Hermione Riddle

In Comforting Arms

Severus woke when he heard his bedroom door open. He summoned his wand and laid still; he felt the bed dip near his midsection. "S-Severus..." He heard Hermione's soft voice. She gently reached for his shoulder and shook him lightly. Severus placed his wand under his pillow and rolled over to look at the witch currently kneeling on his bed.

"Hermione?" He asked quietly as he sat up; he didn't even realize he wasn't descent, but neither was she. Hermione looked uncomfortable and vulnerable in that moment and Severus pulled the covers back. He held his hand out, offering her a place next to him. Hermione quickly moved forward and burrowed against his side; she had woken up confused of where she was, but then she remembered Severus was in the room next to hers. "It's alright, Hermione." Severus pulled her close to him and wrapped his arms around her. He ran and smoothed his fingers through her hair and smiled when she pushed herself up further against him.

"I-I'm scared Severus," Hermione started and tried to keep he voice strong but couldn't help the waver that moved through it. Severus didn't say anything, he was going to let her say what she needed. "What will everyone think? What if I'm all alone because Tom is my father?" She blinked furiously, fighting back her tears.

"Hermione, it will be alright. You do not have to tell anyone that Tom is your father. And if they cannot accept you for who you are, then why should you grace them with your friendship? And if they all decide they are too stupid to stick by you; then you still have Tom and myself. Not to mention, you probably made a friend of Bella as well." Severus kissed the top of her head and Hermione let the tears flow quietly. She could not help it, suddenly everything had just hit her hard and for once, she did not know what she was going to do. "It's alright, I've got you." Severus rubbed her back and held her head to his shoulder. Hermione pulled back and looked up at him; Severus met her eyes and gave her a soft smile, his hand coming around to wipe the tears from her cheeks. "Please don't cry Hermione." Severus mumbled and Hermione sniffled. "I won't let anything happen to you, I promise." He stroked her cheek and she turned her face to kiss the palm of his hand. Severus smiled and kissed the top of her head.

"Severus?" Hermione asked meekly. Severus smiled and only raised an eyebrow at her; Hermione flushed and looked down. "What do you think Tom meant earlier?" She asked quietly. Severus looked down at her; of course she would ask.

"I am not quite sure yet, Hermione, but I know he wished for me to protect you. I think he was merely saying he knew we would have to become closer than a teacher and student in order to do so and as a result if anything were to transpire then he would be fine with it." Severus explained the best he could, but he knew he would have to ask Tom himself tomorrow, maybe he could have Hermione ask instead.

"And you have no objections to this?" Hermione said slowly, she was trying to decipher his facial expressions and was having trouble even in the close proximity.

"If anything were to happen between us, I cannot say that I would be object to it, no." Severus replied to her and went back to stoking her hair. Hermione blushed but nodded; she willed herself not to look up and study her professor. What was she to make of all this? Severus said he would not be object to anything, but what of her; would she want something to happen between them or would she be repulsed by it? Well, they would just have to see what would happen "Hermione?" Severus shifted slightly to make himself more comfortable. Hermione let him move around before curling herself into his side once more; she had her leg draped over both of his, the other leg was snuggled up under his knee. One arm was buried under his back and the other placed on his chest along with her head. Severus lifted her head with one of his nimble, pale fingers. "Are you alright, my dear?" Severus' low timbre reached her ears and Hermione felt herself flush. She was sure he could feel it near his hands.

"Y-yes." She managed to squeak out and Severus chuckled at her. He should probably take her back to her bed; he was still her teacher for Circe's sake. He didn't know what he should do, but if Hermione had no objections neither would he. He just had to make sure not to be the acidic teacher with her; he would act how he did with Tom.

"If you need anything Hermione, I'm right here, you do not have to be afraid to ask for anything." Severus held her closer and ran his fingertips up and down her back. Hermione shuddered at the feeling but smiled.

"Thank you, Severus." Hermione kissed his jaw and nuzzled back against him. Severus looked down at her and couldn't help but think it was going to be difficult going back to teacher and student. Well, obviously he could, but he didn't want to see her hurt when he shut himself off from her. "Severus," Hermione slid her fingers up along his jaw and turned his face down to look at her. "What are you thinking about?" She stroked his jaw; she could already feel a small amount of stubble forming on his face. Severus ran his hand up her arm to rest over her hand and laced their fingers together.

"We will have to go back to acting like student and teacher once more, my dear. Do not take anything I say to heart, will you?" Severus raised an eyebrow and Hermione could see the uncertainty plainly written on his features. Hermione rolled over on top of him, to straddle his waist and Severus sat up slightly to draw his knees up behind her. Severus realized he accommodated to her so easily without words; he was baffled by the thought, but not entirely object to it. The brown haired witch smiled and bent down cupping his face with both of her hands.

"Severus, all will be well; and I am sure we will spend plenty of time here and when we do the pretenses may fall. I know you mean me no harm now, but I will still play the part of the insufferable-know-it-all." She smiled cheekily and Severus placed his hand on her waist and rubbed soothing circles.

"Cheeky." He chuckled and Hermione laid against his chest from where she was straddling his waist. She smiled to herself as she moved her hand to play with his hair as Severus rubbed her back.