As Hermione slowly stirred from sleep, she became aware of the softness beneath her head and the sensation of something enveloping her. Groggily, she opened her eyes and found herself nestled against Severus, his arms draped protectively around her. The realization brought a flutter of warmth to her chest, and she couldn't suppress the fond smile that crept onto her lips. She suddenly became aware that she had shifted to his side of the bed unintentionally, and he must have held her close without realizing it.
Hermione gingerly adjusted herself, attempting not to disturb Severus as she extricated herself from his embrace. However, just as she began to move away, he instinctively snuggled closer to her, tightening his hold.
Feeling unable to break free from his firm hold, Hermione surrendered to his embrace, resting her head back down and allowing herself to be held for a few more minutes. Unsure whether to attempt to extricate herself again or to rouse him from sleep, she hesitated, torn between the two options.
As she lay silently in the warmth of his arms, Hermione couldn't help but acknowledge how comforting and secure she felt nestled beside him. Despite the initial awkwardness of their arrangement, there was an undeniable sense of closeness and intimacy that she hadn't expected.
Sensing him stirring, Hermione felt his arms stiffen around her, signaling his awakening. Not wanting to prolong the potentially awkward situation, she gently extricated herself from his embrace and swiftly retreated to her side of the bed.
As she noticed him awakening, Hermione felt compelled to apologize for encroaching on his side of the bed. "Sorry," she murmured softly, her voice still heavy with sleep.
Severus blinked, his gaze softening as he observed her tousled hair and sleep-laden eyes. "Obviously, I wasn't complaining about it," he replied quietly, his voice warm despite the early hour.
Hermione shyly confessed, "It felt nice." After admitting this, she felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. Deciding to change the subject, she inquired, "Can we try Occlumency again later?"
Severus rolled his eyes slightly and said, "You've just woken up, and you're already asking to learn something?" His tone carried a teasing yet serious undertone. "Yes, we can try again later after class. I wonder what other secrets I'll uncover," he mused rhetorically.
"Hopefully none," she grumbled in annoyance.
Severus chuckled softly at her response. With a smirk, Severus pulled the sheets off of him and rose from the bed, heading to the bathroom, leaving Hermione to her thoughts.
Taking a seat beside Harry at the Gryffindor Table, Hermione exchanged morning greetings before beginning to serve herself some breakfast.
"Good morning, Hermione. You look refreshed," Harry remarked with a warm smile. Glancing around the Great Hall, he leaned in closer to whisper, "Hey, Hermione, could you lend me a hand with my potion's essay later? It's due tomorrow, and I'm really struggling."
Hermione paused, setting down her fork with a furrowed brow. "How much progress have you made?" she inquired.
Harry glanced down at his plate, mumbling, "Not much. Maybe a paragraph, if that."
Rolling her eyes, Hermione responded firmly, "I'll help you after class, but I won't write it for you."
"Why not? You used to be eager to help," Harry protested, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "Hermione, come on. You know I'm terrible at potions," he pleaded, hoping to sway her.
Ignoring his plea, Hermione continued, "Harry, we're in our seventh year now. This discussion has happened every year, but this time, I mean it." She nervously glanced around the Great Hall before leaning in closer to Harry and whispering in his ear, "I've been doing Occlumency lessons, and if he looks into my mind, he'll know that I wrote it."
Harry shrugged and replied sarcastically, "He can't give detention to his wife."
Hermione glared at him and growled, "Don't make me sock you."
They both burst into laughter. Hermione wrapped her arms around him in a hug and replied, "Alright, I'll come up with a solution."
Unbeknownst to Harry and Hermione, Professor Snape observed them with an unsettling sensation churning in his gut. His gaze hardened as he watched Harry's arms envelop Hermione. "My wife," his inner voice reverberated, a stark reminder of her rightful place by his side. He battled against the burgeoning wave of jealousy, but it surged relentlessly. With every fiber of his being, he resisted the impulse to rise from his seat, cross the hall, and command Harry to release her from his embrace.
Feeling a surge of irrationality, Severus succumbed to an impulse he knew was unbecoming of him. Deliberately, he touched the ring on his finger, a petty act of satisfaction coursing through him as he observed Hermione's startled reaction, causing her to instinctively retreat from Harry's embrace.
Severus attempted to mask his action as inadvertent, nonchalantly lifting his teacup to his lips and taking a sip. When Hermione's gaze finally met his, his expression remained impassive, but a subtle sense of satisfaction simmered within him, gratified that he had successfully captured her attention away from the boy wonder.
