Severus sat in his large armchair, hands clenched as he stared across the room at a regretful, but sober, Weasley. His witch was curled on Potter's lap, her shaking had ceased but her face was buried in his chest and Severus wondered if she would ever come back to him.
Gods, Weasley had just put a major roadblock in their relationship. He wanted to hex him into oblivion, the forbidden curses not enough.
He may have been jealous of Potter, holding his little witch did he not know, beyond the shadow of a doubt that it was only blood that marked him as anything but her brother. And even then, had they the ability they probably would have eliminated that difference as well.
Her breathing had fallen even and he assumed she was asleep, the boy-who-lived stroked her back and stared over at Weasley who looked absolutely shattered.
It was the only reason he was still alive, he'd be dead if not for that absolute remorse.
"Who were you with Ron?" Potter questioned and Severus clenched his jaw. He didn't think he was ready to hear the redhead speak. In fact, if he had his way he would be off having a duel right now, working out his frustrations.
Unfortunately though, his usual dueling partner now resided under the constant surveillance of dementors. Anyone else he would have dueled with was either dead, locked away, or useless to him now.
"I- I don't remember." Weasley had his face buried in his hands, his shoulders shook his frustration. Yes, he'd been 'drugged' as Hermione had put it, slipped a potion that all but eliminated his inhibitions.
It had been easy for Severus to find the antidote when he knew the perpetrator.
Still, he wanted to throttle the little redhead. His head was aching with frustration.
Never, he would never been in a room alone with his witch again.
The redhead had sealed his fate by coming here.
Severus was still glaring and Potter shot him a look.
"I need to take Ron to the aurors offices and see if we can't sort out who decided to make his, and Hermione's lives harder. Can you?" He bounced the brunette who clung to him and Severus gave a little nod, stood, a dark tower in the room, and took her into his arms.
"I'm sorry." She muttered in her sleep and he growled, low in his chest, his glare set on Weasley.
"Oh Merlin! I'm so bloody sorry!" Ron stood, intimidated by the dark wizard who glared him down.
Harry observed with a raised eyebrow.
Hermione had been right to want this wizard, to love him. He'd not understood it at first, had been as accepting as he could in their correspondence but in private asked Draco, it made no sense to him. Now he knew.
This wizard covered her, held her to him as if she was the most precious thing in his world. Glared daggers at Ron who'd had no control over his actions.
Spared Ron, if only for her. Would have killed him for the same cause.
Severus stared him down until both boys had stepped through the fireplace to go to the ministry, and only then did he slump down into his chair with the witch cradled to him. His arm that had held her now freed to wrap around her his fingers danced down the length of her curls.
His lips pursed. He thanked whatever gods were listening that he hadn't gone further, he didn't know if her psyche could have handled it. He'd made such strides with her but she was still so delicate.
Of course, she put on a brave face, always pretending to be stronger than she was in front of others. It was here, in the privacy of their chambers she'd allowed herself to fall apart, time and time again, with him.
And now she wouldn't stop apologizing to him. She had to know he didn't blame her, would never blame her.
"Hermione? Hermione love." She stirred her eyes fluttered open to look up at him, confused how she'd been moved but not asking any questions. She bit down hard on her lip and he rubbed little circles on her back.
"Where did Harry and Ron go?" She questioned, she sounded better than she had when she'd fallen asleep at least. He hugged her to him, deep breaths of her sweet scent.
He had to remind himself she was here, okay, with him.
"They went to the ministry, they're going to try to piece together who dosed Weasley." He bit the boys name and Hermione winced.
"It wasn't his fault, Sev, he couldn't stop himself." She blinked up at him and his jaw muscle twitched, tensed.
She would forgive those boys anything, he knew she would, the same as she would forgive him anything. It was maddening.
"How does a bath sound?" He questioned, his face nuzzled her hair and she sighed into him.
"That depends." He pulled back to look at her pursed lips.
