-.-

"How is Conroy?" Harry asked while trying to keep up with Severus' long strides.

"Comatose." Severus spat vehemently.

"I heard it was a dark magical discharge that…." Harry wavered. What was he supposed to say without sounding totally insensitive?

Severus' nose flared and that was the only expression that betrayed his emotional burden at that moment. He hastened towards the Minister's office without replying. He didn't want to talk to Potter…he didn't want to talk to anyone but the Minister himself. His lantern woke him that morning with the grim news that Conroy, the man he sent to the Underworld yesterday, was seriously wounded.

He was being hospitalized in the fourth floor of St. Mungo's hospital. Ward forty nine. The closed ward. His spouse and fifteen year old son were not allowed to stay by his side due to the unknown side-effects of the rather dangerous dark spells that incapacitated him. Severus cowered away from talking with Conroy's family, despite this tragedy being his responsibility.

He was Conroy's superior, he was the one who sent the man into this hell instead of going himself. He was responsible for getting Conroy so seriously wounded. Severus at this moment were this calamity still felt too raw, was obdurately fuming that Conroy got attacked in his stead.

-I should have insisted to work as originally intended yesterday instead of listening to Granger's appeals….-

Trapped as he was in this guilt trip tornado, instead of thanking his lucky stars that Granger's intuition saved his life, he blamed himself for listening to her.

-I shouldn't have sent Conroy in the Underworld yesterday alone. …He is a father and a husband. I should have gone…I am always dispensable…he isn't-

Despite the fury he felt at his own inability to protect his men, Severus was also very concerned at how easily Conroy was taken out of action. That wizard was strong and experienced, able to control dark magic exceptionally well. The fact that he was taken out with such ease inside a world that he knew how to navigate safely made Severus very apprehensive. Something was going on inside the Parallel Worlds and it was serious enough to catch one of his best keepers off guard.

Upon those thought the guilt returned a thousand-fold, causing him to tense beyond recognition. He should have gone to the deepest levels in order to check them himself before sending anyone else inside. He was to blame for the tragedy that befell Conroy's family….only him. Another family was destroyed by his hand…

His pace became even faster, but Harry's strong grip managed to stop him just before they reached the Minister's outer doors.

"Sir please…stop."

When he turned his eyes were spewing the very fires of hell. "What do you want Potter!?" He barked.

"Tell me what I can do to help you." Harry replied as calmly as it was possible while trying to stop a man much taller and stronger than him in every aspect.

Severus' jawline flexed. "Let me go Potter. That is what you can do to help me…"

"I know what an exceptional wizard Conroy is. This accident is very worrying. What is going on in the underworld Sir?" Harry scowled.

"I don't know yet…" he felt even angrier by admitting his incompetence.

"So what is next for the Keepers? Are you going in?" Harry pressed.

"No, I am taking a long vacation…I have had enough of all of you." Severus hurled back and pulled his arm free. He left Harry behind startled by his ferocity and walked up to the Minister's door which he opened without knocking.

"Wait Master! The Minister is in a meeting!" The secretary stood up when she saw him entering like a hurricane.

"Sit down!" He commanded and opened the inner doors.

The Minister and several men of his cabinet looked up annoyed at the disturbance.

Severus didn't falter. "We need to talk."

The Minister looked around somberly. "Forgive me gentlemen, but this is of the utmost importance. Can you please wait for me outside?"

They all agreed and begun filing out. Severus glared at their solemn faces wordlessly. When the financial advisor Barnes said "I heard what happened to Conroy. Please accept my condolences", Severus felt his feathers ruffled.

"He is not dead yet." He snapped, not caring about manners.

Barnes lowered his head and followed the rest of his colleagues. When the door closed Kingsley offered them a seat. "Please."

Severus crossed his hands behind his back and walked to the window silently.

Harry mimicked the older man from respect alone.

Kingsley pressed his lips. "How is Conroy?"

"Comatose." Came the flat answer.

"I am so sorry. Conroy was a very worthy man." Kingsley sounded genially sad.

