Chapter 15

"I don't want to be here long, Professor," she said solemnly.

He didn't like the sound of her voice. She didn't sound like herself at all.

He nodded.

"...Why me, Severus?"

"...Because I knew you could handle it. I knew you hated me already, so this would only add to your hatred of me."

"I don't hate you, Severus."

He looked at her.

"You don't?"

"No. I don't. I just don't know how I'm supposed to feel right now. We made love, Severus."

"I know, Hermione. I know," he whispered, putting his face in his hands.

When he looked up, she was kneeling before him, grasping one of his hands in her own.

"I love you, Severus. I don't know how, but I do and I can't help the way I feel…and I know that in time, you'll grow to love me too."

He pressed his lips to her hand. He let his tears fall shamelessly.

"I won't hurt you, Severus. You've been through enough."

"So have you. Look what I've put you through!"

"Shhh," she soothed.

He fell silent.

"We'll pretend this never happened and go about our lives. It'll be okay."

And it was.