Chapter Eight

Hermione stood patiently, planning to wait for the men and other passengers to move down the aisle, as she was half way up the plane.

Hermione! The cry lanced through her mind, and she grabbed at her head as pain lanced through it.

She screamed, "Get out of the way, I'm going be sick!" She frantically climbed over and past the passengers trying to get their luggage. She moved so fast even the stewardess at the door could not grab hold of her. Hermione ran down the hall and into the airport. She spotted the bathroom and ran, shutting herself into a cubicle. Let them have a mystery, she thought. It was much more important she find Severus than worry about keeping up appearances with Muggles she would never see again. She had planned to Apparate, but had decided a Portkey would be safer. Her attention might be diverted elsewhere in the escape, and she could not risk splinching Severus. She pulled out the Portkey she had made. It was illegal, but she would vanish it as soon as she and Severus got away from the facility. She grabbed the amulet in her hand and concentrated on Severus and felt his fear. She held her wand at the ready and activated the Portkey.

She landed in a hospital room, the disorientation from the Portkey momentarily blocking her vision of the scene in front of her. When she focused, Hermione felt as though she had fallen into her nightmare. The male nurse was standing over Severus' bed with a syringe in hand, and Severus was bound by straps to the bed. His eyes were wide with fear.

Hermione let a spell fly, and the nurse crumpled to the ground. Hermione ignored him and ran to Severus. She tore at the Velcro straps and pulled the IV line out, freeing his hands and feet as he struggled to sit with muscles that had not been used in years. She dug into her pockets and pulled out vials of potions, quickly popping the corks with her thumb. She poured them one by one into his mouth, and he struggled to swallow it all. They both knew they had only minutes.

Severus slipped his feet over the edge of the bed as a surge of energy flooded his legs and arms. He stood unsteadily, and Hermione slipped herself under his arm and placed her arm around his waist. He leaned so heavily on her she thought she might go down.

The man on the floor was suddenly conscious. He lurched at the bed, jabbing at the help alarm on Severus' bed and causing sirens to go off loudly. Hermione flung a second spell at him, and he crumpled to the floor again. They could hear shouts in the distance, and Hermione added her own, "The other Portkey is in my right pocket!"

Severus felt into the pocket of her trousers, and as soon as his finger touched the smooth object, he pulled it out. Hermione grabbed his hand and said the activation password. Severus felt the pull at his navel, the magic inside him rejoicing at the physical reconnection to his world. The room swam and they were gone.

They landed in a heap in a wooded area just outside of town. Hermione looked around wildly. She dropped the Portkey and vaporized it with her wand. They were so close that she could still hear the alarms at the hospital. She had used Google Earth in the airport while she had waited for the plane. The phone her dad had given her had all the bells and whistles. The pictures on Google had allowed her to set the Portkey, but she hadn't wanted to travel too far to an unknown place. These images would also allow her to Apparate Severus and herself to a small cottage thirty miles further in the woods. She had already paid for the place with a credit card. Being Muggle had its advantages at times.

Hermione hoisted Severus up. He was pale and looked as if he might faint. She had to take the chance. She gripped Severus firmly and let him know what she was about to do.

Using the photos of the cottage to guide her, she spun into Apparition. They stumbled on arrival as the ground was uneven. Hermione's hand still gripped her wand, and she waved it at the door, unlocking it. She half-dragged Severus into the cottage. They struggled through a small drawing room and into a bedroom. She barely made it to the bed, and nearly falling in with him as he collapsed onto the mattress. His face was white and covered with sweat. "Severus!" she called. There was no response; he was unconscious.

Hermione felt for his pulse. It was slow but steady, and she knew some of the potions would make him sleep so that his tissues could regenerate. She had not realized how fast they would react because of his condition. She counted herself lucky they had made it to the bed. She looked down into his face. He was really here. This was not in her mind. He was thin and pale and looked wonderful to her. She reached out and touched his face. Her fingers traced his jaw line and then an eyebrow. She brushed long hair from his face and even ran her finger over the bridge of his long nose. With a sigh she got up and went to set the wards. This cabin was in the middle of a wood, and with her wards, it was now invisible. She went back into the bedroom. Exhausted, she used her wand to move him over, and then she sat on the edge of the bed and propped her back against the headboard. She was asleep within moments.

*****

Hermione woke feeling warm and safe. She suddenly realized she was sleeping against Severus, her cheek against his shoulder. She started to pull away, embarrassed, and felt his arm tighten around her. "Stay," he whispered.

She sat up anyway and found his dark eyes open and looking at her with such tenderness. "Are you okay?" she asked as her own eyes filled with moisture.

"I'm alive, conscious; I'd say that was enough for now." His eyes never left her face.

