Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters in this story; I only own Shadow/Sebastian.

Chapter 37
For All The Love In The World

Snape looked up at Hermione's window and let a small smile grace his facial features. He had the whole day planned, and he hoped she would enjoy it. Looking over in the direction of his stables one more time, he strode towards the front of the house, intent on rousing Hermione from her sleep and getting on with the day.

"Lord Snape!"

Snape cringed at the high pitched voice and sound of feet running towards him.

"Lord Snape!" The pink haired Magic Your Dreams employee skidded to a halt beside the ex-Professor. "Lord Snape!"

"You have now said my name three times, Mr Riley." Snape turned impatiently to the extravogant man before him. "Will you get to the point; I have things to do."

Mr Riley cleared his throat and giggled, drawing a sigh from Snape. "The gardens are finished, my Lord."

"What is left to be done?"

"Just a check of the trees to make sure they are not infected with anything, and that they are growing well and also to improve and increase the size of the stables. Apart from that, decorating within the house itself is all that is left."

"Leave the inside of the house till last."

"But-"

"Are you hard of hearing? I said last, and I will not be changing my mind." Snape glared at the man quivering infront of him, before spinning on his heel and walking towards the main entrance to the house, his robes billowing out behind him; stilling any and all questions that Mr Riley had for him.

Snape moved quickly through the house, ignoring the rude mutterings on of the portraits covering the walls. He reached Hermione's door and paused to brush at his spotless robes before knocking sharply on the door. He reached for the handle, but before he could finish even turning the handle the door was thrown open and his irate maid stared coldly at him. "Miss Hermione is not dressed, my Lord. You shouldn't open the door on a lady without her giving permission."

Snape's cheeks reddened and he cleared his throat. "Yes, sorry. I'm used to her being under my care." He turned away from the door. "I will be waiting in the entrance hall for Hermione. If she needs my assistance, you know how to reach me."

"Yes, Master."

Evy ran to the bathroom door. "Miss Hermione? Master came to collect you." She giggled. "He tried to come in without waiting for permission, but he's going to be waiting for you in the entrance hall."

Hermione slowly opened the bathroom door and stood clutching the door frame for support. "Well, he's used to going where he pleases. Especially where I'm concerned. I guess being unconscious makes someone forget about propriety."

"He blushed when I told him off."

Hermione smiled nervously. "I'm having too much influence on you already, Evy. And I'm sure Professor Snape will comment as much when it comes up."

The previously cowered maid shook her head. "With you behind me, Miss, I feel much braver." She suddenly looked ashamed. "Not that I'll ever be disrespectful or anything, Miss. Oh please don't tell -"

"Evy, stop! I knew what you meant. Calm down." Hermione walked unsteadily towards Evy, taking her arm. "Now onto something slightly more serious. I don't think I'm going to be able to get down there on my own. Will you help me... at least until I get to the top of the stairs."

"Of course, Miss." Hermione gave her a look. "Miss Hermione, I mean." She took Hermione's arm and supported her weight carefully, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Now let's get you downstairs so you can see what Master has planned."

"As long as it's not a lecture, everything will be fine."

Downstairs Leafer appeared in front of Snape. He watched as his Master paced back and forth and the bottom of the stairs. Shaking his head a little till his green ears flapped slightly he spoke up. "Master?"

"Yes, Leafer." Snape glanced at his house-elf briefly and continued his pacing.

"If you's planned a lecture, you's choose wrong."

Snape paused mid-step and looked confused. "What are you talking about, Leafer?"

"If you's not planned a lecture, Miss will be happy." Leafer nodded furiously. "She's coming soon." And with that he left with a soft 'pop'.

Snape's lips curled into a scowl as he glared at the space his house-elf had been just moments before. His head shot up as the sound of whispering reached his ears, and saw Hermione slowly making her way onto the landing. Within seconds his face was a blank canvas again, and he watched as she made her way hesitatingly down the stairs. He would have liked to have helped her do so, but he wasn't sure if she'd accept it, or even how to approach her. Instead, he moved to meet her as she reached the last step, and took her arm to steady her, ignoring her trembling as she fought the fatigue her muscles were causing her. He swallowed his question as to her condition, and gripped her arm tighter to his body, slowing his pace to match hers.

"I thought you'd appreciate seeing the grounds... I felt it would allay your feeling of imprisonment."

Hermione looked up briefly, before returning her gaze to watch where she placed her feet. "Thank you."

