The Human Cure

Chapter 12: Collisions

Author's Note: For starters, thanks for being patient with me. I apologize for being so late with an update, but life has thrown me a few challenges these past few months. We're entering the final stretch of this story with the final chapters being worked on. I'm sad that this story is going to come to an end soon, but alas, others do call. Thanks so much for taking the time to read this, and please do review. Whether it's positive, negative, or just a simple hello, all will be appreciated. Let's get this show started.

Severus woke up to an empty bed. Knowing what had happened between the two hours before, he still felt like he had to tread carefully around Hermione. As he approached the living room, he saw her sitting and reading the morning paper. Silently sitting next to her, he felt the awkwardness of not knowing just what to do or say. Minutes later she spoke,

"I have some fresh coffee in the kitchen."

He didn't want coffee, but he would take the offer she extended.

"Thank you." Severus said.

Minutes later when he returned and sat in the spot he previously occupied, Hermione handed him the sections of the paper she had already read. As he read the latest news about the Prime Minister, he let the silence of their morning comfort him. It would take some time, but Severus knew that she would forgive him. Even though he tried not to become too comfortable, he couldn't help but imagine the life they would lead together.

After another twenty minutes of silence, Hermione finally spoke.

"I feel like going to Covent Garden today. You can come with me if you'd like."

"I would love to accompany you." Severus replied in honesty.

"We could go this evening. One can hopes the crowds won't be too big, but that's never a guarantee."

Their conversation never steered in the confrontation from the previous night. From what Severus knew of Hermione, she meant business with every word she said. He knew that she wouldn't have to repeat herself. Feeling like a five year old who was fussed by a parent, he had no intention of trying his luck.

For the rest of the day until their trip to Covent Garden, Hermione's flat was filled with silence as the two took the day to catch up on reading. Hermione would devote an hour or two to her thesis work, but it wasn't anything too taxing.

Later on in the evening, they sat next to each other on the tube that took them to their destination. Still, no real conversation had taken place between the two of them all day. Hermione smiled as she watched a small child point out to his mother all the various colors used on the advertisements in the tube. If one were to see the two of them, one wouldn't guess that they were companions or anything close to lovers. They appeared as two strangers who, by some odd circumstance, were forced to sit next to one another.

As the two walked through the various shops, Severus let Hermione lead the way. She purchased a dress and a cardigan, but Severus knew that she just wanted to spend the evening walking around. Not asking for his opinion on her purchases, Severus was happy that he wasn't assigned that duty. She didn't need anyone's approval on any thing, and he loved that about her. While the two perused Treadwells Books, Hermione smiled when she found an out of print edition of The Soft Machine by William S. Burroughs. Not able to contain her excitement, she found Severus in the new addition of the store.

"I can't believe it! I love this book. When I was in Berkeley, I thought it fitting to read a lot of work that was written by the Beat Generation since San Francisco was their second home. Burroughs stayed in New York where the movement first began, but his work was always my favorite." Hermione gleamed as she held the book closely to her, as if someone were going to quickly grab it from her.

"What have you found there?" Hermione asked Severus. It was the first real fleck of emotion he saw from her all day.

"Some work by Poe."

"You don't sound too impressed by his work."

"On the contrary, he was an amazing writer. Lovely woman that Virginia; it's too bad he couldn't lay off the alcohol."

Realization dawned on Hermione. "You met Poe and his wife?"

"I spent some time in New York when they briefly lived there." That was all that Severus would say. Flabbergasted with that tidbit of information, the two made their way towards the register.

After Severus purchased their selections, he saved the next piece of information after they walked out of the shop.

"I suppose it would be pouring salt on the literary wound to admit that I may have had the opportunity to proofread a piece or two." Severus said as the two walked towards the tube station.

"You know, I took a class at Berkeley on him. He was brilliant, and the fact that I am just now finding out about this does sting a bit." Hermione added jokingly.

As the two found seats on the tube, Hermione quietly slid her hand into Severus'. It was the first contact the two had all day. Finding comfort in her touch, he smiled as he looked down at their clasped hands. When she put her head on his shoulder, he clutched her hand tighter.

"You do know that we will be alright, right?" Severus asked as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"I know."

It was all that she could say as they made their way back to her flat, or what she began to consider their home.

It didn't take long for the two to get back to their routine. Hermione had returned to her studies and teaching schedule at the university. The two weren't any closer to finding anything new, and after Hermione came home one day to find Severus sprawled out on the couch with a terrible headache due to an attempted potion gone wrong, it was decided that he needed to cool it with being the test subject.

