Chapter 21: Severus' POV.

He couldn't get the pained look out of his head. She thought that I was lying to her again. It was hard for him to know what was considered a secret or a truth when it came to her, and it only just occurred to him that Hermione wanted to know all of his secrets. He'd never had anyone in his life like that.

Severus couldn't stand that Weasley fellow, he absolutely loathed him. He didn't understand why she kept him around, however he understood that they'd been through a lot of things together. It's a shame though, he'd give anything to see her kick him out of her life.

He ignored the jealousy that stirred up inside of him.

They were busy formulating a plan to attack the Ministry. Severus was trying to think of many ways they could proceed without doing damage to the building and causing harm to the few innocent workers and civilians.

However, Hermione wasn't being of much help. He could feel her warm eyes on his face but he didn't look up at her. Why is she staring at me? For a moment he assumed there was something on his face or in his hair but Penny assured him otherwise.

Perhaps she wants to tell me something? He went to look her way but Penny's tail thumped against his hand.

"Leave her be."

"Why?"

"She's at peace."

"Looking at me?" Severus continued to write down his ideas on the parchment.

"The girl adores you," Severus scoffed in his head. "It's true, and so it should be since she's your intended soul."

"I've told you to stop talking about that."

"But it's the truth. I'm able to talk to the person you're most compatible with, and whatever offsprings you produce."

"Offsprings! Your old age must be causing your brain to deteriorate. I'll never have children, let alone with her."

"Why? Don't you think she'd make a perfect mother?"

"That's not what I said!" his grip tightened around his quill. "She'll make an adequate mother, but none of her children will be sprung from me."

"Whatever you say, master," her ears twitched and her tail glided along the desk.

Severus continued to worry over her intruding gaze. Has she finally lost her mind? I thought we were getting somewhere with her recovery! A sigh escaped her lips and he paused writing the word 'enter'.

What in Circe's name is going on here? I must have something on my face!

"Calm down, otherwise you'll startle her."

"She's not a bloody rabbit; I don't picture her scurrying away if I say something!"

Penny purred deeply. "You've wound yourself up over nothing."

"I'm perfectly fine, I just want her to stop staring at me! I'm not a freak!"

"Calm down, master, like I said, she adores you."

"Well I don't adore her."

"Are you sure about that?" Penny wiggled her head.

"I'm positive, you blasted kitten!"

Her tail thumped against his writing hand, so Severus reached out to touch her. He could feel Hermione's eyes following his movements, therefore he acted like he was simply petting her.

"I'll throw you out of a window if you don't cease your annoying words."

"Luckily cats land on their feet."

Severus was tempted to throw her into the Black Lake and see how she fares that way. I do not adore the girl, she is my student. He was only around to help her recover, not for anything else. Yes, they'd formed an unlikely friendship and even that was pushing the boundaries, but it wasn't inappropriate in any way.

Still there was something that stirred in his stomach at the idea of her adoring him. I've never been liked, let alone adored. However, he continued to write, ignoring the odd feeling in his stomach. Nothing good could come from investigating the sensation.

"Sir," he paused at the sound of her raspy voice. Perhaps she's tired? "Can I ask you something?"

He paused in his chair and looked her way. "Go on."

"Can I touch you?"

Severus went rigid in his chair. Touch me? What on earth gave her the impression that I wanted to be touched. A tightness laced around his heart and he stared at her with a passive look on his face. What was he supposed to say in response to such a question?

He wished for a glass of water to clear his dry throat, but he was too scared to move. Severus realised a long time ago that Hermione had some sort of hold over him. Not the type that would make him fall to his knees and worship her, but the type that made him very aware of her words and feelings.

He took in a staggered breath. "Touch me?" Severus placed his quill on the desk and managed to force his usual scowl on his face."Why would you want to do that?"

His eyes followed her lips as they parted slightly. "Because, I keep thinking about what you said to me back at Spinner's End. A person's touch may help me to feel better again, and the only person I feel comfortable around is you, sir."

So that was the reason. Curse my stupid words! I wouldn't have said them if I'd known it would return to me to be her subject.

He breathed out heavily and stared at her blankly. What do I say now? Saying yes will cross the firm line I've placed between us. However, I was the one who gave her such a ridiculous idea.

The loud sound of her fingers tapping against his desk caused a shiver to race up his spine. Was her plan to attack him? I haven't said anything in response yet; I should say something so she'll drop the ridiculous idea.

Suddenly, her hand slowly hovered over his, then finally came to land on it. An unplanned thrill shot throughout his body which caused him to stare blankly at their joined hands. Not a single thought rushed through his mind, and all he could do was look on with a perplexed expression on his face.

He watched as redness flooded her cheeks and he found himself thankful that he wasn't one to blush. Something inside of him had latched onto her move of affection and he wasn't sure he liked it. Chants of 'crossing the line' bounced off the walls of his mind, and he staggered out a breath trying to compose himself.

The feel of her soft hand gripping his own was an experience he never knew he wanted. They'd touched before in many ways, but they had all been urgent or as a way to comfort her. However, this time it was different because she wanted to purposefully seek out his touch to help herself recover.

Severus watched as a lone tear fell from her eye, and he inhaled sharply at the sight. I guess I'm always going to be repulsive… The tear landed on his hand and his lip curled in disgust.

"I feel...I feel something," she said innocently with a smile. "I never thought it would be like this."

What?

That symphony of voices screaming at him about crossing the line appeared again and he immediately let go of her hand. Had he been willingly holding it this whole time? He got to his feet quickly and rushed into his bedroom. He angrily slammed the door shut and headed into the bathroom.

The sight of his reflection in the mirror caused him to sit out of sight on the edge of the bath. Disgusting. I'm disgusting.

AN:/ Hello! sorry for the delay, I've just been struggling with ideas recently, but I'm back on track now with a plan. I'm a few chapters ahead, and I've written the one where the fight takes place :D A lot of you asked for Severus' POV of the last chapter, so I quickly whipped it up for you, and the next chapter will be up by Christmas!