AN – I own nothing!
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Chapter 52
Ginny stared at the photos that were standing on top of the fireplace's mantle. The photos caught her eye, and as she approached them more closely, she noticed that they were wedding and honeymoon photos of Hermione and Severus. Some of the photos were either muggle or wizard pictures. It was plain and easy to see that the couple saw in love with each other, and admittedly, they did look like quite the match.
There wasn't a single photo in which she saw Severus and Hermione more than inches apart. They were always close together and held each other as if they were truly meant to be together. She noticed that Hermione was smiling differently—an 'I'm in love smile' she presumed. She too also noticed that Severus did smile in a few photos, which was odd because she never saw him smile. Whether it was an 'I'm in love smile' or not, she didn't know. She never saw the man smile before to begin with. A sneer or smirk was the closest that she saw. Maybe the man never smiled before. Maybe it too was an 'I'm in love smile.' Love… it really could change people.
Ginny turned her head back and looked at Hermione's sleeping form. She had dozed off minutes ago, and was sound asleep. She couldn't help but wonder what had happened recently that made Hermione doubt herself and her love for her husband. In the photos, she seemed so happy. At present, she was a completely different person. What had happened?
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Severus stepped into his bedroom silently and was slightly surprised to see Ginny standing in front of the fireplace and looking at the photos that stood on its mantle.
"She's asleep," Ginny informed Severus in a whisper as she saw him glance at the bed.
"Your father and everyone else are downstairs having lunch," he informed her. "King Richard himself wants to speak with you."
"I would like to speak with you for a moment first if that's okay," Ginny said as she walked and stood in front of him.
Severus's brows rose up. What did the young witch need to tell him? What did Hermione tell her? With a step back, he gestured her to exit out into the living area.
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"What is it Ginerva?" Severus asked Ginny as he closed the door. He watched her turn to face him, with some anger in her face perhaps, and arms crossed on her chest. Severus gulped and felt nervous. Was she mad at him? if so, was she a strong headed Gryffindor. He learned the hard way with Hermione, and wouldn't be surprised if Ginny was the same. After all, Gryffindors did stand true to what they believed in and never backed down. Ginerva no doubt would defend for her friend as well.
"I don't know what exactly happened between the two of you recently, but I've never seen Hermione so depressed ever." She raised her hand up before Severus could speak a word out. "No, I don't want to hear it. She says she doubts herself and doubts her love for you."
Severus groaned a brought his fingers to his temples to massage them. He could feel a migraine was about to grow. He may have felt her guilt earlier, but he wished that this problem was over. Sadly, he was mistaken.
"You said that you love her."
"And I do!" he stated firmly. "I do not doubt her love for me. It was a mistake when I did."
"Then prove it to her. Prove to her how much you love her. Prove to her that you don't doubt her love. Then maybe she'll not doubt it herself, and hate herself."
"Hate herself?" Severus questioned.
"Yes. That's what she said." Ginny started to walk towards the door, but stopped when she stood next to Severus. "You'd better fix this Severus otherwise, you'll have to answer to me." With that, she left him alone with his thoughts.
How the hell was he going to prove that he loved Hermione? Obviously telling her wasn't just enough. Showering her with gifts? Taking her to Italy again just before classes started? What was he going to do? He was in such a loss.
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"She doesn't have pneumonia," Poppy informed Severus softly as she tucked her wand back inside her sleeve. She performed a few diagnostic spells over Hermione's sleeping form as Severus sat next to Hermione. "Nor is she far from getting it either."
"What do I give her? You know that potions are not the answer, because if she takes too much of it, it may harm the child," Severus reminded her.
"Just make sure she keeps warm when she gets chilly, and make sure she gets a lot of rest."
Severus sighed as he looked down at his wife. She looked so fragile in his eyes.
Poppy gave Severus's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "She's a fighter. You know where I'll be if you need me." She then walked out and knew that Severus was thankful to her even without saying it.
Severus slipped off his feet from his flip-flops and took his pants off. Next, he fully unbuttoned his top and slid himself beneath the blankets. He pulled Hermione close to him, her back against his front. With his arms wrapped around her waist, he heard her sigh in content. As he planted a kiss on the skin of her shoulder and knew that he couldn't sleep.
What was going on with Hermione? Was she slipping into a deep depression? He blamed himself. After everything that she had been through for a little over two months, he probably pushed her further into a darkness that he himself knew all too well. If so, he had to pull her out and away from it, like she did with him. With his nose buried in the sweet scent of her curls, he couldn't help but think and feel how much he really did love her.
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