A/N: So sorry everyone for the delay. Even so, I know this chapter is a bit shorter than the others, and I don't really know when I'll post the next one. I've been a bit restless this past week, and I don't really have the mind to write right now. My sister is in a coma in the hospital at the moment, and waiting for a new heart, so bare with me until this problem rights itself. Thank you for your reviews and I promise you the story will take on a new level starting the next chapter. Thank you all. Kisses. MoonShadowAMR.
Chapter18.
Hermione practically drowned in his kiss. The echo of his words still ringing in her ears, making her shiver, making her want to clung to him and never let go. And she knew he meant it. Not that she doubted him, not one second, but also feeling the warm waves coming off of him and pushing through her body like a wave of hot water hitting her after a day spent in the cold snow…it was simply blissful.
She grinned against his lips as she opened her eyes, observing his still closed ones. Her cheek grazed his as her lips moved closer to his ear, her warm breath tickling the shell of his ear, intent of whispering the exact same words to him, as cliché as it was, she felt the need to tell him that his love was reciprocated, only to be met with four smiling faces.
''Um…we still have company…'' she whispered instead.
''I don't care..'' she heard him grumble in the nape of her neck.
Hermione wanted to laugh, honestly, here was the stoic, snarling, sneering potions master, declaring his love to one of his students in front of two Slytherins, a Gryffindor and the school nurse, and he simply didn't care.
She had thought about this many times actually. About Severus' way of dealing with everyone around him. The damned mask that he had been forced to wear for the last twenty years or so. For not being able to express his feelings as any normal human being. Not now though. Now he was free to slip the mask on only whenever he wanted to, with whom he wanted to. And he was almost free of that too.
''Tell you what…'' Hermione whispered back, ''…why don't we tell them what we need to tell them, and then just excuse ourselves from their presence…''
''Unless you want me to just take you away now, I advise you to shut up witch.'' Severus growled, straightening back up and giving her another chaste kiss on the lips. ''I'll deal with you later.''
Against her better judgment, Hermione found herself swallowing rather loudly at that, her cheeks flushing in the most brilliant shade of red. Oh, she knew what he meant. Did he mean that? Did he expect that from her so soon? Was it soon?
A deep chuckle startled her out of her thoughts and her attention snapped back to the couch.
''You know, there's only one thing I could actually say to that…'' Draco drawled, ''…and that would be, 'About bloody time'. You've been dancing around for months now.''
''I'll agree to that.'' Harry nodded. ''You know the consequences though, right?'' he asked, his eyes narrowed at Severus.
Severus just lifted an eyebrow, his eyes sparkling in silent amusement. ''Potter, if you mean what you're going to do, don't you think I'd be a little more preoccupied with what Hermione would do? No offence, but she's more scary than you are.''
Harry laughed and nodded. ''I keep telling her that.''
''Well, thank you for seeing me as the wicked witch of the north. Now, what the hell do we tell Dumbledore?'' Hermione asked as she sat beside Pansy.
''We could always say that you were able to send a Patronus to professor Snape, and he saved you…'' Pansy offered.
''Or that my father sent me a letter with the plan, and I felt guilty, I went to professor Snape and told him everything…'' Draco said.
''Yes, well, both ideas are good but each has it's down's. For one, Dumbledore always knows when someone leaves the castle, and secondly, he'll want you on our side and a spy in your own house. No matter how much we want this war won, he's still your father. But you could try to do something about that this summer.'' Hermione pointed out.
''Well, whatever we tell him, we'll have to hurry up and do just that because we're loosing time.'' Severus said.
''We could always tell the truth, well, part of it anyway.'' Harry offered, ''Bellatrix had sent the bracelet and we were transported to a forest, we don't know where it was anyway, we dueled a little and then we got the idea of calling Dobby. He came and brought us back.''
''That's good enough for me. You stay here, and I'll go tell him. You two are not going to leave these chambers anyway. Poppy, thank you for helping us and for keeping it quiet. We need every help we can get.''
''Don't worry Severus. I could also help you with the others you know. I'm sure Minerva will have a fit if she finds out Dumbledore wants to use the young ones in battle.''
''We would appreciate it Madam Pomfrey. If you think you can do it, we'd be glad to welcome anyone.'' Hermione smiled at the older woman.
''Severus…'' Dumbledore greeted, as the potions master stepped through the fireplace.
Severus ignored the offered chair and just started telling him what they had agreed to.
''So, are both Miss Granger and Harry safe now?''
''Yes. They are in my quarters at the moment.'' Severus said through gritted teeth. Dumbledore was obviously disappointed that not only Harry, but Hermione too had returned.
''Good. Keep them there for now. And do keep an eye on Miss Granger. I believe your spying abilities haven't left you. That girl is up to something, and we can't have that. Harry needs a clear head, he has a dark lord to fight in the near future, and if Miss Granger thinks she can distract him from that she is sadly mistaken.''
For a moment there, Severus thought that Albus might just have forgotten that he was in the room. He had suspected that the headmaster was planning something ever since the moment he was ordered to follow them around the castle. Albus Dumbledore wanted Hermione out of the picture so he could manipulate Harry more easily. Well, that wouldn't do. Not at all.
''What exactly are you planning? Can I help with anything?'' Severus asked, acting interested in the idea of removing a bothersome student.
Dumbledore looked a bit irritated for a moment, but then grinned and nodded. ''Of course you can help Severus. I need you to brew me a love potion by this time next week.''
''Love potion?''
''Don't ask questions my boy, just do what is asked of you.''
