Chapter 53: The Benefits Of Nearness

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

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

The Infirmary, Hogwarts Castle, Wizarding World...

Unable to stay way from the ailing wizard for very long, Hermione ventured down to the infirmary where she knew Madam Pomfrey was seeing to Severus Snape's wounds while he attempted to get a small amount of rest. Being tormented for three full days straight had taken it's toll on the already exhausted and nearly broken wizard. The weight of the war had been quite heavy upon his shoulders but he remained steadfast in his duty to see this through to the end. As it so happened however, he had not anticipated falling for anyone let alone his own student when he had given everything he had to the cause. The despot needed to be stopped at all costs and despite the scrutiny he recieved on both sides simply for existing, he was all for doing the right thing this time around. Lily Potter's death had merely been one aspect of why he'd gone through unspeakable horrors to ensure the order of Phoenix had a fighting chance, not only them but both worlds at large. He'd been the product of them both, born and raised in the world of muggles despite being rejected by them every chance they got and educated into adulthood in the wizarding world and rejected just the same. It seemed no matter where he turned he had not fit into the mold the other individuals had for themselves and even more so that they despised him for simply being. The only time he had not felt utterly rejected despite his deep rooted desire to be loved masked via his sarcastic temperament and cold disposition, was when he'd been alone in the dungeons with his young wife.

She'd been the only person to welcome him when he returned after the nightly treks to do the bidding of two tyranical masters and she had treated him with kindness above all others he had known through out his entire lifetime. A mere girl when he met her and a woman when he watched her blossom before his very eyes as her Potions Professor. Hermione sat beside him even now, silent in her worry as the near empty infirmary stood witness to her unyielding affection for her beloved husband.

He had endured so much for so long, she noted taking in the sight of the various scars that lined his pale lean body. She had no doubt that some had been fresh given what he endured the previous night but it was the older ones, the ones with wounds that had not easily healed beyond mere flesh and bone that she had been the most concerned about. He never spoke of how he recieved them and she had never asked but she knew that they still caused him pain long after the flesh had healed.

"Severus." she said softly as a few tears streamed down her cheek.

Snape shifted in bed some as if he had sensed her distress.

A low groan escaped his lips and his eyes opened taking in the sight of her.

He'd been confused from the look on his face once he saw her and utterly exhausted. Bags had been beneath his already dark eyes and the lines on his face only aged him more in her sight. Hermione had not been in the least put off by the sorrow behind his expression nor the indication of his age. She gripped his hand and scooted closer wishing to be near him all the more despite his current state. Snape did his best to breathe without difficulty, but his bruised ribs had other ideas.

"Hermione." he said softly letting himself feel her hand in his. "W-What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you." she replied not wishing to get into a row about boundries when they had not been in the dungeons. "And before you say anything, I made sure we were alone, Madam Pomfrey is seeing to an injured boy on the quidditch pitch."

Snape had not liked the idea of being in the infirmary where any student nosy enough to make the journey could find him weakened and exhausted. He had an image to maintain and a job to do none the less.

"Severus don't..." began Hermione as he attempted to sit up.

"I need to get...to get to my quarters." Snape struggled in his attempt to mask the amount of pain he'd been in.

"Stop." insisted Hermione concerned for him and his aggrivation of injuries. "You need to rest."

"I have no time to rest." growled Snape not use to being thwarted in his attempts to flee the infirmary. "I have to get back to work...the students need me and I have to finish my debriefing with Albus."

"You need to rest, for Merlin's sake Severus you've only just got back and you were more than likely half dead might I add." replied Hermione in protest to her husband's stubborn attempts to sit up in bed again despite his agony.

"I cannot afford to rest." said Snape with labored breathing. "I have work to do...and if you are so keen on being here, assist me to the floo."

Hermione sighed knowing all too well that he would not rest until he had been back within the confines of his private quarters.

"Fine." she conceeded. "But you will rest once we are there."

Snape rolled his eyes as she assisted him with getting out of bed, each attempt at movement was further causing him pain, but he weathered it just the same.

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

Once they had stepped through the floo, after several minutes of arguing and pain filled footwork, Hermione had managed to get the ailing Potions Master into bed ignoring his request to remain at his desk since their arrival. He had not liked being or even appearing to be helpless in the least but he'd been in so much pain he could hardly object. The cautious young witch took control of the situation wanting only the best possible treatment for him to get well again and ignored his consistant protests of her involvment in his healing process. Hermione made up her mind that she would see to his welfare whither he liked it or not.