Each time Hermione came into contact with Severus for the next week or so, Ron's words kept replaying themselves in her mind. Of course, she didn't love Severus. At least, she didn't think so. One night, when she had finally become fed up with all of her nagging thoughts, she selected a book from her shelf and stepped into her fireplace. Then she grabbed a handful of Floo Powder and threw it down, calling out, "Severus Snape's office!"
When she stepped out of Severus' fireplace, however, he was nowhere to be found. She supposed that because Christmas Break had just begun and there were very few students still left at Hogwarts, Severus would certainly not be in his classroom, so she headed toward his chambers. After just her second knock, she heard Severus call from inside, "Enter."
She did so, and found him seated on his sofa before the fireplace, with a thick book in his hand. He looked up, and when he spotted her, he instantly brightened.
"Good evening," he greeted her.
"Good evening, Severus." She closed the door behind her and came to sit beside him on the couch, laying her head on his shoulder.
"What have you got in your hands?" he asked, noticing her book for the first time.
"Oh," she said, glancing down at it, "I thought perhaps you could read it to me."
His silky voice had had a sort of soothing effect on her many times before, and she hoped that it would not fail now.
"Why is that?" he asked.
"If you're too busy-" she said suddenly, moving to stand up, but Severus placed a hand on her knee and she settled back into the cushions.
"No, Hermione; I was merely curious. You should know by now that I am never too busy for you," he said in a surprisingly calm tone.
"Yes, of course. I apologize. I've just, er, got a lot on my mind at the moment."
"Care to elaborate?"
She shook her head. "No, not really. It's rather…complicated."
Not to mention it concerns you greatly, she mentally added.
"Very well," he said, sighing. "You still did not answer my original question, though: Why do you want me to read to you? I must admit, without a reason, I find it a bit strange."
"Do you promise you won't think it's silly?"
"Yes."
She looked up into his black eyes and replied, "Because I love your voice."
He raised an eyebrow. "My…voice?"
"Yes." She leaned down and laid her head on his lap, looking up into his smirking face and smiling, happy now that she had come. "Now read," she commanded, taking his book and setting it on the table. She then placed the book that she had brought with her into his hands.
He looked at the cover, upon which was written Romeo and Juliet, and then, below that, William Shakespeare."
"Shakespeare," he read, absentmindedly stroking Hermione's hair. "Excellent."
"I am glad that you think so."
Again, Severus smirked as he opened to the first page and began to read to her. His deep voice sounded in Hermione's ears, comforting her as it had done countless times before. After quite a long time of reading, he glanced down and saw that Hermione's eyelids had closed and she was breathing softly. He smiled at her slightly and reached out to brush away the wisps of auburn hair that had somehow made their way into her face. Carefully, he lifted Hermione's head off of his lap and slid out from underneath her, trying very hard not to wake her. In his place, he quickly put a pillow, and then fetched his wand and conjured a blanket. He draped it over her small figure and leaned down to kiss her forehead gently. Then he trailed his hand down the side of her face and smiled again. Shortly thereafter, he quietly retreated to his bedroom. What he didn't know, however, was that Hermione Granger had been awake the entire time, still contemplating Ronald Weasley's words, turning them over repeatedly in her mind.
OoooOoooOoooOoooOoooOoooOoooOoooOoooOooo
The following morning, Hermione awoke and smiled softly, though her eyes still remained closed.
"Good morning," she heard as she stretched out her arms.
She mumbled groggily, rubbing her eyes, "Good morning. This is the third time this school year that I have fallen asleep and spent the night on your couch, Severus Snape."
"Only two of which I remember."
Hermione grinned and sat up. Carefully, gripping the back of the sofa, she stood up and waited for her legs to recover from their jelly-like state. Then she walked over to where Severus was sitting and went behind his chair. She leaned over and began to gently massage his shoulders.
"You know, Christmas is coming rather soon, and I still haven't gotten you anything yet," she said quietly.
"This holiday is pointless, in my opinion. All we do is exchange gifts in order to either feel better about ourselves in hopes of the receiver of your gifts favoring you more or forgiving you for a wrong you have done them. Utterly pointless."
"Or to show someone close to you that you care for them."
