Chapter Fourteen
Return of the Spy
Severus instantly froze at her words, his eyes wide and questioning. He could see nothing but open sincerity mixed with intense passion in those brown orbs of hers, but the way her eyes constantly moved, as if trying to catch an emotion or a thought in his features, made him slightly nervous. No one had ever managed to crawl under his skin, but now it seemed as if Hermione Granger would barely have to put up a fight to attempt this herself. Merlin's beard, who was he trying to fool? She had already succeeded.
"Miss Granger, I..."
"I will not allow you to distance yourself from me, Severus, and by using my surname, I can tell that you are doing precisely that!" Hermione interrupted harshly, her tone indicating how determined she was.
She flew up on her feet, and she started pacing back and forth at a furious pace, while shooting him intimidating looks, almost sneering at him. Severus almost snorted as he noticed this. Who did she think she was, sneering at him of all people! Had she forgotten who the hell he was?
"I know what you're going to say; you're going to question my sanity, since obviously there can't be any logical reason behind the feelings I have for you!" Hermione continued,finally coming to a halt, stopping right in front of him as she placed her hands on her hips. "You're going to come up with all these reasons for why we can't be together – the age difference, the teacher-student relationship, the fact that you used to be a Death Eater..."
His mind had already been in turmoil since she had confessed to wanting him, but now it felt like his head was drowning with all the information and accusations she was hurling at him. Merlin's beard, would she ever stop to take a breath?
"... you'll be afraid that I'll lose my friends over this and my respect in the wizarding world, and I can you tell you right now that you can shove those reasons up your..."
He suddenly felt that he had heard enough and thus he promptly pulled her back onto his lap, knowing this would startle her into silence.
"Hermione, do shut up for a moment, will you?" Severus said calmly as he placed a hand gently over her mouth, almost smiling as her eyes widened slightly. "Give a man a chance to process such a proclamation before throwing those accusations around."
He felt her mouth close under his palm and he retreated his hand. She was quiet now, watching him intently. He took a deep breath and tried to gather his thoughts, savoring the quiet for a moment.
"Using your surname, Hermione, was nothing more than a reaction to the shock I felt at your confession – I simply forgot, and I hope you will forgive my mistake."
She gave him a tiny smile before she nodded, showing him that the slight was forgiven and forgotten. He gave a satisfactory nod before letting out a heavy sigh.
"I will question your sanity, Hermione, and I probably always will, because when it comes down to it, I will never understand how such a beautiful, intelligent young witch could fall for the likes of me."
"But, Severus..."
His hand closed over her mouth again and he gently shook his head, his eyes flashing in warning.
"Do not interrupt me."
She just nodded and then she bowed her head, finally breaking eye contact. He took his hand away and placed his index finger under her chin, forcing it up and once again their gazes locked. Gently, he traced his finger along her jawline and when she shivered, he dropped his hand down to his side, knowing there was a lot more to say before he would dare to touch her again.
"I have never been a... ladies man..." – Hermione almost let out an undignified snort as that uncharacteristic term came out of his mouth – "...as I have been too busy over the past twenty years to get myself involved with the mysteries that constitutes a relationship. I know very little of being that close to anyone and for as long as I can remember, I have never found myself being interested in learning more about it – I have never bothered even trying."
Hermione's eyes flickered down in defeat, realizing were this must be going. He had no interest in her.
"On a different matter, you are right to point out that there are many reasons for why we should not be together – those you mentioned are a few of them. You know me better than anyone now, Hermione, but even before that you have always known that I am not a nice man."
Hermione's gaze snapped up to him and she opened her mouth to protest, but when his eyes narrowed she quickly closed it again. He waited a moment longer to make sure she wouldn't try to interrupt him and when he noticed that she was simply waiting for him to continue, he did.
"I will make all reasons known for why we shouldn't be together, just so that you are aware of them. I will, however, not try to make you see reason, nor will I attempt to dissuade your from your feelings."
Her mouth dropped open in surprise at that and he almost smiled at her openly shocked expression. A second ago she thought he was rejecting her. Before that, she had been sure that she would have to work hard over the next few months before she could get him to submit to her wishes; if ever.
"But why?" she felt the need to ask, her eyes boring into his own.
He gave her a true smile, giving in to the urge to touch her as his hand found hers. Hermione watched in awe as their fingers laced together, thoroughly enjoying the warmth of his hand.
"Because no matter how insane I believe you to be, I would be a fool to try to talk sense into you for two reasons; one, you are a Hermione Granger – nothing I say will make you change your mind. If nothing else, I know that you would never dive into something so... incredulous such as this without thinking it through. You may be a Gryffindor, but usually it has been Mr Potter that has caused you to rush into things impulsively."
He rolled his eyes when he saw her grin and then he plowed on.
"Secondly, it is really not in my best interest if I somehow got you to change your mind. As a matter of fact, I feel certain that I would kick myself for the rest of my life if I made you come to your senses."
Her grin disappeared instantly as she understood the meaning behind his words. Her lower lip trembled and he fought the urge to stroke his finger along it, to kiss it gently.
