He knew he had been a fool for not noticing it before. A pure and utter fool, but the truth was he had never noticed because it was not her body that had drawn him to her. Although women's bodies were quite nice to look at, Severus had never actually saw Hermione like that, in the physical sense. He had first been attracted to her mind. It had all started when he had caught her reading in his personal library. Not that it surprised him, she had always had a way of getting into things she shouldn't. What surprised him was the material she had been reading. He would have expected Hogwarts: A History, but certainly not Macbeth. When she had hummed the classics as she worked on him. He felt the tune flow through him, almost as if it was made for her to sing. For her to sing to him.
As the sun rose higher in the sky, it cast its light upon the parapets of Hogwarts castle. It would be another beautiful day, and for once Severus wished to spend it outside. He couldn't though. He had a duty to stay with Hermione, and he would not leave the infirmary until she did. He looked at her, and for what had to be the millionth time asked himself why. Why would she do it? How could she be so dumb? It was enough to make him angry. Yes. He was angry with her, and he would stay that way, he thought. That was until she began to stir. She smiled in a dreamy way, and Severus could not help himself from mimicking it. She had dreamt throughout the night. Bad dreams, dreams he himself knew too well. He had been there when she would sit up shaking, hair flying about her haphazardly. He had eased her back to sleep, whispering in her ear, brushing the hair off of her pallid face. And now as she turned about under the covers he watched her still. How could he ever be angry with her. He had so many questions to ask her. Questions other than why. He wanted to know her. He was curious what she was made of. What she believed, what she knew, what she craved. He wanted to know how to get under her skin, and where she was sensitive the most. He only wished that the previous nights occurrences did not put her off from him. His eyes were glazed over as he watched her from his seat. Both from the lack of sleep, and also because he was lost in thought.
"Severus," Hermione whispered. Quickly he snapped out of his reverie, and he shook his head to remove the last remnants of thought. Her voice was rough and scratchy. She sounded as if she had swallowed sandpaper. She tried to push herself up, but found that even with a good nights rest, she still had no strength left. She was annoyed with herself as her arms gave out from her. She sighed and watched as Severus stood up to grab a pitcher and a glass. He poured water into a glass and handed it to her.
"How do you feel," He asked as he helped her sit herself up. He fluffed her pillows and she sat back against them. She took a sip of her drink before answering. The liquid felt soothing as it flowed down her throat.
"Weak." Was all that she answered. Severus only nodded before turning and walking away. Before he could get far he heard Hermione's voice. "Where are you going?" She asked. He turned back around and stood at the foot of her bed.
"To fetch Madame Pomfrey. I'm sure she'll want to know you're up."
"No." She exclaimed. She seemed embarrassed by her sudden outburst, because a slight blush rose up on her pale face. She looked down at her hands a moment. "N-not yet."
Slowly Severus walked back to his chair and seated himself in it. He shifted it so he was seated close to her bed. He found he was afraid to look at her. Embarrassment was written all over his face, he knew it. After an awkward silence he couldn't take it anymore and he looked up, only to find her staring at him. Almost as intently as he had looked at her while she was sleeping.
"Her-" His words were stopped by her hand. She had placed it gently upon his lips.
"Shh. Do you know that you look very handsome when you're not scowling?" He couldn't help but smile at her silly flattery. "I said it before, but I'll say it again. It looks good on you." She said referring to his smile. Again with the flattery. He too looked down at his hands.
"I-I don't know what to say to you." He finally said.
"Then don't say anything." She whispered. Thoughts raced through her mind, but one that stood prominent was how she was seeing Severus right now. She really did think he looked handsome when he smiled. Especially with the sun casting its rays on his light skin. It made him look as if he was glowing with warmth. Warmth. She was cold, and a shiver ran down her back.
"You're cold." Severus said as he stood up. "I will be right back."
