The Houses Competition (or THC)
House: Slytherin
Class : Charms
Category (Drabble/Standard): Drabble
Prompt(s) chosen: [First Line] She knew that they couldn't hide themselves for much longer.
Word Count: 523
Disclaimers/triggers: AU Post War
Exodus
She knew that they couldn't hide themselves for much longer. No matter how discreet they were being, this was bound to happen. Hermione had only hoped they would have more time. It had barely been two months since this arrangement had begun.
Braced against the kitchen sink, she stared out the open window as the breeze tousled the lilac curtains. Her nails were still painted blue from the night before, though the edges had been chipped from worrying them between her teeth.
We should have known better, she criticized.
Hermione replayed the whole evening in her mind, from her decision to step into the Minister's Ball without an escort, through to the several polite dances she indulged her friends in. Her chest tightened when she remembered meeting his eyes as he took her hand for the next dance. It was all for show: the distance between them, the stiff way he held her hand. She had agreed that it was for the best that their association went unannounced for the time being. The reminders of old prejudices would only bring complications. The dance ended with a sharp, curt bow from him, and immediately the absence twisted in her gut like a knife.
Was that why she did not consider putting up a Misdirection Charm or any sort of illusion when they found themselves together secluded in the gardens? She was too desperate to touch him, to kiss him. His grip on her hip drawing her to his hungry kisses, echoed her need.
They should have been more careful, more cognizant of their surroundings.
Hermione huffed, blowing wayward hair from her face. This was a disaster.
If they had been paying attention, they wouldn't have been unaware when Harry and Ginny strolled into the garden. They would not have had to break apart guiltily like hormonal teenagers, faces red with shame and shock at being discovered. It was one thing to tell Harry on her own time that she was seeing someone new. It was something entirely different to have her secret affair abruptly discovered.
All parties involved were mutually horrified, and it was Severus who had escaped first. The sound of his apparition crackled through her as she was left alone to face her best friend and his wife. Their questions were polite, uncertain, and she answered their accusations as cryptically as possible.
Yes, that was Severus Snape.
Yes, she was fully consenting.
Yes, they were something of an item.
It wasn't until she satisfied their worry for her that they swore to keep what they'd seen a secret. Not that it mattered—the damage had been done. The secret had been discovered.
Realising she'd been holding her breath, she inhaled sharply, leaning away from the kitchen sink. Severus would be there soon, having sent an owl in the morning to apologize for his hasty exodus. Hermione could only imagine how this would turn out. Her stomach knotted, expecting that being discovered while they were snogging would be enough to make him leave.
Hope fluttered in her chest, however, as she entertained the idea that, perhaps, they would no longer need to keep secrets.