Chapter 46: Surface Tensions

{A/N: Here's Another Update..}

My Thanks To My Readers and Reviewers...Enjoy-S.S.

Front Room, Snape's Quarters, The Slytherin Dungeons, Hogwarts Castle, Wizarding World...

Silence filled the front room of the Potions Professor's quarters as a cleverly disguised Hermione Granger-Snape made her way inside. She had been careful not to arouse suspicion with her friends or anyone else at the castle as she locked and warded the door. She knew he'd been inside already. He had gone through the floo to exit the infirmary. She moved cautiously, as there was no telling what kind of state he'd be in now that he'd been down in the dungeons and away from the familiar sight of Madam Pomfrey. Hermione had known from past experience that his mood depended very heavily upon his state of mind and it shifted rather rapidly when he'd been unable to control himself. Sadly, as cautious as she was, she'd managed to get his undivided attention in the worst way and it saw her being flung across the sitting room and slammed into a nearby wall.

A short gasp burst forth from her lips and he glared rather murderously at her as his eyes blazed in the soft orange glow of his fireplace.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?" he growled intent on causing her more harm in the wake of his jolting from his arm chair and seizing her about the neck.

"S-Severus...it's me." she said softly not wishing to cause him further alarm.

He blinked a few times taking notice of her voice and noted the absolute fear behind her amber eyes.

"It's me." she said again attempting to get through to him.

The dour wizard immediately pulled back, as shame filed across his sallow pale face. He had not had full control of himself just yet and it showed.

"W-What are you doing down here?" he asked trying his best not to look at her.

"I came to see you." she replied slowly coming to her own senses despite the minor onset of terror she'd just endured.

Snape noted that she'd winced as she spoke, moving away from the wall as slowly as possible.

"You shouldn't have." he replied. "I...I am not use to company when I return."

Hermione knew all too well what he had been speaking of although he declined to mention it.

"I needed to know if you were alright." she insisted despite her own pain and rattled nerves. "I haven't seen you since before you were covered in blood."

Snape sighed.

"You should not have come down here." he said in something of a weary tone. "If I hadn't recognized you..."

"It's alright." Hermione assured him.

"No." said Snape meeting her gaze. "Do not ever come here when I return from a summons...there are things...I cannot control immediately when I return and it wouldn't be good for you to visit during that time."

Hermione approached him, her movements slow in reaction to the soreness in the small of her back after being slammed into the nearby wall.

"Severus..." she said softly.

The shame had still been filed across his sallow pale face.

"I apologize for..." he began only to feel her hands move along his cheeks and her lips press against his.

"All is forgiven." she said understanding what had happened. "Living like this...it can't be easy for you."

Snape said nothing for a few moments before turning his attention to the nearby fireplace.

The glowing red-orange flame and the warmth of her touch seemed to soothe him and it showed as he began to relax in the armchair. Hermione had been glad for at least that small favor given the night he must have had. When they first got married, she had expected to learn so much about her Potions Professor, let alone share in a mutual love that would have to be kept secret.

"Hermione." said Snape finally breaking his silence and leaning into his young wife's hand.

"You need rest." she insisted. "You should get to bed, and no drinking tonight...you are already having trouble staying on your feet as it is."

Snape smirked.

Hermione looked at him with an arched brow.

"And what is it that you find so amusing?" she asked.

"What a pair we make." replied Snape still unable to fathom what had become of their formerly professional relationship, where he'd been simply her Potions Professor and she his student not too long ago.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

The Bedroom, Snape's Quarters, The Slytherin Dungeons, Hogwarts Castle, Wizarding World...

It wasn't long before Hermione had gotten Snape into his bedroom and into the center of his large black four poster bed, although the task had not been as simple as she believed given his resident stubbornness and reluctance to be in company when he'd been hurt. His wounds had been closed and the blood gone but the pain still lingered and it only added to the stiffness of his muscles and joints alike after enduring numerous bouts of torment at the hands of his sadistic master before being released to return to Hogwarts.

Snape had not put up much of a fight by the time his head hit the nearby pillow and he drifted off without much fuss as he clung to the concerned witch's hand . He seemed to be healing just fine but Hermione wondered just where that had left his mind given his ordeal and the brief moment when he had seemingly been someone else entirely as he pinned her against the cold stone wall in response to her presence being a surprise to him.

For the first time since she had known him, Hermione considered just how dangerous her Potions Professor husband could be when provoked and it seemed to unnerve her. He had after all been a death eater long before she knew him and it was clear to see how he'd fit into the mold given his aggressive nature and disillusionment in general.

"Severus..." she said softly looking him over as he continued to sleep, taking care to heal her minor wounds and tuck him in.

She couldn't imagine what it was like, to be unwanted where ever you turned...especially in the presence of deranged on edge for most of one's life had not been good for anyone, least of all Severus Snape and it definitely showed. One thing was for sure, Hermione had a rather keen understanding of the man she called husband now...and feared whomever had been fool enough to incur his wrath once everything had all been said and done. He'd been quite formidable and given the company he usually kept it was saying something.

"Sleep well, Severus." urged Hermione looking him over once more before departing in a bid to allow the already slumbering Potions Professor to continue his much needed rest while his body and mind recovered from the days events.

In the back of her rather keen mind, she had hoped that there would still be something left of him to salvage once the war had been at an end.