13. The Ties That Bind

A/N: Hi all. Just wanted to say I am sorry this chapter has taken its own sweet time. I was on holiday. I did come back to 39 reviews, though. Thank you all so much! I was quite overwhelmed!

Huge hug to kizzy; she's a star.

Warning: this chapter is a bit weird... you will see what I mean!

13. The Ties That Bind.

Severus kept a tight hold on Hermione's hand as they walked up to the main door of Hogwarts.

'It feels a little strange walking into the school holding hands with my old professor.' Hermione laughed softly.

'I know what you mean, and yet, it feels like a lifetime ago. I haven't taught in almost five years. And I certainly don't see you as my student. Not after this morning.' He glanced at her from the corner of his eyes and saw she was blushing.

Severus paused and looked at her for a moment, stroking her face with his hand softly and hooking her loose curls over her ear.

'Don't be embarrassed. You were perfect... really.' He smiled warmly at her.

'You know that I have never been like that with anyone else, Severus, don't you?' Hermione met his eyes, and he saw defiance there.

'I know that,' he murmured.

'I wouldn't do that with just anyone, Severus. Just know that you are special to me, okay?'

Hermione stepped up and kissed him fiercely on his lips, and he felt his stomach tighten a little. As they pulled apart, Severus smiled, but it wasn't returned. Instead, he met passion and determination in her eyes, and he paled. He had a feeling he had unleashed something in her that wasn't going to be sated any time soon. He pulled her to him and wrapped his arms tightly around her, holding her close and stroking her hair softly.

'You're special to me too,' he murmured, a tight lump in his throat.

They squeezed each other until at some unspoken signal they let go and took hold of each other's hand.

Without speaking, they walked up the front door of the school, neither of them least bit surprised when it opened for them and revealed the thin, bespectacled frame of Minerva McGonagall.

'Albus said you were here.' She beamed at them. 'Severus, you look so well. I love the new clothes...you look almost...'

'....human?' Hermione suggested and giggled a little.

'Thank you... I think.' Severus stepped forward and took Minerva's hands in his. 'It's good to see you, Minerva.'

'And Hermione...' Minerva's eyes filled with tears, and Hermione walked forward to hug her old Head of House. 'My dear girl, how you have grown!'

Hermione laughed, and Severus grinned as he watched the two women smiling at each other warmly.

'Are we too late for breakfast?' Severus asked her.

'Of course not! I'm forgetting my manners... Come, we'll go to my office. The old man will never forgive me if I don't bring you up to talk to him.' Minerva waved them inside and unconsciously, Severus took Hermione's hand, and they walked in ahead of the Headmistress.

The movement wasn't lost on Minerva, and she paused, watching them as they walked down the hall. She closed her eyes and murmured slightly. She opened her eyes and looked again. Her eyes widened, and she let out a small breath, shaking her head in disbelief.

'Severus and Hermione?' she said softly. She shrugged and followed them. This was going to be interesting.

*******

They ate a wonderful breakfast courtesy of the house-elves, and Hermione was delighted when Winky came to collect the dirty crockery. She hadn't seen the elf in such a long time and was happy to hear that she was actually enjoying her half-day off each week.

Severus had spoken to Albus at length, the old man animated and almost dancing in his frame as he smiled down on them both. They filled Albus and Minerva in on the shop and Hermione's bezoar project, and when all the news was shared, there was a gentle lull in the conversation that Minerva couldn't resist filling.

'Tell me about Valentine Passiflora,' she said softly, and her eyes shone as she smiled at them smugly.

Severus was drinking coffee and almost choked. Hermione gasped a little and then started to giggle hysterically.

'You can tell her, Severus,' Hermione sputtered between giggles.

'No... I think this is girl talk. I fancy a walk around the school for old times' sake.' He glanced up at Albus and grinned, 'Sorry you can't come with me, Albus.'

Albus looked down at him, his eyes twinkling merrily. 'No problem, my boy. I may go and talk with the Fat Lady; it's been a while...'

Once the men had left the room, Hermione fixed Minerva with a quizzical stare.

'How do you know about Ms Passiflora?' she asked.

Minerva chuckled, 'I knew her mother, Rose. Valentine inherited her mother's magical signature; that's how I knew. We were actually in school together for a short while, but her family were Romany Gypsy, and she moved on, but we were friends and stayed in touch. We used to practice together.'

