One Day Like This

A/N: The title of this chapter is taken from the song of the same name by Elbow. It's on YouTube if you want to listen to it. It is quite beautiful.

And as a reward for all of your patience, here's Chapter 19.

Severus stepped from his kitchen with a mug of tea in his hand, his eyes focussed on the armchair he was planning to sit in. He had only taken two steps when he noticed her, and he paused, raising his gaze to her face.

‘Hermione,’ he breathed softly.

‘Severus,’ she whispered, smiling a little. ‘I’m surprised; you didn’t change your wards.’

‘You will always be welcome here, you know that. You should have owled. I would have prepared dinner.’ He smiled at her slowly, taking in her softly waved hair, her black blouse that was nipped in at the waist and accentuating her full figure, her slim black jeans, and her rucksack by her feet.

‘You’re staying?’ he asked her, raising his eyes.

‘If it’s inconvenient, I can stay with Harry and Ginny. But I would much rather stay here. If it’s okay with you?’ Hermione’s eyes were sparkling as she looked at him.

‘You would?’ Severus felt his heart starting to beat a little faster.

Hermione nodded, and her face broke into a warm smile.

‘I have missed you, Severus,’ she said softly. ‘Very much.’

‘And I, you,’ he whispered, not taking his eyes from her face. ‘Here, take this. I will get another.’ He handed her his tea, and she smiled her thanks.

As he walked into the kitchen, he was unaware of Hermione following him, and so he was startled as he turned around to find her leaning against the door, watching him. His mouth went dry, and he placed his cup onto the work surface with a trembling hand.

Hermione took a step towards him and put her half-empty cup of tea down next to his. Their eyes met, and Hermione stepped in front of Severus and took his hand in hers.

‘Hermione.’ Severus couldn’t take his eyes from her face, and she lifted her hand to his cheek and stroked his hair behind his ear gently. He shivered as she stepped even closer, allowing her body to press against his.

‘Kiss me, Severus,’ she murmured, her eyes bright as she stared at his mouth and ran her tongue over her bottom lip gently.

‘I don’t think that is a good idea,’ he whispered, fighting every urge to do just as she said.

‘Please, Severus,’ Hermione pleaded with him, a small smile on her face.

‘I cannot,’ he muttered, and he closed his eyes.

Hermione stepped back and stared at him, her eyes starting to swim with tears as she bit her lip.

‘Why?’ she asked him desperately, her voice breaking.

‘You have been badly hurt, Hermione,’ Severus spat in frustration, 'and if I kiss you, I will not be able to stop at just a kiss. You do not want this, Hermione. Trust me.’ His eyes blazed at her as he tried to make her understand.

Hermione shook her head incredulously and laughed a little.

‘You don’t get it, do you? I do trust you, Severus. More than that, I’m in love with you. If I can’t feel something with you, then who else?’ she spoke firmly. ‘Who else, Severus?’

They looked at each other for a heartbeat, and then Hermione turned and walked from the room, letting the door close without looking back at him. She lifted her bag and threw it over her shoulder, and then she walked to the front door. As she put her hand on the door handle, she paused, breathing deeply and trying to stop the tears from falling down her face, closing her eyes and resting her forehead against the door.

‘Don’t leave,’ Severus spoke from behind her.

Hermione took a long breath before turning to face him and looked at him in shock.

He looked paler than she had ever seen him. His eyes were haunted, and for the first time she saw the dark circles that told her he hadn’t been sleeping. His hair was hanging in untidy lengths around his face, and his jaw was set firm.

‘What?’ Hermione asked him.

‘Don’t leave me again, Hermione, please,’ Severus’s voice broke raggedly, and he ran a hand over his face.

Hermione dropped her rucksack onto the floor and walked up to Severus, snaking her arms around his waist softly. She pulled him close and rested her head on his chest, inhaling his familiar scent deeply. Severus sighed and closed his eyes, wrapping his arms around her and hugging her tightly, nuzzling his face into her hair.

Hermione smiled a little and tipped her head to his. Her eyes held his gaze as he brushed her hair away from her face with his gentle fingers and then ran his thumb over her bottom lip.

‘I have dreamed of this moment,’ he said softly. His eyes glinted, and a soft smile graced his lips.

‘Have you?’ Hermione’s smile widened and her eyes twinkled at him. ‘Me too,’ she murmured.

Severus gazed down at her beautiful face and bent his head to hers slowly.

Their lips touched briefly, grazing each other, and then they pulled away as they acknowledged the spark between them. Hermione gasped, and Severus felt the breath catch in his throat as he bent his head again to capture her lips with his own. Hermione’s mouth opened voluntarily, and she moaned as he slipped his tongue between her teeth and explored. She moved her tongue to meet his, and she felt him tighten his hold on her.

Severus had an erection to be proud of, and it was pushing against Hermione’s thigh firmly. He ran his hands along her back and pulled her blouse up a little. He caressed her skin and reached for the clasp of her bra. Deftly, he unfastened it and stroked the skin between her shoulder blades gently.

Gasping, they pulled apart, their eyes burning with passion. Severus looked at Hermione and raised his eyes in a silent question. Hermione nodded, and he gripped her hand firmly, pulling her up the stairs.

A/N: Yay! Finally some kissing! It's been a long haul, folks. Just three more chapters to go. Big hugs to kizzy7 for her sterling efforts. I wouldn't be here without her. Please reveiw. Thanks.