AN:/ Hello! Thank you to everyone who favourited and followed, I know this chapter is a tiny bit shorter, but lord the heat is killing me here in the UK at the moment! As usual thanks to Nastytashy, riaroo400, TheLadyBookworm, purplehedgehog13, smithback, TWILIGHTER110323, CrazySlytherin and the Guest for reviewing! This chapter is just focusing on Hermione and Severus' chat, but do not fear, we will move onto the very complicated issue of Harry in the next chapter!
ENJOY! :)
Chapter 5: Talk.
Hermione settled down on the sofa with her cup of tea. A nightly breeze swept into the room from the balcony sending a shiver down her spine, or it might have been Snape's curious eyes.
He was sat next to her, holding the book in his hands. It wasn't enough that he was sitting nearby, she wanted him pressed up against her, she wanted to wrap herself around him and never let go.
It's a complicated feeling.
It's bad enough that she could be emotionally connected to her Potions master; it was terribly wrong that she yearned after his very being. But, every part of her wanted him, and anyone else who may have an opinion on the matter didn't bother her. Who knew her simple schoolgirl crush would lead her here?
"Where do you want to start?" She asked, knowing this conversation was going to be harder for him than her. He's always been somewhat awkward in personal situations. Hostile.
She remembered the time spent in the shack when he'd given Harry his memories, and they discovered the truth about his loyalties. They'd returned after Voldemort's demise to find Snape healed and glaring daggers at them all. Apparently, he'd anticipated such an attack, but at the time, he didn't have access to the treatment he needed. However, Madam Pomfrey came to the rescue at the last minute administering the correct potions and leaving him to recover in the shack while the war continued.
I'm glad he's alive...
"I've never humoured the subject of soulmates. It was just a ridiculous concept designed to help those who get subjected to heartbreak. But, I've heard of this book. It was said to of been destroyed in a fire along with the writer Quinzel Harrington. She's a famous Herbologist, and she contributed a lot to the field."
I've never heard of her. "So, she's a reliable source."
He nodded. "Very much so. A Herbologist has no reason to delve into spiritual aspects of life unless it's of importance. I guess she discovered the links between the pairs and performed the necessary testings. It's also why you find the elder wizards and witches believe in the idea and not the younger generation. An old wizard may have witnessed the ideology before it died out."
Hermione sipped her tea. "How much did you read?"
"The first few pages," He opened up the book and flipped through some of the paper. "How far did you read?"
"Up to when it mentioned about experiencing the same dreams. I freaked out, then heard Lucius outside," She explained shifting closer to him discreetly. I only want to see the book...
"What was that about?" He asked. "I'm aware that you and my Godson have never gotten along, but you looked ready to rip him a new one."
She laughed at his dry humour. "I take it you didn't hear us arguing in the alley?" He shook his head. "There was an unfortunate incident two years after the war, and it warranted my anger towards him."
"What incident?" He pushed, taken aback when her eyes widened, and she snatched the book from him, aggressively turning the pages.
"No...as if...I have to tell Harry...he's going to freak..."
"You're thinking out loud, Granger," She didn't feel offended that he hadn't used her real name, the way he says Granger sounds like an endearment.
"Oh!" She exclaimed. "W-Well, I think Harry may have a soulmate."
Snape rolled his eyes. "Of course he does."
"I'll give you one guess," She wiggled her eyebrows at him, and he blinked in response. "You're smart, sir. Figure it out."
"I do believe I'm the teacher here, not you," His sarcastic retort made her smile some more. He seemed to think for a little while, then she watched his face stiffen, and he looked at her wildly. "Are you insinuating that my godson is Potter's soulmate?"
"Yes," She nodded frantically. "Their bond has progressed as far as sharing the same dreams. It started three years ago; they both shared rather...graphic thoughts with one another. Harry told me that he thought himself to be in love with Draco, and I persuaded him to go and tell the blond git. I partially blame myself for his heartache."
"In love?" He added, engrossed in the story. I feel like I'm gossiping with Ginny back at school.
