Summary: Hermione graduated from Hogwarts 2 years ago and is now twenty. War rages on and she builds barriers around her heart.
Genre: Angst/Romance Rating: Mature/Lemon Warnings: This is very OOC. If you want the characters just the way they are in the book, stop now and click on the back button. This is also AU. If you do not like it, do not read it! Now for those who want to, enjoy!
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I Don't Believe In Love
Chapter Eighteen: Sweetness
"You came back"
"I never left you." Severus whispered in her ear. Hermione snorted softly because of her lack of strength. "I was foolish. I could not control myself. I don't deserve you."
"Don't you dare give up on me. I never gave up on you." Severus chuckled, and Hermione smiled.
"Never again." He stood up, and Hermione was a bit startled. "Shhh." She relaxed a bit, and fell asleep.
He placed an arm under her lower back, and another, under her neck and back, then carried her to the infirmary.
Thoughts of regret and guilt littered the way to the infirmary. He should have been faithful. 'It was just a week and a half for Merlin's sake!' He felt so disgusted with himself.
He walked in the infirmary and laid Hermione in one of the beds. He stroked her head, and combed her hair for a few times, before calling Poppy.
"Sweet Merlin! What happened now?" Snape raised his eyebrows as if saying 'You're the mediwitch, tell me.'
Poppy blushed, and got to work. After doing a full-body scan on Hermione, she turned to Severus.
"She hasn't been eating, and she overworked herself to the point of exhaustion. She will need to rest for a few days here." With that, she went back to her office.
Severus conjured a chair, and sat on it. He watched her, and soon, he too could no longer fight the tempting arms of sleep.
At around four, Hermione woke up, and was unfamiliar with her surroundings. The first thing she noticed was white. 'I'm in the infirmary?' She turned her head sideward, and that was when she noticed the black bundle that was Severus. She chuckled, and ruffled his hair to wake him. He groaned, and she laughed softly.
"My hair is as unmanageable as it is. Do not make it worse." He lifted his head from her bed, and looked at her concernedly.
"Should I send you some shampoos?" She asked in that sickeningly sweet voice. 'Well, at least she is well enough for sarcasm. Might as well play along.'
"Those muggle products that destroy your hair? No thanks. I have hair potions already." He smirked.
"Then why don't you use them?" Her voice took a teasing tone.
"Oh but I do use them."
"I would hate to see what it looks like in its normal state." He glared at her.
It was then, that an ancient voice said, "Hermione, how are you?" Albus came in, and conjured a chair for himself.
"I'm fine sir." Severus snorted.
"No, she worked herself up to the point of exhaustion." It was her turn to glare at him. He simply raised an eyebrow.
"Very well, I have brought some sweets for you." Dumbledore conjured a bowl full of sweets, and set it on her table. "Enjoy. Oh and Severus, you have classes today. Remus has kindly volunteered to teach your subject, while you are here, Hermione."
Hermione beamed at Albus, and he nodded, turned, and walked away.
When he was gone, Severus took her hand, and kissed it. "I have to go. Classes." She nodded, and he took one last look of longing at her, before leaving.
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It was good to say that the days, before June was harmonious. Severus and Hermione's relationship grew stronger at this point.
The courtyard, no longer saw sorrow, but joy. It was now a normal place of meeting for them. There, they would share stories, feelings, and thoughts. It was only when month of May came, that the Order became very jumpy. The confrontation was now nearing, and they still did not know of what Voldemort has in store for them. Order meetings were now frequent.
There was no place lively anymore. Everywhere was filled with gloom.
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Minerva pulled Severus aside, one morning. She told him that he was handed a precious gift, and that he should not ignore it. "Hermione is a very special witch." She asked (More like threatened actually) him, to take care of Hermione.
He promised her, that he would never let his actions go out of control as it did before.
Sinistra was rarely seen out of her tower again.
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Severus wrapped his arms around Hermione. The courtyard was bathed in darkness, and they were its only occupants. Hermione leaned on him, and he sat down, bringing her with him.
"When will this war end Severus?" Hermione's voice was tinged with sorrow.
"Soon, I hope. Hermione, will you marry me?" She stilled. He tightened his hold, and said, "I know that you don't believe in love, but it is the only thing that could explain what I feel now. I love you, marry me."
Hermione turned around and hugged him. Her heart soared inside. It was only then, that she knew that she had to accept, that there really is a thing such as love. "No, I do believe in it now. I love you too. And, yes I will marry you."
Severus felt joy course though his blood. He stood up, and held out his hand to her. She took it, and he swung her around in a circle. The courtyard was bathed in laughter. Their mingled voices laced with joy and love.
He conjured a velvet box, at took out a ring. It had a princess cut diamond in the middle, and two other stones, a square cut emerald, and ruby were set beside it.
He slipped it in her ring finger, and kissed her forehead. She felt a little sad, because they still could not kiss properly. But it was soon replaced with hope that Harry will be able to defeat Voldemort.
She beamed at him, and they danced, without music under the moonlight.
("OOOHH I'm so happy" Smirks dances around the oblivious couple. Snarks raises an eyebrow (It's not possible but hey it's cute) and shakes his head, and soon joins Smirks with the dance.)
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I got so many reviews again! YEAH! Thank you so much to those who reviewed.
Angel-65: Yay. Thanks.
mugglemomof3: I know. Sigh. I'm working her too much.
Stegijsa: No she's not. You're right she's too strong for that.
Varcolaci: Well, it all worked out now! YAY!
BeckiSoup: Thanks. True... Well, everythings fine now.
deadlyabyss12: WOW Thanks!
JTBJAB: Well, you would gain the knowledge that I too, am a Slytherin. Thanks, I think. Lol.
L: And thank you for reading it.
MsPadfootVerona: I would love to put more, but the start of school is nearing... But Severus is very sorry now...if that helps.
Angelbabe385: She will. She did. lol.
the-amazing-color-brown: I would love too, but 1000/day is already a load for me...sorry...
'Mione n Sevvie: I know YAY!
aniamifan1988: Yeah! They are! Lol. I hope this chappie was a good one.
sexiprincess1228: Thank you. They make my day too.
lydia: She's very forgiving. Lol. And I'm running out of time...lol
Mish Michelle: Yay! I love dragons. Thank you.
sammy2008: It was a favor to Dumbledore remember? Chapter 3 I think or 4
Firesblood: Thank you! for reviewing and reading it. c,")
jekyllhyde: Oh he's still bad, He's mean. But he has a very soft spot for Herms.
Poppins: Thank you.
Alias mel: Lol. Well, if it helps, I was angst-driven when I wrote it. lol.
YAY! I love you people so much. Next Chappie: War Plans. Thank you so much for reading it! Review Please. - Darque.
