Chapter 55: Bliss Interrupted
{A/N: Here's Another Update...late post}
My Thanks To My Readers and Reviewers...Enjoy-S.S.
Snape's Bedroom, Sytherin Dungeons, Hogwarts Castle, Wizarding World...
Severus Snape shifted some in his slumber as the jarring sound of constant knocking had ruined his rather pleasant dream and forced him into conciousness. He narrowed his eyes in the wake of attempting to adjust his eyes following the unwanted interruption and quickly looked over his sleeping wife. She had not moved an inch despite the noise and seemed all the more content with her body pressed against his. He had no doubt she'd been enjoying her dreams, whichever they had been as she clung to him as if she had not a care in the world. Had he not been annoyed with being awakened in such a rude manor than he might have allowed himself to smile at the peaceful look that filed across her youthful face.
The knocking began again, further annoying him.
Rolling his eyes, Snape turned his attention to slipping out from beneath her and making his way toward the front room. The heavy oak wood door had been good for keeping out all manor of annoyances in the past, but it had not been warded against knocking due to the Potions Master's status as Head of Slytherin House. Wondering if the bothersome pest had been another teary eyed first year or at worse a six year teen, Snape slowly made his way toward the front his barefeet coming into contact with the cold stone floor as he shuffled into his nearby robe and made for the door. He had made sure to close the bedroom door behind him, not in the least wishing to disturb his young wife or give any hint as to why he'd been absent as of late to any possible death eater's child.
The locks creaked and groaned as he opened the door to find the Headmaster standing on the otherside his blue eyes giving off that eerie twinkle as he looked upon the newly awakened wizard. He seemed to be delighted to see his employee up and about given the injuries he had suffered the previous night. Snape had been in no mood to deal with the old man and even less inclined to have a chat while Hermione had been sleeping in his bed.
"It's good to see you up and about, Severus." said Dumbledore with a father-like smile. "I must admit I had thought we lost you last night, the toll this war is taking on you is quite visible."
Snape ignored him and made his way over toward the makeshift bar and poured himself a firewhiskey.
"Do you really think that is wise?" asked Dumbledore with an arched brow.
Again Snape ignored him and downed the drink not even wincing at the after effects as he poured another and moved toward the fireplace. The orange flames danced along the logs crackling as they began to slowly blacken and turn to ash. It had been a long while since he'd taken a moment to rest by the fire, and even longer still since he had seen the logs burn without the immediate panic of having to be summoned coursing through him.
"Is there a point to your visit?" asked Snape still staring into the flames.
"There is indeed." replied Dumbledore in a rather serious tone. "There is the matter of Miss Granger..."
Began the Headmaster much to Snape's chargrin.
"What about her?" asked Snape in a bored tone.
"I want to ensure that you do not forget your purpose for marrying her." said Dumbledore stern in his expression. "She is still very much a student and a young woman...protect her and treat her civil but do not forget your place Severus."
Snape rolled his eyes again before downing the remainder of his fire whiskey and tossing the glass into the flames causing the glass to shatter and the flames to shoot up.
"Are you finished?" he asked not in the least attempting to hide his rage.
"Severus..." said Dumbledore almost in warning.
"Are...you...finished?" asked Snape once more still allowing his rage to be seen.
Dumbledore looked upon him for a few moments before sighing deeply and making his way toward the door.
"It truly is good to see you up and about again." said The Headmaster before he finally left.
Snape's rage seemed to intensify as he turned his attention back to the container of firewhiskey.
He hated this war almost as much as he hated the despot and Dumbledore. Years of the old bastard humiliating him and lying to his face had begun to take their toll. Given his guilt in the wake of Lily and James Potter meeting a tragic end, he allowed it. As he believed he deserved nothing less but something in him had not liked the idea of having to give Hermione up, after all they had be through and shared...she'd been the only good thing about surviving each summons and making the journey back to Hogwarts when his body had been left bruised and broken in the wake of the despot's fury. They were testing his loyalty after all, seeing if he'd finally break. His mind had been centered on the possiblity of seeing her again, and holding her in his arms.
Snape turned his attention back to his bedroom.
He knew not how to feel as his warring emotions continued to get the better of him.
It would be better if he continued to keep his distance. The last thing the both of them needed was to get far too attached to eachother during a war. Yet, he couldn't and didn't wish to be without her. She'd become the only beacon of light in his world of utter darkness and he saw no end in sight for the comming storm but she...she made it all worth it. Every thankless task, every broken bone, every insult be they hurled from an order member or one of the death eater ranks he could weather it all...knowing that he'd be returning to her.
His weary mind had been plauged with doubts and various justifications.
He had wanted her.
More than he had wanted any woman in his entire life.
And still he knew he had no right to.
Warding his door and slipping back out of his robe, Snape made his way back toward the bedroom. Though he had been enraged by the thoughts that swirled in his mind and drunk from the firewhiskey, he sought his slumbering wife. He came to the conclusion that no matter what the old fool said, he'd adhere to whatever Hermione wished for as long as she wished to have him in her life. Even at the cost of his own life by any means to keep her safe. He had failed with Lily so long ago but, as he climbed back into bed and pulled the slumbering witch close to him so that she'd once more been lying on his chest, he vowed he would not fail her.