Chapter 9
He didn't want to do it, you could tell that he didn't want to do it.
Hermione saw it in his eyes.
She didn't witness the first time when Snape cast that spell on Dumbledore.
This time she watched, although Severus protested, Hermione still persisted. She used the Invisibility spell Dumbledore blessed her with, she knew to only use it wisely, but this was such a gargantuous moment in Severus's life, so she HAD to be there.
Had Hermione watched the scene the first time, she would have thought Snape would of had his sheilds impossibly tight to not let an iota of emotion loose. However after living in such close proximity to him, for months, she had started to recognise his emotional tells. So when she watched him in that moment, Hermione could tell that Severus Snape was far from being emotionless.
There was a slight sheen of sweat on his brow, and his lips began trembling.
His grasp was so tight around his wand that it looked like his knuckles were about to burst out.
The weeks had turned into months, and ever since that first real discussion with the future Miss Granger, cohabitating with her was a great deal easier than Severus Snape would of anticipated.
During the day Severus would teach and Hermione would stay in her labs. He was very surprised that she was so open when he inquired upon what she was brewing in her chambers. Furthermore when he offered to aid her, she agreed.
However, what had stumped the man completely, was the fact that the more time he spent with her, the more enjoyable he found her company.
It wasn't just when they were brewing, or when they shared meals together, or even when they spent the evenings together. It was the fact that everytime he had a terrible day of teaching, or whenever he came back all battered and bruised from the death eater meetings, that she would be there by his side to help him.
At first he hated being doted on, and swotted her away. Yet the witch was persistent and would be there everytime. Her presence comforted him now, she gave him a sense of familiarity that Severus Snape had never had in his life.
He already knew that THIS Hermione Granger was extremely attractive, but what he refused to think about, for now, was how much he was infact falling for her.
Severus placed his marking carelessly on the coffee table in his quarters, before heavily plonking himself onto his leather sofa. Without noticing, Hermione had shoved a steamy mug of tea into his hands. "It's going to happen soon. I can feel it."
"What makes you think That?"
"It's all quiet. As you have probably noticed that I haven't been summoned in weeks, and Potter has not attempted to murder my God son lately either... We must be ready."
"Severus?"
"Yes?"
"I'm coming with you."
"Miss Granger..."
"I'M COMING, end of."
"...on your head be it."
"Ok."
"Fine... But I would highly suggest you have everything packed away to leave in a moments notice. I won't be welcome here much longer. Unless you would rather stay here? Be my guest. It would be lovely to have my personal space back."
"Oh but you would miss me far too much Severus..."
"Indeed."
Severus looked deeply into pleading, puppy dog eyes of Albus Dumbledore. All Snape needed to hear were the words, and the unforgivable would slip out of his mouth, and coldly murder the leader of the light.
Severus was in hypersensitive mode, time had slowed, he was aware of everything. The sweat coating his wand handle. The hot stench of death from the death eaters. He even thought that he could hear Albus's heart beating.
But none of that mattered when Albus suddenly pleaded the words, "Severus, please."
Bells rang aloud in his mind, it was time. However Severus did not have that long to think about anything, as the dreaded words were already spilling out of his mouth.
"Avada kadavra."
Hermione had heard that spell many times, however hearing those words coming from the man, she deeply respected, and felt deeply connected to, hurt her. However it may have hurt her, but she knew why, and realised how much saying those words must of hurt him. Although all of those thoughts were swimming around in her head, she had no time. It was time to go.
She stealthily ran after Severus, making sure she had silencing charms on her shoes.
She only stopped to move out of the way when she heard the cries of her best friend, shouting at Severus.
If only you knew what he had to go through Harry.
After running for what felt like years, the other death eaters started to disperse and apperate away. Hermione made her way to Severus, and gently placed her hand on his back to let her presence known.
They quickly apperated out of the forbidden forest.
It had been 10 minutes since they both landed in spinners end, however neither party had spoke a word, they both sat in silence.
The tension lifted slightly when Snape lifted his hand and his fire started to crackle. He got up, silently, and sat down by the fire.
It wasn't long until Hermione could hear little sobs coming from such a stoic man.
She was by his side in a heart beat.
"Ssh I'm here Severus, I will never leave you."
Her hand gently stroked his hair, and all Severus could feel was how safe he felt to be in held by her.
"Hermione?"
"Yes?"
He leant forward so his lips were by her ears.
"I... Thank you."
They both turned to face each other, both their faces glowing from the crackling fire.
Severus slowly leaned in and bought his hand to caress her cheek, when he suddenly started to ghost his lips over hers, slightly hesitant, but just to give her enough time to pull away if she wanted to. To his surprise she didn't, so he made his kiss slightly firmer.
God's that man can kiss! Hermione thought to herself.
Once he pulled away from the sweet kiss, they both wrapped themselves in each other's arms and lay down together, being lulled by the warmth of the fire.