'Hello, Severus.'
Hermione's smile never looked lovelier, her graceful features totally endearing. Severus struggled to keep his voice steady. 'Hello, Hermione.'
'I see all misunderstandings are finally cleared. I am glad.'
'So am I. Chronos was adamant there was nothing going on between you two. I would not have come otherwise.'
'I missed you,' she said, still smiling. 'You are the only friend I have from... before.'
Severus confessed, 'I still feel bad for lying to you, by the way. But clearly there was no other way. Besides, we Incarnations are not supposed to mingle with mortals.'
'It sounds bigotry, but I can see the reason now.'
He changed the subject, 'Has Satan pestered you again?'
'Actually, no. I believe the little ruse worked.'
His voice became serious. 'Hermione, listen to me. If he does, you tell me immediately, you hear?'
Although Severus could see Hermione was calm, it was also clear that she was not taking the situation lightly, 'Do you know what is going on? Mother Nature looked quite worried.'
Severus said, 'All Incarnations are on the lookout for Satan's machinations, but no one knows for sure what he is up to. We cannot assume that he has abandoned any plans for you. That is the reason you must alert about any attempt of his.'
Her big brown eyes stared him and she reassured him, 'I will, Severus.' Then she cocked her head and frowned. 'Do you mind if I keep calling you Severus? Technically it is no longer your name, so I am not sure if - '
When she didn't finish the sentence, Severus jumped in and guaranteed, 'I don't mind. Actually, I prefer to be called by my last mortal name. Likewise, do you mind if I call you a name other than Clotho?'
'Please do. I really don't think of myself as any one but Hermione.'
'And as a widow, as well?'
Her eyes went wide. Severus wondered if he mentioned the sore subject of the dead husband too soon. He tried to correct it, 'I shouldn't have - I am so sorry -'
Hermione raised a hand, 'No, it is fine. It's just that I haven't thought about Ron for a few days and - ' She looked surprised. 'It shocked me, because before all of this happened, I couldn't think about anything other than Ron.'
Severus could feel his heart wrenching, as he realized she must be feeling guilty for not being a proper widow who had lost her beloved husband. Always a gentleman, he politely observed, 'One could never expect to move on so quickly after such a tragic loss.'
Hermione looked at him, a bit awed, and nodded. 'Indeed. Yet all I can think right now is that I desperately want to kiss you.'
And she proceeded to do just that, meanwhile Severus was having a hard time deciding whether to panic, to be deliriously joyful or to have a proper massive heart attack. His inaction was interpreted as a green sign by Hermione and she wasted no time snogging him silly.
o0o 0o0 o0o 0o0
There was a deafening and celebratory silence of the other two aspects of Fate as the two Incarnations finally acted on their long-suppressed emotions and became a couple. Atropos was high-fiving Lachesis and both sisters sported huge grins as they had privileged seats to witness a beautiful happy ending.
Or maybe it was a beginning. Who could tell?
o0o 0o0 o0o 0o0 o0o
Floored was a good definition for Severus's reaction to being thoroughly kissed by the object of his affections, Hermione Granger, formerly Hermione Weasley. His surprise, however, didn't prevent his appreciation of her thin lips and her pleasant scents. There was a noisy rush of blood in his ears and a gleam of excitement in her eyes when he stared into them, as soon as their lips parted. She had a sheepish smile, he gaped at her.
'I hope I haven't scared you,' she said.
Severus still had trouble controlling his heart rate. 'Er...'
Her smile faltered. In seconds she was horrified. 'Oh no, was this too much? Have I misread this? I am so sorry if you didn't want this.'
He held both her hands and said, 'No, no, you didn't misread anything. You just - took me by surprise.'
Hermione was a bit scared herself. 'I didn't mean to shock you.'
He kissed both her hands. 'It was a nice, unexpected shock. I had no idea you would be open to this.'
She shrugged. 'It was not hard to make up my mind. I've always known Ron would want me to rebuild my life. Although being immortal was not the plan at all, I won't complain about that, either.'
Severus raised an eyebrow and confessed, 'You did not strike me as being so adventurous before.'
She laughed quietly, a positively gorgeous sound. 'Oh, really? Being on the lam as well as fighting a Dark Lord in the wizarding world is not adventurous enough for you?'
He recalled, 'As far as I know, you went into that fight with a thorough understanding, preparations and forethought of all possible needs.'
She sighed, 'And we still almost did not make it.'
