Ch 24 Potters

Hermione's POV

Despite all of their planning. All of their preparation. Going over all of the possibilities. The night had still turned into complete chaos.

Somehow their plan was possibly compromised. If the ambush waiting for them was any indication.

The polyjuice had long worn off and it felt good for Hermione to once again be in her own skin instead of like Harry's. It sucked having to rely on glasses.

For the most part, she didn't have too much trouble arriving at the safe house with Kingsley. Before the portkey transported them to the Burrow. Though the fighting was intense and her worry over the others was at an all-time high. Her adrenaline and fight or flight response started to lower when she was reunited with the others.

But her fear was still alive and active. Not everyone had returned.

"Snape will be okay," Sirius said. She didn't even hear him come up next to her. She was too busy staring at the area of grass where all of the portkeys were supposed to land. She was biting the end of her thumb while her other arm was crossed over her chest. She could barely feel the sting on her cheek from a small cut from a slicing hex. She was initially worried about how obvious it would be that the real Harry was with Sirius. But it did provide her with some comfort to know that they had each other's backs. They were the first ones to arrive.

"He was supposed to be back two hours ago," she tried to keep her voice steady but she could hear it crack with emotion. "He is never late."

"No, but he is thorough and smart. If he was being followed he would want to make sure that he covered his tracks." She knew he had a point. And it was a logical explanation. But it didn't help her. "He wouldn't want to lead the Death Eaters right to our doorstep. Or to you."

She turned to look at him, "You shouldn't say those things." She almost begged him not to say things like that. Especially now, while he was still gone and they were surrounded by others. She had already experienced her momentary joyful reunion with Harry and Sirius. And later Ron when he returned. Those who had missed their port keys began trickling in late. While everyone was still on guard. Most noticeably Lupin and Kinglsey. Bill and Fleur just arrived. And though they could all see Miss Weasley aching to hug her last son who arrived. She was held back by Kingsley while Lupin asked them some security questions.

"Maybe. But that doesn't mean it isn't true." And that was the problem. She knew Sirius wasn't trying to be cruel or malicious with his words. But it still wasn't providing her with any comfort. When under any other circumstance, especially of late they would. "I have eyes. But I may not be as smart as the two of you since I have no idea why the both of you are ignoring it."

"We aren't ignoring anything," Perhaps, in the beginning, they were. But now they weren't pretending. At least she didn't feel like they were. Though they may be holding back. Even now she was trying to reign in her worry and fear. She didn't want the others to know. Technically she didn't really care if they knew. She didn't want to hide anything else from them now that all of their secrets were slowly spilling out. And she wasn't ignorant to think that it was only a matter of time before this too came to light. But she also knew how they would react. Specifically their anger towards Severus. And that was not something she wanted to deal with. Not their concerned eyes or fretting over her well-being when she was doing the same for him. And besides, she wasn't sure how Severus would feel with his feelings being exposed and on display. She doubted he would want to be in such limelight.

"But you are still refusing to act. Therefore ignoring the problem." He may have a point. But this was a hell of a time to bring this up and try to distract her from her current concern.

"It's easier this way." She felt like a broken record with this reply. But right now she couldn't think of a better excuse. It was a feeble excuse. And Sirius recognized it.

"For who? It certainly hasn't been easy on you." Hermione bit her lip as unwelcome tears welled up in her eyes before she pushed them back down. "Nor for him, I reckon either."

Now that Lupin seemed to have finished conducting the security questions. Everyone gathered around to ask what happened. Including the pair of them.

"What happened?" Kingsley asked.

It took a moment for Bill to respond while he was being hugged by his mother. But his answer wasn't as comforting. "Mad-eye's dead."

They all sucked in a breath at that. Not all of them were close to the grizzly man. Hermione included. But she and everyone else could recognize what a harsh blow it is for the Order not to have the old paranoid Auror on their side.

"Fuck." Sirius said while running a hand through his hair. "Where's Snape?" Hermione couldn't help but be thankful that he asked. She didn't think her words wouldn't come out in a stutter.

"He isn't here yet?" Bill asked, while his eyes moved across their ranks to confirm the question.

It was then that Fleur spoke up. "I saw… I saw him being chased by 10 Death Eaters. No one can survive that."

Hermione felt her stomach drop. And felt like she couldn't breathe. She could feel her anxiety rising. This was the exact same sensation she felt before having a PTSD episode. But somehow this felt like it would be far worse. She felt as if she was doused with a wave of water and was struggling to reach the surface. It was possible he was still alive. If anyone could win against those odds it was him. She had no doubt about that. And yet the words seemed so final. She didn't want to entertain the thought. And yet he was late.

"Glad to see you all have so much faith in my abilities," A voice called from behind her. She along with everyone else turned to find Severus Snape. A very much alive Severus Snape standing near the house.

He looked… good. He didn't seem to be injured. Though she suspected that there was red intertwined with his black cloak. Though she had a feeling that it wasn't his blood. He had sweat dripping down the side of his face and his hair looked greasier than before. But he was alive and in one piece.

