Chapter 10

I apologize this is a very short chapter. I'm not sure why I didn't notice it before. Thank you all so much for your comments. I appreciate them. Enjoy.

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The room was warm, clean, and filled with comfortable furniture. A fire blazed in the fireplace, and there were carpets on the floor. Books lined the walls.

Severus turned towards her from a chair where he’d been sitting holding a small glass of firewhisky. He rose as his eyes raked over her, and she saw a flash of relief in their depths at her return.

“How…?” she stammered, looking around.

“Transfiguration and some enchantments. I’m afraid the books are an illusion, but we can bring some real ones when we come back. I thought this might be a nice place to read to each other.” He indicated the large stuffed couch by the fire. “Do you like it?”

“It’s wonderful, Severus, thank you.” She dropped her packages on the couch and set the owl cage on the floor. She slipped an arm around his waist and hugged him to her.

“I thought we could come here occasionally to get away from the dungeon. Maybe we could use a concealment charm on ourselves and walk down in the day. Winter is coming soon, and there won’t be any gawkers for a few months.”

“It sounds wonderful.” She took his hand and pushed him down into the chair.

His eyes lit with amusement as she climbed into his lap.

“What?” she asked.

“Did I say anything? You don’t see me complaining.”

She giggled, planted a kiss on his cheek, and snuggled in.

“I could get used to this,” he said amusedly. He found her need to be so close to him a bit unnerving. She was so young, and yet, he was enjoying this immensely.

“Me too,” Hermione whispered.

“I still think you need a father figure,” Severus countered.

She grabbed his face to plant a steamy kiss on his lips.

He stood, nearly dumping her on the floor.

“Hermione, think about what you’re doing. I’m old enough to be your father. I know you have a need to be close to someone, and I’m the only one here, but look at me! I’m a broken wreck.”

“But you’re my broken wreck,” she teased, forcing him to hold her close. “What you say is true, Severus. You are older, and I know it’s hard for you because you were my teacher when I was a child. But I’m an adult now, and I have never met a man who complements me more. You and I are the same in mind. You are physically broken, and I’m a mental wreck. I need you so much, and I will never leave if that’s what you wish. I know I’ve been here all of a day, but I feel at peace for the first time in my life.”

“I’m not accustomed to anyone wanting to touch me. I’ve spent a lifetime building shields around myself to try to keep from getting hurt or hurting someone else. You can’t imagine the hell I have lived.” Severus shuddered as glimpses of his past flashed before his eyes.

She looked into his face and saw the pain of his memories in his eyes. “Severus, I know, I can’t fathom what your life’s been like. I only saw the fringe of that life through Harry’s memories, but I can promise that if you’ll stick with me, the future will have no resemblance to the past.” Trying to lighten the mood she confessed, “Do you know I’ve had a crush on you for years?”

“Really?" He gave her a rare grin. "Though they were few and far between, that has been known to happen few times in the past, but the girls usually grew up and realized the error of their desires.”

“Severus, we’ve had this discussion twice,” she said. “I don’t want to have it again. Please believe me when say I know what I’m feeling and that I want to be here and I’m so glad I found you.”

“Alright,” he said with a sigh. He caressed her hair. “I’m glad you found me, too."