A Gift

Thanks to all the great reveiws. I\'m glad I can peak peoples\' interests and keep them coming back for more.
Again, it\'s short. But my son has hairline fractures fis finger now and he\'s being a big baby again. It\'s like having his collarbone broke all over again. LOL I think he\'s trying to break more bones in one year than I have my whole life of something. But then, we didn\'t call him Grace for a reason.... LOL

She blinks in the morning sun, her mind still trying to go back to the dream of warm soft hands touching her. She feels a tug at her blankets again and her eyes snap open.
\"Mistress must wake up!\" Illiya scowls at her in irritation. \"Mistress does not wish Master Severus to be angry with her already today.\"
Hermione slowly sits up, stretching her arms above her head. She mouths the words \'Good morning, Illiya\' but not a sound comes out. Her eyes go wide as her mind comes fully awake and aware of the fact she had made not a single sound.
Illiya snickers as she gathers Hermiones\' clothes for the day. \"Mistress should have realized that Master Severus would insure her silence for the day.\"
Angry, Hermione jumps off the bed and strides out into the hall. She listens for a moment and takes off towards his room. She pounds on the door twice and then opens it, her mind intent on finding out why she is silenced. Severurnsurns towards her, only clad in a pair of black breeches, and scoat hat her as he finishes tying back his hair. She waves at her throat in desperation.
He chuckles softly and turns back towards the mirror. \"It is only temporary. The potion will only last 30 hrs. It will insure that you do not slip up and speak while at Malfoy manner.\"
She strides over, grabbing a piece of coal to write on the mirror. \'You could have warned me.\'
His lips twitch. \"Yes, I could have, but what would be the sport in that?\" He turns and gazes deep into her eyes. \"You forget, My Dear. I am through with playing Sabine\'s games at this point. You will be playing mine today if you wish to live.\"
She slowly backs up a step, suddenly seeing how little she truly knew of him. She nods solemnly and turns to walk back out of the room. She stops at the door for a moment, glancing at him over her shoulder and realizing even with this new facet of him, she still felt safer then she would without him.

He watches her as she quickly leaves, his eyes traveling over her body. The Death Eater in him hungers for her but he quickly puts a rein on that urge. He turns back to the mirror, methodically dressing as if it may be the last. Parts of his mind hum with the thrill of the danger before him, sure in the knowledge that they both will die if discovered.
He shrugs on a black silk shirt and glares at his reflection. \"I\'m getting too old for this.\"
He finishes dressing and heads straight for the barn. Dameon watches him, ears forward, feeling the tenstion in the air. He stands quietly as he\'s saddled, only occasionally turning his head to nuzzle Severus\' arm. Severus lightly strokes his neck, the bridle heavy in his hands.
\"This will be the last time I take you on a hunt, Old Man.\" He slides the bridle on over the stallion\'s head. \"You behave yourself around those mares.\"
Dameon shakes his head and snorts as if to say \'Oh please! Speak for yourself!\' Severus laughs softly, patting his neck again before leading him to the cottage. He hums softly to himself, something he hane sne since as far back as he can remember just before he would go out for a ride. He looks up and the song dies in his throat. His eyes widen for a moment on the black clad woman before him. With the veil down, no one would be able to tell her apart from Sabine. He takes a few more steps closer, tying Dameon to a small tree.
\"You need not do more than nod your head. I will only be asking you yes or no questions.\" He motions for her to come closer so he can help her mount. \"Are you prepared now?\"
She wants to groan and say no but instead she slowly shakes her head yes. She watches him cup his hands to give her a boost, her nerves getting worse by the moment.
\"The party will not disappear because you are getting cold feet, My Dear.\" He mutters, his eyes narrowing at her.
She sighs softly, putting her foot in his hands to boost her into the saddle. He looks away as she adjusts her skirts, aware of how appealing she looks to him at the moment. He feels her gentle touch and he turns back to her. With more gracefulness than she thought possible, he swings up behind her and wraps an arm around her waist.
\"Shall we?\" His voice purrs in her ear. With a slight nod, he clicks Dameon into a gallop and towards danger.