Chapter 13

This story becomes very adult in future chapters. Minors, please do not read this story.

Thank you, all, for your many reviews. They are very much appreciated.

Hermione woke when the little elf popped into the room with a loud crack. She thanked him, and then he was gone after collecting the lunch dishes and leaving her a small basket of food to take with her.

Hermione climbed out from the warm covers and pulled a robe on. She found a note with the lunch basket.

   Hermione,

    Poppy

She took a little longer dressing, making sure her hair was smoothed down and her makeup was perfect.  She wanted to look good for Severus.  She returned to the hospital through her own Floo, not wanting to bother Minerva as it was getting late.

She entered Severus' room and found Poppy spooning broth into his mouth.  She was laughing, as it wasn't easy, and she had spilled some of it down his neck.

"Old woman," he was saying grumpily, "you can grow bones, but you can't feed a sick adult."

"Don't you 'old' woman me.  I've got more years coming then are behind me, you mark my words, ungrateful wretch." 

Severus chuckled at her, and Poppy giggled like a schoolgirl.

Hermione smiled and moved into the room, greatly relieved to hear the banter. "Hey, what's going on here?"

Severus turned the little ol' innocent me look on her. "Poppy's trying to drown me in broth," he complained with laughing eyes.

Hermione came and placed a kiss on his forehead. "Maybe a straw would be a better idea."  She set the picnic basket and knapsack she'd brought with her down by the chamber.

"You look beautiful, Hermione. I missed you," he said, his eyes glued to her.

She smiled and reached out for the broth. She conjured up a straw and held it for him to sip through."

"Well," Poppy said with feigned indignation, "I see I'm no match for Muggle inventions. I'm going to go home and go to bed."  She smiled warmly at them. "You do look better, Hermione.  I'm glad you slept an extra hour.  Severus slept most the time you were gone anyway."  She gave the young woman a hug.  "Now you see that he gets those pain meds without fail for the next 24 hours at least. Do not take no for an answer."

Hermione frowned at Severus. He gave her a sheepish look, so she didn't comment. "I'll make sure," she said with determination.

Poppy said, "Call me if there is anything I can do.  I will come again tomorrow and spell you for awhile."

She gave Severus a kiss on the cheek and then swept from the room.

"She really loves you, Severus.  You're like her son, as if you were her blood."

"Hummm," he agreed.

"Finish this broth," she ordered. They were silent as Severus finished up.

Hermione set the bowl aside on the little bedside table and took a napkin and wiped his mouth. Then she bent down to give him a hungry kiss.  Severus kissed her back with relish.

He sighed as she moved back. "I can't wait to get out of here."  His desire was plain.

Hermione blushed. "I can't wait either.  But even when you get out of here, sex won't be high on your list for a few days.  You're going to be as weak as a newborn kitten."  She blushed again.  She pressed her cheek against his, wanting to feel his skin against hers.

"I know this may be easy for me to say since you're the one going through all this hell, but I'm grateful to whomever sent you on this course.  Otherwise, I would not have you here to love." 

"I agree," he said quietly, really feeling that in his heart. His heart soared at her mention of love, but he couldn't make himself say the words back. 

She moved back to look into his eyes. "One more layer, and you will be here in the flesh. You're so handsome already in your ghostly appearance. I can't imagine the flesh-and-blood Severus before my eyes."  Her lips stole another kiss from him. 

"I look forward to being seen," he said, kissing her back.  "This is damn frustrating...not even being able to touch you on my own."

"You heard the Healer. You should be out of this thing tomorrow and into a normal bed. I think I can squeeze into it with you.  I'm not going to leave again," she promised stubbornly.

"I might be here for days...maybe as long as a week, Hermione.  You will take breaks and shower," he stressed. "Be reasonable: As a Potion's master, I have a strong sense of smell."

Hermione swung at his nose as if she would slug him but barely grazed it. "Are you saying I stunk before I left?"

"No, not at all.  But you could... You might if you don't take breaks."  He frowned at her.

"Alright, alright, I know you just want me to rest.  I understand that, Severus. But if I can sleep here next to you, won't you let me stay?  I'm sure they won't mind if I use your shower." 

