Crossing the Line

Part 4: Fallen in Love

Part 4: Fallen in Love

Then they experienced the trials and tribulations of love.

Chapter 12

Hermione's Pov

Jan 22

Severus thought things would look up. Hermione was able to start to move on from her torture. Her nightmares started to ease up and her insomnia started to heal itself on its own. She was becoming herself again. But Severus knew that what happened to her would always stay with her and haunt her for the rest of her life. She kept her arm covered up around her classmates but when she was with him she grew comfortable with the scar in his presence. He in return found he had no need to hide his dark mark and began to wear fewer long sleeves in her presence.

Then the day came where she said she loved him. It was accidental and it took both of them a minute to realize what she said. She blushed and stuttered and tried to look away before he swooped down and kissed her. Caressed her cheeks gently. He knew he was not an easy man to be with but realizing what she went through to be with him gave him a new appreciation of her. And Merlin, he wished she never had to experience what she went through. He wished it was easy. He then kissed every square inch of her body. Though he did kiss parts of her body on top of her clothes. He did get a taste of what laid underneath when her shirt was removed. From what he could see hidden beneath her flimsy bra, he wasn't disappointed and couldn't wait to see what was hidden lower on her body as he kissed down her stomach. He worshiped her. No one has ever told him that they loved him before and he decided to demonstrate his appreciation,

Being in a relationship wasn't easy. It never was but it was especially harder for Severus. He was not used to romantic affection. At first, he hated the affection others gave him but grew to love the affection Hermione gave him. It was simple when he stood back and analyzed it. It wasn't like romance novels where she demonstrated grand displays of affection. The affection presented itself in simple gestures and yet nothing about how she made him feel was simple. And yet for him, it was overwhelming him. Some days their love consumed them. And unfortunately, he feared that their relationship would just burn out.

Both he and Hermione were very similar in some ways. Both intelligent and increasingly stubborn. Analytical and strong opinionated. He was a lot more independent than she was. He wasn't one for talking and opening up has always been a problem for him. But he tried especially in the beginning. And it had never been much of a problem until now. As the last two weeks went by he was summoned three times by the Dark Lord. His stress was growing and his natural response was to recluse into himself. But with Hermione's constant presence and her incisive talking he had started to lash out at her. He knew it wasn't healthy and this war had begun to put a strain on their relationship.

She didn't take it personally at first, she knew that he was summoned. She understood the pressure he was under. She was under her own form of pressure; the war and her NEWTs. But her caring and kind nature had begun to grate on his nerves every time she asked him if he was okay. Her ability to stay strong in her opinions and her determination wore him down and made him tired. As his duties increased he began to ignore her a little bit more and more. He had neglected to tell her about the next two times. Some of the things he loved about her were beginning to become an annoyance for him. She was also getting upset by his lack of response. It had resulted in several occurrences where she walked away so that both of them could cool off. Talking to her had become draining.

Sometimes he thought it was only a matter of time before Hermione got fed up with him and left. For good. Other days he thought he should speed up the inevitable and end their relationship now before they get too deep. But they already were too deep. And no matter what it would hurt both of them.