'I know. I was there,' reminded Severus gravely, his heart aching. 'It would have been painful to watch you die.'
Hermione said, 'You became quite a respected Incarnation after the Battle of Hogwarts. I never knew that.'
'You were mortal, then. Mortals are not supposed to know about these things. It's quite understandable.'
Hermione smiled. 'Severus, are you OK with this? I mean, with - us? I heard you didn't want to offend your friend Chronos because of me.'
'That is quite true,' admitted Severus, 'however, that turned out to be a misapprehension. Although I suggest we keep this new development a secret from the others, lest we alert the Evil One.'
'I think the secrecy would be wise.' She smiled sweetly at him, before laughing out loud. 'This is very odd. I mean, here we are, both of us immortals, in a secret and clandestine romance, trading memories of our time as mortals. Actually, it borders on bizarre.'
'True,' he agreed with a smirk. 'Do you believe you can handle it?'
She invaded his personal space, and her smile turned devious. 'I believe I do, but you know I am the adventurous one.'
And for the first time in a long, long time, Severus Snape gave a genuine and heartfelt smile.
o0o 0o0 o0o 0o0
Romancing an Incarnation of Immortality proved trickier than expected. Severus's schedule as Death was literally unpredictable and Hermione also had duties - either as Lachesis or Clotho, since they shared a body. And also, the same body had to arrange some time also with Chronos, so he and Lachesis could see each other.
'And how are we going to do this?' Chronos asked.
'We must keep appearances at all costs,' said Lachesis.
'Obviously,' piped up Severus.
'I can't see how. I want to see my beloved, yet old Clotho used to come to my home. But if Lachesis does that, Severus has to come here to see New Clotho. And that would raise suspicions.'
'How's that so?' frowned Severus.
'Come on, mate' said Chronos. 'I love you like a dear friend, but everyone knows that you love that quaint little house of yours, and that you rarely come out. Hence, the suspicions.'
Severus's frowned deepened, and Lachesis had to concede. 'He is right, old friend. You are a loner, and our New Clotho has weeded you out of your safe cozy little home.'
The Incarnation of Death tried hard not to blush. Chronos offered, 'And that may be the solution to our dilemma. Death hardly leaves his home anyway. Why should he stop doing so?'
'What do you mean, dear?'
'I mean,' said Time, 'that Fate and Death have been known as good friends. Fate visits him frequently, don't you, my beloved?'
Lachesis said, 'How else was I to see my friend? He hardly ever leaves the house.'
'Exactly!' exclaimed Chronos. 'Why should that change? Should Lachesis continue to come to the house, that would raise no suspicion.'
Severus's eyebrow shot up as he realized the implications. 'Lachesis enters and Hermione stays, is that what you're saying?'
'Now you see what I mean,' the old man man smiled.
Severus felt he needed to say, 'It is a good ruse, but some might believe there's more to these visits than mere tea and biscuits.'
Lachesis jumped, 'And they wouldn't be wrong. At least not too wrong...'
Chronos smiled in a devious way. 'Buttercup! Are you implying we let people think you are having an affair with Thanatos the same way we fake my relationship to Clotho?'
'Why not?' she said smugly. 'I still say technically it's not a lie, for Fate is indeed romantically involved with Death.'
Severus observed, 'That is brilliant. Sounds even Shakespearean, I might add.'
Chronos added, 'Actually, if memory serves, it is the plot of an opera, written by an exceedingly talented and funny man I met sometime ago. Or will I meet him in the future?'
Lachesis smiled. 'Don't you fret, beloved. The important thing is everything will be fine now. This solves everything!'
The arrangement was immediately put in place. Mother Nature came for tea and made comments on Lachesis's new object of affection. The chain of events was in motion almost at once: Nature told Mars and he, surely as the sun came up, mentioned it to his good old pal Satan. In a few days, there was a visit on Spinner's End.
'Death, my homie!'
Severus was not amused. 'I wish you would refrain from calling me that.'
The man in a red suit dismissed, 'Nah, pal. That is not going to happen. So, word's around that you landed yourself a fucktoy. You dog!'
'Excuse me?'
'No need to be shy, mate. And I am not judging you, sir. No, not me. Besides, who am I to judge if you wanted a consolation prize, now that the Scrumptious One is out of reach. That obnoxious Chronos is so greedy! But never mind that. So, tell me: how is the old prune? Lachesis never struck me as much worth in the sack, but sometimes these are the naughtiest, aren't they? I mean, they are experienced!"
