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Severus POV
After throwing Hermione in the shower, Severus went to the small extra bathroom to freshen up. He showered quickly, and put on clean clothes. Then he went and sat down on the sofa. He was tired after the whole ordeal, and decided to lay down for a bit. He didn't really intend to sleep, but after two seconds he was asleep anyway.
He woke up after a bit from the sound of someone shuffling next to the sofa. He realized it was Hermione, and decided to pretend to be asleep to see what she would do. Then he felt something being draped on him. A blanket. After a few more seconds, the side of the blanket was lifted, and he could feel her getting onto the sofa with him. The sofa was wide, and there was more than enough room for her slim form.
He was lying on his back, with his hands under his head, and she put her head on his arm, resting in on his shoulder. Then she draped her small arm over his chest. His heart skipped a beat. He wanted to turn a bit and pull her closer, but he was afraid to do so. She thinks I'm asleep. That did it. Still pretending to be asleep, which made him internally cringe over being so cowardly pathetic, he turned his body a bit, putting his left arm around her waist, and pulled her closer. He turned his head and put his chin on her head. He could hear her sigh happily.
I think I meant it when I said I would never leave her. I will be here as long as she wants me to. Which makes me pathetic. She makes me pathetic, and I like it. God, she is comfortable. With that thought, he fell asleep.
When he woke up, he had no idea what time it was, or how long he had been lying there, but he felt more rested. He could feel hair tickling his face, and a warm body next to him. Hermione. She was lying even closer to him now than when he fell asleep. Her breathing was soft and steady, and she was obviously sleeping still.
Her head was almost on his chest now. While asleep he had obviously pulled her even closer, and she was on her side, nearly draped on him. His left arm was still around her waist, and his right arm was around her as well, with his hand resting on her shoulder. His nose was almost in her hair, and he took a deep breath, smelling her hair. Gods, I'm creepy. I am a creepy, creepy man.
Deciding to put an end to the creepiness he moved a bit. "Hermione?" She stirred a bit but didn't wake, she just moved closer to him, sighing. "Hermione, wake up." She stirred again, and actually woke up.
She snapped her head up and stared at him. "Oh! I'm sorry! I'm probably way over your comfort zone!" She moved back a bit and rolled her eyes. "I'm such a creep" He chuckled before giving her a smirk. "Yes, Miss Granger, extremely creepy. My comfort zone is surprisingly intact though. Now get off, we have work to do." She looked like she was going to be angry for a second, but when she saw the humor in his eyes; she just rolled her eyes and got up. "We have work to do?" He gave her a look. "Yes, quite a lot if I'm not mistaken. Come, sit, and I'll explain."
Hermione's POV
She sat down at the big table where she had been showing him her magic the first time, and looked at him. He was moving around the room, getting parchments, books and quills. She found him beautiful. He moved with such grace, and she loved his always stern expression. Now that she had seen more sides of him, heard him laugh and felt his compassion, she was somewhat awestruck.
He came over to her, dumping everything on the table, and sat down. First he gave her a book, and she could see it was about binding spells, and she just nodded at him before putting it down.
She looked expectantly at him. He propped his elbows on the table, folded his hands and began.
"Now; in regard to recent events, I think it would be best for you to move out of the dormitories. You shouldn't spend much time alone until we figure out what the hell is going on. It's likely that you are a target if… If she is back.. Or whatever this is. Bellatrix was extremely unhappy when you managed to escape her claws that day, and she didn't forget it afterwards." Hermione shivered at his words. He spoke again, and she thought he looked a bit apprehensive. "The question is where you should move." He was actually fidgeting a bit by this point. "Would you like to stay here?"
Her eyebrows shot up, she did not expect this development. He looked down at the table, and back up on her.
There are several unused rooms in the dungeons, and among them, apprentice quarters. In other words it means that you are able to move in here permanently if you should wish it. In your own quarters." She was astounded by this new development, and felt hope seep into her now pounding heart.
"Really?" He nodded. "Further down in the dungeon tunnel, there are two doors. One leads to an empty room, and one leads to two bigger rooms that used to be the apprentice quarters. The apprentice, if skilled enough, used to have his or hers own laboratory, and sometimes storage room." He raised an eyebrow. "No one has so far had any need for it though. Not in my time at least." He lowered his eyebrow and continued.