"Is Minister… he still is a very worthy man." Severus turned around with a piercing stare.

"Indeed you are right. Forgive my slip of the tongue."

No answer from Snape.

Kingsley looked at Potter who shook his head dejected and then turned his attention to Snape again. "One cannot but admit after this serious attack that whatever is happening in the Underworld is rather worrying."

"Conroy was taken by surprise inside a world that he knows how to traverse very well. He was not attacked by the usual dark forces that reside that place. This was an unexpected attack…it took him by surprise…he was unable to deflect the spells. Someone is moving inside the Underworld who is not afraid of targeting the Keepers and who is capable of taking us by surprise. I'd say that is indeed very worrying." It was evident that Severus' voice was shaking from tension.

"Who would be crazy enough to attack your people?" Harry asked.

"Someone who needs to get us out of the way. If someone is using the Underworld in order to hide abductees or to direct Dark hexes upon Muggle-borns undetected, the Keepers are the only ones able to reveal them. The fact that Conroy was attacked so ruthlessly, attests that he was close to discovering something important."

"Are you suggesting the Muggle-borns who disappeared are being kept in the Underworld?" Kingsley's countenance took a plunge.

"We cannot find their magical traces anywhere. Even by using Dark Magic. The only way to hide someone so effectively is through Underworld." Severus rejoined quickly.

"He is right Minister. We should consider this possibility." Harry chimed in thoughtfully.

Kingsley looked at his desk and nodded. "Very well then. Mr. Potter can assign a couple of Aurors over to you. You must work together in this."

"I'll work with him on it myself." Harry said and looked at Snape.

Severus returned the gaze and then turned to the Minister. "Minister I think you should consider declaring a state of emergency."

"Why should I scare the public in this manner Master?" Kingsley scowled.

"If the Keepers are unable to control the Underworld then we are all in danger. Any kind of Dark Magical attack from the deepest levels of the Underworld will bury our world in darkness. Your Aurors won't be able to fight off such an outbreak. Everyone needs to be prepared." Severus' voice dropped several tones.

Kingsley looked at him silently for several edgy moments. "If you find out that the Underworld is unstable or that someone other than the usual brainless monsters lurks down there, I might consider the possibility of taking more extended action."

"Conroy's attack was not brainless. It was well planned. No brainless creature would have been able to tackle down my best Keeper. Someone is using the Underworld in order to create chaos in our world." Severus countered.

"I understand your concerns master and they are not taken lightly. Nevertheless I am not going to take any emergency actions quite yet." -Kingsley reproached- "Not without further proof."

Severus turned towards the window and looked at the heavy clouds above London. His brows creased. "The Underworld is going to crush us like a vice and we won't be ready."

"We will be ready Master! Don't doubt me!" Kingsley sounded offended.

"Very well minister, but don't say I didn't warn you." Severus titled his head slightly and walked to the door. His hand lingered upon the handle as he looked at the floor darkly- "I shall enter the Underworld and inform you of my findings."

"That would be splendid Master." Came the Minister's reply.

Severus opened the door and walked out to the corridor in need of more air. Not only had he not managed to protect Conroy, not only was he forced to admit his failures to himself but also to the man's family…he also failed to convince the Minister of the danger they were all in. He had almost reached the elevator when Potter's hand stopped him….again.

"Sir, wait."

Severus stopped and closed his eyes. He didn't turn around. "What do you want Potter?"

"I will notify my men without authorization about a possible massive attack from the parallel worlds….without updating the Minister about it. Do you think that will help?" Harry asked carefully.

Severus eyes flew open and he turned around. "It will help prepare everyone for the worst case scenario."

"Tell me what to look out for." Harry pressed his forearm zealously.

Severus drew a deep breath "Watch out for Dark Portals around the Muggle-born neighborhoods."

"I will do so immediately Sir, but before I go there is one more thing…" Harry pressed his lips. He looked edgy.

