Chapter Eleven

The next few days followed the pattern of that third day. After the supplies arrived on Thursday, Hermione set the wards again, and they walked further down the stream until the path was revealed to have disintegrated...fallen during some past storm. They were forced to turn back. They built a fire in the small fireplace that night and sat in the cozy living room. Severus had made a lot of progress in the last few days. With additional potions...and the walks...he was gaining strength by leaps and bounds. By Saturday night he was feeling good. He even had a little bit of a suntan.

Hermione was also well rested and tanned. They had heard from Minerva again. She had sent another owl, along with notes from Poppy and Pomona, keeping them up-to-date with developments. Hermione had also spoken with her mother on Friday morning.

They sat dressed for bed, staring into the fire and contemplating the dread they felt about returning to Hogwarts in the morning. For Severus it would be the loss of not having Hermione with him all day, and for Hermione it was facing Minerva again. Disappointing people was so hard for her. But she did have a scolding coming, and she knew now they had been wrong to cover it up for as long as they had.

"Hermione, stop worrying; there's nothing you can do," Severus said sympathetically.

"I know," she replied. "But I'm a worrier, I can't help it."

Severus thought perhaps he should try and distract her. He got up from the sofa and took her hands in his, pulling her to her feet. He bent his head and started kissing her. His kisses were urgent, and Hermione lost herself in them. When he pulled her into their bedroom and began to slide the straps of her nightgown from her shoulders, she did not protest. It was what they both wanted; they wanted to make love, physically, before returning home.

Severus' hands caressed her arms. His fingers lingered over her scar, and he massaged it gently. Hermione relieved him of his pajama top then let her fingers slide up his bare chest. She felt the many scars there: some tiny, some that made her cringe inside...not because of the sight of them, but because she could imagine the wounds they had once been. Their nightclothes fell to the floor.

Severus gently guided her into the bed, and he slipped in beside her, half covering her. His fingers gently touched her puckered flesh, and his kisses followed. When he took her damaged nipple into his mouth, she forgot her scar and just let herself feel. She felt the muscles in his back as she ran her hands over it. She felt the swell of his firm buttocks. She felt the hair of his legs tickling her as they slid against hers. She felt the sharpness of hip bones, still not covered by enough flesh, poke her hips, but it didn't matter...all that mattered was Severus and being with him.

Severus caressed and slowly explored her body; his hands cupped the roundness of her small breasts, and he felt her long legs tangle with his. It was exquisite. He felt her hands caress his body in return, and he felt his hardness against her leg.

With care they explored and gave each other all that they were. When Severus slipped inside her, they both gasped with the pleasure and let their minds soar as their bodies surged together.

Covered in sweat and with sighs, smiles and maybe a few happy tears, they lay still, tangled together, gasping for breath and giving small kisses. Severus asked, "Are you okay?"

"I'm perfect. You were right...dreams are but a shadow of reality." She lay facing his side, her arm over his stomach.

"They most certainly are," he agreed, kissing her forehead, his fingers caressing her hair. "Thank you, Hermione, for giving me back my life."

"It is most definitely my pleasure," she giggled, catching his double meaning as she ran a finger in circles around one of his nipples.

"Hermione, if you persist, I may be forced to try again, and I think I only have one adventure in me for tonight," he warned her. As much as he would love to go again, he was aware of his current limitations. Soon, my love. Soon I will make love to you all night.

Hermione moved to kiss the nipple, and then she drew back, but was still, just holding him tight. "Poor dear," she commiserated, half jokingly. "Sleep, my love, this is only the beginning."

Severus murmured an agreement... then was breathing deeply and steadily within the minute. Hermione let herself be lulled to sleep by the rhythm.

The next morning, Hermione woke to the smell of coffee. Her eyes blearily focused, and she found a single red rose on the pillow next to her. Moments later, Severus appeared with a tray filled with eggs, toast, bacon and fruit. "Oh, you're awake. I was hoping to get back in time to kiss you awake and give you your morning java."

Hermione smiled. "The rose is lovely. Thank you." She accepted the coffee and a gentle kiss. "What a lovely surprise. Breakfast in bed and I didn't even have to cook it." Taking a bite of the eggs, she exclaimed, "Oh Merlin, Severus. These are good! You can cook from now on."

He laughed. "I'll teach you."

"I'd rather you do it," she gave him that sultry look that melted him inside.

