Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

How To Disappear Completely	By : AppleFiend Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 12305 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
How To Disappear Completely

Chapter 15: In These Arms

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Feedback: I would greatly appreciate it.

This chapter was inspired by The Swell Season's song "In These Arms" from their album Strict Joy. They are amazing and this chapter pretty much wrote itself after marathon sessions of listening to this song.

"Maybe I was born to hold you in these arms."

Hermione refused to leave Severus' bedside. It was close to eleven at night, and she was functioning on the adrenaline that came from the news of his return. It was only now, when the lights of the infirmary were dimmed to almost non-existent that she began to get a bit drowsy. Still, she preferred not being comfortable in darkness versus leaving his side. Knowing that someone else would be there to take her place if she so requested it, she wanted her face to be the first thing he saw when he came to…just like he was the first face she saw when she first awoke. As she stroked his hand and tried to hold in her yawns she hoped his presence would somehow keep her awake.

The lights were all but out, except for a dimmed one above his bed. Hermione moved to the other side of the bed after noticing that there was a little bit of room available. She could have easily moved the bed next to his closer, but it wouldn't be close enough. Grabbing his clutched left hand, she kissed it and placed it on top of his stomach. Noticing the tension of the clutched hand, she carefully straightened out his fingers and noticed something fall onto the bed. It was her necklace. The chain was broken, but he still managed to bring it back to her.

She tried to hold back her tears as she crawled next to him in the bed. It was a tight fit, but she managed to get comfortable. Placing her arm on his chest, the way she did their last night together, she tried to stay up as long as she could just to watch his chest rise and fall in a hypnotic rhythm that quickly lulled her to sleep.

But before she completely gave into some long overdue slumber, she whispered the first words that came to her: "Maybe I was born to hold you in these arms." Not once did Hermione notice that she was being watched.

Harry observed Hermione tend to Severus Snape and every doubt or question he had in regards to their relationship was made clear to him. He noticed her absolute tenderness and even though it wasn't confirmed to him, his gut instinct told him that a man he once considered his enemy reciprocated those feelings as well. Rather than interrupt their first few hours together ever since the last death eaters were caught, he left them alone. Knowing that he would get to talk to Hermione soon, he walked out of the infirmary, a smile on his face.

Hermione managed to get back into the swing of things as the days continued. Severus had yet to wake up, but Poppy was very diligent in making sure that she was updated with any changes. Albus offered to cover a few of Hermione and Snape's classes in order for her to visit Severus. She knew her students were being properly taught with the greatest wizard at Hogwart's doing the teaching, and she smiled at the thought of Severus' reaction to the classes growing accustomed to "twinkle eyes" being in charge.

Every night she would follow the new routine of spending the last few hours of the evening sitting next to him. Sometimes she would read the work of their students out loud to him, knowing what he would say if he could indeed say it. His breathing would get better with each day, and the swelling of body parts beaten were beginning to fade. Sometimes Poppy would let her clean his wounds and change his bandages. Hermione hoped that by some odd form of recognition, he would know it was her skin touching his and that would help him come to, but she knew that patience was something she would have to learn. However, such things were forgotten every night when she crawled in the bed to sleep next to him. She was able to fix the chain of her necklace and put it back on Severus, careful to make sure it was under his robes; she would allow him to give it back to her when he was of sound body and mind.

It was a Hogsmeade weekend and Hermione turned down Minerva's offer to go into the tiny village. Hermione wanted nothing more than to get off of the grounds, but knew there would be other weekends to enjoy. As she sat next to Severus, reading up on a new edition of Primeaux Potions, she didn't hear Harry approaching her.

"Hey Hermione!"

"Harry! What a lovely surprise." Hermione said as she stood up to hug her dear friend. "What are you doing here?"

"I was wondering if you wanted to grab a butterbeer. Minerva told me that you turned her down, so I was hoping I could convince you."

"Harry, I'd love to take you up on your offer but…"

"Someone will be here to watch him. I promise."

Sighing, she knew that it would be good to get out of the infirmary for a while.