Severus scowled. "If you wish to ask about your friend, I assure you that she is alright…"

"I know." -Harry hurried with a smile- "I just wanted to talk to you about the uncommon requests she has from you…"

"Requests?"

"She revealed to my wife that she wishes to learn more about Dark Runes…possibly more about entering and navigating the Parallel Worlds that surround ours." Harry's eyes were alarmed.

Severus raised his brow. "I see."

A long pause ensued. "Please Sir, I don't want you to train her in these Dark Arts."

Severus inhaled deeply and closed his eyes. "I don't want to train her either."

Harry sighed in relief. "Oh thank Merlin. Forgive me if I sound mistrustful…but with what happened to Conroy…such a veteran in the Dark Arts.…I am so worried about her. She is an exceptional witch, but Dark Magic…you understand…" He stalled in uncertainty.

"I am aware of the dangers Mister Potter…." Severus intervened.

Harry pressed his arm tightly. "Don't let her get hurt by all this…"

Severus' smile was haunted. "I will rather die than see your friend get hurt…either by this despicable Law or the Underworld. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to visit Conroy." He added flatly and walked into the elevator without seeing the profound relief in Harry's eyes.

-.-

Several hours later, he appeared in his home, feeling totally drained from the emotional encounter he had at The Janus Thikey Ward with Conroy's family. The son James greeted him with a sincere keenness that touched Snape's heart and beseeched him to tap into his father's mind and try to find any possible active threads. Conroy's wife on the other hand was barely able to communicate at all. Her eyes were misty, looking right past him as if he wasn't there at all.

Severus went into the empty ward and sat next to his comrade. He touched his hand and closed his eyes. He delved into that empty mind and tried hard to find anything to hold onto inside a thick blackness that in the end left him totally drained. As he walked out of the ward and looked at Conroy's son the words stuck into his throat. He couldn't tell the boy that his father didn't have any brain activity at all. He sufficed in pressing the boy's hand every so tightly and then rushing out of the building as if he was haunted by the ghouls of hell themselves.

And now he was here…in his home…looking as empty as Conroy's wife…

"Good afternoon." Granger's voice yanked him back from the void violently.

He looked up at the calm features of his former student. "Good evening." He offered flatly and walked past her in a hurry. He entered the bathroom without bothering to close the door behind him. He turned on the faucet let it run on cold before taking off his coat and unbuttoning the collar of his shirt. Then he placed his head under the freezing water…hoping the shock would make him forget the emptiness of Conroy's mind, the frantic hope in Jason's eyes and the void of Bethany's gaze.

"You left before I woke up. I didn't get a chance to make us breakfast. Is everything alright?" Hermione asked.

He squeezed his eyes tight. He wanted to say yes…but was unable to utter the damned word.

The silence from her was long when she saw that he didn't honor her with an answer. "Why don't you take a bath in order to rejuvenate yourself?" She finally asked.

He lifted his head and his long hair splattered on his back. A large water stain spread on his black shirt. He didn't bother with a towel nor with any spells. "I don't want to take a bath." He said wryly.

"You don't want a bath, but you wanted to stick your head under the faucet…while you are fully dressed…" She rejoined.

"Yes." He spat and pushed past her.

She followed him to the living room calmly. "Care to tell me what happened? Because something is clearly very wrong…"

"Everything is fine." He rebuked.

She sulked silently.

"How was your day?" That was his poor effort to deflect her from his bad mood.

She pursed her lips. "Oh, I did nothing special. I woke up, tried to tidy up the place, went for a long walk and found myself disappointed at seeing that your house is magically hidden from the rest of the neighborhood. Feeling isolated on top of being bored is doing funny thing to my mind."

He humphed and rubbed his forehead. "I am sorry our arrangement feels so tedious."

She pressed her lips annoyed, but decided not to take the bait. "I will make do with what I have. Now do you want me to serve you dinner?"

"No, thank you."

"Have you had anything to eat at work?" She frowned.

He shook his head. "I really don't have an appetite. You should go and rest."

Hermione scoffed. "Rest from what? What do you think I did that earns me some rest? I am doing practically nothing all day long."