"Like I said before, in hopes that they will, in some way, like you better afterward."
"All right, Scrooge."
"Humbug," he muttered, kissing Hermione's hand. "Please do not purchase a gift for me. Potter, Weasley, or even Dumbledore, that is fine, but not me, I beg of you."
"Severus, you are more important to me than any of those people you just mentioned."
He raised an eyebrow. "Even more important to you than Potter and Weasley, your two best friends in the world?"
"Well, I- I mean…" She could already feel the color rising in her cheeks. "You…I… Severus Snape, you are an insufferable man!"
"Is that why you choose to spend most of your free waking hours with me?"
"Oh, shut up!" she giggled. "So, does that mean I shouldn't be expecting a gift from you, then?"
Smirking, Severus placed a hand over hers and pulled her around to him. Again, he pulled her down onto his lap. She grinned and leaned over to kiss him softly on the mouth. Then she laid her head on his shoulder and, after a minute or so, mumbled, "Thank you."
"For…?"
"I was a bit distressed last night, and you comforted me."
"I read to you."
"That is the same thing." She put her arms around his neck and hugged him.
"You're amazing," he said softly, holding one of her hands.
"So are you, Severus." When he did not reply, she said quietly, "You don't give yourself enough credit."
"How would you possibly know?"
"I can just see it in you. Every time anyone compliments you in any way, you act as though you can't quite believe they are talking to you."
"You would too, if you-"
"I know-"
"You cannot possibly fathom all of the shit I have been through in my life. You would never understand, Hermione Granger."
"Help me, then," she pleaded, pulling back to looked into his eyes, a hurt look in her own.
"What do you mean?"
She sighed. "Through all the time that we have spent together, we have never discussed just you."
"You said once that you would allow me to tell you in my own time."
"And I have been patient. You don't have to tell me if you do not wish to. Like I said before, it is your past. I will not force you to divulge information to me that you wish not to, although I would very much like for you to." He only stared at her. "Do you want to share it with me?" she asked him quietly.
It's not as if you're giving me much of a choice, is it? he thought.
"I…will try," he said finally, after several minutes of consideration.
"Thank you."
"Where should I begin?" He couldn't believe that he was actually doing this.
"Your childhood," she said at once.
He nodded and took a deep breath. This wasn't going to be easy. "My father… He… beat my mother and me. I used to lie in my bed at night and listen to them scream at each other, and then…then, I would hear her sobs." Hermione gasped. "One night, after he had beaten her unconscious, he took his gun and shot her. Then he shot himself. I sent a letter to Dumbledore straight away, and the ministry had arrived within minutes."
"How old were you?"
"Luckily, I was nearly seventeen at the time."
"Why didn't your mother simply use magic to defend herself?"
"I believe that after a while, she became so numb, she just stopped caring."
"And you?"
"I didn't dare even attempt to defend myself against him using magic. If he even caught sight of a wand in our house, he'd break it in two. I just tried to obey his orders and keep to myself most of the time."
"That's horrible!"
Severus already felt as though he had shared too much. However, he forced himself to keep going, and asked wearily, "What else?"
"Why did you become a Death Eater?" This was a question that Hermione had wondered about for quite a long time and was very curious of.
He knew that this question was unavoidable, but he flinched at it slightly nevertheless. For a long time, he did not speak, and Hermione began to think that he was not going to answer. However, eventually, he said quietly, avoiding making eye contact with her at all costs, "I did not keep the best of company while I attended Hogwarts. I believe you know of who I am speaking. At any rate, I had always been fascinated by the Dark Arts. As I grew older, however, my interest in it progressed rapidly. By my seventh year, it had become something of an obsession of mine. After I graduated, I delved further into the mysteries of the Dark Arts, reading and researching anything I could lay my hands on. Then one night, an old friend, whom I thought I had lost contact with, came to call on me."
"Lucius Malfoy."
"Yes. How did you know that?"
"Lucky guess," she muttered.
"Yes, Lucius. He managed to enter the small house in which I lived at the time, and then he worked his way inside of my mind. He said all the right things to me. That by joining with the Dark Lord, I would finally have power, revenge, and respect. He made me an offer so delicious, I doubt if even you would have been able to resist."