Death never batted an eye. 'I refuse to address any of these subjects. It's none of your concern.'
Satan shook his head, 'You see, but I am concerned. Very clever of you. There are perks I had not considered in this situation, my friend. The lady should miss these activities; therefore you must attend to her needs, and she surely must be quite impatient. Also, not only is she skilled on the arts of lovemaking, but also she should probably be grateful for the services you provide. Talk about an edge! You may be a very, very lucky man, my friend.'
'I said I would not discuss it with you or anyone.'
'I know. You are very old school. But I respect that. You probably want to preserve the lady. So chivalrous. Admirable, even.'
Severus sighed in a tiresome matter, 'Very well, then. If there is anything else...'
'No, I just came to congratulate you, Mr. Sly Guy. But I ask you to indulge me in a tiny thing, please. Just tell me - about you.'
'Me?'
Satan's voice became softer and much more friendly as he asked, 'Are you happy? Is the lady making you happy?'
It was a trick. Severus could spot it a million miles away, so he treaded carefully. He also made his voice softer to answer, 'All I can say is that this is none of your business.'
Satan threw his head back and let out a hearty laugh, before observing, 'You are a funny one, and very cunning. It will be a delight to finally have you on my domain.'
That was enough to remind Severus why were they doing all that. A white fury came inside him just thinking about this dangerous creature harassing his Hermione. So his answer lost all gentleness and warmth in his heart and he snarled, 'You wish.'
'And there it is: the hatred, pure and sincere, just as I like it,' pointed Satan quite happy with himself. 'Now that my work here is done, I shall take my leave. Don't worry, I will show myself out. See you later!'
Severus admitted he fumed for quite some time even after The Evil One had left.
He told the other incarnations about that.
'It just comes to show that he is dangerous,' pointed out Chronos.
'And that he is not one to give up easily on the things he's after,' said Lachesis.
'I will do everything I can to protect Hermione,' vouched the Incarnation of Death.
Lachesis turned to him, smiling. 'She knows, my friend.'
And that warmed Severus's heart more than he cared to admit out loud.
o0o 0o0 o0o 0o0 o0o
'Are you all right, Hermione?'
They were at Spinner's End, as it had been established. Severus had arranged a few things around the house, making it cozier, more comfortable for his visiting lover. In bed, the after sex talk was a luxury they couldn't always indulge. That was a rare moment.
Hermione smiled sadly, cuddling up to him. 'You really know me well.'
'Anything happened?'
'I went to see her yesterday.'
'Rose? Your daughter?'
She nodded. 'She has grown so much. Does time passes more quickly than it does when we are mortals?'
'No, time is the same even though Chronos change. It's our perception that changes. I lived only a little more than twenty years, and twenty more have passed since, yet it feels like no more than six.'
Hermione still had her mind away. 'I feel so strange watching her like that. I am her mother but she has a mother that is not me.'
Severus kissed her hair. 'I wish I could help you. But to this day I have trouble recognizing what we are. Because we are not mortals yet we die. We are not eternal yet we live without ageing. We are at the fringe of existence.'
'But we love,' she said and kissed him briefly. 'And we eat. And we sleep and drink and feel.'
'Incarnations of Immortality, they call us,' he recalled, sighing. 'There could be a better way to deal with it.'
Hermione shrugged. 'Perhaps what we have now is as good as it gets. And it is not so bad, let's face it.'
'True,' he admitted. 'Which begs the question, does having sex with me turns you into a maudlin creature?'
'Of course not!' she rushed to reassure him. 'These are my unresolved issues as a mother speaking. I hope they won't weight too heavily on my soul in my judgment day.'
'I believe you can redeem yourself for that during your time in the office. You should be glad you have the chance. I know I will not be granted any reprieve.'
'How can you be so sure?'
'Lucifer tells me it is a matter of time, and this time I believe he is right. I killed a man (Death) and attempted against my own life, not to mention the deeds during my Death Eater days. I would need two lifetimes to make up for all of it.'
'I am new at this, but the other incarnations say you are an exemplary Death. So you should cut yourself some slack.'
Severus smiled and drew her closer. 'It is a nice dream to have: an eternity by your side...'
'An eternity is a long time,' she said in a falsely innocent voice. 'Whatever could we do to pass such a long time?'
He licked her ear and whispered sexily, 'I am sure we will be able to think of something...'
And all maudlin thoughts were cast aside.