Author's Note: Thanks to Liza for betaing :)

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Lover's Day - OTP War. Prompt: Character A calls Character B over just to kill a spider

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694 words

All Severus wanted was for things to go back to how they'd been just a few short years ago, when he'd been nothing more than a private potions master, left alone to his own devices for most of the day.

He'd hoped things might calm down once he was out of the hospital. McGonagall planned to reinstate him as the Defense teacher once he was healed, and in the meantime he was allowed to return to his old chambers in the dungeon.

"On one condition." Healer Morris hesitated in signing the release papers.

Severus huffed, impatient to leave the infernal hospital behind after six months. "What is it?"

"You can't use magic. It's just a temporary exercise. You had a close call and I don't want to see you exerting yourself when you're still on the mend."

"This is absurd."

"I can't imagine this will be very difficult for someone of your talents, Professor," the healer flattered. "Surely you'll be able to make do just fine without magic. But just to be on the safe side, I've instructed Ms. Granger to keep an eye on you."

From her seat in the corner, Hermione braced for Severus to argue the point.

"I don't need anyone-"

"I respect your request for independence, Professor, but you may want to start considering asking for help once in a while. But my decision is final. Either you give up magic until your check up next month, or you're staying in the hospital."

:-:

The arrangement wasn't nearly as bad as Severus thought it would be, though he didn't voice this to anyone.

The house-elves brought his meals and cleaned his chambers, and even without magic he was able to return to his peaceful, solitary life in the dungeons. Until two o'clock, when Granger would come calling to check on him.

"I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself," he would say, shooing her out.

"Well I'm only a floo call away if you do need anything," she insisted before the door slammed shut.

It was a full week before Severus even considered her offer, because he really was capable of anything - standing, walking, chopping, brewing - so long as he did it in small doses. But there was one thing that was simply impossible without his wand.

"Granger. It seems that I require your assistance with something rather important. Come to my chambers immediately," he ordered, ending the floo call before she could complain about the late hour.

She was at his door in under five minutes, which even Severus had to admit was quite a feat considering she was back in Gryffindor tower.

He smirked at the apple green nightgown she wore but tried to hide his amusement as she looked to him in concern.

"What's the emergency?" she asked, wand already in hand.

"Through here," he said and led her into his bedroom. He pointed up to the corner of the ceiling, where they could just make out a small cobweb with several spiders working around it.

"I'm confused."

"The spiders." He glared at them. "My wards must have worn off and I can't get rid of the damn things without my wand."

"You have wards against spiders?"

"Yes."

Hermione lowered her wand. "And you called me here to … to deal with some spiders?"

"Yes!" he said exasperatedly.

"You call this an emergency?"

"I believe the word I used was 'important.' You inferred an emergency." He smirked at her. "But, yes, I do need you to get rid of them before you leave."

She stared at him for several moments before he grew impatient.

"What's the problem?"

"Nothing. I just had no idea you were afraid of spiders."

"I am not afraid of them," he hissed.

"It's alright. I'm surprised, that's all. Of all the things…"

"They're a menace. Vermin to be eradicated at all costs."

"I see," she said, smirking. With a swift jerk of her wand, the spiders and web vanished. "Well, I'll let myself out. Goodnight, Professor."

Severus could hear her laughing all the way to his front door and he shook his head. That was the last time he ever asked for help.