"You're right. It would do me good to get some fresh air I suppose." Hermione said as she stood up. Seeing Poppy tend to a student that had an accident on the quidditch pitch, Hermione softly spoke, "Poppy, I'm going to step out for an hour or two."

Harry heard the school nurse voice her consent as the two walked out of the infirmary. Twenty odd minutes later they were in Hogsmeade.

There were a few awkward minutes of silence at The Three Broomsticks between the two before Harry decided to end it.

"How is Professor Snape doing?"

"He's getting better every day. I'm sure you've heard that he hasn't woken up yet, but he's getting more color as each day passes."

"Hermione, this isn't easy for me, but what exactly is the nature of your relationship with Professor Snape? What I mean to say is, are you two…"

"Are we what Harry?"

Nervous, and anxious to just spit it out, he couldn't. "You know! Are you two…shagging?"

Hermione tried to conceal her laugh. If she would have been drinking something, it would have been spat out of her mouth in that moment. A slight blush was creeping onto her cheeks after Harry's question. He too felt his cheeks reddening.

"I know it's probably none of my business, but I saw you a few nights ago tending to him, and I've heard Molly talking at the Burrow. I know it could all be useless gossip, but I just want to say that if you are…you know…shagging him, then I'm happy. Well, I'm not happy that you two are…I'm totally messing this up right now. You know that I only want what is best for you, and if Professor Snape, or should I say, Severus, makes you happy, then I won't hold you back."

Hermione was silent for a few seconds before she replied to her friend's confession.

"Harry, I know you mean well. I think if you would have asked me such a question this time last year I would have told you it was none of your business. I know that you know that I am not someone to just jump into such a thing blindly, but I love him Harry. This feeling fills me with such hope and joy. I knew I loved him before he left, but these past few days have only reinforced such feelings. I can't imagine a life without him." Hermione stated. It was then that she quietly removed the charms that concealed the scars her neck and wrists. Harry gasped; it was the first time he had seen them up close and personal.

"He's seen everything and he still finds no fault in me. What beauty I never saw, he did. Yes, we did have our rough patches. I did punch him in the nose and knee him, well, I'm sure you can imagine, but who doesn't have a few rough patches?" Hermione then reached for his hand. Harry was trying not to laugh too hard at her assault on their former professor. All the while he couldn't help but stare at the circular scars on her wrist. He didn't want confirmation to what caused such a mark.

"Harry, I need you to trust in me. Trust me in that I know what I'm doing. And more importantly, I need you to trust Severus. I didn't think I would ever get over the losses we have all had to endure. When I was taken by those death eaters and repeatedly raped and tortured, I wanted nothing more than death. I literally begged for it so many times, and then one day, I…I thought it would come." Hermione stated as she placed her fingers on the scar that now permanently graced her neck. "When Severus found me and brought me back, I never thought I would get over all that happened, and I know that you wish you could have been there, but sometimes we have to play the cards that have been dealt to us. Severus was dealt to me. I just need you to understand that I will be fine with him. We will take care of each other."

The realization dawned on Harry. He squeezed her hand and that was all of the approval she needed.

It was almost three in the morning when Hermione felt him shift next to her. Thinking it only a dream, she held onto him tighter, but it was when he braced an arm around her shoulder that she knew something had changed. Looking up, she noticed him looking right at her.

"My sweet girl" Severus replied.

Too shocked to say anything, Hermione felt tears forming in her eyes as she moved to kiss his lips. Their kisses were short and to the point, but enjoyable nonetheless. Most of his bruises had faded, and while he still had some sore spots, he tried not to let them show in front of her.

"I was so afraid I lost you." She said as she placed her head under his neck, kissing his pulse as some sort of confirmation that he was awake.

"I told you that I would come back." He replied, drowsiness still in his voice. "How long have we been sharing this bed?"

"I've been here every night ever since you were found." She answered in all honesty. "I wanted to be here when you woke up. Should I get Poppy?"

"No. Please, let's not ruin this moment of stillness and silence." He answered as he kissed her forehead. "These beds are bloody awful." He added, shifting a bit to make more room for her.

