4

Chapter 4- July 19, 1998

Snape was glowering at Pomfrey when they both heard a commotion and turned to see Hermione pelting into the hospital wing. Her wide eyes closed and she skidded to a stop, bending forward and panting with her hands braced on her knees.

Pomfrey and Snape exchanged a baffled look, then Pomfrey said, "Hermione? What's wrong? Are you all right?"

Hermione waved her hand and nodded, trying to control her breathing. "I'm... fine.... Just... worried..."

Snape squinted at her and said, "Worried about what?"

Hermione straightened and flashed a sheepish smile. "You." Snape's brows shot up and he gazed at her, taken aback. "I went down... to your quarters... and there was no... answer.... So I was worried... something had happened... and I broke in..."

Pomfrey snapped, "You what?"

Snape was torn between irritation that she had broken into his quarters and pleasure that she was so clearly concerned about him.

Hermione crossed to Snape where he was sitting on the edge of the bed for Pomfrey's examination and placed an apologetic hand on his forearm. "I'm sorry, Professor. I don't know why I was so worried. It was silly of me. I promise I won't intrude like that again."

Snape felt the warm tingle that spread through him from her touch and said, "Apology accepted. Now, calm down. I'm perfectly fine."

Pomfrey snorted and said, "Not exactly, Severus. You said yourself that you still didn't sleep well last night."

Scowling, Snape growled, "And I told you that could have been affected by any number of things. It's only fair to allow me to remain there until we can determine whether it has a more detrimental effect on my sleep or not. You can't rush to conclusions, Poppy."

Hermione jumped to his defence. "It's true, Madam Pomfrey. With that longer nap yesterday, the extra exertions getting down there, and so much sweet stuff, you can't make a decision based on one night."

Cutting a glance at Hermione, Pomfrey said, "Sweet stuff? What did you do, Severus?"

Snape sneered at her and said, "We indulged in a variety of sweets, but it was a special occasion, so it won't be a regular occurrence."

Pomfrey slid a measuring glance over Snape's haughty expression and Hermione's earnest one, noticing that her hand was still resting on Snape's arm. Holding her tongue for now, she finished her notes in Snape's file and made a show of closing it. Sure enough, Snape immediately spoke.

"Are we finished here?"

"For today. I still want to see you daily until it's no longer necessary. You're free to go. I'll see you back here tomorrow morning." She nodded at them and strode off to her office.

Snape slid off the edge of the bed, making so bold as to twist his hand up to grip Hermione's as he said, "Let's go. Which would you rather work on first: revising or the book?"

Hermione started to head for the door, but Snape tugged her toward the hospital wing's Floo hearth. She caught his eye and grinned as they Flooed to his quarters.

Snape cast the charm to get rid of the soot, and, pleased that it worked so well, turned and cast it again on Hermione once she spun out of the flames behind him. She voiced a cry of surprise, followed by one of delight at his regained skill. "Well done, sir!"

Snape smirked and sketched a mocking bow before leading the way to the table again. They had been working for a while, and had ordered some sandwiches for lunch, when Snape pushed the book from in front of Hermione and said, "That's enough. Lunch will be here shortly. Time for a break."

Hermione blinked rapidly, then rubbed her eyes and squirmed in her chair, stretching. Snape watched her, apprehensive about her reaction to what he was about to propose. But, the idea had been plaguing him since the night before, and he knew he would get no peace until he broached it.

"Hermione..."

She looked at him, attentive. "Yes?"

"Would you be interested in moving into quarters nearby? You wouldn't have to worry about trekking all over the castle, Floos or not..."

She interrupted him, saying, "Are there quarters down here, besides the Slytherin dormitories?"

Snape tilted his head and said, "Well, no, not exactly. But there are unused rooms that can be adjusted to suit. At least until term starts. But that's a bridge to cross when we get to it."

Hermione's brow furrowed in thought. "I don't know. Can I see what you're talking about?"

Snape nodded. "Of course, we can go now. It's just down the corridor so it'll only take a moment."

They rose as one, and Snape led her to the unused classroom and office just past his quarters. Hermione gazed around at the dank, dusty room, nonplussed.

Snape hurriedly said, "It would be cleaned up, and tapestries hung, just like in my rooms. And it could be partitioned into smaller sections if you like. At least the office is adjacent to the bank of sinks, so plumbing for a bathroom shouldn't be too difficult."

Hermione blinked up at him and murmured, "You've obviously put a lot of thought into this."

Snape shrugged and mumbled, "Well, I didn't sleep well last night, so when I was awake, I thought about it."

Hermione brushed his arm in a gesture of comfort, then said, "Well... I suppose it could work. But I don't know enough about building spells to know what to do. And would I have to get permission from Professor McGonagall to make any changes...even to an unused room?"

Snape swallowed to tamp back his excitement and said, "Between the staff and the house-elves, I daresay it wouldn't take too long. We can talk to Minerva after lunch if you like."

