Never knew, I could feel like this, like I've never seen the sky before
Want to vanish inside your kiss, every day I love you more and more
Seasons may change, winter to spring
But I love you, until the end of time
Come what may
Nicole Kidman & Ewan McGregor – Come What May ©
From the day Hermione had run into his arms after meeting Harry Potter, she and Severus had been together every day. The last remaining days before school started were spent with long walks around the lake, little Anthony in his baby carriage, and when the students arrived and the lessons started, Hermione and Severus would often sit together in the Great Hall and afterwards, they would retreat themselves in Hermione's quarters, mainly reading together but also a lot talking or just simply lay down in front of the fire together.
Severus felt he could get used to this, even though he did not know exactly what Hermione felt. But he was sure she felt more then just friendship otherwise she wouldn't allow him in her quarters every night.
It had been an ordinary day, a month after the school started and Severus was heading down to Hermione's quarters when he felt it again. A burning sensation rushed through his left arm and he clenched his teeth in pain. He called. After an absence of almost two months, for which Severus felt slightly relieved, the Dark Lord must've returned to England again. And now he called for him.
With a grimaced face, Severus changed his course and left the castle in order to avoid the wards which made it impossible to Apparate within the grounds. He sighed, maybe he had to let Hermione know where he was going. But on the other hand, he would be punished more then usual if he let the Dark Lord wait. So, without a word to anyone, Severus departed.
Only a second later, Severus found himself within the grounds of the old Riddle manor. His master found this house most suitable although Severus could not really understand why since the house had once belonged to a muggle. But then again, Severus was wise enough never to question the Dark Lord's decisions. He entered the manor, greeting some Death Eater guards at the front door and headed off towards the major sitting room, where Voldemort resided. Before he could enter, a tall, pale blonde man came out, followed by a tall, pale blonde boy.
"Severus, my dear old friend. How are you?" Lucius Malfoy asked and Severus gritted his teeth.
"Fine Lucius, fine. Hello Draco."he looked down upon his old student and felt a little saddened this boy followed in his father footsteps.
"Hello professor." Draco replied in a weak voice and Severus noticed a faint smile on Lucius' face.
"Draco has just received the Mark."
Severus nodded. "I understand. That is – painful."
Lucius smiled. "Well, I'll make sure my son arrives safely at home, then I will join you in your little meeting with the Lord."
Severus merely nodded as Lucius Malfoy and Draco walked past him. He sighed once again, for he had been unable to keep Draco away from this crazy society. But then again, Draco would have followed his father in any way possible.
He straightened his back and knocked on the door.
"Enter!" a cold voice said and Severus entered the cold, dark room. There were Death Eaters standing on the far side of the room, guarding their master and Voldemort himself was sitting on a chair in the middle of the room, as if he was sitting on a throne.
"He always felt like he was a little king." Severus sneered in thoughts but he was wise enough to lock these thought deep inside his head where it would be safe for the Dark Lord.
"Ah, Severus." Voldemort spoke in his lifeless voice. "My favourite Hogwarts student." (Severus clenched his teeth) "Tell me, how are things at our favourite school?"
Severus bowed his head. "They are quiet my Lord. There are no signs that Dumbledore has the slightest idea of where you reside."
Of course Dumbledore did know where the Dark Lord's hide-out was but Severus was clever enough not to tell Voldemort about it.
"Ah, that is good. And how about Potter?" Voldemort spat out Harry's name as if he was some sort of disease.
"Still going crazy my Lord. He has locked himself down in Hogwarts."
Severus knew it would be dangerous to tell Voldemort about his arch-enemy's mental state but Dumbledore seemed to think it would be the best thing to do.
"Going crackers then. How unusual. Let's hope our young hero becomes a threat to himself and others around him. That would surely be nice." Voldemort let out a cold laugh and Severus felt shivers run down his spine.
"Severus, I received word of a new teachers currently at work in Hogwarts. What do you know of this – Ephram Franklin?"
Severus let out a small sigh of relieve. For a minute he thought Voldemort knew about Hermione. "Mister Franklin is a pure-blood wizard, I believe. He is from the United States and that's all I know."
Voldemort merely nodded. "Do you think there is any chance he might join us?"
Severus shrugged. "I don't know, my Lord. I could try and persuade him."
"Then try and persuade your mud-blood as well!" a cold voice snarled from the entrance of the room. Lucius Malfoy entered, a devilish look on his face.
"Or do you deny the fact that you have been spending so much time with that Hermione Granger?"
"Granger?" Voldemort spat. "Potters best friend?"
"Yes, my Lord. She and her son reside within Hogwarts as well. Apparently she works as a teacher." Malfoy said.
Severus got extremely cold. Hermione. He was hoping to leave her out of all this but apparently Malfoy decided not to let that happen.
"Is that true, Severus?" Voldemort asked.
Severus merely nodded.
"And you are spending time with her?" Voldemort's voice showed signs of hidden anger and Severus knew he had to think of something quickly before he would be dead.
"I could not reach Potter, my Lord. I decided to take a slightly different path. Associating with Granger in order to get to Potter seemed the best way."
Voldemort let out a cold. "You did some good thinking then, Severus. You were right to choose this way."
