Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Hermione opened her eyes and squinted as the light in the room blinded her. Where was she? She looked around and finally recognized the hotel room in which they were staying in Venice. Her mind felt foggy, and she fought to concentrate and focus her eyes on everything. She blinked a couple of times and everything came into focus. Sitting up, she wondered how she had gotten into her bed. The last thing she remembered was storming out of the hotel room and going down to the lobby. She strained to think of what happened after that. It took a long time until she could vaguely remember talking to a man. She had felt dizzy, and he had offered to take a walk with her. Fear gripped her suddenly. Why had she gone with him? And why couldn't she remember anything past that?

She wracked her brain but could not remember anything after that. Suddenly the image of arguing with the man flashed through her mind, and then it was gone. Had that really happened? Her brain was so fuzzy, she wasn't sure what was real and what wasn't.

Her stomach tied in knots as she remembered him distracting her about another customer in the café. Her attention had been drawn away long enough for him to slip something into her hot chocolate. Hermione put her head in her hands. No, it couldn't be!

While visiting her parents three months ago, she had come across an in-depth article about 'date-rape' drugs in the Muggle newspaper. There were many different types that were being used by nefarious characters so they could have their way with women. The drug would incapacitate the woman somewhat, making her more receptive to another's advances. The women wouldn't remember anything when they awoke the next day.

She sunk down into the bed and groaned. She tried and tried to remember what happened. Finally a blurry memory of Severus coming up to them when they were arguing came to her. She remembered turning and speaking to him and then passing out.

Hermione heaved a huge sigh. Severus had come along before anything horrible had happened. She sat back up and examined her clothing. She was wearing the same outfit she'd had on yesterday. She smiled to herself. Severus had been quite the gentleman, not even trying to slip her into pajamas.

oooOOOooo

Severus was sitting quietly outside Hermione's room, waiting for her to wake up. He had been waiting a while and was getting impatient. He decided to peek in on her. Opening the door slightly, he poked his head in and saw Hermione sitting up in bed. He knocked lightly to get her attention. She looked up at him and smiled. He took that as a good sign and went over and sat down next to her on the bed.

"Are you feeling alright?" he asked her.

She nodded.

"Do you remember anything about last night?"

Hermione sighed and looked down. "I remember going down to the lobby and ordering a hot chocolate. Before long I was joined by a man, and we struck up a conversation. He distracted me and made me look away from the table." Hermione was fidgeting with the blanket that covered her as she spoke. "He must have slipped something into my drink," she explained. "It made me dizzy, and he suggested we take a walk and get some air." She narrowed her eyes and tried to clear the cobwebs in her head. "I remember arguing with him about which way we should go, and he was getting a bit agitated. Then you came along. I think I passed out after that because I can't remember anything else."

Hermione looked up at Severus. "Severus, thank you for saving me last night. I shouldn't have run out like I did. I'm sorry."

Severus looked at Hermione in annoyance.

"Don't you even blame yourself for any of this, Hermione. If I hadn't been so horrible to you, you would have never left. I'm sorry I was such a prat."

Hermione wasn't sure what to say to that.

"How... how did you find me?" she asked.

"My wand directed me to you. I could feel you were in trouble."

Hermione looked at him searchingly.

"How did you feel that?"

"It's just a sense I developed while living as a Death Eater. It has saved my own life several times," Severus explained.

Hermione nodded and looked down.

"Are you alright, Hermione?"

She nodded.

"Do you want me to leave you alone?"

She shook her head. She looked small and vulnerable. Her eyes were wide, and she was trying to hold back tears. Severus pulled her to him and enveloped her in a hug.

"It's alright. He didn't do anything to you. I got there before he even had a chance to put his paws on you."

Hermione gave a huge sob and buried her head in Severus' shirt. She cried openly for a few minutes while Severus rubbed her back comfortingly.

"What happened after I passed out?" she asked finally, her voice muffled by his shirt.

"I Obliviated him. He'll never hurt another woman like that again."

Hermione pulled herself in closer to Severus, feeling comforted by his touch.

"I brought you back up to our room after that and put you to bed," Severus explained further.

"Thank you, Severus," Hermione said as she pulled back from him and wiped her tears. "I'm sorry I was such a problem. I hope I didn't do anything stupid last night."

"You did nothing stupid," Severus told her. "Are you hungry? I can order us some breakfast."

Hermione nodded and smiled at him.

"Get dressed, I'll meet you out there," Severus said as he pointed to the lounge.