"We brew together, we cook together," he said, firmly with a smirk.

"Alright, but if I'm working long hours or vice versa, can we take turns?" she compromised.

"Agreed," he said with a nod. After Severus had finished his food, he got up to take the tray back to the kitchen. He could hear the water running in the bath when he got back. He was a bit disappointed, having hoped to be able to indulge in a short romp before they would have to get ready to leave. His disappointment was short lived when the door opened and Hermione seductively asked, "Will you join me?"

He grinned, feeling himself harden immediately. "Indeed," he said as he headed toward the door.

*****

The tug of the Portkey pulled at their navels, and the room spun away. They suddenly found themselves in Minerva's office. Hermione stood by the hearth and watched as the three women who had been awaiting their arrival surged forward, wide grins on their mouths and tears in their eyes, looking at Severus in astonishment as if they had not believed he was real until this very moment.

Pomona reached him first, and Hermione saw the short, stout woman reach out to him.

Severus went down on his knees and grasped her tightly to him. "Mona," he greeted her, his voice breaking.

Hermione, wearing the pendant close to her heart, heard and felt as he said the word that it was really 'Mama'. She was surprised and pleased that he laid his head against the older witch's breast and let her stoke his hair and cry all over him.

Poppy stepped around them and hugged Hermione. "Will you look at that? We did well. The potions look like they worked. How are you, dear?"

"I'm wonderful as well, Poppy." She glanced over Poppy's shoulder to see Severus stand up again to greet the Headmistress. Minerva, at nearly his height, took hold of him with trembling arms and held him tightly.

"It's good to see you, boy," she said in a quite steady voice. "I'm sorry. We should have looked harder."

Severus was surprised at the tears that had started when Mona had grabbed him, and now one spilled down his cheek. "I wouldn't trade the last week for anything, Minerva, even my freedom the last five years," he said reassuringly.

Minerva glanced at Hermione, "Well, my Gryffindor Lion wasn't at the top of her class for nothing," she said proudly. "She is the most resourceful person I know." Minerva released Severus, seeing the fear on Hermione's face, and held out her arms.

The tension in the room released, and everyone was hugging and crying. Severus found himself drenched in tears and crumpled from all the hugs, and he could not have been happier. He looked around the office, taking in the familiar space. Almost unbidden, he raised his eyes to see the portrait of Albus Dumbledore gazing at him with such love. The old wizard was dabbing tears from his painted eyes. Severus felt his legs buckle, and he fell into a chair that one witch or another had seen that he needed.

"Severus!" Hermione came and knelt at his side. "Are you okay?" she asked frantically. Her hand felt for his pulse. It was rapid.

"I'm just overcome," he told her, glancing back up into Albus' now concerned eyes.

Albus looked so life-like and so real. Neither saw any resentment or sadness, only joy.

"Severus," came his all-too-familiar voice. "It is good to lay eyes on you again and in the flesh. I wondered why you hadn't joined us."

"Albus," was all Severus could say.

"Thank you, my boy," the old man said before being overcome himself. He slipped out of his portrait and vanished.

Severus stared at the empty frame for a moment and then at the four women who stood or knelt around him with concerned faces. "I think I need my bed," he told them. What he needed was some alone time, well not alone, he needed to lay on a bed, holding Hermione close.

Poppy fussed a little. "I would like to check you over."

"After I rest, please, Poppy," Severus asked. He took Pomona's hand and gave it a squeeze. "I'll have Hermione come and get you when I feel stronger."

Pamona knew him enough to say, "Let him rest, Poppy. I'll look forward to seeing you, Sev."

Minerva and Poppy nodded.

"Go through the Floo," Minerva said, "I have it connected to your rooms, Hermione. I assume Severus will want his rooms back. I can have your..."

"No," Severus interrupted, holding up his hand. He stood with Hermione's help. "I will stay with Hermione in her rooms."

Minerva's eyebrow raised, but she only nodded, "Go then. Hermione, come and see me when you can."

Her look turned stern, and Hermione paled but nodded, "Yes, Headmistress." She supported Severus, and when they got close to the Floo, she grabbed a handful of Floo powder, threw it down and called, "Potion mistress Hermione Granger's quarters." They stepped into the green flames and spun away.

