The Human Cure

Chapter 7: What If The Storm Ends?

A/N: Hello everyone! I just wanted to thank all of you who have added this story to your favorites and story alert categories. I'm so glad that many of you are enjoying it. Please don't be shy and leave a review; they give me the boost of inspiration that I need every so often. Take care!

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"What if the storm ends and I don't see you as you are now ever again?

The perfect halo of gold hair and lightning sets you off against the planets last dance. Just for a minute the silver-forked sky lit you up like a star that I will follow.

But now its found us like I have found you.

I don't wanna run – just overwhelm me."

Snow Patrol

Hermione tried to pretend that the shift in her relationship with her former professor wasn't happening. Sure, she asked him to dance, and while she expected him to reject her, she didn't expect to feel so welcomed in his arms. It was the first time in a long time that she felt safe – almost as if she belonged there.

There were times she wished to see him hunt, but the guilt quickly overwhelmed her. She had seen dead bodies before, but to hurt someone in self defense was entirely different than to specifically pick someone out – innocent or not. Severus specifically targeted certain people, but she could never convince herself that the victim truly deserved to die. In the beginning she wondered if he ever saw her as a potential meal, but she knew such thoughts were stupid. He was a damn good actor when she attended Hogwart's, and he could still play the part if necessary. Still, she admired that quality in him. The spy was still there, but only in a different environment.

Every now and again she would return to the day he walked in on her almost naked. She smiled to herself every time she thought of his reaction and how he never mentioned anything ever since it happened. Did he want her? She still didn't know. She never had any reason to fear him, and even now she trusted him more than she did anyone else in her life. He was the only tie she had left to her previous life, and it anchored her more over the past few months.

A few days later she met with Carla at a local market. When Carla ringed to see if Hermione wanted to accompany her for a little shopping, Hermione jumped at the request. Besides, she needed to stock up on a few things.

"When will the Chemistry department be seeing you again Granger?" Carla asked as the two wandered around the produce section.

"Did you forget that I requested a full academic year?"

"Well, the department misses you. Dr. Sovay can't wait to see if you've discovered anything new in terms of your thesis work. Besides, ever since Glen disappeared, the department has been a bit unorganized. You know, you never specifically told me about why you needed the time off."

Worrying that Carla would ask Hermione if she knew anything about Glen, she was relieved when it just appeared to be a simple mentioning of his name. Carla always rambled about different topics in one conversation, quickly asking one question but forgetting it moments later for something more exciting.

Weeks earlier when Hermione's curiosity got the better of her she asked Severus why no one had bothered to ask her if she knew of Glen's whereabouts. Severus mentioned that the authorities did come by her flat when she was on bed rest to see if she knew anything, almost as if he himself forgot about it. He brushed it off by saying that the two detectives were "directed" into believing that Miss Granger hadn't seen or heard from Glen Viggs in a few days.

When he saw the guilt flash across her face, Severus told her that it was something Glen didn't deserve to receive from her. He wasn't shy in reminding her that she could have been dead if Severus hadn't of stepped in. His body still had not turned up, and Hermione didn't dare ask where it was.

"One of my professors from Berkeley requested I help him with a project he's working on." Hermione reminded herself, yet again, that she wasn't truly lying.

"What kind of project?" Carla asked nonchalantly.

"Just something he's had to deal with for a long time; a medical issue."

Hermione began to get a bit distracted as she tried to focus on what type of potatoes she wanted to purchase.

"Any progress?"

"A little. He is aware of my thesis work and that was why he requested my help."

"So how is he?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, health wise and also professor wise."

"Health, well I suppose time will tell in that department. As for professor wise…"

Hermione took a longer pause than she originally wanted. Trying not to let her conflicting emotions show on her face, she failed at coming across as some stupid schoolgirl.

"He was, or is I should say, one of the greatest instructors I have ever had. He terrified me when I was in his class, and I always worked extra hard to prove myself to him. He saw past that though, and for the longest time I thought he hated me. I now realize that he wanted to push me to make sure that I became the best of the best."

Carla, noticing the dazed look on her friend's face, didn't know what direction to steer the conversation.

"He sounds like a wanker, and you look like you are absolutely smitten with him."

Caught off guard by Carla's comment, Hermione tried to hide her embarrassment by pretending to be interested in the different types of tomatoes that were available. Carla took this as her opportunity to press for more information.

