Prologue
"But what if he – escapes somehow?" she asked him, eyes looking across the gray sea apprehensively.
"He won't," Severus assured her. "He won't."
"But – how do you know for sure? He could – he hates me, Severus, he hates me!"
"Shh…he doesn't – hate you, he's just a bit – unsettled right now. Give it time…" He patted her hair, a bit awkwardly. Tears streamed down her face, and she brushed away impatiently.
"I – can't help but feel that it's my fault –"
"Don't say that." His voice was soft, but dangerous, shaking with anger. "What he did to you, what he turned you into – don't you dare say that it was your fault, Hermione. The blame lies with him, and only him. Damned Potter." He gritted his teeth, and started to say something else, but was interrupted.
"GOD DAMN YOU MOTHERFUCKING LITTLE BITCH! I'LL GET YOU FOR THIS! I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL RIP YOUR BLOODY CHEATING HEART OUT WHILE IT'S STILL BEATING! MARK MY WORDS, I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL ESCAPE SOMEHOW, SOMEDAY, AND I'LL KILL YOU! KILL YOU! DO YOU HEAR ME! I'LL FUCKING KILL – "
Hermione was sobbing as he was Stunned and the guards dragged him into the prison, out of the dim light into the darkness of Azkaban. "Oh – oh God, Severus, he – he – did you hear - ?" She collapsed as he wrapped his arms around her tightly.
"Shh…shh…it's okay, love, it's okay…"
"He said he'd kill me if he ever got out! Did you hear –"
"Yes, he did. But he won't escape from Azkaban, it's impossible, love." He kissed the top of her head gently.
"It is possible…S-sirius did it –"
"Despite his – many – shortcomings, Black was an innocent man. I'm afraid I can't say the same of Potter."
She was quiet. "Severus…will you promise me that you'll be here for me, no matter what?"
"Of course."
"I love you Severus."
"I love you too."