Chapter Text
Moonlight rays of ebony, shinning down on the familiar face. Dark obsidian eyes, a hooked, noble nose, sharp cheek bones, a strong, chiseled jaw, and silky smooth black hair. He laid there in the light, basking in the moon’s rays. “P-Professor? Is that you?” A quiet, enthralling, melodic voice called out to the surly looking man clad in dark dress robes.
“Who’s there?” He called back his voice like rocky velvet, smooth but deep.
“I-I thought you were dead…” Her voice wavered, feet glued to their spots. She sounded like the lost little girl she used to be the first time she came there.
“A lot of people did, I wonder if I should have stayed dead.” He thought aloud, not caring who heard at the moment.
“I-I I missed you, sir.” She mumbled out. Tears threatened to spill but she somehow managed to keep them at bay.
“Really now, Miss Granger?” He all but sneered at the young woman as he stood up from the grass, by the black lake.
“Yes, I did. I don’t know about anyone else but I certainly did.” She tried to fight the feeling but couldn’t help it. The young with moved forward wrapping her arms tightly around her former Potion’s Master. As soon as she realized what she had done she froze, the professor was rigid. Hermione let out a small hiccup, trying not to cry but here he was, alive, and she was hugging him to make sure of it. The Potions Master sighed and carefully wrapped his arms around the trembling girl- no she was a woman now.
“Alright, come now, don’t start leaking on me now, Miss Granger.” The man clad in black said with a sigh.
“P-Professor Snape, I-I’m sorry I just didn’t know if you were real or not…” Hermione admitted, trying to get out of his arms but Professor held her close to him.
“It’s alright, Hermione. Shush, it’s okay.” He told her, gently running his fingers through her hair.
“May I call y-you Severus, then?” She asked quietly as she laid her head on his chest. He had held her like this once before when he found her crying on the floor of the dungeons by his quarters. Severus merely nodded his head in the affirmative. “I was so upset to see you there. I-I tried to save you, but Harry and Ron said you were already gone, they dragged me away. I d-don’t think I got back on my feet for at least three weeks.” Hermione mumbled against his chest.
“Why would you be upset over someone like me, Hermione?” He asked looking down into her honey colored eyes, if he looked close enough he could see the gold flakes.
“B-Because, Severus, I cared- no I care for you. I have for a while now Severus…” She admitted with a faint blush, Severus just looked down at her as if she had grown another head.
“Miss Granger, I don’t think that is very wise…” He muttered and her eyes widened then glazed over with emotion. “Oh no, no more tears, please, Hermione.” ‘I can’t bare to see it.’ But he didn’t say it aloud although his voice was slightly weak.
“I-I should p-probably go…” Hermione looked down and went to move, but Severus’ grip on her didn’t let up the slightest, in fact if anything, it tightened around her.
“Probably, but that doesn’t mean you have to.” Severus said faintly. His many years as a spy was telling him to let her go, push her away, not to let himself get attached or ultimately hurt like what happened with Lily.
“D-do you want me to s-stay?” The young witch asked in disbelief.
“Yes.” Was all he said in response, with that Hermione moved her arms, which had come to rest against his chest, and wrapped them around his neck as she pulled him to her fiercely.
“I never thought…” She mumbled not even finishing the thought on the matter. Severus let out a small sigh slip through his lips as he rested his chin on the top of Hermione’s head.
“Now that the war is over with I should allow myself some chance at happiness, should I not?” He questioned her. The former student let out a small gasp, looking up at him with a hopeful look on her features. Severus let a small rare smile slip onto his face.
“A-and that involves me?” She looked at him with wide inquisitive eyes.
“Quite possibly yes, if you would have me.” H gave her a small sheepish smile to which Hermione returned brightly.
“Of course I will you daft man!” She chastised him lightly. Hermione leaned back to look at him, really look at him. She moved a hand up to trace his jaw, then tilted his face further towards hers. Severus, for once in his life, decided that since there was someone who truly liked him, for who he was no less, he wouldn’t let her get away. Hermione was intelligent, beautiful, and liked him, believed in him before she even knew he was innocent. No way in hell was he letting her get away. The next thing the witch knew Severus leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. The young witch let out a gasp and reached up with her own, pressing them flush against his. Severus let out a relieved and content sigh at the feeling and kissed back purposefully. Hermione reached up to tangle her fingers in his silky soft black hair. They were outside standing under a tree, near the black lake. It was late in the evening, the night before everyone would arrive at Hogwarts.
“Are you sure about this Hermione? I-I mean I’m twice your age for Merlin’s sake.” He explained then cupped the back of her head, running his fingers through her hair, which was soft and smooth not the tangle of curls it once was.
