Love Doesn\'t Ask Why

Loneliness in New York

Hermione opened her eyes and looked around. She was back. She stood in her bedroom all alone with her bag in her hand. She dropped the bag on the floor and walked out of her bedroom to find her three flat mates waiting for her. The living room was decorated in Welcome Home banners and they all held presents.

'Welcome home!' Alyssa said as she hugged Hermione. 'How was your break?'

'It was wonderful.' Hermione replied as she was motioned towards the sofa. 'I'm really going to miss them, wish I could have stayed.'

'So you didn't miss me then?' Daniel said as he placed his arm around Hermione.

'Of course I did but being home has just made me want to stay.' She said. 'Things at home have changed and I just didn't want to leave.'

'How are you though?' Kyle asked as he sat in the arm chair.

'I'm good.' She said with a smile. 'I'm physically fine.'

'Mentally?' Alyssa asked.

'Mentally I'm struggling I suppose. He hasn't been found and I know him and he'll try something else.' Hermione said as she looked at Daniel.

'Well we've been told by the Aurors that we have to stay with you and walk you from class to class. Also if we go out we stick together, no walking home alone anymore Hermione.' Daniel said.

'I know.' She said as she nodded. 'I've already been warned by Severus.'

'Severus? So you've seen the Professor while you were home?' Alyssa asked.

Hermione nodded and blushed. 'Quite a lot actually. We're dating.' She said smiling.

'Your new boyfriend is Professor Snape?' Kyle said smirking.

'I don't think Severus and boyfriend fit in the same sentence.' Hermione said smiling. 'He's my...'

'Lover?' Alyssa said sticking her tongue out.

'I am not discussing this with you guys.' She said as she shook her head.

'So will he be staying here on weekends?' Daniel asked.

'No. Well I don't think so. He's coming over in a few weeks to do a lecture and will be staying the whole week in a hotel near so I'll stay with him.' She said. 'So don't worry you won't see him around here.'

'Shame.' Kyle muttered.

After catching up with her housemates, Hermione went back to her room to unpack and then have a soak in her bath tub. Once she was finished in the bath she grabbed her leather diary and laid on her front on her bed.

Severus?

Hermione watched intently at the page waiting for Severus to write back. It felt like forever before she saw his handwriting appear in front of her. She smiled as she read his inscription; always worrying about her.

I'm here. Are you okay?

At Hogwarts, Severus sat in his office when he saw the diary light up letting him know Hermione had contacted him. When she had left this morning he had locked himself in his office away from everyone wishing she was her with him

I'm alright...I suppose. I miss you. My housemates are happy to have me home, they welcomed me back with open arms and everything's good here but it's not home. I've unpacked and had a bath and now I'm all alone and missing you.

Severus smiled at her comment; he was glad she was missing him as much as he was missing her.

I miss you too, ever so much. You'll be fine; the first night is always the hardest. I have written to Professor Glover to confirm the dates of my visit. As soon as I know I will tell you.

I was thinking maybe I could get a port key home a weekend. As I have Fridays off it would be easy for me to come Friday and stay till Sunday morning. I just don't like being away for you Severus.

And I don't like being away for you either. I hate how far you are from me and how I'm not there to protect you but we have to deal with this and it will be fine.

Hermione shook her head and tears started to fall. She couldn't deal with this; it was too much. She needed him here. She needed to go home.

I can't do this Severus...I can't.

Tears fell onto the page and Severus saw them appear on his diary page. He so wished he was there to comfort her.

Do you have a floo in your room? Can you open it?

I do. I'll open it now and floo call you. X

Hermione got off her bed and walked to the small floo. She wrapped her blanket around her body and sat on the floor. She grabbed some floo power and threw it in calling Severus.

'Hermione?' Severus said as his face came into view. How she wanted to kiss his lips.

'Hi.' She said as she wiped her eyes.

'Come now, there is no need to get upset. Once you've got pass tonight everything will be fine and you'll feel right at home.' He said as he looked at her.

'And what if I don't?' She said.

'If you don't then I will speak with the institute and see if you can start your apprentice and do you finals back here. Does that sound acceptable?' He said.

Hermione only nodded with a small smile on her lips which pleased Severus to see.

'Thank you.' She said softly.

'I love you Hermione and I will do anything I can to help you.' He said wanting to hold her. 'Why don't you try and get some sleep?'

'Will you stay on the call while I go to sleep?' she said quietly.

'Of course. Get into bed.' He said.

Hermione got up and unwrapped her blanket from around her giving Severus a good view of her skimpy night wear. She climbed into her bed and pulled her duvet up around her.

'Wish you were here.' She called out.

'I do too.' He said as he watched Hermione snuggle down.

Soon enough her breathing evened out and she was asleep. Severus broke the call and left Hermione to sleep.

Hermione awoke the next morning feeling slightly better than the night before. She got out of bed and ready for her first lecture back at University. Before she left she saw her diary light up. She opened it to find a note from Severus.

Have a good day. I will speak with you tonight. I love you, always.

Hermione smiled and closed the diary and went off on her first day with a smile on her face.