Shattered

By Addie Mitsuke

"Hermione… I think we should stop seeing each other. If Voldemort finds out, if we stay together, I fear…" Professor Severus Snape said, looking at our joined hands. The moment I heard his words, though, I ripped my hands from his, backing up into a table and knocking off the glass vase that was resting on it.

            And thus, my word didn't end with a bang, nor with a whisper; but with the tinkle of shattering glass. I fled, towards the grounds, knowing I could not go back to the dorm and hear the happy questions of how our anniversary went from Ginny. I don't remember how I ended up here, in the Shrieking Shack, but it doesn't matter anymore. Nothing matters anymore.

            My mind constantly wavers, attempting to refrain from thinking too much. To avoid thinking about… some things. To forget about some things. I can't describe how much I wish I had a guide... How much I wish things would just be simple… as it should be.

            I sigh, thinking I should go back, but I do not. My face buries deeper into the pink silk dress I bought in Muggle London for tonight. I can feel the wet tears seeping through the material and onto my knees, but I do nothing.

            With a creak the door opens and in walks Severus. He moves to come and embrace me, and I return the hug with fever, not knowing if it will be our last.

            "Why" I manage to croak out, and I am disgusted with the sad excuse of my voice.

"You know why. I can only hope that someday Voldemort will be gone…" Severus said, and to my surprise I could hear the tears in his voice.

"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies. Why can't we just go on? I'm best friends with Harry, how is that less dangerous then being your lover?" I said slowly, looking him in the eye.

"What if he does find out that I'm a spy, and he goes to you to hurt me the most?" He replied, a single tear running down his cheek.

"What if he doesn't?!" I plead, urging him to forget this silly notion and let us continue our lives as they were.  "Everyone is afraid of something. Whether it is of things real or those unknown. There is nothing to be ashamed of, even if you cannot face your fears. Knowing your fears and the breadth of your tolerance for them is what's important. And when you cannot bear them alone, that's what I'm for. Let it be." I said, stressing the last words in hope of changing his mind. "Please." I ask, my voice breaking.

With a nod buries his face into my neck, a sob raking his body. We stayed there until what must have been four in the morning crying, letting out all the tension the war had had on us.

A/N: 499 words!! This was originally written for a 500 word or less challenge…. I don't like word limits... X.x.;; this was a good story, before I had to almost cut it in half so I wouldn't be disqualified. Whoo, I don't think I've ever done something that short before! Jeez, I suck @$$ at angst… X.x.;

~CrazyMangoChick