it a habit to go commando to all of my classes.' He drawled, his tone clearly dismissing his words as sarcasm rather than truth.

She let her expression turn serious. 'I won't mind.' She shrugged. 'Whatever you're wearing. I just want to spend the afternoon with you.' She took another step backwards, towards the water. 'Swimming.'

He watched her back towards the water, separating them further, giving him no choice but to follow or risk causing her disappointment. He took a step before balking, his hands frozen to the buttons at his chest, the memory resurfacing and refusing to back down this time. 'The last time I followed a girl into a pool it ended very badly.' He whispered, his eyes glazing over as one of the worst moments of his teenaged life flashed through the forefront of his mind.

Hermione's brow furrowed, her teasing smile abandoned as she slowly made her way to the distressed man before her. She approached slowly knowing from his expression that his mind was no longer with her in the garden. She placed her hands on his cheeks, angling his eyes back to her, her touch reanimating him, bringing his focus to the here and now and away from whatever had tortured him. 'Tell me.' She spoke very quietly as she coaxed him to open up to her.

'Its…' he squeezed his eyes closed. 'Embarrassing.' His forced out.

'The best stories always are.' She traced her thumb across his cheek, her action causing him to open his eyes once more. She watched the emotions battle for dominance in his dark gaze.

'This isn't…' his voice trailed off once more.

'I won't judge you Severus. You have seen me. Scars and all. Isn't it only fair that I do the same?' She let her honesty, her conviction sound in her words, her expression.

'I wasn't a wealthy child.' He spoke softly, his voice filled with shame. 'I was awkward too. Which made it worse. I had one friend and I would do anything, anything just to please her.' He let his eyes drift to focus on the unicorns wander peacefully beside the pool, letting the serenity of the scene calm him as his story unfolded. 'She wanted to go swimming. In the Black Lake. One Summer afternoon.' He closed his eyes once more. 'I didn't own any swim wear. But she wouldn't be deterred. We left our clothes by a tree, near the edge and entered the water, her in a new floral one piece, me in the worst pair of grey briefs I owned, stretched elastic, stained and filled with holes.' His voice shook with emotion. 'It had been a trick. I should have seen it. She had barely spoken to me in months. She left once they had my clothes.' He opened his eyes and locked them on Hermione's waiting gaze. He heard her gasp at the raw pain she saw in his expression. 'I had to walk back to the common room, through the castle and the grounds in just my underpants. They had taken everything. And they had told the student population to expect a show that afternoon.' His face fell forwards, his hair flopping to shield his eyes from view. 'There was not one person in that castle who did not witness my walk of shame.'

She ran a hand over his head, tucking his hair behind his ear as she went before she tightened her grip on his cheeks, settling her palms flush against his skin. She re-angled her body under his, steeping closer, and tilting her head to catch and hold his gaze. 'I am sorry that happened to you.' She ran a thumb over his lips. 'But you are not that boy any more Severus.' She saw him bring his raging emotions, his shame back under control at her words. 'I would not steal your clothes from you to hurt you, to embarrass you.' She grinned then watching his eyes widen as her tone shifted. 'But I can't say I wouldn't steal them for MY pleasure.' She ran her teeth over her bottom lip as she looked up at him through her lashes.

'I believe I may even consent to that.' He whispered, the blush covering his cheek again.

'One day Severus.' She took a step backwards. 'Not today. But one day. Today we are just going to get you out of those clothes and swim.' Her hands fell to the buttons on his shirt, her eyes never leaving his as she began the long descent from where he had abandoned the task at his chest, to his waistline.

He grinned devilishly then. 'It never fails to amuse me how many times you forget you are a witch.' With a silent Divesto his clothes folded themselves neatly on the bank, leaving him standing before her in nothing but his black boxer brief. He took a few steps towards the water before turning back to face her, noticing the way she watched him, her eyes wide, taking him all in, the way he could see the pulse erratically at the base of her throat, matching her escalated breathing. 'You're staring Miss Granger.'

You're almost naked Professor.' She grinned, her expression wicked as she made to close the distance between them.