AN: Me, Peeking out from behind Phinneas Nigellus's portrait…"Ahem…I'm back!"
Phinneas: "Took you bloody long enough."
Me: "I know…I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
Phinneas: "Mmmmm. Well, on with it then."
Me: "Usual disclaimers apply?"
Phinneas: "Indeed."
Chapter 5: Crossed Wires
Hermione lay drowsily in Severus' arms, enjoying the sublime feeling of his weight draped over her. He was fast asleep, snoring away, his leg covering hers at the juncture of her hip and thigh, his arm wrapped around her, one hand resolutely cupping her breast.
Hermione sighed audibly and smiled like the cheshire cat as she turned to glance at the wall clock in her bedroom. It was nearly ten in the morning! Merlin it felt like years since she'd let her self luxuriate in bed like a woman of fortune. Never one to waste the day away, and given that she felt quite famished after her multiple…extra curricular activities last night, and also due to the fact that her bladder was insisting upon it, Hermione slowly…softly….as quietly as she possibly could manage it…slid out of the bed. She was shocked that she actually did it without waking him. He must really be down for the count, she thought with a level of fondness that startled her. How could she love this man so much? Surely they had been going on and on like this for ages? Good grief, it had only been one night though…one night of admittedly amazing, mind blowing, life altering sex, and she was already becoming attached to this feeling, she thought as she padded her way into her tiny kitchen area to put tea on. She puttered around the kitchen, not wanting to make too much noise. If he was really still asleep after all this time, then he must be as exhausted as she had obviously been.
It really had been a stellar night, she mused as she stirred the eggs she'd added to the french toast in the pan. The sizzle, pop of the buttery concoction was drowned out by the whistle of the tea kettle. All in all probably the most enjoyable she'd ever had. Thank god the pair of them had gotten over being so ill! She giggled a bit as she plopped a dollop of whipped cream onto the plate and then summoned her best tea cups from the cupboard. Might as well dine in style, she thought! She made her way back to her bedroom, the tray levitated in front of her, and she was prepared to enjoy finding out whether Severus was a "morning person" or not when the sight in front of her nearly caused her to lose her magical focus.
Severus was sitting on the far side of the bed, his back rigid and stiff. She noticed that his hair was slightly ruffled in the back from sleep. The frightening part was…he was fully dressed and donning his boots.
"Severus…" she said, and she found her voice was small. Maybe…she'd been wrong about all of this?
"You don't need to let me down easy." His voice sounded bitter and strange to her…not at all like the man who had made love to her so passionately to her the night before. Not one shred of that man was visible to her now. He rose from the bed, taking a brief moment to smooth the blanket down where he had been sitting, as if trying to erase his presence from the mattress. Hermione felt herself shiver as she caught sight of his face. It was closed off. Dark. Empty. Those deep and cavernous eyes were blurry and occluded. He was using his skill at Occlummency, she was sure of it. She felt tears spring to her eyes. What on earth was happening? How could she have been so off the mark?
"Severus…please…why are you going?" She asked as he moved towards the door. She stood blocking his way, not wanting him to leave without at least an explanation.
"I know when I am not wanted. I'll leave you to your breakfast Professor Granger," and without giving her a second to respond he had pushed past her and fled with rapid speed out the door to her quarters, leaving Hermione standing there.
Quietly, Hermione directed the tray of cooling food to the night table and sat down on the bed, her eyes down cast.
….
TBC.
Short, I know…but I had to get my feet wet again somehow! Reviews are always welcomed and appreciated.
SS