All the way

Hermione felt so safe as she pushed further into Severus\' chest. She had really thought she was going to die when the man left her in the shadows.

She wasn\'t scared, all she could think was \'shit, Severus is going to find me dead and it\'ll probably kill him\'. It wasn\'t that she thought that much of herself, but she couldn\'t help but notice how clingy he had become. And jealous.

When he had found her, her suspicions were confirmed. She heard every thing that he had said and knew she was saved. He would look after her.

Hermione sighed, as she felt tears stinging in her eyes. Why was she crying? She was alive, wasn\'t she? She was safe, wasn\'t she?

The pearls fell from under her lashes as she clamped her eyes shut and the arms around her tightened. What would she do without Severus? She would be dead without him.

Some of the things he had said were just... wonderful. How could he ever think that she would leave him? She loved him for Merlins sake!

Shit!

Did she just think that word? She did! Were did it come from? Was it true? With wide eyes, Hermione looked up at Severus. Her eyes met his. The dark orbs were glittering, but not like they had ever had before, not with lust, with concern and something else. They were soft, sort of, and his face was expressionless apart from a small frown creasing his forehead.

Hermione studied his face. He was quiet handsome, like an acquired taste of sorts. His eyes were beautiful, black and almost bottomless. His lips were thin, but soft; she knew from experience.

She also knew that he was strong and well muscle. Hermione started when Severus spoke.

\"What, exactly, are you finding so fascinating?\" Usually those words, coming from Severus Snape, would have sounded cold and intimidating, but now they were quiet and soft.

A few more tears escaped her eyes as she smiled and shook her head. Severus took one of his arms from around her waist held her cheek gently, using the pad of his thumb to sweep away the tears.

\"What’s wrong?\" He asked just as gently.

\"Nothing.\" Hermione smiled slightly. There was silence for a minute as they stared at each other.

\"Who was it?\" He asked suddenly.

Hermione frowned, \"Who\'s was what?\"

\"Who tried to kill you?\" He asked a little exasperatedly.

\"Oh, a man,\" Hermione shrugged, \"I don\'t know who he was, but I think I met him in the shop I was in. Well, I didn\'t meet him, but I saw him there, he started shouting about some shit. I blanked him and he left the shop fuming. I\'m not 100% sure it was him, but it logical isn\'t it?\" she shrugged again.

Severus\' eyes flashed dangerously. They were murderous. He was looking off over her shoulder, some where. If the look had been aimed at her, she would have started running straight away.

Then his eyes snapped to hers and they softened noticeably. Hermione leaned up and kissed him on the cheek, then whispered in his ear.

\"Thank you,\" She breathed, \"so much.\"
____________________________________________________

Minerva rushed to the dungeons, Poppy Pomfrey in toe. She was horrified when she saw Severus running into the entrance hall carrying Hermione, both of there clothes blood stained. What had scared her more was the frightened look in the mans eyes. She could not remember ever seeing him that petrified.

They reached the dungeons and Minerva about to enter the classroom, when she noticed the door was slightly open. She put an arm out to stop the medi-witch and looked into the room.

Severus was sitting on a desk, with Hermione in his lap. His arms were securely around her, holding the petite witch close. Her head was tucked under his chin; his head was nestled in her hair.

Minerva pulled her head out of the room and pointed for the medi-witch to take a look. She did, and then looked at Minerva, making a face as if to say, \'Aawww\'.

Minerva closed the door quietly. The held up her hand and knocked.
____________________________________________________

Severus jumped at the knock on the door; he felt Hermione start in his arm. He would bet anything that it was Minerva outside waiting to see how Hermione was. He wished he could leave her waiting, but he knew that if he did, she would just barge in any way.

Carefully, he set Hermione on her feet. She winced and Severus knew she would feel a little pain, but at least she was alive.

\"Come in.\" He called. Just as expected, Minerva bustled in, followed by Poppy. Silently, Poppy went to Hermione and started an examination, while Minerva turned to him.

\"What happened Severus? She asked, \"I\'ve never seen you so fright -\"

At this point, Severus cleared his throat and glared at the old witch. Hermione looked over curiously, but was turned around by the mumbling medi-witch.

\"Oh,\" Minerva said, \"Well...um... yes, what happened?\"

\"I was stabbed,\" Hermione said, \"In Hogsmeade. Thankfully Severus was quick in finding me.\"

She gave him a warm smile, before she was turned again. Severus could see her wincing with nearly every move she made.

After a while, Poppy straightened up and looked over at Minerva and Severus.

\"The wound has healed well, although there will be some discomfort.\" She looked at Severus pointedly, \"She will need rest for a day, she\'s probably still in some shock. You need to look after her.\"

\"I can look after myself!\" Hermione scowled, \"Christ almighty! Why do people think I’m so helpless? Well I’m fed up.\"

\"You know, Hermione, you are very lucky to have Severus to look after you.\" Minerva winked at her.

Severus frowned as a giggle passed Hermione lips, \"I know I am, Minerva. But I’m tired and it\'s been a long day -\"

\"You can say that again,\" Severus muttered, but she heard him it seemed.

\"I\'m tired and it’s been a long day,\" She smirked at him, \"and I want to go home.\"

\"Yes, today has been interesting.\" Severus said as he walked over to Hermione and put his arm around her waist.

It had been very interesting to him. It was scarier than the day of the final battle, but if finding out that your frozen, forty one year old heart could actually feel love wasn\'t interesting, what was?