The Serpent and the Lioness

Chapter 26

Late morning saw Hermione starting to stir, she hadn't known when exactly she had fallen asleep only that she had. They hadn't said much last night, they had simply laid together lightly caressing what they could reach. It had been so peaceful and had brought a strong warmth back inside her. She shifted slightly, the blankets were tucked tightly around her and while she felt extremely warm she new something was missing.

Her eyes snapped open and her heart lurched. The bed beside her was empty. She sat up abruptly, her head spinning from the rush and looked around the room. The bathroom door was open and the light was off, their clothes from the night before had been removed from the floor and placed into the hamper, she could see her dress sticking out from the top. Her hand ran over the space beside her finding it cool and a deep sob rose in her throat. It was in that moment when she smelt a soft smell.

She rubbed at her eyes to clear them and pushed herself from the bed. The cool morning air raised goosebumps over her bare skin and she shivered involuntarily. Without really thinking she grabbed his shirt from the hamper and slipped it on. Her mind was too muddled to try and focus on their connection so she relied on her other senses.

As she pushed open the door she could hear the soft scraping of metal and smell the most delicious of smells. Pancakes, and by the sweet tang in the air, they had to be strawberry. She took the stairs carefully, her heart still pounding away. Someone was there...but was it him?

As she neared the entrance to the kitchen her fear that he wouldn't be the one she would find started to clench tightly in her stomach. She wrapped her hands tightly in his shirt and took a calming breath.

When she rounded the corner she could have cried in relief. His back was to her. He had dressed for the day, his hair pulled back from his face with a small tie for the first time and she couldn't help but sniffle.

That made him turn, his face was passive but when he saw the look on her face his brow furrowed in concern. He pulled the skillet from the damper and made his way to her but she had already started towards him. They met in the middle and he gasped when she crushed him in her embrace.

"Hey... what's wrong...?" He couldn't move his arms but he did try to search her face.

She let out a childish grunt and shook her head against him. Her grip was threatening his breathing and he couldn't help but try to work his way free.

What's wrong?

I thought you'd left! I know it's stupid but I did-I just-

It's alright. I understand.

You do?

Yes, but I'd also like to breathe

Hermione jolted slightly and quickly released him. She hastily brushed at her eyes and looked up at him sheepishly.

"Sorry."

"Again, I understand." He rolled his shoulders just a bit regaining the circulation. "I just thought since we missed dinner last night, that maybe we shouldn't have just coffee for breakfast..."

"Yeah?" She gave him another shy smile, "What did you make?"

Severus turned pulling two plates the counter near the stove and brought them to the island, "Strawberry, blueberry, and plain pancakes... I wasn't sure which one you'd like so I.."