"Does that mean...?" she wondered, but then she trailed off uncertainly, her eyes wide with hope.
Her heart was racing, she felt as if she was on fire. She hardly dared to believe what his words meant, but surely there could only be one meaning behind them?
"Does that mean what, Hermione?" he whispered softly and he could see her eyes flash in annoyance at his teasing – if he didn't get to the point, and get to it soon, he would earn himself a smack over the head, he was sure of that.
"Severus..."
The warning in her voice was clear. He quickly sobered up and then he flashed her another one of his rare smiles, which in turn instantly softened her features.
"Tell me what it means, Severus," Hermione whispered, her free hand coming up to rest behind his neck – she saw him shiver at her touch, his eyes closing momentarily.
"My feelings for you have... changed. Progressed into something else. Something more profound... For some reason, I find you slightly less annoying these days."
Hermione laughed softly, pinching him slightly at the base of his neck for his cheek.
"Ow," Severus grumbled, but his eyes sparkled with mischief. "No need to manhandle me, my dear. I am simply stating the truth."
"I hope you're only stating parts of the whole truth, Severus," Hermione quipped as she gave him a pointed look. "Stop beating around the bush and tell me straight out how you feel."
Severus raised a single eyebrow and smirked lightly.
"You're correct, it was not the whole truth. Not only are you slightly less annoying these days, I also find your company... quite pleasant," he murmured and a second later his eyes narrowed in mock horror. "Merlin's beard, has the world gone mad? A pleasant Gryffindor? What a preposterous... ouch!"
Hermione pinched the base of neck harder this time and glared at him. Severus actually had to bite his lip to keep from laughing.
"Severus, if you don't kiss me within the next ten seconds, I will hex you."
Severus tilted his head, his expression suddenly turning quite serious.
"Witch, have you forgotten the reason for why you are currently a resident of this school?" he questioned, somehow managing to make it sound endearing rather than insulting.
Hermione smirked and leaned forward until she was a mere inch from his mouth.
"I haven't forgotten," she whispered as she kept her eyes firmly locked with his. "So, unless you'd like me to throw a stinging hex at you, knowing I might cause whatever I point my wand at to... oh, I don't, blow up or something, I suggest you do as you're told."
Severus's eyes widened, unsure of just how serious she was about executing her threat. A second later he wondered if this could be considered flirting; it wasn't as if he had much experience with it. They stared intently into each others eyes for another moment or so, and then Severus could feel her fingers at the base of his neck moving gently over his skin. His gaze shifted to her mouth, longing to feel the softness of her lips on his own, and yet he still hesitated. Did he possess the strength and the courage to take this giant leap of faith with such uncertainty, with her?
While he was still over thinking the situation, Hermione suddenly made up his mind for him.
She closed the distance between them and gently pressed her lips against his. Neither one of them got a chance to enjoy it; the second their first kiss started was the same second they had to end it. The fireplace suddenly roared to life and Hermione flew off Severus's lap in surprise. A second later, Minerva's head appeared in the green flame.
"Severus, please come to me office, we have an emergency," was the Headmistress' frantic message and the next moment she was gone.
Severus stared at the flames for a little while, contemplating why both Minerva and Albus always seemed to have such impeccable timing. He let out a frustrated sigh as he tried to remember the feel of her mouth on his, but it had been too fleeting. He turned to look at her; she looked flushed with excitement, while her eyes already were wide with worry from Minerva's message. She met his gaze and they shared a look, knowing now that they would have a secret that no one else would be privy to. He gently caressed her cheek, loving the way she closed her eyes at the touch, and then he stood from the couch and stepped into the fire to see what in Merlin's name was such an emergency at this hour.
He really shouldn't have been surprised.
He should have known that the moment the golden trio stepped back into his life, no matter the circumstances, that his life would be filled once again with complications. Hermione Granger had been at Hogwarts for little more than a month, while the Dark Lord had been gone for more than two years; was it just an annoying coincidence that the last three remaining Death Eaters had managed to break out of Azkaban and in the two days since their departure they had already caused more trouble than they had in the last years of Voldemort's reign?
For some reason, he thought perhaps Hermione would have retired to her own chambers after he had left, but he really should have know better; he had, after all, seen the worried glint of worry in her eyes. He should have known that she would want to hear what was going on. It appeared as if she hadn't moved a muscle since he had left, since she was sitting in the exact same position. She hadn't even slouched her shoulders.
She looked up automatically when he stepped into the room and she knew immediately that something was wrong. The moment their gazes connected, Hermione knew that the Severus Snape she had come to know over the past few weeks had been buried somewhere deep within him. She stood and they merely looked at each other for a moment.
"Three Death Eaters have escaped Azkaban."
His unusually crisp tone made Hermione flinch, and a second later she realized what he had said and her jaw dropped in shock. Hundreds of questions were milling through her brain; there wasn't even time to process one percent of them.
"Which means that I must leave, temporarily," he continued regretfully.
