Chapter 6 – Hugging
Hermione had been accepted into the Magical University of Edinburg. She would have gotten into any university she wished but chose the rather less prestigious one because it was near Hogwarts. The last two and a half months had been a good start with Severus and she very much wished to pursue this relationship with him. That meant naturally staying close. It was still a bit far but at least in apparating distance.
Because of her good grades, she had gotten into one of the few dormitories right on campus and today was the day she was finally able to move in.
"I very much appreciate this," she said to Severus as they made their way over the campus and to her room with a few boxes in their arms. The magical part of the university was only a small department of the official Muggle part of the university since there weren't many students each year. Therefore, it would have seemed strange to carry nothing with them on Moving Day though most of Hermione's stuff (and especially the heavy objects) had been conjured smaller and lighter and lay peacefully in her jeans' pocket.
"Of course," he replied in his stoic way. There were other people around them, so he tended to hide his emotions and thoughts. At least he was opening up to her more and more when they were alone, and she had the feeling to get slowly behind his facade and to his real self.
When they reached her room, she opened the door and let him into her small new world. It was a tiny room with a bed, a desk and one bookshelf but at least she had her own bathroom with a toilet and shower.
She felt a bit nervous when he followed her inside and closed the door behind himself. It was the first time they were alone in a private room. Normally, they met in their forest to take a walk or in a public space like a restaurant or cafe. She could feel the tension now that they were in close quarters.
Hermione put her boxes on the desk and indicated for Severus to do the same. This way, he ended up standing right next to her. She didn't want it to be awkward between them (and mostly she didn't want Severus to run away and escape the situation) so she stepped even closer and put her arms around him.
"Thank you," she simply said though her heart hammered loudly. This was the first time they hugged, and she hoped she wasn't moving too fast for him.
It took him a moment but finally, his arms came around her and he returned the embrace. "You're welcome," he mumbled almost inaudible. Then he started to stroke gently over her back.
They stayed like this for a while in a mixture of joy but also nervousness and thinking about the other's expectations.
After a while, Hermione decided to untangle this situation. She released the hug and beamed up at him. "Would you like to see the library?"
"Very much," he said and looked relieved.
She took his hand and left the room with him. This went rather well, she thought afterwards and revelled in the feeling that their relationship was constantly progressing.