Hermione knew where his desperation came from, and even though she never acknowledged it to him, she knew that he was trying to find a way that didn't involve her having to give up her blood for him. It wasn't because he feared that she didn't love him; he only wanted to protect her.

As she sat on the couch, humming softly and running her fingers through his hair as he slept off the painful headache, Hermione knew that she was madly in love with the vampire using her thigh as a pillow. She hoped that every caress she gave him would somehow communicate what she felt.

"I wish to stay with you forever." She whispered, knowing that it would be foolish to wish for such a thing. Severus himself admitted that forever was nothing but a curse. Smiling, she continued to lightly touch him.

"I change my mind. I wish to grow old with you."

Severus didn't stir; he continued to stay completely still, almost as if he were dead. His cold skin was a reminder of just how peculiar their situation really was. It didn't take long for drowsiness to overtake her and before she realized that she had leaned her head against the soft velvet of the couch, she had fallen asleep.

It had started out simple enough. It was raining outside, and Hermione watched as Severus was reading from his Poe collection as they both sat in her living room.

"You know, you remind me of him a little."

"Who?" Severus asked, not looking up from his book.

"Poe. To watch the most important people in his life die in front of his eyes…one almost can't blame him for seeking some sort of oblivion."

"So you see me as this romantic sort?"

"Not really, but you do have a way with the ladies." Hermione said as she laughed.

The thunder caught them off guard.

"I do agree with you though…about seeking oblivion. I always saw him as someone who knew that suicide was a coward's way out, so he tried to numb the pain with whatever was around him. I can relate to that I suppose."

"What made you want to stay here?"

"Hope. As much as I wanted to give up, I couldn't. With you there is hope Hermione."

It took her a minute or two to respond, but the only thing she could muster up was a simple question.

"Is it really a curse?" Hermione whispered.

He slowly moved towards her, never answering her question. He hoped that his kiss could answer the question she posed. As the rain began to pound outside, Severus could hear Hermione's heartbeat give it competition.

The two continued to kiss as Hermione wrapped her arms around Severus. They both knew that their relationship was soon going to progress to the next level. The couch was soft, plush, worthy of rest, but not worthy of the consummation of their relationship.

As Severus glided next to Hermione, he worried about what lay in store for them. He assumed that she knew that he would probably drink from her, but she didn't seem too concerned about that as she saw him staring pensively out the window. It was only when she placed her hands on his face and turned it towards her did he look at her. She kissed him softly, letting him take the lead if he so wished it. As he wrapped his arms around her, closing her in, he too placed his cold palms on her face, gently so that their feel wouldn't make her uncomfortable.

He felt her lean into his kiss as the two sat side by side. Hermione lightly traced her fingers along his face as he penetrated her with his stare. She met his gaze and continued to touch him – his cold skin still noticeable under his clothes.

"I want to make you mine." Severus said, in a tone that reminded her of his days as her professor.

Pulling him towards her for another kiss, she shuddered at his words.

"You can't." Hermione replied. "I'm already yours."

And with those words, he stood up from the couch. Offering her his hand, he posed a question to her – not noticing the yearning in his voice.

"Will you walk with me?"

Hermione assumed it was a late night stroll that they had grown so accustomed to. Noticing that the weather was slowly getting worse, Hermione oddly looked at him until she realized what he was truly asking for.

As she placed her hand in his, she stood up and responded, "I will always walk with you."

She gripped his hand as he led her to the bedroom. Finally it dawned on her what they were about to do; what he was so afraid of for so long. Knowing that once they entered that room, there would be no going back. She paused, still holding onto his hand. When he looked at her, he sensed her hesitation, but it was only a temporary moment of fear. Offering more comfort, he picked her up to where her legs were wrapped around his waist, clutching him like a child would, while kissing every inch of skin of his skin she had access to in such a position. Wondering why she was slightly hesitant, Hermione reminded herself that she was ready. She couldn't believe how shy she had suddenly become especially knowing that she wasn't afraid of being forward when it came to Severus Snape. Hell, she once had his cock in her mouth. Pushing all of her doubts away, she led him lead her to whatever their oblivion would be.

Gently depositing her onto the bed, the two lay still as they continued to hold one another. Afraid to make the first move, both were content to just being there, and feeling every drop of the moment they were in.