"You are! You're totally keen on him! Is he into you? What if he's married? Hell, shouldn't he be in America?"

"Mercy Carla, you sound like a thirteen year old! He's originally from London and is staying with family." Hermione lied. "He's not married, and I'm not keen on him." Hermione knew Carla wouldn't buy that line.

"How do you think he feels about you? Think about it, of all his students he asked for your help. You must have made a wonderful impression on him back at Berkeley."

"I don't know! I don't see the point in trying to pursue something when he will be going back to Berkeley in a few months." Hermione hoped Carla bought her lies. They were easier to spit out than she thought.

"See! You ARE keen on him! What's his name?" Carla asked.

"Why do you want to know?"

"I'm just curious."

"Carla! I know what you are going to do! You're going to stalk him on the Internet."

"No I won't. I want to see his body of work."

"That's not all you want to see I'm sure." Hermione remarked. "Besides, how many of your exes have I witnessed you track on those social networking sites."

"It's all for fun Hermione. You know, I love you and I will say this to you because I think you need to hear this. Maybe you should have sex with this guy."

Hermione nearly dropped the bunch of tomatoes she grabbed.

"Oh come on! Don't tell me you have never thought of it. Maybe his last night in town, just go at it like animals or something."

"Are you suggesting I have a one night stand?"

"I'm suggesting you two fuck each other's brains out. It'll do you some good!"

Walking away from both Carla and the conversation, she tried to think of something else to talk about, but knew it wouldn't work.

"Hermione, I know you're not that type of girl, but it never hurts to test out the theory if you catch my drift. We are scientists after all."

Those were the last words Carla mentioned to Hermione about the subject at the store. Thinking about her words left Hermione feeling rather uneasy. She walked into her flat, noticing that the radio that wasn't on when she left was being used. Walking towards the kitchen, she passed the lab room and noticed her professor extracting blood from his veins to put into vials.

"Hello." Hermione softly spoke. "Would you like any help with that?"

"I think I've got it." Severus responded.

"I've been craving a good potato curry for days now. I'm going put my chemistry skills to the test in the kitchen."

"I suppose I'll be a guinea pig in that manner too." He said, a slight smile on his lips.

"Well, you did say that you do eat sometimes."

And with that, Hermione walked into the kitchen and began to unpack her bags. A few minutes later she was chopping up the potatoes when she began to think of Carla's words. Fuck each other's brains out. Hermione thought the idea was completely ludicrous, yet she felt a tingle in her stomach that she hadn't felt in a long time…ever since Ron. Not paying attention to where the knife was going, she didn't realize she sliced into her left index finger until she felt the starch of the potato burn her skin.

"SHITE! SHITE! SHITE! SHITE! SHITE!" Hermione whispered as she searched for a dishtowel to wrap her finger in. When she couldn't open her drawer to retrieve one, she used the closest thing to her…her shirt. She put pressure to the wound, but seeing her gray shirt getting covered with even more blood didn't make her feel any better.

As if sensing something was wrong, Severus walked into the kitchen and saw her.

"Everything alright?"

But seeing the slight twitch of his nose, she knew that he knew.

"You've cut yourself." He replied calmly.

Hermione shamefully nodded. She knew this was difficult for him. She presumed he left the kitchen quickly to find her first aid kit. The fact that he didn't ask her where she kept it was an indicator that the scent of her blood was affecting him in a not so positive way.

Seconds later he walked back into the kitchen with the box of supplies. Opening it to find a plaster, Hermione thought back to Carla's words of testing out the theory. She knew that what she was about to do would most probably be one of the biggest mistakes in her life, but the impulse to do it was too strong.

Unwrapping her finger from her shirt, the blood soon began to seep out from the cut. Knowing that Severus was trying everything in his power not to look at it, she held it up to him in a moment of intimacy. It was her way of giving him permission.

Seeing the bloodlust in his eyes, she expected him to latch onto her finger and never let it go. Instead, he gently grabbed her wrist and slowly darted his tongue out to catch the drop that was about to fall to the floor. His tongue languished her wound as he savored every drop. She watched in awe as he took what she was willing to give; his tongue was ever so gentle in its movement. There were moments where she had to remind herself to breath as she watched him, shivering at just how cold his skin was. He kept his eyes closed, almost in shame with what he was doing, but Hermione found it all the more fascinating. What viciousness she expected was only a gentle hunger. He knew that her offering wasn't necessary, and he respected it all the more.