"What happened at your meetings?" Hermione asked, although she doubted if she wanted to hear the answer. Of course, she had supposed at first that what she could picture in her imagination was much worse than anything Lord Voldemort was capable of, but then again, this was Lord Voldemort who they were speaking of. As far as she knew, before two years ago, he had been capable of anything.
She began to regret her question just as he replied, "I cannot tell you that, Hermione. Later, perhaps, but not now. It is too soon." She felt a wave of cool relief wash over her.
They sat in silence for several minutes before Hermione spoke again, "Do you remember that night in your office when you…grabbed me?"
"Yes."
"You promised me before, long ago, that you would tell me your reason for doing it, but you never did. And so now, I ask you once more: Why?"
He sighed. "Because…I was…afraid."
"What was there to be afraid of?"
"You must understand, I have known nothing but pain in my life, Hermione. Then, I felt that I had let you in too far, that I had foolishly allowed you to break down the walls that I had built up around my heart and soul. I was sure that you would hurt me."
"Severus, I would never hurt you-"
"You can't know that."
"I can know that I would never intentionally hurt you."
"You can't know that," he repeated more forcefully.
Hermione laid her head on his shoulder once more. She whispered softly, "Thank you, for sharing that with me. I truly appreciate it, and I know that it must have been difficult for you."
He nodded and replied quietly, "You're welcome."
Hermione sat in his arms for a while, holding onto him tightly. She looked down and saw that he was clutching the arms of the chair. Then she looked up at him and saw that his eyes were closed. Pushing the hair out of his eyes, she leaned up and kissed his cheek.
"What time is it?" she asked finally, laying her head on his chest again.
"Hm?"
"The time. What is it?"
Severus opened his eyes and glanced at the mantle, above which was his small, round clock. "10:17," he read, and then closed his eyes once more.
"We should go to Hogsmeade today," Hermione said.
"You can't be serious," he muttered.
"I am. Come on, let's go."
"Now?"
"Yes! Unless…you don't want to?" Pouting, she looked into his eyes for a moment and leaned up to nibble on his ear and then place kisses all around his neck. He groaned and she grinned against his skin. Then she leaned back up and bit his earlobe with increasing force as he said nothing.
"Ouch!"
About time! thought Hermione.
"What the bloody hell was that for?"
"We are going to Hogsmeade." She stood and took his hand, pulling him reluctantly to his feet. "There won't be students there, as this isn't a scheduled Hogsmeade weekend. No one around to see us."
He raised an eyebrow. "I wasn't aware that our relationship was a secret."
"The way you act when we're together implies that you were under that impression."
"What is that supposed to mean?" he asked.
"You act as if you are forbidden to show affection when others are present. At such a public place as Hogsmeade, I thought that you would have wanted to refrain from showing affection, especially if there were students around."
"I care for you deeply, Hermione," Severus said to her. "I am not concerned with what the people of Hogsmeade think of us."
"Well, I am glad to hear it." She placed a kiss on his lips and then brushed the black locks of hair that had fallen into his face, tucking them behind his ear.
"Don't do that," he said.
"Why not?" she asked, kissing his cheek.
"I haven't done that- tuck my hair behind my ears- since…probably since I was at school here."
"So, back in the stone age, then?" she joked.
"Funny," he muttered. "By the way, are you even allowed in the Hog's Head to buy a Firewhiskey, or aren't you of age yet?" There was amusement in his voice, but none in his eyes.
Remembering that their age difference had always been a very touchy subject with Severus, Hermione uttered quickly, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean… I was only-"
"It's fine. So, Hogsmeade then?"
He stepped past Hermione and went to his door. Hermione wasn't sure what she expected, but she was surprised when he opened the door and stopped, looking back to her.
"Accio coats," he mumbled, and his and Hermione's jackets appeared in his hands seconds later. Hermione went to him as he slipped his coat over his shoulders and began to fasten the buttons. He had her coat draped over his arm, and she pulled it off and slipped it over her own shoulders. Not bothering to fasten the buttons, she helped Severus with his coat. He had started at the last button, so she started on the first. When their hands met, Hermione placed her hands on top of his and held them. She smiled up at him and closed her eyes as he leaned down to kiss her forehead.