He got up and left Hermione to get ready. She jumped in the shower and let the water course over her for a few minutes, ridding her of the worry that she had felt about the previous night. Soon she was through and stepped out, toweling herself off. All of a sudden, she felt a bit lightheaded. She braced herself against the wall as the room spun and finally settled back down around her. After a couple of minutes, she felt able to walk without falling.

Heading back out into the bedroom, she sat on the edge of her bed until she felt better. Hermione went over to her luggage. She rifled through her bag and pulled out something that made her feel feminine. Once she was dressed, she examined herself in the mirror. She had on a ribbed, red, short-sleeved shirt and tan pants. The shirt went down past her waist. She grabbed a thick black belt to accent it. Charming her hair dry, she pulled it into a high ponytail, leaving the curls to cascade down to her neck. A little lip gloss and some blush, and she was set.

She went into the lounge and found Severus sound asleep on the couch. She wondered if he had slept much the night before with all of the craziness that had happened. She went up to him, wondering if she should wake him. She looked down at his features and smiled. He looked incredibly peaceful when he slept, the worry lines that years of war had instilled in his face had virtually disappeared.

The anger she had felt towards him the night before melted away. He had saved her last night and had been so sweet this morning with her... she couldn't hold his nasty words against him.

He stirred as she watched him, and she decided to awaken him. She knelt down next to him and shook his shoulder lightly.

"Severus?"

Severus cracked his eyes open, then he opened them wide.

"Is everything alright?" he asked with worry.

She smiled at him. "Yes, everything's fine. You fell asleep."

Severus sat up and shook the cobwebs from his mind. "Indeed I did."

At that point there was a knock on the door. Room Service had arrived with their breakfast. Severus told the server to set up everything on the balcony. Soon they were seated outside, feasting on eggs, bacon, and toast. Severus eyed Hermione, watching her for a mental collapse of some kind, but she seemed normal enough.

"Are you sure you're alright?" he asked again.

"I'm fine," she told him. "I felt a little lightheaded after my shower, but I'm okay now." She shuddered and continued. "Even though I know nothing happened, I can't help but feel violated."

"Your feelings are quite normal, Hermione. He tried to take advantage of you."

Hermione looked up to the sky, trying to chase away the tears that were beginning to form. "I just don't understand that mentality. Why would anyone want to take advantage of another person like that?"

"I assume it's a power thing," Severus mused. "Some people get their kicks out of seeing others at their mercy. We've both dealt with people like that before."

Hermione nodded and looked down at her plate. "I just feel very exposed," she admitted. "With all of my magic, I was still helpless to do anything about his advances." She looked up at Severus. "That's a very frightening place to be."

Severus reached out and placed his hand on hers. "It's over now, and nothing bad happened. You're safe and unharmed. At least you can be thankful for that." He rubbed little circles on the back of her hand. "You'll be alright, these feelings will pass."

Hermione nodded and sniffled. "Yes, they will. I'm lucky nothing worse happened. Severus, I can't tell you how grateful I am that you came along when you did."

Severus squeezed her hand before pulling away. "I am too."

Severus kept eyeing her throughout the remainder of their breakfast. Hermione began to feel self conscious about the way he was watching her like a hawk. She spread jelly on another piece of toast, not making eye contact with him.

Soon they had eaten their fill and moved back into the main room. Severus looked over at Hermione nervously. She gave him a quizzical look. He guided her to the couch, and they both sat down. Turning to her, he rested his arm on the back of the couch and made himself comfortable.

"Hermione, I need to ask you a question," he said tentatively.

"What is it?" Hermione asked with interest.

"It's about some things you said last night."

Hermione's face fell. Now what had happened? Had she said something stupid? Something hateful? What had she done?

"Okay," she said hesitantly.

Severus looked down, avoiding her gaze.

"You asked me why I never kissed you."

Hermione stared at Severus with a look of dread. Merlin, no! Had she told him how she felt? Not now! Not when just last night, he had made it perfectly clear that he felt nothing for her. Her mouth was suddenly dry, and she couldn't say a word. Severus still looked down at the couch and did not see her discomfort.

"You then said something about asking me to help you with the book search to get to know me better."

Hermione's shoulders sagged, and she put her head in her hands. Severus glanced over at her. He couldn't tell what her reaction meant. He decided to press on nonetheless.

"You said that you wanted me to fall in love with you."

Hermione groaned into her hands and murmured an expletive. Severus couldn't help but smirk.

"I wanted to let you know that if that was your true intention... you succeeded."

Severus waited, his breath held. She would either react badly, or she would tell him that falling in love was what she'd had in mind all along.

