Guilty Pleasures

Chapter 6

Ever since that time at the store Severus couldn't get what the old woman had said to him out of his head. He didn't want anything to happen to Hermione. He didn't want to let his love for her get in the way of her future. He planned it all out, he would talk to her after class about it. He was going to let her go.

It was towards the end of class and Hermione was just about to leave when Severus called, "Hermione can i please talk with you?" She turned to look at him and nodded. She walked over and stood in front of him. As he took her hand in his, he slowly pulled her down to place a kiss on her cheek. "I don't think i can do this anymore.." , in an almost sad sorrowful voice. "W-what do you mean...I l-love you...", tears starting to build up in her eyes. He fought back tears as well. "I'm s-sorry...", choking on his words, "please go to your next class, Miss Granger..." Tears running down her cheeks she left.

The weeks that followed made it harder to not cry. When ever he would see her in class she wouldn't even look up at him, even during his lectures. Sometimes she wouldn't even come to class. When she saw him in the halls she would just push past him. She wouldn't even look at him. This added on to his depression and regret but he did it for her, he knew it would hurt but it had to be done. That night he couldn't sleep because he had only one thing on his mind, Hermione. Ever since he let her go he has been feeling empty inside. He wanted to run back to her, but he couldn't risk it for her sake. What would he do, and even if he chose to run back to her would she take him back? All the memories flooding back, he couldn't take it. He needed her and he knew that she needed him.

He decided that day in class he would talk to her, but she didn't show up. After class he called Harry over. "Have you seen Miss Granger, Mr. Potter?" Harry nodded. "Last time i saw her we were sitting on the roof, but she wanted to be alone." Severus's eyes grew wide. "How long ago?!" Almost sounding distressed and in a panic. "Maybe 10 minutes ago sir." Severus thanked him and ran out of the classroom.

As he ran the long steps of the stairs to the roof he felt as if his feet might fail him, and pull him back from her. He ran faster, and finally reaching the door to the roof, slamming it open. Hermione was standing on the edge of the roof, looking over the world she had once been so happy in. "Hermione don't!" His tears suffocating him. She turned, her back facing the edge. She smiled. "Remember me...Severus...i love you..." She leaned back and let gravity take hold. She could feel her body being caressed by the wind as she fell. Suddenly she felt a tight grip on her hand. Her body dangling helplessly. "I need you in this world...i love you...i just didn't want our relationship jeopardizing your future..." Tears clouding his vision. "Severus...don't you see" , she said in a whisper, "you are my future.." A faint smile following her words.

In the swiftness motion he pulled her up and held her tightly in her arms, like a little girl clutching her teddy bear. She wrapped her arms around him, not wanting to go anywhere else. "Hermione...please don't leave me..." She gently touched her hand to his cheek. "never.." She leaned up and kissed him slowly and passionately. His face blushed a beautiful shade of crimson as he held her kissing her back."I love you Hermione." She smiled at his words, "I love you to Severus." From then on Severus promised that he would protect her. He would be her shield and comfort to the horrors lying in this world. He would be her future. Also make sure Lily would have a bright future with her loving mother and father.