AFTERWARDS

They were sitting together in companionable silence, former pupil, former Professor, sharing the bread and cheese that Kreacher had procured earlier that day. Hermione had given him plenty of space but watched him constantly, drifting between sleep and consciousness. Being awake seemed painful for him, not just because he was still so very weak but because he was obviously thinking about what she had told him. Occasionally she saw him run his hand across his forehead as if trying to hide his face from her, other times she saw him looking over at her, a quizzical look on his face.

Hermione took a bite of cheese and glanced at Severus. He was looking directly at her and she smiled a little at him.

‘How long have I been here?’ He asked her, taking a small sip of water.

‘It’s been five days.’ She replied and reached into the basket that was balancing on the bed between them, taking a small handful of grapes.

‘And, you have been here all that time?’ He regarded her slowly. He could tell she hadn’t bathed in a significant amount of time and she looked exhausted.

‘Of course. You needed me…’ She stared into his dark eyes and saw them flash slightly in surprise. She felt a jolt in her stomach as she realised the weight of what she had just said. She looked away, a telltale blush creeping up her throat.

‘I think, perhaps, I am well enough to go to the hospital wing, Miss Granger.’ He stated simply and she looked back at him. His face was closed and unreadable.

‘Whatever you think is best, Sir. Madame Pomfrey will be here in a while, we can organise everything then.’ Hermione stood and walked towards the door, trying to hide her disappointment. She was enjoying being alone with him, knowing it might be all she may ever have.

‘I’m just going to get some fresh air. When I get back I need to ask you something, don’t try and escape, OK?’ She forced a grin and was rewarded by a raised eyebrow and a small snort as he lifted his hand in a small wave of acknowledgement.

He watched as she closed the door and a small groan forced itself from his mouth. She was enchanting and he had never noticed it before. But now was not the time for flights of fancy and Severus acknowledged he was going through some sort of emotional trauma, making him vulnerable to the innocent ministrations of a kind witch. He closed his eyes and as usual, Lily’s face swam into his vision, only this time it morphed into Hermione’s laughing face.

‘Ridiculous man…’ He berated himself. And yet, he acknowledged, he found her presence a comfort. Surprising, given how irritated he used to be with her when she was his pupil. There always seemed to be something holding her back from being excellent at Potions to outstanding and it had frustrated him no end. Strange how the Hermione in his class seemed so very far removed from the one he had just shared food with. ‘War changes people…’ he sighed.

Hermione walked a little way into Hogsmede but stayed in the back streets. So far she had managed to keep their presence hidden and she preferred to keep it that way.

She hadn’t really needed fresh air. She needed space from Severus. He was hurting, she knew that and the thought he may entertain her as more than a former pupil was ridiculous. And yet, she had felt the atmosphere thaw a little and she certainly didn’t feel uncomfortable around him. He had even laughed, a sound she never imagined may come from him, but it was good and sent shivers down her spine. ‘At least he is well.’ She consoled herself. She had saved him and she knew in the coming months that would be enough for her, to know he lived.

Severus looked up with a start as she entered the room. Her face was flushed from the biting wind and she walked to the fireplace to add more flames.

‘It’s getting colder outside. We will have to wrap you up well before we move you.’

She spoke to him but was facing the fire and didn’t see his gentle smile at her concern for his welfare.

‘Hermione…’ He spoke her name like velvet, his voice soft and low. She closed her eyes and committed the sound of it to memory before turning to look at him.

‘Yes?’ She breathed deeply.

‘You said you needed to ask me something…before I escape…’ He chuckled slowly, his mouth upturned slightly at the corners.

Hermione looked at him incredulously. He was teasing her. And smiling.

‘Severus! Are you smiling?’ She giggled at him as she walked towards the side of the bed.

‘It’s not unknown for a smile to cross my face. Don’t tell anyone…you will ruin my reputation’. He smiled at her again, his eyes almost warm.

‘Don’t worry. It will be our secret.’ She spoke softly and their eyes met. Something unsaid passed between them and she didn’t break his gaze as she sat in the armchair. Severus could feel his chest tightening as he looked into her face. He closed his eyes; he was too vulnerable to go there right now.

‘You wanted to ask me something.’ The words came out more harshly than he had intended and the spell was broken. Hermione looked at him and hurt flashed across her face. He was sorry for it but he couldn’t allow her to get closer than she already had.

