Disclaimer: See chapter One.

Author's Note:

Friends Forever - written and sung by Vitamin C



Unexpected Emotions

Chapter Three - The Awakening

Ron and Harry convinced Hermione to get some sleep. They kept a constant vigil by Snape's bedside until Hermione had returned early the next morning. She shooed Harry and Ron to bed.

Hermione took up her usual bedside position. He looked so peaceful with out his scowl. Her eyes traced the lines on his face; suddenly she had an overwhelming desire to kiss him on the lips. She was becoming hypnotized by the sleeping man. Hermione moved from her chair and sat on the bed; her hand reached out and brushed a few hairs away from his face. "Severus, how am I going to cope? You've got to wake up to teach, the students need you, Hogwarts needs you and I need you." She clamped her mouth shut and moved back from the bed. She was startled by her confession. Hermione reached out and grabbed a book, it was a book from Snape's own collection, and it was of Shakespeare's sonnets. She began to read sonnet 130.

"My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun,

Coral is far more red, than her lips red,

If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun:

If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head:

I have seen roses damasked, red and white,

But no such roses see I in her cheeks,

And in some perfumes is there more delight,

Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.

I love to hear her speak, yet well I know,

That music hath a far more pleasing sound:

I grant I never saw a goddess go,

My mistress when she walks treads on the ground.

And yet by heaven I think my love as rare,

as any she belied with false compare."

She gently closed the book and placed it on the bed stand. Hermione placed her hand on Snape's and gently caressed it, feeling is strength. Surprisingly his hands were smooth, she discovered and she raised his hand to her face and rubbed her cheek on his palm. Hermione slowly got up from the chair, and leant forward placing a chaste kiss upon his ashen lips. "I must go Severus; I have to prepare for your class tomorrow."

Hermione turned and left with tears in her eyes and a heavy heart.

Dumbledore stepped out from behind a screen. "It seems someone is falling in love with you Severus. I think you aught to wake up because you are missing out on one of life's greatest treasures."

~***~

A knock interrupted Hermione thoughts. "Come In." she called.

Albus Dumbledore entered the room. "Well that sounds more welcome than Severus' Enter." He chuckled.

Hermione gave Dumbledore a smile. "I wish I was hearing his 'Enter' again."

"So do I my dear. But things are improving, he opened his eyes just a moment ago."

Hermione hugged Dumbledore in relieve a wave of tears washing over her. "He's going to be alright."

"Yes my dear, but he will not be up to teaching just yet, he is still very weak."

"I don't care, I'm just glad he is alright."

"Poppy said you could go see him for a little while, but not to tire him."

"Oh Albus, I won't. I just want to see that scowl of his when I tell him that I'm teaching his classes."

Dumbledore chuckled, and followed Hermione out the room.