Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

"Unanswered Prayers"	By : T-W-O Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 26250 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own HP, nor the characters from it. I don't make squat from the writing of this story. I do lose sleep, tho'...

Chapter List
- 1-"Unanswered Prayers"
- 2-2
- 3-3
- 4-4
- 5-5
- 6-6
- 7-7
- 8-8
- 9-9a
- 10-9b
- 11-9c
- 12-10
- 13-11a
- 14-11b
- 15-11c
- 16-11d
- 17-11e
- 18-11f
- 19-11g
- 20-12
- 21-13
- 22-14
- 23-15
- 24-16
- 25-17
- 26-18
- 27-19
- 28-20
- 2
- 3
- 4
“Where am I?”
“You’re in Iceland.”
Severus Snape lay naked on the bed as Hermione tended his wounds. It took over three weeks for the antivenin potion to defeat the venom from Nagini’s bite and another week before the toxins stopped eating his vital organs. For the last week she’d bathed him in and fed him healing potions in a nutritious broth through a tube magically inserted down his throat.
“Why am I in Iceland?”
“You were… injured… by a snake bite.”
“Nagini attacked me. The Dark Lord —“
Snape scratched at the quiescent tattoo marking him as a traitor to Voldemort’s cause.
“— he unleashed that snake on me because he thought I controlled the Elder wand. Your presence and my continued existence must mean he failed. Did Potter defeat him?”
“Thanks to you.”
“So Potter sacrificed himself. He’s dead.”
“No, he’s alive. Voldemort is dead. All of him.”
“I don’t understand…”
“I don’t wonder. You’ve been unconscious for almost five weeks; the details can wait until you’re better.”
“Why are you here?”
“Someone needed to care for you. The healers are stretched pretty thin since the war ended and most of them can’t brew the potions you need. You were a very good teacher, Professor. I’ve been able to make all the potions Madame Pomfrey prescribed for you. She comes out once a week to check on you and me; she’ll be glad you’re awake.”
“I take it ‘caring’ for me requires nudity?”
Hermione blushed, startling him. Based on what used to be his nightly patrols of Hogwarts he’d determined all adolescents to be randy, immodest twits with no decorum or discrimination. Hermione Granger moved herself away from that generalization with that blush.
“Nagini’s venom and teeth damaged you badly, Professor, and you didn’t begin to heal until the venom was neutralized. I’ve been cleaning you daily to prevent any further damage and bathing your wounds in a potion.”
“What grave sin did you commit to end up here with me and not basking in the glory of your success in defeating the Dark Lord? I would think Rita Skeeter must be salivating to get your dulcet voice on record in an interview.”
Hermione huffed, disgusted with all the notoriety and attention lavished on Harry and Ron. At least Harry had the decency to deflect credit to the many who helped along the way. Ron, the ginger git, wove a tale where he alone defeated the greatest evil in wizarding history after rescuing Harry and Hermione.
“I am happy to be well away from that; helping you regain your health is far more fulfilling. Your injuries demand and deserve any help I can provide; without you we would have failed.”
With respect for his dignity, she completed her task and re-covered him in the heavy cotton sheet on the bed.
“If you’re up to it, I have clothes for you. I also have hospital gowns if those would be easier.”
“Thank you, Ms. Granger, for reducing my embarrassment at having a very attractive former student handling my body without my knowledge.”
“I’m sorry, Professor.” she said, though she wasn’t.
“Don’t be. You and Poppy saved my miserable life. It is bad manners to be ungrateful so please let me express my gratitude. I was well prepared for my death; now it seems I shall have to consider what to do with the rest of my life.”
Sitting up gingerly, he let the sheet fall to his waist, looking around their accommodations. Through the bedroom door he could see a great room and beyond it a kitchen. During the comatose portion his convalescence he’d dreamed of hearing footsteps above him so he hypothesized there must be an upstairs. Always curious, he probed their living arrangements with her.
“Ms. Granger, where are your accommodations?”
With a finger she pointed to corner where he noted a folding camp cot overlaid with a cushioning pad, sheets and a light blanket. A pillow sat dead center.
“That looks uncomfortable.”
The glint of a smile appeared on her face.
“I needed to be close in case you needed me.”
“And did I?”
“Yes; but it’s gotten better the longer we’ve been here.”
Severus Snape considered this before speaking again.
“And where, exactly, is ‘here’ again?”
“Flatley, Iceland”
“Elaborate.”
“You needed to be close enough for me to get help caring for you and far enough away that I wouldn’t spend my days taking care of you and my nights defending you from rogue Death Eaters and malcontents with grudges because their side lost.”
“I see. You set the protections, I would presume, having kept Potter and that clot Weasley alive for a year. You were always too bright to have friends like them. Although Potter’s impressed me with his ability to accomplish Dumbledore’s ridiculously complicated plan. Must be Lily’s genes.”
The young witch in front of him brought Lily to mind. Lily, a muggle born herself, arrived at Hogwarts with prodigious natural talents. Without Lily's skills, and her sacrifice, the Chosen One would not have survived the night that Voldemort destroyed Severus’ only reason for continuing to breathe.
“Our informative discussion has tired me. I’d like to rest after a trip to the facilities —”
“Oh, that’s not necessary, Professor. If you’re feeling tired I can —”
“That’s quite alright, Ms. Granger. If you will assist me, I will take over those responsibilities for myself.”
Twenty minutes later he’d returned from the longest trip to urinate he’d ever experienced since being toilet trained and Hermione touched a conscious man’s genitals for the first time. Neither enjoyed the experience.

“What are you making?”
“Soup stew. You must be tired of broth. Since you’re moving around more and dressing yourself I asked Madame Pomfrey if I could vary your diet.”
“It smells appetizing. What is it?”
“Lentil and lamb with vegetables. Do you want to eat here or in your bed?”
The table and benches in the kitchen looked uncomfortable.
“I’d prefer the living area if that can be accomplished.”
“Let me find something I can use as a tray…”
Some scraping, dragging and stacking later had the microwave cabinet moved next to the couch and set up for their meal.
“I hope you like it. You seemed to enjoy the lamb entrees during meals at school.”
His spoon stopped halfway between his mouth and the bowl despite the exquisite flavors it held.
“Why would you notice that?”
“Because it was the only time I didn’t see you frowning. When I thought you would reveal Remus Lupin as a werewolf, I studied you to see if I could get something on you, blackmail you into keeping quiet.”
“So know-it-all fits you to a tee, Ms. Granger?”
Little snark came through the bait.
He’s testing me…
“In a few years it will.” she grinned.
“The meal is remarkable. Where did you learn to cook?”
“At home. Normal activity for muggle children and I enjoyed it.”
He picked up on her slight embarrassment at saying that to him.
“Don’t be ashamed of who you are, Ms. Granger. My father was a muggle - although, based on muggle standards, he wasn’t a very successful one.”
“You seem to have turned out okay, Professor. You’re a hero.”
No further conversation parted the silence.
- 2
- 3
- 4
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

"Unanswered Prayers"