AN – I own nothing!

--

Chapter 27

Hermione watched Severus from the bed, as he stood against the balcony ledge. He had a glass of firewhiskey in hand. It was early to drink. They had just finished lunch with everyone else. At the table, they discussed about the plans they had with Harry and her, regarding their Occulemency. She didn't know how she felt about the idea, but obviously, something did hit Severus in a way. He hadn't said a word to her right after, and just made himself a glass of firewhiskey as soon as they got to their suite.

Severus didn't like the discussions and plans that were held during lunch. He didn't like the Potter brat, and he sure as hell hated Sirius. Lucius would be lucky if he taught Potter Occulemency properly. He had a hard time for Potter was hard headed and didn't listen to him during their lessons. Teaching Hermione though was a different subject. He wasn't expecting it, but he didn't mind it. She could possibly do better than Potter did. The thought though of her being caught with the Dark Lord—captive under him, did truly disturb him.

"Severus?" Hermione called his name as she approached him from behind. She wrapped her arms around his waist, and placed her chin on his back. She felt him stiffen in her arms, and she wondered why. She couldn't feel his emotions, and knew well that he placed a wall around them yet again. "What's the matter?"

"Black and Potter is what's the matter," he said flatly. He took another sip from his glass before he continued. "I don't like them too much. I guarantee you that they will not take the news properly."

"They can't do anything about us, or change the way I feel about you," Hermione assured him. Still she knew that he was hiding something from her. There was something more.

Severus just kept silent. He knew that she was right. He'd still love her as well. The fear though of losing her was creeping up to him all the more, and scaring him. Losing her—he couldn't handle.

"Talk to me Severus, please," she urged. Her hand went up to his chest, above his heart. "Tell me what's wrong."

"Nothing's wrong Hermione."

"You're hiding something from me. You can tell me."

"Leave me be Hermione," Severus sighed. He pulled away from her arms, moving away from her. His back to her, as he stood still.

Hermione was hurt by him. He didn't even look at her. "What is the matter with you Severus?" she asked, starting to get agitated. "Do you not trust me? I allow you to feel my feelings, and yet you hide yours from me. I give myself to you whole heartedly, with nothing to hide. With you... I get... something half-baked."

Severus against didn't say a word. He just looked out towards the lake yards ahead. What Hermione had just said surprised him. And when he thought about it, he couldn't argue with her for she was correct.

"Why do you have to be such a heartless git?" Hermione said angrily and walked off to the bathroom slamming the door behind her.

--

Hermione's hand gently tugged on the brush as she smoothed out her damp hair, sitting in front of the dresser. As she looked at herself in the mirror, she could see her puffy cheeks and eyes. All that she was wearing was her knickers and her bra. While she showered, she cried and cried. She couldn't understand Severus at times. Then again, he was really the type of person to push others away. Did he not trust her?

"Hermione?" Severus said softly as he opened the bathroom door and looked at her. Their eyes met through the mirror. He knew that she was hurting. He wanted to make things right between them for it was he that caused her the pain. Again, he was starting to hate himself.

"If you're drunk Severus, go away!" Hermione huffed. "Or better yet, why don't you just go away, period?!"

Ignoring what she had just said, Severus closed the door and took slow steps towards her. "I am not drunk, nor am I going away," he said sternly. "However," he said in a softer tone, "I am sorry."

"Whatever," she murmured and shook her head. She looked down at her thighs, refusing to continue to look at him. "You don't trust me, I know that now."

Severus pulled out the futon beneath the dresser and sat on it. He then turned Hermione's chair around so that they were facing each other. "Will you not look at me?" he asked when Hermione turned away from him.

"How can I look at someone who will not open up to me and not trust me? I will do the same," she stated a-matter-of-factly, her voice though quivering. Fighting the tears that were growing behind her eyes.

Severus sighed. He put her hands in his, setting them on her thighs. He massaged her knuckles softly, trying to figure out exactly what to say to her, which was the truth. "Hermione, I am sorry for the way I have acted recently. I shouldn't have pushed you away. And I do trust you Hermione, I truly do."

"You have a funny way of showing it," she snorted as she turned to face him. "What don't you want to tell me? What are you so afraid of? Harry and Sirius?" Her temper was rising by the second. "Or the idea that you will be teaching me Occulemency?"

He shook his head and let his walls down slowly. "Can you feel me Hermione? Can you feel what I feel?" he asked with softness in his eyes.

Hermione felt it, and felt his fear. "You really are afraid of what Harry and Sirius will say, or what other people may say with regards to our relationship? You really should know better than that."

Severus then said, "No, that is not what I'm afraid of. First of all, you know how I am, and that I'm not the type of person to show my feelings. I hurt you before when you felt me, which is what I don't want to happen again. I don't want to hurt you, and yet I still do." He paused for a moment. "And with regards to teaching you Occulemency, I know for sure that you will possibly see memories that I don't want you to see. That, however, isn't the point."

"Then what is?" Hermione asked softly. The feeling of Severus's lips on her knuckles, and him opening up made her anger fade away.

"I-I'm afraid of losing you Hermione," he finally admitted. "The thought of him taking you away, and possibly killing you..." he shook his head and couldn't continue. It was disturbing as it was. "I can't lose you either, in any way, whatsoever."

"Oh Sev..." Hermione murmured as she slid off the chair, and into his lap, straddling him. She felt his arms wrap around her hips, while her hands went up to his face. With her fingers, she touched his soft hair, and traced the shape of his nose. "You don't have to be afraid. You won't lose me. You know why?"

"No I don't. Tell me," he said in his silky voice. He planted a small kiss on her finger as it was on the bottom of his lip.

"I have you Severus. You will not let any harm come to me."

"That's right," Severus said. He lips slowly met hers as he kissed her softly. His fingers dancing with her soft curly hair as he cupped her head with his hand. After a short while, he stopped kissing her lips. He trailed kisses towards her ear, and then whispered, "You have me whole heartedly Little One. My heart belongs to you and no one else."

Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck, tears flowing out of her eyes. "I'm sorry for doubting you Severus. I shouldn't have."

"I'm sorry too," he said. He was starting to enjoy the feeling of her small kisses on his neck. "What are you trying to do?" he groaned.

"Trying to seduce you," she whispered seductively. One of her hands travelled down towards his crotch. She gently cupped him in her hand, and felt it harden beneath her touch. "Make love to me Severus. Please."

He captured her mouth roughly with his, kissing her with all the love, passion, and lust that he had for her. Without breaking the kiss, he stood up with her legs wrapped around his waist. He walked to the bedroom, and did as his wife requested. He was going to make love to her, with all that he was, with all of his heart.

--

AN – Another dose of sweetness for you my dear readers. Now please give me some sweet reviews in return. Thank you!