Saturday Hermione headed back down to the dungeons but didn't find Severus. She headed for his secret chamber but he wasn't there either. She searched throughout the castle for two hours, finally searching one last place, chastising herself for not thinking of it earlier.

She found him in the library, in the furthest, darkest corner, engrossed in a book. Had they been on regular terms, she would have smiled.

"Professor Snape," she addressed, incase anyone could hear. "A word please." Her tone told him he had no choice.

Severus looked up from his book with a mixed expression of exhaustion, worry and annoyance. "Certainly, Miss Granger," he replied, standing up and following her from the library.

"We should go to your classroom," she told him as they walked.
"Fine."

They walked in silence all the way until the door closed behind them. Severus sat in a chair in the back of the room and looked at her but said nothing.

Hermione stared at him briefly before she began. "I don't know what has happened the past month or so," she told him. "But incase you don't remember, I'm quite stubborn. Don't think I'm going to let you walk away from me that easy."

Severus nodded. "Are you finished?" he asked with no expression on his face.

"Maybe."

"Then continue."

"I need you to talk to me," she told him.

He stood up and started to walk towards the door.

"Don't make me stun you," she warned, eyes narrowed.

Turning on his heel, Severus glared at her. "Is that a threat?" he asked in shock.

"Call it what you will," she quipped.

Anger instantly erupted from him causing him to grab her arms below her shoulders roughly and shake her once. "Don't you dare mock me," he hissed.

"Or what?" She was not afraid of his outburst this time.

His dark eyes met hers before he pushed her away. "Can't you just leave me alone?" he asked.

His question had sounded like a plea. "Why?" she asked. "Because that's what's easiest for you?"

"You don't understand!"

"You're right there," she said. "One minute we're close and happy and discussing our feelings and the next you're treating me like an enemy."

"You're brainy," he sneered. "What does that tell you?"

She smirked. "It tells me that you're scared of something," she answered.

"Scared?" he repeated with a laugh. "Highly improbable."

"I think you're pulling away from me," she said. "You're scared of getting too close…"

"Stop."

"You're feeling stronger than you ever have and don't know what to do about…"

"Stop I said!"

"And your defense mechanism is kicking in so…"

"Shut up!" he yelled, consumed by emotion he was quickly losing control of. "Don't you understand you could be in danger?"

Hermione just looked at him.

"Foolish girl!" he exclaimed. "Feelings are nothing! I have the capacity to kill those I love!"

Hermione's eyes widened at his words. "You love me?" she asked.

"No!" Severus exclaimed, quickly losing what little composure was left, standing up and shoving the chair away from him with his foot. "I do not! I can not!"

"You do!" she exclaimed, determined to break through the wall, especially now. "And you can!"

"No!" he yelled again, throwing his arms up in the air. "You're stupid for entertaining such thoughts!"

"I love you too!" she yelled, walking up to him and bravely reaching for his face, pulling it to her to plant a quick kiss on his lips. "Listen to me! I love you, Severus!"

Eyes wide in alarm, Severus stood still for a minute, eyes searching hers for something although not sure what, then turned away from her, slumping down into another chair, his back to her.

He couldn't do this anymore. He couldn't keep treating her like this. But what could he do? She just told him she loved him and he almost couldn't believe it. The last one to love him ended up dead by his own hand. His love for her had meant nothing. It couldn't save her life. And Hermione had already been through enough this year. He knew Voldemort was gone, but a fear as deep as he'd caused didn't vanish completely. He would always be marked, physically, emotionally, mentally. If anything happened to her too…

"Severus," Hermione said gently, slowly approaching him, not sure how he might react, waiting for him to jump up from the chair towards her. When he said nothing and didn't move, she walked around where he was sitting so she could see him. "Severus?" she repeated but then noticed why he wasn't speaking. A tear had slipped from each eye, down his cheeks, one hand at his forehead as if shielding his eyes.

Not sure what to do, as it was a sight she never thought she'd see, Hermione stood still, her heart breaking. She had to do something. Should she leave? Or stay? Then it hit her.

She crawled into his lap and cradled his head to her chest, relieved when she felt his arms slip around her body and cling to her, his body gently shaking from his silent release of emotion. She fought her own tears, unable to even think of what it was like to be him, to have seen the things he'd seen, to do the things he'd done both in and out of his control. Her heart ached as it never had, wishing she could convince him that she'd be all right.

