Not Yet (A Hermione Granger fanfic)

Chapter 19

A/N: Short chapter (more of a scene really). Hope you enjoy!

*******Chapter NINETEEN*******

Severus pulls away slowly, his hands lingering on hers. Hermione wants to grab them so he won't go, but he seems to sense her intention and slides off the bed.

The storm outside rages on without sign of stopping. So Hermione can't be sure when she thinks Severus sighs harshly as he stands, like he's summoning some feeling from deep within his soul.

"Hermione." Master of himself once again, his voice is flat and calm.

She pulls the blanket around her, waiting for him to say he's sorry, it was a mistake, to forget. But she will never—

"Hermione?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

What should she say? You're welcome hardly seems appropriate.

Severus doesn't seem to want an answer. He reaches down to pick up his wand, which fell on the floor, and walks to the bunk opposite hers. "Can I still stay?"

"Yes," she breathes.

The wand light goes out, and she hears Severus lie down on the thin mattress. She lies down and stares across the tent at him, even though it's dark and she can't see.

Lightning flashes, temporarily illuminating the room.

Severus is looking back at her.

Then the room goes dark, and he's gone again.

They stay like that, listening to the storm, the occasional flash of light revealing each to the other. Hermione hates to close her eyes, as if doing so will wash his touch away from her body, which still basks in the afterglow of arousal. But eventually, the storm wears out, and her glimpses of him get farther and farther apart.

"Go to sleep, Wren," he whispers.

"I don't want to."

"I'll be here when you wake."

"Will you?"

"Yes."

And with that assurance, Hermione closes her eyes.

*********End CHAPTER*******

A/N: Hope to update with a longer chapter this weekend. :)