Day By Day

7

Severus took Hermione's hand as they slowly walked back to the house. No words were spoken. Both knowing what the evening had in store for them. Severus looked at it like ripping off a bandaid. Once it was done they could move forward. He worried her apprehension would make things awkward so he wanted to make sure the witch was as comfortable as possible. He did care. Was he in love with her? No. But he didn't want her to feel she had to do this out of duty. Even though they both knew this wouldn't be happening at all if it weren't for this rubbish law. Now was not the time to think about that though.

They reached the front door. Severus took down the wards and they entered. Still holding her hand, he looked down at her. She had been so silent on the walk home, of course he wasn't talking either.

"Would you like something to eat?"

"I'm not hungry, but thank you."

He nodded.

"Are you ok? I know this is akward."

Hermione felt a huge lump in her throat. She willed herself not to cry.

"It's just these circumstances. I'm...I'm sorry I'm making this more difficult than it need be."

"You are not making this difficult. The bloody Ministry is making it difficult. All things considered I think we've handled it quite well so far." He gave her a slight smile.

"Thank you for saying that. I don't feel like I'm handling it well. It has nothing to do with you Severus, please know that. If the Ministry had no involvement in this I wouldn't be hesitating at all."

"So, your sense of injustice is keeping you from sleeping with me?" He raised an eyebrow and tried to keep from smirking, unsuccessfully.

Hermione smiled at him. She realized that it actually was her sense of injustice that was holding her back. That was the only thing that was holding her back. He had been practically perfect in every way. Maybe there actually was something to divination.

"I'm being ridiculous." She blushed.

"You're being you Hermione. As far as I know ridiculous is not a word I would use to describe you."

Hermione took a deep breath and looked into his eyes. It was now or never.

"Maybe it's time Severus."

"Are you sure?"

"Do you want to spend time in a detention center?"

"No, but I would."

"Please...take me upstairs."

Severus, still holding her hand, led her up the stairs. They stopped between their rooms in the middle of the hall.

"Your place or mine?" He asked.

"Yours."

The couple walked through the door to his room. The walls were covered in beautiful raised wood panels. There were brass candlestick lamps on the nightstands, his side apparent by a book with a pair of reading glasses on top. She'd very much like to see him in glasses. The bed had simple cream color linens and at the foot of the bed was a wool tartan throw in autumnal colors. It was a lovely warm room.

Severus led her to stand in between his legs as he sat at the foot of the bed. Looking down he was absentmindedly running his thumbs over the tops of her knuckles as he still held on to her hands. Hands that were small and delicate. Not like his long fingers that had little scars from years of brewing. Hermione studied his face. He was so mysterious looking with his dark eyes and long dark hair. His eyelashes were black and rather thick. They were beautiful. She realized that as a child she thought of him as being very imposing, his features seemed almost severe. But now, he looked as if he were born from nobility with a strong nose and striking features. He also had a look of a man who was content. He was softer. She hoped their union would not take that look of contentment from him.

"You know the reason we are meant to do this." His smooth tone and deep voice sounded very serious.

"I know Severus."

"I've not quite wrapped my mind around that part just yet."

"Neither have I." Hermione took a deep breath. "Will you do it?"

Severus nodded and raised his hand to her lower abdomen. A soft glow between them lasted for but a moment. Hermione felt the heat of his magic as her body absorbed the spell. She was relieved he was not ready for children. It was something that was not in her immediate life plans. 'Maybe one day' may in fact come much sooner, but it was something they could at least delay for the moment. The very last bit of control they had over their lives.

Hermione bent her knee raising her foot behind her and took off one sandal, and then the other. He watched her and studied her long neck. She looked at him with her wide amber eyes, eyes that seemed to be asking something of him, eyes that looked sorrowful. Severus tucked one of her stray curls behind her ear.

"Don't look so sad, I'll take care of you, and if you want to stop at anytime just say so."

"That's just it you see. I know you'll take care of me and I know I won't want to stop. I'm feeling things that seem preposterous considering the amount of time we've spent together. But I do trust you Severus."

He felt a tightening in his chest, the words 'I trust you' were not something he heard often. No one trusts a spy. But he knew she was sincere. They were in this together and all they had was each another. Maybe he was feeling things that seemed contrary to reason as well.