The Healing

CHAPTER EIGHT


Severus had had more sex in the last week than he had in his entire life. He was sitting in his chair, legs outstretched, ankles crossed, while Hermione sat on the floor, her back pressed against the front of the chair, her head resting on his lap, while they watched a movie on the television. He was idly stroking her hair as the events of the past week played over and over in his mind.

From the first night when he had taken her virginity, he had taken her in every way humanly possible he figured. Up against the kitchen counter when he came in from a walk and found her making tea wearing nothing but his white shirt.

In the bathtub one evening when he had joined her in her bath, surrounded by the sweet smelling bubble bath she used, resulting in both of them going to bed smelling like a cookie.

Up against a tree in the woods when they went to fetch firewood. Thank goodness for magic, else they would have frozen to death, or at least gotten frost bite on their naughty bits.

He had taken her on his lap in the porch swing under the moonlight after casting an isolation bubble around them to keep the cold away.

He made love to her every morning when they woke, nestled snug in their bed. And less than an hour earlier he had had her in the very chair in which he now sat.

He was exhausted, and so damned happy he was almost drunk with it. And still he wanted her. Severus kept thinking that eventually he would tire of her, that with every coming together the need, the desire for her would lessen, but it never did. It only grew stronger, the more he had her, the more he wanted her.

They both started when a light pecking sounded at the window.

“Hagrid’s owl.” Hermione said as she rose to her feet and opened the window. She fed the little bird an owl treat and took the sealed envelope from it’s grasp. It shuffled up and into the nesting box to rest and Hermione closed the window.

Hermione opened the letter and read tears rolling down her face. Severus was on his feet in a flash and at her side.

“What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” He asked.

“It’s done Severus, you have been cleared of all charges, they expect you at the ministry in the morning, nine o’clock. The Weasley’s expect me for breakfast.” She handed him the letter, and let him read it. “You’re free to go back to your life Severus.” She said softly, smiling.

“So, this is to be our last night together then.” He said. He felt a sharp stab in the region of his heart as he contemplated being without her. He had allowed himself to settle into this quiet life, just the two of them, and he was reluctant to let it, and her, go.

“We knew it would come eventually.” She said. She sounded so calm, but on the inside her heart was breaking. She had come to care so much for him, maybe she loved him, she didn’t know. But the thought of being without him hurt.

“So we did.” He said quietly as he reached for her. “I will miss you.” He said, kissing her softly. His sweet words were almost her undoing, for she had never expected tenderness from him. Everything about him had come as a surprise to her. He could be so gentle, so caring and kind. He made love to her with a passion that still left her speechless.

“Let’s go to bed.” She whispered. “If this is to be our last night together, I want to spend it wrapped up in you.” Severus tossed the letter into his chair and lifted her into his arms. He carried her to their bed and laid her gently in the center. She wasn’t wearing much, just a long cotton t-shirt, and that was quickly discarded. He shrugged out of his white shirt, he hadn’t even bothered to re-button it after their earlier encounter in the chair. His pants were gone next as he climbed into the bed and beneath the quilt, settling easily between her thighs.

Their lips were instantly drawn together, their tongues sliding slowly against the others. He slid slowly into her, somehow sensing that the connection was more important than the preliminaries. Their hands clasped, fingers entwined as he pressed them back into the pillow beside her head. He moved slowly inside her and she arched beneath him in time to his steady thrusting. He couldn’t stop kissing her, wanted the taste of her to be forever branded in his mouth.

There soft cries of completion were muffled against the others lips. He didn’t move off of her, instead he rested his head on her breasts as she stroked his hair. He knew she was crying, but he couldn’t look up, he knew that if he saw the tears, he wouldn’t be able to leave, and it was better for all concerned if he just walked away, regardless of how much it hurt him to do so.

When morning came, Hermione was alone in the cabin. She packed her bags and sat on the bed she had shared with Severus for the last two months and cried softly. She had to get it out, because when she walked out that door, she would leave all that she felt for him behind. She had to.

She dried her tears, gathered her things and with one last look, she floo’d to the burrow. She was thrilled to see them all, and accepted the hugs and warm wishes from everyone. Harry appeared from the back of the crowd and she couldn’t help it, she threw her arms around him and sobbed into his shoulder.

“Hey, Mione, what on earth?” He asked, patting her back.

“I am just so happy to see you Harry.” She sniffed.

“What is wrong with you?” He asked, taking her by the arm and pulling her into the kitchen, and away from the curious stares of the Weasley family.

“I’m just a little overwhelmed.” She said, wishing she could tell him the truth, but something in her just couldn’t. She wanted to keep the memories for herself alone.

“You don’t have to do this today Mione, if you still aren’t ready….”

“No, I’ll stay and visit, but this afternoon I’m off to London. I need to tend to my parents affairs. I don’t know how long I’ll be, but I will be back.” She said, wiping her eyes.

“Whatever you need, you know I’m here for you.” He reached for her hand and escorted back into the crowd. She talked and joked as usual, but this time her heart just wasn’t in it. Her mind was back in the cabin, with him.




Severus left the Ministry a free and vindicated man. He walked through the streets of London, pulling his cloak tighter about him as he approached the train station. He ignored the curious stares and whispered comments as he approached the passage on to platform 9 ¾. He nodded slightly at the conductor who was somewhat shocked to see Professor Snape boarding the train, and made his way to the staff car. It was, thankfully empty as he took a seat at the window.

He had slipped out early in the morning. He had stood beside the bed for a long while, just watching her sleep, her arms wrapped around his pillow. He felt envious, as he knew that were he still beside her, it would be he wrapped in her arms. Walking out the door had been difficult, everything in him fought against whatever unseen force that was pulling him back to her. It was for the best. She deserved better than an old, broken wizard such as he. He knew however, that he would never be the same.

A/N: Short Chapter I know, but fear not, there is still plenty to come.......