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Who Are They Now? COMPLETE	By : Snapes_Slave Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 9101 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I own no part of the Harry Potter universe, That honor lies solely with Madame Rowling herself, nor do I own any part of Funny Girl or its music. I make no money from this story.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
- 11
DISCLAIMER: Is this still a thing? Do people still need me to say that I don't own Harry Potter? Cause I totes do not... I would be way more rich, cause I'm also not making money on this...

After a brief nap, Hermione had awoken to something hard pressing into her lower back as she lay cocooned in Severus' arms. She slowly arched her back in a stretch as she woke, pushing herself further against his hardening member, thus setting off a more slow and drawn out 'round 2', after which, they slept. They slept so well, in fact, that when Hermione rolled over slightly the next morning, she abruptly turned to check the clock on a bedside table to find that they were running very behind and had approximately 20 minutes to arrive at rehearsal.
"Merlin's hairy balls!" She shouted, trying to extricate herself from her most comfortable resting place on Severus' chest. When his arms merely tightened in an attempt to keep her close, she slapped his chest and shouted, "Sev, wake the bloody hell up! We're late!" To which his eyes immediately snapped open, checking the clock.
"FUCK! Hermione, we're late!" She nearly laughed, but found herself far too flustered, as she jumped up from the bed, cringing a bit at the pull of her scars. She wouldn't be able to deal with them until she was back at her house down the street, so she quickly gathered her clothes.
"Are you alright?" He asked at the look of pain on her face.
"It's nothing. Just, I need my balm and it's at home so..." She tried to get away. She should have known better than to think he wouldn't see through her brush off.
"What balm? Tell me what's going on." He said, arms crossed on his chest, his stature completely incongruent with his nudity. Hermione released a breath and decided to quickly tell him. Hell, if I do it now, no time for it to be a big deal, right? She thought.
Looking away at the foot of the bed she said, "It's nothing serious. Just... Well my scars haven't healed. I have to put a healing balm on every morning."
"It's been 10 years, Hermione?! They haven't healed? No bloody wonder you don't show anyone! Have you-" she abruptly cut off the impending tirade.
"Yes, I've been checked out, I've seen all the curse breakers, all the specialists, I've done endless research. No one can figure it out. Though, oddly enough, they've gotten a bit better the past few days." She mumbled absent mindedly. "Look, we haven't the time right now, love, and I need to get back to my house. I'll be ready soon, alright? We can talk about it later." He nodded his head once resolutely before saying, "Promise?" His eyes bored into her.
"Promise." She said.
"Right, well... Go get yourself ready, I'll bring breakfast for us to eat once we get there. I'll be over shortly." He kissed her lips, then just stopped and took a small step back and smiled at her like the cat that ate the canary.
"What?" She asked.
"Love. You called me love." He whispered. "No one's ever done that before." She almost hadn't heard the admission. Her cheeks went bright red and she smiled at the floor again, shyly.
"It's just a phrase... A term of endearment. It would be far too soon for something like that..." She mumbled, embarrassed at her slip. "I'll see you soon." She said quickly, before apparating immediately from where she stood.

When she arrived in her bedroom, she dropped her armful of clothes and pulled her balm from the bedside table and removed her glamours. She stared in awe at them. Where just yesterday they had still looked almost fresh, today they were a dark red as though they had happened perhaps a few months ago. Still not where they should be, but far improved from the almost gaping, angry red and opened wounds they had been just a week prior. Hmm curiouser and curiouser. She rubbed in the balm, recast her glamours, and took the fastest shower of her life, merely casting a freshening charm to her hair, which was left to flow freely with the top half pulled back in a braid. She threw on an old favorite summer sun dress in white covered in sunflowers which fitted closely in the bodice and flowed loosely in the skirt. She put on her dance tights once again, and picked a pair of nude suede wedge heels with ankle straps and gold buckles. Her makeup was minimal, just some mascara, blush and chapstick again, before rushing down to meet Severus as he arrived at her door.

HGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSS

They had spent the next 2 weeks very similarly. Every night would be spent eating dinner together, followed by either reading near the warm hearth in his den, dancing to soft music on the wireless, or more amorous activities. Severus had nearly drooled the first time she conjured a pair of reading glasses that sat at the end of her nose.

