AN:/ Hello! This chapter was difficult to get out, nonetheless, it's here for you to read! Private lab scene *cough* sex scene *cough* will be in the next chapter, so prepare to delve into that one when I post it in the next couple of days. I appreciate everyone who has favourited and followed this story! A MASSIVE thanks to the following reviewers Nastytashy, Paladium, riaroo400, purplehedgehog13, CrazySlytherin, RhodaBush, Arendora, ACupples, Zedoc, smithback, CyBr3, Moonlit Glitter, FrancineHibiscus and Guest, this one's for you! :D


Chapter 16: Love.

Hermione followed closely behind Snape as they walked down the narrow corridor in the dungeon. He was leading her to his private laboratory, and she tried to stop the skip in her step—excitement was an understatement.

Her happiness was brightening the dark dungeon. However, she was making Snape feel tense; he's walking like someone stuck a stick up his arse, Hermione smirked at the thought.

They came to a door which he removed the wards on; he gestured for her to step inside. The sight of books—so many books—and the moist air from a recently brewed potion made her smile widen.

"You look ridiculous," His silky voice made her turn to beam up at him.

"There's nothing wrong with being happy, sir."

"Stop calling me that," He growled, his robes billowing behind him as he moved to the table in the centre of the room. "I'll allow the wards to let you through, but you will need your wand to open the door."

"OK," She looked over at one of the bookshelves. "Anything I should stay away from?"

Hermione knew that he would have many dark magic books in his possession; she also knew that they could cause her serious harm if she touched them. I'd rather not die on the cold floor.

"They are all safe for you to read. Unlike you, I don't keep my private readings within reach of prying eyes."

"Harry never touches the books at home. I forgot my diary was there," She crossed her arms and eyed him up. "I'm not embarrassed that you saw my journal."

"Then how about you let me read it?" He retorted, and she narrowed her eyes.

"Not a chance," Hermione blew some of her frizz away from her face and joined him at the table. "Are you sure you're OK with me working alongside you?"

He gave her an odd look which made her breath hitch in the back of her throat. Hermione reached out and brushed some of his hair away from his face, then pushed herself up to press a kiss on the corner of his mouth.

She watched his eyes fall to hers; he grumbled something inaudible, then lowered his lips back to her mouth. Their lips moved perfectly together, and Hermione felt the welcoming heat begin to wrap around her stomach. She could get used to it being like this all the time.

Snape cupped her jaw then curled his fingers in the flesh of her hip; Hermione groaned against his probing tongue and gripped onto the front of his teaching robes. Merlin, I think I love him.

Hermione went rigid against his front and quickly pulled her mouth away to stare up at him. His face was tight in confusion, and she wondered for a second if he'd heard her, but knew she would've felt him entering her mind.

"What's wrong?" He said huskily.

Hermione's cheeks flushed pink, and she stepped away from him. "N-Nothing. Erm...I should get going now. Thank you for showing me around sir—I mean Snape—Severus! I'm sorry, right, I'm going to leave."

With that, Hermione fled the dungeons leaving a bewildered Snape behind.

Jenny stood near the fireplace and stared at the flames. Lucius was sat on a sofa scanning the letter she had brought to his attention. I had wished never to return here.

She'd been settling into life in Warwickshire when a letter had arrived. It's from Rufus Kensington. Contained within the parchment was a specific threat aimed at Hermione - I had to bring it to Lucius.

The letter was gruesome; it described the horrific things he wished to do to her. Why did he send it to me?

Lucius placed his whiskey glass down on the coffee table and put the letter down next to it. He turned with narrowed eyes and raked them down her body.

Jenny's cheeks flushed pink. I shouldn't stand so close to the fire. Looking at him after the dreams they'd shared was difficult. She knew all about the dreams soul bound experience, but it was awkward being in the same room as him after the things he did to her.

"I do not understand what you wish me to do about it?" He said smugly. "The Granger girl means nothing to me."

Jenny clenched her hands into fists and stared at him ferociously. "Forgive me for thinking that the pitiful man who saved me could help protect another from the same man."

Lucius snarled, then got to his feet. "I will not be talked to like that in my own house."

"Well, I just did Mr Malfoy. Hermione doesn't need to know about this. Do something about Kensington, and I'll leave you alone," Jenny flicked her blonde hair over her shoulder.

"My pleasure!" He spat. "You've been nothing but a pain in the arse since I met you."

"I've accepted that we will never give in to the desires of our bond—"

"There is no bond!" He yelled. "The notion is ridiculous."

