Author's Note: First let me thank everyone who had reviewed, alerted, or put this story on their favorites it means a lot to me and keeps me writing.
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Do I really need to say that I don't own them? I'm just playing with someone else's toys and do return them in the same shape I have found them (well that may not always be the case).
It was not long before Minerva joined them, leading Severus to tell what happen. He relayed what happen, waiting until the end to tell them who it was until the end.
"Potter, you'll find him stuck to the ceiling in the shrieking shack. If you could find out what spell he hit me with it would be great."
Harry nodded, still in disbelief that Ron would do something like this. He was almost to the door when Severus said.
"Potter," when the younger man turned toward him he said, "I don't want him around Hermione again, is that clear?" what the others in the room didn't know was that he was also showing Harry the images that he pulled out of Weasley's mind. He saw the look of shock, so the boy didn't know everything that happen.
"I can very well understand that, I'll make sure of it." Potter left followed shortly by Minerva who told Severus that she would find someone to take his rounds this weekend and to rest.
Once they were alone Hermione asked,
"How are you feeling Severus?"
"Fine, don't give me that look. I'm feeling much better, as soon as I know the spell it will be taken care of."
"You still look a little…. Pained."
"It's not physical, can we talk about it tomorrow? I want to show you something tonight."
"Very well, but don't think I'll forget."
"I don't want you too, I just want to salvage what is left of tonight."
"That would be nice." Hermione tried to put the worry behind her but she also wanted to keep an eye on him.
Severus stood leading her to their rooms, when they were inside he discreetly canceled the spell in the room to hear Hermione gasp, every flat surface had roses on them in all different kinds of vases. There was soft candle light casting a soft glow in the room. On the low table in front of the sofa was a bottle of champagne in a bucket along with two glasses. Tears came unbidden to her eyes, this was the most beautiful thing anyone had ever done for her. She turned to Severus as she heard music start to play,
"This…. You did this for me?"
"Yes." He stated plainly "Hermione," he moved so he was standing in front of her before saying, "I know I never acknowledged any day between us, I want to change that. I want you to have no doubt as to how I feel about you."
"Severus, I haven't doubted that for a while now. You show me in ways that I don't even think you are aware of."
"Dance with me?" he asked.
"Always."
He led her to the clear spot behind the sofa, pulling her to him. Hermione noticed the song palying asking,
"Where did you find this?"
"I'll show you later." He said kissing the top of her head.
The second time he yawned without meaning to she said,
"We should go to bed, you've had a trying day."
"Why Miss. Granger some would believe that you are trying to seduce me?"
"Severus." She said in the tone that said he had just overstepped that line again.
"Bad joke." He said.
"After the day you've had I'll let it slide, but you are still tired and had a long day."
"Fine, let's go to bed."
Hermione stopped as the words of the next song penetrated her mind, she stood in the doorway as she listened.
This time, this place
Misused, mistakes
Too long, too late
Who was I to make you wait'
Just one chance, just one breath
Just in case there's just one left
'Cause you know
You know, you know
That I love you, I have loved you all along
And I miss you, been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me and you'll never go
Stop breathing if I don't see you anymore
One my knees, I'll ask
Last chance for one last dance
'Cause with you I'd withstand
All of hell to hold your hand
I'd give it all, I'd give for us
Give anything but I won't give up
'Cause you know
You know, you know
That I love you, I have loved you all along
And I miss you, been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me and you'll never go
Stop breathing if I don't see you anymore
So far away, been far away for far too long
So far away, been far away for far too long
But you know
You know, you know
I wanted
I wanted you to stay
'Cause I needed
I need to hear you say
I love you, I have loved you all along
And I forgive you for being away for far too long
So keep breathing 'cause I'm not leaving you anymore
Believe it, hold on to me, never let me go
Keep breathing 'cause I'm not leaving you anymore
Believe it, hold on to me, never let me go
Hold on to me, never let me go
Hold on to me, never let me go
Severus turned when he reached the bed noticing that Hermione wasn't with him, he saw her still standing leaning against the door with her eyes closed. He just stood watching her as she listened to the song that was playing. He wondered if she understood the meaning behind the words, why he chose this song for tonight. He found that he was willing to accept her forgiveness, to forgive himself for his actions. He slowly walked over to where she was standing, she didn't open her eyes or move. He stood in front of her as the song was ending he reached up using his thumb to brush the tears from her face.
Hermione knew he had move to stand back in front of her, she leaned into his hand when his thumb brushed across her cheek. She opened her eyes to look up at him and almost took a step back at the intensity of his gaze on her. She licked her suddenly dry lips before asking.
"Why that song Severus?"
He reached taking her hand, giving himself a little time to collect his thoughts before he answered her. He brought her hand to his chest holding it against his heart as he stared into her eyes finally saying,
"When I heard it," he took a breath. "It's what I did, it's what I feel, it's what I need."
Hermione sucked in a breath, she looked up at him finally laying her hand against his cheek he leaned into it closing his eyes. She studied his features, this man who had captured her heart so long ago. She had known when she agreed to the bonding there had to be some kind of feelings on her part to do such a thing. This man who she had tried so hard to please for five years, always thinking of ways to have him see that she wasn't a bad wife.
Severus opened his eyes looking down at her saying,
"You broke the walls I had and have taken up residence here." He held her hand tightly to his chest above his heart. "I just didn't see it until it was too late, or thought it was."
"I forgive you Severus." She said quietly watching as a shocked expression crossed his face. "Now forgive yourself."
He nodded at her before lightly kissing her on the forehead, she smiled up at him before saying.
"This is my domain, correct."
"Yes." He said without hesitation. "It will always be as such."
She had no idea when she had changed her mind about making love with him, just that the time was now. It had to be now, she took his hand leading him to the bed turning she smiled at him before saying.
"So for our first lesson….."
Author's Note: Comments really do make me smile and brighten my day. The song in this chapter is "Far Away" by Nickleback I heard it long after I started writing this story but it fit so well that I have made a video for it but I'm also going to be redoing it in the next couple of days be sure to check it out.
Also I wanted to let you know that I have a couple of Severus/Hermione videos on youtube, the link is in my profile.