‘Yes.’ Her voice was matter of fact, practical Hermione back in the room. ‘Harry asked me if he could speak with you.’

‘Potter?’ Severus’s face was set, a frown appearing and his eyes dark and steely. ‘Why would I want to speak with him? He knows everything, that should be sufficient.’

Hermione looked at him and knew that he had gone back into his shell. She felt sad.

‘I don’t think he wants to know anything… I think he wants to apologise…’Hermione looked at him and shrugged.

He looked at her briefly and nodded. ‘Very well. However, I wish you to stay in the room. I fear for my personal safety…’ He let his mask slip again and smiled quickly, reassuring her. Hermione sighed and smiled back. He had so many walls; she felt she would never break through.

Hermione walked into the centre of the room and called for Kreacher, asking him to let Harry know he could come and speak with Severus.

They waited in silence but it wasn’t comfortable any more. Hermione lit more candles, the small amount of light from the windows was fading as darkness fell over Hogsmede. She had asked Kreacher to return with blankets and a stretcher so that Severus could be moved during the night, with less chance of questions being asked should they been spotted. Kreacher returned quickly and Hermione busied herself with sorting out the blankets and disposing of some of the items in her bag that were no longer needed.

Severus closed his eyes slightly and she thought he was sleeping. He wasn’t. He was watching her and could feel her pain, knowing she was feeling some sort of rejection from him. He wasn’t used to real friendships and didn’t know the etiquette. He knew he had upset her but had no experience of making amends; his only attempt with Lily a complete failure. But what could she expect from him? He was her ex-Professor, they hardly knew each other and any previous exchange had been less than satisfactory, on both their parts.

They both jumped when they heard a knock at the door. Hermione glanced at Severus and pulled her wand. He nodded and she approached the door.

‘Who is it?’ She called.

‘It’s me, Harry.’

Hermione opened the door and he stepped into the room, glancing cautiously over to the still figure sitting upright in the bed.

‘How is he?’ Harry asked Hermione quietly.

‘Better. Why don’t you ask him yourself?’ She nodded in his direction but Harry hung back a little. Hermione nudged him forward. ‘Go on, he won’t bite.’

Severus had overheard their exchange and fought back the urge to smile at Hermione’s comment. The little witch obviously wasn’t scared of him any more.

Harry walked slowly towards the bed and looked into the face of his old Professor, the man who had helped him to kill Voldermort and ultimately, saved his life.

‘Can I talk to you, Sir?’ He asked tentatively.

‘You can on one condition. You will hand your wand to Miss Granger. She has agreed to act as my…security.’ Hermione saw a twinkle in his eye and smiled at him. Harry had his back to her and didn’t see but turned and handed her his wand.

‘Sit down Potter. My neck is sore enough, without having to look up at you.’ He was using his Professor voice and Hermione was fighting the urge to giggle. She had suddenly realised what a good actor Severus Snape was and that his classroom was his stage. No wonder he was such an effective spy!

Harry sat in the armchair. Now he was here and there was so much he wanted to say, he didn’t know where to start.

‘Well, Potter? I am, as you see, a captive audience…’ Severus knew he wasn’t making it easy for Harry but he didn’t know how else to act around him. He was sticking to familiar territory.

‘Sir, I wanted to apologise. Professor Dumbledore trusted you and that should have been enough for me but it wasn’t. If it wasn’t for you, I probably wouldn’t be here right now.. Without your help… I would be dead, not Voldermort. I wanted to say Thank you.. Sir…’ Harry took his glasses off and wiped them on his T-shirt, avoiding Severus’s gaze.

‘I think I owe you an apology too, Potter. You are much more like your Mother than your Father but for reasons you are now aware of, I found that particularly difficult. And without you and Miss Granger I would also be dead. I believe that makes us even, does it not?’ His voice was still deep but softer around the edges and Harry looked at him in surprise.

Both men looked up when they heard a strangled sob.

‘Hermione?’ Harry stood and went to her, she was openly crying. ‘What is it?’

‘It’s just… you two… it’s…’ She waved her hand towards the bed and continued to sob into Harry’s shoulder. Severus was sitting open mouthed and completely non-plussed as to what had set her off.

Hermione was overwhelmed that two of the people she loved the most had finally come to a sort-of peace. Not that she would be telling them that.

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Bit of a longer chapter but hope you liked it anyway. R & R if you can, thanks!