"I haven't noticed at all." Hermione replied as she rested her head under his chin. "We should rest." She spoke as she tried to stifle a yawn.

"Thank you" Severus whispered, knowing that those two words held everything else he wanted to tell her in that moment.

"No Severus, thank you" was Hermione's reply as she fell back asleep.

He possessively wrapped an arm around her, not caring who saw the embrace. The last thoughts that swam through his head were those of the acceptance of the idea that he was indeed in love. He tried not to smile as he inhaled the scent of her, and it was the scent of gardenia on her skin that lulled him back into sleep.

Severus Snape would not resume his classes until a month later. A specialist in physical therapy from St. Mungo's was called into to make sure that Severus exercised his muscles properly in order to get back into top form. While he grumbled on about the useless stretches and lifts he had to do, Hermione was there to make sure he didn't scare the therapist away. Thankful for being in shape before his attack, the therapy sessions were easy on most days.

The only ones sad to see his return to the classroom were his students. Dumbledore did a great job making sure the "dunderheads" were prepared for their finals, even if Severus Snape would never admit it to anyone. Despite some sporadic muscle twitches, Severus Snape had made a full recovery. Hermione never asked what happened to him, and while he was surprised that her curiosity didn't get the better of her, they both knew that there was no point to it. He was back and that was all that mattered. They were finally going to be able to go on with their lives. With the summer break upon them, Severus wanted to spend it with her at Spinner's End. Hermione also mentioned wanting to spend some time in Paris, and while that trip was one in the works, Severus wanted nothing more than to cohabitate with her in his childhood home in order to replace the sad memories of a childhood lost with the happy ones he never thought he would live to experience.

The two didn't flaunt their relationship to the staff and student body, but it was known that Professor Snape was indeed courting Hermione Granger. Everyone knew it was happening, but it was never spoken of out in the open. The only time they ever lingered towards holding hands was when they were out at Hogsmeade or when they took their daily walk around the grounds. Every now and again he would gently place his hand on her thigh when they were sitting together at the head table, and she felt it was just the same as when he would gently graze her lower back when they entered buildings.

"I believe I have something for you." Severus said as they took their routine stroll around the lake on day.

"Do tell" Hermione replied, a smile gracing her lips.

As Severus went to remove the necklace around his neck he began, "I can't believe you didn't ask for this. I did promise to return it to you."

"No" Hermione stated, stopping him from removing it. "I want you to have it."

"I don't think that's what your mother intended when she gave this to you."

"If she would know all that you've done for me, she would be proud of my decision. Besides, it's a part of me, and I want you to have that always. We can even place a charm on it to make sure that it never leaves your person. I fixed the chain when I first found it in your hand. Not even a hippogriff could remove it from you the chain is so tough." She stated with pride.

"I don't know what to say." Severus replied, dumbfounded by her words and reasoning.

"Then don't say anything and let us enjoy this lovely weather." She replied, grabbing his hand as they continued to walk.

"It is lovely isn't it?" He said, staring at her the whole time. He could only hope that by his holding her hand a little tighter, she would understand that he wasn't talking about the weather.

It was the middle of the summer break and the two were sitting in front of the fireplace at Spinner's End. It was charmed to burn, but the heat never made it into the modest house. Hermione had ordered takeout and while Severus was slightly familiar with the concept, he wasn't too keen on using such a service very often. Their time there had been splendid in Hermione's eyes. There was still that daily routine that they had been accustomed to, but they were ever the more content with their schedule, even if it was considered boring and mundane. They would wake up and prepare breakfast together. (Hermione's specialty was omelets with beans and toast.) Severus had converted his parent's bedroom to a potions lab where the two would continue the research they never had a chance to work on during the school year. Lunch would usually take them to a quaint deli nearby where they would sometimes stay for tea or coffee. And the afternoons were free for their leisure. Sometimes they would go to a movie theater for a matinee feature, but most of the time they were content just staying home. Hermione almost forgot that Severus grew up in the same world as she did given how easy it was for him to adapt to the usual muggle customs when it came to clothing. She thought him ever the more handsome when he wore black trousers. However much she loved spending time with him, it was their time at Spinner's End that meant the most to her.

