Bombardment

She stood looking at the place, it seemed so very quiet now. Hogsmeade had suffered its share, that much was true – but here it was; with snow filtering down on the tops of the buildings like it had the first time she had arrived. Shops were open and people seemed to fill all the once empty spaces, how joyous was the sound! She had longed for moments to be back during the war. And now – here she was again.

But not alone.

The man by her side was shaking – even if he would never admit it – his face solemn as he watched the expression on people's faces as he approached the Three Broomsticks with the one and only Hermione Granger on his arm. He was using a cane now, and her support for proper balance. The healer had suggested not going for such a long walk until he was properly walk - or able to balance on his own; but Hermione had insisted that he be allowed to come with her and see how people supported him. Moral support - or some such nonsense. He tended to draw attention wherever he went, no matter what he wore - but the wound was easier to conceal now than before. The bandage on his neck was much improved now, alongside other aspects of the healing process; which made it easier to be covered by the sweater she had chosen for him. It was strange, not just for her, to see the man in modern clothes and not in the billowing robes of his teaching uniform. She had allowed him to wear the cloak, and the cloak only.

Which he had left behind because he looked ridiculous.

"It is good to be back." Hermione said, placing her head on his arm as they stood looking at the shops. He said nothing, but he looked down at her with a warm expression hidden beneath the icy gaze – he had purchased her a scarf on a whim, but it had taken him until today to find the courage to give it to her. It was in the bag Hermione was holding, along with some potions for pain and dizziness. But it would suit her, he hoped. She seemed too bright – like a sparkling diamond he was drawn to find every day. "Where should we go first? The tea shop?"

"Hardly." He replied, watching as she moved her head to meet his eyes. "Unless you wish for the entire world suffer the misapprehension we are a couple."

"But we are a couple." She retorted, entwining their fingers as she felt him shake even more – not that one could tell by looking at him. "You aren't nervous, are you professor?" She teased, her voice soft as a whisper.

"Never." He drawled, but he tightened his grip on her fingers. It was premature, letting the world know so soon – not to mention the reservation Hermione had made at the inn. All of it was overwhelming, happening too soon; he saw the looks on people's faces – he saw what lay behind their expressions.

"Come now, Severus." Hermione whispered, touching his torso with her free hand. "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. They haven't seen the best of us yet." He felt himself smile slightly at the expression she held, dipping his head into a nod as he gripped his cane. "Shall we pick up a new book then?

"If we must." He replied, stepping forward with his cane as she did. People seemed to stop and stare, others had smiles on their faces as they tried to wave. "What are they doing?" He whispered, as his companion waved at a friend or two.

"Saying hello." She replied as she chatted with two acquaintances as they approached.

Or a stranger or four.

"Let us check into our room at the Inn." She said, not answering his question.

Room? He thought, feeling her pull him gently towards the building, not rooms? Surely, she can't expect... Once inside, the place seemed very empty – uncommonly so. Gripping her hand hard, he pulled her backwards into the door frame; the hair on his neck raising up. He said nothing, and to his surprise she hugged him.

"Is that them?" He heard a voice.

"Hermione would have signaled." Harry's voice.

"Maybe a surprise party wasn't the best idea." Neville's. "He might get upset."

"Perhaps we should have asked him first." Luna Lovegood.

"Hermione said they would be here, and they will." Harry again - and Severus narrowed his eyes.

Looking down at her, she smiled up him as she raised herself up on her tip toes, kissing him softly on the lips. He closed his eyes as he pulled her closer, nodding into her hair in the unspoken exchange between them, before she opened and closed the door once more and letting the room go silent.

"I brought The Mill on the Floss to read, in case we don't find anything we like." She said aloud, stepping around to lead him into the interior; just as wands were up and patronus' were dancing around while the crowd cheered. Severus leaned heavily on the cane while keeping a tight grip on her hand. Almost every student he had ever taught were standing in front of him, smiling and cheering with signs of WELCOME BACK, CONGRATULATIONS and HAPPY RETURN TO HEALTH - which he suspected was done by Luna or Neville. Harry approached him, extending his hand with a wide smile as people seemed to come out of the woodwork with cake, party favors and unfortunately happy spirits.