His body was controlling him as he had no choice but to allow her the turn of comforter, hiding his face against her chest, shielding his embarrassment of this emotional outburst. He couldn't help it though. Too many years of torment, too many lies, too much manipulation, too much pain…so much death…had taken its toll. He never broke down as he had nearly mastered the art of masking and redirecting his inner turmoil. But Hermione had cut him to the quick and couldn't hold it in any longer, even though he wanted to desperately. And the dagger that did the cutting was her love; the fact she'd said she loved him. He knew it was truth and it absolutely broke him.

Severus' breath caught in his throat a couple times as Hermione held him, a tear finally slipping from her own eye. How she wished she could take the painful memories away from him but all she could do was hope to provide better ones now. "It's okay," she whispered, hand smoothing his black hair. "It's all okay, Severus." When she pulled away, his hands immediately went to his face.

"I'm so sorry," he apologized, voice shaky and ragged, as he wiped his wet face, sure he was a sight. "Forgive me…how humiliating…"

Hermione gently pushed his hands away, revealing streaks from tears and puffy eyes, understanding he was embarrassed. She cupped his face in her hands, forcing him to look at her. "Nonsense," she said, as that was what he'd told her when she'd said the same thing months ago. "You were there during my most vulnerable moment. Now I'm here with you during yours. I'd say that creates a pretty special bond between us, Severus."

He shook his head as one of her hands moved to the back of his hair and the other fell to her lap. "I've never broke down like this," he admitted, wiping his face again, sounding a little more like himself. "I've never allowed it. I was always afraid it wouldn't stop once it started, that it would spiral out of control."

"Can we talk now?" she asked, playing with the soft hairs that met the base of his neck, trying to ignore his 'moment' in the hopes of making it easier for him. "I haven't liked the way things have been between us lately."

"Neither have I," he admitted, slipping his arms around her as she remained in his lap, guilt filled eyes looking up at her. "Please accept my apology for my behavior. I wasn't meaning to hurt you. I just…"

"I know what you were doing," she told him. "I understand. I'm not mad. Not anymore. But we can't keep having these issues. Severus, you can read my mind. You know my feelings are sincere. Voldemort has been destroyed. He is not coming back. You will not hurt me."

"There's so much darkness, Hermione," he said, eyes clouded by the horrible past he would almost give his own life to forget. "So much…I could never tell you enough so that you could understand. I'm haunted constantly…daily…but now with you…you offer relief…a reprieve from that darkness…I don't know how to accept it sometimes as I don't think I deserve it."

"You do deserve it but you have to let me in…and let me stay in," Hermione told him. "You can't push me away anymore. I can't deal with the roller coaster like what we've had."

"I know," he said quietly, reaching for her hand. "And then this whole dance mess…"

"Dance mess?"

He shook his head. "I had to stand there and watch you dance with someone else," he answered. "When I wanted to be the one to hold you, even though I knew I couldn't. And then when he kissed you…"

She smiled. "You were jealous!" she said with a slight laugh. "I can't believe it."

He grinned sheepishly. "I sound ridiculous," he told her, rolling his eyes. "But it's you. It's the affect you have on me. I can't pretend this isn't real." He paused, bringing her hand to his lips and kissing the top of it, then reached up and slid his hand into her hair, enjoying the softness. "I wanted to be the one to dance with you and hold you close, not stand and watch as someone else did it. It was so hard." His thumb grazed her cheek, rubbing lightly. "I felt like a hormonal jealous teenager and hated every second of it. I didn't know how to act or how to handle myself."

She smiled, leaning into the touch of his hand, not wanting him to stop. "Is that all you want?" she asked curiously, knowing if she was going to bring up this subject, now was a perfect time. "Do you just want to be able to dance with me?"

His thumb rubbed over her lips, eyes never straying from hers, knowing this was the question between them that needed asking and answering. "Silly girl," he said with affection. "I want to see your face when I wake up in the morning. I want you by my side when I work on potions in my lab. I want you sitting beside me reading while I'm grading tests. I want you waiting for me in bed in the evening. I want your body underneath me in the middle of the night when our love becomes physical." He paused, slightly shaking his head at his own words. "As crazy as I might be for this, I just want you. And that terrifies me."

Her heart was pounding, listening to what he was telling her. "You want me?" she repeated. "As in…me and no one else? Sort of like a relationship?"

"Yes," he answered, hardly able to believe what he was saying but knowing he wanted nothing more. "You and me, Hermione. No one else. I know you'll be graduating soon but…we'll just deal with that when the time comes."

Hermione hugged Severus quickly. "We're not crazy," she told him. "And please don't let this terrify you. You've got enough that haunts you. This should provide happiness. You have a beautiful smile. And a wonderful laugh. There's a side of you that most would never believe exists. That's what I want. None of us know what's going to happen in the future. You have to live for today."

