Song Of The Guardians

Snape Doesn't Cuddle... Usually

Hermione woke up with the startling realization that she was wrapped snugly in a pair of strong arms. She was a little afraid to look at the face of her companion, but cautiously turned her head anyway. Severus was sound asleep, his arms cradling her. Hermione blushed and wondered how she had ended up in this situation. She cautiously tried to wiggle away without waking him, but his eyes snapped open almost immediately.

"Good morning Severus," Hermione muttered in embarrassment. "I'm so very sorry that I invaded your space last night." She blushed as he lazily withdrew the arm that had been draped over her.

"No need to apologize," he replied dismissively. "You apparently needed some form of comfort last night. Obviously you did not hinder my own sleep, so there is no harm done."

Hermione nodded, noting that his right arm was still lodged beneath her. She wondered how to release him without seeming repulsed or ungrateful. Severus either had not noticed or didn't mind. "What time is it?" she asked.

"It's only six in the morning," Andy supplied, startling them both. He was leaning against the door frame, smiling pleasantly. "Professor McGonagall sent an owl with a message, instructing us to rest and relax. No need to rush back to the school right away. I'm making a big breakfast for everyone, so you two just rest a bit more. I'll start some coffee." He winked at Severus when Hermione wasn't looking and then went back into the kitchen.

Hermione sighed, glad the she didn't have to get up immediately. She eyed the rest of her friends. They were still sleeping contentedly. She looked back at Severus uncertainly. The thought of just lying awake next to him while her friends dozed was strange.

Severus glanced at her, seeing her expression. He rolled his eyes, but there didn't seem to be any malice in it. "Well come here then," he grumbled at her.

Hermione turned so that she was facing Severus and scooted closer, resting her head cautiously against his shoulder. Severus moved his arm to rest his right hand against her lower back while his left hand smoothed her hair away from his face. "Relax," he said gruffly, smirking when he felt some of her tension fade away.

Ginny woke up to the smell of coffee. She stretched languidly and sat up with a yawn. She froze when she looked over and saw Hermione snuggled against the grumpy Potions Master. She jostled Harry awake and silenced his protest by covering his mouth with her hand before pointing at Hermione and Severus. Harry's mouth dropped open in surprise, making Ginny grin.

Ginny led a very drowsy Harry into the kitchen, shushing him as he protested being awakened at such an early hour. "Good morning Andy," she said cheerfully.

"Oh my gosh, did you see?" Andy blurted out immediately, waving his spatula vaguely toward the doorway.

"Hermione and Snape?" Ginny questioned with a grin. "We saw them. Do you know something that we don't know?"

"Only that they're both ridiculously stubborn," Andy responded wryly.

"That's nothing new," Harry retorted, plucking a piece of toast from the enormous stack that Andy had prepared.

"Snape likes her," Andy insisted. "I think he's a bit unsure of how to handle the attraction. Rejection would be a concern, especially considering what a bastard he can be. Hermione may be just as much of a problem though, from you've told me."

"She just doesn't seem interested in dating anymore," Harry said with a shrug. "She's apparently content to read, study and work."

"Ron did a number on her," Ginny added with a frown. "I think she knew that they weren't a good match even when they were together, but he was one of her best friends and the relationship was familiar and comforting. I think if they'd talked it out and made a clean break of it, she'd be fine. Instead, he betrayed her trust."