Slowly unbuttoning his shirt, Hermione noticed Severus didn't put up a fight as she kept her eyes on his, waiting for some sign that he wanted her to stop. It never came. Removing the cotton from his skin, she forgot just how cold and pale his flesh was. There were moments where she swore she could see her breath as she inched her fingers towards his trousers, still fearing that he would ask her to stop. Once again, those words never came.

As she softly brushed her hands against his growing hardness, she saw his eyes shut tightly as she slowly began to remove both his trousers and his boxers.

He could feel her heartbeat quicken as she lay back; her arms sprawled on both sides of her head. Here she was, giving herself to him, allowing him to do whatever he wished. It took him a few moments to realize that she was still fully dressed. Ever so patient, she let him begin whenever he was ready.

Removing her shirt, he deliberately traced her skin with his cold hands, knowing just what reaction it would give her. As he watched her catch her breath, she turned her head away from him, his soft touch making the hairs rise on her skin. It was cold enough to make certain parts of her stomach contract, but it was pleasurable all the more. If she had this sort of reaction just to his touch, what reaction would she have once he was inside of her? The anticipation only excited him more.

She didn't watch him as he removed her jeans, afraid that if she did she would beg him to curse her with his affliction, mortality be damned. When she heard the thunder outside, she opened her eyes, reality dawning on her that she was about to make love to her former Potions professor. Staring at her curtains, she could sense the rain was about to fall as she noticed him slowly removing her knickers, his fingers lingering in the area she so wanted him to occupy.

The dreaded Potions professor. Her lab partner. Her friend. Her lover. Her mind lover. All of those things made up one man who showed her more passion than she would have ever thought possible.

It wasn't until she felt his weight on top of her and his hand slowly drift over her throat that she turned to face him.

"I don't deserve you. I don't deserve to be happy." Severus said.

"I used to feel that way all of the time, but I can't anymore." She closed her eyes as she let her hands roam over the flesh of his back. Keeping her eyes closed, she felt his lips traverse every part of her flesh that he could reach. His hands softly grabbed her breasts, the coldness of his skin immediately making her nipples pebble.

Even though they had seen each other naked, it was almost as if they were seeing each other for the first time. What the two couldn't say to one another, their touches communicated it for them. As the rain continued to fall, Hermione began to feel like she was losing herself in Severus.

Seeking his lips with her own, she kissed him. Gone were the soft, innocent kisses of their past. Now it was hot, torrid, and ever the more needy. Removing her hands from his back, she placed her hands on his cheeks, scared that he would change his mind.

Feeling him slightly grind against her, she felt his hardness dig into her flesh. It took everything in her power not to grab him and force him towards her entrance. He waited over a hundred years for love, so she could wait for a bit longer. As their hands began to roam in their exploration, yet again, Hermione felt that there was truly going to be no turning back.

And then suddenly, Severus pulled away. The streetlight provided a slight illumination of her bedroom as he looked at her face. Her swollen lips. Her glassy eyes. Everything about her was absolutely beautiful.

"I don't want…I'm…I'm afraid to." Severus said as he felt the heat of her skin make his somewhat warmer. He was too overwhelmed in that moment to be able to think straight.

"Shhhh. It's ok." Hermione said as she combed her fingers through his hair.

"No, you don't understand." He said as he kissed her lips. "I feel you in me. When you gave me a little bit of blood…it faded a day or two later, but still, I had a part of you in me and even those drops felt unlike anything else. I don't know what's happening to me. I'm afraid of what's happening."

He looked at her, and yet again, Hermione felt as if he were looking through her.

"Why so afraid?" Hermione tenderly asked as she guided his head towards her chest. She was nothing but understanding.

There was an odd comfort to be found on that particular location. His head pillowed between her breasts, her heartbeat ever so clear and pounding, was something he wanted to experience for the rest of his days, whether mortal or immortal. Severus felt like a child, so safe and comforted. He knew then that she knew what she was possibly getting into when it came to him.

"I'm so scared that I will hurt you, that once I start, I won't be able to stop." He spoke into her flesh as she continued to run her fingers through his hair.

"I trust you, but you have to trust yourself Severus."

It was then that he looked up at her.

"I couldn't bear it if I took too much from you, if I hurt you…from the woman I lo..."

He didn't have to say the words; she knew what he felt.

"You'll know. You always do." Hermione reassured him as she pushed a lock of his hair behind his ear.

"I want to pleasure you in every way possible, ever since I saw you that day in your knickers. You don't know how many nights I've fantasized about you."

