Chapter 12
"I know you are awake... I can hear your brain ticking."
"You told me you loved me last night..." Hermione knew that coming straight out with the truth was the simplest thing to do in a situation like this. In his bed, looking into his half sleepy obsidian eyes.
Severus sighed, not because he didn't mean those words, the exhalation was his acceptance of the fact that Hermione might not love him back.
"I... Those words may have slipped out of my mouth." He mumbled.
Hermione looked at him, her eyes beaming at him. She gently bought her hand to his cheek.
"Severus," she sighed,
"Its ok if you don't, Love me that is..." Hermione faltered. Severus stared at her with confusion, did she not want him to lover her?
He went to protest but Hermione pressed her finger against his lips.
She continued, "Because I would do everything in my power to prove that the love I have for you, can be enough for the both of us."
He didn't speak, it was like Severus's ability to form words had mysteriously vanished. However in this moment, words were not necessary, he shifted his body close to hers. To the point where their faces were so close that each beat of a heart could be heard.
Severus looked into Hermione's honest eyes, falling deep into the abyss of pure comfort and love.
He rested his forehead on to hers.
"What have I done to deserve this? To deserve you??" He murmured on to her lips.
"What haven't you done? Severus, you deserve to be loved. Don't you ever say those words again." She chided gently.
He groaned as he nuzzled deeper against Hermione's neck, surrounding himself within her warmth.
Hermione lay there clinging on to Severus, as if he would suddenly self combust and cease to exist.
Eventually Severus fell back asleep, whilst embracing Hermione's body.
Hermione on the other hand was now lying on her back breathing in Severus's scent.
Her mind was in overdrive. She knew that she was in deep with Severus, truly and utterly stuck in love. Which on one hand was fantastic, if everything worked out how it was planned, she would indeed bask in the idea of being by Severus's side for the rest of her life. But on the other hand, what if she failed? Yes she would have some comfort knowing that before he died, Severus had experienced what love really felt like.
Although, she relished being by his side, being his comfort right now. But she wasn't achieving anything anymore, she had finished his antidote, Hermione needn't be here anymore. She should go to the battle and finish her mission, and pray everything went according to plan.
But then again... She knew it would cause great pain to Severus if she left again. He would feel betrayed.
But if he lived?
Hermione would do anything to make it up to him.
She was quiet, too quiet.
Severus had been around this insatiable woman for long enough now to know that something wasn't right. It had been eating away at him all day. A part of him wanted to shake her into a sound mind, to reveal to him what the issue was. However another part of him desired very much to take that step further in their 'relationship' and to ravage every single morsel of her body, until she bloody well forgot what was bothering her.
Severus set his mug of tea down with a loud thud. He had hoped that if he was loud enough, he would be able to catch Hermiones attention.
His plan had worked. Hermione had been staring into space and thinking about her available options, when Severus's mug caught her attention.
"You think too much" Severus said rather flatly.
"I'm sorry Severus..." she mumbled back, however Severus was having none of that. He quickly stood up from his chair and crouched down to Hermione's eye level.
She was on the verge of tears. But why?
He shifted closer and put his forehead lovingly onto hers, before gently asking, "Hermione, tell me."
It wasn't a question but she knew to answer anyway.
At first she didnt say anything, but fished out the Time Turner from her pocket and held it out in her hand.
"I think it's time Severus..." she whispered barely audibly, yet he still understood.
"Don't get me wrong Severus, I wish I could just stay here with you... but we both know that I am just prolonging the inevitable. If I fail... I won't, I won't have you in my life anymore."
"And if you don't?"
"Then I'm yours... forever."
"Hermione..." Severus sighed, "You already are. No matter what happens."
"But I promised you that I would never..." Severus interjected,
"Ssh. No more. I understand Hermione."
She looked deeply into his eyes, "Gods I love you."
He didnt reply, but he did respond by gently brushing his lips against hers.
Kissing her like it was the last time.
Which it could be.
A/N: Hello, sorry for the delay... I have no excuse now! I hope to bring you more soon! As you can see, things are ramping up!Hope you enjoyed this chapter!Please Review!Much love xx