"Since the art of potion making demands precise timing and attention, the apprentice should be here as much as possible. Some potions need stirring several times a night, and it's not very practical to walk down here from whatever dorm the person is staying in. Ergo the apprentice chambers. You are obviously skilled enough, and will be offered your own chambers. And it would be an excellent solution for keeping you safe. The empty room I mentioned was as I understand it, once sleeping chambers. You can make it your bedroom. It is right next to mine." He stirred a bit and looked uncomfortable when saying this.
"Are you serious? I get my own chambers?!" He nodded. She squealed and jumped up from the chair. "Oh my God! That's unbelievable! Thank you!" She ran over to him and hugged him. He froze, but she saw a small smile when she let him go. She was too happy to just sit down again, which resulted in her spinning around the table in a victory dance. Realizing what she was doing, she froze, and turned sheepishly to Severus.
He was sitting there, looking at her with his hand pressed over his mouth, obviously trying not to laugh. When he saw her looking at her, he couldn't stop it any longer. He burst out laughing. "Very good, Miss Granger. 5 points to Gryffindor." She let out a surprised laugh. How did I not know how funny he was? Still laughing, she sat down.
He continued. "Very well, Miss Granger. You will have your own chambers down here." His expression grew darker. "We also have quite a few other things to figure out, but that can wait, don't you agree? For now, let's get you settled." She nodded. "Do you wish me to summon a house elf to gather some of your things? We need to go see Minerva, and though I would positively love to see the expression on her face when seeing you in a small version of my robes, it is not advisable." He was smiling at her, and she giggled. "Yes, that sounds like a good idea. I would appreciate it, thank you."
Hermione was beaming on the inside. She was going to live here! With Severus! I can't believe it; it's almost too good to be true! And I can't believe he is letting me!
The house elf arrived after a while with her wooden chest, and she found clothes to wear. After changing clothes, they went to see the headmistress. Minerva was upset.
"Merlin's beard Hermione! There you are! I haven't seen you in ages, what happened? Where have you been?" Hermione fidgeted under the Headmistress' stare.
"I'm sorry Headmistress, but I had an accident yesterday, and Professor Snape found me. He was kind enough to let me stay there. I'm sorry, I should have sent word, but I was too stressed to think about it. Something extremely disturbing happened, and I had an anxiety attack." Minerva looked at Severus with a deadly stare.
"And why did you not bring her to the hospital wing, Professor?" Severus, now with his I-do-not-find-anyone-worthy-to-talk-to-me-so-please-don't expression, looked down at the Headmistress with his arms crossed over his chest.
"She did not wish to, Headmistress. And she was in no state to be alone. She was also on the brink of severe hypothermia, and I had to act fast. After recovering she showed me what had happened, and I found it most unadvisable to let her be alone."
Minerva gazed at them both before looking at Hermione with a worried expression. "Will you tell me what happened?" Severus answered.
"Yes. You will need to know, and maybe some others as well. But instead of telling you, I think you need to see it for yourself." He looked at Hermione. "Will you give her your memory to look at?" Hermione nodded, and he looked back to Minerva. "We will need the pensive."
After bottling Hermione's memory, Minerva bowed her head into the pensive, and after a bit she stood up again, obviously shaken. Her voice was almost a whisper when she spoke.
"It's.. It's not possible.."
Severus nodded. "Yes, that was what we thought as well. But it was no hallucination, and if Bellatrix Lestrange somehow is alive, Miss Granger should not be left alone for the time being. We will need to sign the apprenticeship contract, and she will move down to the dungeons." Minerva looked shocked and her jaw almost dropped before realization dawned on her. "The apprentice quarters." Severus nodded.
Minerva, still shaken looked at Hermione. "Are okay with this Hermione? And also, are you okay?" Hermione nodded. "Yes Headmistress, I'm fine with it. I'm actually glad. I wouldn't feel safe anywhere else. The wards are excellent down there, and I can't think of anyone better to keep me safe than Professor Snape." She felt Severus shift a bit next to her. She ignored it, and continued.