"Shall we go?" he whispered.
She nodded. "I think so."
Severus covered her hand with his and brought it to his lips, kissing the top of her hands, and then her palm. Hermione grinned and grabbed both sides of her coat. Pressing their bodies against each other, she wrapped the coat around them both. She giggled as Severus smiled into her hair.
"Come," he muttered, walking through the doorway, Hermione's coat still wrapped around him. Her head was lying against his chest and she giggled as they walked like one person through his office. Quickly, Severus placed wards on his chambers, and then on his office when they left them.
"Are you planning on walking this way all through Hogwarts?" he asked her.
She replied, grinning, "Possibly."
"I see. Well, in that case, I might as well do this…" Severus swiftly scooped her up in his arms, one arm under her knees and the other around her waist.
"Severus!" she shrieked, laughing.
He carried her over to a desk near his door and set her down on it carefully. Then, placing his hands and gripping the desk on either side of her, he leaned over, smirking, and kissed her on the lips. She returned it, putting her arms around his neck. Then he pulled away and looked into her eyes. Suddenly, all of Minerva's words and his feelings for Hermione bombarded him, overwhelming him, and he had to look away from her.
"What's the matter?" she asked, concerned.
He only shook his head and stuffed one hand into his coat pocket. Then he stepped back and held out a hand to Hermione to help her off the desk. She took it and promptly hopped off, and then Severus retracted his hand and stuffed it into his other pocket. Hermione began walking towards the door, with Severus right behind her. He walked swiftly over to where she was and reached around her for the doorknob. He twisted it and opened the door, holding it open for her as she walked through.
"Thank you," Hermione muttered.
"You're welcome," he replied quietly.
Hermione noticed that when they entered the hallway, Severus removed his hands from his pockets and straightened up, so that his posture was perfect.
Of course, Hermione thought. You can never let anyone see a sign of weakness in you.
She looked up ahead at Severus sadly. Everyone knew that he had had a difficult life, but they had only been aware of his Death Eater days. She realized then how few people must know about his life outside of school. It had never occurred to her to consider what his childhood must have been like. But now she knew: His father had beaten him, and his mother had been too afraid to defend her or her son. Hermione wanted nothing more than to fall into step beside Severus now and take his hand and tell him that everything was all right, but she knew better. By now, she had learned that Severus greatly disliked showing affection where it was possible for anyone to see them. He had never voiced it, but his actions and behavior were enough.
Without a word between them, they made their way to the entrance hall. As they walked along the grounds on the path to Hogsmeade, surrounded by trees, Hermione took Severus' hand somewhat tentatively. He held her hand in his, sometimes stealing glances at her, but otherwise keeping his gaze fixed straight ahead.
"Severus, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it to see that you were obligated to share your life with me."
"Do not apologize. You did nothing wrong. I believe that it was good for me to have told you what I did. There are only two other people who I have shared this information with."
"Who are they?" Hermione asked before she could stop herself.
"Dumbledore and…the Dark Lord." The last three words were uttered so quietly, Hermione almost didn't catch them.
For the remaining length of the road to Hogsmeade, there was silence between them. When they reached the gates, Severus stopped and turned to Hermione. For a moment, he just looked at her, a small smile on his lips.
"At times," he said, "I forget how lucky I am."
Cupping her cheek with his hand, he leaned down and kissed her smiling lips. When he pulled away, he saw that her cheeks were rosy from the wintry air.
"What you possibly see in me to have made you stay here so long, I will never know."
"Severus…" She placed her hand over his. "Why do you have such…such a low self-image?"
"I don't-"
"Severus."
He sighed, running a hand over his face. "Many have drilled into me throughout my forty years of living that I am worth no more than shit."
"I would have thought…by now…"
"Pain does not fade at once, Hermione, and after it has, the scars that it leaves behind linger for much longer afterward."
She nodded and, interlacing their fingers together, walked with him through the gates of Hogsmeade. Together, they tread the streets of the village slowly, glancing into all the windows, grateful that there were no students present. As they were passing Jasmine's Jewelry, Hermione stopped to admire a diamond necklace that was hanging in the window.