She smirked. "Back when Harry was training to be an Auror, Draco came storming into the department demanding Harry to stop messing with his dreams. After that, I convinced Harry to confess his feelings and to cut a long story short; Draco called him a faggot then laughed in his face."
"Oh," He flinched at the offensive language, I don't think even Severus is capable of saying such a word to someone. "That sounds like something my godson would do, unfortunately."
"I damaged his private parts, broke his nose and gave him a black eye," She admitted. "I should've done more than that, but Harry was a mess, so I had to get him home."
"Understandably," There was a sly smirk on his face. "Do you always kick men where they don't desire to be kicked? I've sensed that you have a habit of doing so, quite frequently."
Hermione blushed under his heated stare. "I have issues controlling my anger sometimes."
"I gathered...I've always known you to be ferocious; it comes with being a Gryffindor. The first night we met, you almost charged after Lucius to knock him down a few pegs, then you came close to splintering the door that had slammed into you," Her blush deepened at the thought of their first meeting. "Your anger towards Draco is justifiable."
She handed him back the book, and their fingers brushed briefly causing hunger to shoot through her veins. He flinched.
"Sorry..." She muttered looking away from him.
"It's not you, Hermione," He grunted. "Well, I mean it is to do with you, just not the way you're thinking."
"Oh," He felt it as well. "I've never experienced anything like this before."
He responded with a rumble of his chest; she clenched her legs together. Merlin save me! She finished off her tea and placed it back on the tray.
"OK, I think we should talk this through honestly. Have you ever felt anything towards me before we met two weeks ago?" He stared at her intensely, apparently not expecting her to want that much honesty. "I had a crush on you when I returned to take my exams."
A slight spread of pink appeared on his pale face.
"It wasn't anything close to how I feel now, but I liked you a lot," She explained. "However, Ron and I had officially started dating just before I returned to Hogwarts. It took me by surprise because I was sure Ron was the only person I wanted. Obviously, I was wrong."
He cleared his throat, I've made him uncomfortable. "Where is Mr Weasley."
"We haven't spoken in three years," She said. "A month into the relationship I caught Ron...let's say, mid fornication, with a fellow Auror."
Snape's jaw tightened, and he narrowed his eyes at her. "He's always been a little weasel."
She laughed at his attempt of comfort. "He grovelled at my feet for the rest of the year, begging me to take him back. I still lived at the Burrow with him, but it didn't change the way I felt. He took it too far when Harry left Ginny and Ron accused him of cheating on his little sister, with me."
"Let me guess; you kicked him where he didn't wish to be kicked?" The obvious joke made a warm laugh tumble from her lips. "I knew it."
"He deserved it."
"Yes, he did."
Hermione's eyes landed on the book realising she went off track. "I'm not going to be offended if you didn't feel anything towards me until now."
"I did...desire you very much when you returned to Hogwarts," She could hear her heart beating in her ears, each thump echoing around her body. I want to jump up and down in excitement and scream my joys from the creaky balcony. "However, such desires were inappropriate. I'm much older than you-"
"Severus," Her tone was firm. "You're far from old."
"Yet, you're very young."
"I'm old enough to make my own decision, and if the book carries valid words, then there is nothing that can keep us apart."
"You say that as if it's inevitable. I don't believe you could ever desire me as much as I want you," I should snatch the book back and hit him with it, hard.
"Oh, so you think that our dreams were only of your imagination?" Her raised eyebrow made him flustered. "Severus, I've only ever been with one person before, and he could never match up to the way I desire you. Albeit, this is a profoundly odd situation to find ourselves in, but there is no denying that we both want each other. There's nothing wrong with the way we feel."
"Others would beg to differ," He scoffed.
"And when have you ever cared what others think of you?" She retorted instantly, and he glared at her angrily.
"Do not assume you know me, Granger."
"I'm afraid, sir, that I happen to know you very well. It doesn't mean I know every little detail about your life, but I know the type of man that you are. A brave, admirable, miserable sod."
