The room was quiet and dark when Severus opened his eyes. He'd slept better than he ever had. His first instinct was to get up and get dressed in case he was summoned. Like he had done every day for the last twenty years. But his subconscious was telling him to sleep because today was different. Maybe it was the warm body of the beautiful woman next to him. Maybe it was the unexplainable lack of fear. Maybe it was the hope he felt stir in him after living so long with loneliness and despair. And then he realized he would never be summoned again.
It was only last night when he saw Voldemort disappear forever. It was as if reality had lost its boundaries. The room tilted and blurred in a way he couldn't describe or explain. Now it was morning and he felt giddy. The burden he had carried for so long was suddenly and completely gone. As if his body had been thrown from a great height, and he was suddenly composed of feathers. It had worked. The bastard was dead and not coming back. Severus was free for the first time since he was a stupid kid, lashing out at the world, making all the wrong decisions. It was exhilarating.
He sat up in the bed to look at the woman responsible for it. Her lovely face so serene in sleep. His love for her suddenly filled his heart to bursting. He wanted to hold her forever. He wanted to kiss her skin raw and worship at her feet. The debt he owed this woman went beyond a life debt. He owned his soul again because of her. And then, the miracle, she'd said she loved him. It seemed so impossible, but here she was. In the same bed where he had taken her virginity against her wishes. But last night she had given herself to him so freely it took his breath away. Expressing all the passion she had held back while unsure of his feelings and afraid of his rejection.
And then a second miracle. She was carrying his child of her own free will. The thought of being a father both thrilled and frightened him. When Voldemort had ordered them to produce children, he was secretly excited at the prospect of being a dad. But his excitement was tempered by memories of his own father. Tobias Snape was an abusive bully who tortured his wife and son because of his own inadequacies. Coupled with the inevitable alcoholism it made for a toxic environment. Was he destined to be the same?
As a boy, he swore that he would never strike his child. As a man, he believed he would never be given the chance to be a father. When Hermione told him of her plans for Voldemort, he had completely forgotten about making love with her that morning. His mind was on portkeys and potions. But now his guilt was wearing on him. He could give her a contraceptive potion now, but she insisted she wanted to keep the baby. It made him resolve that Hermione and the child would never lack for anything. He would be the ideal husband and father, no matter what it took.
When she had told him, it had knocked the breath out of him, even though he knew it was a possibility. Had expected it in fact, the first week or so they were together, and with Ginevra as well. After he learned of Minerva's spell he put fatherhood out of his mind as a lost possibility.
Ginevra. What had happened to her? She didn't come back with Hermione tonight. Ginevra was a spitfire in bed, and he grinned at her eager creative abilities, but it was always Hermione he loved. When he held her, it was a warm blanket of comfort like nothing else. A stillness of peace and happiness and passion. He was worried that he had failed Ginevra in preferring Hermione over her. Is that why she didn't come back? Was she angry? How was he going to tell Ginevra that he would be married and her relationship with him was over. Just how badly would she take it? He deserved whatever vengeance she wished to visit on him.
The sudden cold space between them made Hermione's hand reach out for him. Grasping blindly at covers and sheets to finally land on his arm. She sighed deeply and went back to sleep. Unable to stop himself, he gently took her hand and kissed the palm reverently, holding it to his heart. She rolled onto her side and opened her eyes. "Severus. What time is it?"
Glad that she was awake so he could pamper her. "I believe it is near eight, but it could be after noon and not make any difference. Go back to sleep. You've earned it."
Hermione smiled but didn't open her eyes again. "It's nice to wake up next to you. Promise you won't go away."
Severus kissed her forehead and caressed her cheek with his curled fingers. "I'll never leave you my love. Command me to wait for all eternity and I will."
She snuggled up to him and sighed again, content. "I love you Severus."
He slid down into the bed and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to lay on his chest. "I love you too Hermione. Rest now, I will watch over you. Always." She nodded and wandered off to sleep.
Severus closed his eyes taking in her scent and began to drift off. Whatever awaited them today would wait.
oopOqoo
Hours had passed when there was a loud pounding at the office door. Severus leapt out of bed and summoned his wand, ready for battle. He stood in the middle of the bedroom stark naked and ready to defend Hermione with his life. The knock sounded again. "Snape? Are you in there? Open the door you slug a bed." He recognized the voice as Kingsley Shacklebolt and huffed a sigh of relief.
Severus heard a whimper behind him in the bed. It was Hermione. She'd sat up. Her wide sleepy eyes full of fear as she gripped her wand and clutched the sheets to her chest.
Yes. Severus would definitely make him pay for this. He rushed to her side to reassure her. "It's okay love. It's just Shaklebolt. Stay here and I will see what he wants." She relaxed in his embrace, and he kissed her quickly.
Severus found his black silk bath robe and marched down the stairs to his office. He stealthily approached the door and threw it open without warning. "What is it Shaklebolt? Must you disturb me at this hour? It was a long night as you well know."
Kingsley was unimpressed. "Really? I've been up for some time, making a statement to the newly reinstated press to let everyone know that Voldemort is dead! I have a great hall full of parents, come to collect their daughters, and I'm fighting what's left of the ministry to get the Death Eaters below to Azkaban where they belong. The Ministry is a mess. They had a real firefight on their hands yesterday. The Minister is dead and they demolished the place while trying to escape. Azkaban isn't in much better shape, although the damage there is less severe. At any rate I could use some help, so get your sorry Headmaster's butt dressed. Do you know where Hermione is? I don't know why you thought yo…."
Just then Hermione peaked out from behind Severus, also in her robe. "I'm sorry Kings. I guess I slept in a bit. Give us a minute and we'll be right down." Hermione grabbed Severus' hand and led him back upstairs, leaving one Kingsley Shacklebolt agape behind them as his jaw hit the floor. Severus grinned at him amused.
When they returned Severus was dressed in his black coat and trousers as usual and Hermione had the grey dress from last night on. She would have to find something else to wear as soon as possible. Kingsley looked them over, a bit embarrassed to realize they had spent the night together. "Well come down to the hall and get something to eat at least. We'll meet with the others and plan what to do next from there."