"Isn't that gorgeous?" she asked him, touching the clear glass lightly.
Severus nodded, gazing at the necklace. Indeed, it was exceptionally beautiful, and the way it sparkled as it caught the sunlight made it even more so.
"I could never afford something like that, of course." She sighed sadly. "Not with my Gringotts account."
Hermione stood with Severus before the window for several minutes longer, until finally, she sighed again and peeled her gaze from the diamonds. The couple continued walking down the streets of Hogsmeade, the image of the necklace lingering in both their minds.
Both turned to enter Sophie's Bookshop when they reached it, and the bell on the door jingled when it swung open. They went their separate ways, remaining in that shop for just over an hour, before they met each other outside with their purchases.
"I need to visit the Apothecary here, so I will meet you later, all right?" Severus asked.
Hermione nodded. "Yes, that's fine. I'll see you back here in about forty-five minutes, then."
He nodded, and then turned and walked away. She watched him go, wondering if she had upset him. Perhaps she should never have asked him to share his past with her?
It would have cropped up at one time or another, she thought, slightly indignant.
She sighed and shook her head, but when she looked up again, Severus had wandered out of sight. Slowly, she reentered the book shop, the bells on the door tinkling once more as the front door opened and Hermione stepped inside.
Meanwhile, Severus was concentrating on retracing their steps back down the streets of Hogsmeade. Finally, to his great relief, he arrived at his predetermined destination. Entering Jasmine's Jewelry, he looked around the shop, and almost blinding sparkles met his eyes, as was unavoidable on a sunny day when you were surrounded by glistening gold and diamonds. Trying to keep his gaze from wandering over to the engagement and wedding rings, he walked over to the counter.
"Why, Severus Snape! I never thought I'd see you in here," she woman behind the counter greeted him warmly, a grin on her face.
Sneering, Severus replied, "Drop it, Jasmine. Good morning to you too, by the way."
"Good afternoon," she said, pointing at the clock behind her, which had just changed to 12:01. She apparently took great pleasure in correcting him. "So," she continued, rubbing her hands together, "anything I can do for you today?"
Biting back an angry retort, he replied coolly, "Yes, as a matter of fact, there is. I would like to see the diamond necklace you have on display in your window."
OoooOoooOoooOoooOoooOoooOoooOoooOoooOooo
The last remaining days of December before Christmas arrived passed quickly for the staff members, still on holiday along with the students. Decorations had been put up around the school already by Dumbledore, complete with mistletoe in front of the oak doors in the front entrance. Severus had, of course, thought that Dumbledore was mad to have done this with hormone-ridden teenagers running about the castle, and he had wasted no time in informing Albus of this at once.
Over the last several days, Severus had loosened up around Hermione once again. It almost seemed as if the sharing of his past with her had been entirely forgotten, though of course, it had not. However, he knew that he could not be distant with her forever, and so he had let it go, if somewhat reluctantly.
Snow had been falling steadily for weeks, and now it covered the grounds of Hogwarts in a thick, white blanket, resulting in numerous, savage snowball wars between even the few students left at the school.
Finally, the day came that everyone had been counting down to for weeks, or in some cases, months: Christmas Eve. This was a particularly peaceful day, and it seemed that the students had all decided to abandon their games in the frosty air and remain indoors, in the heat and warmth of their common rooms. Nevertheless, Severus and Hermione were patrolling the grounds, aiming to prevent fights or duels before they had even had a chance to begin.
Snow was falling pleasantly around them as they reached a place where snowball fights were common among the students, as there were many trees and the layer of snow was thickest here. Grinning, Hermione pulled a reluctant Severus out into the center of the open place. He stood watching as she spread her arms out like wings on either side of her and twirled around in circles, closing her eyes and tilting her head up to the sky.
Suddenly, she stopped and gazed around. "Isn't it beautiful?" she asked him breathlessly.
He nodded and answered simply, "Yes."
"Come and play in the snow with me," she said, sounding like an overgrown child.
Severus groaned. "I don't think so."
Still tugging on him, she begged, "Please, Severus. Just for a little while. You need to have some fun."
He shook his head and answered again, "No, Hermione. I won't do it."