"We will see," he said. He was mostly concerned about keeping up appearances for her sake.  If the pain got bad like it had before, it would wear him out to have her fussing over him.

Hermione settled into the chair Poppy had vacated.  She took a book from her bag and read to him until he fell asleep.

Hermione sat back in her chair and let herself doze, but she continued to listen to Severus' breathing pattern.  She went back in her mind to what Poppy had said, and she realized Severus had been keeping up appearances for her earlier.  She had to make him understand that she didn't mind if he showed his pain.  It was not weakness in her eyes.  His body would heal in time; she realized he had pain and discomfort.

Suddenly Severus woke with a fit of coughing, and she watched with horror as blood seeped from the corners of his mouth. "Severus," she cried.  His eyes were wide with fear.

The wards went off, and the room was suddenly full of Healers and nurses. One pushed Hermione back against the wall.

Hermione stood in the back watching; her eyes were wide with fear, and her fist was stuffed in her mouth.

They worked with their wands and potions for nearly 20 minutes before stepping back from him.  Healer Hookeneye came to her. 

"It's alright; he will be okay. The coughing was so rough a few blood vessels broke.  Blood got into his lungs, and he was unable to breathe very well. We have repaired the damage, and the potions will ensure it doesn't happen again."

Hermione sagged against him, and he was kind enough to pat her on the back, giving her some emotional support.  She then pushed away, going to stand over Severus and look down into his face.

He smiled weakly up at her, but he did not try to speak.

She didn't speak either but pressed her lips to his cheek.  She ran her fingers through his hair, massaging his scalp with her fingers.  He closed his eyes with a smile on his face and fell back into a deeper sleep.

Hermione stood at his side nearly thirty minutes and then sat back in her chair and drew out a different book to read from her knapsack.  The night passed with occasional visits from Healers.  Hermione and Severus talked for a few minutes between his pain potions, but mostly he slept.  Hermione dozed in the chair, which she had transfigured into a lounge.  She had a soft blanket with her and a pillow. 

She woke to find him awake and ready for the breakfast being delivered. She changed the lounge back into a chair and put her blankets way.  "I'll feed him," she told the nurse.  The woman nodded and left her to it.

She asked as she put some eggs on a fork. "Severus, how are you this morning." 

He smiled. "Much better. I hardly feel any pain right now."  He took the bite she offered and chewed it very carefully before swallowing.  "That's good.  I'm starving."

"That's a good sign," she said, giving him another bite.  They didn't talk much until the eggs and a little creamy tea was gone.

Hermione read to him most of the morning.  She took a shower in his bathroom before lunch, and Poppy came to sit with him while she went for a walk to stretch her legs and to the cafeteria for some lunch.

St. Mungo's was not like Muggle hospitals. There were nurses' stations and patient rooms, but there where also plants everywhere, which made the halls look like gardens. Many of the plants had healing properties, and staff members harvested the ingredients for the potions that were made onsite.  There were also many varieties of flowers just for the simple beauty and restfulness they brought to people.  She passed a man clipping leaves from a tall, tree-like plant, and he looked familiar to her. "Neville?" she asked in astonishment.

Neville Longbottom turned to her. "Hermione, it's good to see you."  He reached out to hug her briefly.  He smelled of fresh herbs and spices.

He was tall, straight and had a bit of grey at his temples.  His face was lined with laugh lines, and his eyes were bright with happiness.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I work here.  I maintain the gardens and gather the potion ingredients,"  he explained, clipping a few more leaves from the tree.

"How wonderful for you.  I know how much Herbology meant to you back in school."

He nodded. "I've been here for 5 years.  I like my job very much." He glanced down the hall in the direction she had come from.  "Why are you here?  Is someone ill?"

She took his arm and led him to a bench surrounded with flowers.  "I know I can trust you with this information.  Sorry, this might be a shock, Severus Snape was injured, and I am staying with him here."

Neville's face paled. "Proff..f..essor Snape is here, alive!" 

Hermione laughed. She briefly told him how she had found him and what had happened since.

He said dumfounded, "That's astonishing." 

She confessed, "I have grown to love him, Neville.  He's a very different man freed from his obligations to Voldemort and Dumbledore."

