It was Severus who woke first in the morning. He opened his eyes and blinked at the room around him, confused. It took him a moment, but as soon as he became aware of Hermione beside him he remembered that he was in her rooms and recalled the happenings of the night before. He adjusted his position to better see her face, fearing that he would wake her, but she did not stir.

He looked down at her and was fascinated by the deep pleasure and satisfaction he felt, seeing her and feeling her pressed so close to him. She was asleep, and looked carefree and comfortable even with him there. He was laying on his back, twisted just slightly and turned towards her, his arm around her shoulders with his hand resting on her back. She was on her side, her face pressed into his shoulder, and from there she was cuddled against him, molding herself to him and curled up so to be as close to him as possible. He silently marveled at how their bodies seemed to fit together perfectly, like the pieces to a puzzle, when they were laying this way.

There was also some inexplicable, intense feeling of warmth and comfort, waking up beside her. She was almost the first thing he had seen that morning, and he felt a wave of relief and release, knowing that she was well. And just being in her presence was something words couldn't explain, so waking up beside her, feeling her touch before he felt anything else, was beyond describing. He could feel her breathing as if it was his own, feel her heart beating steadily, she was so close.

He glanced at the clock and smirked at no one in particular; it was early and there was plenty of time left for him to go to his own room before the other staff members left theirs and would be around to see him leaving Hermione's. In the meantime, he could simply lie there and watch her sleeping. And he did exactly that for the next hour, focusing on nothing but her.

By the end of the hour, Severus had studied and memorized every bit of her appearance. He knew every contour, dip, and curve in her face. Her dark, arching eyebrows, her long eyelashes, her pale skin that he didn't have to touch to know was smooth. Her button nose, the soft curve of her jaw, the pale rose hue of her lips. He held one of her curls as he watched her, rubbing it lightly between his fingers and marveling at how soft it was. He considered how small she was compared to him, recalling that when standing she was hardly as tall as his shoulder. Curled up against him now she looked only half his size and he realized that she really was. She was thin, but not frail, and he stared over her small frame, pulling his arm closer around her as he did.

She didn't wake, but did sigh in her sleep and leaned her head back, exposing her neck. His eyes were drawn instantly to the pale, perfect skin there. Her neck was thin, long, and elegant, and he stared, unable to tear his gaze away for a moment. He glanced at her face, still peaceful and calm as ever, and then back at her neck. His eyes flicked to the clock on the wall and then back to her; it was still early and there was time before he had to leave. He bowed his head and pressed his lips to her neck, and was unable to decide which was softer; her lips or her neck.

Hermione's eyelashes fluttered and she opened bleary eyes, gazing drowsily at the sheet of black hair that was in front of her face. She blinked a few times to clear her vision and remembered that Severus had stayed with her.

He had not intended to wake her, and felt her move slightly, so he drew back enough to look down into her face. Her eyes were already bright, and there was a look unlike any other in them when she saw him. There was something there, a flicker of affection for him, a glimpse of how purely pleased and thrilled she was to find him there with her. He stared into her eyes, and she stared back for a moment. Then her eyes turned to the clock and he spoke. "I did not mean to wake you," he apologized quietly.

Hermione looked back to his face and gave a very faint shake of her head. "No. It's fine. Good morning."

He smirked. "Good morning."

He half expected her to sit up or shift away from him, but instead she curled up even closer to him than before. He was now convinced that there was no way she could possibly get any closer. She laid her head on his shoulder and stretched her arm out, letting her hand rest, fingers curled, on his stomach. He wrapped his arm closer around her and raised an eyebrow. "Don't you want to get up?"

Hermione didn't look at the clock again. "There's time," she said quietly. Then she looked at him enquiringly, and asked, "Unless you need to go?"

He smirked. "Not for a time," he said.

She sighed, looking content, and stared at his face for a moment. She realized that because he was wearing pajamas—she suppressed a giggle reminiscent of her laughter the night before—his neck was actually visible and exposed. Not really knowing why, she lifted the hand that was on his stomach and reached up, tracing the scars on his neck with her fingertips.