Hermione tucked a fuzzy lock of her hair behind her ear, a bit self-consciously. "I'm a mess."

"You look good to me," he said.

"Well, that's something I never expected to come out of your gob, a compliment from Severus Snape," she teased him gently.

The corner of his mouth curled up. "I never thought to give you one. Hermione, you've done so much for me – kept me sane, saved me. You have been a part of me these last months, inside my head. I don't have to hide anything from you, do I? I've never thought to feel this free with a woman."

She lay back down in the crook of his arm and slipped a hand over his stomach and hugged him to her hard. "No, Severus. You don't have to hide anything from me."

They lay there for a bit, and finally Severus groaned.

Hermione jumped up "Are you in pain? What can I do?"

His cheeks turned a bit red. "I have to go to the loo," he whispered. Hermione grinned at his embarrassment which got her a familiar smirk. "I also need to take a bath and remove certain hospital garments..."

It was Hermione's turn to look embarrassed, "I'm sorry. Severus. I didn't think."

"It's okay; it was what was necessary. Now that I am awake, I think I can make it to the loo and back. Your potions are excellent."

Hermione grinned. "Maybe too good, that's the second compliment you've given me."

"Well, woman, maybe the potions are warping my brain." He pulled himself into a sitting position.

Hermione giggled, heartened to hear him participate in the gentle banter.

He slipped his feet to the floor, and with Hermione's help, he got to his feet, and they walked slowly to the door of the small loo. He grabbed the wall for support. "I think I can make it." He turned away and Hermione shut the door.

"Hermione?" he called, "Can I use your wand?"

"Of course, let me get it." She ran to the bedside table and got the wand, and Severus opened the door slightly. She thrust her hand through the opening and felt his warm fingers slide over hers before he took the wand.

"Severus, take it slow; your magic might be faulty. Be careful," she cautioned.

"I will; I'll be out in a bit," he said, reassuringly. He knew this was no time for heroics.

Hermione went back to sit on the bed. She tried to run her fingers through her hair and found she could not. Groaning, she went to look in the vanity mirror. "Oh, Merlin," she complained. I can't believe I looked like this for our first face-to-face conversation! she thought with mortification.

She automatically reached for her wand and remembered that Severus had it. Somehow, they would have to get him another. She was not sure what had happened to his. She wondered if Minerva knew. "Oh God, Minerva!" she cried. It was Monday morning, and she was missing class. She ran to the bathroom. "Severus, I need my wand. Minerva. It's Monday; I'm missing work," she called through the door.

After what seemed like an hour, Severus opened the door. His face was drained of color, but he was smiling in triumph. "I got cleaned up." His hospital gown was now transfigured into a wizarding nightshirt.

Hermione touched the side of his face, caressing his cheek. "You should have let me transfigure that," she admonished. "You're exhausted. Come on, I'll take you back to the bed."

She helped him until he was sitting on the bed again, then went to the window and sent out a Patronus. It would reassure Minerva that she was safe, just unexpectedly indisposed. She begged Minerva's indulgence and promised she would return in a week and explain. Luckily, Hermione's employment record in previous years had been impeccable. She was relying heavily on this fact and hoped Minerva would not be too vexed that she had disappeared without warning.

"Minerva's going be furious that you kept this from her," Severus predicted.

Hermione bit her lip in nervousness. So much for a vote of confidence from the dark-haired wizard.

"Especially when she finds out Mona and Poppy already know," he told her as he settled himself against the pillows.

"Mona? Oh, Pomona. Well, I'm counting on Minerva being so happy you're alive she will forgive me," Hermione responded cheerfully.

"Happy? Last time I saw her, she tried to curse me. I hardly think she'll be happy to see me." Severus poured cold water all over that hope.

"Actually, Severus, she was pretty upset once Harry told her the facts of your memories," Hermione told him.

"Potter did what?" he whispered.

Hermione's eyes widened. Severus Snape never raised his voice; a whisper was the same as a yell. He looked dangerous and suddenly like the man she had known as a child. She drew back. Fear flashed in her eyes. "Severus," she pleaded, "he fought to clear your name... He had to share the memories."

Severus shut his eyes and took a deep breath. He was shocked by the fear he had seen in her eyes and on her face, the quiver in her voice. He reached out to her, holding his breath and letting it out when she took his hand and he drew her down to the bed against him. "I'm sorry."

She buried her face in his neck and said, "He did it for you. He's sorry for how he treated you."

Severus pushed her back so he could look in her eyes. "None of you have anything to be sorry for. It was supposed to be that way between us. The plan was designed to make me the bastard and Potter the saint. I was just surprised; I've always been a very private man."

