Chapter 8. Eros

Hermione sat on the edge of Snape’s bed, transfiguring one of her inner robes into a cotton nightgown.

“You don’t have to do this – I could’ve slept on the couch.”

“No, I cannot let you do that… I must go and check on the potion.” Snape strode out of the room but came back moments later.

He cleaned the vomit on the floor and conjured a towel and a bowl of water.

Her eyes widened in shock. “Thank you,” she said while reaching for the towel, “I-”

“You will lie down and cease your chatter.” Snape dipped the towel into the water. “Seeing as you must keep your gaze upon me at all times, I need to stay here as well. I should do something to keep myself occupied.” Yet as he cleaned her chin with utmost care, he seemed to be speaking more to himself than to Hermione.

When Snape wiped the last bit of mess from her face, he held the towel in the air and stared into Hermione’s eyes as if he was debating something. She was about to lean in when he turned away to vanish the bowl.

“You know, Severus,” she said, disappointed, “the spell doesn’t seem to affect me when I am asleep.”

“Perhaps we could try a Dreamless Sleep Draught… no, the combination of the potions would be too much of a risk.”

“Or maybe-” Hermione broke off her theory with a yawn. “I am tired.” She smiled. “Goodnight.”

Asleep. Finally. Hermione had rolled over to the edge of the bed, her eyes closed and her breathing even. Severus smirked and turned to go until he saw the towel in his hand.

Maybe he should stay with her in case she woke up. They could continue the potion tomorrow – the stasis charm would hold until then.

Snape removed his boots and outer robes. He rolled up the sleeves of his shirt and lay down on the opposite edge of the bed.

Who knew that after all of these years, a potion has gotten a woman into my bed?

With that thought, Snape drifted off to sleep and dreamed of a woman who only had eyes for him.

~*~

Hermione rubbed her eyes after waking up and gazed at the walls of the dungeon. As she noted the various cracks and lines in the stone, she grinned.

The curse is over! I can see whatever or whomever I want! I can –

“Miss Granger, must you vomit this early in the morning?”

~*~

An hour or so later, Hermione and Snape were hard at work on the antidote. Hermione sipped a cup of tea – she couldn’t eat in fear that she would lose another meal again – and took her perch on the same table as the night before.

“Thank you,” she said, stretching her legs.

“For what?”

“Helping me.”

“I can’t have you with me all the time, can I?” Snape reversed the direction of his stirring.

“You weren’t so disgusted by the idea when you propositioned me last night.”

“I was of a different mindset then, affected by-” He spooned the antidote into a vial.

“By what? I’m the one who’s been slipped a potion.”

“And now you will be given another one,” he said, holding the vial out to her.

Hermione took the vial from Snape and set in on the table.

“Do you know how long I’ve been without a man in my life? Don’t you dare interrupt me,” she warned as he held up a hand.

“Five years. For five horrible, lonely years I have worked and worked. Mind you, my career is going well, and I’m alive. Thank Merlin, I’m alive.

“But I’m missing something, and when I finish my reports for the Ministry, I spend my time with my cat, a book, and a glass of wine or two…

“And whenever there are one of those functions, gatherings, balls, whatever – it’s like I’m at home, only there – here – I’m wearing dress robes.

“Then last night with you… I’ve been so stubborn, and I’m sorry for refusing you… I really did want to kiss you – I was just so stupid…”

Severus had always been a listener. He never liked talking too much; sharing a bit of himself in an occasional chat might be tolerated, but heart to hearts in his old Death Eater gatherings, staffroom meetings – even in a lover’s bed couldn’t be tolerated. And as much as he could listen or at least tune out Hermione’s incessant chatter, he was becoming undone by the sight of her pink lips moving so rapidly.

“Miss Granger,” he interrupted. “Do you want to kiss me?”

Hermione stared, surprised again by his beautiful dark eyes. She knew her answer.