"I thought I was the one who gave backhanded compliments."
Hermione moved closer to him, placing herself near to his shoulder. He responded with a fiery gaze. "I know everything I need to know when you look at me like that."
"You talk with such certainty. If we're what this book implies, then I fear..." His voice trailed off, and she saw the distant look in his eyes.
"Severus," She whispered. "I know that this has happened suddenly, and I understand if you need time to think about what this means."
"Granger, I'm no fool. I know what the book explains, I'm just not sure I can allow it to continue any further than it already has."
"Oh," She breathed out a sigh, brushing a strand of hair away from her frowning face. "Why not?" She asked pathetically.
Is this because of Lily?...of course it is! He still loves Lily!
Snape regarded her with dull eyes. "You're too good for me."
Hermione bit her bottom lip anxiously, then gingerly placed her hand on his shoulder. She felt him tense beneath her touch but knew it was because of the strong feeling it produced.
She already knew that he was a man deprived of love, care, and affection. There weren't many people he saw as friends, most of them despicable acquaintances that never left him alone. During her return to Hogwarts, she had witnessed how lonely he truly was. Madam Pomfrey mothered him; as did Mrs Weasley when the Order was in full form. Other than that, nothing.
The teachers at Hogwarts were close in a sense, but even then, Severus was the outcast. Just like his childhood. Hermione knew that if Snape had been her age, he would've intrigued her. Yes, his standoffish attitude would've made it hard to get close to him, but she'd have given it her best shot.
Maybe I'm the one destined to be there for him? We're soulmates, after all; the thought made Hermione shiver.
"Severus, you're worthy of all my affections," She said, lightly tracing her finger along the top of his shoulder. "What if I said you're too good for me?" Her words got his attention.
"Don't be so insufferable, Granger. You know just as well as I that people love and appreciate who you are. However, I'm despised by many people, and they would see me as an old, greasy dungeon bat who has corrupted a young, innocent girl," She flinched at his use of 'insufferable'.
"So the fact that our souls are supposedly destined for one another can't be held accountable?" She responded eagerly. "Sir, you appear to care a lot more than I thought about what people think of you. The only thing that should matter is what you want! Severus do what you wish to do - who cares if you do it under the scrutiny of others, as long as it makes you happy."
He let out a held breath. "I cannot remember the last time I was truly happy."
"Allow me to remedy that," Hermione leant in closer. "I feel you Severus, and it's killing me to see you this way. If you only want a friend then so be it. I enjoy your company, and I can have an intelligent conversation with you."
"Hermione, I could never be just your friend, not when I feel this way..." He looked down at her hand on his shoulder, and reached up to clasp her wrist, then slowly moved it down to his chest.
The electric sensation of his thundering heart under her palm left her breathless. Their faces were close together as she turned to look level with his mysterious eyes. She wanted to grab his hand and let him touch her rapid heart. However, she wasn't sure she could bear the feeling of his hand on her breast without jumping on him.
"Can we not just do what feels right?" Hermione murmured, glancing down at his lips. "Because being this close to you right now feels a million times better than being with you in our dreams. Touching you brings me more comfort than anything I've ever known."
"How is it that you always know what to say?" He breathed out, both of them continuing to observe the other's lips.
"I'm a know-it-all remember?" Her witty response earned her a deep rumble from his chest.
"Yes, I believe you are..." They both moved closer together as their lips drifted towards each other.
"Oh! I'm sorry for interrupting!" Annette squealed.
They didn't jump apart, instead looked at one another agonisingly. Hermione glanced over at Annette who was grinning from ear to ear.
"Severus," She said. "Lucius got into a fight with another man. I think you should take him home."
Snape grumbled underneath her hand, then got to his feet. He glanced down at her apologetically, so she nodded her head at him.
"I'll see you tomorrow?" She asked.
"I won't be back until next week," His face was void of emotion.
"OK, I'll see you then Severus."
Hermione watched his robes billowing behind him as he left the whorehouse.