“Do you truly believe that bothers me?” Hermione replied in her snarky, know-it-all, matter-of-face voice. Severus chuckled then leaned down and kissed her soundly. The young witch kissed him back eagerly.
“How could you like someone as unattractive as myself, there are certainly far better looking wizards at least half as eager.” He huffed against her lips.
“Well I happen to think you are deliciously attractive. Even your nose~.” Hermione said with a light giggle then pecked a kiss on the tip of said infamous nose. Severus just stared down at her aghast.
“Y-you what?!” He bellowed making Hermione smirk.
“You know, you’re cute when you’re all flustered, Severus.” She teased poking one of his slightly pink cheeks.
“Yes well I happen to know a certain witch who can turn very interesting shades of red and pink.” He teased back holding her close.
“C-can we go inside? I-It’s rather cold out.” She shivered slightly and Severus shed his frock coat, wrapping it around her and draped his arm round her shoulders, tucking her against his side.
“So what are you doing back at Hogwarts, Hermione?” Severus asked quietly as they walked back up to the old castle.
“I-I’m going to be the potion professor’s apprentice.” She stuttered looking up at him. “What are you teaching, DADA?” Hermione asked curiously.
“Actually, I went back to potions. So it seems we will be working together Miss Granger~.” He teased with a smirk. Hermione laughed, which Severus thought was the most beautiful sound he had heard, even more appealing then the unappreciative groans of students when assigned three feet of writing for homework. “So would you like to go to my rooms and sit for a while?” Severus asked and Hermione nodded wrapping an arm around his waist as they walked.
“Shit…” Severus cursed under his breath. “Act as if you are out of it, Minerva saw us. I don’t think she would appreciate me stealing one of her precious lion cubs so soon after she got her back.” Snape snickered and Hermione nodded, changing her walking to more slouched and clinging to the potions professor like a life line. Severus looked up to see an approaching Minerva who looked quite angry.
“Severus Snape?! Where have you been? And what have you done to Hermione?” She asked in an angry tone.
“Minerva, I found her like this, don’t you start. I would not hurt Miss Granger. I think she may be in a state of shock from seeing me…” Severus sneered and Hermione looked up at her former Transfigurations teacher. The young witch unfocused her eyes and slumped against the potions master. She gasped slightly, closing her eyes tightly as she buried her face in his robes. “Come now Minerva, let me get her to my office and get her something to help.” Severus sighed and wrapped his arms around the young witch to keep her upright. “Alright, enough of this come now Miss Granger…” He growled slightly then bent down a little, scooping her up into his arms. Hermione let out a small squeak and held on to him tightly. She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder. “Oh hush..” He chuckled and looked back at Minerva. The older witch looked slightly shocked at his shown of some compassion. Severus raised an eyebrow vat the old witch, still waiting for an answer.
“Alright, alright. Hermione, see me in the morning, when you are feeling better of course. If she doesn’t remember please inform her Severus. OH and do take good care of her please.” Minerva shot a fleeting worrying look at Hermione then left with a flourish as Snape nodded to her. Hermione bit back a smile and laugh as Severus began to take her to his rooms. The dark wizard opened the door with a silent spell then closed it, setting his wards back into place.
“Well done Hermione~.” Severus said with a quiet chuckle and Hermione let out a small giggle. Severus moved in further then set her down on the couch, kneeling next to her. He brushed the hair out of her face and kissed her forehead.
“Why thank you~.” Hermione said with a small smile and moved to pull him up on the couch next to her. Severus let out a small laugh and laid down on the couch, acting completely out of character, laid his head down in Hermione’s lap. Hermione smiled down at him and ran her fingers through his hair. The dark wizard let out a sigh and closed his eyes, nuzzling against her leg. Soon enough Severus was asleep. Hermione smiled softly down at him and lengthened the width of the couch. She gently moved his head and transfigured a pillow to replace her lap. Severus sighed and reached out clasping his had around hers, Hermione kissed his forehead and removed his hand. Severus stirred slightly and she chuckled as she removed his and her outer robes with quick charm. Hermione laid down next to him, Severus stirred and his eyes fluttered open.
“Hmm… stay here tonight?” Severus asked groggily and pulled Hermione on top of him making her let out a small squeal.
“Severus~!” She squeaked, then let out a small giggle. Hermione relaxed against him then cuddled against him. “I didn’t plan on going anywhere.” Hermione smiled then nuzzled her face into his neck. Severus let a lopsided grin slip onto his face as he drifted back to sleep. Hermione smiled, pulled a blanket over the top of them and fell asleep soon after.
In the morning Severus woke to find a weight lying on top of him. He stiffened then slowly opened his eyes to see none other than Hermione, her face nuzzled into his neck. He smiled and held her closer, running her fingers through her hair. The young witch woke soon after and sighed wrapping her arms further around his neck.