Severus was startled when she did this, and tensed, flinching slightly. However, he did not shy away. In fact, the touch of her warm fingers was rather pleasant. He watched her face as she looked at his hand, noting the many different emotions that crossed her features. She seemed fascinated by the scars, but then her focus shifted to his hair, and he did flinch away when she touched it.

It wasn't that he didn't want her to touch him as much as the truth that he had simply never been touched before. Throughout his life, he had been treated by all—except his mother—as if he was something repulsive and sickening. People had avoided him in his younger years because of his appearance, and later because of his disposition and attitude towards them. Only his mother and Lily had ever touched him, and his mother's touch had been just that; maternal. Lily's had been that of a friend or a sister, as she had never cared for him as he did her. Never had anyone brushed his skin or ran their fingers through his hair as a lover, as Hermione was doing now.

Severus continued to watch her expression as she touched his hair. She seemed overly pleased to find that it wasn't greasy or dirty, but clean and not as unkempt as it had once been. He tensed yet again when she moved her hand to trace the line of his jaw with her fingertips. He was growing accustomed to her touch, though it was so intimate, saying so much simply with a brush of her skin against his, he knew it would be a great while before he could fully get used to it.

Hermione had been sneaking glances at him as she touched him, and it seemed that she might have actually gotten past his guard for once. He seemed to savor her touch, but she could also see that he was wanting to shy away from her. Hermione wondered if anyone had ever touched him as she was touching him now.

She thought back to Ron. He had brushed her face with the back of his fingers, cupped her face in his hands, kissed her. But never like this. And she hadn't felt for him half as much as she felt for Severus. With Ron, it had been pleasure at his presence, safety and laughter and what she had needed. But with Severus, she had loved him, coveted his presence, craved his touch, wished for his love, yearned to spend the rest of her life proving to him that he could be loved. And there was something about Severus' touch that was different from Ron's; it was exhilarating. He could thrill her just by kissing her forehead or her hand. It didn't have to be her lips or her neck because even the smallest touch with him was something she treasured.

There was silence between them for several moments and Hermione simply rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. Then she lifted her head and looked at him. "I love you," she whispered.

He raised his eyebrows. "And I, you."

She reached up to trace the scars on his neck again, and this time he didn't tense at all. He did start in surprise when she sat up suddenly, pulling from his grasp. He waited for her to explain what she was thinking, his arm loosely around her waist. He watched her face, silently fearing that perhaps he had done something to alarm or upset her. But she grabbed the hand that wasn't around her waist and squeezed it, dispelling his fears. "I want to go back."

He lifted an eyebrow. "Back?"

She bit her lip, nodding. "To the shrieking shack."

Severus was perplexed by this strange new desire that had sprung up within her. Why did she want to go back? Had the scars on his neck triggered her memory and brought this longing about? He managed a dry chuckle before he noticed the look on her face. "Now?"

She nodded again.

What was this madness? "You need to bathe and get ready for your day," he said gently, though he was still wondering why she wanted to go to the place where she'd found him.

She shrugged. "I can bathe later and miss breakfast."

He raised his eyebrows at her. "You will be late to start classes and that could cause problems for all of the teachers."

She frowned and let her shoulders sag. "Fine."

He smirked. "You won't go then?"

She shook her head slowly. "Not this morning, anyway." Then she tilted her head at him. "Will you come with me later?"

There was silence for a moment as he studied her expression. She looked hopeful, as if she truly anticipated visiting the shack. He sat up so that it was he looking down at her, though only slightly because they were sitting. "Perhaps," he drawled slowly, a bemused expression on his face.

But his agreement was what she wanted. "Thank you," she said, giving his hand another squeeze.

He said nothing and moved his arm from around her. He looked amused when she looked down at herself and wrinkled her nose. "You think I need to bathe?"

He chuckled dryly. "Hardly. I assumed it was part of your usual morning routine."