"You don't care about our age difference?" he asked curiously, thinking of the student that held her. "You don't look at younger men and want them instead?"

She knew exactly what he was referring to. "When Richard kissed me," she began. "It meant nothing. I did nothing that night but want you."

"Really?" He didn't know why he asked it but it slipped from his lips before he had time to stop it, thinking he sounded like a child.

"Yes, really. I want you. I mean it, Severus."

Gently slipping her from his lap, he stood up, sliding his hands through her hair before cupping her face, eyes gazing at her in wonder. "I love you, Hermione," he whispered, leaning down to touch her lips with his. "No more roller coaster."

Her arms around his waist, she pulled him close as he nuzzled her neck and ear, breathing heavily and tracing the outside of her ear with his tongue, shivers flooding through her body. "Make love with me," she whispered as her body ached for his touch. She'd never used that term to describe any of their times together as she didn't think it was accurate by any means. But now was different, even more so than the few days she'd spent in his chamber.

He felt her press her body to his, recognized the desire building, knew his own longing was slowly taking over. Moaning and grinding his hips and hardness against her, he whispered, "It's been so long since I've let myself go with another."

"Let's change that," she said, pushing from him and reaching for his hand. "Come on."

Severus allowed her to lead him into his own bedroom, surprised when she began to take her clothes off. "Wait," he said, reaching for her hands and pushing them from her blouse. He bent down and picked her up, gently laying her on the plush black satin comforter, crawling on top of her, smiling down at the young woman underneath him. "Have I told you how beautiful you are?" he asked, brushing stray locks from her face.

"I don't know about beautiful," she said truthfully. It wasn't a word she'd ever use to describe herself.

"Well I do," he said. "I've been a fool. No more. I promise."

"Don't promise," she said, shaking her head.

"I don't make promises lightly," he said gravely. "I think you understand what I mean."

She nodded but said nothing, her arms around his neck, pulling him to her. His lips were soft as they joined again, their mouths quickly opening to allow further exploration, pent up desire quickly released as his tongue plunged into her mouth, groaning and pressing his body to her.

He needed to tell her about when he'd opened his mind, not wanting to keep that a secret any longer. It had been bothering him ever since it happened. "I have to tell you something," he whispered. "There was a time not too long ago when I…well I allowed my mind to open to yours."

"Where were we?"

"We were in bed actually," he answered. "And I'm sure you'll remember hearing me say 'I love you' in your head. Am I correct?"

Hermione's mouth dropped. "That was you?" she asked. "I thought it was just me making it up. And…oh my god…I said it back…well thought it back."

He smiled slightly. "Yes you did," he agreed. "I just wanted to tell you that was me."

"It's okay," she said. "I remember that time was pretty…intense."

"We could do that again," he offered. "Actually it's the most intimate you could ever be with someone. I've only done it with one other. I'd like to share it again with you."

Hermione felt as if she'd received the invitation of a lifetime, something that would only be theirs. She was a little nervous about him being privy to every single thought she would have but found it sensual at the same time. Nothing would be hidden from each other and that was quite enticing. "Okay," she said.

"It's a little odd at first," he told her. "But you'll get used to it."

"Just kiss me," she instructed him with a grin, pulling him to her, crashing their lips together in a feverish wet kiss. She was used to her own thoughts, relishing in his body on hers, his hardness pressing against her core, loving his taste and how their mouths entwined together but now she was aware of his thoughts. His desire was almost all consuming, rushing through his body and her mind, revealing his most private thoughts. As hands began to roam while mouths remained tangled, Hermione felt as if she were riding a roller coaster whose speed increased with every minute that passed until she finally had to pull away breathless, hoping the break the bond for a moment.

"You all right?" he whispered.

She was nearly panting. "Intense," she breathed. "It's okay."

"Don't fight it," he purred. "Just allow yourself to be whisked away in the blend of our minds. Relinquish control, Hermione."

His voice…his words…they were enough to cause her core to tighten in anticipation, pushing her hips up against his. "Okay," she said. "I trust you."

Their lips met again as Severus tried to hold back but found it impossible. His desire to be with her, to please her, overwhelmed him as it were. He wanted her to know, to understand that he was capable of loving and caring. He wanted her to feel what he felt, to prove to her his love, even though he knew he didn't have to. He wanted her to experience his depth fully.

Hermione was reeling in intoxication, not from wine but from the mesh of their desires, doubling her pleasure, quickly driving her mad with want. She told herself to relax, to just have the experience because she did trust him completely, knowing he wouldn't do anything that she couldn't handle.

