The 25th Hour

Thanks again to Ferv the world greatest beta *grin*


8 am
The restlessness of the Great Hall in the morning always managed to bring Hermione against her will, momentarily from her inner reverie. Where she could forget for the time that she was surrounded by the small group of unenlightened peers who were not only lost, but content in their ignorance. And every day without fail, Hermione found herself at the bane of an unfamiliar jealously that mocked her. As she cursed those around her at the same time she desired their carefree souls.

But it was only fleeting, for at the moment that Severus entered the room, sneering and despising the noise and the frivolities of the youth around him, Hermione was reminded of why she persisted in her own suffering. That although she knew that he did not want her in his debt, she owed him her everything. That he was so much more desperate to have what all experienced and took for granted. Beyond the walls of his dungeons. Beyond the responsibilities of his profession. Beyond his redemption to the world. Missing out on all as a victim of circumstance that his peers had enjoyed .

Andmionmione knew that they were born of the same mould. And she would not abandon him. Even if she wanted to, they were now bound to suffer the same fate.

And they would love each other for it until the end.

Hermione watched as her lover stalked over to his isolated seat at the head table, noticed by those around him only because of his ability to strike fear into the very depths of the student body, and as a target for jibes by the staff. She watched him contemplate the coffee that appeared at his command and sit unnoticed while his mind turned the events of this day over in his mind.

The expression of cool control in his eyes that would be mistaken by all as indifference. The crease between his brow that would deepen as his morning ritual continued would be seen as contempt and disapproval… of disgust and annoyance... But Hermione knew that it was an intense and unbending sadness, concern over her own protection and future if he should so happen to fail in his extra-curricular activities tonight... and unadulterated fear at what might become of him if he were ever found out.

If he would ever be found. If his remains would be returned to his family lands... or if he would be left to rot alone in the unknown... as just another casualty of the cause of the righteous.

Hermione wondered that if a tear should fall from those beautiful black eyes that she found herself lost in so completely, would any around him notice? Or even if they did, if they would care to know why. If they would embrace him because they knew and they understood, and that yes, he was loved.

But selfishly Hermione wanted none of it.

Because all those who ignored him and his pain pushed him further into her willing and wanting embrace. And she found herself with each passing day unwilling to share him with any of this world. Because no one understood him. And no one deserved to know him. But she would make sure that throughout her life she never forgot. And that she would always be deserving. And most importantly, Severus would always know it.

And she made sure every morning, at the start of each day that he knew.

As the owls flooded the Great Hall no one would notice the small and indistinguishable brown owl that would deliver to Severus the message he had come to anticipate each morning. That he knew he would be unable to continue his day without. The reason after a decade of solitude in his chambers for this meal of the day, he had become a regular fixture in the Great Hall.

And today was no exception.

And as he caressed the unidentifiable envelope, so slightly perfumed with Hermione\'s scent that no one around him would be able to identify it except for himself so developed was Severus\' olfactory sense, the coolness in the depths of his eyes sparked with hope, and the crease between his brow softened. And with shaking hands he carefully broke the standard Hogwarts seal that held secret the reason that he continued on his path to inevitable destruction. And on the prescribed plain school parchment were the same words that had started his day so magically for the past five months.

And Hermione knew them well enough not to ask to see what seemed to bring her lover so much joy.

Remember my love, you are loved

The slight upturn of Severus\' lip as he read and folded his correspondence could have been mistaken for a sign of disdain, and anyone who met his eyes at this time would automatically wish that they hadn\'t. Except when Hermione\'s searching eyes met his. And in a moment of silent understanding, Severus and Hermione would each, once again, renew the vows that been exchanged in secret. Merely three weeks ago tomorrow.

The raucous room disappeared as they became as lost within each other as the world was within itself. the they reminisced of the night that they joined for eternity. Beneath Hermione\'s lifetime confidant. With no one presiding over their promise, the magic of the Earth, the ancient wisdom of the life force of the universe the only element to acknowledge their bonding.

The silence and isolation of the far side of Hogwarts lake, blessed as the marital bed that they consummated all that they had agreed. To love, honour and respect. By Earth, by air, by fire by water... as it was in times gone by, as it would forever be in their lives. Even if they would be the only ones to ever know.

It was more than either had ever imagined. And so, for both, it would be enough.

But their shared moment of introspection was as usual interrupted by the demands and requirements of their day as Hermione was dragged by Ron, a long time want to be but never shall be beau, from the Great Hall, from her love, to her first class of the day, and Severus was accosted by the headmaster wanting to know of his plans for the events that he was aware would occur tonight, as they had every Friday night since the Dark Lord\'s return.

Remember my love, you are loved

And after tonight they would have eternity together, until the beginning of the next week. Until the next Friday morning. And Hermione would make sure that was she would make each morsel of time count. For her hunger was as great as any woman wanting a taste of her man one last time before his execution. That she would claw her way through the sulphuric fire pits of Hell just to feel...

Such a small sacrifice for all that she would gain.

And she was sure that it would be called abuse because she took and took and took from him, but gave him so much more. Or so he told her. But it never made her content nor pleased by her actions. But if it was enough for him, then maybe it was all that was needed.

Each other.

~*~

Thanks~

LovesThePotionBoy~ *looks around confused*.. umm are you reading here or at lnls?...Just want to make sure you get my thank yous... don\'t mind either way (although I guess I should be pushing my own archive but that would make me look like a hypocrit).. I am glad that you are enjoying my drabble..

LittleBird~ Sweet penname... thank you for reviewing, I hope you continue to enjoy