She could hear some commotion as the others began talking over one another. No doubt someone was asking him questions but she couldn't hear anything over the rushing in her ears. And he didn't respond to the others. Not even a half-witted remark. But he didn't need to. The others may have doubts about his identity but she didn't. Standing there, with his eyes locked onto hers. She knew it was him.

A range of emotions through his eyes. Fear, Relief, Joy, Anxiety, Anger. That no doubt mirrored her own. He appeared tired. No doubt physically as well as mentally. But he was alive. And it looked as if his blood was singing underneath the surface and the adrenaline had not yet left him yet.

He didn't look at anyone else. His eyes were solely on hers.

And she couldn't tear hers away. Their normal dark shade seemed to grow darker until they were purely black orbs. But there was a spark in them that even from the distance Hermione could see from the distance.

He was here and he was okay. That was the only thing Hermione was able to think before he swooped down and kissed her. She didn't even notice him moving towards her at a quick and steady pace or how he cupped her face. All she knew was the feeling of his lips pressed against hers.

It was rushed and hurried as if there was no time for this. But she couldn't help but completely succumb to the feeling. His lips were soft and he tasted of something smokey. It was intense and indescribable. This was different from the usual Severus Snape she was faced with on a day-to-day basis. This was him unleashed. Raw emotions poured out of him. Desperation, fear, and relief were all wrapped up in this kiss. He was searching for reassurance that she was really here and okay. And she sought after her own reassurance in the kiss. She found herself struggling to stand upright and grasped onto his shoulders for balance. She didn't trust herself to touch him.

Her lips tingled with the warmth of his own. And the taste of him was exquisite. She felt as if kissing him was getting her intoxicated. But not a touch of liquor has set her whole body on fire before. She wondered if her magic was flaring up at this moment and her hair was electrifying off of the drunkenness of power.

When the need for air came too much she reluctantly pulled away. Though he kept his hands cupping her face. She could feel his thumb stroking the cut on her cheek. But it didn't sting, instead, it felt comforting.

She didn't notice the others around them. Or care about their reactions or what they thought. Right now she only had eyes on him. His eyes had turned an increasingly darker shade. And she couldn't stop the shrill of excitement that it had caused. She just stood there watching him, waiting for him to act. Or to say anything. She honestly couldn't care at this moment if he just wanted to talk about what happened or kiss her again. Though there was one option she was currently more partial to. And as she looked down at his lips and the way they parted it was clear that he had the same idea. She didn't even react when he grabbed her arm and dragged her away to the woods surrounding the Burrow. She didn't tell him to stop. She didn't want to speak, afraid of what encouragement she would give him. She didn't even know what she would say. All she knew was that she didn't want any of this to stop.

And as she found herself pushed up against a tree with him moving forwards to press his body against hers. She could feel just how much he wanted this. His own desire seemed to match hers. And she was definitely not upset by this drastic change in their relationship. She gasped when she could feel every inch of him: his chest pressed up to hers, his hands on her waist. He took the opportunity to swoop down and reconnect their mouths.

Somehow the intensity did not lessen with the break.

It felt undeniably right at this moment. As the world spun around her he stood still. And if she could open her eyes right now all she would see was him in clarity. Kissing him felt like coming home. Being in his arms felt like peace. Despite the thrill, she had coming up her spine. She didn't care if she got scraped up or splinters on her back. Without the tree, she doubted she would be able to stay upright. Her knees felt weak. But that feeling of falling just added to the pressure of how closely she could feel him. The feeling just went straight into her head.

Every time one of them moved their mouth so that it slanted over the other she moaned. And she could feel the breath from his mouth, warm and hot and eager for more.

She wished she could use legilimency to experience what he was feeling. And to see how he reacted to her own thoughts.

She never felt like this before. And she never wanted it to end. She wished that time would simply stand still and that this moment could live on forever.

And much to her disappointment, he pulled away.

Both of them were panting heavily. And she knew that by the way, his eyes kept shifting down onward her open mouth if she didn't close it then they would be having a repeat performance. And though she desperately wanted to continue, logic and clarity overcame her and she closed her mouth to stop the temptation.

"I'm sorry," He said after a few moments. His voice was much raspier than normal. No doubt he was trying to compose himself.

"Don't you dare apologize," she said breathlessly. Because she didn't feel remotely sorry. Though things would be a lot different and harder if he felt guilty. And right now they both needed to simplify this and not make things complicated.

"Nonetheless, I shouldn't have let that get so out of hand." He seemed to begrudgingly say it. As if it went against what he wanted.

"It was not all on you. I could have told you to stop at any moment but I didn't." And she didn't want it to ever stop. She wanted to live in his kiss. As cliche as it sounds. She had no idea that a single kiss could make her feel like that. It was something she had only read about in fantasy books.

"Why didn't you?" He seemed so open, raw and vulnerable right now. Terrified that despite her kissing him back she didn't feel for him as he did for her.

"I am tired of fighting against my feelings. And you?" She waited with bated breath.

"I am tired of pretending." Her guess was that he wasn't just talking about his feelings for her but also pretending as though she didn't matter to him."

