7-Apr

After the celebration had ended, Severus and Hermione Apparated back to Spinner’s End. Since Hermione, Severus had remodeled it to be lighter, and it no longer held the same painful memories as it once had.

Hermione kissed Severus as they crossed the threshold of their home. The kiss lasted until both were breathless. Breaking apart, Severus said, “Hermione, my wife! Run along upstairs, I will join you momentarily, but I must make sure the stasis spell is still active on Remus’ Wolfsbane.” He gave her an apologetic smile.

“Of course, love! I’ll just get things prepared, so to speak!” Hermione said saucily, enticing a growl from her husband.

As Severus turned towards his potions lab, Hermione made a quick stop in the kitchen to grab a pair of wine glasses. Tonight of all nights warranted the elf made wine that Ron had presented her with. As she climbed the stairs to their room, she made sure to drop her lacy, white underwear at the top of the stairs for Severus to find on his journey to her.

Sitting on the bed, Hermione hummed to herself, and she released the spell that held up her hair, then opened the bottle of wine to let it air. Smoothing down the folds of her wedding gown, she reflected on their wedding and how happy she was to finally be Hermione Snape. Thinking of her husband, she realized that he was taking longer than expected and thought there was no harm in her having a glass of wine to start out the evening with.

She was dangling the quarter full wine glass between her hands when Severus appeared in the doorway. Leaning casually against the door frame, Severus lifted the underwear he’d found with one finger. “I believe, madam, that these belong to you,” he drawled sensually.

Leaning over to the bed stand, Hermione placed her wine glass there before standing. She swayed slightly, before laughing, “The wine must be more potent than usual! Trust Ron to try and get me drunk on my wedding night!” She started to walk towards Severus, but stumbled and fell towards him.

Catching her, he chuckled and helped her upright. Hermione immediately fell again, forcing Severus to catch her once more. He looked at her with worry. Hermione’s eyes were dilated.

“Severus, I … can’t really see you.” Hermione said, her voice suddenly dry.

He sank to the floor and felt her forehead with one hand. “You’re burning, Hermione!”

As he said her name, Hermione was wracked with coughs. Blood spattered onto Severus’ shoulder where she was propped up. He quickly brought his hand to the corner of her mouth where blood was now slowly flowing from. “Hermione!” he cried hoarsely.

She was no longer coughing and weakly brought a hand up to her chest. “I can’t breath,” she gasped out.

Severus kissed her forehead. “Stay with me, darling, just hold on. We’ll get you to Pomfrey. You‘re going to be alright.” He put both arms underneath her and lifted her from the ground, smearing her blood from his jacket onto her white dress. She began hoarsely coughing again as they rose, sending more blood onto both of them.

“Sev--” Hermione tried to speak but could not finish before another fit of the coughs began. Severus looked at her face with a panicked expression. Her eyes were back to normal, but there was a horrifying amount of blood on her. Her eyes started to drift closed, and he collapsed back onto the floor of the bedroom.

“No! Hermione!” he cried out, sobbing. Hermione struggled to open her eyes. She managed to bring a hand up to touch his face with a serene look.

“I love you, Professor,” she said happily, her eyes no longer focused on anything present. Severus pulled her to him and, as she coughed weakly again, kissed her repeatedly.

“No, Hermione, please I beg you, don’t do this,” he begged her. “You’re going to be okay, just hold on! Damn it just hold on.” Tears dripped from his large nose onto her pale cheek. She suddenly grasped his shoulders with surprising strength, no longer coughing, and began gasping for air, her head thrown backwards. Severus screamed out, clutching her towards him, sobbing. She fell back against him, her head resting once more upon his shoulder but still this time.

Severus burrowed his face into her curls, sobbing and begging her not to do this. He stayed like this for some time, rocking back and forth gently, clutching her to him. Finally he looked up and reached for his wand from his sleeve pocket. He sent out his Patronus that had changed to match Hermione’s otter.

Authors note: Let me know what you think! There are still 3 other parts to go. And I promise they will be uploaded much more quickly than before.