"I was reading in this month's volume of Primeaux Potions that apparently there will be will some sort of potion to track the emotional intelligence of a child before he or she even enters the first year of schooling." He said as he stroked her hair. She had gotten into the habit of using his thigh as a pillow.

"How is that possible? That's something that is earned through social means." Hermione questioned, resting the book on her stomach.

"I can't explain it in such intricate details, but apparently the person who has concocted this theory is hoping to get funding from the Ministry. Who knows? Maybe one day ours will be subjected to such a thing." It was then that Severus realized his blunder. She quickly sat up, her back turned to him. He cursed low enough to where Hermione couldn't hear it. Hermione tried not to stiffen up when she heard Severus' words. She was excited at the thought that he wanted a future with her that would involve such things, but it was an impossible dream.

"Severus, how important is that to you?" She asked before turning around to face him. "It's just that I can't have kids. During my abduction, it was Indra's goal to take that ability away from me. Poppy confirmed it to me a few months ago, but I knew the moment I came to. The way she described it was that technically, there's a very slim chance that I can get pregnant, but my body won't be able to…I don't know how to phrase it exactly but a child wouldn't survive in me because of what they did."

"Shhh." Severus interrupted as he pulled her towards him and tightened his grip on her. "I'm sorry Hermione. I wasn't thinking when I said those words. It was so stupid of me to say that. You are no less of a woman because of it."

"I know, but what if you wanted children one day. I've heard of muggle marriages that have been torn apart because of the issue. Some people can't handle it." She spoke, tears beginning to well in her eyes.

"You are not a defected human. As long as I have you, I am complete."

"Is that an absolute truth or something you are telling me to make me feel better?"

"I can accept it Hermione. I know it must be harder for you, but sometimes we have to sacrifice certain things in order to live in true happiness."

"Is that what this all is to you, true happiness?"

"Of course. Hermione, I cannot make you any promises, but I do know that I want a life with you. I have entertained that thought on many occasions, and when I wasn't sure about being found, I thought only of you. I had a necklace that I had to return to a lovely woman." Severus replied; a smile on his face as he kissed Hermione. The two continued kissing each other and with every second it grew more and more heated. Hermione began to remove the buttons of his shirt as they found themselves strewn out on the sofa.

"Do you know what you do to me?" Severus asked in a whisper.

"Tell me." Hermione retorted.

"You are going to be the death of me woman. There are moments where I feel like I will explode just from kissing you."

And with that, Hermione smiled into his lips before kissing him again. "You know, Harry thinks we are shagging like rabbits."

"Don't tell me you've discussed our private life with Potter!" Severus said trying to sound offended when he knew it wouldn't come off like that as he continued to kiss her.

"I figured I'd let his imagination do all of the work." Hermione tried to fight the moan that escaped her mouth when Severus began kissing her neck. This could be the first time they would truly attempt something ever since that night before he left. Her mind began to cloud with doubts over what to do, but if there was only one time to be truly honest with him, it was now.

"Severus?" Hermione asked, trying to get him to stop what he was doing.

He noticed her tone.

"Yes?" He replied, looking in her eyes. Concern was etched on his face.

"I…I love you." She whispered softly.

It took a second or two for the words to sink into his brain, but hearing her say it only multiplied the feelings Severus had for Hermione in that very moment.

"I love you too." He replied as he gently ran his fingers through her hair. For the first time in his life he was never so sure of anything as much as he was of his devotion to her.

Feeling empowered by his words, she nervously continued speaking as she focused her attention on his shirt collar. "I want you to enter me tonight. I can only think of the words you told me on the astronomy tower months ago about all of the things you wanted to show me. I'm tired of seeing all of those death eaters faces and automatically associating it with all of this. They made sex so repulsive, so dirty. And tonight Severus I need you to show me what lovemaking issupposed to be like. I don't want to feel empty anymore" Hermione whispered as she kissed his lips. He deepened the kiss, placing his hands on the small of her back. The two continued to kiss each other, even as Severus picked her up off the floor and carried her to his, no their, bedroom.