Hermione half dragged him to the bed. She laid him down and ran for a potion that would even out his heart beat and calm him down. It was simple shock from all the emotions and seeing Albus. Severus let Hermione loosen the buttons on his shirt, and she took it off of him. She undid his pants but left them on and pulled his shoes off. She tucked the blanket over him and uttered a wandless warming spell. She pulled her outer garments off and crawled in with him. "Severus, are you okay?" she asked gently.

Her gentle question opened a floodgate for Severus, and despite himself, tears started to flow. He knew he could let his guard down around her. Hermione cried with him. The pendant pulled their thoughts together, and she was able to share wordless feelings with him. Perhaps even take some of his pain and expend it through her tears. He finally fell asleep, exhausted, but she continued to hold him, murmuring words of love as she stroked his cheeks and arms, assuring him she was there for him. She kept the caresses going until she succumbed to sleep herself.

Severus woke to find Hermione draped over him, and he tightened his arms around her. He felt utterly drained, but the pain of having killed his friend was not there anymore. He marveled at the lightness of his heart and the amazing gift he held in his arms. Seeing Albus smiling down at him had been a terrific shock, and hearing the voice he had forever stilled thank him had sent him over the edge. All the pain from that one act had burst forth, overwhelming him. He did not know what he would have done if Hermione had not been there with him. Her love had calmed the chaos in his mind. Love was something he had always craved, and he'd had so little of it. He supposed that was why he had latched on to Lily. But she had not really cared for him once they had gotten older. His gravitation to the dark arts had scared her. Hermione was different; she loved him despite his past, and with her, he thought, it might be possible to live a normal life.

It is, came her whisper in his mind.

Are you eavesdropping, my dear? He tightened his grip on her and felt her returning hug.

She smiled against his chest. I only woke to hear the part about a normal life. I hope I will be included in that.

He whispered aloud, "Most definitely."

Hermione rose up to look him in the face. "I'm looking forward to it." Still connected with him, Hermione saw a flash of a scene: Severus and her holding a baby, and a shiny ring glinted up from her finger. She gasped. "Is that a proposal?"

Severus cleared his throat. "Would you like it to be?" he asked aloud.

"Absolutely, yes!" she cried as she threw her arms about his neck.

The kisses that followed were frantic and deep; hands explored contours and silken places. Bodies joined with such ease, and hearts beat faster and faster. Fingers gripped, muscles strained and joint gasps of pleasure filled the room. They slumped back on the bed, spent. The blankets now lay on the floor with the remainder of their garments. Hermione snuggled against Severus, not needing to feel like she could crawl into his skin to get closer, because she was already in his mind. In just a few short months, this man had taken her life and turned it upside down. Yet, somehow, it seemed right side up for the first time in her life.

Amen to that, Severus thought into her mind.

Hermione lay there, feeling as content as she ever remembered. Then Minerva's words came back to her: "Come and see me when you can." She shivered.

Severus pulled her closer and chuckled. "She is just an old windbag, Hermione," he said with affection. "You already got the hugs and kisses. You know she loves you. Just stand there and take whatever she dishes out, and then we go on from there."

"You don't think she will fire me and offer you the job?" she ventured nervously.

"Absolutely not, and I wouldn't take it anyway. Vector's job is open, and I am smart enough to teach it, I'll have you know. Worse comes to worst, I can finish the year in that position, and we can see what else is out there afterward."

"You could probably teach any and all of the classes here, Severus," she told him.

"Ugh, not Divination. I stay away from that field. Far away," he said with extreme revulsion. "There lies within it all my ruined life... before I found you a few months ago," he added.

She pretended to spit and Severus smiled. "We have that in common. I can't say it's a bunch of hooey knowing what I know, but it is so unpredictable. I'd rather have facts."

Severus agreed. "I'm feeling pretty good. I think we should shower and have dinner in the Great Hall."

"Are you sure you want to do that? It will cause quite a stir, and the Owlery will have some exhausted birds by tonight. All of the Wizarding world will know by tomorrow. You're still not strong enough to take on anyone in a duel, and the press would be relentless."

"I'm pretty safe here at Hogwarts; I think I can manage. I'm ready to join the land of the living," he said adamantly.

She kissed him and then crawled off the bed and held her hand out. "Let's get ready for the land of the living then, shall we?"

Severus got out of the bed and then stood in the middle of the room, naked as a jay bird, with a thoughtful look on his face. "I don't have my robes. I wonder what ever happened to them," he mused.