"I am sure that a clever witch, such as yourself can find many things to do." He brushed her off.

"Even clever witches can waste away when there isn't any real challenge for them." She rebuked.

"What kind of a challenge do you wish for in the name of Merlin? Didn't you have enough trouble as it is already?" He knew he sounded annoyed, but he couldn't help it. Especially not in the context of today's nightmare.

"You can start by training me in Dark Runes, how about that?" She shrugged.

He felt his jawline tensing. "This isn't the best day to discuss Dark Runes or the Dark Arts in general Hermione."

"You are easy to find excuses to skip training me every day I see." She jeered.

"Of course I can and so I will." He looked at her straight in the eye…not in the mood for games. Especially not today.

She raised her brows. "That's more like it. You are for once saying the truth without any inhibitions. You don't wish to show me the Dark Arts, do you?"

"No, I don't." He gritted his teeth.

"So you admit that you tricked me when you offered to show me the Dark Runes?" She spat.

"I tricked you?" -he stood up unable to handle himself at that moment. "I tricked you?! The only thing I ever did was try to help you."

"You know what my Master? I am sitting here all day long decaying in inertia and I am tired of coaxing you in order to learn a few things about the forbidden Arts." She reproached.

"Coaxing me?" He flinched unwillingly. Suddenly all her soft advances took a nasty turn in his mind.

Her eyes flew open as she realized the new twist his mind had taken too. "Wait no! I didn't mean it like that. It was a wrong choice of words."

He raised his hand which was shaking too much for his tastes. "Wrong choice of words or the truth Hermione?"

"Wrong choice of words for goodness shake…what the hell is the matter with you today?" She took a step back exasperated.

"I have had a rough day and I would appreciate it if you got off my back." He snarled.

She took another step back and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Well….that was clear enough. I will do so immediately." She turned around quite decided to lock herself in the guest room until he was out of this damn mood.

His long strides caught up with her easily. He snatched her upper arm and turned her around. "Where do you think you are going?"

"Getting off your back as you requested! Apparently you are not in a good mood today and I don't intend to make it worst!" She barked.

"You already made it worse! Insinuating that you are tolerating my presence just in order to tap academically into the Dark Arts…." He hissed darkly.

"I am not that kind of girl Severus and you know it! I didn't express myself well enough, that is all. Why don't you just admit that you lied to me all along?" She released her arm.

"I didn't lie to you!" By now his fury was boiling close to an explosion.

"Why don't you wish to help me learn more about the Dark Runes and the Underworld then? Is it because I am a woman? Is it because you think I am incapable of handling the roughness of that Art? Don't underestimate me Master! I am not destined to be locked inside a house, protected from the world….I am not destined to be someone's silent and obedient spouse…either through choice or because I was enforced through an unethical law! I am destined for so much more than…than this!" She pointed around her.

He felt his stomach dropping and his blood freezing. Seconds ticked slowly as they stared at each other with fiery eyes. "Enough." He whispered through gritted teeth. He seized her arm and pulled her to the entrance.

"What are you doing? Let me go" She tried desperately to get released.

"I said enough…move it." He spat and dragged her behind him down the steps.

When they reached the back yard he let her go and turned around menacingly. "Draw your wand!" He commanded as his long hair lashed around his furious countenance.

She rubbed her upper arm in order to alleviate the pain. "What in the name of Merlin are you saying?"

"Draw your damn wand!" He thundered.

Hermione froze in confusion. "Severus, I didn't mean to offend you in any manner. I never meant for this to escalate so badly. What is going on?"

"I said draw your wand! You wanted training in the Dark Arts, didn't you?" His eyes were raging.

She felt her chest welling. She was not afraid to face him…she just didn't want to do it and that is what she said. "I wanted to learn from you, not to fight you…"

"But I do want to fight you…so you better fight back. Draw your wand and be on guard!" He roared.

"I won't do it." A tear cascaded down her cheek.

"Do you think the Underworld is ever going to ask you kindly if you are ready to face its darkness?" His tone turned sarcastic.

