15.
A taste of you while I can.
Hermione was so close to completing the potion she could feel it. Feel the praise and approval the congratulations, the admiration. It was making her lightheaded from all intensity surging through her veins. She cleaned up for the night and snuck outside.
" Lets test those animagi skills." She said as she touched her wand to her mark instantly fading into a large panther. So dark she melted into the black of the night. She stretched out, her paws digging into the earth. Her eyes adjusted to the night and she noticed a rustle in the bush a small mouse scurried out, instantly Hermione pounced after it catching it under her paw. She heard it squeak in fear, Hermione went to release it reveling in the feel of the capturing the tiny creature but as soon as she lifted her paw her left paw came hammering down shredding the mouse into pieces with a slice of her claw. The blood trickled into her mane blending with the black of her fur. The smell of it wafting into her sensitive nose, she savagely licked at her paw awakening the primal urge to seek out more. Her ears perked up at the sound of movement throughout the forest. She sprinted forward moving deeper into the woods. Living in the feel of the ground blurring under her legs. She savaged every small animal that she crossed paths with ripping and tearing at their fur, snapping their neck and feasting on their fear.
Hours had passed by since Hermione had originally left. Severus stood watching from the tree where she had left her robes.
" The girl is more trouble than she's worth." He spoke to the wind.
He was cold and tired and thoroughly annoyed at having to stand in the devils forest waiting for her. The sun was almost up, and he was just about to give up and transform himself to go after her. When a small panther stalked to him, growling.
" Miss. Granger?" He infused his voice with boredom and annoyance as he grabbed for his wand. She was foaming at the mouth and her fur was matted with a god-awful amount of blood.
Hermione could smell the familiarity of the creature in front of her but the smell of his fright along with the pulse of his heart drowned out the thoughts quickly. She bent low to ground getting ready to leap. When he pulled out his wand.
" Stupefy." He roared and she fell midair to the ground whimpering
When she opened her eyes next she could see Severus leaning close to her brushing her hair from her face.
" Severus?" He throat burned.
" Shh… I need to get you inside quickly."
She felt her stomach-churning forcing bile into her mouth. She rolled over to vomit onto the forests floor. Her eyes adjusted as she saw the leaves and dirt mixing with the digested blood that poured from her mouth.
" Severus." She managed to choke out.
He was rubbing her back. Whispering into her ear.
" Deep breaths, it'll all come out. Then I'll take you inside."
She laughed, smiling at him as she slowly stood. " I can walk, love. Just give me a minute to get my bearings." Her eyes had glazed over and her teeth were stained as she smiled.
He eyed her nodding his head slowly.
" Come then. You need to get cleaned up."
They walked into his chambers leading her to the sink and mirror. She stood shocked starring at herself. She was covered in blood; her hair matted to the skull. Severus stood behind her starring into the mirror as she did.
" How long was I gone?" She asked.
" About nine hours."
She nodded and began undressing never taking her eyes off the mirror.
" How do you feel?" He asked.
She smiled and turned to face him as she let her robe fall. " Brilliant." She spoke kissing him as she pulled them into the shower letting the water cascade down their back.
~~~~~**~~~~~
Hermione lay in her bed later reliving the night before. She had gone through the whole day in a blur; she vaguely remembered anything other than the feel of bliss. She found their fear satisfying and ate it like pie. Savoring it, relishing in the feel. She sighed content with her thoughts. For once since the whole situation started she didn't feel frustrated in her thoughts, she didn't feel sick with remorse for her choices. She had everything going perfectly now. Severus made her happy and everything was out in the open, she had asked him and he had told her the truth. She was only a few weeks away from finishing the potion, her NEWTS where coming up in a week and then she'd graduate and start working in her new labs. She finally did it. She was the one making decisions she wasn't following around Harry and Ron anymore trying to keep them out of trouble. No she was in charge and that made her infinitely happy.
Severus was lying in his own bed thinking as well. Only his thoughts were much more distressing. He was worried. Things were going too far.
" I should have told her the fucking truth." He screamed angry with himself.
He feared for her. He could feel the darkness rushing off of her this morning when he led her back to the castle. Beckoning him; making his arm was throb. He didn't know how much longer he'd be able to keep this up. It was becoming increasingly hard. The pull was much stronger now.
Things were so different. Before he was to show her that none of this was worth it. Only now he didn't know how to convince her. He didn't know if it wasn't worth it. Maddening thoughts kept creeping into his mind. Trying to convince him that he'd be able to leave all this worry and fear and dread behind him if he'd just give in. It was overwhelming. How could he convince her when she had everything she could want?
If she finished this potion there was not doubt in his mind the Dark Lord with win the war and everyone would be forced into submission. They wouldn't stand a chance against him. He couldn't let that happen, he knew when the potion was finished he'd give it to Albus. He knew this. But, if she didn't turn away from Voldemort before the potion was done she'd be lost to him forever. And that was something he'd refuse to give up. He adored her; respected her; longed for her company. He couldn't let her go.
" Could I actually go back to him after everything?" He had lost his mother to Voldemort. She opposed him and when Voldemort informed Severus that he wanted his mothers support, Severus was to go to her and convince her. Only in the end she had refused and Voldemort had killed her for it. His mother was the most important person to him in his life and she died by the hands of his master. It was then that he went to Dumbeldore confessing everything and demanding that he be sent to Azkaban. He was disgusted with himself. He deserved everything he got, except a second chance. Which is what he received. He was to spy for Dumbledore. A life of slavery, bond to two masters one by word, one by force. Now, he had the chance at love. She did love him he knew it; he could feel it every time she passed by. He wanted her and he'd do anything he could to make sure that in the end they had each other.
A/N: No animals were harmed in the making of this story :0)