'Practice together? But wasn't she a Seer? Does that mean you...? Hermione's jaw dropped.

'Oh, goodness me, I am not as talented as Rose or Valentine, but I have the basic ability. I can see your connection to Severus, you know. It's strong already. How long have you been... you know...' Minerva smiled warmly at her former student.

'Only since yesterday; it's our first date. Ms Passiflora believes we are soul mates,' Hermione stated. She started to fumble with the handle of her teacup, feeling a restlessness she couldn't understand.

'I would listen to her, then. I have never known her to be wrong. You would be good for Severus; he needs someone to show him love, companionship. And you certainly wouldn't be bored in his company; you would have a lot to talk about. But... what is it, child? You seem uncertain...'

Minerva narrowed her eyes slightly and murmured under her breath.

The visible connection she had seen between Hermione and Severus manifested itself as long, pale blue strings of light. When they were in the same room, the light was bright and the lengths thicker and stronger. Since Severus had left, however, the strands were thinner and stretched way beyond the door. Minerva nodded and smiled a little.

'You're feeling a little weaker since he left the room. I can see your connection has lessened. Being with your soul mate is different from any other relationship once you have the knowledge of it. Should you ever be parted for a significant length of time, it would be painful for both of you. There are ways to keep your connection strong, however.' Minerva nodded a little and her eyes drifted up to Albus's empty portrait.

'I do feel strange, now you come to mention it. It's the first time we have been this far apart since we were revealed to each other. Do you think Severus is feeling the same way?' Hermione looked at Minerva, grateful that she had someone to talk to about the strange situation she now found herself in, pleasurable as it was.

'I would imagine so. Although Severus has learned to keep his feelings well hidden, even from himself. He probably doesn't even know how he feels,' Minerva replied.

'You said there was a way to keep the connection strong?' Hermione was starting to feel a little weak and put her teacup down on Minerva's desk, her hand trembling.

Minerva looked at her, and Hermione noticed two pink spots appearing on her cheeks.

'There is a way... It is very personal, Hermione, I wouldn't like to suggest... Oh, goodness me, where do I start?' Minerva was a little embarrassed. In her head, Hermione was still a child, not a young woman of twenty-nine years.

Hermione was feeling faint and started to sway a little on her chair.

'I think you're going to have to tell me, Minerva. I can't live a normal life if I'm going to feel like this each time Severus leaves the room for any length of time.' Hermione could hardly breathe and held onto the desk, colour draining from her cheeks.

Minerva stared at her in shock. 'I'll go and find Severus.'

Hermione nodded and laid her head against the desk. She was feeling exhausted suddenly and briefly wondered what Minerva had been talking about before she passed out.

***

Hermione awoke to find herself being cradled on Severus's lap, his arms wrapped around her gently as he stroked her hair from her face. Minerva was looking at her with concern, and Severus was pale as he gazed at her.

'Are you alright?' she murmured.

'I am now.' He smiled gently at her.

'Severus was almost as weak as you, Hermione. I found him half-collapsed near the dungeons,' Minerva spoke softly, shaking her head.

She walked around to the business side of her desk and sat down, staring at them over the top of her glasses.

'You know, you really will have to strengthen your bonds if you don't want this happening all of the time.' She tapped her quill against the desk softly. 'Valentine should have explained it to you...' she muttered almost to herself.

'Explained what?' Severus looked at her blankly. He was starting to feel stronger and tightened his hold around Hermione's waist as she leant her head against his shoulder.

'Minerva was telling me there is a way to strengthen the bond so we don't feel weak when we're apart for any length of time. She's a Seer, Severus, did you know?'

Hermione smiled at the Headmistress.

'No, I didn't know that!' Severus looked at her in surprise.

'I don't use it often. I prefer more tangible magic.' Minerva shrugged.

'How do we strengthen the bond, Minerva?' Hermione slid herself from Severus's knee and sat beside him, holding onto his hand.

Minerva pursed her lips and took a deep breath.

'You know how babies are made, I assume?' Her eyebrow arched a little.

Hermione's mouth dropped open, and Severus shifted uncomfortably in his seat. This wasn't the type of conversation he wanted to have with his old colleague.

'Well?' Minerva interrupted their discomfort abruptly.

