Part Thirty-Five: Within Weakness There is Strength

It was a week later before Hermione had a moment to herself. Work had swept her off her feet, quite literally as it happened.

Hermione spent the beginning of the long weekend holiday resting in an armchair, a box of Kleenex constantly perched upon her lap, a mug of honey tea nestled within her palms.

She didn't usually get sick but sometimes it just came upon her. The long, hectic hours of the orientation week didn't seem to mix well with the bustle of moving and the emotional upheaval Hermione had hoped to avoid upon moving away from England. Hermione had to admit she would probably miss Madame Pomfrey almost as much as Severus.

Hermione sighed, sneezed, blew her nose, and picked up her quill and parchment.

Dearest Severus-

I know we had planned to see each other this weekend but I've suddenly caught a cold. I suppose I've been too busy this week. I'm so sorry Severus. I was looking forward to this weekend.

I hope you're well though and survived the inanities of the new first year students. Tell McGonagall that I say she has to leave you alone. :)

-Hermione.

………..

Dearest Sick Invalid-

I am hurt that you would fake a cold to postpone seeing me. I would supply you with potions but since you're very probably not sick at all, I'm sure you will survive without any assistance.

Get some rest, you need your beauty sleep.

-Disgruntled Professor.

…………..

Severus-

Thank you for making a sick girl smile. I hope your week wasn't too bad for you.

I'm sure I'm not a very pretty sight right now so I'll take your advice and get some beauty sleep.

-Hermione.

…………

Hermione used up a few more tissues before shuffling to the kitchen to rinse her mug, sneezing a few times, and wondering back to the lounge room for her tissues. Needless to say, her magic wasn't always its best at times of complete physical exhaustion.

Hermione slowly made her way to her bedroom, deciding against brushing her teeth. Her eyes were so watery she could barely see and all she wanted to do was fall into blissful oblivion.

When in her room, Hermione tried to pull back the covers but the blanket was just too heavy for her weakened arms. She groaned in frustration at her vulnerability and flopped face down across the bed.

There was no way she could sleep like that… her nose was already clogged enough without a mattress restricting her breathing as well.

"Giving up so soon?"

Hermione's eyes widened in shock as a deep, masculine voice reached her ears. Was she so sick, she was hallucinating?

But no, she could feel a warm, steady hand grasping her upper arm. Soon she was on her feet, supported by a strong arm around her, Severus' face inches from her own.

"Neverus." Hermione blinked away the moisture in her eyes and wished he hadn't come when she was so obviously at her worst. She also simultaneously tried to transmit her gratitude to him mentally.

"Never us? That's a rather pessimistic view about the future, wouldn't you say? It's only a cold. You won't die."

Hermione just blinked again. He was definitely standing there, holding her up. When had he got there?

But Hermione was too dazed and confused to turn her thoughts into comprehensible words and gladly submitted to Severus' help.

The minute Severus gently aided her into bed and under the covers, Hermione sneezed. It would have been alright if Severus hadn't then had his face right in front of hers as he pulled the covers up over her.

"Oh God, Neverus. I'm tho thory!" Hermione would have grabbed a tissue for him, but her arms were pinned under the covers. It didn't matter, Severus had full control over his powers and soon the offensive sneeze was erased from all but their memories.

Hermione felt mortified. Severus merely ignored the incident and sat down beside Hermione on the bed.

Pulling out two glass vials from his robe pockets, he mentioned the reason for his visit. "I can't believe you didn't ask me for some basic supplies before you left."

"I didn't think about it." Hermione sniffed, wishing he wouldn't offer comfort in one minute and then berate her behavior the next.

"Shh…don't speak." He held up a dismissive hand before placing one bottle on Hermione's bedside table. The other he opened with a twist of his hand and held it in front of Hermione's face.

"Here. This will help."

Oh please… don't make me sit up and drink something…

But Hermione needn't have worried because Severus lifted her head with one hand and lifted the vial to her mouth with the other.

Hermione drank, hoping her overwhelming feeling of gratitude would be visible in her eyes as she looked up and met Severus' eyes.

"Don't expect this treatment all the time. You're just lucky I had a pretty decent week."

Hermione was suddenly feeling very tired… more so than she had been before, but wished she was well enough to converse with Severus about their work weeks. She lifted her eyebrows in a silent question as Severus laid her head back down upon the pillow.

Severus leaned in and whispered in her ear. "I don't have any first years to teach this year."

With a smirk he straightened up and turned off the lamp.

Ensconced within a warm comfortable bed, with a sleepy warmth building up inside her, Hermione closed her eyes and let the darkness seep in.

Severus moved a stray curl from above Hermione's eye, stayed for only a heartbeat longer and left the room, and the apartment.

………….

Well, this sort of came out quickly and from nowhere :). Thanks to Droxy for the idea! I couldn't have done it without you!

I hope you guys like it. Keep the ideas coming, you gave me lots to think about this week for future chapters so thank you!