Hermione merely nodded, and looked away out the window as he walked away. He had been gone only a moment before she felt like crying. She was flattered by his attentiveness towards her. No one had ever been as attuned to her needs as he was being right now. She wanted him to hurry back. How was he doing this to her? She had been out of his presence for only a second before she missed him. She didn't know this feeling, and again the shiver ran down her back. There would be no hiding it for long, could she actually, possibly…love him? Was love even real? Never had anyone ever made her feel so comfortable. Not just in his presence, but in her own skin. She found herself holding her breath till he returned. When he did she released a loud sigh. He had a pile of blankets in his hands and he held them out to her. She took them graciously and started wrapping them around herself. It was obvious she needed some assistance and Severus leaned over her to tuck the blankets in tightly. His fingers grazed her arm as he did this, and again the shivers coursed through her body.
'Damn it,' She thought. She knew that it must have been obvious, but Severus took it for her just being cold. When she felt his body pulling away from hers she couldn't help herself. There was no way she was going to let this moment pass so quickly. She reached out and grabbed his arm before he could pull away fully, and take his seat. When she did this Severus released his own sigh of relief. He had just been wishing for her to do the very same thing.
"Don't." Was all she managed to say. He knew what she meant by this and instead of pulling away, he seated himself next to her on the right side bed. He could read in her eyes what she wanted him to do, and because he loved her, he complied. He leaned back against her pillows, and wrapped his arm around her. She laid her head gently upon his chest, and also wrapped her arm around him. And for the first time that day Hermione cried. He placed a silencing charm around them, not wanting to be disturbed by Poppy. He knew she would ask questions about why she was crying. He wouldn't let that happen. He would allow her to cry as long as she wanted to. There was a time and place for questions and this was not it.
After what seemed like hours Hermione began to calm down, and Severus found that he had a very strong urge to pee. As quietly as possible he mad to move from the bed, but stopped when he felt Hermione's body tense, and her hand grasped at his shirt.
"Where are you going?" She asked, "Don't leave." He pulled her closer to himself and kissed the top of her head.
"Hermione, there is something you need to know when it comes to me and you." He whispered into her hair, "I would never leave you, and nothing…nothing could ever keep me from you. I love you."
She turned her head up and looked at him. She searched his face for any sign of doubt and found none.
"I…love you too." She feared her hesitation would cause him not to believe her, but it dissipated as Severus brought his hand up to cup her face. Their lips met in the most passionate kiss either had ever experienced. Everything around them disappeared as they became one with each other. They were two parts of one whole. Hermione brought her arms up and placed them around his neck, as Severus tightened his grip around her waist, pulling her even closer to him. He ran his thin white fingers through her soft brown hair, and her body tingled in all the spots that he had touched her. This was the most natural magic that could ever have been created, and the two counted themselves lucky to be a part of it. Severus wanted to increase the kiss, but would not allow himself to take it further. He needed to wait until she was sure of her feelings. He would not take advantage of the vulnerable position she was in. Slowly, as to not surprise her, he pulled out of the kissed. It was quite possibly the hardest thing he had ever had to do.
They sat there staring at one another, trying to catch their breath. Severus smiled, and Hermione laughed a little.
"I can't help but think that Dumbledore had something to do with this. Indirectly of course, but nonetheless." Hermione said.
"I believe so too." Severus answered, "The old codger was in here last night telling me all about my feelings. It's scary how much that man knows."
"Well I'm sure he will be pleased to hear about this." Hermione said staring at her hands that she was now twisting together from nervousness.
"I suppose so." Severus replied. He stared at her intently before going on, "Hermione…"
"Severus, please," Hermione answered knowing what he was about to ask, "Don't. Don't ruin this moment by asking me about…"
"Okay." He said quickly, before she had time to get upset. "Alright, I understand." All of a sudden he found himself laughing and Hermione hit him playfully.
"Hey, I thought I told you not to laugh at me."
"It's not you I'm laughing at, it's myself." He answered, "You do realize that you could ask me for anything, anything at all and I would not be able to deny you. You're the only person in the world for whom I would go to the end of the earth."