Hermione saw the amusement in his eyes and smiled. It faded when she looked at the clock and then back to him. His eyes found the time as well and he moved closer to the edge of the bed, swinging his legs over. He tensed only momentarily when Hermione snaked her arms around his neck from behind him and rested her chin on his shoulder, and then he relaxed. "Don't go," she whispered, though it was only halfhearted because she knew there was really no option of staying in her room.

He reached up, uncurling her arms from around his neck gently and replying, "You are aware that I cannot stay," firmly but kindly.

She sighed and released him, though her chin was still resting on his shoulder. She leaned against his back, pressing her cheek against his neck. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, enjoying his scent. She failed to notice at first when he began to tremble at her touching his neck with her cheek. He still held his head high, but clenched his jaw, which she felt against her cheek. She misinterpreted this action and turned her face towards him, whispering into his neck, "Severus, relax. What's wrong?"

Her lips were so close to him already, she hardly thought about pressing them to his neck. He had the sudden, impulsive and instinctive, completely uncharacteristic desire to turn around and kiss her deeply and see where it led, but resisted. He let out his breath loudly and stopped sitting straight, sagging back against Hermione and into her arms. He was glad he had resisted only moments later, when the strange, burning desire faded.

She wrapped her arms loosely around his neck again and rested her chin once more on his shoulder, nuzzling his neck. He leaned his head back and rested it on her shoulder, and enjoyed the strange tingling sensation that he experienced whenever she touched his neck. Perhaps it was the scars, perhaps it was the lack of being touched in his past, perhaps even just the knowledge that it was Hermione touching him, though he was not sure.

They sat that way for a few moments, silent but communicating with touch as only lovers could. At last, though, it was time for Severus to go. He straightened his shoulders and Hermione released him grudgingly, looking up into his face when he stood and turned to see her. She was on her knees on the bed behind where he had just been sitting, and though she didn't appear to be pouting, her eyes were sad.

He held out his hands, surprising her, and she took them. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stood, looking up at him questioningly. He leaned down and kissed her, taking her by surprise. She felt him release her hands after a moment and wrap his arms around her as he deepened the kiss and she reached up, looping her arms around his neck and pulling herself more snugly against him.

This was the kind of kiss that left both of them wanting more. But Severus broke away all the same, exercising his usually flawless self-control and leaning away from her slightly. Then he nodded and released her, stepping back after she let go of his neck. She bit her lip and watched him smirk at her before he left her rooms.

After he'd gone, Hermione had just enough time to go to the bathroom and bathe before she got ready for her day. Then she snatched her wand from the bedside table, tucking it inside of her robes near the beaded bag, and entered the teachers' lounge. Most of the other staff was either just leaving the lounge for the Great Hall or just entering it from their rooms. Hermione was pleased when Severus entered from his rooms and approached her, looking as if he had indeed spent the night in his own room, and offered her his arm. She took it and they walked from the lounge together and up to the Great Hall.

When they were seated Hermione looked out over the students and caught Ginny's eye. The redhead narrowed her eyes, suspicious of the beautiful but far too happy smile gracing the transfiguration teacher's face.

Hermione left the Great Hall and entered her classroom after the meal, seating herself behind her desk and waving her wand to tidy the room. She had a few moments before her first class arrived, and she realized with a smile that Ginny would be among them. She smiled at her students when they walked in and took their seats, but Ginny was the only one to smirk knowingly back.

After the class was over the students left, all except for Ginny, who lingered until the rest had gone and then walked up to Hermione's desk and folded her arms. "Okay, what's up this time?" she asked with a hopeful grin on her lips.

Hermione smirked back. "Nothing is up," she said, biting her lip and absently playing with the edge of a paper on her desk.

Ginny's smirk deepened the lines in her face. She unfolded her arms and set her hands on the edge of the desk, leaning forward on them. "Hermione, seriously, there isn't all that much time before the next class." Seeing Hermione's raised eyebrows, she added, "And I can say you needed to talk to me as an excuse for being late to potions."

"Potions," Hermione mused. "He still isn't going to let you off without a note from me, and even then," she scribbled a note on a scrap of paper, folding it and pushing it towards Ginny, who she looked up at with a smirk, "He's going to know why I wanted to talk to you."

