Chapter 56: A Brief Interlude

{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...

Hermione breathed a sigh of relief as she found herself awakening and noting that her husband had still been beside her after she'd heard the momentary discussion he'd had with the Headmaster. She'd been almost sure the old fool was going to insist he return to his duties in the dead of night after everything she'd told him. He had not seemed too pleased with her defense of his most valuable assest when it came to knowing the means and motivations of the despot. In fact, Dumbledore seemed quite agitated by her insistance despite her not carring otherwise. Snape had been in no real shape to do much of anything following that severe beating he took at the behest of Voldemort and whither he liked it or not, the poor bloke needed a rest. Snape remained awake since his unwanted discussion secretly dreading when their quiet moments would come to an end. His wife had been of the same mind it seemed and had been quite reluctant to sit up in bed despite her awakened state.

"Equally dreading what the day shall bring as I am?" asked Snape.

Hermione sighed before resigning herself to sitting up to face him.

She had slept realatively well all things considered and had hoped he had some measure of rest after his lengthy ordeal.

"How are you feeling?" she asked looking him over via her keen eyes making sure to note any slight measure of discomfort on his part.

"Well enough, I suppose." replied Snape. "It's been quite some time since I'd gotten any real measure of rest, so I thank you for this little interlude of sorts."

Hermione seemed pleased to hear this as she manuvered to get more comfortable in bed.

"I missed you." she admitted unsure how he'd react to her affections given he'd been well enough to reject them. "I suppose I was trying very hard not to think the worst when you were gone."

Snape had not known what to say.

She had expressed her concern for him before but he'd been at a loss as to how to respond and thus decided pulling her closer to him and allowing her to rest with her back pressed against his chest as he too sat up in bed would suffice.

it was all together nice to be alone with her husband in the darkness of his bedroom far from the prying eyes of the Slytherin students and her friends. She had no doubt that Ron and Harry would be searching everywhere for her and for a moment the thought crossed her mind that Harry might have been inclined to use the Hogwarts Map.

"Something on your mind?" asked Snape noticing her apparent realization.

"I...well..." began Hermione unsure how to explain it.

"You are concerned about Potter's meddling." said Snape in a rather casual tone. "You needn't worry...his infernal map cannot see beyond the surface of Hogwarts Castle."

Hermione had been shocked he knew about it.

"Don't look so surprised." said Snape relaxing against the pillows of his bed. "I made it a point to employ counter measures to any aspect of tracking...that blasted piece of parchment included."

Hermione had been a bit relieved as she began to relax taking in the scent of herbs and fresh earth as well as the warmth from her husband's fireplace. Despite being below the castle and ground level, Snape's private quarters had been quite cozy.

"I'm beginning to think you enjoy being in my arms." said Snape with something of a smirk filed across his face.

"And you would be right." replied Hermione. "Git."

Snape seemed amused by her sense of humor and yet utterly facinated by her altogether.

"Never would I have imagined that it would come to this." he said doing a bit of reflecting.

"Neither did I." replied Hermione understanding what he meant.

A moment of companionable silence passed between them and before long it esccalated into a series of sweet and frequent kisses.

If one were to look upon them now and compare the nature of their relationship before hand, they would hardly be believed to have been the same couple.

"We can't very well hide down here all day." said Snape coming to his senses as he pulled away from his young wife knowing all too well that his focus was required elsewhere.

"I know." replied Hermione knowing all too well that he'd been right but reluctant to part from him just the same.

Everything between them had changed so much in these past few months...there was no way she could simply just pretend he had merely been her instructor and settle back into class like she had before. She wished to be near him all the time. His absence had put a fear in her that she had never known before and to see him afterward bloodied and barely clinging to life despite his delirium pushing him toward rapid mistrust and rage.

"Hermione." said Snape knowing that her reluctance had been partially due to how she found him. "It's only class."

"Promise me you'll look after yourself." she said meeting his gaze. "No more unnecessary reckless endevours."

"Witch, my work often requires me to take certian measures." reasoned Snape.

"I'm sure a clever bloke like you can find away around any measures that directly cause you harm." said Hermione not in the least about to give up on this topic.

She had been shaken as it were due to the condition he returned in and his being gone long enough to nearly be declared dead had not helped matters.

"Alright, if it means that much to you..." began Snape.

"You mean that much to me." replied Hermione catching the speechless wizard off guard.

"Alright." he replied meeting her gaze. "No more unnecessary risks."

Seemingly overjoyed to hear that her concerns had been of a priority to her husband, Hermione pressed her lips into his once more still reluctant to part with him but more reassured that they would have more time to spend together no matter the course of the war.

Snape pulled her close none to keen on parting from her himself. Still he knew they ha more pressing business to attend to whither they liked it or not and there would be more chances to be alone should they feel the need. The last thing they needed was for Dumbledore to return and take it upon himself to interfere with their business due to his believing their relationship being a distraction for the Potions Professor.

One more kiss and a promise to meet alone again had been what passed between them before Hermione had made the journey from the dungeons leaving Severus Snape alone once more to ponder the darkness within his quarters and what the future would bring for the two of them if only they could survive this up and coming wizarding war.