"On what, witch?" He cocked an eyebrow and she thought how sexy the motion shouldn't be.
"On whether or not you will join me." His chest rumbled, a deep sound reverberating from within.
"You are feeling better then." She didn't miss the relief in his voice.
SSHG
Hermione watched as Severus, and a gentleman she'd only just met by the name of Fundus- she thought wizarding names were just ridiculous sometimes- dueled.
He'd been aching to take his frustrations out, to have a good duel and though she had offered and he had proclaimed her his equal, he also expressed in all honesty that he could not whole heartedly cast toward her.
She'd shrugged it off, understood, he didn't want to hurt her, and even if she could defend herself he would never be able to get over that worry that he might.
Fundus- yuck- was a talented duelist, a gentleman Severus had attended school with and Auror for many years there-after. He'd gotten in contact after he'd spoken with Harry and offered to spend a bit of time giving Severus some relief.
They'd been Slytherins together and while not friends- Hermione always wondered if any Slytherins were actually friends with one another- they had been close acquaintances, studying together. Sharing the same dorm room.
Severus threw a reflective charm up just as Fundus cast and Hermione couldn't help but admire him.
It was attractive, the crease of concentration on his brow, the stern, powerful stance. The long-legged strides he took when his opponent backed away. He did not back away, she'd not seen him once retreat as he stood with one hand behind his back.
His black hair would blow backwards at times, showing her the profile of his face and making her stomach crawl toward her chest. Her heart and stomach often found themselves warring for position where he was involved.
She held her knees to her and winced when Fundus was sent flying backwards by a particularly good cast on Severus' part, the man was on his feet in an instant however. She watched with interest as he and Severus rounded on one another, he was like a snake, coiling around his prey and Hermione could only watch as her beautiful wizard went in for the kill.
When Fundus fell to the ground bound Severus smirked at the man and cast the counter-curse. Helped him up with a strong arm and the two stood talking quietly for a moment.
"Again?" Fundus questioned and Severus' eyes flicked in her direction. She shrugged as if to say 'it's your choice' and he gave a nod.
"Once more then." He smirked and they began to round on one another again.
This time Hermione watched equally as close, noticed the smooth, calculated flicks of his wand. She wet her lips, gods he was sexy when he was focused.
She started a bit when Minerva joined her on the ground, her posture much more pristine as they watched the duel.
"He's needed this." Hermione commented, glancing to the older witch who watched with interest as the wizards fired charm, hex, curse, spell one after the other at one another. They were well matched but something in Severus' confidence told Hermione he would wipe the floor with the other wizard in a true battle.
"Yes, they all need to let off a bit of steam at times." The elder witch commented, her eyes flicked to Hermione who watched with interest, curled in on herself.
"They also believe they need to frequent practice, it keeps them from feeling they will not be able to do their 'duty' should the moment arise." She commented and Hermione's eyes cut to her.
"He babbles a lot about that, how if he doesn't practice he won't be able to protect me." She stuck her chin between her knees and looked back to the duel.
"Honestly, this year has been rough for him, and I know that, it has been rough for us both." Her eyes took on a glassy look and Minerva nodded. She'd thought perhaps her cub needed someone to speak with who was not so deeply entwined in her life.
"He loves you Hermione, more fiercely than I've seen him care for anything else in his life." It was the younger witch's turn to nod.
"I know." She stretched her legs out in front of her and stared at her wizard, her eyes misty.
"It's good to see him doing what he enjoys, so at peace when he's dueling." Hermione chuckled.
"You're right, it is." Minerva glanced to the men on the field, she needed to ask her question before they were done.
"Are you ready to take over his classes next term, Hermione?" Her eyes flicked to Minerva who was giving her an encouraging smile.
"Of course I am, but why, where's he going?" Minerva put a hand to her knee, trying to calm her.
"Nowhere dear girl! I just want to offer him the DA position." Minerva's eyes twinkled.