Ginny grinned. "I know. Now tell me please?"

Hermione shook her head, pretending to zip her lips and throw the key.

There was the sound of footsteps in a not-so-distant corridor on their way to her class. Ginny was getting desperate. "Please?" she begged, leaning farther towards her best friend.

Hermione bit her lip harder, staring into Ginny's eyes for a moment, debating with herself. "All right," she whispered, because the students were getting closer. "He stayed the night last night."

Ginny seemed startled by the news, and by the fact that Hermione had actually told her what was up. "He stayed?" she sounded incredulous.

Hermione nodded.

"In . . ." now Ginny bit her lip, as if afraid to ask what Hermione already knew she would. "In your . . . in your bed?"

Hermione was biting her lip as well. She nodded.

Ginny squeaked, looking like she might faint.

Hermione was quick to spot her mistake in not speaking. "But nothing happened," she added hurriedly.

Ginny opened her mouth to say more but just then the next class of students entered. She closed her teeth with an audible click and stepped away from the teacher's desk, snatching up the signed note to excuse her lateness. Hermione could see that she was just burning to ask questions, but she nodded to her teacher and left the room hurriedly. Hermione started the next class, but all she could think about now was how much she was looking forward to the talk in the classroom that she and Ginny would undoubtedly have later that day.

The entire day seemed to go quicker than expected, though she was enjoying her job teaching again. And she had, just as Severus predicted, been killing the Slytherins with kindness. They hated her even more for the lack of retaliation on her part and couldn't seem to come to grips with the fact that she didn't hate them for attacking her and putting her in the hospital. There were several that particularly loathed her for her loving response to their actions, and they taunted her for it as well. She suspected that perhaps one of these was the true culprit, but decided not to mention it to Severus, who was sure to do a bit more than be harsh with them if he found out who was responsible.

At dinner Hermione kept noticing the meaningful looks Ginny was giving her and continuously nodded back throughout the meal. When it was over at last Ginny practically ran to the staff table and waited for Hermione to walk out of the Great Hall with her. Hermione glanced over her shoulder and saw Severus' expression. One look and she knew that he was completely aware of what their conversation's topic would be, and also that he knew that Ginny was doing fine in class and had only stayed behind to discuss him with Hermione.

When the two girls reached the transfiguration classroom, they walked to Hermione's office and shut the door before Ginny sat down in the chair in front of the desk and Hermione perched on the edge of the desk as she always did when talking to her best friend.

Hermione explained the happenings of the night before, trying to put into words how it had felt to be so close to Severus, but failing and eventually giving up. Ginny seemed to understand though, and nodded constantly. She seemed to calm down quite a bit after being given the whole story. When there was no amount of time with Severus that Hermione hadn't explained to Ginny, the subject switched to her reason for going to Saint Mungo's, and Ginny talked about how rumors of a student attacking a teacher had flown through the school and they hadn't been sure whether it was Hermione or Severus who had been attacked because they were both absent from the school.

Unexpectedly, Ginny changed the subject back to their original reason for meeting to talk. "When you said he'd stayed, I just thought for sure that . . ." she trailed off, her face turning as flaming red as her hair.

Hermione laughed. "I suppose it would make sense to think so. But nothing actually did happen, you know."

Ginny nodded, but her face was still red. "I'm glad nothing happened." She wrinkled her nose in distaste and tried to hide it, making her face look like a squashed mandrake root. "I just . . . Snape . . . that seems so . . . repulsive to me."

Hermione shrugged. "It would have seemed repulsive to me only a matter of months ago, too. But now . . ." she trailed off, shrugging again.

Ginny shook her head, sighing. "Well, I'm just relieved you didn't . . . do that . . . because I would be thoroughly grossed out and never able to look him in the eye again. And you? What would I do about you? I wouldn't be able to take you seriously, or handle talking to you anymore."

Hermione raised her eyebrows, amused. "And what when we get married, then? I assume you've guessed what will happen then?"

