******Hermione*******

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Came the worried voice of Remus Lupin. They were standing in the kitchen of Severus's mansion after just seeing said man home safely. He wasn't allowed to travel by himself for a week after waking up so Hermione and Remus volunteered to bring him home that next morning. But that wasn't what they were arguing about.

Hermione's chopping ceased as she looked up at Remus, her free hand came to pinch the bridge of her nose (a habit she picked up from Snape) as she let out a huff of annoyance. "Yes, I'm sure. After all, the healer said familiar stimuli would help Severus recover his memories faster. He's used to me cooking and cleaning for him. At least now I can use magic to do it," she quipped, trying to make light of the situation.

It didn't work.

"Hermione….you also heard that it was quite possible that he would never recover those memories. Or that even if he did, they might not be substantial enough to elicit the same emotional response. Plus, there was no timeline for how long it could take," Remus countered. "I know you love him and while I do think it's possible, I just want to make sure you'll keep taking care of yourself."

Hermione reached out and patted his shoulder gently, "I promise, I'll be taking very good care of myself. But that doesn't mean I can't do all I can to help Severus remember. This might be selfish of me, but….I want him back. I want….I want his kisses. His touch. His warmth. His love. All of it. And I'll do whatever it takes." She returned her attention to the meal she was preparing, determined to follow through with her plan no matter what.

"And the lingerie? You gonna do that part too?" Remus pressed, hovering over her shoulder. "I bet that would provide him an awful lot of stimulus."

That did it. "And if I did Remus?!" Hermione sneered, her curls whipping around her face as she turned back to look at him. "What business is it to you? I'm a grown woman, Remus. And not exactly innocent might I add. Do you know that he fucked me, right here, in this kitchen? And if you want to be even more specific, over there is where he ate my pussy," she pointed to the counter, "and over here is-"

"Alright, alright! That's enough Hermione! Merlin! I get it. I don't have any right to tell you what to do. Just….be careful, please," Remus let out with a shudder. "I just…..I know how hard this is for you. And Snape…"

"What about me?" Both sets of eyes turned to see the raven haired man standing in the kitchen archway. Hermione turned several shades of red. She knew he must have heard her lewd comments and she had no idea what he thought of that additional information. His blank mask was firmly in place. That made her sad when she considered how much he had let his guard down before. "Well?"

"Uh, it's nothing Severus. I'm just looking out for Hermione," Remus replied. "Anyway, I should get going. I'm sure Teddy misses me. Owl me if you need anything Hermione. Take care Severus." Lupin said as he passed through the kitchen.

Hermione felt a little nervous being alone with Severus after everything that transpired, but it was inevitable. "I uh, I thought I should make some breakfast," she breathed, switching around the counter distractedly. "Steak, egg whites, roast-"

"Roasted vegetables and toast. My favorite," he finished, taking a few steps towards her. For some reason her heartbeat sped up when he did. "You know, I couldn't help but to overhear how you, very graphically I might add, described our relations to Lupin. Tell me," he purred, once he was standing directly in front of her. "Was it truly love between us? Or….lust?" He whispered, bending low to nip at her neck.

Instantly, Hermione felt heat flare up in her lower belly. She exhaled sharply, her eyes fluttering closed as Severus continued to nip and suck on her neck. It was so unfair. How was he able to turn her on with just a few motions? Even lacking their shared memories. "Yes…" She moaned, tilting her head to give him more access. And then, as if gathering herself she added, "it was love. It might not have started off that way, but by the end….we knew."

Their eyes met and as Hermione gazed into Snape's black irises she knew there was some pending query burning up inside him. "Why? I mean, I remember the first couple of months you spent as my slave…the lingerie. I….I took advantage of you. Of the situation," Severus reminded her in a repentant tone.

Hermione's lips curled into a warm, knowing smirk. She reached up to cup his cheek, noticing how he tensed initially, but then relaxed which made her smile widen. "I know. And I already forgave you for that. Yes, it was humiliating at first, but after a while I sort of liked it. It gave me a sense of liberation. Plus, towards the end, I was purposefully trying to seduce you."

"An easy feat, I presume," Severus grinned and Hermione's heart stuttered in her chest.

"Actually...no, you were very stubborn. And noble. A lesser man would've succumbed a lot earlier than you did," she complimented. "And that made me fall for you even faster. When they dumped me on your doorstep I was furious. Out of all the Death Eaters, I hated you the most. I thought that you had betrayed us. I still remember that night. I was crushed." Hermione admitted, drawing her arms around him. It felt good, holding him and being held by him. Even if Severus's posture was stiff. "You see, I fancied you during school. You're so talented, brilliant, handsome, witty and strong. Plus you have that whole dark and mysterious thing going for you. When Harry first told us about you killing Dumbledore, I was gutted. And whilst everyone else found out after the Battle of Hogwarts, I still had no idea that you were always on our side. But then six months or so later, Remus comes and lets the cat out of the bag and that sealed my fate. I knew then that it was okay to harbor those feelings for you. It was okay to love you."

The kiss they shared was passionate, yet sorrowful and Hermione could taste the regret on his tongue and in his tears. He pulled away roughly, eyes wet. "You think so highly of me," Snape whispered, obviously in disbelief. Hermione let him remove her hand from his face, her own eyes watering as she watched his mask slide back into place. "I do not deserve it. Or you. Please, just leave me be. I….there's no telling if I'll ever regain my memories and it isn't fair to you to ask you to wait around for me. Not to mention how unworthy I am for a love so bold, deep, and pure."

She was starting to feel sick. "But what if you do? What if you wake up tomorrow and remember everything? Please. Give me one month. I promise, if you haven't started remembering things...I'll go."

"Alright Miss Granger. One month."