Later that afternoon, as promised, Hermione met Harry in the library. Without delay, they delved into their work. Hermione retrieved her potions textbook and guided Harry through the relevant sections, pointing out the key information he would need to incorporate into his essay.
Harry began the essay confidently, crafting a strong opening paragraph. However, as he delved into the main body of the essay, he found himself glancing over at Hermione once more, seeking her assistance. Hermione sighed inwardly, feeling a twinge of frustration at Harry's continued reliance on her, wishing he would demonstrate more initiative in his work.
Aware that she couldn't refuse Harry's plea for help, Hermione quickly scanned the library to ensure they were alone. Satisfied, she discreetly tapped Harry's quill with her wand. Almost immediately, the quill began to move across the parchment, guided by an unseen force. Harry's hand followed along, effortlessly producing paragraph after paragraph under the influence of Hermione's spell.
Finally, the spell ended when his essay reached the satisfactory amount of pages their professor required. With a relieved sigh, Harry set down the quill and rubbed his wrists, amazed by the sudden flurry of writing. Turning to Hermione, he asked in awe, "How did you do that?"
Hermione offered Harry a shy smile and replied, "It was a spell I came across in a book once." Her expression turned serious as she continued, "But please, don't mention it to anyone else. Just submit your essay as usual to avoid raising any suspicions."
With the weight of the completed essay off his shoulders, Harry cleared his throat and broached the sensitive topic. "So, about Ron..." he began tentatively, meeting Hermione's gaze. Despite her initial glare, she gestured for him to continue. "Ron was hoping that you two could be friends again. He was just being..."
Hermione interrupted him, her tone firm. "Himself? Yes, I know that. Ron is immature. He says things without thinking, but when he knew I wanted him to stop and he chose to continue pushing it, that's where I drew the line. Yes, Severus and I are married. That's not going to change, but what needs to change is his attitude about it."
Harry nodded hesitantly and said, "I agree, but it's only been a week, Hermione. You have to give him more time than that. Besides, you two have been through so much together. Can you really throw away seven years of friendship?"
Hermione relented, swayed by Harry's words. "I suppose you're right. I can't stay mad at him forever. You can tell Ron that I forgive him and that we can be friends again."
The two eagerly continued to talk in the library, engrossed in their conversation, unaware of the time slipping away. They discussed their upcoming future, their classes, and everything in between, enjoying each other's company.
As they finally stood up from the table and headed out of the library doors, Harry hugged Hermione goodnight and headed in the opposite direction toward Gryffindor Tower. Hermione watched him go, a small pang of sadness gripping her as she couldn't follow. Suddenly, she was reminded of her plans for Occlumency lessons and realized she had totally forgotten about it.
Hermione glanced at her wristwatch and realized it was nearly curfew. If she didn't hurry, she would be late getting back to her rooms. Married or not, she still had to abide by the rules. With that thought, she turned on her heel and started briskly down the corridor, her footsteps echoing against the stone walls as she hurried to reach her destination before curfew.
Breathless and slightly disheveled, Hermione finally arrived at the portrait hole she had been seeking. The winding staircases had seemed to conspire against her, leading her in the wrong direction multiple times. As she caught her breath, she glanced at her wristwatch and bit back a groan when she saw that she was already past curfew.
Deciding not to waste any more time, Hermione nervously cleared her throat and whispered the password to the painting. The portrait swung open, and she stepped inside, only to be greeted by the sight of her husband pacing back and forth with a deep scowl etched on his face.
Hermione silently hoped that she could slip in unnoticed, but as always, Severus seemed to perceive everything. His pacing came to an abrupt halt, and his piercing black gaze locked onto hers without hesitation. Before he could say anything, she interjected hastily, "Homework," hoping to deflect any questions or concerns he might have.
"You said you finished all of it," he reminded her sharply, arms crossed in irritation.
"Not mine," she blurted out, instantly regretting her words. She tried to step around him, but he stopped her abruptly. With a sigh, she said, "Look, I'm sorry I was late. I know I said I wanted to do occlumency lessons tonight but then I got busy with something else."
"With whom?" Severus asked, not missing a beat. He continued to stand over her, refusing to let her pass.
Hermione didn't understand why he was acting like this, but she reluctantly admitted, "I was with Harry."
The jealousy he felt earlier came rushing back, more intense this time. The thought of his wife alone with that boy angered him. "What did you do with him?" he demanded, his tone sharp and accusatory.
Hermione frowned, sensing his anger emanating in waves. "Homework, I already said that," she replied, her annoyance evident in her tone.