With a slight movement of his hand, three candles were lit. There was just enough light for Hermione to see the way he was staring at her. It was as if he was seeing through her, and all she could do was stare back at him. An intensity that would have scared her years ago, now made her ache in places she didn't think possible. Not wanting to break the connection, Severus began to remove his clothes, garment by garment, all the while staring at her. It would be the first time they would truly see each other naked. Hermione kissed him after his boxers were removed. Not knowing what exactly was expected of her next, she went to remove her clothes, when Severus gently grabbed her wrist.

"No" He softly replied. Moving them towards the bed, he sat down while she stood in front of him. Keeping his eyes locked with hers, he began to undo the buttons to her jeans. Hermione only stood there and watched him in rapt attention as he pulled both her jeans and her knickers down with as much grace as possible.

"How do you do that?" She whispered as her eyes closed. As she felt his lips glide across the skin of her stomach as he slightly lifted her jumper a few inches up, she found it hard to concentrate. She tried to be brave as she stood naked in from of him from the waist down, but he was only fascinated with her. "How do you everything with such grace?" She continued as she felt his hand slightly brush her mound. Severus' lips continued their path up her chest as Hermione gave into the sensations of his lips on her skin.

"There is no grace in me. All that you think I possess really comes from you." He replied as he stood up and slowly pulled up her jumper. She could feel his erection brush against her thigh, but was too afraid to look at it. As he reached behind her to release her bra, he spoke in her ear, "And you my dear are all that I need."

Hermione wanted to bring up his hands and how many times she was enraptured by them, but the only thing that had her attention were his lips. Still continuing to slowly trace their way upwards, she felt as if she were melting into him, being shaped and molded by his body to finally become the puzzle piece that was needed.

She moaned softly when his hands made their way to the back of her neck, and her only choice was to acquiesce to his lips as they continued their trail on her neck. She heard him mutter something, but the only thing she was paying attention to was his touch. It was only when she felt his finger glide across the circular scar on her wrist that she backed away.

"I'm sorry." She said immediately as she covered up her breasts, hoping that she wouldn't give in to the tears on the brink of escaping her eyes. She felt like she betrayed the image of him accepting all of her scars that she had painted for Harry. While she knew that he didn't care about such trivial things, in the back of her mind she still worried that once he saw everything at once, he would think of her as nothing more than damaged goods. "I…I just don't want you to see them all. I'm so hideous!"

Drawing himself closer to her, he grabbed an arm that was covering a breast. It just happened to have the remnant of a cigarette burn on it. Without saying a word, he slowly pulled her wrist towards his mouth and kissed the scar. It was only when he traced the circular pattern with his tongue that she remembered to breathe.

"You still don't get it?" Severus replied. "I don't care about your scars. Besides, I've seen them before. I don't want you to be ashamed of them because you have no reason to be! This, right here, is only you and me. I am not repulsed by these scars, but I am repulsed by the bastards that gave them to you. You are the most bewitching woman I have ever known, and I want to make to love to you…all of you, scars included."

He began to kiss every one of her scars, and if his lips didn't make contact, his fingertips did. For the first time, she realized that he was turning the reminders of her abduction into something beautiful. He worshiped her with his lips, leaving no inch untouched. Severus took her panting and soft moans as a sign of approval as he continued to run his fingers all over her body as he lowered her onto their bed.

The darkness of his eyes caught her attention as he stood up - his eyes never leaving hers. He looked as if he were an animal about to attack its prey, but only in the most gentlest of manners. She was too afraid to leave his gaze, too afraid to see the effect she truly had on him. Slowly climbing into the bed, he stopped at her feet.

"I forgot one." He motioned as he picked up her foot and kissed the cigarette burn scar on it. He slowly moved upwards towards her, but instead of covering her skin with his kisses, he instead let his hair trace her as he softly hummed. When he reached her breasts, he stopped.

"We made a pact before I left about all the places I would kiss you. And I believe I mentioned your luscious breasts." Severus said as he devoted a fair amount of time to each one. What breast his lips didn't pay attention to, his hand did.

