Severus looked up from the book he was reading to see that Hermione had finally dozed off in her arm chair. Her lips were parted and she snored lightly and he rolled his eyes at this, the only time she ever snored was when she fell asleep sitting up, and still she denied that she snored at all. He made no move to transfer her to her bed as he knew that any touch would scare her awake. Since the end of the war it was hard enough to get back to sleep and whenever either of them were startled awake often they woke still half back in the war. With a wave of his hand the heavy afghan laying over the back of the sofa flew up and settled gently around the sleeping witch. Another wave and all the lights turned off except for the small lamp next to the sofa. Satisfied, Severus went back to his book, his lips twitching in a barely there smile at the soft snores coming from the chair next to him.
Hermione woke with a start a few hours later breathing heavily, her hand on her wand as her eyes scanned the room. "All is well Hermione." Severus spoke softly. Hermione locked eyes with him reached out grabbing his hand to ground herself gripping it tight as she took a few deep breaths to calm herself. Severus just continued to watch her, his thumb softly stroking the back of her hand.
"God, Severus, it never stops, does it?" Hermione whispered back to him, her eyes heavy with memories. Severus just continued to stroke the back of her hand his dark eyes watching her as she let her head fall back against the back of her chair. Her hand, the one not in his, flicked as she murmured an incantation. Severus watched the glass bottle on her desk pour scotch into a glass with ice and gently fly over into her waiting hand. She took a drink from it and sighed.
"Read to me Sev?"
"Of course, Hermione." Severus nodded. Setting down his book and summoning the book on the coffee table that they had been reading, Severus opened it to the bookmarked page.
"'But it is certain that I am loved of all ladies, only you excepted; and I would I could find in my heart that I had not a hard heart, for truly I love none.'" Severus' quiet voice read. He read and did not stop until the first rays of dawn shown through the window. He quietly shut the book then and set it down. Hermione opened her eyes and smiled at him tiredly as he gave her hand a squeeze.
"Thank you, Severus. You did not sleep." She frowned in concern.
"It matters not Hermione, you needed me and I will be here when you need me." He stood up and stretched languorously. He was about to make his way back to his rooms to prepare for the day but Hermione spoke as she stood up, "Severus, why don't you just get ready for class here, it will be easier than going all the way back down to the dungeons."
"You know how rumors fly in this castle, Hermione." Severus stated an eyebrow raised at her.
"As if you have ever cared what others think, Severus." Hermione laughed as she went into the bedroom to change.
"Why don't you call Mipsy and have her get your clothes and some breakfast for us." She called from the room.
Severus just shook his head and did as she asked, the little house elf popping into the room with a crack.
"Master Snape, what can Mipsy be doing for you sir?" She questioned.
"Please go get some breakfast for me and Professor Granger, and a clean set of teaching robes and clothes for me from my chambers." Severus requested. Mipsy smiled and with a little bow she disappeared as quickly as she had come. Moments later she was back with Severus' clothes and then gone again. Severus wandered into the bathroom muttered a quick cleaning charm on himself and began changing. He had just finished buttoning up his shirt as Hermione walked in. His eyes traveled over her body she was only in a tank top and jeans now and he saw for the first time the tattoos she had.
Hermione stopped moving and watched him as he scrutinized in surprise the moving shapes on her skin. On the back of her right shoulder were several colorful birds that flew around chasing each other. Severus moved closer entranced his fingers reaching out to touch the other tattoos that he could see. Stars shone bright and clouds moved in a setting of Van Gogh's 'Starry Night' the water in the river rippling almost as if there was a breeze.
"I have never seen anything like this." Severus breathed, fascinated.
Hermione smiled softly "Well, you wouldn't have, I developed it."
Severus looked up quickly, surprised.
"You did? How did you do this?" His voice became excited, shocked and impressed that Hermione had come up with such a thing.
"I promise, Severus, I will tell you all about it but we must get ready for class and eat or we will be late." Hermione laughed as she moved past him to brush her teeth and finish getting ready. Severus just continued to watch for several minutes contemplating the tattoos. Shaking his head, he finished buttoning his shirt and put his robes on going back out into the living room to wait for Hermione to eat.
Hermione came out moments later and sat down with Severus and began eating quietly. He only lasted a few minutes before speaking "How many do you have?"
She looked up from her eggs and raised an eyebrow "I have seven so far. I am working on the design for an eighth though."
Severus nodded and fell back into silence, thinking. They finished breakfast and both made their way to their separate classrooms.
A piece of chalk scratched the words "Wingardium Leviosa" on the board as Hermione directed her students what page to turn to.
Hermione had just finished cleaning up after the lesson, all the students gone as she directed books to fly back into the cupboard, when a voice spoke.
"Well, well, who would have thought they would let little miss Hermione Granger become a professor." The haughty voice cut through the room.
Hermione's head snapped up at this her eyes narrowing as she caught a glimpse of the owner of the voice.
"Draco Malfoy, I hadn't realized that they had begun letting known criminals wander about freely." She said with a frosty smile.
Draco just smirked, leaning nonchalantly against the door. "You will have to work on your comebacks Granger, I am already bored of this conversation." He moved to leave and turned back for one last comment "You had better get used to seeing me around Granger, I plan to make myself at home," and leaving Hermione fuming as he sauntered off.
Severus looked up in surprise as Hermione stormed into his chambers that evening already throwing off her outer robes onto a hook on the wall.
"Did you know about this, Severus? Did you know that foul little git was going to be here?" She questioned furiously.
Severus held up a hand, "Hermione, I could not possibly have the faintest idea of what you are speaking."
"I am speaking of Draco Malfoy that is who. I cannot believe you would know and not tell me!" Hermione spoke, her hands moving through the air as if to demonstrate her anger.
Severus stood up at this and set his hands on her shoulders making her stop and look at him. "Hermione, my dear, please believe me when I say I would not do that to you. I know what memories seeing him would bring up for you," His eyes flitted to her arm where her scar was and then back to her. "Had I known that Draco would be here I would have prepared you." He stared into her eyes, willing her to believe him and trust him.
Her shoulders slumped and she nodded. "You're right, I am sorry Severus. It is just, seeing him so unexpectedly… I was not ready for it."
Severus just shook his head already knowing that just seeing Draco would cause her nightmares to be even worse tonight.
"You will say here tonight." He said resolutely. Hermione started to shake her head in protest "Severus, I will keep you up again I do not want to do that."
"You will sleep better if you are not alone, Hermione. I will sleep better knowing that you feel safe." Severus said quietly. Not waiting for another response from the witch in front of him, Severus called for Mipsy, sending her to get Hermione clothes for the evening. They had spent many evenings together during the last few years but always to read and occasionally on accident fall asleep sitting up. However, this was the first time it had been suggested that they spend the night together not just to sit in chairs and read but to sleep. Hermione chewed on her lower lip thoughts coursing through her head as she thought about the implications of this. With one final glance towards the bedroom door she pushed all the thoughts out of her mind. At least this one night she would say yes and allow herself to be comforted.
A/N: Hey guys! Here's another chapter! I hope you all enjoy it. Draco popped up out of nowhere and demanded a place in my story so we will see what place he will have, I have not quite decided yet. Will post again when I can!
