The sound of Meeley's soft voice startled Hermione from her dreamless sleep.
"Sorry, Miss."
"What's wrong, Meeley?" The tiny house-elf raised her hand, gesturing for Hermione to stay quiet before pointing across her body. The action made Hermione turn her head, curious to see why Meeley was anxious. She was caught off guard by the sleeping form of Voldemort next to her. The glow from the fireplace highlighting his presence as he slept undisturbed. Of course, it was not unusual for them to share the bed, but waking up before him was a bit of a surprise. However, from everything that occurred earlier that morning, she couldn't blame his exhaustion. Hermione's thoughts went back to the hours before. It had been a very hands-on demonstration of exactly how much he had missed her. Their closeness and, dare she say, sweet endearments reinforced what she already knew. Their shared passion while locked in each other's embrace was a truly magical encounter. It was her own way of saying 'I love you', even if those words haven't been spoken between them. She missed him terribly why he was away and didn't want to leave the comfort of their bed.
"Miss?" The quiet voice of Meeley brought her back from her reminiscing and Hermione felt bad ignoring her friend.
"Oh, I'm sorry Meeley. Do you need anything?"
"No, Miss, but the Headmaster is here for your lessons. He's waiting for you."
"Damn it," cursed Hermione as she jumped out of bed, not caring in the least of her nudity in front of Meeley. Besides Voldemort, Meeley was the second being who had seen her bare body more often than anyone else. She turned to the brass clock by her bed and noticed it was half-past eleven. "Meeley, I hate to ask, but is there any way you can..."
"I will serve Headmaster tea and let him know you're on the way."
"Thank you, Meeley," replied Hermione, giving the elf a tight hug before she disappeared with a snap.
Fifteen minutes later Hermione was sitting in the potions lab, showered and with a belly filled with tea, toast, and eggs. Meeley insisted she eat before learning, so Hermione made sure to eat whatever Meeley had prepared for her.
"Having a rough start to your morning or in everyone else's case afternoon?" Asked Severus, as he added sprigs of lavender to the mortar before crushing it roughly with the pestle. Hermione watched his hands work, grinding the other ingredients into a paste before her attention redirected back to his question.
"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. He returned this morning," said Hermione, stirring the contents of the cauldron in front of her. "And he-" Severus raised a hand before looking around the lab. Hermione knew he was making sure they were alone. Despite his nod to continue, she kept her voice low under the bubbling sound of the cauldron. "Did you know he can take on a-" Severus raised a dark brow. "More approachable form?" She watched as Severus took his time, thinking about the statement she just made.
"I have heard the Dark Lord has the ability to do so, but I have not witnessed such magic."
"It's quite...impressive."
"I've no doubt. The Dark Lord works constantly to gain supporters. I'm sure others will not be so supportive of his current...state of appearance. Especially those not in wizarding Britain." Severus's response stopped any more conversation about Voldemort. She knew there was a risk when the object of their discussion was only a room away.
The duo continued their work, prepping, adding, stirring, waiting, and then finally bottling. The process of these sessions was becoming second nature to Hermione; she thought she deserved an honorary title of Potions Master. Waiting for the last of the potion to be completed, Hermione handed Severus a bottle of the potion.
"Here, you need this more than anyone right now," she smiled. "You also look dreadful."
"Well, you're one to talk," he replied, snatching the bottle with a smirk.
"Me?" Asked Hermione, dramatically holding her hand against her chest in false outrage. "I'll have you know, Snape, it took me a whole ten minutes to put this look together."
"And if it were a N.E.W.T., Miss Granger, I would have to administer a T." Hermione's mouth fell open. "You might have cut it all off, but that nest of yours could never be anything else."
"You prick!" With that, a deep and deliciously rich laugh escaped the brooding Headmaster. The sound was sincere and infectious. Hermione couldn't help but join in and share the joy that was sparked between them.
"Forgive me for-"
"No, don't you dare apologize," laughed Hermione, moving closer to wipe the tears that gathered in the corner of his black eyes. "I find your insults somewhat charming now."
"Then should I continue?" He asked, straightening his posture.
"Absolutely not!" Hermione laughed again. It wasn't until the laughter died down she realized how close she was to her former professor. Her hand still on his face where she used her fingertips to clear his tears. She heard herself swallow rather than feel it. "Are...you feeling a little better."
"Much," he replied. Hermione removed her hand slowly, only to be aware that the distance between them didn't falter. The weight of Severus's hand resting on her hip was comforting and also shameful. What is happening? His dark eyes were intensive, filled with affection, pain, and secrets. "Hermione?"
"Please don't," she breathed.
"Why give him something, he can't return?" Severus moved his hand and lightly traced a finger across Hermione's jawline before turning away and pressing both hands against the bench in front of them. Hermoine wasn't sure how to answer. She placed a hand on his forearm and he carefully placed his over hers. "It always ends in pain."
"I wish, I knew the- Severus!"
Hermione's shout echoed through the lab as she watched Severus drop to the stone floor. She instantly fell to her knees pushing back his raven locks to determine what had happened. The convulsion of his body was so strong she could feel the vibrations absorb through her hands. The agony on his slender face was evident and heartbreaking. She felt completely helpless cupping his cheeks, trying to bring some sense of comfort as the movements became worse.
"How dare you touch her, you deceitful fool!" The anger in the voice above her caused the hair on her neck to rise. She looked up to see Voldemort, his wand pointed directly at Severus. The outrage in his scarlet eyes was pure fire, ready to destroy whatever got in its way. Before any words could be spilled from her lips, she suddenly felt his hand around her arm, pulling her away from Severus.
"Stop!" Hermione screamed, but her plea was muted against his rage. At this point, she knew nothing would stop his thirst for punishment. A punishment that was unintentionally her fault. Tears fell from her eyes and the despair that swallowed the room filled her heart. I have to do this! Without questioning the consequences, Hermione forcefully unshackled herself from Voldemort's iron grip, pushing herself away from the wizard. It only took her a moment to fall to the floor before she used her body to shield her suffering friend.
Now, I can't promise that updates will be faster, but I will try my hardest to not take five months to do so. Thank you to those still reading and thank you to my new readers. Also, a big shout out to Pamela RR for her support!