Chapter 14: 31 hrs. later...
Severus was literally fighting away the sleep as he was trying to keep his eyes open to watch his wife sleep. Then the sleep overcame him and he was out like a light facing Hermione. He had no shirt on, but he had his trousers. His boots were kicked off and somewhere in the floo. Severus had Hermione in his arms and he was inches from her face.
Hermione then fluttered her eyes open and saw Severus sleeping. She noticed the bags under his eyes and his raven locks in his eyes. Hermione then moved a hand up to his face and gently moved the hair from his eyes. This caused Severus to stir around and then he gripped Hermione a little more firmly. Then after a few minutes, he let up on the grip and continued to sleep.
Hermione was curious as to how his skin and hair felt. So she began to caress his hair. She was shocked that his hair was actually silky and clean. Not greasy and dirty as what Harry and Ron told her. Then she touched his skin and it was smooth. Hermione caressed his face and then his eyes opened.
Severus and Hermione stared at one another for a few moments. Then Severus moved his hand up to Hermione's face.
Hermione then flinched at the movement, then when his hand made contact with her soft skin, it was like a flame has been lit. She wanted more of his touch. Hermione closed her eyes savoring his touch, little did she know that Severus picked up on the reaction.
"You like that, don't you?" Severus asked, making sure that is what she wanted.
Hermione then nodded yes and Severus then smiled.
"Are you ok? You gave me one hell of a scare." Severus told her as he continued to caress her with his touch.
Hermione blinked away for a moment thinking about what he said and her answer. Why is he being nice? He is usually mean to me, I wonder if he is drunk or something. Or he could be wanting my body. I am not sure if he loves me though. I will not give my body to him or anyone unless they love me. But I do not know what happened to me.
Hermione then blinked back to meet his eyes and replied, " I am ok. What happened to me?"
"Well, for being out in the rain with no cloak on, you came down with scarletta fever. Luckily I had a batch left to treat you." Severus told her.
"So, how long have I been out?" Hermione asked.
"48 hours." Severus yawned.
"How long have you been up?" Hermione asked in amusement.
"It took 48 hours to take me down." Severus said.
"Wow. Why don't you sleep for a while." Hermione suggested.
"I will, you will stay here. I do not want my father upsetting you again. He will not bother you while I am in the room." Severus informed her as he gripped her tighter. Then he scooted himself closer to her, "Are you comfortable?"
"No, not really. Could I roll on the other side." Hermione asked cautiously.
"Sure." Severus lifted his arm up as she shifted to the other side and he wrapped his arms around her and put his nose into her hair. Then he inhaled deeply and slowly at the smell of Jasmine.
"You like the shampoo I use?" Hermione smiled feeling his lungs expand.
"Uh-huh. I love it." Severus exhaled.
"Well, good night, Severus." Hermione told him.
"Good night, Honey." Severus told her with a grin.
They then closed their eyes and went into dreamland.
The next morning...
Severus and Hermione was cuddled together on the bed completely lost in dreamland. Jayla entered her son's room quietly to see them together. I am so happy now that they have finally made up, they do look so cute when they are together. Jayla smiled at them and then suddenly saw Severus' eyes open up.
"What are you doing?" Severus whispered curiously.
"Doing your laundry. Where are her clothes? I am going to do them, too." Jayla said.
"She don't have that many,pretty much this is all she has." Severus waived his hand over Hermione's back showing that the clothes she was wearing are the only clothes she has left.
"Take her out shopping today." Jayla told him.
"I will, mom. I will do it after she rests, because she needs to rest right now. I want to make sure she is not sick before I take her outside in public." Severus said in a whisper.
"Ok, I will leave you two be but please do not forget to take her out to buy some new clothes." Jayla pointed her finger at him.
"Yes, mom." Severus told her.
Then with that said and done, Jayla left them two alone and went about to her chores. Severus then checked on Hermione and she was starting to wake up from the sun's rays beaming across her eyes. Severus then covered her eyes to try to let ler get some more rest, but she opened her eyes and looked at him.
"Morning. Are you feeling well enough to go shopping?" Severus asked with a smile.
"Yes, I am feeling much better, thanks to you." Hermione smiled back at him. " Were you ever a mediwizard?"
"Yes, I was and I still have my license for as long as I want. Then I became a potions master a few years later. Now Iteach students and take in only a few under my wing that I feel as though deserve it." Severus told her.
"So, what is on today's schedule?" Hermione asked trying to change the subject.