Hermione didn't think she'd heard him correctly. She raised her head and looked at him quizzically.

"You... did you say... what did you just say?" Her curious expression changed to one of hope.

Severus smiled, for he could tell by the look on her face that she had been sincere the night before. Now he was sure her delusional ranting had been the truth. His insecurities about her feelings for him disappeared. He moved right next to her.

"I said I love you."

She took in a deep breath, startled at his admission. "Oh!" Hermione gasped and threw her arms around him.

Severus' arms encircled her, and his lips met hers tentatively. He felt her respond to him and grew bold, intensifying the kiss and the passion behind it. Hermione opened her mouth in response to him, and he slipped his tongue into it. Their tongues danced with their new found passion, and they both reveled in the taste of each other. At long last they separated and looked into one another's eyes.

"I don't understand something," Hermione told him as she played with his hair. "You were just screaming at me last night. Why the sudden change?"

Severus looked down sheepishly. "I'm sorry about that, Hermione. I was struggling with my feelings." He looked back up into her eyes. "I found that I cared about you much more than I was willing to admit. When I finally did admit it to myself, I saw no future whatsoever in it."

Severus stopped for a moment and swallowed hard. He looked down to the ground again. Hermione waited patiently for him to continue. "I couldn't see someone like you ever wanting someone like me. I was feeling sorry for myself."

He closed his eyes and sighed. Opening them again, he focused over her shoulder, trying to look anywhere but at Hermione. "I lost control of my emotions, and I'm sorry about that. In my self-deprecating mood, I took my anger out on you. I couldn't bear the thought of going about my life without you in it. I didn't feel that you could ever return my feelings. I didn't know what you could ever see in me."

"Severus," Hermione called to him. His eyes finally met hers once again as she placed her hands around his face. "I see my future in you."

Severus gave her a shy grin before pulling her close and kissing her again. He couldn't believe that he was kissing her. Just yesterday he had been steeling himself for their separation. Now they were in each other's arms, sharing their feelings for one another. She wanted to share a future with him. He could barely fathom it, yet it was all he wanted now. The only future he could see for himself was centered on Hermione Granger. His hand tangled itself in her hair as he reveled in her affection. Her kiss was even better than he had imagined. It was filled with promise. It was heaven.

"Hermione," he said after they had pulled away from each other again. "Thank you."

He took his hand and caressed her face, kissing her again before continuing. "You pulled me out of my seclusion to find you. I don't think anyone else would have been brave enough to face me."

"You forget that Hermione Granger always gets what she wants." Hermione gave him a huge grin.

Severus caressed her hair. "I, however, am not used to getting what I want."

"You'll have to get used to it, then," Hermione murmured before kissing him again.

oooOOOooo

A while later they were still entwined together on the couch.

"Do you want to head back to England now, or is there more you would like to see?" Severus asked Hermione.

Hermione pulled back and looked at him tentatively. "I would, if you wouldn't mind, like to take another Gondola ride."

Severus smirked at her. "That sounds like a good idea."

He rose and helped her up. As Hermione stood, a wave of dizziness enveloped her again. She stumbled to the side, and Severus caught her.

"Are you alright?" he asked with concern.

She nodded her head after a moment of stabilization. "I am. I think it's just the after effects of the drug."

Severus pulled her to him and embraced her. "I should have killed that bastard."

"He wasn't worth it, Severus," she contested.

"He was going to hurt you. I will never let anyone do that."

Hermione looked up at him and smiled. "My knight in shining armor."

"My beautiful princess."

Somehow her smile grew wider. She pulled his head down and covered him in kisses.

oooOOOooo

At long last, they were once again seated in a Gondola with a gondolier singing love songs while they floated along the canals. This time, however, they paid much less attention to the scenery around them. They could not take their eyes off each other. Hermione and Severus looked at each other and marveled that they had finally gotten what they wanted. They cuddled together and kissed as if they couldn't get enough of one another. Severus played with Hermione's fingers as she made to hold his hand. He looked over to her and saw her love for him shining in her eyes.

"Severus, I love you," she said with a sigh.

"Thank you for that, Hermione," he muttered softly. "I love you too." Not able to bear being separated from her lips any longer, he closed the distance and kissed her passionately. His heart was so full it felt as if it would explode in his chest. How had he ever survived without her?

A/N: Next up: Hermione tells her friends of her new relationship.

I'm sure you're all saying FINALLY! It only took 14 chapters. Hermione is pretty good at this game she's been playing. She accomplished her goal without even realizing it! Thanks, everyone, for your wonderful comments and support of this story.