"The notion is pure fact, Mr Malfoy. You do not have to believe it, but the proof is surrounding you, sir. I'm sickened that my intended soulmate is a narcissist, a death eater—a hater of all muggles."

"I'm elated that you speak highly of me."

Jenny scoffed. "Tell Severus about the letter," She gave him a lingering look, then let out an annoyed yelp and stepped into the fire to return home.

...

Hermione listened to the rain fall outside her open window, while she wrapped her arms and legs around her pillow. She lay on her right side and stared at her bland dressing table. There wasn't a lot going on in her mind—taken with thinking about changing the colour of her bedroom walls than the real reason behind her procrastination.

She'd loved Ron at one point, but that hadn't ended well. She'd loved her parents, again, that hadn't ended well. The only other person she loved was Harry, and their relationship had been the only thing keeping her balanced since the war.

Love wasn't something she shied away from, but the idea of labelling the way she felt about Snape made the feelings build up more—the moment the realisation struck her, those feelings grew so much that it had become too hard to breathe.

If the way Snape made her feel was unconditional love, then it was scary. Very scary. He could set her alight with a single touch and twist up her insides with a simple look. Yet, Hermione couldn't accept that he would feel the same way. They're soul bound and fated to be with only one another, but she hadn't thought far ahead.

Living in the now was always her thing. However, she needed to think of her future. Their future. What if Severus doesn't want children? I would like to have kids. To Hermione, Snape doesn't seem like the type. He hates being around the children at school—would he treat his child that way?

Hermione shook her head and gripped her pillow tighter.

Does he want to get married? She knew that their Soul Mark was a symbol of their eternal bond, but she has always dreamt of a small white wedding—nothing excessive—she wished to be dressed in a white, knee-length dress and walk down an aisle with flowers in her hair.

I should've thought about the future before things progressed between us.

There was a sharp pain in her heart, and a sob escaped her lips. Her bedroom door was open a little, and she stared at the flicker of light that filtered into the dark room. I start my apprenticeship tomorrow. Hermione wiped her wet cheeks on her pillow, then nuzzled her face into the soft feathers.

Maybe I'm just too scared to talk to him about it.

Hermione started to feel drowsy, and her eyes drifted shut. She wasn't disturbed by Harry when he poked his head around the door to see if she was OK. He retreated immediately at the sight of her tear stained cheeks and disappeared to ease her worries.

She shifted in her light sleep and clung to the pillow. The room was starting to become cold as the rainy night coated her bedroom. She shivered beneath her clothes as she was on top of her quilt—unaware that the door was fully open and filled with a dark shadow.

Her wet eyes slowly opened, and she swallowed the thick lump in her throat as Snape approached the bed. Hermione didn't move from her position. Instead, she buried her face further into the pillow away from his angry glare.

The bed shifted underneath her as he sat down on the edge, he placed his palm on the mattress and leaned over her so he could look at her through the darkness.

"Hermione," He rasped. "What's wrong?"

"I'll be fine when tomorrow comes," She whimpered into the soft fabric. "I promise."

"I don't care about that. What has distressed you so much?" She felt his fingers brush against the side of her face, and he moved some of her frizzy hair away from her wet cheek. Hermione brought her head from the pillow and looked up at his distraught face.

His features were tight and emotionless, but there were numerous emotions in his eyes. Sadness. Confusion. Worry. Nervousness.

Hermione took hold of his cold hand and brought it down to her lips so she could place a kiss on his calloused palm. She breathed out a sigh and sat up slowly, keeping his hand in hers.

"Did I do something—"

She shook her head viciously, then sniffled. "I'm not sure whether my reaction is due to our bond," Hermione whispered into the night, and she tilted her head back to look into his beautiful eyes. "Will you promise to forget what I'm about to say to you after you leave?"

"Don't be ridiculous," His voice was deep. "Hermione quit being childish and tell me—"

"I…" She felt her heart swell in her chest. "I love you."

Silence.

Immediately, she realised how tightly she was gripping his hand, so she let go abruptly, then moved away from him. "You can go now," She whispered as she crawled to the top of her bed. "I'll see you tomorrow, sir," Hermione slipped underneath her quilt and pulled it over her head.

Harry flicked through the pages of the Prophet not paying much attention to its contents. There wasn't any noise coming from upstairs, so he knew immediately that Hermione and Snape hadn't gotten into a fight. I wonder what upset her?

The flames glowed green, and Draco stepped into the room. I forgot to close the floo after I let Snape in.

Draco scanned the room then settled his eyes on Harry's face.

"Is Severus here?"