Hermione simply laughed, let go of him, and collapsed in the snow. Then she moved her arms and legs up and down to produce a snow angel, and then she knelt and wobbled over on her knees to Severus' feet. He looked down at her and she kissed the hem of his robes. Then she took his hand and his robes, and pulled him down beside her. The corners of his mouth were turned upward as he looked over at her.
Snow was caught in her hair and her cheeks were a rosy pink. He thought that she had never looked more beautiful. He reached out a hand and tucked a stray wisp of hair that had been blowing in her face behind her ear. Hermione smiled at him and covered his hand with her own. Then she brought it to her lips and kissed his fingers lightly.
Then she conjured a snow ball with her wand, stood, and hurled it at him. It hit him in the stomach and he grunted in pain, but smiled at her as he stood.
"How childish," he replied, but nevertheless, could not stop himself from conjuring several snowballs of his own and pelting them at her using his wand.
Hermione screamed and began running away, looking for shelter from the sudden attack. She hid behind a tree for a moment, from behind which she took the opportunity to fling snowballs at Severus. They knocked him off his feet, but he quickly recovered and chucked more snowballs in Hermione's direction. It was then that she noticed Remus Lupin standing by the tree that she had just hidden behind, leaning against it and watching them with his arms crossed over his chest, smirking.
She ran over to him, nearly out of breath, and panted, "Remus, help me, please." She was laughing almost hysterically.
Remus glanced at Severus, and then back at Hermione, and walked out onto the grounds to join them. While he was walking in Severus' direction, Remus cast a snowball at his chest gently, but when Severus raised his wand to retaliate, Remus held up a hand and kept on walking. When he reached Severus' side, he turned around to face Hermione, wand held out to her, creating snowballs that were now circling him and his partner. A grin spread across Severus' face.
Realization dawned on Hermione and she smiled at Remus. "How could you? And you, Severus? You are both very cruel men, I hope you know."
"Yeah, we know," Remus said quickly. He and Severus ducked to avoid being hit by Hermione's bombarding snowballs.
Hermione laughed as she tried to sidestep and duck to dodge their attack on her, and while she did have excellent reflexes, it was not enough. She was being hit by snowballs left and right.
When she looked around and saw that Severus was standing on one side of her and Remus on the other, she sighed and ran over to Severus quickly. Remus had his wand at the ready.
Hermione placed her hands on Severus' heaving chest and gasped, "Severus, come now, you know you want to join my side. Please. Remus can take care of himself, believe me. Severus…" she begged, grinning at him.
Rolling his eyes and without looking at her, he pitched a snowball at Remus. It hit him in the chest and he staggered backwards, nearly being knocked off his feet.
"Hey!" he yelled. "You're supposed to be on my team!"
Severus shrugged and replied, Hermione in his arms, "Sorry, Lupin. I mean, I'm sure you're a great kisser, really, but…" Then he gave Remus a What can I possibly do? look.
Remus then looked to Hermione for assistance, but she simply shrugged at him as well. "What can I say, Remus? I care deeply for the man," she said, gesturing to Severus. Then Hermione looked up at him and kissed him hard on the mouth. She scampered away hurriedly as Remus prepared to bombard her with snowballs, but Severus stood there in shock. Two snowballs struck him on his calf and shoulder, but he barely noticed them.
Hermione had kissed him. Actually kissed him. Out here, in public, where anybody could see them. Did she really care for him that deeply? She must have, to do that. To not care who was watching them, who saw it. He smiled slightly at his dawn of realization and looked toward Hermione. She was laughing as she attempted to dodge Remus' snowballs, but she was not quick enough. Then she dashed behind a large tree, poked her head out, and waggled her tongue at Remus mockingly. However, she ducked behind the trunk again, shrieking, when a snowball came hurtling toward her.
Her cheeks were rosy pink and snow was falling softly all around her, catching on her long, dark eyelashes. The sunlight peered around her small form, giving her a glowing, angel-like appearance. Her eyes were bright with happiness and laughter, and her hair had begun to frizz slightly. The tip of her nose was a deep red and she was wiping it constantly with her sleeve as she laughed and attempted in vain to dodge the snowballs that Remus hurled at her.