"Everywhere" Hermione whispered as she felt him relish in her flesh.

Losing her breath, she felt as if she were on fire, sinking into nothingness and everything all at once. His touch was gentle, yet firm. She let him do what he wanted. She was his potion to invent and brew into perfection. He grabbed her left hand and guided it to his chest.

"I'm sorry." She whispered.

"For what?"

"This should be about you too. I'm just lost."

"Lost in…"

"The sensation of you and how I only want to be possessed by you. All those years I thought you despised me, and now look at where we are. I only want to share this moment with you." Hermione replied in complete honesty as she kissed him.

"I don't want you to worry about me Hermione." He replied as his lips roamed along her collarbone. He could feel her pulse beneath her skin, the humming of her blood as it made her entire body flush with a desire she probably never thought was possible. He too wanted to possess her, but he would never confess that to her. Marveling at every inch of her, he spoke as if in a trance, "Do you still not realize how beautiful you are?"

"Touch me. Please." She cried.

Never one to deny her anything, Severus began to kiss the scar along her throat as his hand made its way to her quim. Softly stroking her, he entered one finger in her and felt that she was more than ready for all that he wanted to show her. Slowly building the tension inside of her, her neck arched more into his mouth. Every part of her skin that was available to him, he kissed even more. He could feel her hips moving up against him as he continued to stroke her.

She was beginning to mewl and make unintelligible noises, purring for him and while he just wanted to pick up the speed, he knew not to. A part of him wanted to torture her with the pleasure he could provide as she continued to mumble words he couldn't understand.

"You're so wet." He whispered in her ear before licking the lobe. This garnered a response out of her before she crashed her lips into his. "I'm afraid that you are my new obsession Hermione. I fear that once you and I become one, a day won't go by where I won't want another taste of you." He continued as he listened to the hitch of her breath.

"There are so many places I can see myself taking you. My desk. In front of the fireplace on a cold winter night, your skin covered with mine. How about against the door, or better yet, how about the potions stockroom where you first kissed me." This obviously got Hermione's attention.

"Please…" she whispered as Severus brought his lips back to her breasts. "Please, I want to come for you again. I want you to see me when I come for you."

Those words brought out a growl in Severus that he didn't think existed. The pace of his finger increased as he focused his vision on her face.

"Look at me Hermione. You are so tight, and I feel you pulsing around me. Gods, I want you woman and I can't wait to enter you. I want to see you as I possess you. Let me possess you. Let me pleasure you. Give yourself to me."

And with those last four words, Hermione found the release she was looking for. Her mouth was dry, but that didn't stop her from welcoming his lips back to hers.

"This is what it's like Hermione." Severus stated as he moved to lay on top of her, staring into her eyes. "Do you feel me? Do you feel how hard you've made me?"

Hermione could only nod.

"It's as if I were made for you, only you. I want to make up for all that was done to you." He said as he traced his lips over her eyelids.

He could feel her lips move against his throat, her breath tickling his skin.

"Severus…take away all of the bad memories. Force them out of me." She whispered as he slowly entered her. He heard her gasp, knowing that it might be a bit painful.

"Make me feel…" Hermione continued as he slowly piston in and out of her. He kissed her with a brutal softness that one would be shocked to know he possessed. When his lips released hers, he heard the soft cries of her pleasure exiting her mouth.

"Let me hear you sweet girl." Severus spoke as he changed the angle at which he entered her. By instinct, she brought her legs up to the side of his waist, and not one to deny her touch he brought his right arm to glide along her leg. It was as if they couldn't get any closer, but still tried to. Hermione brought her hand up to rest on his face, and Severus began to kiss every part of it that his lips could touch.

As he began to increase his pace, he noticed that Hermione was on the precipice of ecstasy.