"Right, just like how you were only talking this morning at breakfast," Severus retorted, his voice tinged with skepticism. "What else besides homework did you two do?" He asked again.
Hermione's frustration boiled over. "I'm allowed to have friends, Severus," she growled, tossing aside any pretense of deference. At this moment, he wasn't her professor; he was her husband, and she felt he was treating her unfairly.
Severus's retort was sharp and unyielding. "Doesn't seem like it when you're rubbing your body all over him," he snapped, his temper flaring momentarily.
The realization hit Hermione like a thunderbolt. At that moment, she understood. He was jealous. As irrational as it seemed, he wanted her, and he didn't want her to be with anyone else but him. Hermione couldn't suppress a laugh, finding it amusing that Severus would entertain such illusions in his mind.
Hermione spoke firmly, her tone cutting through the tension in the room. "Severus, you know me better than that. I did not do anything with Harry. I am married to you. I take my vows very seriously, just as I expect you to."
"Show me," Severus said suddenly. "Show me that you didn't do anything with him."
Hermione didn't want to do that either. He would know about the spell she used on his quill to help him write his essay. She averted his gaze, feeling guilty about the fact that he was going to find out that she helped Harry cheat. Seeing no other way around it she reluctantly nodded and said, "Fine." She met his intense gaze head-on and waited for his intrusion into her mind.
Severus withdrew from Hermione's mind after glimpsing the memory, his expression unreadable. He took a few steps back, creating a bit of distance between them. Hermione felt a sense of relief wash over her now that he had seen the truth.
Her relieved smile was immediately wiped from her face when she saw the look of frustration on his face. "A spell, Hermione?" he snarled, his voice laced with disappointment.
Hermione averted her gaze, feeling a pang of guilt for disappointing Severus. "Please don't take it out on Harry," she pleaded softly. "The spell was my idea. A foolish one, but it was my decision."
"What do you expect me to do?" Severus thundered, his voice laced with frustration. "I cannot willingly accept that as his work, knowing it is not really his."
Hermione didn't have an answer. "I didn't think you would notice," she admitted quietly, her voice tinged with regret.
Severus snorted immediately at her response. "Are you calling me incompetent?" he demanded, his tone sharp with offense.
Hermione stumbled over her words, feeling the weight of his accusation. "No, I didn't mean that," she quickly clarified, realizing her response still sounded disrespectful. "I just thought that maybe this one would…" she trailed off unsure how to say it without being disrespectful about it.
Severus nodded, his expression softening slightly as he saw Hermione's realization. "I read every essay that crosses my desk. Some are better than others. I would notice in a heartbeat if Harry bloody Potter suddenly started writing like you," he explained, his tone firm but not as harsh as before.
"I'm sorry," Hermione mumbled, her voice heavy with regret for her impulsive decision.
Severus's tone was sharp as he added, "Tell that to him when he has to do it over again without your help." He couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment as his next words slipped out, "I expected better from you."
Feeling the familiar pang of hurt in her chest, Hermione turned away, retreating to the solitude of the bedroom. Once alone, she was mortified to find tears welling in her eyes. As she hurriedly attempted to brush away the tears, they stubbornly continued to fall, tracing a path down her cheeks despite her efforts.
Hermione's frustration boiled over, her emotions swirling within her like a tempest. The weight of Severus's words hit her with unexpected force, igniting a surge of anger and hurt. Without thinking, she ripped off her shoe and hurled it against the wall with all the force she could muster, a physical release for the turmoil within her.
Severus stood in the living room, his emotions churning within him like a brewing storm. He knew he had been harsh with Hermione, but his jealousy had clouded his judgment, causing him to lash out. He sighed heavily, feeling a mix of guilt and regret wash over him.
Slowly, he made his way to the bedroom, steeling himself for the conversation that needed to happen. As he entered the room, he found Hermione sitting on the bed, her tear-streaked face a reflection of the turmoil within her. He hesitated for a moment before approaching her, his expression softening with concern.
"Hermione," he began, his voice gentle yet tinged with remorse, "I... I didn't mean to hurt you. I let my emotions get the better of me, and I said things I shouldn't have."
He paused, searching her eyes for any sign of forgiveness, or understanding. "I'm sorry," he said simply, his apology sincere.
Hermione nodded silently, acknowledging his apology. "I forgive you, Severus. I know the law has made things difficult and it will take time to navigate through these new feelings."
