The Tigress Lily

Severus could feel the wind whipping through his hair; he looked around and found himself in a car. He mind fought against this idea for a moment, he had never traveled in a car. His mind ceased its struggling after he observed his companion. Hermione sat next to him, her long hair wild in the wind. The car was an old convertible and the road in front of them was deserted. It was autumn and the tree lined road flamed in colors of red, orange and yellow. The road was covered in fallen leaves and the wind was full of the leaves their passage had stirred. It was a beautiful, the leaves rising and falling on the tiny eddies in the air. Hermione was smiling. She drove the car at high speed down this tiny county road and as they crested a small hill she began to laugh. To Severus it sounded like fine crystal clinking gently. The sound put him at ease and he felt his own mouth form a smile, a true smile, his first in a very long time.

She pulled the car of the road and he followed her as she got out. Here the trees spread out into an orchard at the side of the road. After lifting a bundle out of the trunk she made her way, with Severus following, to a small clearing in the middle. Dappled sunlight broke through the branches and fell softly on their faces as Hermione spread a blanket in the sunlight. The blanket was old and plaid and suited this place to perfection. He watched as she gracefully sat upon the blanket, motioning him to follow. He to sat and watched as she began to pick leaves out of her hair, a look of contentment on her face. His hand reached out of its own volition and began combing through her tangled locks. She looked at him in surprise and the happiness and dropped her hands to her sides, allowing him to comb through her hair in peace. He was surprised to see her eyes close and her head tilt slightly into his caress. They sat like that for some time, Hermione enjoying his gentle attentions. She open her eyes after awhile and spoke, drawing him out of his meditative state.

“This is my favorite place, I’m glad I could share it with you as well.”

He understood. She had wanted to show him that her life was not all pain and suffering, that she too had happiness. He felt pleasure course through his body at the though that she would share this with him. That this was a memory that she wanted him to see. Hermione closed her eyes again and the scene faded away. Severus kept his eyes on her until everything disappeared arothemthem and then she too began to disappear.

Severus awoke to find Hermione cradled in his arms, one of his hands twined in her hair. They had been moved to his private quarters at sometime during the night he realized. The fire was lit and seemed to have been blazing for a long time. The room was still chilled but Hermione against him he felt warm.

Hermione opened her eyes and found herself lying against Severus. One of his hands was up in her hair, holding her head to his chest. He smelled so good. She realized that they no longer lay in the hospital ward and decided that they must be in his private quarters. She had never seen any teachers’ private quarters and had never expected to see the inside of his. A quick survey of the room reveled antique furniture in dark leather; a love seat and two armchairs clustered near the fire. The sheets and duvet were made of soft white cotton. Not really what she had expected.
Severus felt her stir and stayed still as he watched her assess his room. He wondered what she thought. “Good Morning, I think.” His voice was soft but he felt her jumpe the the less. “Are you hungry?” He didn’t look at her but could feel her nod against his chest. He sat up and pulled her with him. As they stood up Severus realized that they were both still dressed in hospital shifts. His stopped right below the knees, his long pale calves and slender feet naked to the world. Hermione’s, he saw was longer than his, they were probably wearing the same size he realized, but he could still see her slender, delicate ankles and perfect feet.

They walked over to the love seat and sat, their hands still bonded together. Severus threw a little flew powder in to the fire and made a request for the house elves to bring some breakfast. He turned his attention back to Hermione and asked, “The place you showed me, is it real?” She gave him a shy smile and looked into his eyes, for one of the first times he could remember. She nodded, “I would go there with my mother sometimes.” When she saw his surprised expression she continued, “Life wasn’t always terrible, in fact I have some really good memories. I just have some really bad memories too. I think everyone is like that.” She turned a bit to look at him a little better and felt her naked leg brush against his. At that moment a house elf appeared with a breakfast and distracted their attention.