"And you don't know how many times I've imagined you taking them off." Hermione whispered in his ear, emboldened by his words. "Tell me Severus. Tell me everything."

His fingers made their way to her quim as he looked directly at her. He wanted to tell her everything; how many times he wanked off with her image in his mind; how many times he fantasized about this very moment. But the words never came to him as he pumped his fingers in and out of her. She was so wet for him, and ever the studious woman, she never once removed her eyes from his.

"Tell me…" she pleaded.

"I can't." Severus responded, choking up as he watched her body react. "They can't ever compare to what I am experiencing now. I don't see a girl eagerly raising her hand for every question; I see a woman who wants nothing more than to shatter for me right here."

Feeling her tense up, her cries becoming more desperate, Severus picked up the pace of his fingers as the two continued to stare at one another. Pulling her leg up to his waist, he felt just how close she was. It wasn't until Severus playfully nipped at her lip that she came.

Giving her a few seconds to catch her breath, the two listened to the rain outside. It was as clichéd as one could get for such a night, but neither minded.

As he entered in her over and over again, he slowly wanted to draw out her orgasm. There would be other times for his more animalistic desires, but for this first time he wanted her soul to burn for him.

Their eyes never left one another as they continued in their joining. Hermione brought his mouth to hers, and as their tongues danced, Severus had to remind himself to take his time with her. As Hermione gripped his body, trying to pull him in even closer than he already was, she wanted nothing more than to die in the state of utter happiness and pleasure that she was experiencing.

"Gods, you're so tight." Severus whispered before he began trailing his lips down her neck. He found her jugular and felt her pulse. He licked the vein and felt Hermione shiver beneath him. Her moan of approval made him harden even more.

"It's for you – it will always be for you." Hermione replied as she felt Severus wrap his tongue around a nipple. His cock slammed into her a little harder.

He brought his eyes back to hers, and while any other person would see that look and run screaming from him, all it did was turn her on even more.

Suddenly, he paused in his ministrations. He was still inside her, still pulsing. She didn't realize how fast her heart was beating until he stopped and moved back up to where the two were facing one another, the tips of their noses touching.

Hermione grabbed Severus' hand and placed it on her heart. Once there, she placed her hand on Severus' chest, and felt nothing in its chamber. Hermione used the moment of silence to catch her breath.

"Do you really mean it?" Severus asked.

"I wouldn't say it if I didn't." She responded as she wrapped both of her arms around his neck. "Please, I have never wanted to be possessed by someone as much as I do you. Smother me in your love, do what you must" she said as she kissed him. "Let my love be your cure." Hermione added as she looked him in the eyes.

"I want to be with you. I want to walk this world with you, even if you remain a vampire." Hermione spoke as she felt Severus begin to move within her again.

"Yes…" Hermione said, not knowing or caring if she was coherent, her arms still protectively wrapped around the neck of Severus.

"Don't hold back for me Hermione. I want to hear you. I too want to hear everything." Severus added, seeing her trying to hold onto a shred of control. He was determined to give her pleasure first before seeking his very own.

The whimpers coming out of her mouth were enough to make him quicken his pace. He felt his muscles tighten as he entered her compared to the softness of her lips as he kissed her, yet again. Would he ever have enough of her mouth?

As he released his lips from hers, he knew the fire was building in her as looked in her eyes. He knew she wanted to speak, but couldn't in that very moment. Her eyes, on the brink of tears, told him everything he needed to know.

"Come for me Hermione. Give me your release." He spoke as he picked up his pace, yet again. Desperate for her lips, but wanting to say even more, he continued,

"You must let go…just let it all go my love."

He didn't mean to parallel on the words she spoke when she tried to take her own life years ago, but no, this wasn't about life ending; this was about two new lives starting. He knew she was so close, but rather than let her torture continue, he used his finger to brush against her clit and then she exploded.

Not aware that she was baring her neck to him, her second orgasm hit her with a force she didn't think was possible. Still, Severus continued to pulse within her. As she shivered from the sensation, she looked at her lover with eyes filled with an even darker desire. Unwrapping her arms from around his neck and placing her hands on his cheeks, she whispered,

"Come inside me. I want everything."

He felt his release and growled as he felt her stroke his face, telling him that he was beautiful and magnificent - things he never thought possible about himself.

"You're so beautiful when you come." Hermione added.