"We didn't think you would have come if you knew." Harry offered, glancing to the students.

"He wouldn't have." Hermione said cheerily, in between hugging her friends. "It was a struggle just to get him outside the hospital door."

"Well we really are glad to see you Professor." Neville said, coming up beside them with a piece of cake on a plate. "Hermione refused to let us see you until you were well enough."

"Did she." Severus drawled, and the girl avoided his gaze to prevent him seeing the extensive blush that crawled over her cheeks.

"Everyone wanted to come." Harry explained, "They wanted you to know the good news."

"News?" He inquired, looking from Harry to Hermione, yet getting to answers. He felt the room getting hotter as more and more people seemed to be crowding in, even McGonagall came up to wish him well - and to chastise him.

"Perhaps now isn't the best time Harry." Luna said softly, offering Snape a smile. "He did just get out of the hospital after all- and he looks quite pale."

"He's always pale." Ron said from behind them.

The combined noise of voices, utensils, laughter and songs echoed in his head; Severus felt the room tilt and spin within his mind; his vision swimming. Shutting his eyes, he breathed as steadily as he could, feeling the warmth of a familiar hand on his stomach. She was saying something, and his ears registered the sound of a chair being brought forward.

"You aren't his nurse, Hermione."

"I never thought I was Ronald." She hissed, looking at the door that was barely open. "Just because you don't understand why I am doing this doesn't mean you can insult the how I feel about him."

"But you aren't in love with him – I don't know why you keep doing this. You're a babysitter 'Mione." Ron was saying.

"And you're an ass." Hermione growled.

"Well don't you think this is moving a bit fast – you barely hang out with us, and now you show up in Hogsmeade holding his hand?" Ron barked, "What do you see in that cripple? "

The sharp cracking sound echoed as Hermione pushed open the door - shutting it behind her, making sure to lock the door. Resting her forehead against the door, she let out a breath to steady herself.

"Hermione." He said softly, watching her from the bed as she turned to see him sitting with his feet on the floor. "I am well enough; I do not need you protect-

"I wasn't." The girl replied, walking over; touching his cheek once she reached him. He gave her a look as he removed her hand. "He just is trying to get under my skin, but he doesn't hate you. He didn't take our break up very well."

"He is right." Severus said softly. "I have asked too much of you already, and you do not deserve that."

"You think I do not care for you?" She whispered, and the man sighed, not letting her hand go when she tried to take it away.

"Why did you only rent one room?" He whispered, looking down at her hand – running his fingers over her lifeline. She said nothing, her lips gaping as she digested the question. Finally, he looked up at her, not having heard a reply. "I asked-

"You are upset because I didn't rent two rooms?" She repeated, watching the expression on his face. She knew now how to read his stony face, and knew the worry, fear and hope that lingered there. "Severus-

"It isn't right." He stated and Hermione stepped closer, softly pushing him back onto the bed. He started to protest, but she silenced him with a soft kiss as she climbed gently onto the bed; pinning him down. Her hair cascaded down around her shoulders as she held him, waiting for him to relax as she kissed him – stopping only once he had done so.

Pulling back, she touched her nose to his. "Does it feel wrong, Severus?"

He could only glare at her, but it was half hearted.

She kissed his forehead and got up, waiting for him to sit. "I have had to leave every night after visiting hours are over – I…." She paused, looking down at her hands. "I just wanted to stay by your side for one night. That isn't too much, is it?"

Taking hold of his cane, he raised himself up; putting his arm around her shoulders to pull her in. "No." He replied softly, kissing the top of her head. "Now shall we head back out to that infernal party and show your friends how perfectly lovable I am."

"That might be a lot for them to take in." Hermione stated as she wrapped her arms around him. "But that is the best idea you have had all day." She grinned, tickling him lightly. "Come on, old man." He scowled at her as she reached for the door, but he followed behind her just the same, holding her hand like a love-struck teenager.