The Healing

CHAPTER FOUR


“Hermione, get off of me.” Severus mumbled, his face buried in the pillow.

“I’m not on you, get your legs off of me, I can’t move.” She grumped as she pulled the quilt further over her head.

“My legs are not on you, I moved when you put your frozen little toes on them earlier.”

“Well something is on me, I can’t move” She flipped the blanket off of her head and screamed.

“What the bloody hell!” Severus practically leapt from the bed, jerking the drawer out of the nightstand completely in his attempt to get to his wand. When he faced the bed he was promptly licked in the face by a giant black Newfoundland dog. “Where in the hell did that bloody dog come from?”

Hermione was still in shock, the covers clutched to her chest as she stared at the animal.

“He came with me, Professor.” Severus turned abruptly, wand at the ready. “Oi, don’t curse me!” Hagrid said, backing up slightly.

“What are you doing here?” Severus asked, his shoulders slumping in relief as he reached for his robe.

“Delivering yer supplies Professor. Right good to see you awake and doing well I reckon.” The half giant’s eyes were darting back and forth between Hermione and Severus, then to the bed. He blushed furiously and began staring at the ceiling.

“Do you always come so bloody early?” Severus asked as he tied the sash on his robe and tucked the wand into the pocket.

“Not so early Professor, it’s after ten.” Hagrid replied, still looking at the ceiling. Severus glanced at the clock over the mantle in disbelief. How had they slept so long?

“Must have been the storm.” Hermione said as she scrambled to push Fang from the bed. She climbed out slowly, pushing her hair from her face as she yawned. “Rain tends to make people sleep more heavily.” She smiled up at Hagrid. “Good morning.”

“Are you alright Hermione?” Hagrid asked, trying to glance at Severus covertly. Hermione could see clearly that he was concerned about she and Severus sharing the bed.

“I’m fine Hagrid, it’s not what you are thinking. There is nowhere else for me to sleep, and no room for another bed.” She said smiling slightly.

“What? Hagrid, do you honestly believe I would seduce a student?” Severus asked.

“No, Professor, course not, but she’s not yer student anymore….” Hagrid looked down and shuffled his feet. Severus threw his hands up and walked off to the bathroom muttering as he rolled his eyes.

“Half the population thinks I’m a deatheater, ministry believes me a murderer, and now I’m a seducer of innocents…my how do I find the time.” He slammed the bathroom door.

“I didn’t mean to make him angry.” Hagrid said as he stared at the bathroom door.

“Not to worry Hagrid, he’s a right grouch when he wakes up. He’ll be better after he eats. Why don’t you go have a seat, there are some chocolate chip biscuits on a plate and milk in the refrigerator. We’ll be with you in a moment.” Hagrid nodded and lumbered across the cabin, the wood floor trembling beneath his feet as he did.

Hermione made the bed and gathered some clean clothes together. She tapped slightly on the bathroom door.

“What?” Severus bellowed from inside.

“Are you decent?” She asked, laughing softly when she heard him curse from within.

“Yes, what do you want?” Hermione pushed open the door and walked in, without an invitation. Hagrid sat at the table, somewhat stunned and worried as he devoured the plate of treats before him. “What on earth are you doing?” Severus was standing at the sink, attempting to shave as she barged in.

“I need to get ready, and Hagrid can’t be here all day, and if you don’t mind, Id rather not entertain in my nightclothes.” She told him as she set her clothes on the counter.

“Have you no modesty?” He asked. He watched in the mirror as she turned on the shower and pulled the curtain.

“Unfortunately, no. You have to understand; I have been friends with Ron and Harry and have stayed long periods with the Weasleys. Privacy was just not possible, and modesty went out the window.” She turned her back to him and pulled her nightgown over her head and tossed it into a basket. He closed is eyes, squeezing them tight until he heard her step into the shower.

“You really are making things complicated Hermione.” He muttered as he continued to shave, trying not to be hyper aware and completely shocked that there was a very young, very naked witch showering in the same room as he.

“I’m not trying to, I’m sorry if it bothers you.” She said as she shampooed her hair. “I suppose it’s only fair, I have been bathing you everyday for almost a month, you have no secrets from me now, so I shouldn’t get up in arms because you might glimpse my bare bottom.”

Severus shook his head and wiped his face on a towel.
“There is no issue of fairness here, Hermione. There is a big difference between caring for an ill, and incapable wizard, and parading naked in front of a person.” He could see her silhouette against the shower curtain and began to grind his teeth.

“I wouldn’t say incapable….just unconscious.” She said as she scrubbed her skin with the sweet smelling shower gel.

“What are you talking about?” He asked, his brow furrowing.

“Well, things…functioned, you were just unconscious.” He could see her silhouette shrug. He rubbed his fingers across his forehead and released a frustrated groan.

“Wonderful, as though I needed one more thing to be embarrassed about.” She poked her head around the curtains edge and he looked up, regretting it almost immediately as he caught the soft curve of her bare breast.

“You have nothing to be embarrassed about.” She said, smirking slightly. Where on earth was the girl he thought he knew? And who had replaced her with this little vixen?

“Well, that’s a….relief I suppose. Still, this is highly inappropriate.” He said.

“Oh, will you just relax, please. We have to share this place for who knows how long, and we are going to….encounter each other in various….states. Do we have to discuss it to death every time?” She asked, reaching for the towel folded over the rack and wrapping it around her body and tucking the end between her breasts.