Hermione smiled and said, "All right. Speaking of lunch, I'm sure the sandwiches are waiting for us. Let's go."

Snape gestured for her to precede him out, letting a triumphant smile spread across his lips before changing his expression to a more sober one as he joined her in the corridor.

The idea was met with surprise but acceptance, and within the next two days, Hermione was moved in just down the hall from Snape, much to his delight and Ron's dismay.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

July 21, 1998

It was late that night, and Hermione was in her new quarters, looking at the piles of stuff she and Harry and Ron had just moved into the main room. They had helped her move even though neither of them was sure it was a good idea. The boys were sprawled on the tattered sofa, drinking the Butterbeer she had ordered with a tray of snacks.

Ron frowned as he looked around and said, "There's no Floo. Are you sure you want to be here instead of staying at Number 12 with us?"

Hermione sank onto a squashy chair and sighed. "For the umpteenth time, Ron, yes, it's easier to just be here instead of having to constantly Floo back and forth from Number 12, or having to traipse all over the castle if I'm staying in the Gryffindor dormitories. It's just until term starts. Once the students return, I won't be staying here anymore."

Harry yawned and said, "Well, you know you're always welcome back home whenever you want."

Hermione smiled and said, "Thank you, Harry. I appreciate that."

Harry drained the rest of his Butterbeer and heaved to his feet. "Well, if you're done using us as slave labour, I think I better go get ready for bed."

Hermione uttered an inarticulate noise of protest and flung a pillow at him. He laughed as he caught it like a Snitch, then threw it on Ron, who bellowed, "Oi!" and glared at Harry.

Ron deliberately stayed where he was, pinning Harry with a meaningful look. Harry rubbed the back of his neck and looked around awkwardly. "Right then. I'll catch up with you lot later. Good night, Hermione. See you in the morning, Ron."

Hermione walked with him to the door and gave him a grateful hug. "Thanks again, Harry. Get some sleep."

She shut the door and turned to find Ron standing very close, looking down into her upturned face. With a lopsided grin, he murmured, "I can help you make the bed if you like."

Hermione pursed her lips and wrinkled her nose at him, splaying one hand on his chest as she said, "Oh, very subtle, Ron. I know exactly why you stayed behind."

Ron shrugged and grinned, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her against his body. Leaning down, he murmured, "I've missed you, Hermione," before kissing her.

Hermione snaked her arms around his neck and responded in kind, letting him guide them stumblingly through the room, behind a partition, where they fell onto the bare bed. They were snogging enthusiastically, hands roaming, when Ron backed away and panted, "I want you so much."

Hermione could feel how hard he was for her, and she was dizzy with need. They had become lovers soon after the war had ended, sometimes staying the night in her bed and other times in his at Number 12. Harry acknowledged the new relationship as matter-of-factly as he could, glad his best friends had finally found some happiness together. Still, he didn't want the details.

But the past few weeks, since Snape had come out of his coma, Hermione had been at Number 12 less and less, and Ron missed being able to sleep next to her after they made love. They struggled out of their clothes, breathless with excitement. Hermione didn't even care that the mattress was bare as Ron pressed her onto it, covering her with his body.

They were sprawled there, dozing in the afterglow, when Hermione was startled awake by a knock at her door. Ron hadn't noticed, but when she squirmed to untangle their limbs, he stirred and frowned blearily at her. "What's wrong?"

Hermione hastily donned her clothes and patted her tangled hair in vain as she hissed, "Someone's at my door. Just... stay out of sight!"

He hissed back, "Why?" as she darted around the partition toward the door, where the knocking repeated.

Fighting her embarrassed blush and shallow breathing, Hermione swallowed and set her shoulders as she opened the door, only to jerk back in surprise. "Sir!"

Snape stood in the corridor, one hand bracing himself against her doorjamb. His hair was mussed from his fitful sleep, and he was wearing drawstring pyjama bottoms like he had worn in the hospital wing, but instead of a matching shirt, he wore a grey t-shirt. "I could see your lights were on, so I thought you might still be awake."

Shooting a nervous glance over her shoulder at the partition, Hermione closed the door until her body blocked the space between it and the jamb and said, "Is everything all right?"

Snape frowned and rubbed his face, then said, "Did I wake you?"

Hermione cleared her throat and said, "No! No, I wasn't asleep yet. Sir, are you feeling okay?"

Snape sighed and muttered, "Bad dreams. Again. Couldn't go back to sleep."

Hermione sucked in a sympathetic breath and reached out to caress his arm. "Oh, no. I'm sorry. Shall I go fetch Madam Pomfrey?"

Snape grimaced and shook his head. "No. I just... would you sit with me for a bit?"

Hermione's mouth fell open and she froze. Behind her, she heard movement and she flicked an agonized glance back to see Ron, mercifully dressed but scowling fiercely, stomping into his shoes as he made his way toward her.

Snape straightened, frowning as he said, "Is someone there?"

Hermione looked back at him, owl-eyed, completely at a loss about what to do. Ron pulled the door from her grip and glared at Snape. "Yeah, someone's here. But I'll be going now. Not to worry, Professor."