Slowly they slipped off each other's clothing, taking their time, both wanting to savor the anticipation of the physical consummation of their new admittance of love, and putting it off at the same time, knowing that once they allowed their bodies to join it wouldn't last but a few moments because of their already joined minds and hearts.

Hermione groaned as his mouth found her breasts, taking his time with each one, kissing around the soft mounds in slow lazy circles until taking each hard nipple in his mouth gently, as that was what she wanted him to do he learned, causing a streak of electricity to run from the tips of the small pebbles down to her throbbing inner core and back again, making her hips grind against his. "Severus," she whispered, grabbing handfuls of his silky hair. "How long…"

"Whenever you want," he growled, nipping at her neck, eliciting small gasps from her, already knowing what she wanted.

"I need you," she whispered, pulling his hips to her, realizing she was craving for him to be inside her physically and for their minds to mesh emotionally. "Now…"

Severus knew they were in for a wild ride, albeit a short one, knowing their time together would last longer the more they got used to each other's thoughts. Look at me, he thought as her eyes opened to meet his. Don't look away. He slid inside her slowly as the second he filled her, it was as if some of Fred and George's Exploding Poppers went off in their minds and bodies, Hermione's groans and feelings of ecstasy reverberating inside his mind, causing his pleasure to instantly double in intensity, reverberating back into her mind, causing hers to practically quadruple in mere seconds, their bodies not able to keep up with their exploding passions, both crying out in a frantic, and somewhat surprised, release from their combined climax, echoing inside the other, over and over, their shared orgasms lasting almost longer than they could handle physically.

As the reverberating slowed between them, both were panting as if they'd run a lap around the castle, chests heaving together, Severus' body collapsed on top of hers, neither of them able to move. What seemed like minutes passed before either said anything.

"Damn," was all Hermione could manage to whisper, fighting to control her breathing, her body still tingling and mind still reeling.

Panting himself, Severus knew he needed to remove himself from her but couldn't just yet. It had been so long; he'd forgotten exactly just how powerful that experience could be, especially when the other person had never done it before. Each time from now on would last a little longer, especially as Hermione became accustomed to the sensations. "Ditto," he breathed, forcing his arms to move, to push himself off of her somehow, thankful she was attempting to wiggle out from underneath him to help.

Both finally ended up lying on their back, staring up at the ceiling, amazed at what they'd just shared, almost speechless. It took a few minutes for the world around them to spin back into place as their perception had been drastically altered temporarily.

When Severus reached for her hand, Hermione smiled and turned her head to face him. "You should have warned me," she told him.

He faced her then. "And how would I have explained it?" he asked. "Some things you just have to experience."

The love flowing through Hermione felt as if it would tear her apart at the seams, and she wondered if everyone was fortunate enough to have it feel like this.

"No," he answered, having left his mind in tact with hers on purpose. "Most people never experience this." He rolled over on his side and smiled at her. "I'm feeling the same extreme emotion as you."

She turned to face him also, feigning a frown. "I do believe you should tell me when you're doing that," she said, not really caring if he did or not, knowing he would know that now too and laughing quietly.

He touched her cheek, his fingertips grazing her flushed skin lightly, and said, "I must say I'm glad that you didn't allow me to push you away. I never thought I'd be pleased with Gryffindor feistiness."

"You also weren't planning on all the events happening this year leading us together either," she pointed out.

"Truth again," he agreed. "I certainly never would have imagined your seventh year involving me in this manner." He reached for her body, his arm over her waist. "But I wouldn't change any of it."

"So Dumbledore and Ginny are the only ones that know then," she stated. "The other two I'm not counting of course."

"Of course," he agreed. "And yes they are the only ones that know."

"I won't tell anyone else," she said, suddenly feeling extremely tired.

"Me neither," he agreed. "We can't risk it."

Hermione yawned. "Can I take a nap?" she asked. "Just for a few minutes?"

He smiled, realizing he could probably fall asleep as well. "Of course," he answered, watching her for a few minutes before his own heavy eyelids began to close.

An hour later, Hermione awoke, arms and legs entwined with his, her head on his chest. She lifted her head to look at the clock, realizing they'd missed dinner in the hall. Oh well, she thought. Her movement had awakened Severus as his eyes fluttered open.

"What time is it?" he whispered, stretching his long legs.

"Almost eight," she answered. "Should I go?"

"No," he said, gently pressing her head back to his bare chest, one hand around her body and the other rubbing her hair. "Not just yet. Unless you want to."

She deeply inhaled his scent and answered, "Not particularly."

"Good."