Hello everyone! Thank you everyone for their lovely reviews and for the ones who responded to my question. Since I heard so many positive responses, I will be making a sequel hopefully sometime soon in the future. I decided to add a little fluff in this chapter because we can all use it especially after the war happen and with Ron's awful behavior. Please leave a review and let me know what you think. I think there might be only one or two more chapters to go and then I will be working on the sequel to this story.
It was in the middle of the night in Gryffindor Tower and Hermione just couldn't seem to fall sleep. Sleeping in Gryffindor tower was difficult for her ever since she went back to her old bedroom. She missed Severus's arms wrapped around her. The bed she slept in was too big and empty and wasn't as comfortable as the one in Severus's rooms. Ever since the war ended a few days ago, she had been plagued by nightmares even though the war was over. She dreamt of Lord Voldemort coming back. She dreamt of Severus dying in front of her. She couldn't keep going through this every night. It was starting to take its toll on her. She lifted her head from the Gryffindor colored pillow and swung her legs over the side of the bed. If she couldn't sleep she didn't want to just lie in bed staring at the ceiling.
When she got out of bed, she felt her stomach growl loudly in the quiet room. She didn't eat very much during dinner and now she found herself very hungry. She wanted a late night snack. She decided to sneak down to the kitchens and get something to satisfy her hunger. No one would be awake at this time right? She walked out of her room and quietly walked down to the stairs. She entered the common room and found it to be completely deserted, which she was thankful for. She exited Gryffindor tower, through the portrait hole, on a mission to find some food. She took out her wand and quietly whispered "lumos." Her wand tip lit up and she was able to see down the hallway. She walked down the hallways quietly trying to make as little noise as possible. The deeper she went into the corridor the darker it went.
She was almost to the kitchen when Peeves, the ghost, flew by and shouted down the hallway, "Student out of bed. Student out of bed."
She cursed and quickly whispered, "Nox." Her wand went out leaving her in complete darkness. She hurried over to an alcove and she hid herself knowing someone was bound to hear it and alert the Professor's. She held her breath and waited. She heard footsteps approaching and a swish of robes. She closed her eyes and waited for the person to walk by. The person walked right by her alcove and continued down the corridor. She thought she was going to be able to sneak past him or her once they kept on walking but her stomach had another idea. In the silence of the hallway, her stomach growled loudly again. The person turned quickly and Hermione found a bright light in her face.
Professor Snape lowered his wand slightly so it wasn't directly in her eyes and said, "What are you doing out of bed Ms. Granger?" His voice was laced with concern but his eyes and demeanor showed differently.
She sighed slightly feeling a little better that it was just Severus out and about and not another Professor. "I couldn't sleep," she admitted. "I wanted to get to the kitchens for a midnight snack because I was hungry."
His eyes soften slightly at her words. "Why couldn't you sleep?"
She blushed slightly and said, "I miss you sleeping next to me Severus."
He sighed knowing he felt the same way too. "I know Hermione. I feel it too, but we can't risk it. We got to live our normal lives as professor and student until school is over. We only have two more months until you graduate."
She pouted not liking their new arrangements. It just wasn't fair, but she knew he was right. "I know, but it's not like everyone doesn't know already."
He smiled slightly in amusement. "That doesn't make it any less inappropriate."
"I guess you're right." Her shoulders slumped in defeat knowing there was no point arguing about it anymore.
His heart strings pulled slightly at seeing the defeated look that crossed her face. He couldn't be mad at her even if he tried. "I will accompany you to the kitchen. You will have 1 midnight snack and then we will go our separate ways. Understand?"
"Of course," she said with delight. They walked silently to the kitchen which was only down the hall. They entered the kitchen and Hermione asked the elves for cookies and milk. The elves got her a plate of cookies and a glass of milk. She sat down at the available table and Severus sat across from her. "I apologize for waking you Severus. I know it's late."
"I wasn't sleeping either," he admitted.
She smiled slightly at him and took a bite of one of the cookies. He took a cookie from the plate as well and took a bite. "I also am sorry for Ronald's insolence at Hogsmeade the other day. He's jealous."
"Don't apologize for your friends Hermione. You can't control how they act." They finished up the cookies and milk and found themselves staring at one another.
"I miss when you were a student," she admitted bashfully while staring down at the table.
