Melancholy Affection

Author's Note: Sorry this chappie took so long, i've been back and re-written it about six times now. Hope it doesn't disappoint.


Severus thrust Draco backwards into the waiting arms of Potter and his colleagues as he strode towards the manor’s staircase. It swept majestically upwards, but Severus headed past the foot of the stairs to a small oak door underneath it. He yanked it open to reveal a staircase with a door at it’s foot. As he began to descend he sensed powerful magic. Wand at the ready, he cast spells and incantations to reveal the type of wards that protected the door. He knew that there would be more than one, any half-sensible wizard would have used more than one ward. His mind whirred as he tried to think of the right way to disable the ward without alerting Lucius. It wasn’t an easy one, but Severus expected Lucius’ wards to be as complex as his own. Severus unbuttoned his robe, folded it and, after casting an Impervious charm to keep the dirt and grime of the cellar steps off, laid it on the stairs. He sat down, resting his chin in his hands, eyes focused as his mind went a mile a minute. He was so engrossed in his task that he didn’t notice the footsteps behind him. He jumped as Harry’s voice broke the silence.

“Need some help, Professor?” Severus jumped, not expecting the sound. He turned to see Potter standing with his robes torn.

“I’m wondering if I should just burst through them, but I have a feeling that Lucius is wanting me to.” He narrowed his eyes to snake-like slits. “Ah ha!”

“Professor?” Harry raised an eyebrow.

“There’s a better way, Potter.” Severus stood and rolled his shirt sleeves up, pointing his wand at the keyhole he muttered “conjourus vereor.”

----

Lucius’ eyes widened in terror as the Dementor appeared in the centre of the room. This had been what he had feared ever since his escape from Azkaban. Hermione watched as Lucius backed against the stone wall of the cellar, his eyes wide and his face so pale it was almost white. He didn’t take his eyes from the swirling black of the Dementor’s robes, he flinched every time he heard the rattle of the Dementor’s breathing. Hermione wished she had her wand, but funnily enough she wasn’t feeling the sense of dread and depression that Dementors usually gave her. Lucius had frozen with his back to the wall, not even noticing as Hermione tugged at her bonds, making the chains chink noisily. She whipped her head round as the door crashed open. Her eyes widened.

“Severus!”

Severus crossed the cellar room in two easy strides, going straight through the Dementor in the middle of the room, making it disappear in swirls of black smoke. His hand flew out and closed around Lucius’ throat, his wand pointed squarely at Lucius’ face, a snarl on his lips and hate in his eyes. Harry followed him and ran to free Hermione from the chains.

“You ok, ‘Mione?” Harry asked. She nodded weakly. Harry gave her his cloak and made sure it was safe to leave her before crossing to where Severus held Lucius captive. He stunned the wizard as Severus cast his “Incarcerous Ferreor” spell to wrap the Death Eater in iron bands. Harry jerked his head in Hermione’s direction as he muttered “Wingardium Leviosa”.

Severus gasped as he looked at her. Her face was covered in blood and dirt, she moved awkwardly and painfully, suggesting that she was hurt elsewhere. He knelt and raised her head so he could look into her eyes. She smiled before unconsciousness claimed her.

----

Hermione woke in St Mungo’s. She ached. She tried to sit up, crying out as she felt a stab of pain shoot through her ribs. Succeeding in raising herself a little, she took in her surroundings. It was a private room, oak panelled with a typical hospital bed, a small table at it’s side, and an armchair, in which Severus was asleep. She smiled at him. His hand lay on her blankets. A half finished cup of tea stood on the table.

Deciding not to wake him, she pressed the button on the table. One of the mediwitches came in, carrying a tray with food. Hermione didn’t realise how hungry she was and accepted it gratefully. The mediwitch looked at the sleeping Severus and smiled.

“Do you know,” she whispered to Hermione, “He’s been here ever since he carried you through the doors.” She sighed. The young mediwitch had never seen anything so romantic. Hermione gazed fondly at him and smiled. The mediwitch fussed with the blankets and pulled back the curtains. Severus grunted as he began to wake up. Hermione grasped his hand as he opened his eyes. He started up for a moment, not realising where he was before seeing Hermione and relaxing back into his chair.

----

Severus never left her side. He ate at her bedside and slept there. When Hermione was strong enough he took her back to his rooms at Hogwarts.

As they sat cuddled together on the sofa in his sitting room watching the flames in the fireplace dance he felt as happy as he thought he could be. Slowly he turned to her and nuzzled her hair. With the hand that wasn’t around her shoulders he reached into the breast pocket. She turned to snuggle into his chest and he kissed her gently on the forehead.

“Hermione?” he mumbled against her forehead.

“Mmm?” She replied.

Severus pulled the ring out of his pocket and held his palm out.

“Marry me?”

She looked up into his face, her eyes beaming with happiness. Reaching out, she kissed him as he slipped the ring onto her finger.