She wanted to scream that he didn't have to leave, that she didn't want him to leave her – but she couldn't be that selfish. She knew, somewhere deep inside that he was only one who could get close enough to the last of Voldemort's lackeys in order to learn anything important in order to bring them down. Blinking furiously in order to keep the tears from spilling, she sat back down, her eyes downcast. She saw in the corner of her eyes that Severus moved closer to her. He got down on one knee in front of her.
"I need you to be strong, Hermione," he said gently. "I hate being forced to leave you, but in these days of peace, this is of course the only situation that I ever could have been forced into investigate personally."
"I know that, Severus," the witch whispered as she looked up at him, a single tear rolling down her cheek. "You don't have to justify it. Just... come back."
Her hand instinctively reached out towards him and she caressed his cheek with a featherlight touch. He hadn't even left yet and she missed him already. His own hand closed around her wrist, pulling hers away from his cheek and then he pressed a gentle kiss to her palm.
"I will," Severus whispered as he let go of her hand.
They kept their gazes locked for another moment, and then Severus abruptly got to his feet. He took her hand and gently pulled her up. He led her to his desk and he motioned for her to sit down in his chair. She looked confused but did as he requested.
"Since you supposedly are here as my apprentice, we need to keep up with appearances while I'm gone; hence, you need to supervise my classes and hand out and grade assignments."
He paused when he noticed Hermione's terrified look. He put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it lightly.
"You can do this, Hermione. I have complete faith in you, as does Minerva."
He felt her shoulder drop under his hand, as if she had relaxed her stiff posture a bit. He took his hand off her and tapped a folder on the desk.
"You are lucky that I am a compulsive perfectionist with an obsession for planning out every detail of every assignment and paper I want my students to hand in," he continued with a small smile, causing Hermione to smile back in return. "This is the plan for the NEWT class. The others are in the top drawer. You should have no problem with this task."
Hermione's heart swelled when she heard his faith for her in his voice.
"While I'm gone, I want you to mediate every night; however, please do not attempt to reach your magical core without me. It might be dangerous if you do it alone."
She hadn't even considered locating her core again, since the first time had crushed her so. She shuddered slightly at the memory; no, she would not attempt it ever again, unless he requested it.
"First thing tomorrow morning, floo Potter and tell him of the events, but do your best to get it into his thick skull that it is pointless for him to leave the Academy and go our looking for them on his own. It is very likely that I shall need his help before the end, but I cannot have him risking his life needlessly."
Hermione just nodded her consent, knowing very well how impulsive Harry could be sometimes.
"Which Death Eater's are we talking about here?" she finally asked when he hadn't said anything in a little while.
"Avery, Dolohov and Macnair," Severus answered tonelessly. "Avery is an incompetent fool, the least of our worries. Macnair is dangerous simply for his blood thirst; he will stop at nothing to bleed any muggle or non pure-blood witch or wizard. The one to be weary and frightened of is Dolohov; as you may remember, he was one of the Dark Lord's first followers and was part of the inner circle."
Hermione felt a chill go through her. Yes, she could picture Antonin Dolohov quite clearly. Not only had he been the one to kill Remus Lupin, but he had also been one of the two wizards that had tried (and failed) to capture the trio at the muggle café after Bill and Fleur's wedding.
"I suppose I don't need to remind you to be careful?" she asked carefully as she stood from the chair, placing a hand on his chest, over his heart.
Severus simply looked at for a moment and then his large, warm hand clasped over hers. It still surprised her that his skin was so soft.
"No, you need not remind me. The same applies to you, Hermione. Do not do anything reckless."
Hermione wanted to lean forward and kiss him goodbye, but something in his demeanor held her back. He was already mentally preparing for the task ahead and she thought it best not to disturb him.
"I refuse to say goodbye, Severus," Hermione stated simply. "I will only order you to come back."
"Very well," Severus said in reply, his hold on her hand tightening for a moment. "Then all I will do is order you to stay safe."
They stared into the depths of each others eyes for a moment longer and then Severus reluctantly let her hand go, taking a step back at the same time. Hermione took this as her cue to leave. She didn't say anything as she made her way towards the door, but she did glance over her shoulder before she walked left the room. He looked at her, and she couldn't decide whether or not to be relieved that he could slip into his old role so quickly.
The indestructible mask of the Master Spy was back.
HP * HP * HP * HP * HP
AN: I know is this was short, and I am really sorry; I also apologize for the insanely long delay. I've struggled with Coming Home, merely due to the fact that I really want to finish one of my other stories, Love Triangle, a story which I've struggled with from the start since I've gotten so much... crap, to put it eloquently. I am dying to get it over and done with, a feat which will be achieved soon since that story was never meant to be real long.
Unlike this story, which has always been meant to be long. So, this short chapter is a reminder to you all that I have not given up on this story, and to give you my promise that I will not give up on it. Once Love Triangle is finished, which I really do believe will be soon, I can give this story my undivided attention. Until then, I hope you can forgive my negligence and be patient a little longer.
