Revelation

Disclaimer: Not my characters; they belong to JKR. Thank you for letting me borrow them.

21

Taking a deep breath, he contemplated how to phrase his answer. Should he respond in riddles? Or lay his heart exposed at her feet? His experience had shown him that love was cruel, but he was growing old and tired of his lonely life. Hermione had somehow uncovered that last remaining piece of his being that wasn’t twisted or broken, and for her—with her—he wanted to be whole.

Looking up into her eyes, he knew that she was worth any embarrassment he may experience. He would give her his heart, no matter how difficult a feat that was.

22

“First of all, Ms Granger… Hermione,” he began. “I must praise you for your choice of questions. It’s truly a credit to your brilliance that you were able to phrase your inquiry in such a way that I could not subtly avoid answering truthfully. You do realize I have talked my way out of interrogations by the most cunning of men.”

Her brown eyes sparkled with delight at his praise, her smirk growing into a smile.

He gulped. This chit of a girl was sure to be the death of him.

“You are clearly more Slytherin than your friends appreciate.”

23

He cleared his throat and forged ahead. “Before I go on, I think you should know that I overheard your Floo conversation with Potter this morning.” The sparkle was gone, and her eyes were round with fear. Or was it anger?

“I admit that is what prompted your impromptu testing this afternoon.” He stood abruptly and began pacing, no longer wanting to be subjected to the intensity of her gaze. “Your assessment of my recent behavior was all too accurate. I must apologize for my conduct. I never meant to hurt you.” He paused. “I only wished to distance myself.”

24

Hermione moved behind him, and he soon felt the warm pressure of her hand on his shoulder as she reached out to him. His heart raced, and his body betrayed him by trembling. Gulping… trembling… the mere physical presence of her made his body react like an adolescent. He willed himself to be still and control his emotions.

After a moment, she ran her hand down his arm and gently tugged at his sleeve, making him face her. “I accept your apology, Severus. But you still haven’t answered my question.” Reaching for his hands, she smiled up at him encouragingly.

25

Too nervous to meet her eyes, he stared down at the small, soft hands holding his. They looked so, so… child-like next to his large calloused ones.

“No you don’t.” Her grip tightened on his hands as he attempted to pull away. “I am not letting you retreat. I’ve spent the last three years watching you, Severus Snape, and I am quite fluent in your moods and actions.

“You allowed me to question you, so there has to be a reason; you do not do anything unless you have a reason. Now, tell me what you wanted me to know.”

26

He was at a point where he could no longer procrastinate. It was time to lay his soul bare. “Hermione, three years ago when I was persuaded to take you as an apprentice, I assumed you would be nothing more than an annoyance. I’d planned to set you to your tasks and spend as little time with the Gryffindor Know-it-All as possible.”

She laughed softly and smiled.

“I know I was gruff, and probably quite rude, but I soon found myself enjoying your company. You were much more than merely a regurgitator of facts as you were as a child.”

27

“I came to admire your abilities and your mind. I found reasons to initiate conversations about subjects not pertaining to your apprenticeship, and I was never disappointed by your reaction. You are a knowledgeable woman, Hermione. Far brighter than any one I have ever met.” He paused to take a deep breath. That had been the easy part.

“Before long I found myself wanting to know more about you; I wanted to be your friend. I knew that to have you as a friend I’d have to give of myself, and that is something that is rather difficult for me.”

28

“Severus…”

“Hermione, please let me finish.” He gently pulled his hands out of her grasp and started to pace in front of her.

“I began to let my guard down around you, allowing you a glimpse of the Severus Snape few people have ever had the pleasure to see. I grew to trust you.” He stopped and looked at her. Her expression made his heart ache.

“Hermione, you have become much more to me than a friend. I do not want to lose you now that your apprenticeship has ended. I want to continue seeing you on a regular basis.”

29

“I know I’m a difficult man, Hermione. Unfortunately, my life experiences have been harsh, and I have never been able to trust anyone fully. But with you I feel relaxed—hopeful. That maybe life isn’t as cruel as I think.” He turned away from her, afraid to see her expression, as he said his next words.

“What I am asking of you is a chance at more than friendship, more than just your companionship. I would like the opportunity, now that you are no longer my apprentice, to court you. To have a romantic relationship—if you would have me.”

30

The silence from behind him was deafening.

“Turn around.”

He began to speak, trying to give her an easy out, as he turned.

“Shh,” she said, a finger on his lips. “I believe I still have one question I’m allowed to ask.”

He gulped.

“Severus Snape, would you like to kiss me?”

Without thinking, he leaned in and chastely placed his lips upon hers.

When she deepened their kiss, he pulled her close, amazed at his good fortune.

He had finally found his place in the world right there by Hermione’s side.

The truth had set him free.

The end