"Don't be like that…" She hated this side of him. A side she had gotten so used to in Hogwarts. This was not the Snape she wished to have next to her.

"Training, learning, academic challenges…escaping boredom. How much more entitled can you be? Have you any idea what is going on out there? You wanted training…so be it." He spat and opened his hands.

"What are you doing?" She looked terrified as a powerful magical discharge exploded from his palms and fell in front of her feet.

She pulled out her wand instinctively. "Stop this Severus!" She shouted.

"Lift you wand!" -He yelled- "Lift it!" He aimed at her again and she felt the force of his blast shaking the ground under her.

She lost grip of her wand which fell amidst the brown leaves. "Severus…no…stop." She said and came down to her knees in order to find it. The thought of calling it to her hand didn't even cross her confused mind.

"The Underworld won't wait for you to be ready! Pick up your wand! Pick it up!" He was pacing impatiently in front of her with an air of terrifying rage.

She wrapped her fingers around her wand and stood up. "Not like that please…." She whispered.

He didn't answer. Instead three massive bursts left his hands. Two she managed to parry, the third scrapped her shoulder and left it bleeding. "You are hurting me! Look at me!" She tried desperately to reach out to him.

"You think this is a game!? You think the Underworld is a game? You think the Dark Runes and the Dark Arts are a bloody game? People die in there…people die because of them! Conroy is comatose…a veteran of these Forbidden Arts was rented useless and you think you handle it better than him?" The force that was burning through his very core was screaming for release, much like it had done in the Ministry during her hearing. He felt it pulsating through his stomach and rushing down his legs. He felt it grounding hard and shaking the earth under his feet. He saw Hermione trying to steady herself upon a tree bark and her eyes were gazing at him with unhidden terror.

His blazing regard fell on her bloody shoulder and he felt his stomach getting engulfed in icy water.

-What am I doing to her?-

A distant voice came muffled in his ears. "Don't let her get hurt….don't let her get hurt."

She felt her breath catching as the sky became veiled in darkness along with his eyes and the ground rumbled under her boots. The house begun creaking as the wooden panels ground roughly against each other and several roof-tiles crashed around her. She looked up to him in terror. "Severus stop!"

He inhaled deeply and the shaking stopped. However the obscurity in his eyes and around them didn't retreat. He walked up to her and leaned close to her face. "Do you know what it feels like to see the fifteen year old son of your Captain declaring how proud he is that his father fell in the line of duty? Do you know what it felt like to see his wife's eyes void of all emotion…she was not there…" -he muttered- "…the poor woman was not there anymore. I couldn't look at her…I was not strong enough to stay there and talk to her. I wanted to leave as fast as I could…and all that was done to him by the Underworld." -He stopped and his lips parted. Then his eyes slowly lost their darkness and surged with unbidden tears- "All this was done to him, by me."

She cupped her mouth with a trembling hand. "Severus, I didn't know."

His eyelids flattered. "I send him in…"

She tried to touch him, but he pulled back.

"I was the one who placed him into a coma Hermione. I lost many men down there. I don't want to lose you too…" His voice was barely heard.

"Severus…" Her fingers touched his sweaty temple. She felt that he was burning up, but he didn't allow her to touch him more.

He pulled back and looked at her bloody shoulder. Then he averted his eyes and pressed his lips. "I can't….forgive me." He whispered and hurried past her.

Hermione remained frozen, cradling her wounded shoulder as the door crushed upon its hinges. She felt the soft breeze twisting the curly tendrils over her teary eyes. Her heart was palpitating as nature around her tried to calm down after his vicious outbreak. She took a step back and one of the fallen roof-tiles cracked under her heal. She closed her eyes and tried to stop the wild trembling of her limps.