Snape led her slowly out of the main doors, and down the few steps to the gravel driveway. They stood there, and just as Hermione was tiring enough to ask if she could sit, she heard the gravel shifting under the hooves of two horses. A small smile graced her face as the two black horses - groomed until their coats shone - came to a halt just in front of them.

"I haven't been riding in quite a long time," she murmured, as the stable boy holding the horses handed one set of reins to Snape.

Snape helped Hermione move closer to her mount. "I take it you know how to ride then."

"Yes, although I'm sure to be rusty on the finer points."

"Riding is good for developing muscles, and regaining muscle strength, without being too strenuous." He helped Hermione up into the saddle, letting his hand linger slightly longer than necessary on her thigh, after helping her left foot into its styrrup. "Are you settled?" He watched her struggle slightly to get her right foot in, and enjoyed her smile as she succeeded.

"I'm all set." She reached for the reins, and took them from Snape's hand, quickly settling them and feeling them between her fingers. Hermione was so preoccupied with enjoying the sensation of being back on a horse, that she didn't even notice Snape moving to mount his own horse, until he spoke to her from its back.

"Let us go." He nudged his horse into a walk and nodded his thanks to the stable boy that gave Hermione's horse a nudge on its rump. "Your horse is called Milo, and he can be temperamental. But thankfully not in a dangerous way, just in the 'I don't want to move, therefore I won't' way."

Hermione giggled as she listened to Snape uncharacteristic rambling. "I can understand that."

Snape glanced at her briefly before looking away again. Hermione watched as a slight flush rose up his neck and his ears turned a pale shade of pink. "I have an area of the grounds I want to show you."

"Well that sounds mysterious... plan to tell me where that is?" Hermione giggled again, and watched as Snape turned his head, letting his hair fall across his face. "Or is it a surprise?" She waited for him to answer and when he still didn't answer her, she pulled Milo to a halt. "Well this is going to be fun, I guess Milo is going to be the only one giving me any conversation." Milo nickered, and tossed his head. "See he even agrees."

Snape halted his own horse, but didn't turn to face her. "He's an enchanted horse, he knows what you're saying."

Hermione nudged Milo into a walk again. "I see, well I guess I better be careful what I say then." After taking a few steps, Hermione's legs trembled slightly. Milo, un-used to the unsure movement shied sideways and began a quick trot. "Hey, boy, settle down. You're going to have to cope with my poor riding for a while." Hermione gripped his mane, to keep her balance as she fought to keep her legs as still as possible.

Snape drew along side Hermione and grabbed Milo's reins. "Whoah!" The sudden halt caused Hermione to fall onto Milo's neck. Snape let go of the reins and gently pulled Hermione back into the saddle. "Perhaps riding this far was a mistake. I can show you the... it can wait for another day."

"No, no, I'm fine." Hermione smiled nervously as she rubbed her legs as if trying to warm them up. "Just a little mishap." She looked up at his worried face. "I thought you said he didn't like moving?"

"He normally doesn't. Perhaps he is just stubborn with a rider that thinks he knows how to ride."

"Mmmm." Hermione patted Milo's neck. "Maybe he just wanted a little attention, and didn't like being talked about at if he wasn't here." Milo tossed his head again and snorted. "Hmmm, well, I can understand that, Milo."

Snape watched Hermione in awe, he'd never met anyone quite like her, and having had the opportunity to watch her grow from an awkward childhood to be a beautiful young woman... he'd never dared to think he'd find anyone he liked as much. Shaking his head, he patted his horse. His day dreaming had luckily gone un-noticed by Hermione, and he cleared his throat to gain her attention. "I believe we should turn back, it wouldn't do to tire you so much on your first day out, that you have to retire for a week afterwards." He attempted to finish on a sneer, but it didn't quite work.

Hermione shook her head, but didn't voice her protestations again. Instead, she turned Milo around and smiled. It was amazing how far from the Manor they had actually travelled in the short time that they had been out riding.

"If you are too tired, I could take your reins for you." Snape's top lip twitched as he resisted grinning, turning it into a smirk as he watched her turn her eyes to him. "Or you could continue to ride for yourself; just don't ask for help if you fall."

Hermione struggled to hide a smile. "I'm sure I can manage."

AN: Yep, another chapter so soon after the last. The drought has gone... and my muse is back. I hope you guys didn't feel that Snape has gotten off easy so far. Hermione is definitely NOT a pushover, and it will take a while to gain her...trust, shall we say.