Snape backed away, stunned to see Ron, dishevelled and angry. Realization washed over him, and his eyes widened. In a breathless rasp, he said, "I beg your pardon. I didn't realize you had guests."

Ron stepped into the corridor and said, "Oh, no, not guests, just guest. Just me. But that can be fixed. Goodbye, Hermione. Professor."

Hermione watched, aghast, as Ron stormed down the corridor. "Ron, wait!" He didn't look back, so she jogged after him, saying, "Ron, please!"

Snape took a deep breath, trying to ignore the pain searing through his chest at the knowledge that Hermione had just shagged the Weasley boy on the other side of the wall from Snape's own bedroom. Unable to watch their scene play out any more, he quickly retreated to his quarters, trying not to hear their argument at the end of the corridor.

Sinking into his armchair, he leant forward and propped his elbows on his knees, running his hands through his hair and lacing his fingers behind his neck. He was sitting like that, unable to even think coherently, when his door flew open and Hermione burst into the room, her eyes red-rimmed and glassy and her face blotchy. Snape stared up at her as she rushed across the room toward him. He braced himself for an attack, expecting her to slap him for barging into her business like that.

Hermione stopped in front of him, wringing her hands and sniffling as she said, "Are you sure you're all right, sir? I can Floo up to Madam Pomfrey right away if you need something."

Snape blinked at her, speechless. Hermione's lips were trembling, but it was obvious she was trying to regain control of her emotions. Snape stood, wrapping his hands around hers to still their movements, and murmured, "Hermione, I'm fine. Please, sit." He guided her to sink down onto the sofa with him, both angled toward each other. "You're the one who is distraught. If anyone needs anything from Poppy, it's you."

Hermione gave a huge sniff, swallowing hard, then said, "Professor, I don't know what you're talking about..."

Snape scowled and snapped, "Hermione!" She met his stern gaze. "That's enough. You're not my student, or apprentice, or anything else to be at my beck and call. I should never have intruded like that. Your personal life is your business, not mine. I'm sorry I caused such an issue between you and your boyfriend..."

He trailed off as he watched Hermione's stoic façade crumble, and she dissolved into tears. Her words were garbled, but Snape still understood her as she said, "He was so hateful...I thought...I thought he understood...that I care about you too...he's not my only friend...and he has no right to...to say hurtful things about people I care about!"

Snape's throat tightened and he said, "If you care about me, then allow me to be your friend, Hermione."

She looked at him through her tears and saw him holding his arms open, clearly offering comfort. She nodded and fell forward into his embrace, allowing him to soothe her. After a few minutes, she calmed down. When she backed away, she grimaced at the wet stains on his t-shirt. "Sorry, sir."

Snape huffed and rolled his eyes, throwing his hands up in exasperation. Hermione eyed him warily even as she cast a quick cleansing spell at his shirt. Once his chest was dry again, he crossed his arms again and pinned her with an aggrieved look.

"What?" Hermione started wringing her hands again.

"Hermione, do you call any of your friends 'sir'?"

She blinked. "N-no..."

Snape smirked at her and spread his hands again. "I beg to differ. You call me 'sir' all the time."

Hermione averted her eyes and sheepishly murmured, "I get it. Point made... Severus," slanting a wry glance at him as she deliberately tacked on his first name.

Snape smiled fondly at her and inclined his head. "Well done." Then, his expression sobered and he said, "Will you accept my apology?"

Hermione frowned and said, "You've nothing to apologize for, si-Severus."

Snape heard her catch herself and his lips twitched. "I do. You have a right to an uninterrupted night's sleep, regardless of whether mine is or not. It was ill mannered and presumptuous of me to intrude upon you like that. That it caused even more problems makes my lack of judgment even more egregious. Please, forgive me."

Hermione sighed but said, "Fine. I forgive you, even though it's not your fault. My relationship with Ron has never run smoothly." She saw him cringe and said, "I won't burden you with details." She snorted when he visibly wilted in relief. "It's just difficult."

Snape nodded briefly, afraid she would begin a tale anyway, but she closed her eyes and heaved a deep sigh. In a cajoling voice, he said, "It's late. You need some rest. Come, it's long past your bedtime."

He stood, gripping her elbow and helping her to her feet. She sagged against him as he walked her out his door and down the few paces to hers. When she opened the door, he released her and said, "I think you can manage from here. Good night, Hermione."

She leant against the doorjamb and looked up at him with tired, puffy eyes. "Thank you. Good night. I hope we both can make it through till morning without any more bad dreams."

Snape nodded and returned to his quarters once she shut her door. He settled into bed, his ears straining to hear anything from the other side of the wall, even though he knew the stone was too thick to do so. Stretching one hand above his head, he rested it against the cool stone, imagining that Hermione was doing the same thing on the other side, wanting to be connected to him as much as he wanted to be connected to her. With that wish filling his mind, he fell asleep, touching the wall.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~