Chapter 51: In The Absence Of Light

{A/N: Here's Another Update... Apparently My MoJo's working today}

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The darkness of his quarters had not been enough to deter Severus Snape as he gazed upon the slumbering young witch that had been his wife for only a short time. His attachment to her had been rather profound given the nature of their marriage and despite his best attempts to supress it, he was not in the least willing to forgo his need for her. So much of the determined young woman reminded him of his long dead friend and despite his bafflement when it came to her choosing him, of all people as her husband not just in name but by all accounts, he'd been out of his depths. Lily had chosen Potter Sr., Narcissa had chosen Lucius and even Bellatrix had been more so inclined to indulge Rudolphus but Hermione had veered into a course of action that had been most unexpected. She had chosen him when all others hadn't. Despite the newness of being caught in the web of the young witch's affections, Snape had not been too keen on allowing himself to become complacent. His desire for her had been shocking to say the least ebbing from the physical and swaying dangerously close to emotional attachment. An attachment that he, given his true line of work could scaresly afford.

Still, he could not bring himself to push her away as much as he use to. Her warm body sprawled across his own as she continued her undisturbed slumber. Dumbledore would surely be enraged had he taken note of the off putting turn of events that lead to this rather surreal moment. The despot Voldemort would be even more enraged knowing just how weak his most prized death eater had been not only for the young Gryffindor witch's trim as it were but her affections as a whole.

Snape's disgust with himself had been short lived as he found himself giving in to the quiet that surrounded him and his young wife in the midst of his private quarters.

Something akin to sheer lonliness had been all he felt since he'd come of age and Lily had chosen another. For years he'd convinced himself it had been what he deserved, for who could love one as repulsive as he, unwanted among the muggles and hated still among those of wizarding kind. Yet here in the darkness of his bedroom, Hermione Granger curled beside him determined to prove to him just how wanted he had been.

A contented sigh escaped her soft pink lips as she wrapped her arms around him unwilling even in her slumber to let him go.

A boyish smile filed across the sallow pale face of the Potions Professor in that moment and he felt the years ebb away and the easy calm he had felt only once in boyhood overtake him.

For this moment, she had been his and all had been right with the world. As right as it ever would be now that she was in his arms.

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Hermione awoke to find the Potions Master slumbering beside her some odd number of hours after they had awoken together in the private quarters he had in the dungeons. A small smile filed across her face as she began to gently stretch and scoot closer to the sleeping wizard. He seemed at peace for the first time in a very long time. He had told her that here in the darkness of the dungeons well hidden from the prying eyes of student and staff alike, he had been her husband in every sense of the word and she'd been pleased with that.

Ever the bold one in the apparent relationship, Hermione saw her way to gently kissing along the sleeping wizard's exposed chest and neck.

Snape shifted some in his sleep, appearing not to have been too bothered by her showing of affection.

"HMMM." purred the still slumbering Professor as Hermione did her best to stifle a giggle in the wake of his action.

She had often noted her husband's strange cat-like behavior and welcomed it given her own preference for cats with Crookshanks around. For a moment she wondered if Severus and Crookshanks would have gotten along if they had formerly met and had to live together.

Lost in her thoughts and the relative peace she felt since awakening, Hermione had not heard noticed when the dour wizard had opened his eyes much less when he'd taken the liberty of reading her thoughts.

"Do not confuse me with your peculiar feline witch." replied Snape jolting her out of her day dream.

Another series of giggles saw to Hermione becoming even more relaxed as she captured the newly awakened wizard's pale lips in a series of kisses.

"It's so peaceful down here at night." she said remarking about the atmosphere.

"Only when I have time for myself." replied Snape rolling onto his back and staring up at the ceiling. "It won't be long now before everyone is up and about."

Hermione seemed a bit disappointed that she couldn't just enjoy her morning with her husband. He seemed to be in agreement but knew all too well what the day would bring.

"You have to make your way back to Gryffindor tower, lest Potter, Weasley, or Minerva get wind of your absence." he said meeting her gaze.

"But I want to stay here with you." she insisted kissing him once more as if that would pursade him to reconsider his stance on her departure.

Snape sighed taking in one last kiss before willing himself out of bed. The amber eyes of the rather curious witch had fallen upon his exposed lean pale frame and she smiled.

"I don't suppose I have to picture you naked in class anymore whenever you make me nervous." she said seemingly amused.

Snape rolled his eyes knowing full well what her classroom fanasies had been all about.

"Come on." he said turning his attention back to pressing matters. "It's back to business as usual."

Annoyed that she had to be bothered with hormonal teenagers and mind numbing lessons when she had been of the mind to lounge in bed all day with her husband, Hermione managed to will herself out of bed, but not before stealing another series of kisses from The Potions Professor before taking her leave of him, albiet reluctantly after spelling on her school attire and making her way back to Gryffindor tower.

She had no idea when they'd get to spend more time with eachother but she was quite certian that it had been what she wanted most of all for the time being.