Chapter 54: An Easy Peace

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

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

Snape's Bedroom, Sytherin Dungeons, Hogwarts Castle, Wizarding World...

A dull ache had been the only thing the Potions Professor felt when he found himself awakening in the darkness of his private quarters. His weary body had healed some from the wounds he sustained following his latest summons and there had been a familiar warmth that weighed on him as he attempted to make sense of everything that had transpired. The immediate recognition of jasmine had saw to him coming to the conclusion that not only was he alive and back where he belonged but his young wife had been present as well. Hermione spent the better part of her free day in the dungeons seeing to his welfare following her summons to the infirmary. He guessed that she might have spent the better part of her day trying to hurry back to him despite the series of questions from her inquiring friends and professors alike. He had heard her exchange with Dumbledore when the old fool took it upon himself to barge into the front room and attempt to get more information out of him and it amused him to no end that the rather pushy witch could be just as bitting in her wit as he when pushed too far.

She watched him like a hawk after seeing to the old fool's departure and carefully saw to his bandages and potion administration as he healed. Having a free day had done wonders for his already weary body and being able to sleep through the worst of the pain had been more than enough of a boon to him. Before their arranged marriage, he would not have had such a fortuante outcome and been forced back into the thick of things long before he had well and truly healed from the previous round of injuries.

Hermione's efforts had been welcome as it were and only drew the weary man closer to her in retrospect.

She had cared for him when no other would even as a mere student.

The images and constant questions depicting her worry for him had been startling to say the very least.

Never one for affection, or rather never one that anyone wasted their time showing affection for, Snape thought the whole situation to be quite bizare. He often dismissed her concern as foolish romantiizing on the part of a teenage girl with little to no options herself.

Still, he'd been quite baffled by the turn of events.

She'd gone from being an insufferable know it all desperate for his approval in class to being a caring and attentive wife.

Marriage had never been something he saw himself enduring but if he had been honest with himself, she'd been like a breath of fresh air in comparison to the silence he often found himself surrounded by as well as the dark shadows that plauged his memory be he awake or otherwise.

"Hermione." he said his voice not as harsh as it had been in terms of tone but the definate rasp of baritone had indicated his suffering had taken a toll at some point.

The amber eyed girl sat up bringing a soft hand against his cheek grateful to have him awake and functioning.

"Are you still in pain?" she asked looking him over with a careful eye reminsent to that of a mother hen.

"I'm alright." he replied still a bit sore from the most unwanted encounter, but pleased to see her none the less. "What time is it?"

"Last I checked we were well past supper." replied Hermione still fussing over him.

"I've slept the day away?" asked Snape with an arched brow.

"You needed the rest." said Hermione. "Besides your duties were well in hand and the students got on just fine without harming themselves."

Snape sighed.

"I'm sure your little spat with Albus had nothing to do with it in the least." he said with a smirk.

"Well...he couldn't very well expect you to just act as if nothing happened after last night." said Hermione giving every indication that she was not going to take no for an answer. "Besides, you needed to rest you've been missing for days."

Snape couldn't help, but feel a sense of admiration for her at that very moment.

"I apologize for causing you to worry." he said unsure what the proper way to express concern had been when one had someone to care about them. He had witnessed Molly Weasley's overbearing concern for her family from a distance and it always seemed to puzzle him to no end.

"Severus you don't have to apologize because I care for you." replied Hermione making sure he knew that her love wasn't in the least an obligation.

It was strange, the more time she spent with the dour wizard the more she began to understand him.

"I confess I know not how to respond to such strange emotions." said Snape attempting to sit up despite Hermione gently urging him not to. "I wish to enjoy the remainder of my free day and spending it in bed isn't something I am looking forward to."

Hermione narrowed her eyes at her husband.

"You need rest." she insisted.

"I'll be just fine now that I don't have to spend my time with dungerheads." replied Snape.

Hermione shook her head knowing all too well that her husband could be just as stubborn as she was. She'd gotten her way the night before and that was only because he had been in no shape to protest, now he'd been on the mend and not in the least about to back down.

"What if I agreed to lie in bed with you?" asked Hermione.

Snape for all his stubbornness had become suddenly amused at the very implication.

"If you climb into this bed witch I can't rightly promise you that I'll get any rest." he admitted.

Hermione noted the heated flicker behind his obsidian eyes and found herself understanding just what she had unwittingly opened the door to and like a true Slytherin he was intent on capitalizing at the very instant she gave in.

"Git." she said finding his direct manner amusing. "You've only just gotten back from a mission."

"All the more reason to enjoy my time with you now." replied Snape in something of a sly tone. "One hardly knows how much time we can spend together."

Hermione sighed knowing he'd been quite right about that.

"You're still a git." she said climbing into bed with him.

Snape pulled back the covers and allowed her to slide beneath them as well.

She had been about to speak when his pale lips crashed against hers and she found herself giving in. The young witch had been relieved all things considered that he'd been up for a romp or two after what she witnessed and decided she'd enjoy whatever time they had together indefinately.