Longing for Lethe

Longing for Lethe

By: pandorabox82

AKA: Steph

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. I am not anywhere near JKR’s writing style because I am not her. I just happen to be borrowing her characters for a little bit so I can get this story out of me. Don’t sue, because I am a typical college student, and have nothing.

Author's Note: School is over for the semester, and here is LfL chapter 3, finally! Harry and Ron come to visit, and Severus almost gets caught with Hermione. Oh, yes, the first mention of Sybil comes too! Nightmares and other things abound in this very short chapter. But there is more to come, I hope! Remember, if you have any feedback, leave it at ff.net, or e-mail me at [email protected]. Thanks, and Ja ne! Steph

"We're here to see Hermione, Madame Pomfrey. Professor Dumbledore told us that she was out of her coma, and could receive visitors," Harry said, with Ron nodding his head behind him.

"Give me a moment, boys, while I see if she wants any visitors." Turning, she went into the infirmary and bustled about for a bit before going to ask Hermione.

'I have the odd habit of walking in on very touching scenes, don't I?' she asked herself when she popped her head into Hermione's curtained section of room. There was Hermione, running her hand through Severus' hair, smiling down on his sleeping form, their clasped hands his pillow. Looking up, Hermione blushed, but Madame Pomfrey ignored it.

"He hasn't had much sleep while I was in my coma, has he?"

"No, my dear. He was too busy making sure you'd be all right."

"Why does he care so much? I'm nothing to him."

"I'll reckon it has a lot to do with Lily, and her treatment of him. I was a year ahead of them, and always found it despicable. But, you really should ask him for the story. Now, then, you have two gentlemen waiting to see you. Shall I send them in?"

"Yes, but could you conceal Sev- I mean Professor Snape before you do? I'm not sure how Harry and Ron would react to his being here."

Poppy performed the charm and went off to fetch the boys. "She's ready to see you now, but only for ten minutes - she's not up to anything longer than that right now." She led the boys to Hermione's bedside and conjured up an hourglass. "This is set for ten minutes and will glow red when time is up. Talk fast!" With those words she left.

"Are you okay, Hermione? Dumbledore told us you'd had an accident, and that you were in a coma, and no one could see you. We've been so worried about you!" Ron bombarded words at her like he was afraid of Madame Pomfrey coming back early.

Hermione gave a gentle laugh. "Don't worry about me, Ron. I've been in good hands since I arrived here! Now, has anything interesting happened in the last five days that I should know about?"

"Well, Professor Snape hasn’t been to Potions all week. Dumbledore took over his classes and everything. Some of the other kids are wondering if he died and they're looking for his replacement teacher. I don't think the slimy git has enough niceness in him to die, though. Why would he give me any measure of relief? I mean I did save his life this summer in the final battle between Voldemort and our side!" Harry ranted on for another minute, not noticing the look on Hermione's face growing more and more angry. Ron noticed, however, and began to steer the conversation towards the latest house gossip.

Hermione realised that Ron was trying to get her to calm down, and was grateful for his stories about Divination, and how Trelawney no longer predicted death for Harry, but that she was now onto a love kick. "Two unlikely people will develop a great and abiding love, one from the green and silver, and one from the red and gold," he said, mimicking Trelawney's voice with a bang on accuracy. "Everyone started teasing Harry, saying he was going to fall for Millicent, or worse, Draco! Hermione, what is it?"

"Oh, nothing, Ron. Just lost in a thought, I suppose. I'm glad you came to see me, but could you go now? I'm feeling rather tired…" her voice trailed off, punctuated by a yawn.

"Sure, 'Mione. We'll come back later. Come on, Harry." They left, and Hermione was once again alone with Severus. Poppy peeked in and asked if she needed anything, after ending the concealing charm.

"Yes, could you bring another bed over? I don't think he's going to awaken any time soon, and he should be a mite more comfortable than he is now."

"Well, it is highly unorthodox, however, there's not much the two of you can do now, is there? So, I don't really see any problems with it. Accio, bed!" Summoning another bed to her side, Poppy levitated Severus, pulled the chair out of the way, and pushed the bed close in to Hermione's. Setting Severus softly onto the bed, she began to speak. "Tomorrow, Albus and I shall talk to you about your recovery. As your spinal injury isn’t permanent, we have to work to rebuild some things. Though we won't know more until the swelling goes down. Now rest so that you can focus on the task ahead of you." Bustling out of the room, Poppy missed Severus move a little closer to Hermione.

Giving a yawn of exhaustion, Hermione looked down on her love. It felt so weird to call him that, when the week before she couldn't stand him. Sure, she had admired his great knowledge and the way his presence commanded your attention, but now, looking through the eyes of love, she understood so much more. 'The reason for his bitterness lies with Lily. I wonder what their story is?' she thought before drifting into a deep sleep.

Neville had broke his wrist, again - this time, he'd slipped outside and landed hard on his arm. Poppy fixed it quickly and sent him back to his dorms. By this time, she was ready to turn in for the night. However, before she did, she decided to take one last look in on Hermione for the night. She smiled softly at the sight before her. Both Hermione and Severus were fast asleep, and in their sleep had managed to get quite close. Severus had his arm around Hermione's waist, while one of his legs was wrapped around one of hers. She was turned towards him slightly, and had her arms wrapped around him, and her head resting on his shoulder. Both had slight smiles on their faces, and Poppy couldn't stop smiling herself. 'Love always shows through in sleep. I wonder how long it'll take Severus to realise this time love found him - even with all his protestations against it.' Poppy pulled the covers up around the pair, and left the infirmary.

The dream started as it always had. He'd apparated from his room to the Potter's house in Godric's Hollow. Only this time it wasn’t Lily in trouble - it was Hermione. She was being chased by two Death Eaters, when she tripped over the root of a tree. The Death Eaters made their way to her, as she struggled to get on her feet once more. It was too late for him to stop what happened next. As he screamed her name, one of the Death Eaters pulled out his wand and whispered the Killing Curse. Once more, he'd been unable to save an innocent life….

He woke up to the feel of a hand smoothing the hair back from his face. "Shh, Severus, I'm okay. I'm right here, with you," she whispered over and over. Lulled by the litany of words, spoken with such softness and love, he fell back asleep. "Don't worry Severus, I won't leave you - you're stuck with me now," she whispered to his sleeping self before placing a soft kiss on his forehead. 'If only he could always be so nice- no, then he wouldn't be Severus,' she thought as sleep reclaimed her.