"Come for me again." Severus softly commanded as he entwined his fingers with hers, kissing her neck, speaking to her words she didn't comprehend because she was too lost in the sensations. She thought she heard him mention something about feeling every drop from their consummation, but she only came when he looked her in the eyes and spoke under his breath…

"I'm drowning in you" and with one last swift push, she felt his seed enter her. Not wasting a second, she grabbed onto him with both of her arms and clung to him. They were slightly sweaty, but she could only smell the lab on his skin. He felt her breath on his skin, and closing his eyes, he was too afraid to break the contact of their union. He still felt her tight heat pulsing around him, the aftershocks of their love making still present.

When his heartbeat stilled a bit, he made to move from her, but she only held onto him tighter.

"Please don't go."

Laughing slightly, "I'm not going to leave you. I just don't want to crush you."

"No" she whispered as she spoke into the skin on his shoulder. "I want you to stay inside of me."

That line alone was enough to make his cock start twitching again, but he needed a break. The two remained silent for some time. She was too fascinated with the idea of the event that had just transpired between her and her former professor, finding irony in the fact that years ago he made fun of her teeth, but just worshiped her body as if it were an ancient temple. Kissing his skin softly, she relished in knowledge that while some things were going to change, their usual routine of things were going to stay the same. She looked forward to all of the things they would do together, and soon fell asleep, not noticing Severus shift to the side of her.

Just seeing her naked flesh made him ready for another round, but he knew that her body probably would be a bit sore. He watched her as she slept; the intake of her breath and the sigh of contentment that escaped her mouth as she turned into him and cradled herself to his body.

Touching whatever skin was available to him, he began to let his thoughts take over. Severus felt a sudden pang of guilt. If she would have never been taken, then we wouldn't have found each other. She wouldn't be here in my arms. The thought overwhelmed him. He tried not to let it cloud the experience they just shared, but he couldn't help but wonder how her life would be so different if she would have never been abducted. He knew that he would most probably not have factored into her life post-Hogwart's. And while he knew that it was so wrong, the selfish part of him found one reason to be thankful towards Indra Karnstein. Still, he couldn't sleep as he felt her stir in his arms. It was as if she knew something was troubling him.

Looking up at him, she didn't give him a chance to say anything as she placed a chaste kiss on his lips. Still, his look worried her.

"Are you alright?" She asked. He could see the look of fear in her eyes. She worried that he may have regretted their night together.

"I'm fine. I was just thinking is all" Severus replied as he held her closer (not that they could get any closer.)

"About?" She whispered.

He could have lied. He could have told her that he wanted to taste her skin again, but he knew that she deserved to know his true thoughts.

"I am guilty of thinking that if you would have never been taken, we would never have discovered each other again. It would be silly to believe that you would have returned to Hogwart's to pursue a teaching career. I know it's wrong to think such things, but I can't help but be thankful in some macabre way."

Hermione was silent for a few moments, and Severus was hesitant to say anything else, fearful that his admission would be nothing but an insult to her assault. Hermione began to softly trace her fingers along his chest, a sign that maybe he didn't ruin what had taken months to repair and build.

"Well then, something good did come out of all of this. I hate the thought of it too Severus, but one must accept that it's all in the past. We both knew before the war ended that innocent lives would be shattered, and sacrifices would have to be made. I hate relegating such a thought towards my parents and Ron, but I know that they would want us all to be happy and to live our lives."

It was then that she sat up.

"How many years did you give Voldemort? How about Dumbledore?"

"Too many" Severus replied.

"My point exactly! Now is our time to live, not for those we were trying to defeat, or trying to protect. Now is our time to be selfish and focus on the future – our future."

"How can you love me knowing all that I've done?" Severus asked, flabbergasted at her response.

"You are the only one that truly understands me." She replied as she lightly ran her fingers over the scar on her neck. "I knew I loved you the moment you first kissed me here. I knew I would have given myself to you in that very moment, without hesitation if you would have wanted it."

"Maybe I should be thankful too." She said before she kissed him again. He ran his fingers through her wild mane of hair, and pulled her back to him as they fell into sleep. His stomach fluttered at the thought that she wanted a future with him, a real future with all that it entailed. A tear threatened to leave his eye at the thought that this time last year he didn't have much to look forward to, and now he had everything.
- 14
- 15
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

How To Disappear Completely