-.-

Severus covered his eyes with his frozen palms and felt the coldness of his wet hair covering his upper chest as he leaned back on his chair. The memory of his attack towards Hermione was hazy. He barely remembered what he told her as the fury was slowly abating. However her bloody shoulder made him recoil again and again. As cowardly as ever he unleashed all hell and run away from the consequences. So he chose to stay there, hidden in the darkness of his study, with only one candle lit as the silence of the house attested to Hermione's absence. Brooding in the error of his ways both with Conroy and with Hermione he remained frozen still.

The clock ticked the minutes away as he got lost inside the daze of his brutal outburst. He didn't hear the door creaking open, nor her tiptoeing near his chair. However her flowery scent made him open his eyes, which looked dreadfully bloodshot under the single candle light. She was standing in front of him with a warm cup of milk in her hands and a soft smile on her lips. Her eyes were clear and held no sign of accusation.

His heart missed a beat.

She knelt in front of his chair and left the glass of milk in front of him. Then she turned him around slowly. "Are you okay?" Her voice was barely a whisper.

He shook his head, feeling a tight knot forming on his throat. "No."

Her hands lingered above his knees for several moments before holding him softly. "I didn't know what happened in the Underworld today. Forgive me for overburdening you with my nonsense."

He closed his eyes. "I should have spoken to you instead of …of…" He was at a loss for words.

She squeezed his thighs. "Hush."

He opened his eyes and looked at her deeply.

"I am so sorry Conroy got hurt. It happened the day I begged you to stay away from the Parallel Worlds, didn't it?" She said quietly.

His gaze got lost in the clearness of her beautiful eyes. He swallowed heavily. "Yes."

She hesitated. "You blame me?"

He clasped her hands quickly. "No…"

"You do…" -She closed her eyes with a knowing smile- "It is okay."

He pressed her hands and lifted one to his chest. "No Hermione. I blame myself…"

"…for listening to me." She smiled.

He frowned. "No."

She opened her palm and touched his chest above his heart. "I understand what it feels like to see people you care about getting hurt."

His heart missed another beat.

"I saw a dream of you…you were in danger …you were dying. That is why I asked you to remain…I never thought your comrade would be hurt instead. I never thought my dream meant anything to begin with. I just wanted you to be safe." Her voice was so caring.

His heart suddenly pulsated with an uncommon pain. "As do I. I don't want to see you hurt, however I was the one who hurt you in the end." His hand came up to touch the bloody shirt around her shoulder.

Her face came closer to his and her features became solemn. "I pushed you over the edge. I forgot the crudeness you hide inside you Professor."

"Forgive me." He scowled painfully.

Her warm palm cupped his frozen cheek. "Please don't…Your strength is as terrifying as it is beautiful. You don't know how powerful you are, do you?"

"I know I can be dangerous to you." He murmured and felt more tears surfacing. He didn't know why his heart felt so broken at that moment or why he was so vulnerable.

"You are always protecting me…since I can remember myself. You would never hurt me. I know…." Her breath caressed his dry lips.

"Yet I did." He whispered and touched the edge of her wounded shoulder.

Her eyes fell upon his lips. Then she approached so much she almost touched them with hers. "I am sorry for today Severus….I am sorry for your friend." She said solemnly.

Her breath felt like a balm for the slash that was bleeding in his very soul. He closed his eyes. "Forgive me also Hermione. I never meant to hurt you. I don't want to burden you with a knowledge that might prove to be dangerous for you…."

She stopped him gently. "Please shush."

He opened his eyes and looked at her soft features that were so close to him….and then he felt them. Those soft pearls barely touching his. His stomach twisted around painfully. He pulled back slowly. "No…" He felt regret the moment he uttered the word.

Her lips curled up into the most adorable smile. "Why not?"

"It is not proper…" He was almost inaudible.

"Forget propriety Severus. We are alone in here and I would like so much to kiss you…without the Wizengamot as a witness…without my friends as judges and without our former relationship as student and Professor bringing us to a standstill. I just want to try…and see what it feels like without thinking of anything else. Don't you?"

His fingers tightened around her hand that was above his drumming heart. "Whenever I look at you I see…the past." He sounded lost.