Severus knew he got off, at least for today.
"I want you to go all the way with her. Make her fall in love with you, take her as yours, as a reward for all those things you have done. And make sure that, when you are enjoying her the fullest, you think of me and thank me." Voldemort spoke.
Severus nodded. He knew that, if he ever ended up having sex with Hermione, he would only be thinking of her but that was something Voldemort did not have to know.
"Now, Lucius. Thank you for informing me. Severus, although I appreciate your thinking and your course of actions, I am disappointed you did not tell me this earlier when I asked. Therefore I must punish you, so you won't do that again."
Severus nodded and prepared himself for terrible pains. He saw Lucius Malfoy leave the room and cursed him before the Dark Lord spoke out the curse.
"Crucio."
Hermione was waiting for Severus. He said he'd come by after dinner but it was already nine-thirty and still there was no sign of the tall man she adored so much.
Maybe he had more important business to attend that came up in an instant. But Hermione knew Severus would have told her if he couldn't make it. And what could be so important then?
She checked on Anthony who was fast asleep. How much did she love the kid. He was so easy and sweet. She started pacing around in her living room, feeling more worried with every step she took. Where is he? Why isn't he with me?
Hermione felt strangely attached to him. She had gotten used to the fact he was with her all the time. It made her feel safe and the tingling sensations in her stomach indicated she surely started to feel some love for him.
Restless, she decided to put on her cloak and head down to the dungeons. Maybe he was just caught up in one of his potions.
But she would never reach the dungeons before she would see Severus. She walked past the Entrance Hall when she noticed him. Apparently he had just come from Dumbledore's office and he seemed to be in a lot of pain.
"Severus!" she called and she hurried forward.
Severus heard someone say his name and a minute later, he felt her arms around his waist. "Hermione."he groaned.
"Severus. What happened to you?"
"I-. He called Hermione. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you but I had to go down there immediately."
Hermione fell silent. She had forgotten about Severus' work as a spy within Voldemort's inner circle. She felt stupid. Of course he would still be spying. After all, Voldemort was still at power.
"Shush, Severus. It's alright. Let me take you to your quarters."
Severus shook his head. "I'd much rather be with you right now." He muttered and Hermione let out a faint smile.
"Alright then, we'll go to my quarters."
They entered Hermione's quarters and Hermione carefully led Severus to her bed. Before putting him down she cast a Silencing Charm around Anthony's crib, so he wouldn't wake up because of them and then she started to unbutton Severus' cloak.
"What-. What are you doing?" Severus groaned.
"You're in pain. I need to check if you got any wounds." Hermione answered sternly and continued her work.
Severus let her. He was to tired to object and lied down on his back when she had undressed him to his boxers.
He felt how Hermione's hands ran all over his body, in order to check if he had any bruises. It aroused him. The touch of her soft hands on his pale skin cause him to want her even more then he already had.
Hermione felt surprised that Severus allowed her to strip him almost entirely. When she saw his body she sighed in awe. He was quite muscular, but there were a lot of scars too. When she was finished she wanted to put the blanket upon him but Severus rejected.
"No, too hot!"
He closed his eyes and relaxed as he heard Hermione walk away and return again. A soft thud indicated she swung herself down on the other side of the bed.
"What did he want?" she finally asked.
"Not much." Severus answered. "He wants me to find out if Ephram would be willing to join the Death Eaters."
"Ephram would not!" Hermione spat.
Severus grinned. "I wasn't really going to ask him, Hermione."
There was a slight silence between them before Severus spoke again.
"He knows about your presence here."
"Oh? And?"
"Well, he wants me to make you fall in love with me so I can have a clear road to Potter."
Hermione laughed. "Well, you already have a clear road to Harry. More clear than I have actually."
Severus laughed as well and they fell silent again. He felt how Hermione cuddled up next to him and by the touch of her bare arm on his skin, he realised she must've undressed herself as well. Again, a slightly arousing thought shot through his mind and he grinned silently.
"You know Severus." Hermione started of and Severus opened his eyes to look at her. For a moment, he was stunned. She was just in her underwear next to him and she looked absolutely gorgeous.
Hermione saw him stare. "Well, you're in your boxers so I thought it might be fair if I would undress as well. You know, equal thing."
"I can't really say I mind." Severus admitted.
"I thought so!" Hermione blushed. "But listen, you don't have to make me fall in love with you. Well – uh - . It's just that. I think – that uh – I, you know. I think that – I already – love – you."
Severus smiled, he touched her red cheek with his finger. "Do not be ashamed of that, Hermione."he whispered. "For I feel the same thing to. And I want to love you, with or without that freak still walking around. My love for you is undying, no matter what. I love you, Hermione."
Hermione looked down his boxers where something seemed to have grown.
"It's not only love you feel, mister." She teased and Severus smiled.
"Lust is merely a part of love."
"Interesting definition of love you have there." Hermione said as she leaned into him. "Let's make sure we both know how much we love each other."
Severus merely nodded before engaging himself into a long, passionate kiss. And an hour later, when he almost reached total satisfaction, there was only one person on his mind: his beautiful Hermione Granger.