Chapter 39
Severus entered the library through the fireplace and entered Hermine's bedroom.
He stopped in the doorway and saw the witch laying in peaceful sleep. She was the most beautiful thing in his life. And she cared for him. He loved it when she smiled. He loved it when she laughed. He loved it more when she challenged him.
He entered the room silently and began to undress. He heard her sit up and he closed his eyes for a moment. He had counted on her being asleep so he could slip in unnoticed.
"Go back to sleep." he said softly.
"I can't sleep without you." Severus sighed and climbed into bed. He wrapped his arms around her petite frame and relished the feel of her skin on his. They lay there silently for a moment, just breathing.
"None of this is your fault Severus. I don't regret a thing." Severus closed his eyes because his heart caused such pain in his chest. He leaned forward and kissed her shoulder and ran his hand down her arm. He smiled as she visibly trembled with desire.
Hermione rolled onto her back and reached for his face. She pulled him into a kiss that threatened to rip his soul out of his body and hand it to her.
They slept little that night.
Hermione awoke to the sun streaking across the room. She opened her eyes and it took a moment for them to adjust to the light. She stretched and yawned. She hadn't slept that well in days.
It was then that she noticed Severus was not in bed. He was usually an early riser, so she sluggishly crawled out of bed and put on her robe. She entered the sitting room and didn't see Severus there either. That's odd, she thought.
"Good morning." Elmer said in a soft voice. Hermione felt something odd happening as she turned towards Elmer. She approached the mirror and looked into her reflection. Her hair was a mess, but her face was flushed with happiness.
"Good morning Elmer." The door opened from the hall at that moment and Sylvester stood in the doorway. Hermione frowned at Sylvester. He looked…sad.
"Misses? Are you alright?" he asked in a scared voice.
"I'm fine Syl. What's wrong with you for goodness sake! You both are acting so strangely this morning."
Neither one of her confidents spoke. Her eyes switched back and forth between her reflection and Sylvester.
"Misses…you should read." Sylvester pushed a newspaper in her hand. It was a copy of the Daily Prophet, the morning edition. On the cover of the front page was a picture of a very somber looking Harry. He was frowning while he spoke. Hermione's eyes went wide.
Harry Potter Tells All:
Why he says his best friend is friendly with Death Eaters.
In an effort to clear his friend, Hermione Granger's name, Harry Potter spoke out this morning for several journalists. His quiet disposition and soft voice were the only sounds to be heard as he gave this press release.
"It has greatly affected me," he said with a sad look. "that my friend has been attacked in this manner. She is one of the most intelligent people I have ever known and has worked hard or the honors given to her. She was never 'involved'," he begins to get very angry here. "with Professor Snape while we were in school." (See the past editorials printed in the Prophet concerning Ms. Granger and Professor Snape's relationship reprinted on page five.)
When asked why his best friend and a known Death Eater were seen together in an intimate setting, he had this to say. "Hermione and Professor Snape are working together. If you had bothered to find out, you would have known that she is a Spells Mistress and he is a Potions Master. They work together, that's all."
However, the reports from a close friend said earlier this week that Ms. Granger and Professor Snape were more than 'co-workers'. Though Potter insists that their relationship is purely platonic in nature, Potter's demeanor speaks for itself. When discussing his former Professor, he became agitated and rude. "He worked for the Order of the Pheonix! Dumbledore trusted him, that should be enough." he said, but his words were deceived by his reaction to the question. This reporter thinks that professor Snape, known Death Eater, somehow bribed Mr. Harry Potter into speaking out on his and Ms. Granger's behalf.
When asked the last time he spoke to his friend, Ms. Granger he became nervous and said it had been a week or so. But insisted, "She is a good person and has always done the right thing. If she isn't my friend, then I don't know anything."
Hermione read the words and felt her face flush in anger. Harry had tried, bless him he had tried. But The Prophet would always see things in their own way. Even though Harry spoke out for his friend, and Severus, it didn't help much.
Hermione knew there would be some people who read this and were convinced. But the Prophet was working hard, with the Ministry, to hang Severus in a noose in the public eye. Since they were not successful in doing it in court.
Hermione crumbled the paper in her hand and addressed Sylvester.
"Where is Severus?" Sylvester, looked at Elmer and then at his mistress. His heart was heavy. He felt like he was always the bearer of ill news to one he loved so much.
"He's gone Miss."
"Where did he go?" she felt a cold panic spread through her. Her chest tightened and it became hard for her to breathe.
"Perhaps I can answer for you?" Elmer broke in. Hermione turned and faced her own reflection. Sylvester stood with his head down and his eyes on his feet. Hermione saw the worried expression on her own face. Where had Severus gone?
"What do you know Elmer?" her face was paling and her eyes were growing wider. Elmer's voice was calm and soft. She had never heard him speak that way before. It made her panic grow.
"He left. He is gone…for good. I believe it was, his last act of kindness to you my dear. See, he caused you too much trouble and decided…well…he had to go. I am sorry." Hermione stared at herself and watched her own horror spread through her face. He left her? He just left? How cold he? It couldn't be true, it just couldn't. Hermione swung around to Sylvester, thinking Elmer was just being spiteful and saw his tears stained eyes.
"I is sorry miss. He left before the sun came. I tries to talk to him and tells him he can't go…but he goes anyhow. He left this for you." Hermione reached out and Sylvester handed her a small brown package, tied with a bit of rope. Her eyes, still searching for any sign that this isn't true, found her reflection again in the mirror.
"I am so sorry." Elmer said again. Hermione's face fell and tears surged from her eyes. Sylvester helped her to the sofa and patted her arm.
"Misses…it will be alright. My misses is strong, she will heal up all her hurts. Sylvester and Elmer will see to it."
"Quite right." Elmer said, still being unusually supportive. Hermione felt her heart emptying of all warmth. He had left her! She knew he blamed himself for it all…but it wasn't his fault. She tried to assure him that it wasn't and she knew he didn't believe her, but she never let herself believe he would walk away. Didn't he care for her? And if he did, how could he just leave her here? He didn't even tell her goodbye. But Hermione froze with that thought. He did tell her goodbye. Last night. He was so intense. So passionate with her that she thought she would never come down from the cloud she was on. That was his way of saying goodbye.
She felt stupid. She felt betrayed by everyone except a house elf and a talking mirror. She was alone again, but more alone now than she had ever been. For with Severus' departure, he took her very soul. He took her hope…he took everything.
Through her tears, she opened the package and burst into a new fountain of tears. Inside was Severus' coveted book, Merlin's Methods.
She ran her hand across the cover, remembering the time when Severus first brought it for her to use. She opened the cover and saw a folded piece of parchment inside. She opened it and read the words that were written in a small, compact handwriting.
One day a beautiful Sparrow spread her wings and flew,
Across the green land and the sea shining blue.
It was on this day the beautiful Sparrow saw,
A black Raven standing tall.
Her bright colors and eyes alight,
Drew the Raven close with rapturous delight.
But a Sparrow and a Raven could never be.
Not on mountain,
Not in air
Nor in the sea.
Though their hearts and souls beat as one,
The Raven knew it could never be done.
With a heavy heart he said,
"Goodbye my love, and never fear,
In your heart you will take me, and to me,
you will always be near."
The Raven took flight before the morning dew.
And as he flew,
He whispered into the early morning,
"My love, my heart will always belong to you."
A/N: Before you all ask...no, it is not the end...yet. Sorry for all the angst...erm..wait...no I'm not.