When he looked down at her, his fangs were exposed. Not questioning her curiosity, Hermione's fingers traced them. Severus took it as an opportunity to let his tongue taste her flesh. He knew she was giving him permission, her words it's all for you repeated themselves in his head.

As Hermione removed her fingers, she felt his lips work their way to the scar on her wrist. He licked the scar, at the same time keeping his eyes on her.

"This is a scar from your old life. My love let me give you a new one for a better life." Severus spoke as he gently sank his fangs into the scar. He watched as Hermione's chest rose off of the bed as she watched him drink from her. Feeling both his and her desire rise again quickly, Severus pulled her to him, all the while gently sucking her blood. He wrapped his other arm around her to support her as he began to pump into her yet again. She joined him in the rhythm as she felt another orgasm build up inside of her. Knowing that Severus would know when to stop, she let her own teeth graze his ear as she trailed kisses down his neck. Finally, as she came again by his cock and the pleasure of his tongue on her flesh, she bit into his shoulder, knowing full well that he would get off on it too. He removed his fangs from her wrist when he came again. Her blood still on his lips, her heartbeat slowing down just a little bit, she wanted nothing more than to taste her own life force. As Severus gently lie her down, she brought her lips to his. That was enough to make him hard again, but he knew she was exhausted, and she needed to rest.

"Rest my love. You don't know how much I truly appreciate your gift." He spoke as he licked her wound until it healed.

The last thing Hermione remembered before drifting off to sleep were his lips on hers, taking every drop of her blood back.

Hermione was awakened by a sensation that she wasn't expecting. Believing that she was dreaming, she thought that maybe it was a side effect from Severus drinking her blood. But no, his tongue circled her nub below while his hand softly caressed her breasts.

Opening her eyes, she could see his covered form pleasuring her, but it wasn't enough. Doing her best to toss aside her bed dressing with as much grace as possible, she was greeted by the vision of him going down on her. Not one to stifle her moans, his eyes met hers in a manner that reminded her of when she did such an act previously. The sun wasn't up just yet, but it was getting there. Gripping the bedsheets, she wanted to tell him how amazing he made her feel, but she was rendered speechless. She could only hope that her whimpering communicated what she wanted to say.

He slowed down his tongue as he watched her body arch up, her guttural begging making him hard.

"Please…please Severus, make me come." She said as she released the sheets with one hand and ran it through is black tendrils. "Please, make me come for you again."

Sucking her clit, he felt her grip tighten on his hair. Struggling for breath, sweat slightly beading on her skin, he knew she was close.

"Please."

She pleaded repeatedly. It almost felt as if she were dying – begging for the plug to be pulled. Not able to bear her pleas, Severus inserted a finger in her and continued to gently run it over that oh so sensitive spot, desperate for his lips to meet hers. He saw the tears in her eyes, and the absolute beauty of the moment stilled him. His tongue removed the tears down her face, his fangs softly grazing the skin of her cheeks as he continued to pleasure her.

"Gods woman, you're so beautiful." Severus said. He felt his eyes start to water, but didn't want her to see them. "If I could start each day like this with you, I'd die so happy." He kissed her breasts and felt the sweat mixed with the slight goosebumps on her skin. Severus knew he couldn't drink from her again; it was too soon.

"I want you in me Severus." Hermione whispered. "Please."

Not wanting to prolong her torture, Severus quickly moved to give her what she wanted. As his weeping member graced her entrance, he looked at her, fresh tears escaping her eyes, before whispering, "Whatever you wish my love."

He was afraid she might be sore from the previous evening, but seeing her eyes close, almost as if him entering her was a miracle cure for the ache she possessed, he knew that she was going to be fine.

Severus was gentle in their lovemaking; he grasped her face as he continued to enter her. Using his thumbs to wipe away her tears, she opened her eyes to look into his, feeling a connection she never thought possible.

"Why are you crying?" Severus whispered against her lips.

"You make me feel." It was her short response, but it was something he wasn't expecting. "For so long, even before the war started, I was afraid to love because I didn't want to feel that pain of such loss, but I still did. You've given me the greatest gift – you've helped me to move on."

As he looked into her eyes, he could see the chocolate flecks in her eyes, begging him to never stop moving inside of her.

"I won't ever stop loving you." Severus whispered as he picked up the pace.

"Forever." Hermione spoke as she felt her orgasm quickly approaching.

Continuing to enter her in fluid strokes, he could only repeat her word, emptying himself into her after feeling her explode around him.

"Forever…"