A loud grumble in his stomach stopped him. Hermione nearly jumped off the bed, glad for something to do. "I'll go get breakfast." She nearly ran from the room.

Severus rolled his eyes and berated himself, Fool, I must be gentle with her. She's exhausted from this whole ordeal and emotionally overwrought. I mustn't push her.

Hermione stood, her hands resting on the porcelain edge of the sink in the kitchen. She was taking deep breaths and trying to calm herself. She had to forget who Severus was before. She had to be strong and stand up to him when he pushed, when he slipped back into the man he had been. Yet, he had a right to lash out. Those memories had been very private. Truth be known, Hermione was insecure about the love Severus had for Lily. She was not sure if he would ever truly get over Lily. What if she was second choice by default? She shook her head. She had found him and saved him. He was grateful. She knew they were friends. Good friends now. But would there be anything else?

She shook herself irritably. She was acting like a foolish school girl, falling in love with a man twenty years older than she was and expecting him to love her back. He was a lonely, hurt man; of course he responded to her kindness. She was so confused. She sometimes felt he did care more for her than he would a friend, but other times he reminded her of her Potions professor and she was right back to feeling like a child, in awe of the man's knowledge, but frightened inside. Frightened he would berate her and make her cry.

She turned, resting her back on the sink for support, and pushed that thought away. No, Severus, the man she knew now, was different. She had to let that pain go. She had to see herself for the adult she was and the man he is now – a man with faults, who needed a strong woman who could stand up to him and also be as gentle and as loving as he could handle. He was not used to people caring for or about him. She took another deep breath and went to the refrigerator and opened it. Her stomach grumbled as she saw an array of eggs, meats, vegetables, breads and condiments. She set about making Severus some soft boiled eggs and toast. He had not eaten solid food in years, so he would have to start slow. Even with the regenerative powers of the potions that were now restoring his organs to full health, he would still have to take it easy.

When she returned to the bedroom with the breakfast, she found Severus sitting up in the bed. His head was propped up with pillows, but he had fallen asleep, exhausted from cleaning himself up.

Hermione sat the tray on the bedside table and leaned over Severus and touched his arm, "Severus, I have breakfast," she said softly. She took a moment to examine him. When he was asleep, he looked so young: the lines on his face so relaxed. She shook him gently and his eyes popped open.

"I'm sorry; I only meant to rest my eyes. The light's a bit harsh," he hastened to explain, trying to sit up more.

Hermione helped him by stuffing the pillows lower behind his back. She moved to the windows and drew the curtains so only a dim light filled the room.

"That's better," he said with a sigh of relief.

She placed the folding breakfast tray over his lap. "I hope your stomach won't rebel. You haven't eaten anything in a long time," she said.

"I feel like I could eat a cow," he said with a slight smile. "Hermione, I'm sorr... "

She placed a finger on his lips stopping his apology. "No, it's not necessary. As you said, it just took you by surprise. I expected you to be angry, and Pomona told me to tell you to just get over it. It was necessary."

Severus let out a rumbling chuckle that made Hermione's eyes widen with her own smile.

"Mona is quite the spitfire. I look forward to seeing her again. She was..." He stopped trying to find a word.

"... like a mother," Hermione supplied as she tapped the side of an egg and separated the shell.

"Yes," Severus said, "tough and outspoken, but she gave me something I so desperately needed as a child: encouragement, support and stability." He watched as Hermione scooped the two halves of the egg into a small bowl and chopped the whites into smaller pieces amidst the yellow thick liquid of the yolk. She repeated the process and then handed him the bowl with a spoon.

"Take it slow. One spoonful at a time and let it go down to your stomach. I didn't salt or pepper them as you might not be able to tolerate anything not bland right now," she instructed.

Severus took a small spoonful of the mixture and placed it into his mouth. His eyes closed involuntarily at the – to him – rich flavor. During his waking times, he had often been hungry and had dreamed of the simplest things like eggs, jelly, even broth, not to mention steak. He swallowed it and felt it slide down his esophagus. "It's good," he said, already filling his spoon again.

"I made some chamomile tea. It's soothing, and it will help you sleep during the day. You should sleep as much as possible these next few days," she instructed him.

"I have been sleeping, too much, for way too long." He took another bite and savored the taste. He slowly placed his spoon down, picked up the tea cup and took a few sips. "I would love a cup of Earl Grey," he said wistfully.

Hermione smiled. "I'll see what I can do tomorrow. I think I saw some in the cabinet." While he proceeded to eat, Hermione said, "You're doing good. I'll go take a quick shower and be right back."

"Maybe I can take a bath later. Cleaning spells only do so much," he ventured as he took a nibble of the toast.

