Parts 37-46

Severus sat by Hermione’s bedside at St Mungo’s, having bribed the Healer with a promise of twenty-five phials of a powerful Healing Draught. Her face was as pale as fresh parchment; her dark hair, a stark contrast against the snow white linens. His eyes ran worriedly over her still form. Running a weary hand over his face, he slouched in the uncomfortable chair, his gaze never leaving her face.

The Healer had speculated that her illness might be a lingering side-effect of the Unbreakable Vow, but Severus had never heard of such a thing. Why had she not awakened?

***

“Severus?” Hermione called as she entered the flat. She removed her cloak, tossing it haphazardly onto the sofa. Kicking off her shoes, she padded in her stocking feet across the sitting room. “Where are you?” Entering the kitchen, she found him cooking dinner. “Ah, here you are,” she said fondly as she leant against the door frame.

He smirked. “Right after you greet me properly.”

***

Staring at her as he was, Severus caught the small smile. “Hermione?” he said gently as he leant forward, grasping her hand and raising it to place a kiss in her palm. “Hermione.” There was no response. Closing his eyes in defeat, he sat back in his chair, tenderly placing her hand back at her side. He felt completely helpless; he could do nothing to help her – no one knew exactly what was wrong. He ran shaking hands through his hair, threading his fingers into the lank strands as he rested his elbows on his knees.

“Please, wake up. Please.”

***

“Time to wake up.”

“Wake up, dearling. I want to love you again before you go.”

***

“Snape.”

Severus started, waking immediately and almost sliding out of the chair before catching himself. Damn. He must have fallen asleep. He squinted, struggling to focus on the person standing in the doorway. Recognition dawned, and he was immediately on his feet, his wand drawn.

“What do you want, Potter?”

The young Auror was visibly nervous, shuffling his feet and swallowing reflexively. He held out his hands. “I came to see Hermione.”

Severus sneered. “Come to see the results of your handiwork, have you? It’s your fault she’s here.”

Potter simply nodded, his green eyes filled with guilt. “I know.”

***

Hermione heard him turn on the taps and enter the shower. For a moment, she resisted the compulsion of the Vow to do what she knew she must. She waited until she felt the familiar tinge of nausea and then leant over to the bedside table. Opening the drawer, she pulled out the journal and felt the tingle of magic as the Charm recognised her magical signature. Tears filled her eyes as she turned the pages to the most recent entries. Finding them, she quickly scanned the pages only to gasp when she read the words, “I love Hermione Granger.”

***

Severus glared at the younger man. “You know?” he mocked.

“The Healer told me what he thinks is wrong with Hermione, that it’s something to do with Hermione fighting the Vow. She told me she didn’t want to have anything to do with the mission, but I refused to release her from the Vow. I was so angry, so arrogant. I didn’t give a thought to how Hermione was being affected.” Potter moved to approach the bed, stopping after only a few steps. “I didn’t listen to her. Even worse is, I knew she was right. I only wanted revenge.”

***

“After that, I went into hiding until I heard from Lupin. You are aware of the rest.”

Hermione was curled up beside Severus on the sofa, her head on his shoulder as he spoke. She was certain the fingers running through her curls was an unconscious action. They had spent most of the night talking, sharing favourite memories and deepest secrets. If only she hadn’t already known them …. Once again she pushed aside the guilt. There was nothing to be done about it. She wrapped one arm around his waist, leaning in to kiss his neck. “Thank you,” she whispered.

***

Potter cleared his throat and rubbed his damp eyes with a palm. “I’ve tendered my resignation, effective immediately. I think it might be best if I go away for a while – work some things out in my head, you know?” Apparently he didn’t expect an answer because he continued. “I just wanted to bring you this,” Potter said, pulling out the journal from under his robes. “You left it back at the courtroom – must have dropped it when you caught Hermione.” He paused a moment before handing the journal to Severus.

“Tell her I’m sorry.” And then he was gone.

***

She felt nauseous again. He must have written in the journal today. Her heart sank. How much longer would this continue?

Hours later, when she was certain he was deeply asleep, she reached over to the table and pulled out the journal. Reading the page, she felt her breath catch. “Oh, Severus. No. No.”

to be continued …