'Of course we do!' Hermione snapped a little.

'We haven't got that far, Minerva. We're still on our first date, for God's sake!' Severus stared at her incredulously.

'Severus Snape, when have you ever been reluctant? Didn't you know that Lulu is my niece?' Minerva's mouth twitched in a smirk as Severus's face fell, and he closed his eyes.

'Gods,' he murmured.

'Who is Lulu?' Hermione demanded, jealousy flaring inside her.

'A whore,' Severus whispered, not looking at her.

'A good one, too... She has more money than I did at her age, and that's a fact.' Minerva smiled a little ruefully.

Hermione stared at them, her eyes narrowing slightly. She did not like this conversation one bit.

'Can we please change the subject?' Hermione's voice was steely and Severus looked ashamed.

'I apologise, Hermione... It was in a past life,' he muttered and glared at Minerva.

'You're saying to strengthen the bonds and avoid being ill, we need to have sex?' Hermione's voice was that of the student, serious, needing information.

'Regularly. It only lasts for a short time before the bonds weaken again.' Minerva nodded.

'I wanted to wait until someone loved me,' Hermione whispered, mainly to herself as she recognised she had been backed into a corner.

'How do you feel about Severus, Hermione?' Minerva asked her softly, her heart going out to her.

'I really care about him. And I find him very attractive, especially since yesterday.' She smiled at Severus wanly, and his eyes brightened.

'And you haven't had sex yet?' Minerva prompted.

'What does that have to do with anything?' Hermione frowned at her.

'Remember what I said before. Sometimes people don't know how they feel. Sometimes, it just has to be demonstrated, and the love comes afterwards. It's nothing to be ashamed of.'

Minerva looked at Hermione meaningfully. Hermione stared back at Minerva and then at Severus, who had cast his eyes down and was shuffling his feet.

Hermione smiled broadly at Minerva.

'I understand. Thank you, Minerva. I think we should be going, Severus.' Hermione pulled on his hand and encouraged him to stand up.

Severus couldn't look at her and risk exposing himself. He was feeling quite vulnerable, and the inference in Minerva's words had not been lost on him.

Minerva walked them to the front door and hugged them both tightly.

'Don't leave it so long to visit next time,' she murmured, 'and remember what I said.'

Hermione nodded, and Severus looked at Minerva, his eyes full of gratitude.

'Thank you, Minerva... I...' His voice broke.

'I know, Severus... Lily would be very happy for you.' She patted his arm and wiped away a small tear from his cheek.

As they walked down the long path to the Apparition point, Severus let his arm drape over Hermione's shoulder, and she snaked her arm around his waist, both of them deep in thought.

Minerva watched them for a moment and smiled.

****

They were lying on the bed in Severus's room, kissing softly and stroking each other's faces gently.

'If we can't spend much time apart yet, what do you think we should do, Hermione?' Severus gazed at her, taking in the tilt of her chin and the small, almost invisible freckles on her nose.

'Well, from what Minerva said, it sounds like we have no choice but to make love, but I hate the thought that we HAVE to.... I would rather do it because we WANT to, when we want to.' Hermione pouted slightly, and Severus covered her mouth with his, sucking in her bottom lip.

'I would hate for you to feel under pressure, but you need to know that I find you very desirable, Hermione. I will be ready when you are ready, and I am happy to wait. I have more than one bedroom, and you are welcome to stay in my house tonight if you wish. I don't think we would be able to go home separately yet. In fact, it's almost time for us to leave.'

'Are you sure you want to share your living space with me, Severus? It could get awkward,' Hermione whispered softly. She didn't want to be an inconvenience.

'Of course I want you there. That's why I joined the dating agency in the first place, Hermione. You gathered from Minerva that I used to employ the services of prostitutes. I gave that up when I joined the agency. Sex just wasn't fulfilling me any more. I need someone in my life and not just for sex. Having you share my home for a while would be just perfect,' he smiled down at her, 'especially if you can cook!'

Hermione laughed at him, and he gasped as she started to tickle him under his arms.

'No... Not fair...Stop it!' He laughed and pinned her arms above her head, kissing her passionately until they were both panting and flushed.

'Let's go home and try your real bed out.' Hermione grinned at him.

Severus stared deeply into Hermione's eyes.

'Good idea,' he replied seriously.