"We'll see, maybe after a nap?" She smiled. Severus scowled at her continued attempt to get him to sleep. She grabbed her wand.

"Perhaps you can read to me while I rest," he bargained. "I'm sure that magic bag of yours has a book or two."

Hermione stood and laughed. "Or three... maybe twenty." She grinned as she grabbed her bag and vanished into the bathroom. She turned the water on, then pulled out some fresh clothing and her toiletries. She stripped quickly, aware that Severus was just inside the other room. Stepping into the hot water felt like heaven, but she did not waste time. She scrubbed herself and her hair. She stepped from the shower and towel dried before beginning to redress. She used her wand to dry and smooth her hair. The process took fifteen minutes. She found Severus asleep again, only half the breakfast eaten, the spoon still in his fingers. Poor, stubborn, dear man, he has no idea how much his body needs to heal. He'll push himself to exhaustion before he'll admit he needs a break. She shook her head in fond exasperation.

Hermione took the spoon from his hand and removed the breakfast tray. The first potion he had swallowed back in the hospital had healed his throat and had ridden him of the last traces of venom that had kept him in a coma for so long. Eventually, he would have woken on his own. His own body would have naturally rid his system of the poisons. But that place... that man could have killed him. Hermione shuddered and thought about the second potion: it had given his legs the strength to get them out of there. It was like a adrenalin rush. A boost that had left him exhausted, but it had been necessary. The third had begun the healing of his organs and body tissues and muscles. Sleep was normal. Hermione took the breakfast things back to the kitchen. Anything right now was a start. He needed the sleep as much as he needed the food.

She did the dishes and then went back to the bedroom. It was a one-bedroom cabin, and she wanted to be close in case he needed her. The bed was large, queen sized at least. Severus was stretched out on his back on one side. The excitement of the last few days caught up with Hermione, and she crawled onto the top of the covers on the other side of the bed. She used her wand to summon her robe. She covered herself with it before she dropped off to sleep.

Hermione woke to find herself again wrapped in Severus' arms. She could tell by his breathing he was awake. She could feel his thumb caressing her arm. "Severus, are you using wandless magic to get me into your arms?" she asked groggily. This was the second time this had happened. Not that she was complaining, of course.

A low rumble of laughter escaped his throat. "Hardly. I'm magnetic, don't you know."

Hermione raised herself up till she was looking into his face, and then she felt his fingers slide into her hair. He urged her closer, and before she knew it, his warm lips were against hers. It was better than that first dream. His kiss was hungry yet gentle. It was not a very long one, and when he released her, he looked uncertain, as if she might reject him.

Hermione dove straight back in, kissing him back softly. "That was nice," she said before she settled back down with her cheek against his shoulder.

Severus felt her shiver against him. "Are you cold?" he asked. "Crawl under the blanket."

"No, not cold. Excited and terrified. I don't want to get hurt, nor do I want to hurt you," she tried to explain.

"Excited and terrified?" he repeated.

"What about Lily, Severus? Can you leave her memory behind? If we are to go forward with this... if this pull we feel for each other is real, I need to know if she might come between us later."

He was silent for so long, Hermione felt tears slip out of her eyes. When they fell on his shoulder, he pulled her closer and held her tighter. "Please don't cry. Hermione, Lily is gone. She's been gone a very long time. I was a child when I felt myself in love with her. She was my best friend. A hormonal teen can get that all messed up. You know that with Mr. Weasley. You know now that wouldn't have worked."

Hermione sniffed and nodded. She could definitely understand that. It had been hard to say goodbye to Ron.

"Later, when I became responsible for her death, I vowed to keep her child, Harry, safe. I don't hate the bo... man," he corrected himself. "Every time he looked at me, I saw her in his eyes. I saw my guilt in her death. It tormented me. No, Hermione, Lily is but a memory of a misspent youth. A youth where choices were made that had terrible consequences." He put his fingers under her chin and tilted her head so he could look her in the face. "I am quite excited to get to know you. You're a beautiful, smart, talented woman, and I want to explore what we have started." He bent his head and kissed her again.

Hermione put her arms about him and held tight, crying for awhile, to release the tension that had coiled inside her, before settling down against him. As she felt herself fall asleep again, she wondered why she was having such a hard time staying awake, too.

Severus held her close and smiled. He could not remember a time in his life when the future had had such a positive outlook and such pleasant possibilities. After the last weeks, he had to admit they both needed a lot of sleep and rest. He let himself slip back into sleep, his arms holding the woman he was coming to love.

Merrin, I so appreciate your beta work. What a blessing it is. Your suggestions and corrections make this process so much easier for me.

Suzanne, thank you for your Brit picking, changes and additions to my work.