"Why?" He asked slightly confused by her admittance.
"We worked so well together as partners and I miss that, plus I miss sneaking around the castle and going to Hogsmede with you. I miss going to Quidditch games and betting on who wins. Most of all I miss our secret room in the Room of Requirement." Her eyes filled with tears as the memories started to come back. "I miss our walks around the grounds and sitting against the tree together. I miss seeing your eyes stare into mine when we ate breakfast. I miss sitting in the library doing our homework together. I just miss the little moments we had together and I'm so sorry I broke it." She burst into tears. He walked around the table and pulled her into a hug.
He stroked her hair and pulled her close to him. "We talked about this before Hermione. I know you had no choice in the matter. I forgave you Hermione and I meant it. You did nothing wrong. Stop beating yourself up about it." He held her tightly until her tears finally dried. He pulled away from her so she can look into his eyes. "I miss all those memories too, but unfortunately I am older now and I have my responsibilities as a Professor. I can't go sneaking around the castle with a student. That doesn't change how we feel about each other does it?"
She smiled at him feeling better now that he was here next to her. "You're right. I still love you."
He smiled and pulled her into another hug. "I love you too."
She snuggled into his arms not wanting him to let go. "I miss your hugs. I miss sleeping in your arms at night," she reiterated again.
He held her tighter to him and said, "I miss all of it too, but just a few more months Hermione I promise."
She frowned and asked again, "Why though? Everyone knows we are together."
"Hermione we went over this before. You are still my student. We cannot sleep together."
She shook her head sadly. "It's not fair."
He stroked her cheek gently with his thumb. "Hermione I have already received letters from angry parents about this situation. They want me fired. I am walking a fine line here Hermione and I have to keep you at arm's length."
She scowled. "Dumbledore will not fire you and you are a war hero. You did not just randomly date me because I was a student you dated me because we had to. I think anyone would understand our circumstance if they just knew our situation then no one would judge us or judge you really," she argued.
"You know I don't care what people think, but Dumbledore is right. No matter our circumstances this is inappropriate. I still grade your papers and me being your teacher I cannot sleep with you until your schooling is over. I have to be the adult in this."
She said sadly, "You don't want to be with me?"
He growled slightly and pushed her up against the wall. He kissed her hard on the mouth showing her how much he truly wanted to be with her. He pulled away from her lips. "You know how badly I want to be with you Hermione."
She said, "I do too Severus. Please can't we do something?"
He leaned his head against hers and felt his willpower ebbing away. He leaned in and kissed her again. He knew it was wrong, but god he missed her. "You win Hermione." He picked her up and sat her down on the table. The table was just right where he can angle himself and push into her. He started to help take her shirt off. She smiled cheekily up at him. She reached up and started to unbutton his shirt. They threw their shirts down and started to work on both their pants. Hermione laid back on the table and pulled her pants off. Severus unbuckled his belt and pulled down his pants.
"Wait! You know you could transfigure this table into a bed to make it easier."
He smirked at her and said, "That is why you are the smartest witch of your age." He pulled her off the table and transfigured it into a bed. She laid back down and pulled him down onto the bed with her. She pulled him into a kiss. He angled himself above her. He looked into her eyes and pushed into her. They both groaned aloud by the contact. They entangled their fingers together and he slowly began to thrust into her. Their love making was gentle and neither one of them wanted it to end. She leaned up and kissed him on the lips.
"I love you Severus."
"I love you too Hermione," he said back just as passionately. He knew this had to end so he started to thrust faster into her. "Come on Hermione. Come for me." She threw her head back and came around him. He started to thrust a little faster into her and came inside of her. He shouted out her name and collapsed on top of her. She hugged him tightly and kissed his shoulder. He rolled over and pulled her into his arms. They laid there quietly in bliss trying to get their breath back. She started to doze, but was woken up by Severus gently rousing her awake. "We got to go back to our rooms now." They left the bed and Severus turned it back into a table. They put back on their clothes silently.
"Can't I sleep in your room just this once?" she asked desperately. She needed him. She didn't want to go and have to wait two months to see him. "Please I need you."
He felt the fight in him fade away by her pleads and the look in her eyes. "Hermione if we are caught…"
"We won't get caught! I'll wake up early and I'll disillusion myself so no one will see me leave your room. Please just this once."
