The Things We Hide
By Akasha Ravensong

"I let you in I let you in and you infected me
Can't get enough of you
Can't get enough of you
I breathed you in I breathed you in and now I'm in too deep
Don't think I'm pulling through
Don't think I'm pulling through
Can't get enough of you
Can't get enough of you

You're so contagious Running through my veins
you're so contagious Hangin onto every word
You're so contagious And I can't get away
You're so contagious and now I know for sure there is no cure"

Contagious, by Trapt

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Time passed, as time often does. The winter was a trying period for both Severus and Hermione. Even when one has not come right out and said 'I love you,' it is extremely hard to be around the object of your affection and not be allowed to do more then be in their arms. Or perhaps one must assume that it was possibly worse for both Hermione and Severus because they had not stated said those powerful words to the other, and had no admitted that their feelings ran that deep and true. As anybody in love can attest being in love, un-requited or not, can cause turmoil like nothing else.

Severus was terrified of his feelings for Hermione, but he was terrified of letting her go even more. He spent many sleepless nights lying in bed trying to find some fault with their relationship, and could find none other then the obvious disapproval of others and society at large. He had, overall, never before concerned himself with what other's thought of him. The thought that his past and their relationship would tarnish Hermione's image cause him something akin to physical pain. He knew that she had assured him that she cared not about this, but it was in his nature to beat the problem to death with a proverbial stick before letting it go. A habit which had gotten him swatted a number of times recently. Hermione had good aim.

In turn Hermione was no less, if not more, terrified of her relationship with Severus then he himself was. Their friendship was strong, and he had begun to tell her of his childhood and some of the more horrific scenes that he had endured. Their confidences were no longer one sided, for which Hermione had proved extremely grateful. She had wondered if he would ever truly open up to her, but now there was very little that they did not know about each other. They confided everything, and she was very afraid that if she ever lost him she would fall to pieces.

For all that Hermione wore 'the mask that grins and lies,' and she was in truth still very fragile inside after what had happened to her over the summer. She was determined that Severus would not become her crutch, and that she would not lean on him too much. While it was wonderful knowing that he was there for her, she was doing her best to stand on her own two feet. They could not have any kind of lasting relationship if she depended on him, and she knew this. She thought that she was doing a good job of building herself back up, but it was a difficult balance to maintain.

In contrast, the budding relationship between Draco and Ginny was for the most part carefree and progressing in an entirely different fashion. They had the benefit of being able to be a couple without fear of consequences (except of course from both of their families). They had the open acceptance of the entire Slytherin house, and were able to publicly display their affections for one another. The relationship deepened between them but neither in the same way nor on the same level as the relationship between Hermione and Severus.

To compare the relationships of the two couples would be as drastically impractical as to compare the mating habits of dragons with that of frogs, which is to say that they were entirely different. For one, by nature Ginny was very impish and lived in the moment with cheerful and carefree innocence. She was able to play more freely, and she drew Draco out of his shell.

Severus had all but completely forgotten what it meant to play. There was nothing innocent or carefree about him or his life anymore. Nor even as a child had he been prone to act as most children do, and had always been much more studious by nature. As many could attest to, Hermione was a planner and her manner was more studious. Hermione's first impulse would be to grab a book and curl up. She was a scholar by nature and playing would not be her first option of ways to pass the time.

Thus, when the very nature of the two couples and the differences in the situation between both couples it would be pure folly to attempt to compare the relationship of Draco and Ginny with that of Severus and Hermione. However, both relationships continued and thrived in their own ways as time passed, and both couples were as happy as circumstances allowed. And throughout it all a pair of blue eyes hidden behind half-moon spectacles, that were perched on top of a rather crooked nose, twinkled knowingly with satisfaction.

Author's Note

I've re-read my story several times and i'm going to consider this story as complete now! I don't want to finalize things because as many of yuo can hopefully understand, love and life go on. There is no finite ending to either. Besides... i'm sure your endings are so much more intersting then mine! Please read and review!

Blessed Be
Raven Lynne