Chapter 4

The next morning, I woke to the sun peeking through the curtains, and Severus kissing my neck. I rolled over and kissed him gently. His dark eyes stared into mine, looking softer than I had ever seen them. It was like he had let his guard down around me. I could have lived in that moment forever. Time, however, was not on our side.

"I still have to go to the apothecary", he said softly as he trailed his fingertips across my arm. "I only have a few hours worth of work in the morning, and then we could meet for lunch, if you'd like."

"Mmm that sounds good to me" I said as I stretched, arching my back. "I think I might just go back to sleep for a while." He nodded and gave me another soft kiss before setting about getting ready. I, however, watched him lazily, and let myself drift off to sleep again. I barely registered the door shutting when he left. I woke up a few hours later to a knocking sound on the door. Before I could get up, a note slipped under the door. I threw on my dressing gown, and went to pick it up. It was just a slip of parchment with a short note scrawled on it.

M,

I knew you would sleep all day if I let you, so I arranged a wake-up call. Get yourself up and in one of those sinful sundresses that you packed, and come rescue me.

-S

I smiled and ran off to the bathroom to get myself ready. I really took my time, making sure my makeup was perfect, before slipping on a pale pink sundress that hugged my figure perfectly, with a tiny bit of flare in the skirt. I knew it would drive him wild. I still had the nagging thought that something bad was going to happen. Sort of like waiting for the other shoe to drop. I pushed that thought as far back as I could as I studied myself in the mirror. Deciding I was good enough to knock him out, I headed out. I stopped at the counter in the inn and asked for directions to the apothecary before heading out. Walking along the cobblestones, I relished in the warmth of late summer sun. Soon, the weather would change and it would be dreary and cold, but for now the sun chased any thoughts of the fall away. I found the apothecary shop fairly easily, even if it was tucked further back from the main street of the village. I spied Snape through the window, and smiled watching him work. He was bent over some sort of ledger, his nose barely an inch from the page as he scribbled something down, copying something from the notebook in front of him. I opened the shop door, and he looked up as the bell overhead jingled. His whole face seemed to transform as he took the sight of me in. His whole presence seemed to warm as he stood and walked over to me. He wrapped me in his arms and kissed me deeply.

"What was that for?" I asked, a little breathlessly. He smirked as he started to head for the door.

"I'm sorry, am I not allowed to kiss you?" His playful tone almost caught me off guard. It was like he had gone to bed and woken up as a different person. Maybe this was the real Severus that had been hiding behind those dark walls all these years. I shook my head and followed him as he called into the back of the store that he would be back in a few hours.

"Of course you are." I said as he slipped his hand in mine, walking me down the street. "It just took me a little by surprise. You've never been that affectionate in public before." He nodded.

"I know, but things are different now. Very different." His hand that was holding mine gave a little squeeze and it did its job in reassuring me. He lead me along until we reached a very charming little tea shop. Inside, the tables were very clearly set up for small groups. Tables of two and three dotted the small floor of the shop. It looked exactly as a tearoom should look, I thought. There were lace doilies on every table, and a vase of fresh flowers. Severus led me to one close to the window, so I could look out at the still unfamiliar street. We ate our fill of tiny cakes and finger sandwiches, all the while I was very aware that we were being watched. I knew Severus felt it as well, since he checked over his shoulder more than necessary as they finished up. Once outside the restaurant, we decided to take a little stroll. I still felt like eyes were glued to me as we went along, and I could feel Severus starting to get a little agitated. I felt the presence lifting as we left the village and headed closer to the little cottages and farms that dotted the country side. Once we reached the end of the street, there was a small garden style park with a few benches and a pond. I could no longer feel whatever prying eyes had been on us, and I turned to Severus who, almost impercetively, shook his head. It wasn't safe to talk about here. I kissed his cheek, and we sat on a wooden bench, just watching a family of ducks lazily glide across its surface. We stayed there for a few hours. Occasionally talking, occasionally stealing a kiss or two, and just enjoying each other's company. It was starting to get dark by the time we made it back to the Inn. Once we got to our room, he swept me up nto his arms..

"We'll talk about it London. I swear." He walked over to me and gave me a heated kiss. "I promise that I won't keep secrets from you." Another kiss. "I promise to protect you" Another, longer this time. "I promise you will be safe." With that he gave me a searing kiss, clutching me to him as if he were afraid that I would evaporate into thin air. We only resurfaced once, to move to the bed. He held me close as we drifted off to sleep. I couldn't shake the feeling of eyes on me, even though I knew they were long gone, whoever they were.

The next morning, I'm up as soon as the sun hits the horizon. I quietly snuck out of bed and sat by the window. I needed to think. I could name a few people who would watch our every move, and none of them were friendly. I sat chewing on my thumbnail until the pink steaks of sun just peeking over the horizon became long golden ray that fell across his face. I watched him sleeping for a moment. He seemed younger, when he was sleeping. Almost innocent. The way his hair fell across his face almost made me melt. I made up my mind as I watched him. I trusted him, full stop. I knew this man would never lead me into any harm, and I felt a warm rush of relief wash over me. He opened his eyes slowly.

"What are you doing over there?", he asked in a sleepy voice. I smiled softly and walked over to him, climbing back into the bed. I nuzzled into his chest and sigh.

"I was just thinking is all." I said. "I'm not really used to being…watched." I felt him sigh and he kissed the top of my head.

"I know." He didn't say anything for a while, he just held me, stroking my back.