Hold Me Close

Hermione knew that the password to get out of the chamber would be “lemon drop.” No one had told her, but she knew that Dumbledore loved lemon drops, and she thought that the idea of her finding the box would make him happy, and when he was happy, he had his lemon drops.


As Hermione ascended the stairs, a horrible thought occurred to her: Minerva was going to want to know why she thought Severus was innocent. She was going to want to know why Hermione had taken an interest in the man. Fear gripped Hermione’s stomach. She had to talk to Severus first.


She returned to Severus’ rooms and tucked the box safely away inside a trunk she found in the corner of the room, near the four poster bed. She had to contact Severus. He would know what to do. She sat down at his desk, and scribbled a note.


S,

Got what we need, but I need to see you as soon as possible. I will wait for you in the Shrieking Shack until you are able to meet me.

H.


She stole away to the owlery. She did not care how long she had to wait for him in the Shrieking Shack. She chose a tawny barn owl and tied the charm and the note to its leg.


She made her way back to Severus’ chambers and tucked the box safely under her arm. She had to get to the Shrieking Shack undetected…the box she carried bore Severus’ name, and that in itself was enough to raise some serious questions.


Hermione, by some fate of the gods, managed to make out of the castle undetected. Silently, she slipped away towards Hogsmeade, and the Shrieking Shack. She opened the rickety door and walked inside, over to the couch Severus had conjured during their earlier visit.


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Several hours later, Hermione awoke to find it was dark outside. She hadn’t remembered falling asleep. She drew up her knees and wondered if Severus had gotten her letter. Suddenly, the door to the shack burst open and Severus entered the room, looking concerned. He strode over to the couch and embraced Hermione.


“What happened?” he asked her as he sat next to her on the couch.


“It occurred to me that it all looks rather suspicious,” she said, fear in her eyes. “Even when we do clear your name, there’s still the issue of Voldemort, and if he finds out about this, he’ll kill you for sure,” she finished, tears beginning to form.


“I had thought about that.,” he replied, his face somber. “Perhaps Minerva can be trusted to keep it in confidence once she sees the proof of my innocence.”


Hermione was suddenly reminded of the box. She handed it to Severus.


“This is what I found in the room. There are some things in there for others as well. Notes of farewell, I expect,” she said, as he opened the lid.


“Typical Albus,” he said, looking at the will. He’s left everything he owned to Potter, for their ‘secret mission.’ Well, almost everything. There are a few material things he left to both Minerva and myself…and he’s left some books to you,” Severus said, looking up at Hermione.


“I really think Ron should be the first to know aside from you,” Hermione said, seriously. “I do not think what I have with him will be reparable…and quite frankly, I would rather it not be. I know it will be impossible to be with you now, not the way things are. I only hope that this war sees an end, and perhaps we can raise our child together,” Hermione said, tears stinging her eyes.


“I could not want anything more,” he said cupping her chin in his hand. “I have always had a wall around my heart. Ever since I watched my father repeatedly abuse my mother. I have never been the type of person to treat others justly and kindly. Most of my life has been spent being ridiculed and hated by others. A person cannot change entirely in the span of a few months, but you have made me remember that heart hidden beneath those many walls,” He finished, wiping a tear away from her cheek.


“Let me tell Ron when I go to Godric’s Hollow in a few days. Then we can present the evidence to Minerva, clearing your name. Hopefully Ron will have enough sense to keep this secret, as more than just your life would be at stake,” Hermione said, looking at him intently.


“I think you are right. I know if the situation were reversed, I would want to hear it from you, and I would want to be the first to know…aside from the father of course,” Severus said. He bent down and kissed her passionately on the lips, both their bodies trembling.


A/N: Sorry this has taken so long to update, September is a really full month in my family. This chapter is also a bit short as well, but it is a transitional chapter, and the next one will be faster in updating and longer I promise. Please R&R to feed my starving muse. Also a special thanks to L’Vanna for letting me bounce ideas off of her.