Ginny's face had been turning pale once more, but she reddened again, all of the way to the tips of her ears. "I . . ." but she couldn't continue, and let out a strange, strangle noise.

Hermione leaned forward, a half-grin, half-smirk on her face. "You . . .?"

Ginny took a deep breath. "I'd like to avoid thinking about that as long as I can, thanks."

Hermione laughed at her friend. "Is it really that repulsive to you that you can't bring yourself to talk about it? Hmmm," she mused.

She was surprised when Ginny looked up at her and asked, "It's inevitable, isn't it?"

Hermione raised her eyebrows again. She laughed, but it was short and hardly funny. "What do you mean?"

Ginny turned an even deeper shade of red and fingered the hem of her robe nervously. "You- you know what I mean."

Hermione shrugged and let out a loud breath in exasperation. "I suppose it is inevitable. Is it really that much of a bother for you to think about?"

Ginny shrugged, grinning. "I guess it's just . . . weird. And strange. And gross."

Hermione raised her eyebrows and smirked. "Gross," she repeated, watching her friend's expression with interest.

Ginny shrugged yet again. "Yes. Gross. As in disgusting."

Hermione only laughed, seeming more amused by Ginny's distaste than irked over it.

Ginny huffed. "I'm serious! He's old, Hermione! Doesn't that freak you out just a little bit?"

Hermione shook her head, looking nonplussed. "No. I never think of him as old so I guess it doesn't seem like such a big deal to me."

Ginny looked perplexed by this, but nodded. "All right, whatever you say, Professor."

Hermione raised her eyebrows, a teasing smile lighting up her face. "Watch it," she cautioned, "I do take points away from my own house if you're fresh with me, you know."

Ginny grinned back. "I don't doubt it."

Then she jumped up from her chair and linked her arm with Hermione's. "Walk me back to your old dormitory, Professor?"

Hermione smiled and nodded, and they walked back to Gryffindor tower together. Hermione walked back to the teachers' lounge after and entered, glancing around the room without much interest before she entered her rooms.

It was another week before she saw much of Severus at night; he spent quite a few of his late evenings with students in detention. But one night he did walk her back down from the Great Hall after dinner and they waited until everyone else had left the lounge. Hermione asked him to stay with her again, and he complied, giving a few complaints though they were only halfhearted.

She went into her rooms and changed, scooping up Crookshanks in her lap and petting him while she waited for Severus to return to her. She talked to him as she stroked his fur, mentioning classes and Hagrid's latest idea when it came to getting an illegal dragon for a pet. She smiled when Severus entered, and Crookshanks stepped off of her lap to let her stand though he didn't flee as he usually did when he didn't like a guest. He had started to accept Severus as being all right, though the potions master was still treated as an intruder by the cat.

Hermione smiled at them both and turned her attention to Severus.

She fell asleep wrapped in his arms that night, just as she had been on the first night a week before. Her face was pressed into his chest, and she was lulled to sleep by his steady heartbeat, her head rising and falling with his chest as he breathed. She could lay like that forever, with him. When they were so close it was as if she could think of nothing and was also thinking over so many things; her mind was comfortably empty, and yet she was also noticing his breathing, smiling at his heartbeat, and thinking about how much she loved him.

It was much the same for him. He had learned to clear his mind long ago, and found that when he was holding Hermione in his arms it was a much easier thing to do. His thoughts would settle on the breeze when she was in his embrace, so close, and at the same time he could think of nothing but her and how wondrous a creature she was. As he had the first time, he didn't fall asleep until much later than she did, though this time he was worry-free and drifted off wondering once more how she could possibly love him as much as she did.

Hello! I am so very sorry about not updating for the past couple of days and I apologize for keeping you guys waiting. I have just been busy lately between homework and some other things. But I'm back and I should have another chapter up tomorrow! Or I guess that here it's after midnight so I should have another up today! Thanks again to you all for reading. And to all of you who have reviewed, thank you so, so, so much. I love you guys. And when you take the time to tell me what you think it means so much to me. Love you all! ~Taelr