"Shopping until lunch, then we have a talk about your career and plans on how to pay for college. Me, as well as my family will help you go for success. For someone as smart and as talented as you, I will not let you throw your life away." Severus told her seriously.
Hermione nodded that she understood.
Severus then got up out of bed and he was dressed already. "To let you know, you have a beautiful body." Severus complimented.
"Wha?" Hermione then looked under the covers and found that she was in her bra and knickers."Why you.." Hermione then grasped onto a pillow and hurled it at his head and Severus ducked. Then he chuckled evily and left the room, leaving Hermione by herself cursing his name.
Hermione then got out of bed and got dressed quickly. Then she headed downstairs to the dining room where she saw Severus and the family eating. Hermione saw Tobias and didn't dare to enter from what she last experienced with him cursing her out of his house for being muggle born. She was so hungry that she went into the kitchen and made herself some eggs. After she was done eating her breakfast, she cleaned up her mess and washed her dishes. Hermione was unknown as to the shadow creeping up behind her.
Severus slowly crept up behind her, then he was shocked when Hermione turned around and scared him.
"Damn." Severus said like his hand was caught in the cooky jar.
"I heard you coming, I just wanted to play it out until you got close enough to do.." Hermione trailed off filling a mug with cold water.
"To do what?" Severus said slyly.
Hermione spun around quickly and threw the water on him, then ran around him and out of the kitchen to hide. While she was running up the stairs, she was giggling hysterically.
Severus then wiped the water from his eyes and ran after Hermione. She will pay for that little prank, just you wait until I find her. I will make her pay for that. Severus then ran up the stairs skipping 4 at a time and he stopped abruptly at the top.
"Severus what are you doing?" Jayla called up the stairs.
"It's just a little game, mother. Don't worry, I will get her." Severus responded while listening for her.
"Ok, just don't break anything." Jayla then walked away.
Severus then focused on the energy from his ring. He could feel the fear from Hermione, he then started to walk towards his bedroom. Severus opened the door and he felt his wife draw in her breath. He then knew right there where she was hiding, he looked over at the closet and felt the fear become more intense. Severus then strided over to the closet and opened the doors, he skeptically looked at the clothes, grinned, then began to hum, i'm- going to find-you repeatedly. He then saw her move and he took one stride and opened his royalty robes and found her hiding.
"Gotcha." Severus grinned evily.
"Now, I didn't- umm. Please don't-" Hermione stuttered on her words as Severus pulled her close to him, then he put his hand out for her to take.
Hermione hesitated, she did not know what he was doing or thinking at the time. She looked into his eyes and they were expressionless. She was unsure and scared of what to do, whether she should take his hand and they just laugh about it, he beats her up for her just joking around, or god knows what else.
Then the door suddenly burst open. Severus then pulled her out of the closet and pulled her to where she was behind him. Hermione looked around his signature robes to see Severus' father, Tobias standing there with expressions of pure rage across his face.
"SEVERUS, I SAW THAT DISRESPECT THE MUDBLOOD DID TO YOU. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?" Tobias yelled.
"It was just a joke, father. I do not care for it." Severus told his father bravely while keeping Hermione behind him.
"SO WHAT IS THIS I HEAR ABOUT YOU IN LOVE WITH THAT MUDBLOOD BITCH? DON'T YOU KNOW THAT SHE WILL MESS UP OUR FAMILY LINE?"
"So what if I do. I will do anything for her and she knows that." Severus said out loud.
Hermione was shocked that he said that. I cannot believe that he is in love with me. I wonder how long he has loved me, I mean, I can see that he protects me and all, that is a sign of love. But he has watched over me and the boys since we came at Hogwarts. How far does his love go back?
Hermione snapped back to reality and picked up on their conversation.
"You will not touch one hair on her head while I am around." Severus snarled at Tobias.
"REALLY? THOSE WORDS YOU JUST USED ARE SAID BY A REAL MAN. SINCE YOU THINK YOU ARE A MAN NOW, LET'S SEE IF YOU ARE MAN ENOUGH TO FIGHT. LET'S GO INTO THE ARENA RIGHT NOW, THE WINNER TAKES HER TO BED!" Tobias announced the challenge with an evil smirk while he pointed at Hermione.
Hermione's eyes widened in shock. Then she felt being directed behind her husband by his hand.
"Fine." Severus said through his teeth. Then he took Hermione by the hand and followed his father down to the arena.