''Of course headmaster. Good day.'' Severus said stiffly and turned to the fireplace. His mouth started speaking the moment his right foot touched the carpet. Harry and Draco were outraged by the headmaster's idea, and could only guess who he had in mind as a target beside Hermione, but both girls just sat on the couch, obviously amused. When asked what they thought, they just shrugged and smiled.
''Hey, I have an idea. Draco tell the DA to meet us in the Room of Requirement in an hour, Pansy, you come with me. It's Valentine's day, we should celebrate. Tell the others we're having a party.'' Hermione said happily.
''You most certainly are not.'' Severus said, ''…You're not leaving these rooms. Nor Potter. Besides, you're in no condition for a party. You almost died for Merlin's sake.''
''Severus…'' Hermione sighed, ''…for months, we've been training like mad. In a few weeks we're going to fight in a battle, and we don't know if we're going to survive it. Do you really want to deny them a bit of fun? The only thing we've all been thinking this year is the damned war, we need a distraction. Besides, what could happen with every member of the DA there? They're more than trained to protect themselves and you know it.''
There was no answer to that. She was right. They were just a bunch of teenagers, but ones that were struggling to survive a war that shouldn't have happened in the first place. They already knew what awaited them if Voldemort won, assuming they were still alive that is, and yet none of them complained. Who was he to deny them some time for themselves, who was he to tell them that they should stop being teenagers and start being adults. No one should be forced to that.
Racking a hand through his hair, he sighed, but nodded. ''Of course. Well then, I'll be in my lab if you need me.'' he said and walked away, without waiting for an answer.
He was a bit irritated to say the least, for hours, he'd all but bashed his head against the wall, thinking and worrying. The thought of not seeing her had made his heart ache in a way he'd never felt before, the thought of Bellatrix anywhere near her made his blood boil in anger, and yet, she wanted to be at a party.
He'd told her he loved her…Merlin he was turning into an emotional wreck because of a girl. A girl that was twenty years younger than him, a girl that had the power to fight demons, werewolves and vampires…a warrior, but a girl that had managed to do something that none other had done. In a few short months, Hermione had snatched away his heart.
Oh, he loved her alright. More than anything, more than his own life if he was honest. If the war was going to let him live, but take her away from him…then he didn't need it.
Fighting back the disappointment, he collected the necessary ingredients and set about to brew Lupin's potion. The werewolf had sent him an owl this morning telling him that he would be drinking the last of the potions in two days, at the full moon, and that Severus was to brew the next batch. Well, it wasn't necessary to be brewed before the next moon, but Severus desperately needed something to do.
Severus was afraid. Afraid that Hermione will one day leave him for someone younger, that he wouldn't be able to give her what she wanted, he wanted a family of his own one day- not that now was the time, but some day…- what if she didn't? What if she wanted to travel, or…
''Why do you keep thinking like that?'' Severus jumped at Hermione's voice coming from the door. Spy, huh? He shook his head.
''Like what?'' he asked, not taking his eyes off the potion.
''Severus…'' Hermione started, standing behind him and placing a hand on his shoulder. When she had him facing her again, she linked her arms around his waist and looked him straight in the eye. ''Do you really believe me to be the type to leave you for a younger man? A dunderhead, as you call them… Did you ever ask yourself why I would fall in love with you? You only think about the negatives. Think of the positives too.''
Severus snorted. ''Hermione, the only positive point that I may have is the fact that I'm powerful and can protect, but you don't even need that. As of recently, you're the one doing the protecting part.'' he scowled.
''You're an idiot.'' Hermione said matter-of-fact.
''What!?''
''You're an idiot. Severus, you're the bravest man I know, you have the most brilliant mind the wizarding world could see, you've been deceiving the Dark Lord for years…not to mention the fact that I find you devilishly attractive… I love you Severus Snape and no matter what happens, you're mine and I'm yours. And don't ever doubt that you're the only thing that I need.''
Just as he had done when she came out of the bedroom, Severus pulled her close and crashed his lips on hers. This time though, it quickly became passionate, their need for each other becoming more than they could handle. Hermione's hands found their way through his robes and started unbuttoning his white shirt.
Severus's touches were making her body shudder, his fingers reached the hem of her jumper and easily slipped underneath it.
''I told Pansy to get Luna…and set up the Room of Requirement…'' Hermione whispered against his lips.
''Mhmm…''
''The DA are going to be there all night…Harry too…''
''Meaning?…''
''Meaning…that I'm…yours for the taking…''
His hands stilled for a moment on her hips, but then, with a growl he lifted her into his arms and started walking back to the bedroom. For months, he'd been wishing for this, waiting, dreaming of this to happen. To finally have her petite, soft body under his. To feel her silky skin under his fingers, to smell her sweet scent all around him, to finally taste her, to hear her moans of pleasure…
Severus was no virgin, by all means, but what he felt with Hermione couldn't be compared with anything he'd ever experienced. No other woman could be compared with her…ever. Hearing his name being huskily whispered amongst her moans and cries, brought him to heights that he'd never known.
He'd finally found the blissful happiness that he'd once thought Lilly to be the only one worthy of. The sweet release he'd craved all his life. The love he'd always dreamed to have. And all that he found with this slip of a girl. This goddess.
And no one was ever going to take that away from him. Not any damned Demon, not Voldemort and certainly not Dumbledore. At that moment, Severus swore on everything that was sacred, that whoever tried to harm his angel would die a most painful death.
''My angel…'' he whispered against her damp neck.
He felt Hermione cuddle even closer to his naked body, and saw a sweet smile stretch on her lips.
''I'm yours my love…yours forever…''
A/N: Liked it? Hated it? Leave me your thoughts, or any idea you might have. Thank you all.