"And I don't have many friends here this year either. I don't feel as home as I used to in Gryffindor tower anymore. So many things have changed. Actually having somewhere private would be great. I've spent too much time in the Room of Requirement as it is this year. And if I am okay? No. Not really. But I will feel safe in the dungeons, and that will help immensely." She smiled at Minerva. The Headmistress watched her for a few seconds, before smiling back. "You have thought this through it seems. Very well. Let's do the paperwork."
After signing the papers, Minerva looked at them both. "Severus, I would appreciate it if you would watch over Miss Granger. In a worst case scenario, she is a target at the moment. The rest of us will search the Forbidden Forest of course. I will let you know what we find. If we find anything." Severus nodded. "Very well, Headmistress."
They exited the Headmistress' office, and Hermione giggled as they walked. "Did you see her face when you said I would move to the dungeons? I should have worn your robes!" She could see Severus stifling a laugh, but gave her a small smile. "That would have been a sight to see, indeed." Hermione cleared her throat. She realized she needed some things, and that meant Severus had to stand outside and wait for her. "Um, I have some things at the dorm, can we stop so I can get it?" Severus rolled his eyes. "Only you, Miss Granger. Only you can make me do these things. Yes, we may stop by Gryffindor Tower. I will wait outside." She giggled.
Severus' POV
Severus had waited like he said he would, feeling like a fool. But Hermione had finally come back, levitating stacks of books and several other things. They had left, and were now finally back in the dungeons.
"We should eat. I will call a house elf to bring us food, but maybe you want to see the quarters first?" Maybe she hates it. Gods, what if she hates it? And why do I care? She actually clapped her hands. "Yes please!" "Oh don't be so overly excited Miss Granger. What if you hate it? I have no idea how it looks, it hasn't been in use since before you were born." She looked at him. "I will not hate it. If I dislike it, I will fix it!" He shrugged. "Very well then. Come with me."
They stepped into the dungeon tunnel, and he walked past the doors to the bathroom and his bedroom. Glancing at her, he said; "Have you noticed the door next to the bathroom?" She nodded. "It leads to a small corridor to another bathroom. It's yours." Her eyes widened. "Really? I have my own bathroom?" He nodded, and she beamed at him.
They walked further down the hall until they reached a door at their left. "This is the bedroom. At the moment it's completely empty, and I suspect, extremely dusty. Don't get your hopes up." He cast Lumos before opening the door, and they stepped in.
It was indeed extremely dusty. The room was quite big, and empty except for an also empty, dusty bookshelf. It was very much a dungeon room. Stone walls and ceiling. Everything was dark grey. It looks like a cell, he thought. At least it has high ceiling. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked at Hermione, bracing for her reaction. He was thoroughly surprised to see her face. She was beaming.
She actually skipped into the room, kicking up dust as she went. She sneezed. She turned to him and giggled. "Ok, it needs some cleaning, but I positively love it!" She made snowball-motions, and conjured her light orbs. Flicking her finger, the room was now filled with tiny glowing stars. He looked at her standing there. She had dust in her lion mane-hair, and the air around her was filled with stars, some of them landed in her hair. She sneezed again.
She's adorable, he thought. Bloody hell Severus Snape. Stop acting like a 14 year old. She is not adorable. Nothing is adorable. She is positively beautiful though. He shushed himself in his head.
"Let me show you the rest." Smirking at her, he addressed the light orbs. "Follow me, please." The light orbs zipped after him, and he left the room, crossing the tunnel towards the door there. He could hear her giggle as she followed him. He opened the door to the apprentice quarters. The quarters were just as dusty as the previous room. The first room was the largest, and led in to a quite big room that supposedly was the laboratory, with shelves and work counters. From there you could get into a small room, obviously a storage room.
"This is great! I love it! It's going to require some work, but it will be great! I can't believe I'm going to stay here! Thank you, Severus." She flinched, and looked at him with an uncertain look. "Are you okay with me calling you that? I haven't really asked." He nodded at her. "It's fine Hermione. I'm not really your Professor anymore, and even though I would love for you to call me Master, I hear it's out of date. We're going to be working together quite a lot, and it's better if we have a casual tone towards each other. But I do expect you to keep your tone professional when the situation demands it. I believe you can manage that." She nodded.
"Now, let's eat, shall we?" She gave him a wicked smile. "Yes, Master." Then she recalled her light orbs, bowed, and walked past him before skipping out of the room. He stood there, stunned, before he came to his senses again and walked after her.