The Serpent and the Lioness

Chapter 55

Morning light came slowly. The soft chirp of birds rousing Severus from his light sleep. He jerked suddenly when he realized he'd even fallen asleep jostling the woman overtop of him. Hermione whined softly and ran her hand back and forth slowly over his chest in a soothing motion, trying to calm the heart that thumped so hard it threatened to bounce her head off his chest.

Three nights had passed since his concern about the wards had been expressed. Three nights of having him jerk awake beneath her, startling her awake. Thankfully, she hadn't woken every time but when she did she sought to soothe his frayed nerves.

She continued her gentle petting until she felt his heart return to more normal levels. She chalked his current stress up to the fact that he'd been seen out in public and nothing more. She'd gone with him twice now to check the outer wards and like him had found nothing out of place.

Severus relaxed back into the pillows to her touch, his eyes fluttering closed once again. He'd managed some sleep during the day but only when she was home with him. He'd caught a few cat naps in the study while she typed away on her muggle typewriter. The hard tick-tick-tick-ding of the keys his current lullaby. He was even hearing the sound in his sleep, much to his great agitation.

Hermione settled back down, wrapping her arm tighter around his waist. She knew he wouldn't rest that day as she had to return to the library for one more book. She hoped to be home before lunch but she wasn't sure. She wished she could take him with her, no doubt he'd have been just as amazed as she was at the sheer mass of knowledge the library held. She was going to use both of her years to the fullest just so she could have access to the secrets within.

Severus felt Hermione fall back to sleep and ran a hand down his tired face. He couldn't allow this to go on. He wasn't a paranoid man by nature but he was cautious. He could always trust his instincts to tell him when something was wrong.

He let out a heavy sigh and turned his head down opening his eyes to the precious sight before him. He never took waking up beside her for granted and he was certain, he never would. His fingers pulled the hair from her face and out from under her chin. His finger traced the line of her jaw and the swell of her cheek before his eyes settled upon her long lashes.

Light freckles were hidden just underneath, the dark color of her own sleep deprivation almost hiding them from view. He traced a faint crease right near the corner of her eye towards her temple. Another sign that she was growing older. It was subtle and only truly came out when she laughed or smiled but it was there.

He thought back to her birthday that year and how he hadn't truly done anything special for her. He recognized it of course, but aside from giving her a few extra kisses and giving into her want for more carnal pleasures, he had done nothing truly exceptional.

He was sure she hadn't visited her 'friends' in quite some time either. He wasn't in control of her comings and goings, she was her own woman, she could do as she pleased but she always did seem to recount any changes in her day to him. As much as he was loathed to admit it, perhaps she did need more than just some time on the beach. He had seen the way her face had lit up when she'd seen that dunderhead and would be remiss to say he hadn't seen that small spark inside her in a long while.

As much as he enjoyed being alone, he knew she wasn't as similar to him in that regard. Yes, she did enjoy being alone to work but she also needed conversation, affection, interaction. He hadn't been as accommodating as of late given the time he spent under the house in the lab or involved in his own research.