On a Night Like This

Disclaimer: everything belongs to JKR, I am making no money

Chapter Nine: Fatally Yours

Harry, Ron and Hermione stood frozen, mouths open. Draco stood, arms crossed and leaning against the wall, smiling faintly at his godfather.

He nudged Harry, rousing him from his stupor. He gently guided at his flabbergasted best friends out of the room with a look back at Draco, who was already approaching the pair.

Severus looked at him quizzically. “You act like you expected this.” Draco smirked, pleased that he had put something together before him for once. “Actually I did. I thought I recognized you Bella, and it fell into place when I saw you two together.”

“I had to get something out of your chambers some time ago, the instructions for a complex potion we were making. Remember?” Severus nodded, recalling sending the boy to fetch the parchment.

“Well it was in a stack with some personal stuff. It wasn’t anything exciting, really. A few lists you had made and other odds and ends. There were several pictures of Snape Manor, including one with you and I that I don’t remember having taken. There was one, however, that caught my eye. It was you standing alone. Just as I thought it odd that you would have a photo of yourself, a woman walked past. I only caught a glimpse, but she looked exquisite.”

Bella blushed; all the Malfoy men were extraordinary flirts. “I probably wouldn’t have thought of it upon seeing you, Bella, because as I said I only caught a glimpse. But dear Uncle Severus here has a weakness, he talks in his sleep.” Severus scowled. He knew it was true; it had always embarrassed him to no end. “It does not happen frequently, though. I have only heard you a few times. But one of those times you cried out a name: Belladonna.”

Severus nodded, satisfied. Draco went to leave, kissing Bella’s hand overdramatically. “Until next time, my lady, Uncle Severus.” He turned and began to exit the dungeons. Severus called out “Draco, I am most impressed at you skills in deduction. But you would do well to remember that well chivalry is admirable, she is still my wife.” Draco snorted and kept walking.

“Well, wife?” Severus drawled, turning to face Bella. “I believe you know the answer to that question, husband. Take me to bed!” Severus made a low bow and scooped her up in his arms, giggling. “As my lady wishes.”

------------------------

Harry was guiding a shell shocked Ron and Hermione to their rooms. Mentally he was grumbling about their reaction. Of course it was surprising. He never imagined Snape capable of love, let alone having someone love him. But honestly, this was extreme. You would think the entire world collapsed around them.

Suddenly Hermione squirmed out of his grip. “I’m fine,” she said, “just a little surprised. Who would have thought? I mean professor Snape…” she tittered nervously. “I think maybe I’ll just take a nice bath. A little relaxation is all I need.”

Harry eyed her suspiciously. He didn’t believe her story one bit, but she was walking and talking while Ron was still doing his best impersonation of a zombie. Nodding hesitantly, he continued into their rooms.

Hermione turned and ran down the hall, hot tears obscuring her vision. She could not see where she was headed, nor did she care. Thus she had no warning when she slammed into something warm and large. She simply wrapped her arms around it and released her tears.

Sirius looked down at the sobbing witch in his arms. He was at once murderously angry at whoever made her cry and guiltily grateful because it brought her to him. He picked her up and carried her to his chambers.

--------------------

Back in their rooms, Harry was awkwardly patting Ron’s back. “It’s all right, mate. It could even be good, perhaps she could make him nicer,” he said suggestively. Ron slowly turned to look at him. He had a feeling this had a lot more to do than Snape’s icky relationships. That even sounded strange in his head, Snape having relationships.

Ron whimpered quietly. “I’m going to be alone forever! Even Snape has someone…” he trailed off sadly. Harry was confused for a moment. “But all those girls you are with,” he paused, waiting. “Never go farther than publicly tolerating my advances,” Ron finished sadly. “Everyone thinks I am such a playboy, but I have hardly even kissed a girl!”

Harry fought back the urge to laugh. He and Hermione had spent a lot of time teasing him about his constant women companions. It was actually rather sad that they were not interested in him. It must be a terrible blow to his ego to have such a false reputation. Well obliviously, he told himself, look at the poor sod.

“I am sure that you will find a lovely girl who absolutely adores you. It just takes some people longer. When you do I’m positive that she will be grateful that you didn’t nail all those girls like we thought you did.” Ron glared at him but he could see the twitch of a smile at his lips.

“What about you?” Ron asked, “Since it didn’t work out with my sister, have you got your eye on any pretty little witches?” Harry thought for a moment. He certainly had been thinking about a certain someone quite a lot recently. He wasn’t positive exactly how he felt, or really even what he was feeling. He resolved not to mention it until he came to a concrete decision, knowing that it would be hard for Ron to handle. Yes, there might be someone, he thought. One thing was for certain though. It was no witch.

------------------------

Sirius deposited the still-sobbing Hermione down on the couch next to him. After waiting a few minutes it became apparent that she was not going to stop anytime soon. Gently he placed a hand on her shoulder and asked, “Hermione, what is the matter? Who did this to you?” she sniffled and the tears finally seemed to slow.

“It’s nothing, silly really,” she said thickly. His hand began to rub her shoulder. “I highly doubt that you would cry over nothing. It is alright, you can tell me.” Tell me so I can kill them, he thought to himself.

“Professor Snape is married!” she blurted out, and then looked rather embarrassed. He sat, understanding. He too recognized Bella’s name from Severus’s sleep talking. Sirius knew Hermione had a crush on his friend but had no idea that it would have this kind of effect on her to see him with someone else.

Bracing himself, he told her the truth. “Severus is a grown man with someone who loves him. I know that you like him little one, but we should be happy for him.” Hermione looked at him with her tear streaked face. He resisted the urge to wipe those tears away, but his hands had a mind of their own. He caressed her cheeks with his thumbs and cupped her face.

“I am though. I know I had a silly crush, but that’s not why I’m crying.” She paused and gathered her thoughts. She hadn’t considered her reaction till now; she simply let her emotions put her on autopilot.

“It’s just that… I don’t think anyone will ever love me!” she cried this out quickly then turned red with shame. “I know its wrong, with Voldemort and all, but I can’t help thinking it.” She rotated her head so her eyes were obscured by his hands.

Sirius sat there, absolutely blown away. How could she possibly think anything like that? He lifted her chin so she looked him in the eye. “Everyone loves you, Hermione. You are a beautiful, brilliant witch that any man would consider himself extremely lucky to have. Do you understand me?”

Hermione stared at him. She tried to attempt rational thought for a moment but gave up. Returning to letting her emotions guide her, she did the first thing that came to mind. She kissed Sirius Black.

-------------------

Severus Snape set his wife down carefully on his bed. She lay there as the picture of beauty and lust, her hair spread about her face like a halo and her chest heaving slightly with desire.

He wanted badly to take her now but forced himself to wait, simply admiring the sight of her. There was so much to her, so much that he loved.

Standing there he contemplated the woman who was both his demise and his salvation.

-------------------------------

Please read and review! Thanks :)