"What? All those old books have very small writing. My eyes have aged rapidly and I need them to read." She defended.
"Darling, this face is not an expression I make when I'm tempted to poke fun. This is my face when I'm nearly coming in my trousers because you look beyond sexy with them on." He growled at her. Her face spoke of her shock.
"Truly, Hermione. Like the sexiest librarian I've ever seen." And with a predatory growl, he advanced on her. Apparently, reading would be second to something else for the time being...

They spoke of anything and everything. Their favorite books, music, movies. She had been shocked to learn that he loved James Bond movies as well as the original Star Wars and all the old classics from his teen years; The Godfather, Alien, Jaws, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and the Exorcist. She had confessed to a love of 1960's films. She had loved Audrey Hepburn movies like Roman Holiday and Breakfast at Tiffany's. She told him she loved yellow daffodils, gardenias and forget-me-nots. She loved to remember all the summers spent tending the sweet smelling buds with her mother in their garden growing up.
Hermione had been noticing her scars gradually improving day by day. She had no clue what to think of it. She'd told Severus about it off hand, and they had spent time theorizing the possibility of what the curse had been. Perhaps it had been set to stop healing for ten years and the spell had finally broken. They were now a pale pink and looked to be aged about a year, but still she didn't show him. It wasn't even that she hated the way they looked anymore. It had become one of her triggers, waiting in the wings to push her into a fit at the mere thought of his baring witness to the products of her torture. She felt mentally strong and healthy for the first time since before the war and she wasn't about to give that up.
The early evening was spent, as usual, with Severus, though this time they were actually working, before they would be meeting Draco and Astoria again for dinner.
"I understand that you're still unhappy with this song, but really. You must calm yourself. The execution is nearly flawless, and if it's not perfect, it'll be the only song in the show that isn't. You mustn't put so much pressure on yourself." He tried to tell her.
She was getting so frustrated. It had been months that she had spent, trying to figure out just what she had been missing with no luck. She'd spent hours researching, practicing and training with no results. It was always the same; flawless execution, but no real, tangible feeling in it.
"I just... It's the most important song. At least, it is to me. It's the one that always makes me cry when I hear it. It's real and... raw. I would hate myself if I delivered a perfect show, but... Failed anyway." She tapered off to a whisper as a single tear marred her face.
"Is that the problem? You feel like you're failing because of this one song? Darling, understand how hard this entire show is. All these songs have been known to be showstoppers, to bring the house down. You are perfect on all of them. There's nothing wrong with having one spot that you didn't overwhelm the audience on." He tried to explain, taking her hand in his and tracing the back. She huffed. He knew she wouldn't accept any less than complete perfection, so he did the only thing he could.
"Alright. What is she singing about?" He gently prodded. Her eyes closed.
"Her man. She feels like nothing, like she's insignificant without him, but when he's there, everything is good and right. But she's confused because they just aren't right together. They're apart and she can't handle being with him or without him, and she knows she'll always be his in her heart, no matter what anyone else thinks. She'll always come back to him."
"Hermione, have you ever been in love? An all consuming, overpowering, overshadowing, shattering, eye-opening feeling of rightness with someone? That with them, life is so must better, brighter; but without them, you just feel lost and undeserving? Have you ever had that?" He asked gently, his fingers still tracing her hands and running up her arms.
"I... I- yes? No? I don't know? How is that feeling possible? It's illogical and silly." She said, opening her eyes, still feeling flustered and confused. "Have you felt that way before?"
"Yes. I have. And I can tell you it is completely without logic. But that's love. Love has no logic, love does not make sense, it has no basis in facts or statistics or even time tables. Love is messy, and rough, and... raw. That's why the song sounds that way. That's why it always makes you feel that way when you hear it. In my humble opinion, this song is one of the greatest and also most tragic love songs ever written. But it is also impossible to sing if you don't know that feeling. It's ok to not know, Hermione. It's still gorgeous when you do it. It's just something that will take time for you." He tried to tell her gently. "It is not a failure." He told her, lifting her chin with his finger and looking deeply into her golden brown eyes. She angrily swiped her tears away and took a deep breath.
"It still certainly feels like it. I'll just have to keep working on it. Thank you for trying." She gave him a soft smile. "But we need to get ready for dinner. They'll be expecting us soon."
"Right you are. I'll be over shortly to collect you." He pushed her hair back from her face and placed a gentle and passionate kiss to her lips before releasing her. He smiled again and turned from the room, her mind, as usual, a jumble of thoughts.

HGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSS

Dinner with the younger Malfoy's had been lovely. They had met at Gilded, a new five star restaurant in Diagon Alley. Draco had found far too much enjoyment in reciting embarrassing old stories of his godfather from his childhood, which Severus merely rebutted with embarrassing stories of his own. Astoria had smiled and laughed with them all and had regaled them with comparisons on father and son, showing just how strong certain Malfoy genes were.
"I swear, Scorpius gets it all from you! Your father's not much help either, always putting ideas in his head. Last week I saw him from the window in our master bedroom on his broom. He must have been at least a few stories in the air. The boy's only 6!" Astoria said.
"Well, perhaps he'll be the one to beat the Potter genes and we can bring the cup back to Slytherin house, eh Uncle Sev?" Draco said, giving the older man a wink. "Got to start practicing now. I hear James is already flying too."
"I seem to recall another young blonde boy who enjoyed diving as close to the ground as fast as possible on his broom at a similar age, much to his mother's horror." Severus said conspiratorially.
As dinner had wound down and coffee had been served, the conversation had turned to Hermione's work.
"So, love, any new projects going on yet?" Draco asked, putting his arm around his wife's shoulder and pulling her to rest against his chest.
"No. Nothing for now. This show is taking up just about all my time and energy. It's funny, I'll be glad when it's over, but I hope it never ends." Hermione giggled. Severus pulled her close in a similar move to Draco and Hermione let her left hand rest on his thigh lightly.
"How's the song from hell? Have you beaten it yet?" He asked.
"No. It's so frustrating. I'll get it one of these days, but it's just eluding me." She shook her head.
"Well, from what I hear, the show will run forever, as long as they have you. I wouldn't worry too much on one song that I'm sure is wonderful already." Draco said with kind eyes. "Oh, by the way, mother and father wanted me to tell you they send their regards and that they already have their tickets for opening night."
"Lovely, Draco. Just what she needs, more pressure." Severus said.
"Sorry. They're actually quite looking forward to it. They have box seats. They always catch the opening nights. Though, this time mother did ask me if it really was you in the show. When I told her yes and asked why she wanted to know, she said that you're the talk of the town. She said that everyone has been saying how incredible you are and that the show will be a huge hit. You have nothing to worry about." Draco tried to console her.
"Well, I certainly think she'll be amazing, but it is getting a bit late and we should be heading home. It's been good to see you again Draco." Severus said, rising from the table and shaking Draco's hand and pulling him into the half-hug men do. "Astoria, it's been lovely as always." He said kissing her knuckles, then turning and putting a light wrap around Hermione's shoulders and placing a hand in the small of her back.
They finished saying their goodbyes and walked to the apparation point slowly. Hermione's head rested on Severus' arm as they walked. She stifled a yawn as they approached their destination.
"Tired, love?" Severus whispered into her hair before kissing her head and resting his cheek there.
"Exhausted. You wore me out last night." She said with a giggle. "And the few hours sleep we did get just isn't cutting it, I suppose. Perhaps we should head to our own houses tonight." She said, sounding like she hated the idea.
"I know I would love to sleep wrapped around you, but if you're in my bed, sleeping won't exactly be high on the priority list." He said wolfishly. They reached the point and he put his arms around her waist and spun them to Hermione's porch.
The summer breeze was slowly rolling through, bringing with it the flowery scents from Hermione's front garden. Smells of freshly mown grass and rich earth were nearly intoxicating as Severus bent down to capture her lips. They held each other close, arms squeezing tight, hands mussing hair, until Hermione pulled back with a jaw cracking yawn once again.
"To bed with you, Love. I'll see you in the morning. I'd like to take you out for breakfast. We can have a lazy morning." He said, tucking her hair behind her ear and kissing her nose. "Goodnight, Hermione."
"Goodnight, Severus." She said softly, entering her house and slowly making her way to bed.

HGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSS

The summer winds were blowing through his open bedroom windows. He loved the feeling of moving air after so long spent in the dungeons. The smells and sounds of nature calmed him. Severus had only been asleep a short while, when it happened. He bolted upright in his bed at the sound. His breath coming fast in his chest, he looked around his room searching for the reason of his rousing. Seeing nothing out of place, he strained his ears for something abnormal. He waited, and just when he thought it must have been nothing and was resigned to sleep, it came again.
A guttural scream tore through the night, the sound earth shattering and heartsick. It sounded a bit far off, but it carried on the wind and forced him from his bed. He would know that voice anywhere. With a wave of his wand, he was dressed. He turned on heel and landed in her living room. The screams grew louder and more anguished as he raced up the stairs and to her bedroom door. He threw it open and came to where she lay thrashing in the bed in the throes of what he assumed was another one of her nightmares.
Gathering her to his chest, he tucked her into his arms, being careful to hold her arms down to keep the both of them from injury, he tried to wake her.
"Hermione, love wake up. It's alright, love. It's just a dream." Her shrieks and cries died down to whimpers that broke his heart nearly as much as the screams had, but she still slept.
"Please! Please don't! Severus! You can't die! Just hold on!" She cried out. His heart dropped and he felt a tear escape from beneath his lashes.
"Gods no! I won't fail you! You have to know-" she broke off and began sobbing again in earnest. He tried to wake her again.
"Hermione, wake up!"
"I love you! You can't leave me before I've told you! You can't die!" She sobbed and tried to strike out. Severus shook her.
"Miss Granger! Do wake up!" He shouted in his old 'professor voice', the words cracking just the slightest bit. She stopped abruptly, her body now relaxing into him as her tears continued and her eyes looked into his.
"It was just a dream, love. I'm here. I'm alright. It's ok." He murmured into her hair, gathering her more comfortably in his lap. He rocked the two of them back and forth on the bed until her tears subsided.
"I'm sorry, Severus. I had the window open and I forgot to cast a silencing charm" she whispered into his chest.
"Don't apologize. It's ok. I'm here. Feeling better?" He asked, glancing down at her.
"Yes." She said, climbing from his lap to down in her bed. He leaned over and kissed her gently, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, when something caught his eye. He looked down and saw the scars on her chest. The large one in the center he knew was from Dolohov in the Department of Mysteries, the smaller ones that symmetrically lined her ribs and collar bone, he didn't recognize. They all appeared to be mostly healed, though it was obvious that they hadn't started to until recently. They looked to be just about a year gone, rather than the ten they should have.
He noticed her overwhelmed and anxiety ridden expression and knew that she'd seen his line of sight. He leaned down close to her chest and made eye contact.
"So this is what you've been hiding? All these little scratches?" He asked.
"They're hideous. I'm hideous." She said, her voice anguished, turning her face away as new tears began. Then she felt it. His warm breath caressing her skin just before he placed his lips on the large scar running down her sternum. She was shocked by not only his actions, but by a burst of Magic coming from the old wounds. They both jumped slightly. Severus shook his head to clear it, his face slightly confused for a moment, before looking back up at her. The confusion worsened.
"Well, erm... You need some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow." He said awkwardly and went to leave the room.
"Severus... Thank you." She said. Her voice was small and unsure. He turned around and looked at her, the confusion lessened but still present.
"Sleep well. I'll see you in the morning." He said, not unkindly, but slightly lacking the warmth she had come to expect from him. She gave a small smile that, for the first time since she'd seen him again in the theater, didn't reach her eyes.
As he left her house, shutting the front door a bit harder than needed, she shook her head and cried.
Just what I needed. Another Severus nightmare about being a failure, followed by I'm sure he now wants nothing to do with me because of these ruddy scars.
Down the street, Severus seemed to come out of a trance. He remembered seeing the scars and then being confused, not revolted or disgusted, but something... It was a feeling he couldn't quite identify, but he was certain that the emotion was distinctly not his. I was going to tell her I love her...

A/N
This one was tough to write, but the next will be tougher... we are coming close to the end. I'm estimating maybe 4 more chapters and an epilogue. Fair warning, the next 2 or 3 will be as tough to read as they will be to write. The plot thickens...

ANNECIA89- I'm glad you found it! Hope it's to your liking. Thank you for reviewing. Always good to get that little boost.
HARRYGINNY4EVA- You are just the bomb dot com. BTW I totally laughed at the *throws confetti...* bit. Lovely imagery. I'm wondering if you see where this is going... any guesses?

You, my lovely readers, are fantastic. Please review and let me know what you liked, loved, hated, and need to see happen!!
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Who Are They Now? *COMPLETE*

Who Are They Now? COMPLETE