Chapter 66: Plans and Discussions

Snape's Quarters, Slytherin Dungeons,

Silence surrounded Severus Snape in it's purest form as he sat at his desk, hands gripping both parchment and a quill dripping with red ink. Obsidian eyes staring out into the vast emptiness before him as his mind traveled back five years. The images of McNair flooded his already preoccupied mind and Hermione's screams of agony echoed in his ears. He recalled her patronus making it's way to him when they first took her. The memory renewed his anger and caused him to grip his quill too hard and he snapped it in half. Once the sound echoed through the quiet room, Snape looked up to see a newly awakened bushy haired witch leaning against the door way.

Her amber eyes were fixed on him and an expression of concern was etched across her face.

"Severus." she said in a soft sleep filled tone.

"Go back to bed, love." said Snape looking toward her. "I'll be along shortly."

Never one to follow instructions where emotions were concerned, Hermione instead walked over toward him. Snape watched as she got closer. He had not wanted to tell her about this so soon with the day they have been having and he was still wrestling with wither the matter was urgent or not. It impressed him to some degree that she seemed to be in tune with him but it unnerved him at the same time.

Hermione walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him softly. Snape sighed realizing that there was no way to keep her from knowing that there was something troubling him. never before had he known anyone to have been more in tune with him than she had. Even when they were both students and had no tangible concept of each other. It was his good fortune that their relationship came about some years after the dark lord met his end, lest she be used against him in some way.

"What's really bothering you?" she asked kissing him once more.

"Old business." replied Snape not wishing to reveal any more than he had to.

"If it's so old than why have you been distracted lately?" she asked. "It's not like you to dwell on something for so long that you can't function."

Snape smirked.

"Insufferable know-it-all." he said.

"You love it." she replied.

"Only when that keen mind bends to my will." he replied.

Hermione ran her hand down his chest.

"I love you, Slytherin git." she said in his ear.

"And I love you boundless Gryffindor." he replied.

Hermione released her hold on him and he brought her around until she was in a position to sit on his lap. He leaned his chin onto her shoulder and breath in the scent of jasmine from her notoriously bushy hair as he wrapped his arms around her. She leaned into him with her back pressed against his chest.

"Are we still taking Austin to see London?" she asked sliding her delicate fingers along his large pale hands.

"Yes." replied Snape. "I believe it would benefit the boy to experience life outside of the school...It seems to have worked in our favor."

Hermione laughed at this.

"You think he'd enjoy a few Muggle movies?" she asked.

"I believe so." replied Snape. "He may be a wizard but is still very much a boy after all."

Hermione smiled. It seemed that Severus was easing into the prospect of father hood just fine. She brought his hand up to her mouth and kissed it. He smiled against her shoulder having kissed it as well.

"I believe we should get to bed." said Hermione. "We've quite a busy day tomorrow."

"Indeed." replied Snape. "Perhaps we'll be running late and have to share the shower."

Hermione started giggling.

"You wish." she replied. "Although I wouldn't put it passed you to have orchestrated this whole thing for just such an outcome."

Snape gave her a weak smirk.

If only that were so.

"Come love we have an early day tomorrow." he said.

Hermione got to her feet and took him by the hand. Snape didn't object when she lead him to the bedroom. The Potions Master tried to pushed down the depressing thought of McNair's escape and focus on these few moments with his beautiful witch.

He would have to deal with telling her about the escape another day.

For now he was contented to let her have her peace.

It was no use for both of them to have to endure a fretful sleep.