"Yes. Snape's upstairs talking to Hermione," Harry placed the newspaper on the coffee table.

"My father needs to speak to him about something, urgently," Draco's eyes never met his own—Harry's nerves worsened.

"Hermione is very upset about something. She needs Snape for the time being so your father will have to wait," Harry explained, and Draco growled.

"My father doesn't like waiting."

"Well, he should start getting used to it. Hermione takes priority over Lucius since she's his soulmate."

"Hm," He grunted.

This is awkward. They hadn't had a chance to talk properly, and even when they were left alone together, it only ended in an uneasy silence. Harry was fighting back the voice in his head which told him to race over to Draco and kiss him senseless. I'm still not sure where we stand with one another.

Draco slowly walked over and sat down next to him. "I left my bride at the altar for you, Potter."

"I know," Harry turned to look at him. "I'm grateful."

"Grateful?" He scoffed. "Is that all?"

Harry's eyes landed on his lips; he cautiously looked back into his piercing eyes. "We haven't talked about what this means."

Draco stared at him for a long time, not making a move to humour him with a response.

"After what happened the night of your wedding...things have been awkward between us," Harry sighed. "Draco you know how I feel about you—I confessed to you way before we knew of the soul bond we share. I know you aren't the type who can just talk about his feelings so casually. However, I at least need to know how you see me."

"Potter," He snarled, his blond strands falling in front of his face. "If we didn't share a bond I would never have these feelings for you."

Harry felt an invisible punch to his stomach, but he sealed his reaction with gritted teeth.

"But we do share a bond which unfortunately comes with these feelings."

Harry got to his feet and paced over to the fire. "Unfortunate feelings," He scoffed. "Thank you for making me feel so much happier about myself!" Harry yelled out his bitter words, then narrowed his eyes at the blond git. "I get it. I really do understand that this may be hard for you, but try to take into consideration that there isn't just you joined in OUR bond. Draco I convinced myself years ago that I was in love with you, and I didn't need knowledge of our mated souls to know that!"

Draco got to his feet. "You can't be—"

"You destroyed my life! The evening you rejected me really screwed with my head because you didn't handle it like a normal person. You handled it the only way a Malfoy could; you broke my heart! Not only that, but you always fucked up Hermione's! Did you know that? I don't even think she realises that, but I do. She was the only person who was there for me even though she wasn't the person I wanted around all the time. I wanted you, and I couldn't have you."

"I drank my way into a bottomless pit while you flounced through your perfect little life. Hermione stopped eating and sleeping properly; I was selfish enough to let her wait on my every beck and call. She looked me in the eyes and smiled the night I told her I loved you—she hated you then Draco —yet, she's selfless enough to not hate you for possibly having an ounce of happiness and love in your life."

"I love you Malfoy. Nothing will change that, but hearing you say that your feelings are unfortunate is heartbreaking. I do not wish to be a burden to you."

Hermione felt like hours had passed, but it had only been a few seconds. Fingers curled around her white quilt and Snape furiously yanked it off her body.

"What are you doing—" Hermione paused instantly at the look on his face. Gosh, I am childish. But, the thought of him not accepting me makes my heart hurt.

Snape leaned over her body, then slammed his palms down by her ears. In her silent woes, she'd never imagined him being this angry when she told him how she felt. His eyes made her skin burn, and the vice on her heart tightened.

"Are you stupid?" He growled, fingers curling around the pillow beneath her. "I've known you as many things Granger, but never as an imbecile."

"Excuse me!" She snapped.

"You heard exactly what I said Hermione," His eyes burned into her own, and her lips parted as she stared back at him.

"It's OK if you don't say it back—" Snape ran his thumb along her plump bottom lip; she inhaled sharply. He lowered his mouth to hers and kept their lips a whisper apart.

"Say it again," He said roughly, and her cheeks reddened.

She moved her mouth to meet his, but he moved back an inch.

"Say it."

"I love you."

A ghost of a smile appeared on his face, and he finally pressed his lips to hers. Hermione buried her hands in his silky strands and urged her body against his. Snape gripped the back of her thigh and moved to settle his leg between her own.

The joyous warmth returned to her stomach—

"I'm sorry to interrupt this...show? But I have important things to discuss with you Severus," They pulled away from each other and Snape turned to scowl at Lucius.

"Why are you here?" Snape sat up and summoned the quilt back to the bed to cover Hermione, then he got to his feet.

"We need to talk," Lucius turned on his heel and left the doorway, and Hermione sat up.

"Go," She said. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Tomorrow we will be re-enacting a scenario from our dreams.