He was speechless for a time. "You love him?"  he finally stammered. 

"Yes, I love him as a woman loves a man," she said, covering one of his hands with her own.

"That's hard to imagine," he confessed.

She laughed. "It is, isn't it?  Because of the stasis, we really aren't that far apart in age anymore.  Maybe seven years.  We love the same things. We can talk about anything.  It's really quite refreshing."

Neville confessed, "I never thought you'd marry for that reason."  He looked down at her hand entwined with his. 

Hermione knew he'd had a crush on her when they were young. "Did you marry?"

He smiled at her. "Yes, you'll remember Luna Lovegood."

"Luna!  She's such a lovely girl, and very earthy."  She smiled.

"Yes, we have our own herbal store and own green houses," he said with no small amount of pride. He added, "... and twin nine-year-old boys.

Hermione gushed, "I'm so happy for you, Neville.  Please say hello to Luna for me.  We really should try to get the DA members together.  A reunion of sorts.  I was off continent so long getting my Potion's credentials.  I love being back at Hogwarts."

"We did have some good times, didn't we?" he said, letting her hands go.

Hermione stood. "Yes, we did. I'd best be getting on to the cafeteria. Poppy's sitting with Severus.  Please go say hi."

Neville's eyes got big, and he gulped.

Hermione laughed. "I promise, he's different.  I'm sure he would love to say hello.  In any case, I will be back in his room in 30 minutes.  Come then if you need moral support."

Hermione left Neville and went to the cafeteria and got herself a sandwich and a drink, which she carried back to Severus' room. 

There was a room full of healers when she got back. She tossed her food down by the little sink and called, "What's wrong? What's happening?"

Poppy disengaged herself from the crowd.  "Hermione, it's okay. They are preparing to move Severus to the bed."  She pulled Hermione close to keep her out of the way.

Hermione noticed then that there was a bed in their room.  They were helping Severus into a hospital gown.  Then with gentle hands they picked him up and moved him to the bed.  Hermione caught his smiling face through all the arms, and she relaxed against Poppy's body.

When they moved away, he was lying against the pillows; the bed was elevated so that he was half sitting. 

Healer Hookeneye came to her.  "He's doing very well.  The potions have healed a good 75% of the damage already.  I think he needs to spend a few more days here, and then he can go back under Poppy's care."  He squeezed Hermione's and Poppy's arms and then left.  A few others checked to make sure Severus had everything he needed, and Hermione saw two nurses exchange the visible spell.

"Thank you, so much,"  she said as they passed by on their way out of the room, pushing the chamber between them carefully.  Hermione went to him, and he held his arms out to her. She laid her upper half across his chest carefully, trying to keep her footing on the floor. They both sighed.

Poppy called to them, "I'm going back to Hogwarts. Call me if you need me."

They said simultaneously, "Thanks, Poppy."

The medi-witch smiled and left.

Hermione's face was buried in his neck, and she pressed kisses there. 

Severus breathed in her scent and caressed her hair with one of his hands.  "It's good to hold you again."

"I'm so glad you're free of that thing."  She stood, pulled her wand, and transfigured the bed into a full-size bed. Then she crawled up beside him as he looked on in amusement.

"You know, Severus, since I'm no longer on a 15 ft. tether, why don't you keep your wand.  I know you may not be able to handle it for long.  But I can fashion a sleeve that will hold it to your gown."  She fashioned the sleeve and placed his wand with him.

He seemed to relax a bit.  It had been like having an arm missing not having the wand close. "Thank you," he said, kissing her.

She lay within his arms; her face was against his left shoulder. "Are you in pain?" she asked.

"No, I have been taking my meds like a good little boy."  His voice was full of sarcasm.

Hermione placed a kiss on his chin.  Her hand roamed over his chest, giving him a light massage. "I can't wait to get you home.  These people have been wonderful, but..." She let her voice trail off.

He kissed the top of her head. "I know what you mean."  He voice was deep and husky.

She giggled. "Typical man, thinking with his..." A throat being cleared stopped her, and she looked up to see a very pale, yet blushing, Neville standing over them.

Lisa, you are doing amazing beta work on my stories. Thank you so much.

Becky, thank you for your support and enthusiasum.