The Serpent and the Lioness

Chapter 37

The world around moved slowly, all the sounds muffled by her beating heart. Hermione didn't feel the world return to speed until she was being sat down on a soft couch.

"I can't tell him..."

Ginny hadn't seen a fear like that in someone's eyes since the night Voldemort fell. Her heart ached for her friend and she sat down pulling her head into her chest, "Shhh... it's going to be alright... " Her voice was soothing, "Just take a moment and collect your thoughts..."

Hermione sniffled a turned to hide her face into her shoulder. She was conflicted, so confused and terrified. She wanted nothing more than to go to him, feel his arms around her holding her close. However, the very same idea sent fear chilling down her spine.

"Have you ever thought about having kids?" Hermione turned her head from the journal. They'd reached the part of which the couple inside had started their lives a new, settling down to have a proper family.

"No, I've taught plenty."

Hermione lifted her head watching his face. His words didn't match the look that was forming over his brow and she moved just a bit closer.

"I've never really given it too much thought...with everything else going on...I kind of just pushed it aside."

Severus shifted to face her then, looking down at their still small hands. He had to ask, he had to know.

"Now that it's almost over...do want them?"

Hermione lowered her eyes shifting back just a little. Her brow furrowed with the idea, "Maybe..." Her eyes turned to him then and she reached out with her pinky to touch his hand. "Does that...does that bother you?"

Severus wasn't really sure what to say, he'd never thought of himself ever being a father. The very idea made his stomach curl with fear. His face went tight as he looked down at the weathered page,"I don't know..."

Hermione curled her lips in and took his hand in hers, "There's still time...we don't have to think about that now..."

He nodded slightly and leaned back turning his worried brow to the wall in front of them. He wanted to give her everything she could ever want but what did he possibly have to give? To the world he was dead. His life snuffed out before he had a true chance to live. He had no home, not really, he had no money, no assets. He was nothing.

"You are many things Severus Snape, but you are not and have never been, nothing." Hermione shifted closer laying her head down on his shoulder. She nestled herself against him and closed her eyes, entwining their fingers.

Severus pursed his lips at her comment but allowed his mind to go still, his hand gave hers a gentle squeeze and he let out a soft sigh. Her words fell straight onto his heart. Igniting a flame that has never burned there before. He felt her strength, her confidence, she was everything he could have ever hoped to be.

"It's too soon...Ginny...too soon..."

"Shh... let's have a nice cup of tea. We don't really have all the answers right? Let's not go jumping into anything." She gave Hermione's hair a gentle pet and pulled herself to her feet. "A nice cup of tea will help, just...wait here okay?"