Her smile widened. "You don't have to look at me." She said softly. Her hand reached out and extinguished the only candle in the study- "Can we try now…without thinking of who are? Without remembering the past, thinking of our differences or our having second-thoughts?"

He couldn't answer and he hoped she couldn't feel the wild beating of his heart.

"I don't want to try this for the Marriage Law that forced us together. I want to try this…just for what it is….a kiss…" She murmured softly.

He closed his eyes and heard his throat swallowing way too loudly. "I do too…"

Her palm cupped his cheek once again and her lips found his with a tenderness that made his eyes water anew. Suddenly inside the darkness of his study, concealed as he felt from the past he did what his body ached to do from the first moment he touched her so passionately in front of the Wizengamot. He sealed her lips with his firmly and that ignited a small surprised cry from her which melted into a soft moan of appreciation. He deepened the kiss so sensually slow that he saw stars behind his closed eyes. He cradled her head upon his palm and opened his mouth in order to taste her with a hunger that kindled a primeval fire inside her.

His forefinger caressed her under the earlobe as he offered her beautiful lips forgotten kisses he thought he'd never give a woman again after Lilly. Kisses that spoke with an ache unrivalled. A gentleness and care that derived from a heart he thought long dead. Kisses he never offered at the various women who occupied his bed during all this time. As the sun set behind the heavy clouds and a steady rainfall begun outside, their touches became so well-tuned that he felt his body burning up with a longing he could barely control.

As for her…she was just flawless. Softly responsive and warm under his palms. Her lips smooth and sleek, her tongue playful and searching, toying with the very spark that was keeping his soul alive.

That's how it found him…it found them. His power arising without him calling on it. Brightening up his Rune tattoo and spreading from his shoulder-blades to his arms and then to his hands. Slowly sliding over her body, covering her shoulder wound and healing it…then enwrapping around her sides and surrounding her waist. Engulfing her hips and twisting around her thighs….until it could slither down towards the pit of her stomach, warming her up so acutely that she gasped.

He released her lips slowly and looked at the dark shadows that flickered upon her beautiful face as the bluish hue of his magical threads enveloped her protectively. "Beautiful…just spellbinding." He muttered breathlessly.

She touched one of these threads and it evaporated under her fingertips. "Are you talking about your kiss or your magic?" She whispered entranced.

"About you." His voice was like warm velvet, loosening up her knees.

"Thank you for healing in me in this beautiful manner…thank you for kissing me so….so…" She caressed his face almost lovingly, unable to find the proper words.

He felt his breath catching and allowed himself the privilege to peck her pearly lips once more.

She reciprocated gently. "For a Dark Wizard you are simply mesmerizing."

His eyes closed on their own volition and he leaned his forehead on hers. "What we are doing is not proper Hermione…"

"Who is to say that?" Came the quick answer.

He didn't answer.

"I don't care about propriety Severus, I told you before. I will never regret this kiss…nor any others you might decide to give me." -Her hand got buried under his hair and slid over his nape, sending shivers down his back- "Or any others I will demand out of you." Her smile was adorable.

He didn't speak.

She leaned down to offer his lips a gentle peck before speaking quietly. "Conroy is in the forty ninth ward you said?"

He looked up with a nod. "Yes."

"Alright. Now come…" She stood up and pulled him.

"Where to?" He frowned, but allowed her to lead him.

"You need to rest…" She said with a voice that had enough care to soothe him, but also enough austereness to stop his resistance. She led him silently to his rooms and even though he was aching to be kissed again, she didn't touch him in any manner.

She laid him down, then she extinguished all the candles and sat next to him. She urged him to close his eyes and begun caressing his hair until she unwound every single knot of tension in his strong body and every spark of his magical strength got dowsed. Then his eyes closed and he admitted in defeat that he was going to fall asleep even though the only thing he wanted was to repeat their previous encounter again and again and again….until she allowed him to follow it home.…no matter who she was…no matter who he was…no matter the consequences or if all this was right or wrong.

And sleep did come for him and for the first time in centuries it wasn't restless.

-.-