Her blood wasn't as metallic as he originally envisioned; it was heady, but there were some notes of sweetness in it. As he tasted her blood he could feel her pulse racing, hear the hitch of her breath, and while he knew that her cut was nearly finished with its bloodletting, he still hoped for some type of aftertaste.

When he finally released her finger with his tongue, he held onto her hand and led her to the dining table. Gently cleaning the wound and protectively wrapping it with both gauze and a plaster, the two didn't speak one word to another. Not knowing what to say, Hermione watched him and wondered how she never became so entranced with his hands as they carefully took care of her wound. As he finished up, he let himself hold onto her hand a little longer than he should have, but she didn't seem to notice.

She didn't have to inspect the dressing to know that it was well done. Muttering a thank you, Hermione didn't know what else to say in that moment. Hearing the slight drip of the faucet, the two sat in an eerie silence before Severus mentioned something.

"Your shirt?"

"Oh!" Hermione stated, shaken out of her spell. "It's probably ruined. I suppose now would be a great time to have that wand." She added jokingly.

"I suppose so." Severus added, not knowing what else to say.

It would take him a few moments to ask if she wanted any help with her curry, and never one to turn down an extra pair of hands, Hermione was grateful. Severus insisted on finishing the potatoes while Hermione worked on the rest of the ingredients. She found a weird solace in the two of them cooking together, and tried to keep her cool in front of Severus, especially given the encounter between them that just happened. She tried not to think of his tongue lazily dancing over her wound, just as she tried to not think about the drop in her stomach that occurred as he savored it all.

"You know what I love about cooking?" Hermione asked, looking for a distraction. "It's a lot like chemistry and potions. You have all these components that, alone, can be rather remarkable, but when combined with other things they produce something altogether magnificent."

"So, Neville Longbottom must be a horrific cook then." Severus added with a smirk.

"Given his history…"

"You do have a point. I can see those connections. I reckon I would make a wonderful cook if I actually had the appetite for it."

"Does the vampirism change your ability to taste things?" Hermione asked.

"Unfortunately, yes. A strawberry still tastes like a strawberry, but the sweetness and texture isn't really there for me anymore. Ha, I'm surprised I still remember those two things." Severus observed.

"Do you miss them?"

"Everyday." Severus replied quickly.

"I eat every now and then because it is something I've adapted to. In order to keep up the charade, and while I do crave a good roasted chicken every now and again, it almost defeats the purpose of eating because I know it won't taste the way it should. It's like a vegetarian eating products that taste like meat; it's just not the same or not even good at all. I will try your soup though. After all, you literally bled for it."

Hermione looked at Severus in that moment and saw his eyebrows raised and what she would count as a smile on his face as he waited for her reply. Rendered speechless, Hermione continued her task of mixing the ingredients for the curry. As she tried to focus on the task at hand, she berated herself for thinking about what she was trying not to think about.

A little while later as the two sat and shared an evening meal, she heard something fall from the lips of her former professor that she took as a clear indicator that she needed to re-evaluate every single shred of action that ever came from Severus Snape.

"The meal is lovely."

She knew that he wasn't talking about the curry.

XX

The sun was too bright one Friday afternoon when Hermione and Severus made their way through muggle London, trying to find supplies to replenish the lab the two had set up in her flat. It was an unexpected surprise to have it out in full force, considering that the two heard that it would be cloudy that day.

Deciding to continue their pursuit of goods when the rays wouldn't hurt Severus too much, they entered a café. Severus ordered for them while Hermione found the only table next to a window that just happened to be empty. Making sure the stuff that was already purchased wouldn't get bumped into: she didn't notice Severus take the seat across from her.

"Things should start to calm down soon." Hermione said, hoping to start the conversation.

"Hopefully." Severus tersely spoke as their cups of coffee were brought to their table.

"I'm sorry I didn't check the weather report today. Are you in much pain?"

"It's better, and there is nothing to apologize about. We need the supplies, and it has been easier having two people to collect and carry them, don't you agree?" He said, his eyes staring at her. She didn't notice them as she began to add in her sugar.

"I suppose so." She said as she continued, still not noticing his stare. "I would like to get started on adding the betlam leaves to the blood samples tonight. Thanks again for going to Diagon Alley yesterday." She stirred the cup with her spoon, obvious agitation that months of working together had given them nothing really substantial in finding a cure.