Hermione blushed, "I think I can take care of that." She went to the cupboard. She poked around behind her robes that hung there and pulled her old school trunk from the very back.

Severus eyed her backside with relish and had to clamp down on his desire to take her again.

She knelt and opened it. She dragged it to the middle of the room and gestured for Severus to look inside. There lay three of his very best robes and his cloak.

"Why would you keep my clothing?" he asked.

"I always thought you hid behind all those folds, and I wanted to be reminded that behind those folds was a man with the heart of a lion." She pulled them out, and pushing her clothing over, she hung them next to hers. Beneath them was a set of his regular clothing: white shirt and black pants. His very best set.

"Well, you are a woman of many surprises." He took the garments, and Hermione chose clothing for herself for the evening. After a quick shower with a few stolen kisses, they dressed.

"Oh, Merlin, look at you," she said, tugging at his lapels. "I'm glad I never realized you were damn sexy in your robes when I was a teenager. I would have been in detention and tortured for even considering it." She laughed. "You're a little thin, but you look just as you did all those years ago, actually younger, no more pressure."

Severus nodded. "I definitely would have destroyed that crush. Oaf as I was back then. It would have been very uncomfortable."

"You always were too proper for your own good. Maybe, I should be grateful for that now. I have your heart, no one else."

"I want no one else, only you, Hermione, past or present," he said softly, caressing her cheek gently. "Come on. I'd rather be early than late."

Severus and Hermione stepped out into the hallway and headed for the stairs to the Great Hall.

There were only a few students already in their place as the couple entered the hall.

Conversations died as Hermione and Severus moved up the centre aisle past the students. A wave of whispers followed in their wake, all consisting of only two words: Severus Snape?

Hermione and Severus took their seats as though nothing were out of the ordinary. As though a man everyone thought long dead was walking, living, breathing among them, was a commonplace occurrence. When Pomona arrived, she simply greeted Severus with a kiss on the cheek and took her place next to him.

The rest of the students arrived, and the Great Hall was now filled with silent, staring children. The new arrivals quickly spied the professor at the front of the room.

Even the teachers present were dumbfounded to see their old colleague there. No one approached him, and he felt for Hermione's hand under the table for courage. Would someone start flinging curses at him?

When Minerva arrived with Poppy, she came and gave his shoulder a squeeze.

"Are you alright, Severus?" Poppy asked, concerned.

"Yes," he replied. "Hermione took good care of me."

Hermione blushed and Poppy smiled. "I agree she has been doing just that. I have it on good authority that she would make a very good Healer."

Hermione grinned. "I'm glad to hear you have been communicating with Dr. Leurante."

Now it was Poppy's turn to blush.

At that moment, Minerva took her place at the podium, and everyone sat and turned their eyes toward her. "Welcome to dinner tonight, students. You will no doubt realize we have a very distinguished guest here with us tonight. You will recognize Severus Snape, war hero, from past news releases when you where much younger or our new history books. Our own Potions mistress, Hermione Granger, has found him in a Muggle hospital, still under the paralyzing effects of his war wounds, and has brought him home. I hope you will join me in welcoming Professor Snape back among us."

When everyone stood to their feet with a roar of cheering and clapping, Severus squeezed Hermione's hand to near pain.

Minerva turned to him and motioned him to stand.

He stood, and the noise got even louder. He was overcome and felt tears burn in his eyes. Then he realized the teachers had surrounded him. He felt hands on his back and arms and then one on his lower hip, and he looked down to see Filius looking up at him. His smile was infectious, and Severus found himself smiling down at the diminutive man.

"Thank you, Filius, it's good to be restored to health." He lowered his hand to reach for Filius' and noticed he still was clutching Hermione's. He saw Filius' eyebrow raise. "I have lots to tell. Hermione has agreed to marry me."

Minerva, who had joined the group, as well as Poppy and Pomona, gasped, and then there was more hugging and crying.

Minerva finally settled the teachers as well as the students and said to Severus, "You sure didn't step back into this new world slowly."

Severus Snape laughed out loud, and everyone was so shocked they stopped to stare at the wizard, newly returned to life.

Thank you, Merrin, I am so happy to have you as my beta. You do an amazing job.

Thank you, Suzanne, for your Brit picking and all the other special touches you give my chapters.

Thank you, nagandsev, for your TPP beta work.

Thank you, Becky, for your kind comments and pre-reading.

Without you four ladies, this wouldn't get done.