Severus nodded in agreement, pleased that she understood and was being mature about it. "It will be easier when you're no longer a student," he admitted, recognizing the complexities of their situation.
"Were you the reason I felt that intense burning sensation this morning at breakfast?" Hermione asked suddenly.
Severus paused before nodding reluctantly. "I wanted your attention without appearing foolish," he confessed, his voice laced with regret. "I didn't appreciate seeing him so close to you."
"You know Harry and I are just friends, right? He's in love with Ginny," Hermione reminded him.
Severus nodded, acknowledging her words. "I know," he replied, his tone softer now. "I just... let my emotions get the better of me."
"Do you want to talk about why?" Hermione asked boldly.
Severus hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "It's complicated," he admitted. "But perhaps... I owe you an explanation."
Severus remained silent for the next few minutes. He retreated to the bathroom, where he changed into a pair of black pajama pants and a T-shirt. Returning to the bedroom, he slipped under the sheets and lay there, gazing up at the ceiling, lost in thought.
Hermione respected his need for silence as she readied herself for bed. When she returned to their shared space, she was surprised when Severus drew her closer to him, their bodies almost touching.
Severus's voice was barely audible in the dimly lit room, the weight of his words heavy with vulnerability. His fingers grazed Hermione's arm as he confessed, his touch hesitant yet deliberate. "I've always had a tendency to hold tightly to what I consider mine," he continued, his gaze fixed on some distant point beyond the ceiling. "But lately, it's as if something has shifted. I find myself inexplicably drawn to you, more so than I care to admit." There was a raw honesty in his admission, a rare glimpse into the complexities of his emotions.
Severus's voice wavered slightly, betraying the inner turmoil he was experiencing. His words, though soft, carried a weight of vulnerability that was unusual for him. "I've divulged secrets I swore to keep buried, shared facets of myself I'd long deemed unworthy of revealing," he confessed, his eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight. "Yet despite my efforts to distance myself from you, you persist in seeking deeper understanding. It's both baffling and... unsettling." There was a hint of self-reproach in his tone as if he struggled to reconcile his own guarded nature with the unexpected warmth he felt toward Hermione.
Severus's admission hung in the air, heavy with unspoken implications. He struggled to articulate the unfamiliar emotions coursing through him, emotions he had long denied himself. "Tonight, when you didn't show, I was... upset," he confessed, the words feeling foreign on his tongue. "Not because I wanted you to master Occlumency more quickly, but because I..." He faltered, grappling with the vulnerability of admitting his true feelings, emotions he had buried deep within himself for years. "I like spending time with you."
Hermione smiled softly at him, pleased that he was being so open with her. "I like spending time with you too, Severus. I'm sorry I wasn't here tonight. I promise I'll make up for it."
Severus felt a rush of relief wash over him at Hermione's response, grateful for her understanding and the reassurance in her words. Her smile, though soft, seemed to light up the room, and he found himself momentarily captivated by it. "Thank you, Hermione," he murmured, his voice carrying a blend of gratitude and vulnerability. "I look forward to it."
With a mix of hesitation and longing, Severus leaned in and pressed his lips against Hermione's, a gentle and tender kiss that spoke volumes of the emotions swirling inside him. In that moment, he let go of the barriers his mind had erected, allowing his heart to guide him towards her. It was a silent declaration of the depth of his feelings for her, a wordless promise of his affection and desire.
As he pulled back, Severus couldn't help but notice the dazed look in Hermione's eyes, a silent confirmation of the effect his kiss had on her. Despite the warmth that spread through him at her response, a pang of anguish gripped his heart as he spoke again, his voice laced with vulnerability. "I want to be a good husband to you, and I already feel like I've failed."
Hermione shook her head, her expression gentle yet resolute. "That's not true, Severus. Relationships aren't perfect, and I don't expect you to be either. We're both learning as we go, and that's okay."
Severus was grateful for her understanding. Tenderly, he pushed a lock of hair out of her face. "So tomorrow, do you want to make a plan to try Occlumency again?" he asked softly.
Hermione eagerly nodded. "Yes, I'd like that. Do you have any tips for me?"
Severus smiled faintly at her enthusiasm. "Yes, I do. Clear your mind as much as possible. Focus on a single thought or emotion that you can easily control, like a happy memory or a feeling of determination. It's important to maintain that focus and not let your thoughts wander."
Hermione locked that information away for later. She snuggled deeper into her pillow, feeling exhaustion starting to take over. "Goodnight, Severus."
"Goodnight, Hermione," Severus replied softly, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before he too settled into the bed, ready to rest.