Gods, she's gorgeous, Severus thought, entranced by her angelic appearance. She is beautiful and enchanting and…perfect.
He was wrapped in his own thoughts as his eyes followed her every graceful movement.
She is the most wonderful woman in the world, and she cares for me. I care for her. I…
Severus' eyes grew wide and his jaw dropped slightly as he was struck with a sudden dawn of awareness. He knew the honest way to complete his last thought, but he wasn't sure about actually doing so.
I…
As he continued to watch her, her eyes met his for a split second and he felt his legs turn to jelly beneath him and nearly give way. A shock of electricity shot through his entire body, from the tips of his toes to the ends of his hair. Everything surrounding him was spinning out of control, and yet he felt grounded. A warm sensation spread throughout his body, replacing the electricity that had been there just seconds before, although he was still tingling. He could no longer hear the booming laughter around him, nor could he see Hermione's soft brown eyes as they illuminated blissfully. He could only concentrate then on what he was feeling. A wonderful feeling.
I…love her.
Suddenly, Remus glanced down at his watch, and then up at the sky, which was darkening more each minute. Stars dotted the blackness that was making its way steadily across the sky, obscured in few places by a thin layer of clouds. He looked to Severus, who understood instantly, and nodded.
"I wish I could stay, but for now, I must leave you. I will see you both in a couple of days," he announced. Waving at them, he made his way back up to the castle.
Hermione laughed and ran over to Severus, throwing herself into his arms. Then she laid her head on his chest and listened to his rapid heartbeat, even though he had been standing still for several minutes now. He was breathing deeply, and he gasped at her, "I'm getting too old for this."
She looked up at him and laughed. "Nonsense," she said, falling into the soft snow on the ground. Then she took his hand and pulled him down so that he was, once again, lying beside her. "Nobody is ever too old to play in the snow."
He chuckled as she worked on creating perfect snow angels. When she was finished with her first one, she attempted to stand, but found that it was impossible without spoiling her angel. She looked to Severus for assistance. He stood and held her hand out to her, which she took, and he helped her carefully to her feet. Hermione placed her hand on her chin as she circled the angel, inspecting it. If one wing was a bit lopsided, she knelt down and smoothed it with her gloved hand.
"Still the perfectionist, I see," Severus observed.
"Not as much as in previous years," she replied, not taking her eyes from her snow angel.
It was only then that Severus became aware of how dark the sky had become, and how low the sun had drifted.
"We should go inside now," he said. She looked up at him and nodded, then returned to his arms. He leaned his forehead lightly against hers, and she could feel his hot breath on her face. Then she began to walk slowly up to the castle. She looked back at Severus when she realized that he had not been following her, but stood watching her intently.
"What is it?" she asked, aware of his gaze on her.
He shook his head. "Nothing."
Hermione raised an eyebrow at him, but said nothing. She glanced around the Hogwarts grounds for any sign of other life, to be sure that she did not discomfit him, and then held out her hand. He slipped his rough, scarred hand into her small, delicate one and intertwined his fingers in hers. She held his hand tightly and swung their arms gently as the snow crunched beneath their steps. However, Hermione could neither hear nor feel it, for she was treading on air.
Okay, here is this chapter. I haven't had internet for the past week, or even a computer, for that matter, but I do now, so here this is. Even now, though, I have limited time to spend on the computer, so I don't know how quickly I will be able to post the next chapter. But hopefully, very soon.
Thanks to everyone so much for reviewing! I cannot believe my story has gotten over 300 reviews! You rock!
narcissa- Lol. Thank you!
M-M-X-M-X- Thanks! This is for everyone that has been bugging me about when they will "confess their love to each other". Well, sort of. At least Severus admits his love, anyway. More will come next chapter.
MiKaYGiRl- Thanks! And no, Minerva doesn't love Severus or have any kind of those feelings for him. She just cares about him like a good friend and wants to see him happy.
deppforever07- Hehe. I love your name. Thank you for your wonderful review!
Disclaimer- (See Chapter 14)
As always, Remember: Review, Please! Even if you don't like my story, tell me what you dislike about it and I will try to work on it! Thanks!