The Power of Pain

Chapter 26

A soft pop sounded throughout the modest bedroom, though it didn't disturb either occupant of the room. The house elf trembled slightly as she looked upon the two, still asleep curled around each other so tightly.

Hermione had pulled his arm up, her head resting in his palm as she wrapped her arms around his forearm. Her lips lightly pressed into the heel her nose pressed tightly to the ridge. She had uncurled from her ball and his calf was now resting slightly over her ankle. Severus' face was pressed gently into the crown of her head his lips resting on her hair. Though they were still separated by the blanket there wasn't any other space between them.

The elf made a soft whining noise ringing their ears before popping out.

"Are they ready Tinie?" Her voice was kind but she could tell the elf was a bit distressed. "Tinie?"

"They are sleepings Miss..." she made a face as if she'd walked in on something.

"Still?" Minerva's brows rose and she turned grabbing her cloak. "Thank you Tinie, I'll see to it."

She shivered slightly when she landed. It was dreadfully cold. The grey sky overhead threatened rain as she moved inside. Her eyes took in the kitchen that had been untouched and pursed her lips. She rounded the sitting room next, her eyes narrowed as she looked for anything. Her eyes instantly noticed the dislodged side table, a fair amount of blood having dried down its corner. She swallowed thickly, turning toward the staircase. She noticed tiny little droplets every few paces making the worry in her heart grow.

The upstairs was frightfully cold. Her eyes instantly snapped to Hermione's open door. She could see from the hallway that the bed was empty. Her heart rose to her throat as she faced the partially closed door of Severus' room. She could feel a cold draft wafting through the frame as she carefully pushed the door open. Her eyes instantly turned to the broken window and with a stern flick set it to rights, the frigid wind shuddering against the repaired frame.

Her heart gave a heavy thump when  her focus fell on on the bed. It certainly wasn't the first time she had seen them sharing a bed but the idea that they were in his bed stirred something inside her. She didn't know whether to smile, cry or yell at the sight. She took note of the dried blood along Severus' temple and the blood soaked handkerchief on the side table.

Clearly, the blood on it wasn't his or it wouldn't have been dried against his forehead. She stood for a long moment wanting to carefully take in the image. Finally, she huffed, deciding that it was none of her business even though her inner voice chided that it certainly was. She turned to retreat to the kitchen. Coffee had worked once before, she was sure it would now. She glanced down at her watch, half past 11. At least she was early.

The warm smell of coffee wafted up accompanied by a warm fire's heat. Both parties stirred almost simultaneously. Hermione was the first to move, her head slowly turning away from his palm, her nose brushing his as she shifted. Her brows furrowing just a bit from the sensation.

Severus moved next, the muscles in his face jumping from the contact. He heavily lifted his head, blinking his eyes open. Close. Way too close. He took in a sharp breath lifting his head quickly, the arm that had been held in her grasp wiggling free to rub his tired dark rimmed eyes.

Hermione ignored almost all his protests as she rolled to her back stretching out her lithe frame. She mumbled something under her breath about coffee before letting out the deep breath from her stretch. Her brain was just taking into account that she wasn't alone in the bed. In fact, the weight that dipped and shifted beside her was rather close and very warm. She let out a soft sigh bringing her arms down to rest against her stomach. She had an idea of who her bed companion was and an odd tingling feeling fluttered over her stomach.