"You're obviously frustrated. Care to share?"

Putting down the spoon, she sighed. "I'm beginning to think that we may never find an answer for you. I don't want to be so negative, but sometimes it is what it is. I do enjoy working with you though; it has reminded me of all the things I love about being in the magical world."

"Why don't you go back? Your talent is still there." Severus asked quietly, looking at the people walking by.

"Why don't you?"

He put down his cup and looked at her. She felt uncomfortable when he looked at her like that; it was like he was passing through her. She kept his stare, afraid to look away from him.

"I have adapted to the muggle world. Everyone else thinks I'm dead and some grand hero. I'd prefer to be here where I can live in peace."

"But you are a hero!" Hermione stated, a little louder than she originally intended to.

Looking down at the table, she continued, "Do you believe it's really peace?" Hermione asked, leaning towards him as she rested her head on her right hand.

He wanted to tell her that she too was a hero. She sacrificed so much for the war, fought valiantly, and deserved everything that a hero would be bestowed.

"It's the closest thing to it that I have ever felt. Judith took my mortality. Voldemort and Dumbledore took my loyalty. I just want to live for myself and no one else."

"Those sorts of things are always easier said than done." Hermione retorted, a slight bitterness in her voice.

"What do you want?"

Looking away from him, she smiled before looking back at him. "I want the same thing as you. I just want to live...and finish my PhD program."

His hand rested on the table, and Hermione couldn't help but be utterly fascinated with it. It looked so worn, but so soft. She shyly reached out, without Severus noticing, and ran her fingers over his. She never looked at him; it was as if she were afraid he would immediately chastise her and reject her touch.

Caught off guard, he looked at her hand touching his, and looked up at her. He wanted nothing more than to grasp her hand, but in that moment, he was frozen. He watched with utter fascination as her fingertips absently traced his fingers. Rather than pull away, he let her continue as he looked out the window.

It was then that he truly realized that he felt comfortable with her. She had let him practically stay with her, trusted him in the most daunting of times, and while it was only natural that an odd attachment would form, he knew that she wouldn't abandon the cause. He knew that she wasn't helping him out of pity, but more or less to better a world she abandoned years ago. If his heart could have beat, he reckoned it would have picked up a pace or two. And for the first time in his existence as a vampire, he never missed the beat of his heart as much as it would have if it indeed did still beat in this very moment.

He looked out the window, and as if in slow motion, a figure caught his eye. A redhead walked down the street, pushing a stroller. She was wearing a navy blue sundress and sandals. Her hair was pinned up, but a bit disheveled. Her sunglasses didn't give him the exact view he needed, but there was the sense that he knew her. Knowing that the daylight would make him feel ill, he pulled away his hand more harshly than he intended to as he made his way out of the café.

Bracing himself as he stepped foot into the bright, early afternoon sunlight, he started walking towards her.

"Severus?" Hermione stated, shocked that he abruptly left their table. After leaving a tip, and quickly grabbing their fragile supplies, she raced after him. She called out his name, but he never responded back to her.

It almost appeared as if he were on the prowl. His vision was trained on the redhead leisurely walking. "Severus!" Hermione called after him. She tried to run in order to catch up to him, but knew that she would ruin what they had purchased. Ignoring, or truly not hearing her, he continued to walk on. She could tell he was grimacing slightly, but his hand could only offer so much protection to his eyes. She didn't know whom he was trying to catch up to; her only concern was to make sure that he was all right.

A traffic sign forced her to stop and watch as he continued on down the block. By the time she could cross the street, he was already two blocks ahead of her.

Severus continued to follow the redhead, hoping that Hermione wouldn't think him too rude in his abandoning her. He thought he heard her call after him, but such a noise was easily blocked out as he continued in his pursuit of the woman. Finally, a chance was given to him as the mysterious woman stopped at an outdoor café. Grabbing the infant in her arms, Severus had yet to see her face.

He slowly began to approach her, and as if she knew she was being followed, she turned around just in time. The two stared at each other for what seemed like forever. Hearing Hermione's voice, Severus felt her catch up to him.

"Severus, what's going on?" Hermione asked, out of breath.

It was then that the redhead removed her glasses and a beautiful pair of blue eyes stared back at his black ones.

"Hello Severus." She spoke warmly.

"Hello Judith." He replied.