Let Me Hear You

[ Twelve Hours ]

I have never slept better in my life, and it wasn't just from having an incredible orgasm last night. After months of building trust and tearing down walls, Severus has finally given himself to me. I don't know where this bond will take us, but I am ready to dive in headfirst. I thought back to the comment he made on Saturday. "We both know that without our bond, I would be the last person you would choose to have in your room on a Saturday afternoon." I can't help but feel like that couldn't be further from the truth.

Yes, we were brought together by our bond, but it is him who I wish to spend my time with, not our bond. I get to see a side of him that no one else does. Funny, respectful, caring, loyal. If the students knew what he was really like, there would be mayhem. I understand now why he maintains his cold and heartless persona. It is so he can protect himself from getting hurt again.

Voldemort killed someone he loved, and that is why he returned to Albus' side. I know he was heartbroken and riddled with regret over his "mistake". But I also know it was more than just his shame that brought him back to Albus. Does our bond have something to do with his "mistake"? And if so, how am I supposed to fix something that happened so long ago? I know there is so much left to learn about him and our bond, so I decided not to let the fear of the unknown cloud my happiness.

As I stepped out of the shower and looked in the mirror, I noticed the dark purple bruises Severus had left last night. I ran my fingers over them and blushed. Although I wanted to show them off like a badge of honour, I needed to cover them up, so I wrapped my Slytherin scarf around my neck. As it is freezing and the snow has not stopped falling since yesterday, no one would question me. With a smile still plastered on my face, I linked arms with Tas and practically skipped to breakfast.

I locked eyes with Severus immediately, but we couldn't seem to look away this time. "Good morning, darling." He called me "darling" last night, but I figured it was simply in the heat of the moment. I blushed. "Good morning, Sev." I finally pried my eyes away from him, though it was rather difficult. "You look well rested." I could tell he was smirking. "So do you." I quipped, though I had to clench my thighs to control the throbbing in my core.

"This is the second morning in a row that you have worn that goofy smile." Tas said as we sat down. "Spill." She turned to face me, completely ignoring the feast in front of us. "Spill what?" I tried to play coy as I scooped some scrambled eggs onto my toast. "You're shacking up with someone. You haven't blushed like this since your first kiss with Edward in second year." I rolled my eyes. Edward Palmer was my first boyfriend; we lasted less than a week.

"If you blushed like this for Palmer too, I must need to up my game." I bit my cheek at his remark. I couldn't look at him while Tas was accusing me of sleeping with someone. "Maybe you do." I took a sip of my pumpkin juice. Tas was burning holes into the side of my face. "Careful, Hazel. I can see your flushed cheeks from here." I had to suppress a whimper. "I am not shacking up with anyone, Tas. Like I said on Saturday, I am just happy to be alive." I couldn't turn to face her, so I continued eating. "Fine, don't tell me. But you can't use that excuse forever, Hazel." She huffed. "I bet it's Draco." He wishes.

"Tas thinks I'm sleeping with Draco. Maybe I should put on a show with him to get her off my back. I'm sure he would be more than willing." I bit my tongue to keep myself from laughing. "Go ahead." I didn't anticipate that response. "Really?" I bit into some watermelon, frowning. "Yes, really. You know how much I love punishing those who disobey." I couldn't suppress the soft moan that slipped from my throat. "Is the watermelon really that good?" Tas laughed, picking up a wedge and tasting for herself. All I could do was clear my throat and nod. Another wave of heat shot straight to my core.