Chapter 82: The Makings Of A Real Marriage

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

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

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

Hermione Granger awoke to find that she'd been well removed from the infirmary and asleep amid sheets that had not been any found within Gryffindor Tower. The sudden onset of the scent of herbs and fresh earth caused her to smile before fully opening her eyes to find that she'd been wrapped in the arms of her husband, whom had been sleeping quite soundly despite his condition the previous night. He'd given her quite the fright showing up battered and bloody not so much unlike the other nights she'd found him upon his return from being summoned via the despot. Severus seemed content as he was holding her close enough for her to feel his heart beating through his chest. Watching him sleeping had gotten the better of her as she found herself unable to keep from showering him in frequent soft kisses causing him to stir from his slumber and smirk in reaction to her inability to allow him to rest any longer. He knew all too well that it had been weeks since they were this close to one another without the prying eyes of the other students and Dumbledore to see to their interactions remaining as Professor and student.

"Good morning." said Hermione still with her sweet smile.

Snape sighed before stretching a bit and pulled her closer.

"Good morning." he replied treating her to a kiss in kind.

"You are getting to be reckless again." said Hermione narrowing her eyes at him. "Last night..."

"I apologize...it was not my intention to worry you witch." replied Snape knowing what she'd been referring to. "I had not anticipated the new Aurors showing up and while I am not in the least fond of The Dark Lord, I sought the opportunity to gain a measure of trust since he'd been suspicious of me as of late and I took it."

"You could have been killed!" said Hermione unable to hold back her annoyance at her husband's brazen manner. "Severus...I don't know what I would have done if..."

Snape could see the conflict brewing behind her eyes. It was still strange to him that anyone would care if he lived or died let alone this girl...his student...his wife.

"Hermione...I..." he began only to feel her forgo her anger and cling to him.

"Promise me you'll be careful." she said her voice filled with something akin to fear and hope all at once.

"Hermione...it's not that simple." he said. "I wish...I wish I could make such a promise and keep it...I wish we didn't have to bother with this war at all but..."

Their eyes met and Snape found himself unable to deny her request despite all sense telling him he'd never be able to keep such a promise. He had not been in control of his life let alone his fate as it were but he knew more than anything she needed reassurance.

"Just...promise me you'd try." she amended her previous request. "Please Severus...promise me."

Snape sighed again knowing full well that this at least was something he could see his way to doing for her.

"You have my word, I will try and ensure a less reckless route to complete my assignments." he replied much to her delight.

He still believed it all pointless, but making her happy seemed to be all he had wished to accomplish as of late.

In gratitude, she kissed him on the lips in something of a passionate exchange that he found no will to object to. She was his wife after all and being with her seemed to make the rest of the world and it's horrors fall away.

"How are you feeling?" asked Hermione lying beside him as he took her free hand in his.

"Better than the night before." he replied fiddling with her fingers as they passed the time together.

It amazed him to note that their marriage had seemed to evolve into something neither of them had expected when Dumbledore first presented his apparent scheme to keep her out of the clutches of any other overzealous death eater. The bickering remained of course, two passionate people were bound to clash but it wasn't directed out of spite nor outrage. It had become sort of playful in nature and dare he admit it, quite fun. Hermione seemed to love to challenge him and in return he'd do the same. A rather odd set of circumstances to be sure but it seemed to work for them. Snape continued to fiddle with Hermione's fingers, they were a good deal softer than his own and smaller something he playfully teased her about on occasion. She always seemed to like that his hands were rough from constant use and enveloped her own whenever they were together.

She never denied that she felt safe in his arms, as much as he remarked that he'd been at peace whenever he held her close to him.

Snape had come to the conclusion that this must have been what love had been like. An emotion that had long eluded him until a certain bushy haired girl had come into his miserable life. Devotion without condition seemed to be what made this...whatever this had become between them work. She knew without a shadow of a doubt that he'd die to keep her safe and that more often than not, she had found herself willing to do the same.

"I believe we could make a go of it." said Snape taking note of her train of thought and speaking out loud.

Hermione seemed caught off guard at first.

"A life of our own." he said meeting her gaze. "I would be willing to build something...with you...if you'd have me."

Hermione couldn't help, but smile as the seemingly happy tears began to stream down her cheeks. She had wondered if he'd been feeling as she had about what the future might have in store for them. Her fondness for her husband evident, she had no plans to walk away no matter what Dumbledore had to say about it.

"I...suppose we should discuss it...in the near future of course...when the war is over." added Snape unsure of what he'd gotten himself into, but unable to deny that he'd been thinking about it more often than not.

"Of course." replied Hermione apparently thrilled. "After the war."

The two of them settled back down amid the soft covers and the pillows that lined his bed. They knew it would be only a matter of time before classes, obligations, and Dumbledore came to disturb their rather fleeting moments of peace and cut into the time they'd have to spend together, so they decided to linger for just a bit longer content as it were in his bed with Hermione lying with her head resting against his chest and his arms wrapped around her as they had awakened.