"I know." And she truly did. She hated how exhausting it was trying to fight her feelings. And even though they were lying everything out on the table now she was tensing up with nerves. Afraid that everything won't go how she hopes it will. "What do you want to do now?" She was afraid that despite this progress he would turn tail and run. "I don't want either of us feeling like we have to hold back."

She took a deep breath when he didn't say anything. She knew he struggled with conversing with emotion and his thoughts in normal social situations. So she decided to go first. Even though she was scared about confessing her feelings she was sure of what she wanted to say. "Severus. I want you. My feelings for you haven't lessened. If anything, I think they are growing stronger." That was an understatement. "But I don't really know what I am doing. I have never felt this strongly emotionally connected with someone before. I feel comfortable and safe with you. I trust you and I trust being with you. I have never felt stronger, more confident and even independent. I like having someone to talk to who I feel comfortable with but also simultaneously understood and challenged." She was trying to reassure him of her feelings for him. She wanted to know everything before making a final decision. Though it felt like one was already made. "You make me happy and when I am not with you I feel sad. And I know it's not much but that is the extent of this I have been able to understand. And let's not forget that the timing isn't exactly great."

He gave her a small and encouraging smile. "I think we can manage fine. So perhaps we just let things happen naturally."

She couldn't help but feel like her heart dropped at those words. "That didn't exactly work out that great the first time around."

"This time is different." She looked back up to meet his eyes. She didn't even realize she ended up looking down. Hope was rising but she needed her own reassurance about it as he wanted. "How about you? How do you feel about me?"

He sighed. "This isn't just physical desire. I know my actions may have indicated that. But I care about you. I have for longer than I care to admit." She knew it took a lot out of him to say anything while he wasn't calm and collected. But she needed more. She knew that this wasn't purely physical for him. There was an emotional aspect that she couldn't decipher.

"And kissing me?" She tried not to let the memory overcome her. But it seemed that the mere mention of it made him relive the moment.

"You were alive." She could see how scared he was in the moments before he first kissed her. "I have never felt like this before with anyone. I have never craved being with someone as much as I want to be with you. I have enjoyed our time together and I don't want it to end. But I want more. If you will let me."

He took a step forward and gently grabbed her hand and held it tightly in his. "Hermione. I can't make you any promises. Especially right now. But I want to try. If you will let me," he said hesitantly. Letting her know that how they moved forward was her decision, And she appreciated the courtesy but she knew what she wanted. She stood up on her toes to kiss him. Softly and slowly this time. Much less hastily than before. She tried to pour all of her emotions into this. To let him know she was ready for this.

She wanted this and was ready to explore what was between them. She wouldn't have to keep toeing the line with him. Together they could find out where it leads to. She didn't have time to jump for joy. Everything was still new and developing. She didn't want to get ahead of herself. But she was no longer filled with doubt. Him being with her now was enough reassurance.

Her eyes were closed and she was just starting to once again get lost in the feeling of him. When a voice in the distance pulled her back into the moment. "Hey, you two. You might want to come in and do some damage control," Sirius yelled as he seemed slightly concerned. And it just hit her that Severus kissed her in front of the entire Order and her friends. They were going to have a lot of questions and probably a lot of angry words. She was so caught up in the moment she honestly forgot they were there and that she and Severus are making out by a tree behind the Burrow. Well, this all seemed to happen so suddenly.

"And Snape if you are going to have sex with the lady the least you could do is bring her to a bed and not a tree.

Severus reluctantly removed his arms from him and took a step back. He had an annoyed expression on his face. And she was feeling the exact same by their interruptor. Though it was probably best he interrupted them instead of someone else. "Hmm. Remind me to make a rug out of him."

She couldn't help but smile. "I will help."

She started to make her way out from behind the tree after making sure she was put together. Even though everyone already knew what they were doing. But Severus grabbed her hand and softly turned her to face him. "Hermione, this isn't over."

"I am counting on it."

Turning back to face the house she could see a familiar figure waiting for them. No doubt Sirius didn't want to continue trying to placate everyone and answer questions she didn't know how to exactly answer. Despite the furry, he was probably faced with she could just tell he would have a huge smile on his face when they met up with him. "You do realize that Sirius is never going to let this go."

"Believe me I know. You would think someone who was imprisoned for 12 years and in hiding for 2 years would find a more productive hobby to do in his free time.

"Wait, he mentioned this to you?" Her curiosity was both piqued and slightly concerned.

"Excessively," He didn't seem tired by the constant badgering but rather uncomfortable. Hmm, she made a note to herself to ask about that letter.

"And did he influence you in any way?"

"Do you mean did he persuade me in any way?" She nodded her head. She was curious if Sirius's influence pushed him to confront her. He shook his head. Almost saddened by the idea. "If he did, neither one of us would have our clothes on right now."

She nodded her head. She sees. What a wasted opportunity then. What many wasted opportunities. Better luck next time. Though she knew she wouldn't be ready for that for some time. She couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement at the possibility. But for right now she needed to calm down and prepare herself in order to face the masses.

Hello Faithful Followers and New Comers

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and the official start of Hermione and Snape's Relationship.

I am just giving you a heads up that I will no be posting next week. But I will upload again on the 6th.

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