“I don’t see why we can’t make the effort to….” He trailed off as she stepped out of the shower, dressed in nothing but a fluffy green towel. She had pulled her wet hair forward over one shoulder and her cheeks were flushed from the heat of her shower.

“Make an effort to what?” She asked, reaching for another towel to dry her hair. He was staring at her intently. She felt a slight tingle at the base of her spine when she saw the flash of interest in his eyes.

“I don’t know.” He said quietly, wishing he was a better man and could look away as he should.

“Well, do you think you’re strong enough for the shower, or should I start you a bath?” She asked, reaching around him for her lotion. He jumped when her breast grazed his arm.

“Shower is fine…cold.” He muttered as he continued to stare.

“Ok, go ahead, I promise, I won’t look, though I’ve already seen it.” She clapped her hand over her eyes and waited. It took several moments, but she heard him finally start the shower and step into the tub. She opened her eyes to see him tossing his robe and pants onto the floor from inside the shower. She smiled, he had waited to be behind the curtain to drop his clothes. “I like your tattoos by the way, well maybe not the dark mark, but the celtic band on your arm, and the cross on your back….very nice.” She saw his head drop forward and shake slowly. She shouldn’t taunt him, it wasn’t really very nice of her.

“You know that Hagrid is going to go back and tell everyone he caught us in bed together, and then sat in the kitchen while we showered….together.” He said from beneath the icy spray, hoping it took effect and decreased his arousal soon.

“No one would believe him. After all, it’s you and me we are talking about here Severus, who would ever believe any thing would happen between the two of us?”

When Hermione had finished dressing she went to the dresser and got Severus a clean set of clothes and left them on the bathroom counter. She headed into the kitchen and smiled at the baffled Hagrid.

“How about I make some brunch?” She asked.

“Sounds good.” Hagrid answered as he watched her move about the kitchen gathering what she needed.

“Thanks for coming, and for putting things away, you didn’t have to do that.” She said as she began to mix batter for pancakes.

“No worries…Hermione?” Hagrid shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

“Yes?”

“Are you okay….alone with him?”

“Of course I am.” Hermione turned to look at Hagrid. “He would never harm me Hagrid.” She reassured.

“I know that….its just….things seem……..a might cozy around here.” He said, face blushing furiously.

“Nothing is happening Hagrid. But let me assure you, if it was, it would be my choice, and I’m sorry, but it would be none of anyone else’s business.” She said softly.

“What would be none of anyone else’s business?” Severus asked as he walked slowly across the room and took a seat. He smiled at Hermione when she placed a steaming cup of coffee in front of him.

“If I were shagging you.” She said as she sliced a cantaloupe. Severus choked on his coffee, his eyes wide as he stared at her. “Hagrid, you surely did not ask….”

“No, he didn’t ask me if I were, Severus.” She handed him a towel to wipe his mouth and the table. “He’s just worried about me.” She patted the half giant’s mammoth shoulder.

“None the less, it’s not polite to inquire on a ladies personal life Hagrid, you know that.” Severus said as he wiped the coffee he had spilled on the table.

“Right Professor, I apologize Hermione.” Hagrid lowered his head in embarrassment.

“Don’t worry so much Hagrid, I’m fine, and I can handle him.” She tossed her head in Severus’s direction. And much to his shame, Severus thought it would be damned nice if she would handle him.

“So Hagrid, what news do you bring?” Severus asked. Hermione sat the food in the center of the table and joined them

“Oh, right. Well things are being reconstructed at Hogwarts, and should be ready to start a new term in January. McGonagall is hoping all will be clear for you to return as potions master Professor.”

“Tell her I would be honored.” Severus said between bites of pancakes.

“The ministry is back in order for the most part, Kingsley is doing a right fine job as Minister. Harry has finished with his testimony and will be going before the tribunal to clear yer name Professor, in a couple weeks. Should have a verdict shortly after.”

“Have they rounded up the remaining deatheaters?” Hermione asked.

“I reckon so, though the Malfoys will not be seeing the inside of Azkaban, they are being put on probation for their….change of heart in the last moments of the battle.”

“I saw them, in the aftermath. They looked broken, the three of them. Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy looked so relieved to find Draco alive, and so sad as they saw the cost of their actions.” Hermione said softly as she remembered those moments following the final battle.

“Well, I hope you aren’t mistaken.” Severus said.

“Ron is still enjoying the attention of course, new witch on his arm every other day it seems.” Hagrid said, rolling his eyes.

“Of course he is, he loves to be the center of attention.” Hermione said smiling, though she was missing them all so much.

“Ginny is preparing to go back to Hogwarts in January. They say to tell you they miss you, and hope you can come back soon.” Hagrid said, reaching out to pat her hand.

“Why don’t they visit then?” Severus asked.

“Didn’t want anyone knowing where ye were, sir. That way no body could accidentally let it slip. We don’t want ye in Azkaban.” Hagrid said.

“Thank you, I appreciate that.”

“Well, I guess I should be off then. I’ll be looking for yer owl Hermione. Glad to see you doing well Professor.” Hagrid whistled for Fang and they went out the front door and apparated away.

“Well, what should we do now?” Severus asked.

“I am going to clean up and then I plan to take a walk, tomorrow is the first of December, and I plan to go in search of a tree.” She said with a smile and she shoved away from the table.

“I think I’ll join you, I need the activity to regain my strength.” He finished his coffee as he watched her clean the kitchen. He was enjoying this domestic scene more than he should. He hoped that the verdict would not take long to come down, he didn’t want to get use to this.