This deserved him another kiss, and it was one that he received graciously. It was shorter this time, but just as nice. It had been cut off, though, by the very unfortunate barging in of Madame Pomfrey.
"Oh my!" She had shouted before practically running away. The two left in her wake could do nothing but laugh at the medi-witch's surprise.
"Well I don't think we'll have to worry about telling Albus." Said Hermione jokingly.
"Or anyone else for that matter," Severus added, but he was as serious as could be.
"I don't think she'll tell everyone."
"How long did you go to this school?" Severus asked lightheartedly, "I do believe that seven years at Hogwarts is long enough to justify my claim, that not only do the students here run their mouths, but the teachers and staff as well."
"I suppose," Hermione answered as she stretched her arms out from her sides, and released a wide yawn. Severus could only stare at her in adoration. She smiled back at him, as she settled her head back down on the pillow, and placed her arms at her sides. She knew she was so vulnerable at this point, not only physically, but emotionally as well, and it surprised her to find that she was not bothered by this. She didn't feel the need to put her guard up. She liked that feeling…was it stability. Whatever it was, it was nice. He sat on the edge of the bed, back straight, and it seemed as if he was waiting for something, or somebody. He gently grasped her hand and used his thumb to trace invisible circles upon her skin. Slowly he lowered his head and he gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. It felt almost reassuring to her, it was as if she was waiting for that kiss. Now that she had received it their relationship was solidified, that was if they had a relationship.
"I don't think anyone will have a problem with it." Hermione finally said after a few minutes.
"Oh yes I'm sure Minerva will be quite pleased with me."
"Oh yeah. I forgot about her. She'll have your head." Hermione said as she giggled, "I can see it now."
"I doubt you'll have to wait very long." Severus answered.
"Why's that?"
"Because here she comes now." Hermione leaned over the side of the bed to get a better view of her ex-transfiguration teacher, as she progressed towards them. McGonagall's expression was enough to scare even a boggart, and she was headed right towards them. There was no way out of this one, and the two could do nothing but sit there and wait for their condemnation.
Ooooooh! What's McGonagall gonna say. I guess you'll just have to find out next time huh! I totally deserve thanks for this chapter, I wrote it in practically twenty minutes. It is my present to you for making you wait so long. Yup I added two chapters instead of just one. Love me or hate me for it. R&R people. Bonjour for now. --Britney
Twilight Vanessa Carlton
I was stained,
With a role,
In a day not my own,
And as you walked into my life,
You showed what needed to be shown
And I always knew what was right,
I just didn't know that I might,
Peel away and choose to see with such a different sight.
And I will never see the sky the same way,
And I will learn to say goodbye to yesterday,
And I will never cease to fly if held down,
And I will always reach too high,
Cause I've seen,
I've seen…twilight.
Never cared,
Never wanted,
Never sought to see what flaunted,
So on purpose,
So in my face,
Couldn't see beyond my own place,
And it was so easy,
Not behold,
What I could hold,
But you taught me,
That I could change whatever came within these shadowed days.
And I will never see the sky the same way,
And I will learn to say goodbye to yesterday,
And I will never cease to fly if held down,
And I will always reach too high,
Cause I've seen,
Cause I've seen…
As the sun shines through,
And pushes away and pushes ahead,
Feel the warmth of blue,
And leaves a chill instead,
And I didn't know,
That I could be so blind to all that is so real,
But as illusion dies,
I see there is so much to be revealed…
And I will never see the sky the same way,
And I will learn to say goodbye to yesterday,
And I will never cease to fly if held down,
And I will always reach too high,
Cause I've seen,
I've seen…twilight.
I was stained,
With a role,
In a day not my own,
And as you walked into my life,
You showed what needed to be shown
And I always knew what was right,
I just didn't know that I might,
Peel away and choose to see with such a different sight.
And I will never see the sky the same way,
And I will learn to say goodbye to yesterday,
And I will never cease to fly if held down,
And I will always reach too high,
Cause I've seen,
I've seen…twilight.