He sighed and nodded. "Alright Hermione just this once." They left the kitchens and walked all the way down to the dungeons. They entered his rooms and headed to bed together.
They undressed themselves and laid down on the bed. Severus wrapped his arms around Hermione and kissed her head. "I miss holding you," he admitted to her. She snuggled deeper into his hold. She felt her eyes starting to close from exhaustion.
"Good night Sev. Thank you for letting me stay. I love you."
"Good night Hermione. I love you too." He kissed her on her forehead and fell asleep holding her to his chest.
Hermione found herself standing in front of the Dark Lord. She was alone in the white ball room, which confused her even more. The Dark Lord was towering over her angrily, daring her to speak. She swallowed nervously and she started to shake with fear.
"You think I am gone, but I will never be gone. My legacy will live on forever."
She was unsure of what to do and how to respond to him. This wasn't real? Was it?
He continued on speaking to her. "I still have my trusted followers." With a snap of his long snake like fingers the doors flew open and in walked lines and lines of Death Eaters. Lucius Malfoy, Narcissa Malfoy, Bellatrix Black, and Fenrir Greyback led the pack. They all approached the Dark Lord wearing their robes.
This time a different voice started to speak to her. It was Bellatrix Lestrange. "We aren't dead mudblood. You can't escape our clutches. You might think you are free, you might even go on and tell everyone that, but the truth is we will still be here waiting for you. We will get our revenge mark my words."
Her words scared her. Was it true? Was the war really not over yet as they all imagined it to be? She opened her mouth to speak, but her mouth was sealed shut.
"I have a gift for you mudblood. It's a parting gift for you, something for you to remember me by." Lord Voldemort's words came out with an evil hiss. He snapped his fingers again and this time a different door open. What came out of the door was a lifeless body and Peter Pettigrew was guiding it through the door. They reached the Dark Lord and the body was set down at his feet. There on the floor was Severus Snape.
She reacted quickly. She threw her body to the floor and cradled his body to her. She found her voice and she started to cry as she held him to her chest. "Severus please wake up. I love you."
Lord Voldemort laughed along with his other followers. "He betrayed me and now it is time for your life to end as well."
She clutched Severus tightly to her crying even harder now. She was ripped away from his body and she tried to fight to get back to him. "No let me go!" She screamed.
Lord Voldemort took out his wand and pointed it at her. "Any last words, mudblood?"
She looked around waiting for something to happen but it never did. She was still stuck here with a wand pointing at her.
"I take that as a no then Avada Kedavara."The green light hit her and she fell to the floor next to Severus.
Hermione shot up out of bed breathing hard and sweat pouring down her forehead. She put her head in her hands, trying to catch her breath again. It felt so real. Nothing like any of her other dreams she had. She felt Severus sit up along with her.
"Are you okay?" He asked groggily, still half asleep.
She turned to him and seeing him alive after seeing his dead body made the tears start all over again. She hugged him tightly and started to cry against him.
He held her tightly to him trying to provide as much comfort as he could. "It's okay Hermione. Everything is alright." He kissed her repeatedly on her temple as he held her.
"It just felt so real Severus," she wailed. "You were dead on the floor and the Dark Lord he was back. It's not true is it?"
"Of course not, my dear. It was just a dream. Have you been having these dreams a lot lately?" He asked worriedly. No wonder why she doesn't want to sleep in Gryffindor Tower.
She pulled away from his hold. "Yes it happens every night, but this one was so vivid. It was like I was actually there. They were all alive again. Bellatrix, Lucius, Greyback, all of them just standing there, watching me die alongside of you."
"You know there is a potion that can help with that. I can give you a few vials and you just have to take a few sips every night. It's dreamless sleep. I used to take it back when I was a teenager. I know it's not ordeal, but I don't want you to keep having to wake up like this, especially alone."
She smiled at him in thanks. She laid back down against her pillow and he laid down alongside of her. "Okay Severus. Maybe that is for the best. What time is it?"
He looked lazily over at the clock behind him. "About 3:00 A.M. We got a few more hours before you got to go. How about you try to get more sleep? I'll be right here next to you if you need me if you start having a nightmare again. Just remember it's not real Hermione." He leaned over and kissed her softly on the mouth. He pulled away and hugged her to him. He waited patiently for her to fall asleep before closing his eyes and falling asleep himself.
