Hey my loves! I'm so very sorry it's been so long since I've updated. A bunch of things have been going on in my life. But never fear i'm here to make you all happy with that glorious update notification. I wish you all well.

Hayleyxoxo

Severus woke the next morning to a cold bed. His dark eyes snapped open almost instantly when he realized the woman was no longer warming his bed. He searched the room desperately. The old Potions Master was fairly sure he had never been more alert in all his life.

With a heavy sigh he grugingly rose from the bed. Severus hated to admit that he didn't blame the girl for fleeing after she had woken his bed. No doubt she suspected that something more than sleeping had happened the night before. He rolled his eyes as his irritation levels rose already for the day. The man made his way out into his small livingroom. A small smile and sense of relief flooded him when he saw the woman in question sitting on his couch with a book balanced on her lap as she sipped a cup of coffee.

"Good morning Miss Granger, fancy seeing you here this morning." Severus teased half-heartedly.

"Good morning, I wondered whether you would ever wake up or if I was rather foolish for sticking around." Hermione smiled as her eyes turned on him. She looked better than she had the night before.

"I believe lessons start tomorrow. i'm not sure when I'll be able to see you during the term. I doubt the visits will be frequent if I'm even able to make them." Severus said honestly as he sat beside her on the sofa.

Hermione nodded and held out the mug that she had in her hand to him. He graciously took the mug and took a sip of the warm liquid. Severus took that moment to fully take in the young witches appearance. She still looked exhausted, but her eyes seemed to have a bit of the spark he associated with her. Her unruly curls were pinned up in a knot that seemed to be barely able to hold them. But to the man she looked beautiful, angelic even.

"You seem to have something on your mind Professor.. " Hermione could feel herself flush as she looked down shyly.

"Mm yes… I was just thinking of how gorgeous you look." Severus smiled behind the mug as he watched her eyes widen as if she hadn't been expecting that answer.

Hermione couldn't find anything to say after that. She could feel her face heat up further as she gazed at him in shock. Had Professor Snape just told her she looked gorgeous? He himself wasn't exactly handsome. But she couldn't bring herself to say she didn't care for him. She gently took her mug back from his pale hand when he held it back to her.

"That's a bit untrue don't you think?" Hermione said barely above a whisper as she set the book aside and looked down at her lap.

"No I don't believe that it is. I believe you're beautiful." Severus smiled warmly and kissed her temple.

Severus stood from the sofa and strectched his arms above his head. He turned to her to watch as she gazed at him in what appeared to be wonder.

Hermione became lost in her thoughts as she gazed at Severus. She tilted her head to the side slightly and bit her lip as she observed him. A thought popped into her head as she felt a slight tingle between her legs causing her to shiver.

"Miss Granger are you quite alright?" Severus asked and stepped closer to her once again.

"I...Well a thought just occurred to me just now. What if I stayed here with you on weekends? It isn't as if I'm going to have any company and I would love to get to know you better." Hermione said as she looked up at him.

She blushed as he seemed to be considering her. He stood before her quietly with his brows furrowed in thought. Hermione reached out a hand and gently took one of his in her own.

"That would be acceptable… I suppose that could work yes. Just be sure you aren't caught coming up here." Severus nodded with a small nod and squeezed her hand.

"Thank you professor.." Hermione whispered softly and stroked his knuckles with her thumb.

"Please, call me Severus." Severus said as he pulled her up and held her to his chest.

"Whatever you prefer." She nodded and looked up at him with soft eyes.

The couple went silent as they gazed at eachother. Hermione found herself becoming lost in the mans impossibly dark eyes. He was full of secrets and she wanted to uncover each of them. She wanted to heal him and make him better. She wanted him to know it was okay to love again. She wanted him to know she was to be trusted. She didn't know how to prove herself to him though as she flickered her eyes over his features.

Severus felt panic rise in his stomach as he looked into her soft hazel eyes. She was gorgeous, of course she was, she was Hermione motherfucking Granger. Hewanted to open up to her. He wanted to be able to trust her. He wanted to love again, but was that possible after the disaster that had come from him loving before? He wanted the young witch before him more than he could ever recall wanting Lily Evans.

"It's okay Severus." Hermione whispered as she felt his breathing increase. She gently caressed his pale cheek with her thumb.

"You should… You shouldn't be here…" Severus found himself whispering as he stared down at her.

Hermione paid no attention to his words as she leaned up on her tiptoes. She gently pressed her lips against Severus'. He shut up instantly, all doubt that had clouded his thoughts now washed away for the time being as he kissed the young woman back.

"I will be right here whenever you need me Severus I promise. From now on I will always be here." She whispered against his lips as she pulled away slowly.